My standard KP disclaimer:
I know Disney owns "Kim Possible"...lock, stock, and Rufus.
If they want to sue me, they have to get behind all my other creditors.
Since I am in south Florida, the line has formed to the right
…and goes all the way to Sacramento!
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Opening notes:
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1) I want to say 'thanks' to AlyssC01 and karenstern05 for reviewing the latest chapter of this story.
Since my Valentine's Day comedy, 'Chance Meetings and Pasta', was a 'one-shot', there was no place to acknowledge those brave readers. I would like to also thank FireStorm2K7, Ran Hakubi, snapbang,(more on him in a moment), and Yankee Bard for reviewing that little diversion. I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Two readers I truly hold in high esteem are CajunBear73 and lxk for their courage. . These two had enough intestinal fortitude to review both 'Chance Meetings' and the latest chapter of this 'epic' work (insert laugh track here)!
2) I start this chapter with the last few paragraphs of the previous chapter. Still, it is HIGHLY recommended to read the 'So the Reality: Prologue' chapter for this story, along with this tale's earlier chapters, before proceeding!! It's the only real way to fully bring readers 'up to speed' on the events leading up to this chapter.
'So the Reality: Prologue' is easy to find. Just click on my name at the top of this story. My bio will appear, along with a list of stories. Click on 'So the Reality: Prologue', select the fifth chapter, and you're there.
Of course…if one of the other stories on the list catches your eye, feel free to read that one (maybe leave a review, perhaps?), and then go the 'Prologue' chapter.
Don't worry…we'll wait until you come back. You won't miss a thing…I promise!
3) Just a friendly reminder…if you want something a little darker than what I have here, be sure to check out 'When Heroes Fall' by snapbang.
As 'beta-reader' for that story, I have heard some great things from its readers. One person even told it was a 'thrill-a-minute ride' for them. Just treat this like all other attractions like that…'You must be at least this tall to get on board', OK? It is rated 'T', after all.
4) No matter what I put here, it's still up to you, the loyal reader, to let me know what you want. Review me, e-mail me if you wanna reach me! If you want to 'PM' me, that's ok! (Sorry…got carried away there, but you get the idea.) Enjoy!
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So the Reality: 'Judge Judy' (Continuing Testimony)
As we return from the break, the 'off-camera' announcer reminds us…
"…The people—and Lorwardians—are REAL…
…The cases are REAL…
…The rulings are FINAL…"
The logo for the show appears on the screen as the opening montage concludes…
"…THIS is 'Judge Judy'…"
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Judge Judy turned her attention back to Warmonga and asked, "What is the significance of this 'Great Blue'?"
"According to ancient prophecy, 'The Great Blue' is supposed to lead us to conquest over all who oppose us."
"I see. Do you have any written evidence of this 'prophecy'?"
"I have it right here, your honor." Warmonga pulled out a scroll from a compartment on her belt and opened it to read from its writings. As she opened it, certain folds and creases were noticed by both Nana and Harry. They took careful note of the placement of each deformity as Warmonga began her reading.
"Your honor, 'The Great Blue' is mentioned in this passage…
'…When the time is right, you will return this scroll to its point of origin. However, when you get to that point of origin, it is essential to the very existence of your world for you to…contact with the one…named 'The Great Blue'. He will lead…you in battle! Word of your…victory will spread over the entire galaxy!
'As a way of keeping you from getting…to… 'The Great Blue', someone from that world will try to divert you to a nearby world. If that happens, you must…destroy those who remain on that…'home world'…'
Warmonga was as surprised as everyone else when the scroll began to glow.
"Y-your honor," she began, "…'Th-the Scroll of Prophecy' has never done this before. This must be some trick the Earth dwellers are performing in a feeble attempt to destroy it!"
At that instant, glowing light seeped through the cracks of the small chest adorned with ancient Japanese characters.
Harry Takamura quickly stood. Perhaps he stood too quickly, as he began to feel a little light-headed from the sudden movement. Ron was the first to act, offering Harry a helping hand and a glass of water. After a slight drink from the glass, Harry waved off any further assistance.
Once Harry regained his composure, he turned to Warmonga and said, "If something is being done to your scroll, it is affecting the others as well. It would not be to our advantage to destroy your scroll…especially if my suspicions are correct. May I examine the outside of the scroll?"
"You may examine it;" Warmonga replied as she held the scroll out toward Harry, "but I am watching you very carefully, old man."
Without touching it, Harry leaned close enough to look at the end of the scroll. He noticed a small mark on the parchment.
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He pointed the mark and asked, "Do you see this?"
"Of course I do!" Warmonga huffed. "That is a symbol of Lorwardia's planetary 'lucky number'…which is '5', if you must know!"
Harry returned to his table and countered, "I'm not sure if '5' really signifies your 'lucky number', but I have another theory as to why the mark was placed there." He turned to the woman dressed in black, held out the wooden chest, and asked, "Yori, would you please open the chest?"
Yori bowed to Harry and replied, "Of course, Takamura-San—that is, if it would not sidetrack the point of the question. I am fully aware of the consequences if these actions are ruled to be frivolous. Becoming vaporized is, how do you say, not on my list of 'things to do today'."
Judge Judy chuckled and said, "Go ahead, young lady. I want to see this myself."
Yori bowed to the judge and intoned, "It would be my honor, your honor!"
Yori proceeded to replace the gloves from her black outfit with specialized gloves, similar to those used by museum workers when restoring delicate works of art. She opened the chest to reveal six scrolls with the same size dimensions as the one held by Warmonga. She placed the first four scrolls side-by-side on the table. After allowing a gap, she placed the remaining two scrolls on the table.
With an air of grandeur, Yori declared, "Your honor, I present 'The Seven Mystic Scrolls of Tosimiru'. He is the founder of the Yamanouchi School. These scrolls have accurately foretold its destiny for many centuries."
Judge Judy gave Yori a quizzical look as she studied the display of evidence on the defense table.
"Young lady," she interjected, "I hate to break it to you…but I only see six scrolls here. What happened to the seventh one?"
"Your honor," Yori pointed to the last scroll she touched as she began, "the seventh scroll is right here. As a matter of fact, it is the only one which is still sealed by Toshimiru's mystic bond."
She pointed to another scroll and continued, "If I could read from the sixth scroll, I may be able to provide some explanation as to the disputed 'scroll count' as well as the recent glowing appearance of all of them…
"If Warmonga wishes to read along to confirm the accuracy of my interpretation, I will spread the scroll open on the remaining space of the table."
In a condescending tone, Warmonga grumbled, "What makes you think a technologically-superior civilization as ours could read an ancient 'polkin-scratch' scrawling from a primitive planet such as this?"
Yori countered, "You're speaking in English right now, are you not?"
Warmonga sighed, "Very well. I will read the scroll with you."
Yori proceeded to open the sixth scroll and drew her breath to read from it. She was suddenly interrupted by the hulking Lorwardian.
"What is the meaning of this blasphemy?" Warmonga roared. "Only transcripts of 'The Scroll of Prophecy' are allowed to be written in such a manner as this!"
Yori shook her head and said, "It is an ancient variation of a language called Japanese. It has been widely used on this planet—or, at least, certain portions of the planet—for thousands of years…
"Here is a passage from the sixth scroll which may eliminate the confusion:
'It is a mark of true ignorance to believe life can only exist on this world. To spread enlightenment to its full potential, a scroll has been cast out among the stars…
'…One day, the scroll will be found by intelligent life. Once they are enlightened by its contents, the scroll will be reunited with its companions as both worlds will begin an era of peace and understanding…'
"Shall I continue, Warmonga?"
All in attendance at Germain Arena, even those in the stadium seating above from the 'courtroom' area, sat stunned at Yori's revelation. The silence was broken when Judge Judy cleared her throat.
She quipped, "Well…I guess both of our planets got off on the wrong foot there, huh?"
This remark drew nervous laughter from all in attendance, especially from the reporters and photographers representing other planets.
Yori nodded and said, "That appears to be the case. Warmonga, your 'Scroll of Prophecy' is actually the fifth of the 'Seven Scrolls of Toshimiru'. It glows because of its reunion with its fellow scrolls."
Yori gently rolled the scroll back to its original position and placed it back on the table. At this point, Nana whispered something in Yori's ear. The young woman motioned toward Warmonga's scroll and asked, "Have you always folded your scroll in such a manner as it sits now?"
Warmonga replied, "Of course, I have—and so has every keeper of the scroll before me. What does that have to do with anything?"
Yori shook her head in dismay. "Over the years, your wrinkling and that of others may have caused the scroll to become damaged. Its message may have been misinterpreted."
She handed a certificate to Bailiff Byrd, who relayed it to Judge Judy.
"Your honor," Yori declared, "I am certified as an expert in artifact recovery. I believe the message on the fifth scroll may not have fully been conveyed to the Lorwardians. I wish to carefully straighten the scroll to confirm my suspicions. Warmonga is welcome to observe my efforts, of course."
Judge Judy sat back in her chair and said, "That's an interesting theory. I will allow it."
Yori gently took the scroll from Warmonga. She carefully smoothed out all of the wrinkles and properly rolled the scroll.
She said, "Warmonga, you will notice I held no writing instrument and my hands never left your sight. If I tried anything unethical to alter your scroll, I am sure you would have observed it, and I most assuredly would have been vaporized…
"Now that I have restored your scroll to its original form, would you please read the earlier passage again?"
Warmonga's eyes grew wide as she read the passage:
—(Author's note…The previously-obscured portions of the scroll are shown in CAPITAL LETTERS for the purpose of this story.)—
'…When the time is right, you will return this scroll to its point of origin. However, when you get to that point of origin, it is essential to the very existence of your world for you to AVOID ANY contact with the one UNSTOPPABLE NEMESIS named 'The Great Blue'. He will lead A VAST ARMY TO DEFEAT you in battle! Word of your DOOM AND HIS COMPLETE victory will spread over the entire galaxy!
'As a way of keeping you from getting YOUR HEAD HANDED to YOU BY 'The Great Blue', someone from that world will try to divert you to a nearby world. If that happens, you must HEED THEIR WORD, LEST 'THE GREAT BLUE' LOSE PATIENCE AND destroy those who remain on that WHICH IS LEFT OF YOUR 'home world'…'
At this point, a loud snapping sound was heard as the seal of the seventh scroll broke. Soon, all seven scrolls stopped glowing.
Donning a second set of curator gloves, Harry Takamura began to open the seventh scroll.
Yori gasped, "Mr. Takamura, only I and one person besides me are authorized to initially open the seventh scroll once the seal is broken. For anyone else to do so would mean certain—"
"Daughter!" Harry interrupted. "I am well aware of the risks. I am pleased I will not have to maintain this disguise to ease your fears any longer."
"Daughter?" Yori gasped, covering her mouth at the implication of that word.
At that moment, Harry's short white hair became long and tied in a ponytail. An extremely-long moustache grew from the previously clean-shaven face. The brown suit was soon replaced by a golden kimono, tied with a black belt. The blue-and-green Yamanouchi 'lotus' emblem graced the back of the kimono.
Kim, Ron, and Yori all yelled at once, "Master Sensei?"
'Jinx!" Judge Judy shouted. "All three of you owe me a soda once this case is settled." With a scowl, she turned her attention to Sensei. "I thought you were Harry Takamura. What's all this 'Master Sensei' stuff? And you do know that, under Intergalactic Law, perjury is punishable by—"
"WE KNOW!!" the entire 'courtroom' section yelled.
Ron screamed in disgust, "Is everything punishable by death under Intergalactic Law?"
"Pretty much." Judge Judy replied.
Sensei chuckled, "Your honor, I did not perjure myself. As far as my name, 'Sensei' is merely a title, not an actual name. Harihito Takamura, or 'Harry' for short, is the name my adoptive parents gave me...
"After I spent my formative years at Yamanouchi, I really did work with Abigail, the one you call 'Nana Possible', at Global Justice. In fact, my last mission with GJ was my return to Yamanouchi. It was at that point I accepted my destiny as Headmaster of the school."
He turned back toward the scroll, still wearing the curator gloves he donned before his 'transformation'. He asked, "Shall I continue with the reading of…"
Sensei quickly grabbed a chair, sat down, and rested his head on the table. As Ron, Yori, Nana, and Kim tried to help, he waved all four of them away from him.
"I will be fine, everybody. I must read the seventh scroll before I can accept my final destiny."
He cautiously approached the scroll and began to read its contents.
After a brief skim of the first few paragraphs, he turned to the Lorwardians and said, "I'm so glad I read this before the judge made her ruling. The fate of your planet lies in the balance."
Warmonga gave Sensei a quizzical look and asked, "Why would you want to help us…after all the damage we have caused you?"
With a serene smile, he responded, "Remember the prophecy from the sixth scroll. If we are truly beginning an era of peace and understanding, there must still be a way to calm 'The Great Blue'. After all, as the second scroll reads, you are direct descendents of a cloned Toshimiru and his mate!"
Warhok shouted, "Lorwardians?? Descendants of your planet?? That's impossible!!"
Kim smirked and thought, 'If I had a nickel for every time I've heard that line, Ron's Naco royalties would look like babysitting money!'
Judge Judy scowled at Sensei and said, "Old man, don't pour 'Lizard-ade' down my back and tell me it's raining!! Are you telling me these behemoths originally came from Earth??"
Sensei intoned as he referred back to the second scroll, "According to this passage, it is true. Just as human life on this planet rose from dust, the spirits of Toshimiru and his mate traveled the stars within the scroll. Once they reached a planet capable of supporting them, the scroll landed. Life then rose from the dust of that distant world...
"As we have evolved with our surroundings over the centuries, so have you, adapting to the needs of your planet for increased height, strength, and skin pigmentation. Since you only had Toshimiru's code, your 'Scroll of Prophecy', by which to live, you were probably capable of advancing your technology at a much faster rate. While you do have a Governing Council, you did not have to deal with warring nations among yourselves to interfere with such growth."
With a hint of genuine concern in her voice, Warmonga asked, "So...how can we appease 'The Great Blue'?"
Sensei rolled up the second scroll and returned his attention to the seventh scroll. From that parchment, he read:
"When the scrolls are reunited, 'The Great Blue' will reveal himself to the sons and daughters of Toshimiru. If all is as it should be, 'The Great Blue' will bless the reunion with prosperity for both worlds. If not, there will be nothing left of either the returning descendents or their distant world!...
"Before judgment is passed, the guardians of 'The Great Blue' will be joined with their true destinies."
Warmonga and Warhok quickly huddled with members of the Governing Council. After their impromptu meeting, the leader of the Council pressed a button on his tunic. Muttering something into the button on the tunic, he nodded to Warhok and Warmonga as they addressed the bench.
"Your honor," Warmonga declared, "Our 'Restore Beam' is being utilized as we speak. All of your damaged buildings and bodily casualties are being restored to their states prior to our...rude entrance. Luckily, our interference produced no fatalities, or we would have had to repay them with equal numbers from our ranks under Intergalactic Law...
"From the people of this world, we seek forgiveness. We extend our hand in the hopes of friendship and peace."
Judge Judy smiled and said, "In light of recent developments, this case is—"
"NOT SO FAST, YOUR HONOR! YOU'RE OUT OF ORDER!!"
Everyone in attendance gasped as they turned to the chubby man with salt-and-pepper hair, moustache, and goatee.
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Author's ending notes:
1) Uh, oh… I already got Judge Judy ticked off at me, ready to reduce me to random molecules. Now I go and pull this stunt!! Regardless, some major issues are still unresolved…
Will the Lorwrdians survive their encounter with 'The Great Blue'?
What role does Yori play in all this?
Why is Harry/Sensei suffering these dizzy spells?
What have I gotten myself into this time?
Just who is 'The Great Blue', anyway?
…and how will this case end??
These questions and many more will be answered (no…really, they will!) when the thrilling conclusion of the entire 'So the Reality' series is revealed next week!
As a friendly reminder, the new 'ch-RON-icles' series will premiere next week with all new stories featuring Ron away from his missions with Kim.
2) For those who are not familiar with this series of stories, 'So the Reality' places KP characters into various TV 'reality' shows. I was originally going to list a summary of each one here. However, it's probably easier to find them via my bio. If you still want more info about them, just ask me (see note #4 below).
3) About that 'Lizard-Ade' line...I thought I would add a little more 'Judge Judy' flavor to the mix if I threw in a reference to one of her book titles. The actual book title is 'Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining!' (HarperCollins-hardback 1996, ISBN 0060173211; and HarperPaperbacks-paperback, 1997, ISBN 060927941).
4) The production of this story, like that for any work of fiction, is solely dependent upon the constructive feedback of its readers. If you like it, I will gladly make more. If you think of ways to make it better, I am always open to suggestions. If you really think it's a piece of garbage, stop me before I strike again!! Once again, Review me, e-mail me if you wanna reach me! If you want to 'PM' me, that's ok!
Your friend in writing,
The Samurai Crunchbird