Chapter 13 is unlucky and it is for poor Issun -giggle- read on before I spoil it.
Issun's Cover is Blown
The meeting with the Queen was, yet again, something Amaterasu would rather forget as Issun nearly fainted at the sight of Queen Himiko. He also embarrassed himself in front of a Queen as well! Sometimes, Amaterasu regretted 'agreeing' to let Issun go on an adventure with her but without Issun she wouldn't be here now, god knows where she would be! What Amaterasu knew was that she would be lost without Issun's help of keeping her in the real world instead of her dream world. North Ryoshima Coast was said to be taken over by monsters but there wasn't even a cursed zone there! Amaterasu didn't walk far into North Ryoshima Coast when her favourite person and Issun's 'enemy' greeted her.
"Bonjour, ma chérie!" Waka said.
"Just ignore him and maybe he will go away." Issun said referring to Waka in third person for the moment.
You know he will not until he is done messing with our heads, part as revenge for the big embarrassment we gave him. Amaterasu barked.
"Why so gloomy today?" Waka asked Issun but that just made the Poncle angrier. "Didn't you notice the view? This used to be one big cursed zone but yours truly, pulled off one of those divine interventions."
Great I'm happy for you but it's a bit late isn't it? Amaterasu asked to which Waka just smirked as an answer.
"You!?" Issun was kinda speechless for once.
"I really wanted to wait for you two," Waka added. "but I couldn't stand leaving Ryoshima Coast in such a cursed state. Is this what they mean by 'prettier than a picture', my little bouncing friend?" There was an awkward silence broken by Issun's voice, which didn't sound as confused as to be expected.
"What's that supposed to mean, pretty boy?"
Yeah, what have you found out then? Amaterasu asked.
"Oh, not much. Just something some old man mentioned. His grandson, who was also his apprentice, ran away from home and he took a painting of a Wood Sprite with him." When Issun heard that he started to look guilty but Amaterasu didn't see (it's hard to see if Issun is on top of her head). "Do you think that person would claim to paint that picture?"
Come to think of it, he would…and he did. Amaterasu said.
"I mean, there are so many unscrupulous people out there. It's hard to find them in the wide world of art." Waka added and Issun tried his best to act confused but Amaterasu knew the truth yet she did not care. Issun had helped her a lot by snapping her out of her dream world and looking out for things she would miss if not for the little nuisance. She owed him and besides Issun wasn't going to leave until he had seen all 13 brush techniques.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Issun said. "Now make like a tree and leave! Or you can stick around if you'd rather get sliced and diced!" Waka flinched; he wasn't expecting Issun to freak out that much!
"Au contraire! You don't have to go all hot under the collar! It appears I have struck a raw nerve." Waka then smiled as if the conversation earlier had never happened. "Well, since I have no prophecies or anything for you this time, I'll be on my merry way. Au revoir baby!" With that, Waka disappeared but Amaterasu stayed where she was for a moment taking in what Waka had just told them.
I don't care if it's true, it's in the past now and anyway I owe you one so…"Thanks Ammy, let's just forget what the prophet said and continue to do as Himiko sent us to do."
Although lover boy can come in handy sometimes but not that time. He wanted to tell me what you did but I don't care, it's in the past and we move on.
"So I was right! You do have a soft spot for the prophet! Why him of all the people!?"
It's a long story and we don't have the time, evil is still around even if Waka got rid of the cursed zone. Amaterasu walked on and went to the beach to see a guy in what looks like a bucket getting beaten up by three brats. They were talking something about an underwater castle and an emissary called Orca.
"Hey waddya doing?" Issun shouted at the brats. "Only bullies gang up on people like that!" The brats turned around to see who shouted. They whispered to each other and ran off. "What do you think they were on about, Ammy?"
They were talking about a castle under the sea or something. Maybe you should ask that bucket boy what they were talking about. Amaterasu suggested.
"Hey kid ya gonna stay there all day or what?" Issun asked but the kid didn't move. "Hello, kid? You gonna stay like that or what?" Still reply from the kid. "HELLO?"
Issun he isn't listening. Just whack him on the head and he should wake up. Amaterasu did just that and it worked! Amaterasu didn't listen to what the kid called Urashima said but did hear the part on Orca being the emissary of the Dragon Palace, which just happened to be where they should be heading to next.
Amaterasu ran to the pier and made the sun come out. A giant fish then came swimming towards them and stopped near them with a smile on his face.
"Why's this fish look so happy?" Issun mumbled. "It's creeping me out." There was a happy shriek behind Amaterasu and Urashima ran shouting 'Orca, Orca!'
He jumped to the fish but the fish whacked him away like he was a ball. The fish then laughed.
"Orca? Not a very inspired name I gotta say." Issun said and Amaterasu nodded in agreement.
"At last someone worthy of going to the Dragon Palace. Hop on! I'll take you to the Dragon Palace." Orca said and Amaterasu jumped on his back.
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Getting up Catcall Tower took ages but getting down wasn't so hard. (I jumped down on my Okami game) There was a mermaid spring nearby that took them down to Ryoshima Coast and Orca was waiting near the pier.
Amaterasu got up to Watchers Cape and looked at the night sky. There was supposed to be a whirlpool galaxy in the sky but there was nothing but a black night sky. A watcher was nearby with a weird object Amaterasu recognised as a telescope; looking out at the sky mumbling at how rare it was for him to see a shooting star.
A shooting star? I can make one appear and then you can wish for the whirlpool galaxy to appear. Amaterasu barked and made a star shoot across the sky. The Watcher looked surprised and joy filled his expression. He made his wish and a bunch of stars appeared."Wow!" Issun said. "The whirlpool galaxy is beautiful. But there was supposed to be another whirlpool beneath it, so where is it?"
Hey Issun, isn't it supposed to be spinning? Amaterasu asked.
"Yeah now that you mention it. Why don't you try and use wind to spin it like a windmill?" Amaterasu nodded and the whirlpool galaxy was soon spinning. A whirlpool then opened up in the sea and Amaterasu ran to Orca to go to the Dragon Palace.
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How many babes must Issun fall for!? Otohime was the ruler of the Dragonians (known as mermaids to us) and she was just as good looking as Himiko and Rao (as far as Issun was concerned). After getting non-important stuff out the way they finally got down to business.
"So you control the Water Dragon right?" Issun asked. "Why don't you keep that thing on a leash? It's running riot in the seas!"
"We don't have control of the Water Dragon." Otohime said simply. "We never had control of it. It was our protector but now its rage also endangers our lives as much as your own."
"You cannot be serious!" Issun was horrified.
Does she look like she's joking, Issun? Amaterasu asked.
"The Water Dragon was supposed to protect the sea but that changed about a month ago." Otohime explained about how the Dark Lord had taken over part of the Dragonian's land and how the Water Dragon fought the Dark Lord and ate the Dark Lord's weapon which drove him to madness. She also mentioned her plan of last resort, a plan they only use when desperate.
Great that doesn't sound too promising. Amaterasu said.
"Well, if you want us to put a leash on the Water Dragon then stuff that! It's not like we can't pull it off or anything, I mean Orca could help us right?" Issun said to which Amaterasu agreed with.
"The plan of last resort is as follows, you must find the Dragon Orb."
Is that it!? That sounds too easy, I'll be back in time for tea it's that easy.
"Yeah it sounds too easy. Ammy and I are treasure-hunting pros! We'll be back in no time. Just tell us where to look and we'll be on our way."
"We already know where it is, just getting there is a problem."
Sounds like what lover boy said in Sei-an. A path to the heavens wonder if he'll find it.
"Great so just tell us where to go then." Issun said getting impatient.
"To retrieve the Dragon Orb you must go into the belly of the Water Dragon." There was a long silence broken by Issun yet again.
"Come again?"
You want us to do what!?"This is the plan of last resort and it is filled with dangers. We wouldn't have asked if there was another way but we are desperate. Without the Dragon Orb we cannot break the barrier that bars our way to Oni Island."
Well I guess we have little choice but…going into the belly of the Water Dragon sounds so…
"Sounds what, Ammy? Crazy? Suicidal?" Issun suggested.
So cool! I have never done that before! This could be the only time I would be able to do this! Plus I can brag to flute boy that I have been into a dragon's belly and lived to tell the tale.
"Bummer…but Ammy this is suicide!"
"Oh great mother Amaterasu, you are truly benevolent the Water Dragon makes it's lair here-"
"That thing lives here!?" Issun interrupted.
"But if we leave it be then it will not attack us. Use this shell amulet to gain access to the Water Dragon's garden and jump into its open mouth and retrieve the Dragon Orb."
Like I said, I will be back with the Dragon Orb in hand and be back in time for tea. Amaterasu walked off to the elevator when Issun had to rant.
"Great NOW look at the mess we're in! Why do ya always agree with what the babes say, Ammy?"
Because I'm a god, they are nice and I'm partly doing this for fun and to brag to Waka about how brave we are and how awesome we are. Hearing about bragging to Waka changed Issun's mind about the mission.
"Alright, furball let's go find this big beastie!" They then went down the elevator to their suicidal mission.
That's the end of the unlucky chapter.
Issun can understand some of what Ammy says because they have been together for a while now so they understand each other better plus Issun is a Celestial Envoy so yeah.
What did you guys think of the story so far? Good? Crappy? Let me know by reviewing please.