Chapter seven: Getting The Cure
Both Daichi and Koichi stared at Shinichi, namely near his waist for several minutes before Daichi spoke. "I expected it to be… bigger."
"Why?" Koichi asked puzzled. "You've seen mine."
"Yeah, but yours don't count, there small."
"How does that even make sense?"
Shinichi ignore them as he pulled the sword out of it's sheath. He bought to help hide the fact he not from this world (Plus most of his weapons were laser like).
"Look it even rusted! I can't be the only one to think he could have done better." Daichi said annoyed
"There's another reason I have chosen this particular sword." Shinichi said
"That's right! I'm one of a kind, baby!" The sword stated making the two other Kaizo ningen to jump surprised
"Shit, a talking sword!?" Koichi said shocked.
"That's right, the name Derflinger, please to meet ya!" The sword greeted.
"You... bought a talking sword." Daichi said surprised, granted GIN-SHOCKER has AI but they were always in vehicles, not personnel weapons.
"Correct and the sword can hear you." Derflinger said annoyed.
"Derflinger has been giving me some valuable details on this wo-" Shinichi stop and quickly corrected "I mean Halkeginia history. He been quite helpful."
"It is good to see people interested in history. And I must say this fellow is impressive with his swordmanship." Derflinger.
"What can I say I was train to be impressive," Shinichi said. This gave him very surprise looks from his team-mates. They have never once heard #13 spoke in a boastful sort of way.
"This is kinda weird to see him like this." Daichi whispered to Koichi
"Indeed, though i can't deny i been through weirder scenarios." Koichi said
(Flashback)
In a bar somewhere in china, six people sat a table, five each had one bullet through their skull. Koichi stared at each of the men who had shot themselves in Russian Roulette.
"Oh my god... I can't believe they fell for that." Koichi said, holding up the revolver.
(End flashback, that bit was inspired by Archer.)
"Hmm, almost time.I suggest we head out." Shinichi said as he began to head out of there room.
"Aw man... I hate this, sucking up to that idiot." Koichi muttered.
"Oh come now, as list of potential unknowing being informants/hosts go. Wales isn't that bad. Daichi said before adding "You're probably just bored because you haven't had the chance to use one of your bombs," He looked at the pile of ragdolls Koichi had made. they looked normal However, appearances could be deceiving.
"Maybe so." Koichi muttered "All I gotta say is something interesting better happen, cause I'm getting bored."
Michiru sighed as she recalled the conversation last night. Monmon had told them the cause of Louise acting so love struck was due to a love potion she intended to have Guiche drank when Louise waltz in and rink it instead for some reason. She also mention that the effects would wear off in about either a month or a year. Michiru was not happy about hearing that.
"Can't we tell someone about this."
"I doubt they believe us." Hana said "I been reading a book about things that could affect people minds like that magically."
"And?"
"Spells and potions that alter a person's emotions are banned by law, with most of those practices destroyed." Hana said "They might think you're making it up cause you're embarrass Louise is acting jealous girlfriend towards you
"If stuff like that is ban, then how the hell did Monmon have something like a love potion!" Michiru said
"Maybe her family secretly practices it or maybe she bought it from the black market secretly who knows, but most people wouldn't believe. Louise has a temper and would just think something happen to tick her off, really bad." Hana shrugged.
Michiru looked annoyed but realizes something "Wait you're these things are illegal."
"Yes."
"In that case I'm heading to Montmorency room and demand she help cure or speed the process, or else."
"You're speaking of blackmail." Hana said
Michiru corrected, "No, I'm calling it persuasion."
"Hey wait, what am i suppose to do with here." Hana flicked her thumb to a knock out Louise. Louise found Michiru talking to a girl and was about to use that exploding spell. Luckily Hana as able to knock her out slightly.
"You take her back to the room to relax." Michiru said.
"What? but she think might think i was hiding her from you and try to explode me- and you're gone." Hana said as Michiru ran to Montmorency room.
Michiru run through the scenario in her head. She won't deny she kinda enjoy the attention, but she rather a girl fawn over her regularly then do it under some potion. When she realized which room was Montmorency, she walked over to the door and kicked it in, knocking something over in the process.
"Hello Monmon!" Michiru said
"Haven't you heard of knocking." Monmon said annoyed
"Yeah you no-manners brute" Said Guiche who had a large bump on his head.
"Not now Guiche!" Michiru said as she turned back to Montmorency "And as for you i am asking you to turn Louise back to normal!"
"I told you already the effects of the potion will wear off in-"
"OH C'MON YOU WERE ABLE TO GET OR MAKE THAT POTION! You gotta know a way to reverse the effects faster!"
"Well... there is one way... but I don't have the right ingredients to make it..."
"Well tell me what you need and we can go get some." Michiru said
"You do realize that isn't any way to address someone from nobility." Guiche said.
Michiru glared at him "Then again humility and all that," Guiche said as he whisper to Monmon "Give her what she want."
Monmon sighed at her boyfriend lack of a spine. "Look. I can understand your situation somewhat. but you don't seem to realize the difficulty of getting a spirit tear is!"
"Uh-huh, it can't be as difficult as getting an illegal potion." Michiru said
Monmon glared. "If you're trying to intimidate me by blackmail. It's not going to work."
Michiru chuckled, "Monmon,you're dealing with someone who is a expert of psychological warfare /illusion expert that can bring really nightmarish stuff to life, and who know that you did something illegal. do you REALLY want to make a enemy out of me." Michiru said, as if to empathize her point fog began to appear in the room.
"Alright, alright I'll personally go and help make the potion." Monmon said, a tinge of fear in her voice.
"Excellent," Michiru said as the fog dissipated. "So tell me, where do we go to get this Spirit tear stuff."
"Lagdorian lake. It's where water mages go to bind a pact with the water spirit."
"Lagdorian Lake, but that's in Gallia!" Guiche said
"Well in that case we'll be heading out in the morning tomorrow." Michiru said as she headed out of the room. When she went into Louise room. Louise looked annoyed and Hana comically charred.
"Had it rough I take it." Michiru asked as Hana grunted.
"Michiru, You ditch me! you have to sleep with me tonight! If you don't I shall punish you!" Louis demanded.
"Of course, but I want you to look at this first." Michiru said pointing at the window. Louise looked to where Michiru was pointing to. While she wasn't looking, Michiru gave a slight slap not enough to hurt Louise but enough to knock her out.
"Well we better go to bed." Michiru said.
"Wait, if you were going to do that anyway... then why you knock her out?" Hana asked confused
"... precaution." Michiru admitted. "Now seriously bed, we need to go to bed, big day tomorrow."
"You know I'm curious, where did you learn to fight like that." Wales questioned. Both he and Shinichi were relaxing after a spar, but were ready to restart it soon enough.
"Oh well... here and there." Shinichi said.
Koichi yawned. He and Daichi watch the duel and he was still bored 'Something interesting better happen or I'm going to lose my mind'
Fate decided to do him a favor as a servant walked into the room. "Excuse me sir, but two fellows who said they know you're guests wish to speak of them."
The three looked confused before Daichi asked "These two fellows why do they want to meet us."
"They didn't say but mention the spider went cuckoo."
All three looked at one another before nodding. "Prince I apologize but we must put this spar on hold." Shinichi stated.
"That's alright, you take care of business." Wales said. Shinichi nodded as the three follow the butler towards a room. it open revealing two disguise individuals, but they could easily tell it was Todoriko and Jin.
Shinichi ordered, "Report and elaborate. What do you mean by "the spider went cuckoo". Where's No. 07?"
"That's what we meant," said Jin. "She's turned traitor, same as No. 11."
"Explain," Shinichi commanded. "Also, where have you been and why didn't you report this earlier?"
"A lot happened," Todoriko excused.
"I can see that," said Shinichi. "Come inside, get cleaned up, and eat something. You require nourishment. Afterwards, you may give your report."
After being well fed an clean, Todoriko and Jin explain what happened. About them meeting Fouquet, the attack at the school, the staff of destruction and #01 getting stuck in prison while #06 escaped.
"Wait, if you were capture how were you able to come here?" Daichi asked confused
"Heh, I made some allies there, one who gave a good description of wales guest, impressive btw. and after tracking this one down i brought us here." Todoriko laughed.
Shinichi was silent for a moment. "Are you sure they went traitor?"
"What do you have cotton in you're ear. YES THEY WENT TRAITOR!" Jin snapped. "I have the bruises to prove it!"
"Then why isn't there poster out there for our heads?" Shinichi said. It seem illogical for #11 or #07 to at least warn there new allies about them.
"#11 probably convince them not to post any search warrants due to the fact that whoever they send will probably get killed, especially if they went after you." Daichi said.
"I can confirmed that, before I left I heard from one of my associate that they were given strict order to avoid ANYONE with XIII tattoo," Todoriko said
"Huh, so you wearing make-up to cover it is was a smart idea." Koichi said
Shinichi ignored him as he asked "Then why are you smiling #01."
"Simple, were going to get allies, valuable and even those two traitorous rats in one foul swoop."
"and how are we going to do that."
"Simple... we are going to have a hand in starting a war." Todoriko grinned.
After telling Osmond where they were going. Michiru, Hana, Monmon and Louise were heading towards the stables while it was still morning... along with one tag along.
"Do we really have to go all the way to Gallia, it going to take half a day to get there and back!" Guiche complained
"You don't have to come along ya know. I didn't ask you!" Montmorency said annoyed
"What sort of knight leaves maidens to do a quest by themselves!"
"Oi." Hana muttered rolling her eyes.
"Hey relax Guiche, we have something better than horses." Michiru said gesturing to the mech-horses
"Really?" Guiche asked sarcastically "Cause to me they look like horses."
"Guiche, guiche, guiche. How many times do I have to tell you, don't judge a book by there cover." Michiru said as she snapped her fingers. The nobles watch in shock/awe as the illusion around the horses fade before they began morphing into motorcycles.
"Amazing." Guiche breathed
"Right, Louise will ride with Hana and Monmon rides with me." At Louise sputter Michiru said "It not cause i like her more than you, i just don't want to get lovey-dovey and accidentally miss our location." Michiru said, this seem to palcified Louise
"Wait, what about me." Guiche said.
"You're riding alone. But don't worry, I'm setting the horses AI to autopilot so you don't embarrass yourself. Now get on the machine." Hana.
Guiche gulped but did as he was told.
"Alright then, lets ride!" Michiru shouted as they headed to the lake.
They saved some times as they were able to pass the border in record time of Gallia and stopped for a moment as Monmon read the map. "Okay... if I'm not mistaken Lagdorian Lake should be right across that hill!"
Michiru sighed in relief, soon this task shall be done. She felt a slight tugging on her shirt, Michiru turn her head to Louise "Yes?"
"I knitted something just for you Michiru my love." She said, Michiru didn't know whether to be annoyed by the way the potion was making her act, or slightly impress since she knew Louise was able to keep knitting on a moving motorcycle. Louise held up a white cloth which Michiru had no idea what she was looking at, she guess it was some form of clothing.
"Ah... It's a lovely Ha-" She stopped when she notice Louise eyes narrowing. "Skir- Ca- Swea-" At this she notice Louise smiling slightly "SWEATER! IT A LOVELY SWEATER!"
"YES! I knew you like it!" Louise said happily "Try it on quickly."
"Uhh..." Michiru said as she try to find a excuse not to do. "Oh, where Guiche?"
"He took his machine upward, saying to scout ahead," Hana said. just after saying that they could hear a loud scream that sounded like a guy screaming like a little girl. They all quickly ran up the hill to see the bike halfway in water with Guiche spluttering as he splashed around a bit.
"What's the... why is the water all the way up here?" Hana asked confused
"Hmm..." Monmon frowned "It seems like the water spirit is upset about something... the water level is unusually high right now... see?" she pointed across the water and they saw a whole village submerged underwater. "When I came here when I was little, the water level wasn't like this..."
"Hmm so something happened here that really pissed-off the water spirit." Michiru muttered, she turned her head to Hana "Do you think it's-"
"It's a possibility, but I don't think we should assume its them just yet." Hana said "When can we speak with the water spirit."
"We have to wait till night. The water spirit won't come out until after the sun has set..." Monmon answered.
"Fair enough." Michiru said
"Hey I know you guys are talking something important. BUT COULD YOU GET ME OUT OF THIS LAKE ALREADY!" Guiche snapped.
Almost Everyone was standing next to a tree, a bit of a ways from the water as Monmon walked toward them. "Ok I just sent Robin-"
"Who?" Michiru said confused
My Toad familiar."
"OH!"
Monmon rolled her eyes. "Anyway.. I send her to find the Water Spirit, if lucky she'll lead it to us... that and if the Spirit remembers the contract I made with it."
"And then we ask her to give us a tear, btw how do we do that?" Michiru asked "I mean do we have to chop onions or-"
"No you moron." Monmon said annoyed "A tear is just a name for it... we really actually need her to split off a tiny piece of her body."
Before either rider could say how that sounds creepy, a huge spout of water erupted in front of us and they all stepped back in surprise.
"This is it guys! The water spirit!" Said Monmon and she stepped forward "My name is Montmorency Margarita La Fère de Montmorency! I have been here before with family and has made a lasting pact! Spirit, if you remember this, please show yourself in a form we can recognize!"
Slowly the spirit morphed from a geyser to a slender, taller and older looking version of Montmorency
"Wow," Michiru whistled "Say do you think she take request. Cause personally, I wanna see how I look a few years older."
Hush." Hana said as the spirit began to speak
"I remember... lonesome one... I remember the fluid which flows through your veins..."
"I am honored that you remembered me Water spirit." Monmon said "If I may be so bold, I would like to ask you a favor."
"A favor?"
"Yes, I would very much like to have a small piece of you."
The Water spirit didn't say anything at first but stated "I Apologize, but i must decline your request lonesome one."
"WAIT A MINUTE," Michiru said "We came all this way for your help! you gotta at least do something."
"What are you doing, you don't piss off something that can create a tsunami to crush people." Hana whispered snapped
Michiru ignored her as she said "I'm willing to strike a deal with you, we really need that tear."
The Spirit was silent after hearing that. Processing the information before saying "Very well," everyone sighed in relief. "You say that you will do anything that I ask of you? then i need you to protect me."
"Protect you?"
"I am busy increasing the amount of water, and I do not have time to deal with the humans that are attacking me."
"Who would be stupid enough to attack a spirit in her domain?" Guiche asked, Monmon shrugged.
"Those terms sound reasonable. and in return can we gain a piece of your body as a reward?"
"We accept those conditions."
"No way! I don't want to fight!" Monmon yelled.
"No one ever said you would have to." Michiru stated. "Me and Hana can wait here for their attackers to come, hell technically you're free to go."
"... Really?"
"Oh yeah." Hana said confirming Michiru sentence. "You already promise to make the antidote and lead us here, even got us a meeting with the spirit so tecnically you're good to go if you don't want to fight."
Surprisingly enough, Montmorency found herself wondering whether to go or not before sighing "Ah hell... i'm staying."
"What?!" Guiche yelled shocked before coughing abit "I mean yes, of course. we have to help the unfortunate and all."
Michiru lean forward as she whispered "Reverse psychology-"
"-Works every time." Hana whispered back before asking "So tell me... How do you think these attackers are doing it. I doubt you lot have the Tech for a submarine, let alone a kaizorg."
Monmon was silent for a moment (not bothering to ask what those two things are.) before saying "Maybe it's a Air mage? With a ball of air created around the user like a bubble it's not that hard to get to the bottom of the lake.
"Wouldn't a water mage also be a suspect. They must also have a spell to breathe underwater?" Michiru questioned
"No. Even if you use water magic and are able to breathe underwater, directly touching the water would be suicidal as this is the Water Spirit domain. the bubble is more complex to cast but in the long run it safer for the attacker."
"Hmm, interesting, they must be a triangle or square mage then if the bubble keep the water spirit out and yet allow them to attack." Hana said.
Michiru nodded in agreement. Louise stayed in silent as she rubbed her head on Michiru shoulder for abit. the thing she made was gripped in her hands, wondering when the right time to ask Michiru to wear it. 'Be patience Louise, you don't want her to think you desperate,' Louise thought to herself.
They waited abit while hiding to get the drop for the attacker. They were about to fall asleep since it appear that they wouldn't show up when two figures walked forward.
'Is that them?' Michiru thought, They weren't give a explaination on who the attackers were and she didn't want to hurt a bunch of tourist by accident. Meanwhile Hana eyes narrowed, something about the two seem familiar
Then, one of the figures pulled out a staff, waving it in a way that reminded Michiru of a mage preparing a spell. Convinced that there was no mistake by now, Michiru quickly henshined and use her speed to rushed forward.
The smaller figure noticed Carmen approach, even though she'd moved faster than people could see and quickly swung her staff towards Carmen direction and a rather large gust of wind shot forward. Carmen quickly jump up to avoid the attack however, the larger figure pointed it's wand unleashing a fireball.
Carmen grunted as she was hit but was able to land properly on the ground. The larger figure quickly pointed her wand (Not giving Carmen a chance to recover) but was grabbed from behind as a clothe wrapped her head."You leave Michiru alone!" Louise snapped (She ran after Carmen, which again Carmen admitted was impressive)
"Louise..." The smaller figure said in a monotone voice. Carmen blinked surprised recognizing it. "Tabitha?"
Tabitha removed her cloak just as the taller figure pulled Louise off, revealing it was Kirche. "WHAT THE HELL ZERO!" Kirche snapped. She then noticed that Guiche, Monmon and Hana walking towards them. "Okay... why are all of you here."
Hana began to tell the story about what happen to Louise with Michiru reverting to normal.
"But, why did you make something as dangerous as a love potion?" Kirche said confused
"Let just say she thought she could control her boyfriends libido." Michiru answered before Monmon answered
"Ah. but we still need to do this. If we don't defeat the spirit, Tabitha will be in trouble..."
"Really what for?"
"It's a mission Tabitha's family gave us." The bluenette turned to Kirche almost questioningly. It was almost as if she were chastising her for revealing that bit of info so easily. "It's because the water level is rising, and those living around here are being affected."
"Oh so that's why you're here. I just thought it was a weird coincidence" Guiche said, everyone ignored him.
"Hmm... I can see you're problem, but do you really have to attack the spirit to solve it." Hana questioned, at everyone look she elaborated "She obviously mad, but she seems ready to negotiate, we should try to appeal to her as a person instead of attacking her."
Everyone waited to hear Tabitha answer to Hana Proposal. "... Sounds reasonable." Tabitha nodded.
"Then lets do it!" Michiru said as Monmon began to re-summoned the spirit. "Why are you overflowing the lake? Everyone is really upset about it!" Michiru asked
"I'm flooding the lake because one of your kind stole a treasure from me... and since I can only exist in water, if I flood the entire world with water, I will one day have the treasure back in my possession."
"Not to question you're plans... but isn't that abit too long term?" Hana questioned
"It can't be helped" Monmon explained "The Spirits are immortal beings, there sense of time is much different than our own."
Michiru ignored the small talk as she question "What is the name of your treasure, Spirit?"
"It is called the Ring of Andvari. The ring that has been with me since time immemorial."
"I've heard about that rings. It gives the power to create artificial souls, no wonder they face the spirit wrath if that was it treasure." Montmorency commented.
"Do you know who took it?" Michiru asked
"All I know is that one of the thieves name is Cromwell."
"I see. If you promise to lower the lake I promise to find the ring and bring it back to you." Michiru said ignoring the shock look from everyone faces.
"... Very well." said the spirit nodding as a small vial could be seen flying towards us and landed in Monmon hand.
"The spirit tear! But... but why?"
"Gandalfr made an oath to me in the distant past, and kept that oath. If it comes from Gandalfr, then it is worth believing. Especially since she proved her word and prevented my attackers from attacking me." the spirit explained
'Again with the Gandalfr, What the hell is that word.' Hana thought, remembering that was the name Fouquet called Michiru. Hana was interrupted from her musing as Michiru stated. "Well I promise to keep my oath and return the ring to you someday."
"Someday?" Hana questioned
"It a big place it will take some time Hana-chan." Michiru said with a shrug before turning back to the spirit "So great spirit could you please start lowering the water."
"It shall be done." The Water spirit nodded as she dissappeared.
"Well We got the cure, no one got hurt, Tabitha won't get punished, and someday i'm returning a ring. All in all a good ending." Michiru said
Louise has never felt such a odd mixture of frantic, livid, furious and utterly embarrassed before in her life till now. "I'll be ashamed for the rest of my life! I made a fool of myself in front of everybody! I can already hear Kirche writing her new material to use against me cause of this incident."
"So you remember all of it. Huh I thought it be more like a memory wipe thing." Michiru said
"Well it wasn't! Uggghh... to think that you and me might have done this and that it's horrid!" she said as she pulled out her cropped to bonk Michiru. But she just grabbed and snapped the crop in half and threw the bits across the room.
"You really shouldn't take it out on me, it's you're fault for drinking it!" Michiru snapped
"Technically it Monmon fault. She was the one who made a love potion that leaves people as lovestruck idiots pining for people." Hana said
"Yeah, but she did grabbed it from Guiche hand... btw why did you do that? All I got from Monmon was that you looked depress and confused about something?" Michiru questioned.
Louise then remember that incident, of seeing Michiru bathing with Siesta. "GAHH!" Louise shouted as she pulled out another Riding crop (With the two girl riders wondering where the hell does she keep those things.) as she began abusing the furniture.
"Uhh, should we stop her?" Hana questioned
"Eh, let her blow some steam, besides not like anything weird going to happen." Michiru shrugged Just as the wind to blow open their window, blowing out their candle in the process.
"You just had to say it." Hana said annoyed as the two summon there respective weapons and standing in front of Louise by the time the pinkette noticed.
A figure levitated in, in a recognizable brown cloak that left the hem of her dress visible. Not to mention, her voice was kind of telling. "Were you expecting someone else?" She asked, slightly teasing despite the weapon pointed at her.
"Princess Henrietta?" The three questioned as Henrietta pulled the cloak back with a smile