Previously on Doerai: Dawn of the Darkness...
Nick continued looking around, not having much luck in locating Doerai's lair. "ARGH!!! This is pointless... I'm WAY too lost..."
"That's SO like you, Nick-kun!!"
Nick spun around at this proclamation. There they were, clear as day.
"Doremi-chan? Yuki-chan?!"
"Well, who did you THINK it'd be, Nick-kun?" Yuki giggled, her transparent form shining brightly in the sunlight that bathed the Floating Islands.
"Ah, you haven't really changed much, even in the afterlife, Yuki-chan," Doremi responded, holding the black witch close to her.
"Girls, how'd you get here?" Nick wondered.
"Just 'cause we're dead doesn't mean we can't help you, Nick-kun!!" Yuki exclaimed.
"Whatever works for you two," Nick replied, only for Yuki to float over and kiss him on the cheek.
"I figured I should say this when I had the chance. Nick-kun, I'm REALLY sorry for all those awful things I said about you. I never meant for you to get involved with all this..."
"It's just like he said," Nick responded, being very careful to choose his words around the black witch. "Destiny can be very cruel sometimes."
"I can see you and Akemi-chan are getting rather chummy lately," Doremi giggled.
"I made a promise to Momoko that I'd protect and love Akemi, and you two know that I don't break my promises," Nick responded.
"That's good to hear," Yuki noted.
"Well, this is all well and good, but we need to find Doerai," Nick stated, his fists tightening. "I'm not going to let Doerai spread anymore of his madness."
"The problem is, we have no idea where his lair might be," Yuki stated. "But we'd be happy to help you look, Nick-kun!!"
"I'd like nothing better, Yuki-chan," Nick replied. "Now let's move."
Nick continued looking around, not having much luck in locating Doerai's lair. "ARGH!!! This is pointless... I'm WAY too lost..."
"That's SO like you, Nick-kun!!"
Nick spun around at this proclamation. There they were, clear as day.
"Doremi-chan? Yuki-chan?!"
"Well, who did you THINK it'd be, Nick-kun?" Yuki giggled, her transparent form shining brightly in the sunlight that bathed the Floating Islands.
"Ah, you haven't really changed much, even in the afterlife, Yuki-chan," Doremi responded, holding the black witch close to her.
"Girls, how'd you get here?" Nick wondered.
"Just 'cause we're dead doesn't mean we can't help you, Nick-kun!!" Yuki exclaimed.
"Whatever works for you two," Nick replied, only for Yuki to float over and kiss him on the cheek.
"I figured I should say this when I had the chance. Nick-kun, I'm REALLY sorry for all those awful things I said about you. I never meant for you to get involved with all this..."
"It's just like he said," Nick responded, being very careful to choose his words around the black witch. "Destiny can be very cruel sometimes."
"I can see you and Akemi-chan are getting rather chummy lately," Doremi giggled.
"I made a promise to Momoko that I'd protect and love Akemi, and you two know that I don't break my promises," Nick responded.
"That's good to hear," Yuki noted.
"Well, this is all well and good, but we need to find Doerai," Nick stated, his fists tightening. "I'm not going to let Doerai spread anymore of his madness."
"The problem is, we have no idea where his lair might be," Yuki stated. "But we'd be happy to help you look, Nick-kun!!"
"I'd like nothing better, Yuki-chan," Nick replied. "Now let's move."
(Footage: As the opening begins, we can see a crystal-colored bird flying across the screen.)
Habata itara modoranai to ittte
(You say if you could fly, you would never come back)
(Footage: Nick and Akemi can be seen on the edge of the Burned Lands, looking into the sky towards the Floating Islands.)
Mezashita no wa aoi, aoi ano sora
(You aimed for that blue, blue sky)
(Footage: Nick stares towards the heavens, wondering if Yuki and Doremi are doing okay. During the instrumental, we pan into the sky. After about a second, Hitomi and Utau cross paths, and the Doerai: Dawn of the Darkness logo appears on the screen.)
"Kanashimi" wa mada oboerarezu "setsunasa" wa ima tsukami hajimeta
(You've yet to remember "sadness", just now began to grasp "pain")
(Footage: Hitomi can be seen walking forward with Torikki happily trotting by her side.)
Anata e to daku kono kanjou mo ima "kotoba" ni kawatte iku
(Even the feelings I held onto for you are just now turning into words)
(Footage: Torikki looks up at Hitomi with a sad look on his face. This causes Hitomi to giggle before reaching down to pet Torikki.)
Michi naru sekai no yume kara mezamete
(As you awaken from the dream of an unknown world)
(Footage: Doerai looks out over his lair, laughing softly. He then jams his staff into the ground and turns it, causing a dark energy to blind the screen.)
Kono hane wo hiroge tobitatsu
(Spread your wings and take off)
(Footage: Akemi looks skyward, her hands joined in a prayer. She then throws her arms out and smiles, and sparkling angel wings sprout from her back.)
Habata itara modoranai to ittte
(You say if you could fly, you would never come back)
(Footage: Doremi can be seen posing with her hand on her forehead. Quick cut to her performing an Ojamajo Storming Spike against the Destroyer.)
Mezashita no wa aoi, aoi ano sora
(You aimed for that blue, blue sky)
(Footage: Yuki can be seen posing with her hands on her hips. Quick cut to her performing an Ojamajo Twilight Rain on a collection of shadow creatures.)
Tsukinuketara mitsukaru to shitte
(If you break through, you know you'll find it)
(Footage: Akemi can be seen posing with her hands locked together. Quick cut to her performing an Ojamajo Crystal Cannon against the Golem.)
Furikiru hodo aoi, aoi ano sora
(So try until you break free to that blue, blue sky)
(Footage: Nick can be seen posing with a peace sign focusing towards the camera. Quick cut to him performing an Ojamajo Arrow of Light against the Dragoon.)
Aoi, aoi ano sora
(That blue, blue sky)
(Footage: Quick flash of Doerai's lair on the Floating Islands, Doerai looking downwards.)
Aoi, aoi ano sora
(That blue, blue sky)
(Footage: Cut to Nick, Akemi, Hitomi, and Utau looking up towards the Floating Islands. Quick jump cut to them racing towards the islands, their hands all intertwined, and Doerai watching from afar as the song ends.)
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(Even in the brightest light, there is always a little bit of darkness.)
YukiShinoya444 and S.P.D. Gold Ranger present:
Doerai: Dawn of the Darkness
Story Created: November 9th, 2008
Summary: AU. In the end, there is only a new beginning. The story continues as Nick and his friends go through another set of experiences... And what of the others?
On Today's Episode: As the party continues to explore the Floating Islands in hopes of reaching Doerai's lair before it's too late, Nick, Yuki, and Doremi have a talk about recent events, and Akemi learns of the REAL relationship between Torikki and Hitomi...
Authoress' Notes: This time, I will do the odds and Nick-kun will do the evens! Wai~
Disclaimer: ...Shouldn't it be obvious by now we don't own anything? (by S.P.D. Gold Ranger: EXACTLY, Yuki-chan.)
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Phase 13: Floating on Our Darkest Secrets
"See anything, you two?"
"Nope!" Yuki answered, standing clear in the tree to increase her view. "How about you, Doremi-chan?"
"Nada, Yuki-chan!"
"Great..." Nick groaned, pinching his nose. "Just great..."
"Calmness, Nick-kun."
"Is that even a word?" Nick shook his head. "Forget it. How are the others doing, Yuki-chan?"
At that Yuki's expression became blank and her transparent face seemed to get pale.
"Yuki-chan?"
A ghostly laugh escaped from the black witch and she looked down, her eyes a dull brown.
"Why... would I be in the same place as any of them? Especially as... E-Especially as...!!" she wavered, twitching and shivering as she gasped.
"Yuki-chan?!" Nick reached out to shake her shoulder only to jump back from the ice cold touch. "Y-Yuki-chan?"
Doremi squeezed Yuki's hand, and she calmed down, but she was still breathing heavily, and Nick was almost sure that if she wasn't a spirit, there would be tears in her eyes.
"No, no... It's no spirit world, really. It's more of a purgatory, I... I suppose..." Yuki whispered, still shaking. "Looks like I'm too good for hell... and too terrible for..."
A tearless sob choked her throat and she shut her eyes, whimpering.
"Don't think his name... Don't think about him..." she whispered, over and over again before opening her dark eyes with an apologetic smile.
"I'm so sorry, Nick-kun."
"It's not your fault, Yuki-chan." Nick tried to smile back, still worried greatly. "You've got nothing to be sorry for."
"Yes, I do. Doremi-chan should be with the others, too..." Yuki shook her head, tapping the ground with her foot. "I don't really get it... I actually expected to see..."
She winced again, but shook her head. "Looks like I'm more stubborn to live than I give myself credit for."
Doremi lightly tapped one of the several trees and a light glowed over her hand, forming into the shape of a dove.
"And here, I thought I would be able to do so much more..."
She held the little snow white bird close, stroking its delicate feathers.
"Tell Akatsuki-kun I'm sorry..." she whispered before letting it go. The pink witch turned back to Nick, smiling softly.
"Better than going around and reaping the immortal soul. All the two of us need is a body."
The green witch blinked and folded his arms.
"...I'm confused."
"Alright." Yuki folded her arms, mirrioring his expression.
"Let's see what you got to say."
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"Where are you GOING?! Wait up! WAIT UP!!"
"Stay back..."
"I told you already, I don't care! I DON'T CARE!!"
"I'm no good for you... I'm no good for anything."
"Don't say that!! I... I..."
"Farewell."
"WAIT!!"
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Hitomi looked up, Torikki growling lightly.
"What was that?"
"Mistress? What's wrong?"
"Oh..." Hitomi blinked twice before laughing lightly to herself. "It's nothing, Torikki-kun... At least, I mean... I... I think it's nothing, after all..."
"Milady..."
"Ah..." Hitomi smiled brightly, letting the wind toss her hair to the north. "Feel that, Torikki-kun? The wind's always comforting... Playfully blowing at your back... Drying the tears that you shed... It's always there!!"
With that, the young mistress pushed herself forward at a sprint, Torikki quickly at her side.
"Amazing, isn't it?!"
Torikki growled playfully.
"Almost as much as your smile, mistress."
His master laughed, a musical and melodic sound.
"You never change!!" she giggled, flicking her bells with a jingle. "Thank you, Torikki-kun!"
"Your wish, my command."
Hitomi laughed again, throwing her arms up in the air.
"I feel so happy!!"
What a wonderful feeling...!!
Unknowist to her, the expression of her tanuki shifted, and he shook with a growl.
It's a damn ruse... he thought bitterly, still growling. It's all a damn ruse...
Mistress...
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"Say... Utau-chan? I've always wondered something..."
"Sure, Mom. What is it?"
"Well..." Akemi fiddled with her fingers as the two continued their walk and search. "What is...?"
Utau tilted her head, a bit confused.
"Yes, Akemi-chan?"
"What is the real deal about Hitomi-chan and Torikki-kun? I know he's her pet, but still... Ur..." Akemi flinched, blushing as she looked over.
Sheesh... I feel so insecure... Like I'm a little kid who's the new girl at school all over again... But even than... When I had Moriko-chan by my side-!!
"Akemi-chan."
"Huh?"
Akemi looked up and lightly gasped.
"U... Utau-chan?!"
Utau's expression was blank, as if possessed.
"Torikki-kun... is much more to Hiko-chan than as her pet... Akemi-chan..."
"Eh?" Akemi blinked, her expression completely comfused as well as curious. "Explain."
Utau sighed, throwing her arms behind her head.
"From what I understand, actually... Torikki-kun's under a curse. A bad one. He's bound to Hiko-chan... Hitomi-chan, I mean... in that particular manner."
"Really?" Akemi's eyes gleamed as she frowned.
"But... what does Hitomi-chan have to do with any of this, Utau-chan? I mean, poor Torikki-kun... What does the curse even do? Is his life numbered or something? I mean, is he...?"
"Don't make up explanations like that!!" Utau exclaimed, shock crossing her face. "I'm not exactly supposed to be telling this to you, ya know!!"
"Huh?"
The crystal witch shook her head.
"Utau-chan..."
What is she trying to even say?! What about Torikki-kun?! What about Hitomi-chan?! G-Gosh... I don't understand any of this! I don't get it at all!!
Utau dropped her eyes.
"I'm sorry. But that's all I really know..."
Akemi blinked, confused.
"Utau-chan..."
"Really!! It is!"
"No..." her future mother shook her head again, frowning. "I... I wasn't necessarily accusing you of anything, Utau-chan.... I really wasn't."
"Oh..." Utau whistled before laughing. "I'm acting weird, aren't I? Am I, really?"
Akemi say no point to denying it, so she just weakly nodded her head, her shoulders drooped.
Utau laughed again, but the sound was nervous.
"Who... Who woulda thought, huh?"
The crystal witch just shrugged.
"Yeah, I suppose..." Utau whispered, answering an unspoken question. "That's just the way that things are... Oh, well... I can't really help that now can I?"
Akemi shook her head.
"No."
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"Don't you understand anything?!"
"N-No! I... I..."
"Leave me alone!"
"OW! That hurts, let go!! Please let go!"
"..!!!"
"I... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..."
"You... Why are you the one saying sorry? Heck, I should be the one saying that!! Look at you!"
"None of this would have happened if you..."
"You got nothing to be sorry for."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Yes... Yes I am."
"Liar."
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Yuki whistled as she took in Nick's story.
"Damn... We miss all the good things... Ah well..."
"What about you two?" Nick asked, a smile twitching at his lips.
"Nothing much." Doremi hummed, tilting her head to the side. "No offense, Nick... But I think we're not really dead, I mean... Who knows?"
"...Maybe." Yuki muttered, twirling around a lock of Doremi's ruby red hair. "You never know. But I... I don't like this spiritual life, you know..."
Nick made a "huh" sound and continued forward.
"Where's the base anyway?"
"Silly Nick-kun..." the black witch laughed weakly, joining hands with Doremi as the two of them began to fade away. "Do you really think it'll be that easy? It's only begun... The real adventure, you know... I can feel it."
"Huh?" Nick reached out again, but they were gone.
"Yuki-chan?! DOREMI-CHAN?!"
"Nick?" a musical voice came out, making him instantly turn around, his eyes wide.
"Momoko..."
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"Well!"
Hitomi landed on the rock, kicking up the dust with her free foot. "That sure was energizing!"
She grinned, placing her hands on her cheeks.
"My heart is racing with the excitement! I feel so free! I haven't felt this great in years!"
She let out a sigh of relief.
Of course...
She turned to her side with a grin.
"Don't you agree, Torikki-kun?"
When she got no reply, she popped her eyes open, shifting from a bright pink to a dark brown.
"To...Torikki-kun?"
Her eyes widened, turning a sickly shade of gray.
No... No!!
"TORIKKI-KUN?!" she called out, horror filling up her entire self. "TORIKKI-KUN?!?! WHERE ARE YOU?!"
The young mistress looked around desperately, hoping to catch even a glance of her tanuki.
"No... No... No..."
Hitomi's eyes filled up with tears, her eyes turning duller and duller. "Please, no..." she begged herself. "Please... Please... Oh... Oh, God... No..."
Torikki-kun... Torikki-kun...
With that, she threw her head up into the sky, and screamed out his name.
"TORIKKI-KUN!!"
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Next time:
Phase 14: If I Say Your Name Again, Please...
Distraught and abandoned, Hitomi looks around desperately for her precious Torikki, but with no hope. Meanwhile, with the help of his old lover, Nick is able to learn some more about Doerai's return... But then has to deal with a curse he never thought possible when disaster strikes Akemi and Utau... And when even he can't prevent what will happen...