Lost Stage: Soul Ignorance
By Jyoohan
Phase 007 – Ripped from the inside out
0700 Hours – April 18, 2011
Niwa Home – Everyday I want to see you
"Ah… it's a nice morning." Daisuke sighed at his room's balcony.
"Dai-sweetie! You're breakfast is getting cold!" Emiko cried up into Daisuke room.
"I'm coming!" Daisuke called back and took a quick glance and lingered towards a familiar house.
"Oh this is very pleasant." Grandpa Daiki said with content as he sipped his warm tea.
"Why is that Dad?" Kosuke set his chopsticks down and went for the bowl of miso soup.
"It's very rare for Daisuke to enjoy a slow morning breakfast with us. I haven't felt like this in ages." Grandpa's cheek reddened in a gooey feeling.
"Yeah… usually I'll be running late for school." Daisuke remembered when his night job deprives him of sleep which result of the late-for-school-panic-run.
"Well it's good you slept in early last night, cause I made lotsa things to energize you after you're wonderful trip!" Emiko brought a bowl full of rice the size of Daisuke's head. Kosuke and Daiki began to sweat at the sight.
"Ah, that's a little… much mom." Though feeling a little overwhelmed, Daisuke smiled enjoying a simple meal that he haven't been able to enjoy for a long, long time.
"Now Daisuke, be sure to be home by 5 o'clock, okay honey?" Emiko cried from the same window as Daisuke left for school.
"Did you send another note?" Daisuke sighed inside.
"No! We thought we should go out together! All of us! So be home by then!" Emiko retreated into the home leaving Daisuke curious and anxious to get back home when he's just 10 steps away from it.
"Ah! I'll be late for school!" Daisuke quickly turned and ran.
Near the school, a shorthaired girl could be seen slowly pedaling on her bike as she got nearer and nearer to the open school gates. Riku sighed as she tried to get the sleepy daze out of her head.
'I couldn't sleep a wink.' Riku groaned. 'I just kept thinking and thinking…' Riku tried to push down that feeling that was trying to overflow, but also failed to notice the sounds of quickly approaching feet until.
Smack!
"Ah… that hurt." Daisuke rubbed his nose as he hit the ground. 'That was really careless of me.' Daisuke scolded himself.
"Yeah it is!" Riku cried… in pain?
"Huh? Riku!" Daisuke quickly got up and looked around finding out what happened. He was running then he bumped into Riku around the corner while he was running for the gate… in a tunnel vision state remembering he didn't even see her. "Are you alright Harada-san?"
"Uuun." Riku groaned as she pushed the bike off her leg. Daisuke quickly helped her and when he took her hand. Riku suddenly recoiled.
"I'm fine! I can get up on my own!" Riku said a little too harshly.
"Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't… mean to." Daisuke scratched his head nervously.
Riku felt a pang of guilt as she tried not to look at him. She put her hands to the ground trying to stand up until electricity just spiked through her ankle. 'This pain, hurt too much to move.'
"Are you hurt?" Daisuke tried to get closer, but Riku tried to move away.
"I'm fine! I'm fine! I can get up!" Riku quickly pick herself up but fell forward right into Daisuke's arms. Riku's face lit up like a Christmas light. 'Daisuke.' Riku could feel her heart racing like it was in a marathon… two marathons.
"Harada-san, did you hurt your ankle?" Daisuke tried to concentrate on his own problem feeling Riku's body against his. I mean he's about to be in high school so the girls in has class would be growing but… Daisuke felt like he was about to change any moment.
Dong!… Dong!… Dong!…
Both suddenly looked up hearing the school bell ring. "Oh no! We're late!" Daisuke cried, but when he moved he felt Riku's grip tighten as she winced in pain. "Hurry, I'll take you to the nurses office."
Riku was about to bite back bitterly if Daisuke tries to hurry her when she's in so much pain, until she felt herself being picked up. "Ah! W-wait! I must be heavy!" Riku grimaced.
"Don't worry, I'll get your bike after I take you to the office." Daisuke entered the school gates.
"Th-… thanks..." Riku whispered.
"No problem." Daisuke replied but was actually wrestling with himself not to change feeling something particular on his back.
1305 Hours – April 18, 2011
School Atrium – The two sisters
"Hey, you were actually late today huh Daisuke?" Saehara smiled with his special homemade lunch.
"I couldn't help it okay?" Daisuke got his lunch his mom made.
"Well at least you got excused for the first 30 minutes of class." Sekimoto looked at his small lunch compared to his best friends. "Share?" Sekimoto smiled. Both Daisuke and Saehara nodded helping their friend out.
"After school cleaning duties." At a price. Saehara grinned.
"Grr, right." Sekimoto tried to hide his frown.
"Niwa-kun!" The boys turned seeing Risa coming towards them.
"We'll go on ahead." Saehara patted Daisuke before he and Sekimoto slipped off.
"Something wrong Harada-san?" Daisuke asked curious.
"Can you do me a favor Niwa-kun?" Daisuke looked at a small wrapped lunch and flinched remembering Risa's cooking.
"Hey! That's not nice!" Risa pouted. "For your information, our mom made this for us!" Risa said proudly.
"Oh. That's good." Daisuke kicked himself at his poor choice of words.
"Anyways," Risa didn't notice. "Could you take this to Riku for me?"
"Eh?" Risa shoved the wrapped lunch into Daisuke's hands. "Eeh!" Before Daisuke could even say anthying, Risa already left.
Daisuke looked up at the sign that said 'infirmary'. "Why didn't I say anything?" Daisuke let his head drop feeling stupid.
Daisuke slowly turned the knob but found it locked. "Hello?" He looked around not seeing anyone. "Maybe she left for lunch?" Daisuke quickly unlocked it and entered. "Harada-san? Harada-san?" Daisuke called for Riku. He walked past a curtain and stared at the sight.
Riku looked at Daisuke, as she was halfway through a window with her ankle wrapped up in a bandage. "Um where're you going Harada-san?" Riku looked at him with shock and embarrassment.
"Niwa-kun… why." Riku slipped but caught her by the hand before she fell out the window. But both fell down on the infirmary floor in a mess.
"Ah is your foot alright?" Daisuke carefully sat her up.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Riku let Daisuke help her back onto the bed. "What are you doing here?" Riku looked at him suspiciously.
"Me? Ah, well… you see." Daisuke suddenly clapped. "I remember now." Daisuke quickly picked up his and Riku's lunch. "Harada-san asked me to bring this to you." Daisuke handed to Riku her lunch.
"Geez, that Risa. Too lazy to even bring me my lunch huh?" Riku looked at the thing annoyed.
"Well I'll be going then." Daisuke turned to leave.
"Hey, wait… wait a sec." Riku called out quickly. "Can… can you keep me company?" Riku didn't look at him.
"Um… ah..." Daisuke began to sweat.
'Oh, Daisuke, a romantic lunch for two huh?' Dark snickered inside Daisuke's mind.
"Why now of all times." Daisuke whispered.
"Is it a bother?" Riku said a little disappointed.
"Huh? No, no! Of course I'll have lunch with you!" Daisuke slowly approached the bed and sat beside her.
Both sat silent, opened their lunches and began to eat, but Daisuke suddenly felt something… nothing dangerous but more… mischievous. He looked down at his lunch to find one of this shrimps missing; looking up he saw Riku with a shrimp disappearing behind her lips. "Hey! You could ask." Daisuke smiled suddenly feeling the tension disappearing.
"Please?" Riku winked her cheeks reddening prettily.
"What do you have? I want a fair trade." Daisuke looked over to see some egg rolls.
"You want 'em? Come and get 'em." Riku giggled, trying to hide her egg rolls from Daisuke's stomach.
As they both laughed, both had the same yet subtle thought. I wish we could be like this forever.
1840 Hours – April 18, 2011
Restaurant – So it really was a job!
"That was good." Daisuke smiled as he popped a complimentary peppermint into his mouth.
"Mm… those Korean buffets are delicious." Kosuke fiddled with a toothpick in his mouth. "But Emiko dear, I think you took quite too much. The owners looked a bit peeved."
"Oh hush, we got our moneys worth, right Daisuke honey?" Emiko smiled.
"Oh we should do this again someday." Daiki patted his full belly.
"Kyuuu." Wizu kyued happily.
"Ho?" Emiko spotted something and looked happy. "Daisuke, maybe you should help her, she seems lost."
Daisuke looked to see… "Harada-san? Why is she?" Daisuke felt his DNA ping, but held it back.
"Well, Daisuke… I've been meaning to ask. Which of the sacred maidens are you interested in? I say the one with the short hair is a better match." Daiki looked at Daisuke seeing his heart 'ping'.
"As long as she's cute as me." Emiko giggled.
"Mom! Don't joke like that." Daisuke covered his face embarrassed of his family more than his feelings for… "Riku." Daisuke whispered softly to himself. Daisuke shook his head.
"Don't worry Daisuke." Daisuke felt his dad's arms around his shoulder. "I'm sure you'll find your true sacred maiden." Daisuke smiled at his dad's kind words.
"He's right, cause he found me." Emiko hugged Kosuke's other arm.
"Now Emiko, calm down." Kosuke and Daiki laughed.
"You better hurry Daisuke, she's moving." Emiko pointed out.
"Ah, right!" Daisuke quickly ran to catch up.
"We'll be stopping by somewhere so head straight home!" Emiko cried.
Daisuke waved back letting them know he heard them.
"Now on to business." Daiki led the way.
Daisuke turned the corner looking left and right then finally spotted her. He smiled but stopped holding his chest. "Got to calm down. I don't want to turn into Dark."
"You called?" A smooth voice said with a glint of laughter.
"Dark!" Daisuke wished he was asleep like usual.
"Trying to ask the older Harada out on a late night date? There isn't any hotels nearby you know." Dark teased trying to push Daisuke over the edge.
"Stop it Dark!" Daisuke didn't need any of this… not right now.
"Calm down, I'm just teasing. So why don't go up to her already." Dark could see Riku hiding behind a tree, tailing Risa.
Daisuke gulped and walked towards her. "Um, hi!" Daisuke patted her on the shoulder.
Riku sighed as she glanced carefully from the tree she was hiding behind. "What are you up to Risa? Going out this late." She jumped suddenly feeling someone's hand.
"Um, hi!"
Riku turned to see a familiar person and screamed. "Aa… AAAAH!" Riku almost climbed up the tree backwards.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Daisuke quickly apologized.
Riku tried to calm her racing heart and her pulsing face. "Niwa-kun… what are you doing here?" Riku held her thumping chest.
"I uh… we came from this restaurant and… no! I mean we…" Daisuke froze for a second organizing his thoughts. "I saw you so I thought I should check if everything was alright." Daisuke said a little worried.
"Oh… Risa, RISA!" Riku suddenly remembered and turned around. "Gone… no." Riku squatted down depressed. "I lost her."
"I'm sure we can find her." Daisuke held a hand out to help her up, but Riku shrugged and got up herself leaving Daisuke hanging.
"She left alone so I got worried." Riku sighed.
Daisuke looked worried. "Well let's hurry and find her then."
"Wha-." Riku was cut off when Daisuke took her hand. "Wait my foot!"
Daisuke stopped immediately remembering what happened. "Are you alright?" checked her ankle without even thinking twice.
"Yeah, just… go slow." Riku walked a steady pace.
"Oh it's such a beautiful piece." Emiko's eyes glittered at the beautiful engravings.
"Yes, the Crown of Alice is a very rare piece of artwork from the cultural reformation." Said Kosuke.
"Emiko, Kosuke, come over here quick." Daiki hurried them over to the side out of view.
"What is it daddy? We just need to leave the warning note and-." Emiko stopped seeing Risa sneak… try to sneak unnoticed towards the Crown of Alice.
"I wonder what she's up to." Kosuke hummed.
The trio watched as Risa glanced around seeing no one and quickly left a card and left rather quickly.
"Ho… what do we have here?" Daiki walked up towards the crime scene and noticed the words, 'I will take the Crown of Alice, tomorrow at 9 o'clock. – Dark.'
"Where could you have gone? Risa..." Riku sounded a worried.
Daisuke glanced at Riku. "Don't worry Harada-san, I'm sure we'll find her in no ti-." Daisuke stopped recognizing someone running out from a museum. "Harada-san."
"Yes, I'm here." Riku groaned.
"No, it's Harada-san!" Daisuke pointed to a fast moving Risa.
"Ah! I can't keep up!" Riku limped 3 steps watching her sister disappear around the corner. Suddenly, Daisuke and Riku locked eyes. Both looked unwilling to do what they were about to do.
"Come on Niwa-kun! Faster!" Riku shouted, riding on Daisuke's back.
"Alright, Alright!" Daisuke ran hot on Risa's trail.
"There, turn left!" Riku pointed to the last corner. When they made it around Daisuke screeched to a stop seeing Risa 2 feet in front of him.
"Not good." Daisuke whispered as he slowly sneaked back around the corner.
Riku almost squealed when she felt Daisuke's grip tighten around her… butt. Daisuke was of course oblivious to this… 'Reflex action.'
Risa soon left again heading for the train station.
"Phew, I think she's heading home now Harada-san." Daisuke set Riku down earlier and now wondered why she was glaring at him.
Pow!
"Ooww!" Daisuke held his nose where it came in first contact with Riku's palm. "Did I do something wrong?" Daisuke asked with a funny voice, because he was holding his nose.
"You didn't have to… grab me so hard." Riku blushed wishing she were at home and just let Risa be.
"I'm sorry, did I hurt your ankle?" Daisuke checked her ankle making sure the bandage didn't get unwrapped. "Oh, you were bleeding to. I'm really sorry Harada-san."
"Stop apologizing so much." Riku muttered.
"Eh?" Daisuke cocked his head wondering what he did wrong now.
"I said stop being so… uu…" Riku groaned. After a long minute, Riku took a deep breath. "You don't have to say sorry all the time. You worrying about me is more than enough." Riku hid her face as she said this.
Daisuke stood there for a second until he suddenly had a small idea what she meant. "Hey Riku, we should hurry home before it gets really late." Daisuke held his hand out with a smile.
Riku looked at him and hesitated for a moment. 'Daisuke.' She closed her eyes for one second remembering something she didn't want to remember but quickly pushed it away as quick as it came. "Un." Riku made a small smile in return.
0800 Hours – April 19, 2011
Azumano Middle School – I want to meet you so very much
"It's true! Dark's next appearance is tonight!" Saehara announced his up to the leaked info news courtesy of his father.
"Kyaaa." The girls in the classroom squealed ready to see Dark.
"So what's he after this time?" One of the boys looked annoyed with this Dark condition the classroom girls are in.
"Where's the artwork Dark's going to steal gonna be in?" Risa asked with a giggle.
"In the new Giovanni Museum in the North Central District." Saehara said with a reporter's pride.
Risa gave a big squeal inside.
Riku looked at her suspiciously. While in the shadows, Satoshi glanced at the conversations of the group.
"Hey, isn't there a new amusement park opening nearby!" A boy just remembered.
"You're right, how about we got together?" A girl flirted.
"Wha-what? Really?" The boy shyly grinned.
"Of course not! Who would want to hang with you when there's Dark?" At this spark of interest, a great conflict yet again erupts between the male and female populous of Azumano Middle School…" Said the narrator. Huh… what? I'm in the story?"
"No you're not!" The author's long arm of censure grabs the narrator and drags him back out of the frame. "Do your job!"
"Yes sir." Said the narrator with happiness for his brief 7 seconds in frame.
To continue on…
"Haa!" Daisuke rushed into the classroom.
"Geez, again Daisuke?" Saehara rushed over to his friend. "What's up lately, you're almost late everyday!"
"Yeah dude, you busy with something every night?" Sekimoto said from his seat.
"Ah well, you see um…" Daisuke glanced and saw Riku staring at him who quickly looked away.
"Hey, quit zoning out!" Saehara smacked him in the back.
"You're attention level is slipping every second." Sekimoto said with a chuckle.
"No… it's just." Daisuke sighed, not able to say anything.
"Niwa-kun!" Risa walked up to Daisuke.
"Oh, good morning Harada-san." Daisuke smiled normally.
"Good morning. Hey, you heard right? Dark's finally coming again!" Risa jumped with excitement.
"Yeah." Daisuke hid his sigh knowing how Risa feels.
"Um, Niwa-kun. You know…" Risa got Daisuke's full attention.
Meanwhile, Riku watched as Risa and Daisuke talked, unable to hear anything, but something else was bothering her more than anything. "He saw me… He caught me staring at him." Riku tried to control her blush and feeling of embarrassment throughout her whole body.
"Riku's going to come to right Riku?" Risa snapped Riku out of her own little world.
"Huh? What?" Riku suddenly saw Daisuke and jumped.
"Are you alright Riku? Come on! You're going to come right?" Risa smiled with glee.
"Yeah, okay." Riku agreed. "Wait… go where?"
"To see Dark of course!" Risa said a little to happily.
"Eh? … Eh!"
2050 Hours – April 19, 2011
Giovanni Museum – Love not Lust you idiot!
"Ah… any moment." Inspector Saehara glowered with a very morbid aura as he waited to catch Dark, once again.
"At this very moment, police forces are preparing to counter-attack another one of Dark's attempt… ahem… another one of Dark's ingenious plans to steal the Crown of Alice.
"Ah, Commander." Inspector Saehara gave a salute.
"I'll give you full control of this operation, but let me take a few guards with me. I think I finally found a few of Dark's escape routes within the museum. Oh, try not to screw things up as bad." With that said, Satoshi chose 3 officers and walked off towards a different part of the museum.
"Urgh…" Inspector Saehara gave out an annoying groan. "How much longer is it?" The inspector checked his watch. "One more minute."
Everyone became silent as the awaited hour comes.
With a loud clong, the tower bells began to ring as the bell tolled the ninth hour of the night.
"Hm… he appears to be a little late, odd Inspector?" An officer approached the Inspector.
"Yes… he's usually punctual." Inspector Saehara's eyes roamed the skies, but Saehara had a sudden feeling that he was being duped. "Unless… Daaarrk!" Saehara dove for the officer who skillfully jumped over the inspector.
"Oh! It took you long enough to catch on!" Dark laughed as he entered the museum, right past the entire Azumano police force.
"How dare he make a fool of me!" Inspector dashed after him through the doors. "AAAaaaah!" The inspector most likely fell to his own traps.
Everyone began to sweat.
"Ah… sweet music to my ears." Dark grinned ear to ear.
"Hey, you think he'll be okay?" Daisuke sounded worried.
"He's alright. He's probably just sitting in a pit with ankle deep water." Dark snickered to himself.
He rushed down the museum halls and finally found his prize. "Ah… laser sensors." Dark pulled at a spray can and spread a thin mist revealing red lasers around the crown.
"Like taking candy from a baby." Dark was ready to pull the quick switcheroo.
"There he is!" Dark almost fell hearing the guard.
"Jeez, their timing is become more and more inconvenient." Dark grumbled as he threw a cloak over the glass mantle.
"Ah the crown is gone!" The guard above yelled not seeing through the illusion.
"He's escaping!"
"Ha-ha!" Dark laughed as he watched the guards chase him.
"Dark! Just hurry up and take the thing!" Daisuke didn't like being chased by the police.
"Why not Daisuke? We haven't experienced the old cat and mouse chase action for a while! Let's have some fun!" Dark pulled out a certain picture.
"No… no-no-no-nonono!" Daisuke yelled at the top of his lungs.
"Humph." Satoshi kept staring at his cell phone linked to the museum security cameras. "What the hell is that idiot doing? He didn't take out the cameras, left the power on, and is running around with no plan." Suddenly Satoshi saw Dark pulling at a piece of paper of some sort.
In seconds he saw Dark's hair color change that of red. "What the? He changed?" Satoshi watched as Daisuke ducked into one of the ventilation shafts evading a mob of policemen. Satoshi began to sweat. "Those fools, what is this soccer?"
Bzz…Ksshhh!
"!" Satoshi dropped his cell phone as it sparked.
Ksszzsshht!
Satoshi turned around seeing one of the security cameras near him steaming smoke from its metal casing. "What the hell?" Satoshi felt a very dark foreboding feeling.
"Hah-hah-hah." Daisuke tried to calm his breath as he moved about in the ventilation shafts.
"That was really good Daisuke. Usually I wouldn't lower myself to hide in this disgusting place, but I guess it's good enough for you." Dark… complimented.
"I don't want to hear that!" Daisuke yelled.
"What was that!" An officer shouted.
Daisuke clasped his mouth shut from making any more noise.
"He's around here!" The policeman dashed ahead.
Daisuke sighed quietly feeling the stress taking over him. "I just want to go home." Daisuke moaned.
"Well let's make our way back to the main hall. It seems the men in blue haven't seen through our trick yet." Dark pointed the way mentally for Daisuke
"Right." Daisuke made his way down the shaft hoping it leads to the main hall.
Minutes passed by…
Daisuke quietly made his way through the ventilation with Darks directions, but… the shaft seemed to be getting narrower and narrower.
"Dark are you sure this is the way?" Daisuke groaned as he dragged himself on his stomach.
"Yeah, yeah! Of course I am… I think." Dark muttered the last part quietly to himself but not quiet enough.
"You think!" Daisuke dropped his head on the thin metal.
Klunk!… creeeeeek.
"Not good sound." Dark and Daisuke began to sweat.
Crash!
"Ow…" Daisuke rubbed his chin falling stomach first onto the ground. "Where are we?" Daisuke grumbled as he looked around the dark hall.
"I don't remember this part of the museum." Dark hummed.
"Eh? Then how are we supposed to get out?" Daisuke panicked.
"Shut up! Let me think." Dark tapped his head trying to think. "Huh?"
"What is it Dark?" Daisuke suddenly felt an apprehensive feeling.
"I don't know why, but I think there's something ahead." Dark pointed down the darker end of the hall.
"Eh? Why is it always the really dark places? Can't we go the other way?" Daisuke was already heading towards the better lit area.
"No! We're going that way!"
"No way! I'm not going down that scary hall!" And scary it looked. The walls look like it came from a sci-fi horror flick.
"Riku in a thong!" Dark suddenly shouted.
"Eh? What's that?" Daisuke asked confused. Dark fell down metaphorically in Daisuke's head.
"Something more simple… simple, aha! Riku in a wet T-shirt!" With that said, it didn't take long before Daisuke began to imagine that particular feature. Daisuke began to feel it, that burning feeling.
Spurt.
Daisuke grabbed his nose from an ensuing nosebleed. "Wait, feelings of love trigger it! Not lust." Dark grumbled.
"Dark, Pervert!" Daisuke moaned holding his nose, waiting for the blood to clot.
"Hey Daisuke!" Dark said smoothly.
"No! I'm not changing! I'm not listening!" Daisuke tried to get rid of Dark's voice in his head.
"Riku was so cute wasn't she, eating lunch together in the infirmary… together… alone." Dark poked and poked until. "Ah… finally back in control." Dark stretched wiping off the last of the blood under his nose.
"No! Dark!" Daisuke moaned still holding his nose inside Dark's head.
"Anyways, I have this feeling and I'm gonna find out what's causing it." Dark ran down the hallway into the ensuing darkness.
Dark kept running for about 5 minutes non-stop until he hit a dead-end.
"Hm… strange." Dark's senses were on fire. He turned again and again like a dog sniffing out the culprit.
"Hey Dark, let's hurry and get back already!" Daisuke was beginning to feel something weird.
"Here." Dark pulled out one of his feather and slashed vertically against one part of the wall. Dark braced himself as he felt wind gush forth from the dead-end now replaced by a giant gate.
"Wha-what just happened?" Daisuke had to think for a minute to register what just happened.
"It was a sealed door." Dark smiled. "And sealed doors usually have big treasures!" Dark approached the over looming gates.
"What about the Crown?" Daisuke asked.
"We'll get it on the way back." Dark continued to smile.
"Dark stop it! You're acting strange!" When Daisuke said this, Dark felt like he was slapped awake, hard.
"Huh?" For a moment Dark shook his head and recollected himself. "What the hell am I doing?" Usually the primary objective, the crown, comes first but what is he doing lollygagging around here? Something was definitely wrong in this picture.
"Daisuke" Dark held a low serious tone. "Let's check what's behind this door."
Daisuke stepped back mentally. Dark was dead serious. Daisuke gulped as Dark got closer and closer to the giant gates. Like magic the gates open wide into the next room.
"Whoa…" Daisuke watched in astonishment and the décor and beauty of the room. It looked like a temple, inner nexus of someplace.
"I've been waiting for you." Dark turned to the unknown voice, but nothing was there.
"I've been feeling something for a while now, quietly nagging at the back of my mind… and now it finally woke me up." The voice wafted in the air from one side to another, a disembodied voice.
"I can sense it. Such energies unlike the world have ever seen coursing in that body." Suddenly the sounds of footsteps can be heard. Dark turned to see a figure high above along the temples column and dome edges. "Except I sense the same… no… the opposite energy coming closer as we speak."
"Wait opposite… Krad?" Dark shouted.
"I've heard about this… the greatest work of mankind incomplete due to human's incompetence." The figure dropped down from what looked like 50 meters, but landed like a bird.
"Man manipulating their own undoing. Oh how the men of art have fallen so low… the Hikari's." Both Daisuke and Dark winced hearing that familiar name.
"Hah… enough talk. I should get rid of you before you cause any problems." Dark glanced and finally got a look at his face… only… it was blank.
"What in the…" Dark's senses flared up. Instincts told him to get out, now, fast, before…
Voomph!
Dark covered his eyes as a light flashed brightly in the center of the room.
"Lancea Longini." The figured muttered holding a spear in his hand.
"Dark!" Daisuke shouted and in an instant Dark dodged floating in the air with his wings before that spear almost skewered him.
"Hey! What the big idea attacking out of the… blue!" Dark dodged again as the unknown figure threw the spear barely missing Dark.
"Heh." The figure chuckled and would have smiled if he had the facial ability.
"Huh?… Augh!" Dark felt something blunt knock the wind out of him from the back. He turned but felt another blow to his stomach. He glanced down seeing the spear's blunt end almost embedded into his gut. Dark failed to notice he was falling.
"Augh!" Dark groaned as he landed hard on the ceramic floor.
"Hah… just a bother." The figure held his hand up and the spear flew to him. "Now to end this quick." The figure stood over him.
"No… I got to do something." Daisuke thought.
"Hm?" The figure stopped. "Mm…" The figure grabbed Dark's head and went right up to him face to face looking straight into his eyes, if he had eyes.
"What the." Daisuke began to get nervous seeing a faceless figure. Daisuke felt like the figure was actually looking at Daisuke.
"What in God's name have you done to this boy?" The figure grumbled.
"What?" Dark moaned.
"Tch! Still wont' talk, typical." The figure stood up and paced the room a bit "This problem is easily solved." The figure readied his spear the blade end prone.
Dark eyes widened.
"This is odd." Satoshi whispered to himself as he walked down the long hallway. "How far does it go?" Satoshi suddenly felt that foreboding feeling growing. "What the…" Satoshi began to run down the halls.
"Niwa… what in blazes is happening?" Satoshi ran for 3 minutes and finally saw the gate. He stopped as his jaw slowly came loose looking at the gargantuan doors. "How is something like this below the museum?" Satoshi quickly shook off his reverie and ran past the doors.
"Gyaaaaa!" Satoshi stepped back seeing the sight before him.
Aaaaaaah!" Daisuke shouted clutching his heart like he was about to get a heart attack.
"It's alright kid. I got rid of that disease." The figures stare shifted from Daisuke to Dark who was thrown to the wall.
"Niwa and Dark… separated?" Satoshi convulsed and fell to his knees. "What the… Krad?" Satoshi screamed feeling Krad force himself out.
"Now is not the time to stick around." Krad turned and flew out the door before it slammed shut.
"Tch, he got away." The figure mumbled, slightly annoyed. "And as for you." The figure slowly walked towards Dark.
'How in the world. This can't be happening. What's going on?' Dark's head was all jumbled up.
"Time to leave this world and the next." The figure's spear raised.
"Wait!" Daisuke shouted with the last of his energy. "Don't hurt him. He… He…" Daisuke could barely breathe, clutching his heart. "He's like my brother." Daisuke barely spoke out.
The figure slowly lowered the spear. "Brother? He's a parasite, leeching off your energy to fuel his magic. He even possesses your body and kept for over 300 years, am I wrong?"
"I've been around 400 geezer!" Dark yelled annoyed at being labeled things he did not like in particular. "Ah!" Dark suddenly felt is body jolt. 'What the?' Dark felt his body changing.
"In…teresting." The figure stared in utmost fashion, curious to know what is unfolding in front of him.
"Daisuke? Daisuke!" Dark shouted trying to get up and find Daisuke.
"Only one part." Daisuke whispered.
"What?" Dark looked up to see Daisuke covered in an odd aura.
"Must complete… re… reunion." Daisuke body rippled with electricity. "Dark… Krad… my broken… body." Dark suddenly felt like an enormous pressure suddenly hit him from above keeping him fixed on the floor.
"It can't be…" Dark's face had a look of terror in it.
The figure jumped in front of Daisuke. "Seal." He pressed his palm into Daisuke's chest before chain erupted from the ground, binding Daisuke.
"Ah!" Daisuke suddenly fell to his knees. "Dark! What's happening? Argh! My head." Daisuke groaned louder and louder. "Dark, help!"
"Daisuke!" Dark tried to approach Daisuke.
"Uuu! Aaaaaah!" Daisuke suddenly began to scream.
The figure noticed something and immediately threw his hand up.
"Wuuaaa!" Dark suddenly felt himself being thrown towards the door. Clunk! The doors swung open and Dark flew out but it didn't stop. Dark felt himself still flying out of his control. Crash!
"Ah… ow." Dark rubbed his head, but next heard the alarms blaring out of every corner. "Shit!" Dark could care less about the art for the moment. "Daisuke!" Before Dark could take a single step forward, he felt that pressure rooting him to the floor. In the back of his mind he could almost feel like the words slowly melting into his mind. Don't you dare come alone. Let old friends see one another.
"Daaaark!" Dark snapped out of his trance hearing the inspector's voice. "Catch him, Catch him, Catch hiiim!"
"Tch." Dark swiftly swiped the crown from the broken casing. "Wizu! Let's go!" Dark flew up and escaped out of a nearby window. The guards were millimeters away from almost catching a touch of Dark as he escaped.
Satoshi sat next to a tree as he watched the thief fly away with its quarry. "Krad, what was that all about?"
…
No answer. Strange.
"What's going on?" Satoshi could feel an over amount of stress coming from Krad.
'No… not when the time is almost at hand.' Krad thought to himself, blocking Satoshi from his private thoughts.
0900 Hours – April 20, 2011
Azumano Middle School – Riddles
Dark grumbled as he walked past those school gates.
"Hey, Daisuke! What are you gramps now?" Takeshi smacked him hard on the back.
"Ah no, I just didn't sleep well." Dark tried to imitate Daisuke's voice.
"Yo, what's up Daisuke?" Masahiro greeted his best friends.
"G-good morning." Dark tried to act goofy, not his forte.
'Uurgh!' Dark grumbled loudly in his head, remembering what Kosuke said.
"Come on Dark, Daisuke just can't become sick overnight!" Kosuke tried to reason with Dark.
"No! No way in hell am I going back to school as Daisuke! Hell no!" Dark wouldn't even consider the idea.
"Oh… but you could flirt with all of Daisuke's classmates." Emiko said slyly.
Dark perked up taking a sneaking glance seeing that seductive look, implying all the things… the possibilities.
Dark grinned. "No."
Emiko made a fit at the curt remark.
"Dark, please don't make Kosuke force his hand." Even gramps looked flustered at this little disturbance in the household.
"Or he'll do what? Drag me to school as I am?" Dark joked.
"No, I've got an early birthday present." Dark suddenly felt something clamp around his wrist.
"What the!"
"Sigh" Dark set his bag down on his desk.
"Niwa-kun!" Dark jumped suddenly hearing a shout from behind him. He fell over the chair, landing in a heap under the window.
"Ah, I'm sorry." Dark looked up to see Riku.
"Huh? Oh, hey." Daisuke… I mean Dark picked himself up and sat in his chair not even paying attention to Riku.
…
…
…
"Is there something you need?" Dark turned in his chair, looking at Riku.
"Huh! I… I… uh…" took a quick step back as if Dark was about to attack her. Never know. "Um… ah… I-I…" Riku stuttered her face starting to turn into a very bright hue.
"Riku!" Risa suddenly burst into the room. "Hurry, hurry! I need a copy of the notes for the next class!" Risa grabbed her sister dragging her away.
"W-wait!… I…" Riku looked… rather different… or rather acted very different today. Dark raised an eyebrow trying to make sense what just happened. Let's look over the facts.
Forced to go to school as Daisuke. Check.
Trying to be goofy but too tiring. Check.
Girl comes up and kinda scares the shit out of you. Check.
Girl obviously nervous and has problems spitting out what's in her mind before sister steals her away. Che-… wait a minute…
Dark suddenly began to rub his chin as a grin slowly grew bigger and bigger. 'Daisuke, you lady killer.' Dark couldn't wait to see Daisuke… wait.
Dark almost kicked himself for forgetting. "Daisuke's down there probably chained up." Dark muttered in a dark tone, trying to think of a way to get him out of there.
"Wait, he said to… damn! What the hell did that bastard say?" Dark scratched his head trying to remember.
"Hey, the sleepover is this weekend right?" Dark tried to cancel out the classes' chatter.
"Yeah! Make sure to bring a friend!"
"Aaaah!" Dark stood and shouted. Dark froze for a second and looked at all the eyes looking at him.
"What happened?" Masahiro looked at him wondering what in heaven's sake just happened.
Dark sorta did what came natural. "haha! Nothing-nothing!" Dark chuckled lightly as he sat back down. 'A friend.' Dark thought to himself. 'What friends does that kind of freak have?' Dark crossed his arms trying to think what's the answer behind this riddle.
"Oh! That's awesome! What model is that?" Dark groaned hearing the class noise level rising.
"It's the X-series. Although it's different from the Y, There from the same time."
"Time… time…" Dark suddenly repeated in his head. "That old dude… has old friends. MMmph!" Dark almost shouted when Takashi punched him in the ribs.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" Takashi slapped Dark in the back.
"You've been acting really weird ya'know that? Are you sick or something?" Masahiro observed Dark, looking for any symptoms.
"No, no! I'm fine! Just… thinking." Dark wanted to sock Takashi for hitting Dark in the ribs of all places. That wound he received when he fought that old-. Dark froze that moment. Dark grinned inside his head finally understanding.
"Hey! Daisuke!" Takashi slapped Dark on the head. "Jeez you spaceman. Have you reached the moon yet?" Masahiro chuckled.
"Cut it out!" Dark was in a brighter mood. Maybe he should take time to think in Daisuke's class more often.
1800 Hours – April 22, 2011
Giovanni Museum – Old Friends
Dark landed on top of a lamppost looking down on the gates of the museum. "Finally. Hold on Daisuke. I'm getting you out of there." Dark jumped and headed toward the museum.
But just a little while away…
"Jeez, her and those damn fortune cards." Riku grumbled as she walked down the cobbled road. Riku tried to put the thought out of her mind, of what Risa said earlier that day after school.
"Riku, Riku! I did a fortune on you and it said you would have a meeting with Destiny! Make sure you tell me what happens okay? Okay?"
Riku sighed as she walked aimlessly and looked up seeing the Giovanni Museum. "Oh, that pervert came by here a while back." Riku definitely didn't want to think about that Casanova.
"I've never been here. I wonder what it's like." Riku took her time up the stairs unaware of a pair of wings disappearing from the rooftop.
Below…
The sounds of chains faintly moving echoed in the dead silent halls below the museum. A red haired youth sat against a small pillar protruding out of the ground. Chains, seals, ancient languages surrounded him.
"Are you back yet boy?" The faceless figure approached for the hundredth time. The figure sighed as what seemed to be a simple youth roar at him like he was possessed by a demon. The faceless figure massaged his temple as the red haired boy struggled and roared in anger at its bindings.
"What a persistent parasite we have this time." The figure paced waiting for that 'other'.
"Hey! Open up!" The figure looked up and would have smiled if he had the ability to show it. With the wave of a hand, the large doors creaked slightly and burst open revealing Dark with his wings, looking pissed.
"Here." Dark tossed what looked like a large shield bound in a dark cloth that glowed great amounts of power.
"Hahahahaha! I see he's hard to work with as usual." The figure tore the covers revealing a gauntlet with a gem covered by 6 feathers. With a quick touch, the feathers disappeared.
A slow moan erupted. The figure quickly threw the figure away before it stopped and floated still on its own. Dark stepped back getting ready to move if need by.
Slowly an ethereal body formed. Dark remembers this thing all too well.
"Ogre. Nice to see you again." The figure greeted him like an old friend.
"Longinus?" The being called Ogre looked at the figure, which Ogre called Longinus. Ogre looked around and noticed Dark. "You!" Ogre roared and pounced but was stopped halfway by Longinus.
"Calm your anger. He's is not a… 'Bad' parasite." Longinus set his friend down.
"Excuse me for being rude, but… can you stop calling me that!" Dark yelled having been called a worm one too many times
Both looked at him like… he was stupid.
"Parasite?"
"Yeah definitely a parasite."
"Shut up!" Dark got a headache.
'D-Dark?" Dark turned towards the small voice.
"Daisuke!" Dark ran towards Daisuke, chains wrapping around him like hundreds of steel snakes.
"Dark… what's happening?" Daisuke's eyes glowed red then dimmed. "Augh!" Dark stepped back feeling waves of energy. Physically seeing the feedback of energy wafting up like red dust in the wind.
"Daisuke…" Dark clenched his teeth. "How the hell did this happen?" Dark grabbed Longinus. Rage burning in his eyes.
"I do hate to say this, but it is all my fault." Longinus said he regretted but didn't sound like he meant a word of it.
"Bastard!" Dark's power grew but a large hand gripped his shoulder. Dark turned seeing the Ogre being the one keeping order in this discussion.
"Yes, well it's quiet simple you see." Longinus walked towards Daisuke's trembling form. "When I forcibly pulled you out of him. The space you inhabited in his body and heart was open. Sort of like an empty bedroom in a two bedroom inn, shall we say?"
Dark groaned, wishing they would hurry the explanation. "So?"
"Ahem," Longinus seemed to hesitate. "It seems that something else decided to 'check in' shall we say." Longinus walked towards Daisuke, kneeled down to look at him eye to eye… if he had any. "Poor lad, I think the little worm inside is eating him up slowly."
"Well pull it out!" Dark shouted.
"I would if I could, it's not that easy you know, tsk." Longinus stood up with his hands behind his back, thinking. "Unlike you, the worm is ready to act if I take it out. Unlike you, it's latched itself to the boy so it'd be like pulling a fishing hook that went through your heart." Ogre winced imagining that concept.
"But anyhow-." Longinus suddenly stopped.
Dark and Ogre looked at him strangely from his sudden change of behavior.
"Oh bloody hell." Longinus looked down at his feet and saw a hand around his ankles glowing a dark purple mist with orange electricity sparkling.
"Daisuke!" Dark stepped forward, but Ogre stopped him from taking another step. Dark couldn't believe his eyes. Daisuke dragged himself over to them, the chains that once binding him slowly eroding and breaking apart bit by bit every second. The seals that were placed also smudged and distorted like paint splatters now.
"Shit! I should've paid more attention!" Longinus formed his spear, but before he could attack. Daisuke jumped up with a blurry speed and what seemed like 20 or 30 punches down in 10 seconds before dropkicking Longinus 20 foot away. Daisuke used his kick momentum to back flip and land 40 feet above the wall like a spider looking down at its prey.
"What's happening?" Ogre grunted.
"The boy lost control. The worm has the reigns now." Longinus was already up but the blows and claw marks all over his once smooth body and clothes showed what speed and power must have been used to inflict that kind of damage.
Daisuke's body jumped down landed in an inhuman manner bending and stretching but with a hypnotic rhythm.
"We got to put him down now! That… thing is probably putting enough stress on Daisuke's body as it is!" Dark charged both hands glowing.
Right straight, miss. Left hook. Miss. Right back hand, miss. Left strai-.
Dark suddenly felt Daisuke parry him and for a second saw Daisuke up close. Daisuke had a twisted smile, but that wasn't what Dark looked at. It was his eyes. Glowing an eerie red orange, no pupil or eye even there.
"Don't charge him recklessly!" Ogre grabbed Dark and pulled him away, blocking a double kick strong of to knock Ogre off balance.He turned, but saw Daisuke's face leering at him inches away. "You're a fast one aren't you?" Ogre swung his arm his energy blades already formed.
Daisuke flipped and looked as if he snaked around Ogre's arm like dodging was too easy. Ogre gritted his teeth seeing the counter coming. In mid-flip Daisuke twisted his body. In the first twist, landed a fist into Ogre's head. While his head lashed to the side, Daisuke grinned as he completed his attack with a full twist kick straight into the back of Ogre's head.
Dark jumped as Ogre's body dragged dust almost clear across the entire chamber. Dark jaw clenched and watched as whatever was controlling Daisuke dance around in victory. "Daisuke! What the hell are you doing? You getting lazy!" Dark fist tightened charging up every ounce of magic he can muster.
Kryaaaa!
Dark jumped in surprise hearing that inhumane cry. "That's a good lad!" Longinus shouted.
"D-… Daaark!" Daisuke shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Daisuke!" Dark watched in horror as Daisuke pounded his head into the floor, cracks appearing.
"Ah… Aaaaaaaah!"
"Hah!" Riku gasped. She looked around the open room seeing no one. She hugged herself as if something spooked her, then felt a tear roll over her cheek. "What? Wh-what's wrong with me."
'Aaaaaaaaah!'
Riku jumped and stepped back almost knocking down a vase at the same time. She quickly grabbed it before it fell.
"D-… Niwa-kun." Riku tried to calm her racing heart. "No… it can't be. He… he's nowhere near here." Kzzt! Riku yelped feeling a jolt of electricity bolt through her left hand. She held it for a second and removed her hand to see a trace of… "Blood?"
Kzzt!
"Aah!" Riku suddenly felt like her head was about to explode.
Images began to run through her mind down a familiar hall, past a large door, into a room filled with books. One large book with the text, 'Spear of Destiny' written on the spine.
Riku gasped. It felt like someone messed with the contents of her head. "What's happening?" Riku was scared, confused.
"Hel-l-l-l… help… … me-e-e."
"Riku opened her eyes recognizing that voice clearly now. "Daisuke!" Riku jumped up and ran down the hall trying to remember the images she just briefly saw. She ran through the large doors ignoring all the signs.
She looked around the room, trying to remember where that book was. She frantically ran around the room, skimming down each self. "Where is it? Where is it?" She ran then came back to a shelf she ran past.
"Spear… of Destiny." Riku read the words to the book. She stood their not remembering what to do next. Riku's mind was frantic. She grabbed the book but it wouldn't move. She put her leg up for leverage and pulled with all her strength.
"Come on! Nnnn! Kya!" Riku fell on her but as the book suddenly gave way. Riku looked up in amazement seeing the bookshelf turn open revealing a dark pathway. "Niwa-kun…" Riku slowly walked up towards the dark entrance. "are you there? Ah!" Riku screamed when the bookshelf turned again pushing her in.
"Aaaah!" Dark screamed sending an almost endless volley of black feathers as they arced across the chamber trying to hit its target that would stop time to time.
"Don't let down. The boy will give us our opening! That's when we take it out!"
"Aaaaah!" The 3 fighters heard a loud scream slowly getting louder. "Kya!" Riku smashed through a shield decoration on one of the walls.
"One of the sisters!" Dark shouted as if the situation could get any more complicated or worse.
"Look sharp!" Longinus shouted.
Ogre ducked and blocked. He managed to grab Daisuke's leg and throw him against the wall, but Daisuke landed without getting hurt or troubled at the least.
"You! What are you doing here?" Dark made sure Riku wasn't hurt.
Riku couldn't careless about Dark. "Niwa-kun!" She shouted at the top of her lungs.
Daisuke suddenly froze all the energy and mist that was permeating from his body stopped instantly. Daisuke fell to his knees.
"Now?" Ogre questioned.
"Wait!" Longinus didn't know if this was a trick or not. He held his spear ready to tear out the parasite inside of Daisuke.
Riku stood up.
"Niwa-kun! What's going on?" Riku shouted
"Run away…"
Riku couldn't keep her eyes of Daisuke. "Niwa-kun what's wrong? How do I help you?" Riku asked desperately.
"Run…"
"No…" Riku said firmly.
"Get away from me!"
"No!" Riku shouted as Daisuke body suddenly burst in an red orange flame with black clouds billowing out like a factory.
"Dumb girl!" Dark ran in front of her with a ball of energy vibrating in his hand. "Get a grip Daisuke!" Dark felt his hand contact with Daisuke but almost lost it seeing Daisuke charge right past him straight for… "Riku!" Dark shouted, unable to stop Daisuke.
"Down worm!" Longinus barely missed with his spear. Daisuke attacked left and right in quick speed, but Longinus kept a line of skirmish not letting him pass.
Riku stood there for a moment with a minute to think. Dark was here, but also these strange two fighters. Daisuke looks like he's possessed by the devil. "What do I do?" Tears began to form in Riku's eyes. All she knew was that Daisuke needed help, but… "What do I do?"
"Argh!" Longinus felt the hard floor crack as he landed hard and painfully.
"Little girl!" Riku looked up to see Daisuke's dark form looking down on her.
"I have a quick little question for you." Riku listened hearing Daisuke's voice but knew it wasn't him speaking.
"What are you to him?" Daisuke smiled.
Riku looked into his eyes only seeing black, no life except for that dark orange light glowing in one eyes.
"Niwa-kun." Riku was barely able to mutter.
"You see, he has been going non-stop about you. Leave her alone. Don't hurt her. Don't touch her. He's still shouting and screaming right now you know." Daisuke raised his hand to touch her, but suddenly his other arm grabbed his arm as if it was stopping himself. "Oh! Still have some fight left in you huh?" Daisuke cackled.
"Well let's see how hard you fight when I do this." Daisuke's right hand began to slowly reach forward and close around Riku's throat. "Come on, you're going to let her die?" Daisuke laughed.
"Stop it!" Dark charge but felt a barrier around the two. "Damn! No! Daisuke!"
Riku tried to pry Daisuke's hands off her but it felt like she was trying to move a stone block that was much bigger than her. "Ni…wa…-kun." Riku could barely make out.
"She can't breathe, she can't take in anymore breaths." Daisuke whispered like he was citing a poem. Daisuke snickered as his left hand was trying to pry his own fingers off Riku's neck.
"Dai… suke…" Riku brushed her hand against Daisuke cheek. Daisuke looked caught off guard for a moment.
I… … you…
Daisuke froze… his whole body, his heart, and his soul. Daisuke didn't hear the last words but clearly read what she said by reading her lips. Daisuke's left hand began to glow. "Uuuu…wwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAH!" The barrier shattered around them.
Dark grabbed Daisuke and threw him towards Ogre.
"Now!" Ogre shouted holding Daisuke still.
"Time to die parasite!" Longinus stabbed his spear into Daisuke's heart. Light and energy began to swirl around the entire chamber, blinding everything in white.
…
…
…
Everything was silent. A large gauntlet and a huge spear lay by a red haired youth's feet. He slowly walks towards a lithe figure of a girl lying on the cold chamber floor.
He comes inches from her and gets down on his knees. His fingertips slowly traced down her smooth neck. Bruising starting to show, but he saw the slow rise and fall of her chest.
He takes his hand and holds her hand in his. "Thank God… Thank you God, that you're safe." A thin trail of tears decorated the youth's dirty face, before he fell forward and fainted next to her with his bleeding hand still clutching hers… and a pair of rings gleaming gloriously in its luster.
To Be Continued…
Disclaimer: I need to watch and read this anime-manga again… it's not mine!
Oh my F---ing G--! I actually F---ing finally F---ing finished!
Well this chapter anyways! I hope you really liked it! It took a long time… sort of to brainstorm this piece I present to you now! I bet you guys are ready to kill me for not updating…
The Long awaited Phase 007 comes to an end! Now the plot will really start to thicken in 008 and the final episode in 009!
Now to my wonderful reviewers… now let see… holy sh.
Armor Blade – am I number one? Am I? Am I? Just curious.
Tarot and Kitaru and Mfon and Freeze - wish granted.
(Okay list goes on…) Mikkasura, Rainnsnow, none, EnV, Bled… Bleeding wolf, lizzy, jestkindinu (what's that?), Sydney, Alpha, kinasha14, misguided intellect, inuyasha-daisuke-fan (what in the world?), Lady Knight – Kelani of Masc… (That's how I saw it! Sorry!), Mz Riku, Evilpink… bunniemuffins (?), and… I think that was the most of it…
You guys keep saying update-update-update! I can't really say much when you say that… wait let me take another look at it.
Ah!
Mz RikU – I'm glad the story made it straight into your heart! This review puts a tear in my eyes too!
Misguided Intellect – If only I was god… life would be so much easier ya'know?
Kinasha14 – Ha-haha! Haha-hahaha! Repeat many times (Mandark laugh)
Lizzy – your review for me on chapter 6… looks cute… that's all I'd like to say… blush
Mikkasura – Aw… can you get my nose any longer? Hee-hee.
Well hopefully I got most of everyone covered here. Phew. I'm gonna sleep now… nite.
After that ridiculously long waiting… please review me! …Please? www.fanfiction. net ya'know!