I AM SO SORRY! This took so long and I'm SO SORRY! I just couldn't get it to write right. I'm pretty sure Alice came out butchered, for some reason I just couldn't get the charachters right. Thank you, Dr. Bob, for all your help with Alice and Decus's relationship! It helped a lot!
Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World.
Marta's breath was catching in her throat, her spinners were digging into her palms, and the iron smell of blood was beginning to get to her. Yet, they still had one floor to go. She stopped for a moment to catch her breath, and heard her companions stop behind her. After her breath was somewhat caught, she turned to face them. They were both quite a sight.
Zelos had blood dripping everywhere, probably even in his hair, but who could tell with all the crimson. He no longer bothered putting his liquid ruby sword up anymore, but used it at the moment as a crutch. He had his hands on the pommel and his head in-between his wrists. He was breathing heavier than either of the two girls, and they came out ragged and tired.
"Zelos, are you hurt?" Sheena asked, wiping a blood-drenched blade of hair out of her eyes. She was cleaner, but only because of her long-range card attacks. The redheaded Chosen shook his head weakly.
"No… but magic takes a lot out of a guy," he huffed, adjusting his head so his chin was resting on his hands. His usually bright eyes were glassed over, and almost looked gray. Sheena gave a sigh, an exasperated and worried one.
"Then stop using magic, you've got more than enough skill as a swordsman," she gently wiped the corner of one of her cards, and Zelos gave a dry chuckle.
"Are you, the great Mizuho Chief, giving me, a lowly Chosen, a compliment?" Sheena tried to glare at him, but it had a different effect, for it's hard to glare through worry. "Don't worry about me, I'm not the one with the sadistic women, well, besides you Sheena, but you're not near as bad." That got her glaring again, and Zelos laughed. "Trust me, there's nothing to worry about. We've only got one floor left and I'm pretty sure I tough it out," with that he pushed off his sword and glanced up the last couple of steps. "Lets get going."
Just as Emil was about to drift into an uneasy sleep, the door slammed open, obnoxiously allowing a yellow-clad sadist to enter the room. She skipped in, closely (yet at a respectful distance) followed by Decus. The half-elf bounced gently on the bed, then situated herself so that her stomach laid softly on the blanket and her arms were free to flail around. Decus sat beside her, but as soon as he touched the bed, she swiveled her head to him.
"Decus! Are you ever going to run out of that… that cologne?" she hissed, smacking his shins with her whip. But, Emil noticed it wasn't much of a slap, but more like a pat. He jumped off the bed and pranced to the corner of the room.
"Never! One of these days, the scent will get to you, and you'll realize your true feelings!" then, in a less (only slightly less, mind you) confident tone, he added, "The salesman promised me, just like he did for the Iron Maiden!" he pointed to the usual mystic item that followed him around. Alice snorted and dragged the tip of her whip playfully on the ground near Emil's face.
"The scent's already getting to me, and I know my true feelings for you. You're a smelly little man who follows me like a second skin! You… are an idiot," she pouted playfully down at the captive blond, playing the tip through his hair.
"My dear, dear Alice, hatred and love are so closely related, you can probably not tell the difference between the two!" he closed his eyes and raised his eyebrows in triumph, only to have a stuffed bunny thrown at him. "Ah, a token from my love!"
Alice growled, feral and annoyed, "Dumbo-Decus!" her eyes opened wide as he cradled the rabbit fondly. "S-stop that! You look like an obnoxious little boy! If you don't stop-" her words fell on deaf ears. She sighed, her eyebrows furrowing together. "I'll have to burn that rabbit," she eyed him grasping the rabbit closely. "If I ever get it back." Emil watched the young man glance at the rabbit, then pet it softly as if it was real. There was a certain… kindness in his eyes as he glanced from the rabbit to the sadist perched on the bed. Decus' violet eyes opened wide as he stared at the young girl, though as big as they were, there was no room in there for anything besides the pure love that radiated from them. Alice, who was still quietly tracing Emil's back with her whip, cast a glance at him from the corner of her golden eyes. "Stop staring at me like an abandoned little dog!" she snapped, though her pale porcelain cheeks seemed to turn slightly peach for a fleeting second, then turned their usual colorless alabaster just as quick.
Decus bowed, hiding the rabbit behind his back and sweeping his other hand across the ground. "As you wish, Mistress Alice." Alice turned back to Emil, satisfied for the moment.
"Emiiil!" she sang, dragging the whip from his bound hands, up his spine and through his hair before stopping on the tip of his nose. The blond glanced up at her.
"Yes?" his 'apparent' innocence made her giggle like a blushing school girl (which she was anything but).
"What am I ever going to do with you?" A crash interrupted Alice mid-thought, and Emil whipped his head to the door, only to be coerced back by a gently whip on the side of his cheek. "It seems MartMart's quicker than I thought. I think we should go out and meet her halfway, don't you?" but she was already hopping off the bed. She skipped over to the door and turned to the still obsessed after a quick pirouette. "Decus!" she snapped then her voice melted as she turned her gaze to the confined knight. "Unlatch out little friend from the ground and carry him, would you?" But it wasn't much of a question. The rabbit flew out of the young man's hand and he seemingly appeared out of no where beside him. Decus grabbed a handful of his hair and yanked his head as far as the rope would allow. Brandishing a knife he slashed the knife and a slight looseness allowed his neck to breath a little more. The floor disappeared only to be replaced by a bony shoulder. It dug into his bruised stomach and Emil let out a moan. Decus lumbered to the door, and every little jostle shot a pain through his stomach.
Alice started to step away from the door so that Decus could open it, but stopped and turned around. Golden eyes squinted in scrutiny and she gave a dissatisfied grunt.
"Oh, I can't let MartMart see you like this!" Emil had only to think back to the bloody arm, the missing glove and the couple days in darkness to see the problem. He blushed. Alice brought her whip to her chin in consternation. "No… you don't quite look like you could." Then in a flash, she slapped the whip across his cheek, the tip grazing his eye. Emil let out a hiss and closed his eyes while he waited for the pain to subside. He opened the unharmed eye to see Alice staring at him with glowing eyes and a happy expression. "There we go! Now you look like an abandoned little puppy! Just the sight of you will make MartMart livid!" then she gently patted his head, toying with the gravity-defying hair on his head. Emil suddenly felt a twinge of indignancy and snapped his head away.
"Alice!" he huffed. "Stop treating me like a pet!" Alice's face flooded with mock sadness.
"How dare you be disrespectful to my dear Alice!" he bumped his shoulder up, making Emil hop and float off his shoulder for a moment, and when he landed a pain erupted in his stomach, prompting a yelp.
"But, you are a pet. My pet!" Alice suddenly chortled, tapping the collar securely wrapping on his neck. Then she whipped out of the way and Decus opened the door for her. "Now, I say we show off our new little mutt, don't you Decus?"
Marta stopped and stared at the room in front of her. The heavily armored Vanguard member she had just blatantly slew had created quite a racket. At the far end it rose in two opposite grand staircases. They curled up and then met in a rail-less walkway. A single door sat in the middle, and at that moment it flew open. The blonde sadist danced out the door, spinning and playing her whip in the air. She twirled to the edge of the walkway. Finally glancing down at the encroaching group, she smiled happily at them.
"Alice!" Marta shouted, her voice shaking with anger. Another figure joined the young lady on the ledge. She felt hot tears of shame build up in her eyes as Decus dropped Emil off his shoulder like a useless bag of potatoes. He yelped, and it echoed through the crack already building in her breaking heart. Groaning, he didn't try to fight of Decus as he pushed him to the edge so his head was lolling off into the empty air. "Stop it!" Alice simply smiled at her and plopped down on the small of Emil's back, making herself quite at home.
"Oh MartMart! I could never forgive you for keeping this adorable little knight to yourself all this time!" A half-gloved hand found itself on the back of Emil's blond head. "But, he makes a much better pet than a knight.
"Hey, sadist! Let Emil go!" Sheena shouted from behind Marta. Alice's amused gaze turned into mock anger.
"Oh, it's you." Her tone dripped with boredom, then turned sincerely angry. "You're that ninja that kicked me!" Decus' face turned to dramatic outrage as he remembered.
"You little wrench!" he shouted, pointing an accusing finger at her. Fire suddenly found itself dancing around his head, and he did a mad dance trying to put it out before it made it's way into his hair. Zelos gave a weak chuckle, but said nothing. Concerned, Marta turned to see the ex-Chosen leaning heavily on his sword and breathing heavier than before. His smirk was there, though, as he stared up at Decus.
"Zelos," Sheena sighed, rushing over to help the obviously pained redhead.
"Aww," Alice crowed, snapping her fingers. "How cute! A ninja and her pet!" A rustle of armor drew the attention of the three travelers. A huge man in full-body armor rushed faster than anyone weighed down that much should. Using one arm he raised his sword, obviously aiming for the raven-headed ninja. He brought down the sword…
Then stopped.
Sword grated against crimson sword as the man pushed down on the grunting Chosen. The redheaded man pushed against the swordbearer, placing his palm on the flat of his sword. Grinning, the man adjusted his footing and easily swung Zelos off of his feet and onto a nearby wall.
"Zelos!" Sheena shouted, watching in horror as the Chosen exhaled all of his air while the sword pressed him harder to the wall. Giving up, his feet hung listlessly and he gave a throat-scorching cough. A ruby red stream began to flow from the corner of his mouth, then he gave a smirk.
"That's just sick," he rasped. "Trying to hit a lady? Geez, were you born in a family of barbarians?" He seemed to want to say more, but the sword pressed harder.
"Dang it, you idiot!" Sheena growled, taking a step towards the now quieted Chosen. "I could've handled it! You're already half dead, are you suicidal?" Marta watched helplessly as the ninja angrily wiped at her eyes.
"Couldn't let… a girl take a blow," he sniffed quietly and indignantly. "Would've looked bad." Sheena scowled and took another step… then disappeared.
Laughter echoed around the room, and Marta turned only to meet Emil's horrified green gaze. Her stomach turned before she looked back up at Alice. She laughed, slapping her whip on the ground.
"I made that especially for her!" she laughed, talking of the now gaping hole in the floor. Zelos' eyes opened wide and seemed to want to say something but started coughing instead. "Send the pet after it's master." Alice said through her mirth. The armoured man grasped the front of the salmon duster, then removing his sword he threw the Chosen down into the pit. Marta flinched at the sickening crash, and felt the urge to rip off the sadist's head as she gave another breathless chuckle. "Did you hear that, Emil?" Marta whipped around against the complaints of her body to see Alice run a hand delicately from Emil's chin, up his face, then through his hair. Even from there she could see Emil shudder. "That's music. Best sound known to man."
"But you're not a man," Marta spat, gripping her spinners as if they were her neck.
Alice's face fell from laughter to blatant thought, then to happiness again. "How silly of me, thank you MartMart!" she turned her head to the side. "It's the best sound known to women and little girls alike." The brunette watched as Emil said something to Alice, too quite to hear, then she straightened and turned her expression to mock adoration. Still, Marta didn't miss the sadistic glint glowing silver in the golden depths of her eyes.
"Oh, you're so cute when you try to act brave." She giggled, slapping the whip down on his back. In response he arched away and let out a slight whimper.
"Alice! Let Emil go!" she shouted, deciding that beating around the bush could mean Emil's new nickname was bush.
Alice stuck out her bottom lip in a pout. "But that's jumping through all the fun! And besides, would you really want to deprive me this cute little mutt?"
"Yes! I would!" Marta's voice rose in desperation. Alice's smile only lengthened, and the two young girls stared at each other for a few moments.
"Look at you, you're just a little girl trying to save her little pet with her little toys. You're a small person, MartMart." The carrier of Ratatosk's core straightened up to seem even taller and squinted at Alice's fragile form.
"I'm taller than you are!"
"Oh MartMart, you're so nieve." She shook her head in fraudulent pity. "The only thing you seem to give a hoot about is what's right in front of you! You don't seem to even care about your two friends that could very well be dead." Marta felt a ping of anguish as the truth in her words hit her. Alice's eyes narrowed in thought. "I bet if you turned your back on little Emil, you would forget all about him!" she giggled, leaning back and nearly tumbling off her seat.
"That's not true!" Marta shouted, childishly stomping her foot as pathetic tears welled in her eyes.
"Did you know that your little friend here's got more than one personality. One's so frightening and bloodthirsty, he gave me the chills just looking at me with those crimson eyes. The other one's so sweet and cute, I just want to cut him up into little cakes and eat him up!"
"I think I would know that, I have been with him for awhile," Marta snorted.
"And I've seen the way you ogle at both of them. The dark, dominating wolf and the bright, cute homeless mutt." Marta stiffened, not knowing what was coming. "You might as well leave this cute little mutt to me."
Emil stiffened at her words. Leave me? Wait, Marta don't go. He craned his neck to try and see Alice's expression, but the back of his neck still hurt too much for that much movement. Instead, all he could do was stare at Marta and wait for her response.
"Why in the world would I leave him? Are you crazy as well as sadistic?" Marta shouted, squaring her shoulders.
"But MartMart. I thought you loved the wolf?" her face was innocent. "You always say you want to be protected, do you really think Emil can do that alone?"
"Emil's never alone!" Marta spat, and Emil wanted to believe her yet he couldn't shake the memories of the dark prison.
"He might as well be, you're always getting in trouble," she paused and her body seemed to shake with muted laughter. "You're helpless! You're little loverboy is up here, and you're just standing down there, huffing and strutting around like a proud, cocky peacock." Marta's resolved expression faltered for a moment, then a shudder wracked through her body and she took off running. Emil felt his heart flutter hopefully, then a warm breath brushed against his ear and his stomach made like a caught fish and flopped. "I can practically hear your racing little heart from up here, and my what a marathon." Then the hot wind disappeared. "Decus," Alice snapped, but it was quiet enough that Emil was sure Marta wouldn't hear. "MartMart needs a dancing partner." The rest, as they say, is history. The man seemed to be moving faster than Emil could watch, and apparently Marta felt the same. She was halfway up the stairs when the man brandished his sword before her.
Marta let out a shout and stumbled backward a few steps.
"Decus move!" she snapped, rushing forward a few steps. They parried and then Decus pushed her back again.
"You're not quite the partner I was hoping for," he gazed meaningfully up at Alice. "But I guess you'll have to do." And they were at it again, though Marta was promptly on the slowly losing side. Emil squirmed, digging for his hidden emotions. Tenderly he searched, uncorking everything he found but all he did was rip the scabs off of old wounds.
Marta stuck the side of her spinner over his sword, ducked it down and aimed a slash for his treasured face. He backtracked quickly and glared down at her. Furiously, he came at her with a livid 'my beautiful face'.
Deciding it was safe to peek at her captured knight she did so, but didn't like what she saw. In fact, it was exactly the opposite. His exceptionally green eyes were glassy and clouded over. She recognized that look when he was deep in thought or trying to sort out his inner turmoil. It slapped her just then that she hadn't seen those eyes turn crimson for awhile now.
"Emil!" she called. He shook his head and the clouds dispersed. "What's wrong? W-why haven't you…" she paused and parried an eccentric slice. "Fought back?" He opened his mouth to answer, but Alice put her hand on his cheek and popped his neck so far he smacked his shoulder with his cheek.
"Don't you listen?" she sighed. Then followed up with a dazzling smile. "I told you the wolf ran off… or more precisely, was chained up." She gave a pout. "He was threatening to overcome the dear little pup, and I just couldn't let that happen."
"What did you do?" Marta screeched, putting her guard down allowing Decus to force her down the last couple of steps. An untimely interruption disturbed their conversation, and it surprised even Decus and the sadist.
"Hm," it was a mere murmur yet it rang out in the shocked silence. The man's evergreen eyes drank in the sight in a few short glances; first Marta and Decus, then the giant hole in the ground, and last of all Alice and Emil. His gaze stayed on Emil for a moment, a moment longer then Marta would've liked. "Alice, what's going on here?" Because Richter hates to be left out of the loop. Marta narrowed her eyes at him, is it that hard to figure out?
"I'm trying out a new career as a dog catcher. How do I look?" Alice propped a leg over her knee and winked down at him childishly. He simply closed his eyes for a moment, and Marta could've sworn he whispered 'ridiculous'.
"I don't recall Brute ordering this," he said, his voice tightly strained. An angry and sad shudder ran up Marta's spine, and Alice froze up, her giggle plastered to her face in a frozen mask.
The sadist snorted indifferently. "Why should I give an owl's cute hoot? He never cared if I was happy." Marta stared aghast up at the girl with her nose upturned to the ceiling.
"Why should he care about you? You weren't his daughter!" her voice cracked at the end and she once again felt those dreaded tears well up in the corner of her eyes. She wiped them away angrily, pull yourself together! Absently, she heard Emil whisper her name, in a worried tone. It tugged at her heart, his tone, look at this. You're worried about me. I'm horrible…
"It didn't seem like he ever cared about his daughter either, sticking her with a sadistic babysitter." A rare flash of true anger zipped across her face for an instant.
"Perhaps that's not the right road to travel at the moment," Richter intersected, though it wasn't for Marta's protection. She noticed the bored and impatient tone in his voice, but the brunette didn't care. She none too gently pushed past the preoccupied Decus and stared up at Alice.
"Sadistic babysitter?" All of the memories of her and Alice playing together came back in a rush. "But we're the same age."
"So? I'd hate to think I acted the same way you did." She laughed none too gently. "You were such a spoiled little princess at sixteen. I'd actually woken up and said 'good morning world'." She sighed as though speaking to the world at that very moment.
"But… we were friends!" Marta protested, yet couldn't help but see the smiling Alice she used to know morph into the sadistic, smirking girl she recognized today.
"Isn't it funny?" Alice stuck the tip of her whip against her chin in mock thought. "Have you ever noticed how adults talk to little kids like they can relate when one's seen the world and the other's still a worm without a cocoon?" Then she spared Marta a toothy grin. "When I joined the Vanguard, what do you think your dear daddy did?" she barreled over Marta's answer. "He didn't trust me, that's for sure. In fact," she scowled down at Decus. "He separated me from my pet…"
Alice didn't finish her sentence, yet that was all Decus needed to hear. "You were worried? Oh, my dear sweet Alice you had no need to worry about me, even though I was endlessly fretting over whether you were okay or no-"
"Decus! Stop babbling you're not a brook!" Alice snapped, slashing her whip in the air and pointing it at the man. "I had to do my own bidding! I had no one to get stuff for me," she gave a pout and looked like she was going to cry but it was over in a millisecond. "In fact I had to get stuff you cried for! But now," her anger passed swiftly and she plucked at Emil's shirt giddily. "I've already got the stuff you're crying for!"
"What do you want?" Marta spat. "Me to apologize for a friendship I thought we used to have, because Heaven knows you grew out of that small friendly stage you had!"
Alice gave an injured face, "I had a friendly phase? Oh why didn't anyone snap me out of it? I got a… reputation!"
"Brute won't be happy you're doing this behind his back," Richter interjected, his voice heavy with foreboding.
"Let him be mad! I don't care, he never let me do anything I wanted to do!"
"That seems to be the point of a leader, he keeps your sadistic dreams in check," Richter retorted calmly. Slowly, Alice's small smirk split her face in half, encroaching upon every inch of her features and making her golden eyes glimmer brightly. Her hand wound through Emil's hair, slowly and painfully, before bending it over the edge. He yelped as one… two… three drops of blood pattered to the ground below him, then Alice whipped his head back up and met his gaze happily. If possibly, her grin grew exponentially.
"I know, that's why I don't have a leader anymore."
Okay, I know I'm dragging this out. I just can't wrap it up! So, there's the chappy and sorry it's crappy. (Hey, that rhymed!)