Chapter 11: Stained snow
12:52 PM (Japan Time), Saturday December the 15th…
"… Akatsuki? You there?"
"What's up, Udenoude?"
"A box with some documents has been delivered…"
"I expected it."
"Alright. Here it is."
"You hadn't told me, Shidou."
"Chut! Follow me."
"… Alright."
Akatsuki got a box with some documents on it delivered by one of the Commandos so he picked it and headed elsewhere while Acid brought up that he wasn't informed: Akatsuki told him to follow him in a whisper and they entered a small office: he shut the door and then brought out a folder with some documents, graphs and photographs on it: he began to read them.
"… Just as I thought…"
"This is…? But then…?" Acid gasped.
"Chut! Not a word to anyone. I've been doing this without telling the higher-ups. We don't want this info to leak, do we?"
"Obviously."
"They can scold me all they want but… In the end they'll see that I've done the right thing."
"I can't believe I've been so…"
"Blind? Yeah. I feel the same."
"When do we act?"
"Soon. As soon as possible."
"Alright."
"Shidou –chan? Are you there~?"
Akatsuki gasped and quickly stuffed everything inside of the box to then place it inside of a locker that he locked with a padlock: he then discreetly exited the small office and whistled a tune as he reached the hall and met with Dr. Yoiri.
"Ah. There you were. Did you know?"
"What?" He rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Well, you see… I've been nominated to receive the Noleb Award of Science." She smiled.
"Noleb? Wasn't it Nobel?"
"Indeed." Acid confirmed.
"The Academy of Incredible Science grants it."
"Why do I feel like it's a troll?"
"A troll? The fearsome monster?" Utagai suddenly blurted.
"Sheesh. A prankster!" Cygnus corrected.
"T-then… The curse of…?"
"Warussss Rockusss – samussss…"
"UGRYA~H!"
Utagai ran off as someone hissed a name while deliberately prolonging the "s" sounds: Cygnus fumed as War Rock popped out of an air duct while laughing.
"Yo! Acid Disaster! Did the fan-girls shriek today?"
"That was - RUDE!"
"RUDE! Ruthless! Ultimate! Destroying! Evil!"
"How original."
"My, my. Rock – chan. How about you try to hunt for some clues out there that will help us find Subaru – chan?"
"… Fine~… Or else Subari~ will get mad at me."
He warped out and everyone sighed in relief: there was a ping somewhere near them and a female Commando came out of a room while looking left and right as if looking for someone or something.
"Ah! Akatsuki – kun. I was looking for ya."
"What's up?"
"My Hunter – VG's been acting funny as of late so I was wondering if you could help me fix it…" She admitted.
"Alright. Let's have a look, Acid."
"Roger."
"Well, well. I better go get some Loosening Tea."
"Loosening Agony. And it was a music band. Hakase." Acid dully corrected her.
"My, my. One's memory… Heh, heh, heh!"
Akatsuki followed the Commando along a corridor and into a room where several other Commandos were seemingly having a break and chatting amongst them: she picked her Hunter – VG from the desk and handed it over to Akatsuki: he interacted with it.
"Hmmm… Root files: OK… GUI files: OK… Wireless: error. Check it out, Acid… Maybe it's some glitch."
"Roger."
Acid began to exchange signals with the Hunter – VG and it suddenly pitched before emitting a sound like steam being outputted: a grumbling could be faintly heard and it suddenly became a bit louder: there was faint background music too.
"Warning. Someone is manipulating this unit's wireless capabilities to hack into it pretending to be a WAXA safety program. It surely is the handiwork of the Night Baron."
"What!" Everyone gasped.
"Mwah, hah, hah. Ready to eat burgers, my chums?" A Night Baron showed up onscreen.
"Burgers?" Everyone asked.
"Beware! "To remain inconspicuous, he'll keep disposing of his safe tiles… Just waiting for this round to end…"…"
"I fail to see the point. If there is any."
"Well said, Mr. Speaker of governmental intentions!"
"Sheesh."
"So then… Eat as many burgers as you can!"
"That sounds like something Gonta would do… Wait… Didn't he do something like that before…? Before he joined the "Raid Troop", of course… Acid! Look it up."
"Roger."
"Look up Queen Tia's "b" size!"
"You pervert!" The 3 or 4 female Commandos snapped.
"I feel flattered."
"Sheesh."
"Uh-oh." The 5 or 6 male Commandos gulped.
"The descent of the Evil God Ge!"
"Ge? That a name?"
"Yesss… My preciouss… We want it, my preciouss…"
"Oh come on. That sounds disgusting."
"Akatuski! Some weird freak things are assaulting the Yaeba Resort: customers have had to be sheltered on the hotel and the Battle Wizards are holding them off!"
"That's it! Gourmet Town! The "eat-as-much-as-you-can" contest: when Ox's residual Denpa went berserk and triggered an accidental "Denpa – Henkan"…!" Akatsuki recalled.
"Indeed."
"What are we waiting for? Let's go!"
"Roger!"
Everyone ran out and they found Utagai looking around, confused, at the activity around them.
"W-what happened? Another air raid?"
"No." Cygnus merely replied.
"Come with us, Utagai – san. We need you to lend us a hand. If all goes well then you might be able to ski for free."
"Ski? B-b-b-but… I'm no good at it!"
"Oh whatever. Then buy something at Gourmet Town. Point is: we gotta get there on the triple."
"A-alright…"
"And on the quadruple?" Cygnus suggested.
"If you want to put it that way…" Acid didn't seem to mind.
"Be careful, you two." The Chief warned them.
"We will, Chief. Go!"
"Kya~h! I forgot my prayer beads!"
"That'll come later!"
"My prayer beads! I'm doomed! Kya~h!"
13:33 PM (Japan Time)…
"… So… Where are the freaks?"
"On the ski slopes, it'd seem…"
"Fine. Let's go say hi and bye."
"I'm scared!"
"Just aim properly."
"Or else you end up as prey for the Globsters!"
"Kya~h!"
"Oh man."
Both Acid Ace and Cygnus Wing reached the resort and began to look around before the Night Baron showed up atop a building of Gourmet Town to taunt them: some noises rang out as Utagai freaked out and Akatsuki sighed.
"Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh… How about this? Until the Cygnus didn't say "feathers!" there weren't feathered Cygnus!"
"Is that t-true, Cygnus?"
"Sheesh. Of course not!"
"There ya are! Rawr!"
"What! My cape~!"
"Confess, ugly~!"
"Well, if it isn't Warus Rockus – samus!"
"I don't give a crap for that anymore! Fight me~!"
"Fine. I'll deny you!"
War Rock suddenly showed up behind the Night Baron and swept his claws to cut through the cape: the Night Baron tried to taunt War Rock but he didn't fall for that so they began to chase each other.
"C-careful! S-something's coming!"
"Ugh. Gross."
The "Globsters" mentioned by the Night Baron had the appearance of an amorphous blob with pinkish skin and a large, toothy mouth on their undersides.
They had no eyes, noses, arms, legs or ears.
They moved by undulating their bodies but they crawled at a snail's pace nevertheless.
"Analysis suggests they may move faster underwater and they handle it better on that environment." Acid suggested.
"Fine. Let's be glad they're so slow on the surface. Eat his! Count Bomb X and get lost."
"W-what do I do?"
"Sheesh. Fly up and scout the area!"
"A-alright."
"Let's put some safety distance!"
"Roger."
Acid Ace threw 3 Count Bomb X inside of some of the freaks' mouths and told Cygnus Wing to fly up: the enemies blew up from the inside and Acid Ace rushed into Gourmet Town to see the state of things: he found a replica of Gonta's Nanska Village stone statue.
"Sheesh. That was shameful."
"On the contrary: it was thrillin' and ringin'!" Another Night Baron showed up from behind it, laughing.
"Now you wanna play rhymes?"
"Yeah! The cave-cousin can't beat such a cave-brother!"
"How original!"
"I feel praised, my chum enchanted by Uncle Sam." He made a mockery of a reverence.
"I s-see the invisible demons!" Cygnus Wing yelped.
"Sheesh. The Hunters next. As always!"
"Always and always make up the ways-al!"
"Ways-al? What's that supposed to be?"
"Dunno. Maybe a curse."
"I KNEW IT!" Cygnus Wing gasped.
"Sheesh."
"Bull Island: defeated!"
"What? Bull Island? It's "Ox Island", you know!" Acid Ace exasperatedly corrected.
"Heh, heh, heh! I'm a genius!"
"Hmpf. I wonder about that. Maybe you've got sand in the head? Or rice grains?"
"… Korra~h! Korra~h! Ra~h!"
"Mugro~h! Damn it all!"
War Rock was making mincemeat of the other Night Baron and it collapsed into the ground right next to Acid Ace, having wounds leaking data: the mask had been shred revealing a normal Wizard's face beneath it: the other Night Baron fumed a drew a Single Action Army: it aimed it at the beaten Night Baron and shot the six rounds on it as its head: the head got deleted followed by the body.
"This unit was too weak. Weak have no place in the Secret Empire: let there be glory to the Secret Empire!" It proclaimed.
"Ah! Burai. Just in time."
"Burai! Not again! Die~!"
The Night Baron spun around and drew a double-barreled shotgun yet there wasn't anyone there: Acid Ace took the chance to turn on his Blade Wing and ram into the guy to then plunge a Long Sword through its back: the sword pierced through the core and Acid Ace jumped away before it got deleted too.
"Buro~! Burn, you lot!" Ox Fire began to fight the Hunters.
"Forgot about those… Utagai – san! Continue the sky surveillance: we'll do something about this lot."
"R-roger!"
"Akatsuki… Did you crave your own grave yet?" Queen Tia suddenly jacked into his radio and sounded threatening.
"Well, who knows? Maybe that Night Baron rascal hasn't given me enough time to do it?" He didn't seem to be impressed.
He made a "silence" sign that was surely intended for Acid so Acid made no comment: Acid Ace resumed shooting at the Hunters while Queen Tia seemed to be building up further bad mood.
"My patience is long yet it has an end!"
"Don't tell me. Like I didn't know that already."
"What was that?"
"Dunno. Ask your vanity."
"Akatsuki…!"
"Why do you need to orbit around me, anyway? I know I was the one that tried to get you out of Dealer yet… It turned out you'd eventually quit Dealer on your own. So my dramatics were rather unnecessary." He began to comment as if wanting her to say something.
"Obviously enough!"
"Ah. Then I must pretty dense."
"Hmpf! Men. They're all the same."
"Guilty by association?"
"Hmpf."
"Guess that."
"Akatsuki…! You choose… A grave… Or endless pain…" She tried to sound threatening but couldn't focus on that.
"I'd rather my own choice: I ignore you."
"You dare…!"
"Oh. I dare."
"Acid."
"Roger. Scrambler: on!"
"AKATSU… KZZZZZ!" She got cut off.
"Man. Sensei is TOO SCARY." Ox Fire gulped.
"Buro~… Guess that. But I prefer that cold blood over Virgo's hysterical laughter and her cruelty." Ox muttered.
"The enemy numbers have fallen below 20!" Cygnus Wing spotted as he patrolled the air.
"Good. We'll soon be done here. I've got job pending at the HQ. And a "sweet candy" too…" He grinned.
"Shidou…" Acid sighed.
"What. Not like I'm gonna get fat from those!"
"How many times have we had this argument, anyway?" Acid was rather exasperated by now.
"Dunno. I'm surprised you lost count of them. Maybe you didn't file them away because you found it to be irrelevant?"
"I suppose that. Huff."
Well. The Night Baron asides… I'm getting closer to "it" as well… Indeed…
19:48 PM (Japan Time)…
"… I'm - BEATEN!"
"Luna – chan… It wasn't that much of a deal."
"Be quiet, Mode!"
"Fine. But then don't say I didn't warn you."
"Let's call Subaru – kun: he needs to keep Rock Man – sama out of danger or else he gets hurt!"
"But, Luna – chan… Have you forgotten?"
"Huh? What?"
Luna dropped her head and arms atop her work desk in her bedroom and sighed in defeat: Mode hovered next to her and didn't share Luna's exaggerated defeatism: she began to dial a number on the Hunter – VG while fuming but Mode interrupted her.
"He was kidnapped about 2 weeks ago!"
"W-what? That for real?"
"Sheesh. Where have you had your mind at? Didn't you find it odd that he didn't come at the school?"
"I thought he had the flu!"
"Thought, thought… You could've listened to the others' talk: about how the Satella Police is moving Earth and sea to find him…"
"Oh well! He'll find a way out… Being the somewhat crappy boy he is, anyway… But, if his idiocies make Rock Man – sama lose a battle…! I won't ever forgive him for weakening MY Rock Man – sama, my PRECIOUS Rock Man – sama, my PRINCE Rock Man – sama!"
"LU-NA~!"
"YIKES!"
"I heard that!"
Ms. Shirogane rushed in and Luna turned white from fear: her mother loomed over her with an extremely irritated look to her face: Mode sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Will you stop distorting reality?"
"B-but, mom!"
"I don't care if it feeds your "fantasy world" but when that begins to get in the way of your day-to-day routine and behavior… Then that's when it gets worrying! You'll need some psycho-therapy!"
"E~H! NO WAY~!"
"Way! I'll see to it! Caring so little for your friend: he who rescued you from danger so many times…! And then saying it's his fault for getting kidnapped: like he wanted to! You yourself were kidnapped twice: did you want for that to happen or what?"
"W-well, no, but of course, b-b-but…!"
"No "buts"! End of the tale! Like it or not, your "Rock Man – sama" is a fantasy! He is your classmate Subaru – kun! Get down to Earth, stop floating around the Moon! Sheesh! Naruo! Your choice of name for our daughter was ill! She spends the whole day in the Moon! Maybe if we'd named you "Athena" instead! If we'd done that then maybe you'd use your WISDOM!" She began to ramble.
She stormed off as if going to discuss it with her husband and Luna remained shocked and paralyzed until her Hunter – VG rang and she instinctively pressed the "reply" button: a "Real Wave" screen formed and the face of a Night Baron showed up there.
"So! Miss Moon! What it'll be?"
"Huh? Who are ya? The cocktail bar owner?"
"Huh? Cocktail bar owner? First-timer." The Night Baron seemed surprised by her naming.
"That's the culprit!" Mode exclaimed.
"Ruin Mode: on! We're all ruined!"
"How rude, mister!" Mode got annoyed too.
"Blame my imagination!"
"The culprit of… what? Of selling cocktails to the teachers?" Luna hadn't caught up yet.
"Selling cocktails to the teachers? You DO live in the Moon, lil miss! Mwah, hah, hah, hah!"
"Sheesh."
"So! Who is Athena?"
"Dunno! Must like antennas."
"Athena, not Antenna!" Mode scolded.
"That for real?"
"ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING?" Mode got really annoyed.
"Whoa! I'm listening!"
"WELL, FRANKLY ENOUGH, YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE IT!"
"Calm down!"
"Interesting, by my beard." The Night Baron actually rubbed its chin with the right hand.
"Go sell cocktails in Shiisaa Island!"
"Truly. Before that, though…"
"What? You want my autograph?"
"Well, why not. Since we're at it, missy… Let's go to a "D" and have some fun… I've got someone who'd like to learn it from you."
"HUH? I didn't get any of that. Is that a spy message or what?"
"Spy message! Of course not, missy." He laughed.
"Where is Subaru – kun?"
"Dunno. Maybe in Hell?"
"E~H?"
"Or in the makai."
"That's not an answer!"
"It is. According to my evil, blessed and repulsive rules, that is. Blame Mr. Moon Ace for coming up with them!"
"Moon Disaster, I say!"
"Who?"
"Oh come on! You NEVER pay attention, Luna – chan?"
"W-well…"
"What happened to your rank as Student Council President?" She exasperatedly asked her.
"A-ah! W-well… T-that's, y-you s-see…" She began to blurt without thinking.
"Sheesh. What a girl!"
"Heh, heh, heh. Maybe someone could show you the ropes? Your former icy teacher?"
"Icy teacher? Who?"
"Queen Tia – sensei…" Mode sighed.
"Was there such a teacher?"
"Of course! Back in 2004! Jack is her little brother!"
"Ah! Of course! The dark-skinned gigantic foreign lady."
"No~… If she hears that she'll get furious…" Mode sighed.
"Mwah, hah, hah, hah! Oh, don't worry… I'll tell her I came up with it!"
"What do you gain from that, anyway?"
"Good question, my dear Ruin Mode."
"Stop with the nicknames, I say!"
"My bad. Anyway… What I gain? To see her true hide: her true annoyed face, to break her prideful mask of ice…"
"You're a leech or what?"
"Maybe so. Leech Baron."
"Night is better, thank you." She sighed in defeat once again.
"What the heck is this about, anyway?"
"HE kidnapped Subaru – kun! Gotcha?"
"Huh? Ah! So cha are the culprit! Spit it out! Or I'll bring down your company in the next 5 minutes!"
"I don't have one to begin with." He shrugged.
"Oh crap."
"Too bad, Miss Moonie~!"
"T-this MAN!"
"Delighted. Oho. It'd seem my guest recalls my attention so you'll have to excuse me for today. Look forward to some Bloody Maries. Shake it and rumble it 'till it rumbles and shakes!"
"How original." Mode sighed.
The transmission finally ended: Luna began to pace around the bedroom while cursing something undecipherable while Mode sighed: she heard Luna's parents having a discussion in the living room too.
"Lovely. Could this get any crazier?"
"GIVE ME BACK MY PRINCE, YA DECAYING NOBLEMAN!"
Sheesh. Behave already, Luna – chan! What a prospect! Dear me!