Act Six: The Strongest
Lal, the Special Forces' ace.
Fon, master of Kempo.
Verde, a genius scientist who is said to be the reincarnation of Da Vinci.
The bender of magic, the Esper Viper.
Luce, a shaman said to posses the power of divination.*
And Reborn, known as the world's greatest hitman.
They're all definitely qualified for being known as the 'strongest', but I still don't get why I'm here! He said to 'go meet up with the others', but is he out of his mind! You can tell just by looking that this team isn't compatible at all!
Skull scowled trying to think about what he heard about their personalities.
Let's see, Lal is known as a slave driver, so she's probably really strict. Fon, uh, just heard that he's supposedly respectful and really good at flattery. Verde, well he's no secret, everyone knows he's a science lunatic. Viper, I heard she's* extremely greedy, but that's it. Luce's apparently a saint. Reborn... not much information about him except he's respected in the mafia world.
God, everyone's so tense and silent. I could be riding my bike, updating the mansions traps, or anything would be more productive than this staring contest!
He tugged at his chain with and started tapping his fingers not being used to the inactivity. Everyone's eyes went to Skull as he got up and made his way to the door.
"U-um... wait!" Luce grabbed onto his arm. Skull stopped surprised and looked at the woman, and she smiled.
"We should start with introductions first. I'm Luce!"
"... Skull." he mumbled and stared at her arm disconcerted, "Could you... let go, uh, please?" Luce's eyes widened and quickly let go.
"I'm sorry Skull-kun, I forgot I was holding on!" Skull flinched at his name. The way she said it reminded him of his mother.
"I know most of us have heard of everyone, but you should all still introduce yourselves, for formalities." Luce said looking expectingly around.
The rest glanced at each other seeing who would speak first, and it was Fon. "Ni hao everyone," He bowed, "I am Fon. Nice to meet you." He nodded at Lal telling her to speak.
He seems polite...
"Lal Mirch." She stated simply and glanced at her neighbor.
She does seem like the strict type.
"Mu, I'm Viper." Viper said pulling out money and starting to count it. Skull managed to hold in a sweat drop.
Definitely greedy.
The last two sat in silence until the green-headed one looked around. "Hmm?" He pushed up his glasses, "Oh, My name's Verde, but you already knew that."
He's really smug.
Everyone looked at the fedora wearing man who was smirking now. "I don't think I need to introduce myself as I am quite famous, but I am Reborn, the world's greatest hit man."
Wow, I think his head just doubled in size.
Luce clapped her hands together. "Well, that man said that we would be working together, so we should get to know each other better. Ah, I know! I'll go get some drinks! What would you guys like?"
Everyone glanced at her suspiciously, but Skull didn't feel any ill intent in her actions. If anything she was bubbling with happiness.
"Water would be fine miss." Skull said sitting down. Luce laughed happy that someone wasn't paranoid. "Oh, Skull-kun, please call me Luce!" Skull cringed again at the way Luce said his name.
"Anyone else?" She asked.
"Oolong tea please, if it wouldn't be any trouble." Fon said.
Verde sighed, " I am parched, so I would like some water too."
Viper looked up from her money, " Mu, Strawberry milk will be fine."
Reborn's fedora made a shadow cast over his eyes, "An expresso, please... Miss Luce."
"Water will do for me too." Lal said.
Luce squealed in delight at the progress and ran to the kitchen, and came out almost immediately with a tray of drinks. It was impressive how fast she got them done considering she had to make tea and an expresso.
She laid the drinks in front of the person who asked for them. No one wanted to drink though, thinking of all the different poisons or drugs that could be in them.
Unlike the others Skull didn't bother worrying about possible poisons and downed the water. Ramone had checked to see if his body also had a defense against most poisons. Needless to say, it did.
The others, excluding Luce who was glad someone was drinking, stared at Skull in shock. Only one thought going through their minds: Is this kid an idiot?
They continued to study him and concluded that their was indeed no poison... in his drink at least.
Verde studied his glass before deeming it safe and taking a gulp. Lal and Fon then decided that it was safe and took hesitant sips of their cups. Viper also took a sip of her milk.
Reborn was the only one who had yet to take a sip and Luce giggled, "Geez, Reborn-san, I didn't put anything in it."
He hesitantly brought the expresso and drank a bit. "It's good. Thank you." Reborn placed his cup down and looked directly at Skull who froze under the hit man's gaze.
He mentally panicked. Why is he looking at me?
"I was wondering." Reborn started.
"Y-yes?" Skull stuttered. Shit, I'm doing it again! Reborn's eyes narrowed.
"I see you are an idiot. It's amazing that a mere stuntman even got recognized as the supposed strongest. I can see how everyone else got here, but you? Pathetic." He scoffed.
Stuntman? I only do that as a side job...
"Wha-?" Skull started. "Reborn-san! You shouldn't be so rude; Skull-kun is just a child!" Luce scolded. Skull flinched again. He couldn't help it when he was being called Skull-kun like that.
Reborn glared at her. "That's why I said that. He's a mere child. He has no connection nor business with the mafia like us." He hissed.
Really? Shouldn't he of all people know that I'm at least in the mafia?
"Miss Luce," Fon said gently laying a hand on her shoulder, "He is just a child and it's wrong to bring children into such a dangerous world."
But I'm in it already. Skull felt his heart sink a bit. He knew now why he had come now. It wasn't out of curiosity like the others, but he had hoped that maybe, just, maybe he could be accepted by others outside of the Carcassa.
"Tch, fine I'm going. I don't even know why that man even told me to come." Skull stood up and walked out.
Luce was about to stop him from leaving again but Fon gripped her shoulder tighter and shook his head. She stopped and watched Skull leave.
Everyone tensed again until Verde spoke, "I wonder why that checkered face man invited a child when he said specifically he was only inviting the strongest." He cocked his head scratching his chin, "Now that I think about it, he looks familiar, but I never caught his name."
Luce smiled sadly, "That was Skull-kun."
"Skull... Oh, I know where I've seen him!" Verde exclaimed.
Reborn smirked, "I didn't know you were interested in stunt shows, Verde."
"What? No. I'm only interested in science."
Fon frowned. "Then how else would you hear of him Verde? He's known for being a stunt man."
Verde looked at them incredulously. "Really? You must be overrated Reborn if you didn't know he was part of the mafia."
Reborn twitched. My information was flawed? He's still a weakling regardless... Damn cocky Scientist calling me overrated.
Everyone stopped what they were doing.
"What?" They all shouted excluding Viper, who continued counting money, and Reborn, who was still ranting in his head about Verde.
Verde chuckled. "Yes, I remember now, when the Carcassa boss came to ask for some of my technology, seeing him with them. He must be one of their subordinates."
Luce was crestfallen. Even Skull, someone so young, was part of their violent world.
Lal got up. "I'm going." She stated walking out the door. Everyone looked abruptly at her stopping their conversation about the youngest member.
Viper, Verde, and Fon left right after her. Only Fon bothered saying goodbye.
Leaving Luce and Reborn.
"Good bye then, Miss Luce." Reborn said tipping his hat.
Luce smile was strained " Good bye, Reborn-san."
A slam resounded throughout the Carcassa mansion; it was caused by Skull's door. Skull's lock clicked and he jumped onto his bed burying his face into the pillows.
Was it really because of his age or the fact that he was weak? Maybe it's a combination of both. He thought bitterly.
They were right though. He didn't belong with them. He wasn't as strong as them, as smart, or as wise.
He turned and looked at the Carcassa symbol on the ceiling. Skull-kun~! Tears rolled onto his cheeks. Wah~! Skull-kun you look so cool! Why did Luce have to remind him of her? It wasn't fair that she was unintentionally punishing him like that.
Those people, looked down on him. Even Luce didn't try to keep him there. They saw him as a child, someone who didn't belong. I was foolish to think that maybe others would be able to accept me.
Skull unwillingly drifted off to sleep with those last thoughts.
Poke. "Ugh... go away." Poke. " Leave me alone... ." Poke.
Skull shot out of bed irritated. "I told you I don't want to be disturbed." Skull fumed releasing a mass amount of killing intent.
"Hahaha! He's awake Checkerface-sama!" A man exclaimed with a permanent looking smile on his face. Skull's killing intent immediately vanished when he saw an unknown man, but reappeared once he saw the man with the checkered-pattern face again.
"What do you want." he hissed. That man called him Checkeredface, how amusing.
Checkeredface chuckled, "What a wonderful aura you have. It really does show how qualified you are." He pulled out a paper and placed it in front of Skull. "Now that all of you have met I would like you all to meet me here. So I'll see you the-"
"No." Skull interrupted.
Checkeredface frowned. He was saying no? This would ruin all his plans! "Why not?" He asked irritated.
Skull looked at his ceiling. "They don't want me there. I didn't belong anyway, so no point in going against them. It's what they wish."
"You will go." He stated angrily. "If you don't you'll ruin everything."
"Checkerface-sama!" The smiling man started panicking.
Skull stared at them. "What?"
Checkerface bowed mockingly, "I guess I have no choice but to tell you! You see you all will become the Arcobaleno! Congratulations! I was going to tell everyone at the same time, but it seems, no I know this is the only way to get you to come."
"Huh, Arcobaleno?" Skull asked.
"The seven strongest, each possessing a different dying will flame!" He exclaimed.
Skull froze. This guy knew about the flames? Ramone had taught him all about the dying will flames over the years and even how to use his, the Cloud flame.
"You are going to become the Cloud Arcobaleno!" Checkerface exclaimed.
Skull shook his head feverishly. "No, I can't. I already told you." Skull croaked, "They won't accept me."
Checkerface glanced at him. "They can't do it without you. Everyone must be present. If everyone isn't they might not be able to accept the power and still live."
He froze nearly forgetting to breath.
"All of the soon-to-be Arcobaleno's power will be combined, but without you the cloud pacifier won't be able to be accepted and the Arcobaleno as a whole would be rejected."
Skull's eyes widened. "Transformation? What are you talking about?"
Checkerface sighed. Explaining to him what would happen was dangerous, because he could tell the others, but this was the fastest way.
"When you all become the Arcobaleno, you will be cursed. Your bodies will change into those of infants. It is important that you all accept your roles in order help balance the power of the Tri-Ni-Sette. Like I said, without you their they won't become Arcobaleno, and the I Prescelti Sette can't go much longer without suitable vessels."
He makes it sound like the world is going to end. Well, if I had a choice I wouldn't really mind becoming a baby versus something horrible happening... wait! Why am I thinking like this? They hate me! He bit his lip. That's not entirely true, Luce was nice... like mother.
Skull straightened his back "Fine, I'll do it."
(A/N) Yay! I made it longer than the last chapter! Oh, and thank you for the feed back, I always appreciate it. ^_^ I know Checkerface was OOC, but that seemed like one of the few ways Skull would go after the rejection. By the way, sorry it took so long. I'm moving, so I don't have much time to write as usual. It doesn't help either that I have this bad habit of only writing when it's late. I seriously finished this at 4 am - I had to wake up at 7 - and I do that pretty much every time I write.
* The Description of the Acrobaleno was from chapter 350 during Reborn's dream. I just left out Skull's description and added Reborn's. ^^
* I don't know Viper's gender, but I think Viper's adult form looks very feminine, so I'm going with female. Sorry to those who believe Viper's male; just replace all the female pronouns referring to Viper with male pronouns in your head!
Ciao~ Ciao~!