Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
Title: Forgotten Memories
Author: The Rogue Shadow
Genre: PG-13
Rating: Drama/Humor
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Chapter 9: No Time for the Date
Laharl
I sit down on the top of my wooden coffin and contemplate the recent turn of events.
So many things have happened thus far. Etna has now officially become my vassal while giving up something precious in order to do so, a new enemy has revealed his or her self, and the one I find most disturbing of all…
I have a date with Etna after sunset! And that's less than 5 hours away.
After the deal with the Assembly had been said and done, Etna helped me walk back to the hospital. Thankfully the ronin that had been assigned there finally came back and she was able to treat my wounds properly.
Now that I'm back to one-hundred percent, I think it's about time that I head out.
I sit up and put the Cosmic Sword in the sheath on my back.
Looks like I'll be needing this for a little while longer. I still need to get back Etna's pendant. Question is how the hell I'm going to beat Ethos…
I narrow my eyes and clench my hands together at the mere thought of that bastard.
He's strong. Too strong. Even with the boost of the Cosmic Blade, I still wasn't strong enough to overcome the strength of his fusion boost. I need more than the strength offered by weapons. What I need… is…
I grin and clench my fists with a gleam in my eyes.
"Absolute power."
A knock on the stonewall interrupts my thoughts. I turn around and find Etna with her hands behind her back and an innocent grin on her face.
I roll my eyes at the display.
Innocent my butt.
Smirking, I walk till I'm right in front of her and cross my arms over my chest.
"And what exactly do you want now?"
She feigns a hurt look and puts her right hand over her chest.
"What do I want? Such cruel words, Prince… I just wanted to talk to you about our upcoming appointment. That is, if you haven't forgotten. After all, this will be our first night out as vassal and mentor. This is the special event we've been waiting to celebrate."
I lean against the wall indifferently, still keeping eye contact with her.
"You mean a free meal right? I still can't believe you're making me go to a high class place… Sure I have the money but I'd rather spend on something more important than this."
I lean my head backwards and stare at the ceiling for some time before I notice the lack of response on her half. Turning back I see Etna with her face downcast and a look of sorrow in her eyes.
The hell? Did I say something wrong? Already? God damn it! Why do things always have to be so complicated with females? Why can't they just punch the guys in the jaw and be done with it?
"Hey Etna. You know I was just joking right?"
She still refuses to say anything and this time she turns her back on me.
"I think I'll go now… You obviously don't want me here."
I widen my eyes at her words and reach out to her. Resting my right hand on her shoulder, I take a deep breath, hoping to find the right words to fix this situation.
"Etna, you have to understand that I have a lot of things on my mind. I'm sorry… if you took offense to my attitude towards this date. I was just trying to lighten the mood, but it seems I made things worse. What do you say? Will you forgive me?"
Her shoulders start shaking and I start to fear that I actually made her cry. That is until she turns around with a huge smile on her face, laughing like crazy.
"Oh my god! Prince… You're too easy! Did you really think I was that torn up about it? You're too sweet! And here I thought you were a cold and heartless demon…"
I feel my face turn red with both humiliation and anger.
"Of course I'm a cold and heartless demon! I just didn't want to deal with that crap about your emotions. Who does? Do you think I really care about things like that?"
The smile on her face fades away and she looks at me with seriousness in her eyes.
"One of these days Prince, you're going to have to realize that you can't rule the Netherworld on strength alone. Until that day you'll never win the respect of your vassals, including myself. Overlords need the kindness to help, the mercy to spare, and the heart to make the right decisions. If not then you'll just be overthrown. Remember that…"
She then walks off and disappears into the corridors leaving me to reflect on her words.
"The hell? What was that about?"
I sigh and slump against the wall with a hand over my face.
"I can't take much more of this… Angry or happy? Sad or serious? I wish she'd make up her damn mind…"
Whatever, I only have a few hours to train so I better make the most of it. I'll show you what kind of Overlord I am, Etna. Just watch me.
Etna
I reach the throne room and slouch down on the back of the throne with my arms around my knees.
"I wonder what caused me to go off on him like that? I guess I should've expected his reaction… after all he is a demon. But even so, I can't help but feel angry about it."
I frown and stare at the carpeted ground.
"Why am I getting so emotional about this? Did I expect something different? Did I expect him to act like the king?"
I quickly hush myself as I hear Laharl walk by the throne room and to the commerce room. I watch him with silent eyes until he finally was out of my sight range. Finally noting that he was gone, I sigh and bury my face into my arms.
"Laharl… You're such an idiot…"
There's a brief moment of silence before it is interrupted by someone.
"While that may be true, I wish you'd be more understanding for his sake."
My heart stops for a moment due to the shock, as I wasn't expecting anyone to be even near me.
"After all… he is my son."
I turn around quickly to find one of the people I dislike with a passion.
"Your majesty… how do you do?"
It's the queen… Laharl's mom, Krichevskoy's wife, and the person who took the affections of the king from me, leaving me alone.
I bow down, despite my hidden anger, due to the fact that regardless of how I feel, she is still royalty and the wife of the strongest demon Overlord in the Netherworld. Also, I couldn't take it if the king were to be angry or disappointed at me.
She gives me a small smile and crouches so that she's at eye level with me.
"I'm doing fine, Etna. But please, there's no need for such formalities."
She got up and motioned for me to do the same.
Slightly muttering under my breath, I get up hoping that she would just leave me alone. This is something I do not need right now.
"I do believe this is the first time we've met, Etna. Even so I have heard a lot about you."
"Is that so?"
I cross my arms and sit down on the floor, using the back of the throne as something to lean against.
Who in world would possibly talk about someone like me up there in the royal hierarchy?
"Yes. The king speaks quite fondly of you."
My eyes widen and I look her in the eyes to search for any possibility of her lying. However all I see is that impossible kindness, the one that would never cease to astound me, no matter how badly I hated her.
I guess it could be said that I hold a certain level of respect for her because of that. It's not easy to maintain such ideals in a world as ugly as the Netherworld.
"King… Krichevskoy? He really talks about me?"
For a brief moment, I forget about my personal feelings toward this woman. All I want to know about is if the king really hadn't forgotten me and that he really did care.
She gives a kind-hearted smile and sits down on the floor next to me.
"Etna… the king told me about he found you as a little girl. He said of all that he had witnessed in his reign over the Netherworld, there never a more heart-wrenching scene."
I give a small smile at the thought of the king saying that. I only wish I could've heard the king himself say that. But… if that's the case, then why did he leave me alone?
"He said the time he spent with you was the most meaningful he had experienced in quite a while. He really did enjoy helping you out and watching you grow.
I remain silent, still focused on the thought of why he left.
"You know… despite what you might think, the king didn't abandon you."
My eyes widen at her comment.
How does she know what I was thinking! Wait, the queen is a witch... Is it possible she read my mind?
I feel myself grow over protective of my thoughts and what I should even think. If she does realize how I feel towards her, there's no telling what she may do.
She gives a smile before chuckling into her fist, almost politely so.
"Don't worry, I can't read your mind or anything crazy like that. I may be a witch, but I only specialize with healing and casting spells."
Slightly relived, I decide to prod a bit further.
"Then how did you know what I was thinking?"
She smiles and looks me in the eyes.
"Why, it's in your eyes of course. It's the distant look of waiting for your loved one to return."
I take step back; shocked that she would say something like that.
What does this mean? She knows how I feel about the king?
I'm about to consider making a run for it, before she gives another smile. Another one of those damned smiles. Those ones that say everything will be all right. I'm so sick of it! It's as if she knows everything!
"Don't worry, Etna. I'm not upset or anything like that."
She pauses, looking at the wall before turning back to me.
"It's understandable that you would feel that way to someone who had saved your life. As of such he's someone you can rely on, something you've never had before. He's a kind, yet powerful demon, something equally as rare, here in the Netherworld. But the way I see it, what you really feel is admiration. I think if you looked in your heart of hearts, you would find it to be true."
I quickly stand up and turn around, clenching my fists.
Is it really like she said? Are my feelings for the king nothing more than that of a little girl looking for protection? Am I really that weak?
My eyes harden into a glare and spin around, facing the queen.
"I don't care what you say! I know what I feel for the king! It doesn't matter if he's married or not! The point is I love him! And there's nothing you can do or say to change that fact…"
She offers one last smile before getting up and turning around as well.
"Maybe Etna… but you still have to understand that you still have lots of time to grow up. To mature. Maybe then you'll see."
She then walks away, leaving me to wallow with my thoughts.
When she finally leaves, I remember the question I was supposed to ask her about.
"Damn it… I still didn't ask her why it was the king left me alone…"
Laharl
So Etna thinks that she's better than me, huh?
I slice diagonally, killing a zombie with the Cosmic Blade.
I'll show her! She thinks she has the right to judge me?
I then swing horizontally, beheading a charging gargoyle that was coming right at me.
She'll see just what kind of power it takes to be an Overlord. And when she does, I'm bound to win her respect and her approval once and for all!
"Even if I have to beat the entire god-damned item world to do it!"
I look around noticing that only one enemy was left.
"After all, that's why I'm here in the first place…"
I could just easily walk to the next portal, but where's the fun in that?
Charging up an Overlord's Wrath, I fire the energy orbs at the remaining faerie, charring him to a black pile of smut.
"And that makes the 19th level completed."
As I warp to the next level, I begin contemplating how I'm going to deal with Ethos.
"I could just train until I'm stronger than him and then kick his ass, but that'll take to long. I still have a date to uphold."
I pause momentarily.
"Even I didn't want to go, Etna would still beat the holy hell out of me. Hah, hah. Or she'd try at least."
Though I said those words with the sense of being carefree, the pressure of a time limit begins to overwhelm me before I finally land in the 20th level. I gaze over the vast number of enemies, before one particular aura enemies catches my attention. With renewed resolve, I grin maliciously.
"That's it… that's the answer…"
Etna
I walk over to the commerce room, now slightly curious where it was he went. It's been about 30 minutes and he still hasn't returned.
"Oh where, oh where did my little Prince go? Oh where, oh where can he be? His scarf is long and his height is cut short. Oh where, oh were can he be?"
I grin and chuckle at the song I parodied. It seems to be quite popular among the children songs in the human world. I'm not entirely ignorant of their ways after all.
Looking around, I try find any sign of the Prince. He's not at the weapon shop, item shop, clinic, the Dark Assembly, or anything. I walk to over Plenair and decide to try her for his location.
"Hey Plenair!"
The blue haired demon turns around, and upon noticing me, bows politely.
"Oh, hello Etna. How have you been? What's it like to be the Prince's vassal so far?"
I blink, slightly confused by the gesture, and then getting a grip on myself, bow as well.
"Um, it's okay, I guess. I mean, he can be a little frustrating at times, but at least he's not the worst mentor I could've ended up with, right?"
I give a grin, trying to lighten the mood.
Her mouth forms a line, as she seems to think deeply about what I said. Then giving a smile she nods her head slightly.
"You're right. In fact, he's rather kind for a demon, just like King Krichevskoy. Albeit he can be can be a little spoiled at times."
My grin turns into a smile, as reflect on her words.
"Yeah… he's not too shabby at all. I suppose I'll just give him some time. You can't expect a demon to turn into his father so suddenly. Especially when he's the Prince."
We both remain silent for a while in agreement, before I recall just why it was that I came here.
"Oh! By the way, Plenair, you haven't happened to see the Prince around here did you? He's the reason I came here in the first place."
She gives a nod and points to the opposite end of room.
"I saw him around there about half an hour ago. You should probably try asking the shops around there. Maybe the Rosenqueen Shop would know something about it. They seem to be quite popular nowadays."
Smiling, I give her a quick word of thanks and break off into a jog to the Rosenqueen shop.
The merchant turns his eyes upward and upon spotting me, raises his hand.
"Hey there! Anything I can help you with?"
"Yeah I'm looking for the Prince. Have you seen him around here?"
The merchant raises his eyebrow at the question.
"You're looking for the Prince? What sort of business do you have with him?"
Suddenly becoming defensive and a little peeved, I shoot a question back at him.
"What's it to you? Just tell me where he is."
"Can't do that. Union rules."
Palm slapping my head, I let my hand drop down and stare at him.
"Where in the union contract does it talk about withholding information about the whereabouts of the Prince?"
Pulling out a book underneath the counter, he flips it open and begins reading from it.
"Page 31, Article 4, Paragraph 3, Line 7-8: Thoroughly question those who hold interest in the location of an royal member. Under the condition that the very member in question is found dead, he or she who revealed the location shall be thoroughly ass-kicked and then killed."
I sweatdrop at his reference, while wondering who could have possibly written that.
Taking up an indifferent tone, I slightly narrow my eyes at the man.
"Listen buddy, I couldn't care less what happens to whoever for doing whatever. My concern is finding out where the Prince is."
"And I told you that I can't reveal Master Laharl's location until you tell me what you intentions are with him."
Jeez, what the hell am I supposed to tell him? That I'm slightly worried that the Prince might be in danger? Can't have that on my reputation… But damn it, this is getting annoying. Time to take a page out of the Prince's book.
Whipping out Longinus, I aim it down at the poor merchant's crotch. Grinning, I inquery the man for what I'm sure will be the last time.
"Tell me… what's a worse punishment. Getting beaten down for revealing information, or living the rest of your life as half a man?"
His eyes widening, the throws his arms up shaking them back and forth.
"Easy! Easy! I'll tell you where he is!"
Slightly lowering the spear, I let the merchant get back down from standing on the tip of his toes.
"Good."
"The last I saw him, he was by the Item World Portal. I dunno what he was doing there and I don't really care. Just don't tell anyone that I gave you this information!"
Rolling my eyes, I flip Longinus around and put him back into the sheath. Waving off his comment, I turn away and begin walking.
"Yeah, yeah… whatever you say."
As soon as I was out of his earshot, I hear him mumble something under his breath. I squint my eyes and concentrate on his words.
"Stupid bitch, I better not end up in the dungeon because of you."
I narrow my eyes at his words and spin around 180 degrees. As I do so, his eyes widen and I immediately throw Longinus like the spear it is, embedding it in the wall less than 2 inches below his crotch. I walk over and grab him by the collar and pull him closer, with a sneer on my face.
"Next time I hear a comment like that, I won't purposely aim a little bit lower! Now get down on the ground and beg for forgiveness!"
The merchant stares disbelievingly at me, a young demon girl, who was now telling him to beg.
"You can't be serious…"
Such a thing would be unforgivable and would make him the laughing stock of the entire castle. And yet, I'm sure he could tell that the consequences would be much more worse than being mocked and ridiculed.
I watched with a smirk on my face as he slowly got to the ground on his knees and bowed to me.
"Please forgive me…"
Thinking I might as well take advantage of this; I decide to add another line to his utter humiliation
"Hm, you know what? Call me Queen!"
His eyes widen yet again, and I briefly wondered with some morbid curiosity if his eyeballs would fall out of his head one day.
"But to do that would be blasphemy to the real Queen herself!"
Already annoyed with his lack of respect and now the mentioning of the Queen, I snarl and glare him in the eyes.
"Do it! Or else…"
Swallowing his pride and doing his best to ignore the gathering crowd, he mutters underneath his breath, hoping to just get this over with.
"Please forgive me… My Queen."
Etna pulled out Longinus from the wall and grinned with a smug look on her face.
"That's more like it."
Longinus moved his eyes towards me as I gloated in victory.
"You know mistress Etna, I think you're becoming more and more like Laharl each day…"
I smirk and glance at the spear, taking my eyes off of the pathetic display of a merchant right in front of me.
"Really now? That's good to know!"
If Longinus could have, I'm sure he would have shaken his head in disagreement.
"I never said that was a good thing…"
Laharl
I finally accomplished what it was I needed to. Now all I have to do is head to the Hospital, heal up, get back the pendant, and be in time for my date with Etna at sundown.
Hah, hah. No problem… Though I must admit it still sounds weird that I have a date with Etna. I don't even know what she means to me. All I know for certain is that the mere thought of her throws me completely out of whack. I wonder if that's a good thing or not.
Walking over to the hospital, I immediately stop in my tracks at the sight that lies before me.
"Well if it isn't the young Prince… isn't it past your bedtime?"
With my eyes peering at the Golem that stood before me, I snarl a greeting laced with malicious and contempt.
"Hello, Ethos… I believe you have something that belongs to one of my vassals. I've come to collect your due, with interest."
I pull out the Cosmic Blade and slide into my attacking stance.
The hell with the hospital! I'll get this crap over with right now!
I briefly wonder if this is such a good idea, since I did sustain some damage in the 30 odd levels of my Dark Pendant. However, my anger once again clouds my judgment and my eyes flash a dark crimson.
"Prepare yourself!"
Ethos apparently still confident from my defeat of our last battle, smirks and cracks his giant knuckles. He points to the cages with a smirk on his face.
"What do you say? Let's go back to the room, you experienced your utter humiliation in. I think two in a row would be a good record."
I narrow my eyes and walk into one of the cages, as he gets into the other one. Once we reach the top, I storm past the secretary and into the empty Assmebly room.
Ethos shuts the door and crosses his arms across his massive chest.
"Looks like you haven't learned quite yet, eh your spoiled highness? Just because you're royalty I won't go easy on you. You know the Netherworld doesn't work like that."
"Hah! Nothing will be more satisfying than when your blood coats my entire body as I watch you writhe on the this very floor like the worm you ARE!"
With those words, I charge at Ethos with speed the far surpassed my previous powers, catching him off guard with my Blade Rush. Though he manages to jump back at the last possible moment and avoided being sliced down the middle, he still sustained some damage. No letting up, I continue slicing in a frenzy, managing to land some hits every now and then.
Despite this though, it seems that he hasn't lost of a lot of health. If this battle lasts too long, I'll hit my limit way before he does.
Ethos jumps back again, this time avoid an attack that would've sliced open his stomach.
"Looks like the little Prince has been training a bit. Not bad, you've managed to improve this much in such a little time. Unfortunately you're nowhere near my level yet! You'll never be able to defeat me."
"Hah! There's only one person I've never been able to defeat and you certainly aren't him! Compared to that man, you're nothing!"
As I say those words, Ethos raises his fists and smirks, infuriating me even more.
"And yet you can't even defeat me! So what does that make? You're less than nothing and you know it!"
"Well see who's the nothing after I finish hanging your head hanging on my mantel!"
However, as much as being compared to my own father annoys me to no end… That's nothing compared to the suffering that Etna has experienced! He will DIE!
Letting loose a demonic growl, I rush at him with the Cosmic Blade raised above my head.
Etna
"So, let me see if I got this straight…"
Turning to Sophia, the woman in charge of the Item World, I put my finger to my chin.
"You mean to say that the Prince went into a Royal Ring's Item World by himself, made it all the way up to level 30, and came out with barely a scratch on him?"
She nods with a little smile on her face.
"That's right. Master Laharl is becoming quite strong indeed. The only sign that he had gone through all those levels by himself would have to have been the fact that he could barely stand up. He must have pushed himself to the limit in there. I couldn't have done anything to stop him, regardless of his intentions. He told me he was doing this because of her. And not for any stupid reasons either."
She pauses and scrunches up her eyebrows.
"Come to think of it, he has been acting slightly different lately. He seems less like a child, though he's only a few thousand years old. I wonder who's that girl he's talking about."
I've been around Laharl almost an entire week now, and I haven't once seen any girl that he ever associated himself with. In fact, the only person he has even been around for more than 5 minutes would have to be…
"Me…"
Sophia looked up at me with a puzzled expression on her face.
"I'm sorry, did you say something?"
"Uh, no… so tell me, do you know where the Prince went to after that?"
She put her finger to her chin and thought for a while.
"Oh yeah! After that he met up with one of the senates from the Dark Assembly. I'm too sure who he was, but I do remember that he is a Golem. After a few words were exchanged they both headed off somewhere. I hope nothing bad is going to happen…"
After hearing that Laharl had met up with a Golem senator, my eyes widened and my mouth dropped. There was only one possible being it could have been that Laharl would have anything to do with.
Reaching out to her, I grab her by the shoulders and reach eye level with her.
"Where did he go! Tell me! I don't care if you're not allowed to or not! This is an emergency!"
After a moment of gaining her bearings, she shakily points to the cages.
"They both went up there together…"
Not even bothering to thank her, I rush to one the cages and jump inside and turn to Plenair.
"Take me to the Assembly room now! I need to reach Laharl as soon as possible!"
She nods and pulls a lever, allowing the cage to move slowly upward.
"Um, Etna? Is the Prince in any danger?"
I grab the bars of the cage and look down at her as I'm being raised.
"I hope not, Plenair. I really hope not…"
With only the sound of metal chains clinking, I only have one thought on my mind.
Please be safe Prince. Please don't do anything stupid...
Laharl
Jumping backwards again, I give an insidious grin.
"How is it, Ethos? What does it feel like to be helpless?"
Visibly struggling to move, he clenches his fist as electric shocks travel down his body.
"You damn brat! Just what the hell did you do to me?"
I walk up to him and slice him across the chest, damaging him even more and earning another scream from him.
"I came across something quite interesting in the item world. Have you ever heard of specialists? They're wonderful little creatures that add a special effect to your weapon. This little guy is called a Witch Doctor. And do you know what he does?"
Not bothering to wait for an answer, I spin around and give him a kick to the side of his head, knocking him over.
"He makes it so that bastards like you become paralyzed! So I'll ask you again Ethos! What's it like to be helpless!"
No longer sadistically punishing him, I begin kicking him fiercely with a look of hatred on my face.
"How does it feel to be powerless? What's it like to be unable to do anything! To be at the mercy of another! Can you possibly comprehend what it was like for Etna to give up what was most precious to her? Is it still something that you can laugh about now!"
Giving him one more kick, he turns over and begins groaning in pain. I narrow my eyes and pull out my sword right above his neck.
"Creatures like you disgust me… Rot in the deepest pits of the Netherworld, you unworthy slime."
Before I can swing down the Cosmic Blade, his hand reaches out and grabs my leg. He looks up at me and grins.
"Surprised? Guess you didn't know that those effects are only temporary… Too bad."
He then tightens his grip and swings his arm, throwing me into the air.
"Shit!"
Quickly adjusting by body, I twist so that I land on the floor with my legs. After skidding back a few feet, I look up to see that Ethos was once again standing up, no longer under the influence of the paralysis.
"You stupid brat, you're going to pay dearly for that… I don't care if you are the king's son! You're going to die by hands right here and right now!"
He jumps in the air and slams both of his hands together, charging up some energy. A look of nervousness crosses my face, as I realize that it would be almost impossible to avoid this next attack. Fighting through the item world was tiring enough, but battling with a powered up senator was just pushing it.
There's no way, I'd be able to summon enough energy to roll out of the way or dodge it.
"But damn it! I can't let it end like this. I haven't beaten my old man in a fight yet, nor I haven't been able to thank mother for all she's done for me, and Etna…"
My eyes narrow in determination at the thought of that red headed demon. In less than a week, she has changed me more than I ever thought possible.
"That's right… I still need to get that pendant for her. I need to see the look in her eyes when I returned what was once lost to her. I'm going to hear her words of gratitude from her lips. I have to let her know how much she means to me."
Clenching my fists, I stare up at Ethos, who is almost done charging up his attack.
"Listen up, you bastard! I'm not about to let you finish me off like this! I'm going to make it through this, no matter what! And that's a promise!"
I then charge head first at the floating Golem, who launches a beam of energy right at me. Instead of wasting energy, trying to dodge left or right, I shield myself with my own two arms, letting the beam hit my straight on. Pushing through, at the expense of my two limbs, I burst through just in time to be right underneath Ethos as he's landing.
"I told you I'd get that pendant no matter what! And now's the time!"
Before the instant he touches the ground, I use all my might to kick him up in the air. Then jumping right at him, I slice him across his body. I then flip my body in midair and rebound off the wall. I repeat this process slicing him 5 times before he explodes in a flash of white light, scattering pieces of him across the abandoned assembly room.
"Hah… you should've known better than to fight against the future Overlord… That's one promise down."
As my levels rise spontaneously, I look around the room searching for Etna's precious pendant. I quickly find the pendant in midair, in the process of falling to the ground. Using whatever strength I had left, I rush up and grab it before it hits the ground, possibly shattering it. I then carefully tuck it into my pocket, for safekeeping.
"Prince!"
I spin around, and see Etna's blurred figure standing at the door.
Was… she actually worried about me?
"Prince, are you alright?"
Loosing my sense of balance, I fall to the ground face first, meeting it with a slam.
Shit… that hurt… I don't even have the energy to talk anymore.
I hear footsteps run up to me and feel a presence stand over my body.
Must be Etna… wonder what she's even doing here. I thought she was still mad at me.
Her hands reach out and gently shake my shoulders.
"Prince, please wake up. Please open your eyes…"
Trust me Etna, I want to, but I don't have the energy anymore. I think… I think I'll take a little nap.
Feeling her presence slowly fade, I begin to loose myself as darkness sweeps over my very being.
"Prince! Please stay with me… Laharl!"
That's the first time you called me by my name…
I smile inwardly at the thought.
Maybe I did earn her respect after all… and all I had to do was push myself to the limit, burn my arms, and pass out on the ground. If only it was that simple all the time. Heh. You better be there when I wake up, Etna... I don't want to have to search the entire castle again.
With that last thought, I black out leaving behind a frantic demon girl.
Etna
I'm not even sure what's happening around me. Right now, I'm too worried about Laharl's condition to even notice what's going on. The only thing I care about at this moment is having him living through this ordeal. What even happened after I found him is a blur.
"Prince… for the love of god don't die…"
As Etna sat over the unconscious form of Laharl, shaking him with less conviction each time, a demon covered in shadows materialized behind her with a sad smirk on his face.
"Oh, Laharl… Etna was right. Sometimes you really can be an idiot."
Etna turned around to stare at the demon with some confusion in her eyes. Sighing, he walked over to two demons and crouched down to look over the fallen prince.
After inspecting him for a few moments, he got up and rubbed his chin.
"Hm, the only bad injuries he seems to have are those two burnt arms of his. That'll take some time to heal. Other than that, he seems to be more exhausted than anything else. We should take him to the Netherworld Hospital as soon as possible, for him to recuperate."
However Etna would not budge, instead she continued to stare with helplessness in her eyes, too shocked to do anything else. The elder demon shook his head and lifted Laharl up, slinging him over his shoulders.
"So I'm taking it you're just going to stay here? Right now I'm going to help this foolish boy get some medical help. You coming along?"
Smiling to himself, he looked down at her with some compassion in his eyes.
"I think he would be really happy if you were by his side when he woke up."
Absentmindedly she nodded and slowly got up, following him out of the room. Before he passed through the door though, he looked back one more time at the remnants of the hellish battle that had taken place. The place had literally been covered in blood and guts of the now deceased senator. Sighing to himself, he grumbled as would a little child.
"Why must he feel the need to wreck every room he's been in? Honestly, why can't he just impale or slice them like normal demons? Is it really that fun to splatter guts all over? Someone needs to teach him to control his temper."
Summoning a sign that said 'Closed for cleaning' in his free hand, he walked out the room followed by Etna. He then closed the door behind them and hung the sign on the doorknob.
"If I keep working the vassals like this, they're going to make another union complaint and I'm going to have to deal with raises in their wages. How troublesome…"
Etna, partially listening to his complaints, looked up slowly comprehending who this man was.
"Raises their wages? Could you be the…"
The demon just smiled and put his finger to her lips.
"Shh…it'll be our little secret okay?"
He chuckled, guiding her into the cage and pulling the lever when he got inside as well.
"After all, I doubt Laharl would very much appreciate being saved by the very man he swore to succeed."
Looking back on the memory, it seemed to make more sense. He always seemed to watch over Laharl, though he was busy with other things. However, if that was the case, then why did this have to happen?
I turn around to gaze upon the sleeping figure of the Prince, with his arms wrapped in bandages, resting on one of the hospital beds.
"His condition has stabilized now. All he needs to do now is rest until he's recovered his energy. You don't have to stick around, you know."
I don't bother looking up, knowing full well it was one of the nurses assigned to this hospital.
They probably don't even care about his condition. Only reason they'd help him is because he's the king's son. I suppose that's to be expected from demons, but for some reason it somewhat depresses me. However not so much, as pisses me off. Those cowards…
Seeing that I wasn't going to move, the nurse gave up and walked away. When her footsteps were no longer audible, I bury my face on the Prince's chest with tears running down my face.
"Why did you have to go fight against some powered up senator? Why! Was it because of that stupid argument we had? Why the hell would you put your life in danger like that! Laharl! You're… You're such an idiot!"
"Hey!"
I blink away the tears forming in my eyes and look up to see a pair of red eyes staring at me.
"Is that any way to be talking about someone who risked their life for you? And you said my manors were lacking…"
Not even bothering to fix my appearance, I wrap my arms around his body tightly, while minding not to touch his arms.
"Laharl! You're okay! You're really okay!"
His arms wrap around me and gently pat my back.
"Of course I'm okay! I'm the future Overlord for crying out loud! I'm not going to loose to some wannabe demi-god. Seriously, Etna… You worry way too much."
Hearing those words, I reach back and slap him, angered that he was so careless with his life and now he was acting as if it were no big deal. His face contorts into a confused expression, and he puts his hand up to his cheek.
"Damn it, Laharl! I have to worry about you because you won't even worry about yourself! Did you even think about what it would be like for me, if you were to die all of a sudden! Didn't you promise me that you'd make me into a killing machine? Didn't you swear that you would be by my side this entire time? What in the 7 Netherworlds made you do something so stupid? Please tell me! Because right now, I don't get it!"
He sighs in a frustrated tone and crosses his arms across his chest.
"I did it for you, you ungrateful vassal."
My eyes widen and I look to him for an explanation.
"I know that I haven't exactly been the most benevolent mentor to you and I know that you've been putting up with me for some time now."
He reaches into his pocket with some difficulty due to his burns and pulls out his hand enclosed around some object.
"So this is what I've been up to, Etna. This is the reason why I would do something so stupid, as you put it."
He then opens his hand revealing the pendant that I had almost given up all hope on. My link to the past. The thing that could help me find out just exactly who I was. The treasure that linked Arimas and myself together.
No… way… He got it. He actually got my pendant back? He did this all for me? He risked his life in order to get this back for me?
I wipe away my new tears stubbornly and give a conceited grin to the Prince.
"You… you're such an idiot, Prince."
I take the pendant from his hand and wrap it around my neck. The cool stone swings a bit before finally resting on my skin and I put my hands over it.
"Thank you…"
He rolls his eyes at me and grins.
"So tell me, Etna. Am I too late for our date? Because I'm feeling pretty famished right now."
"Hah! Sure, but you're still paying! That much hasn't changed, even if you did risk your life for me."
He shrugs and walks out of the hospital, heading to the Gate Keeper's portal to make arrangements.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. I wouldn't have it any other way…"
I smile and run after him.
Truth of the matter is I was scared. Scared that I would loose what was most important to me. And no, it wasn't this stone around my neck. No, it was him… He's the one who means the most to me right now. And I'll do everything I can to make sure he's safe. In order to that, I'll stick by his side through thick and thin. You won't get rid of me that easily, Prince.
"Remember, Prince! I want something fancy and expensive!"
He turns around and gives a smile meant for me, and only me. He shakes his head and laughs a little.
"You're such a greedy girl, Etna. Did you know that?"
"That's why I'm so cute!"
I have a feeling that thing's will turn out all right. As long as I have him, I'll be able to overcome anything. Woe be it to those who stand in our way… But all that put aside, I'm going to enjoy this free dinner of his. Heh, heh. Who knows? I might be able to tame him yet.
End of Chapter 9
A/N: Well now! It's been… four months hasn't it? –bangs head against the keyboard– ujhrfguy gjih –stops– I really don't know what I can say about this. I lost my motivation for a bit, and once summer vacation hit, I was swept away into a pool of laziness. Since I'm now in college, I have to stick around campus a bit for my next classes, so it gave me time to finish like 10 pages of this. –grins–
I finally accomplished one of my goals, which was to retrieve that pendant of Etna's. I don't know where exactly I'm going to go with that. It's meant to be more of a sentimental thing, but I think I'll incorporate it into the storyline later on. After all, it is the link to Etna's past. Maybe for the next branch off…
Next will be the dinner date of Etna's and Laharl's, which hasn't been planned out at all. Then maybe toward the end, I'll start the 'getting back Armias' thing. For future reference, once I start to involve Maderas, the story will end sometime after that. It's my closing plot so to speak. Course, I do plan to make related stories towards this.
I've decided to post response to the reviews on the chapters it was reviewed to now. The only way you'll know though, is by checking the story or looking at my profile. Here's a big thanks to those who have reviewed recently, for they are the main reason I started again. Let that be future reference, though let us hope that it won't be needed from this point on. Of course, an even bigger thanks to those who have bothered to wait all this time, and those who put this on their story and author alerts. Makes me feel it's really appreciated… –smiles–
Once again, a huge apology to everyone. It definitely won't happen again, for I'll have lots of time in college now. For those who can remember that far back, my updates will be like those of the past. It will take weeks and not months. Here's to motivation!
Stay tuned for the next chapter in Forgotten Memories, Chapter 10: No Escape for the Brother! Look forward to it!
Response to ReviewsLacto3.1415: Oh, the first review! –grin– Glad this chapter was able to pull you out of a slump of boredom! I know how those can be sometimes. Non-too fun at all… Thanks for being understanding about the wait, and thank you for even saying that it was worth the wait. That would have to be the highlight of me own day. P I'll look forward to your reviews!
Xeno: –cough– Um… wow… I'll admit I was expecting some to be… disapproving of the wait, but none as passionate about it like you were. Heh, heh. Of course, if I were to be made to wait four months then I'd probably snap as well. –thumbs up– Well since you more or less, did ask, I suppose I could go into a detailed description of why it took so long. Ironically enough, half this chapter was already done 2 months ago, yet I didn't like the way it was going. There had to be some of that "dramatic passion" for lack of a better term. What I had before was mere words on a page to me. Another factor was the motivation… then again when is it not a factor? It's been about 3 years since Disgaea came out? It's a little hard sometimes to get back into the jive I once was. So I started looking at it as an actual story, instead of something based on the video game. –scratches head– Does that make sense? I then got high speed internet, so I downloaded AMV's like crazy. Still do. Probably the worst was the summer vacation, when I felt no pressure whatsoever, so I played video games all day long. Then came those last bit of reviews which sparked my determination once again. I guess that's bout it… Hope this answered what you were looking for. –grin–
Demon King Piccolo: There wasn't enough Laharl/Etna? –sweatdrop– I might have to try harder then… Then again, if it were pure them, then the whole chapter would go nowhere. –grin– I could make like a psuedo chapter that would be like a day in their life. –rubs chin– I shall think about that. Glad you like that Laharl's personality. That's probably what I spend most my time working on, unconsciously though. Heh, heh. Thanks for the last review. It was one of the few that got me back on track. Gave my motivation a spark it did. Thank a lot!
Goldamon X: Yo, it's certainly been a while huh? –sweatdrop– For a while though, I had though you'd forgotten about this story. Truthfully, I was wondering when you'd review this story. –grin– It's good to know that some of the original reviewers are still keeping track of this fanfic. I'll be starting on the new chapter this Monday, on 9/16/05. Hopefully doing it bit by bit will get this done quicker. I was thinking maybe two weeks worth of time, but I don't' know how good the quality would be. Then again I do owe it to you guys, so I'll see what I can do. –hands up– You can put the gattling gun down now… Really… Lol.