Tally Mai-chan: Chapter nine is here! Usually by now my stories would be coming to an end but I have five+ future chapters in mind-I've been making it up as I go (^^)- so look forward to that.
Kat had her time to shine, now it's Rebecka's turn!
Chapter 9: Rebecka's Adventure: Wedding Day
Rebecka gazed across the sea. Wind whipped her red hair into tangles around her face. She rubbed her eyes, not believing the sight before her, the open ocean. A persimmon sun sank sluggishly down the sky. She glanced over the edge of the step cliff, gulping at the sight of waves crashing against the rock far below.
"Ms. Thornson?" Kalifa adjusted her glasses, securing her black clipboard against her waist. Her foot tapped impatiently. "Everyone is waiting."
Rebecka blinked. "What? Who's waiting for me?"
Kalifa rolled her eyes, erasing writing on her board and scratching in new words. "Your guests. You invited them. Now we need to hurry up or you'll miss your big day."
Rebecka stood up, wavering on the edge of the cliff. She tottered to the other side lest she take an unfortunate plunge. "I don't get what your saying. What guests? What big day?"
Kalfia wasn't enjoying this game. She strode forward, her hand wrapping around Rebecka's chin, and jerked it down.
Rebecka stared in astonishment . She was wearing a white wedding dress. It was a strapless, cream, lace latticework sowed across her chest to her hips. The dress flared out, cut down the sides and held together by white ribbon. It was stunning.
But who the hell was she marring?
Kalfia pushed her into the church, herding her down the halls and into a back room where all her 'bridesmaids', dressed in light red, were waiting. They swarmed around her, none of them Kat.
"That dress is so pretty on you!" Nami squealed.
"Maybe someone will marry me." Lola gazed willfully at the wide, cracked open doors leading into the chapel,
Alvida and Drake nodded their heads in agreement.
Wait Drake!
Rebecka did a double take, Drake was wearing a purple, strapless bridesmaid dress, his orange hair clashing terribly. How did Drake get to be one or her bridesmaids? And Lola too for that matter. Alvida and Nami were okay.
Kalifa 's head poked through the chapel doors, she pulled back quickly, slamming the door shut. "Go! Go! Go!" She opened the door back open, shoving bridesmaid after bridesmaid out. The soap woman turned sharply on her heels. "Rebecka! Here's the run-down. You will walk out these doors where your fathers-"
"Fathers?"
"Yes! Yes! Your fathers will escort you down the hall and through the the glass doors. The music will play, you'll take a step. Pause. Step. All the way down the aisle. And if you are asked anything you say 'I do'. Any questions? No. Good."
Kalifa paused, her eyes narrowing in concentration. "The music is starting. Go!"
Rebecka was thrown out the doors and into the arms of Monkey D. Garp.
"My daughter!" Garp cried, tears like waterfalls spilling from his eyes. "You look so beautiful!"
"She does." Sengoku agreed, nodding his head. He hooked his arm in hers and Garp took the other arm.
"Shall we?" They both said, smiling down at the poor, confused as hell, Rebecka.
Garp pushed the clear glass windows, opening into the chapel, decorated in white lace, and red ribbons.
The people stood and turned in place, hundreds of eyes focused on her. Garp and Sengoku pulled her forward, she struggled in their grasps but they were too strong.
"Uh, I got cold feet." She whispered. "Why don't we postpone till... never?"
Garp laughed heartily, slapping her across the back. "My Rebecka! So shy it's cute."
The alter was so far away, Rebecka had to squint her eyes to see it. The priest was Magellen. The only person she could see clearly from the distance. And as they walked down the aisle, step, pause, step, Garp crying more and more, Rebecka felt her stomach drop to her feet.
She never wanted to get married. That was Kat's thing. She was a happy, independent woman who needed no man. She could kill her own bugs(and Kat's) no problem. She knew how to fix a leaky faucet!
"I think I'm going to be sick." She faked, her hands clutching her stomach. "Can we... stop for a minute?"
"It'll pass sweetie." Sengoku encouraged her. "Just take a few deep breaths and calm down."
The worried murmur passing over the gathered crowed was white noise to her. Holding a hand over her mouth she peered up, catching a glimpse of her soon-to-be. He wore a white tux, and had flaming red hair.
"Oh god." She cried. Her stomach lurching, it wasn't who she thought it was. It wasn't.
Garp and Sengoku continued on, her in tow. She dug her feet into the ground, unwilling to take a single step near that alter.
"She's so pretty." Captain Kuro whispered to Jango in the pews. Arlong was crying and Hachi had a box of tissues in all eight hands. Vivi and Crocodile waved to her, Vivi's father glaring at any man that dared to look at his precious-never to be married until thirty-daughter.
And there she found herself. Pushed up the alter by Garp. Magellen smiling down at her.
"Today." The Impel Down warden began, cutting the cheese. "We are gathered to witness the union of two individuals."
"One of which would like to stay and individual." Rebecka said smartly, refusing to look at the man standing smugly beside her. Everyone laughed at her words.
Magellen laughed, farting as he did. Rebecka blanched, the stench to powerful for her nose. Coby and Sadi ran up from the side of the alter, waving wide bamboo fans to clear the air. Job done they ran back to their place out of sight, waiting for the next cloud of gas. Who the hell made Magellen the priest? Or Drake her bridesmaid? Or Eustass Kid her fiance.
Magellen picked up a large, leather bound book from the stand and began reading from it. Pirate ceremonies blah, blah, blah. Rebecaka scanned the alter area. She and Kid stood directly in front of the priest stand, on a round raised platform. Behind the priest stand was an ornate silk baldachin, blanketing towering glass windows, incandescent in the twilight hour.
Wiry gold candle holders as tall as her lit the alter. If she could grab one... and break the window then she could make a run for it. The candle holder would be an efficient, quick weapon. The moment had to be just right, or else they'll catch her and possibly tie her down to prevent future escape.
Most of the candles were too close to her bridesmaids or Kid's best men, she glanced behind her. Two candle holders looked good except for one Monkey D. Luffy.
The pirate captain was still as stone, his breath held tight. He held his candle high above his head, looking determined to keep that candle in that one place.
"Luffy?" Rebecka hissed to him.
"Shuush!" Luffy whispered back. "I'm supposed to be a candle holder. The scary lady (Kalifa) said candle holders don't talk."
Another poisonous gas cloud erupted and the ceremony was put on hold until the air was cleared.
"Luffy! Help me!" Rebecka pleaded. "I don't want to get married! I was forced into this! I know where One Piece is! I'll tell you if you help me!"
"Nooo!" Luffy screamed, almost dropping his candle. "Don't tell meeee! I want to find if for myself! I want to hear nothing you have to say!"
She tried everything to convince him but he ignored her like she was the devil. The ceremony continued, Kid chuckling to himself. Apparently all of this was amusing to him.
"I refuse to marry you." She hissed under her breath. "I never wanted to get married."
Magellen cleared his throat. "With that said let us continue on to the most-"
"I kissed a girl and I liked it,
the taste of her cherry chapstick
I kissed a girl just to try it,
I hope my boyfriend don't mind it
It felt so wrong, it felt so right,
don't mean I'm in love tonight."
Everyone turned their heads down the aisle where Trafalgar Law was digging into his pants pockets. "Sorry, sorry!" He shouted, a wide grin on his face. "I got into traffic so I'm a bit late." He turned his phone off, but that stupid song was already stuck in Rebecka's head.
"Hey man, glad you could make it!" Kid laughed, giving Law a high-five before the man took his seat in the front pew.
"Like I'd miss your wedding!" Law winked, and to Rebecka's horror licked is lips and mouthed, 'call me later' to Kid.
"Why don't you marry him!" Rebecka hissed, resisting the urge to strangle Kid. "You're just going to cheat on me with that man-whore anyways!"
Law grinned, sticking his tongue out seductively. It gave Rebecka an idea.
"Excuse me, Magellen. But my fiance is cheating on me with another man, so I don't have to marry him now, right?"
Magellen heaved a great sigh, and flipped through his book. Made an 'ah-ha!' sound when he found the page he was looking for, and chucked the book at her.
"Holy cow!" Rebecka screamed as she ducked and the book hit the unsuspecting Law in the face.
"Shut up you bitch!" Magellen shouted at her, his body excreting red poison. "Now... dose anyone oppose the union of these two individuals."
Rebecka opened her mouth, with clear intent of listing all they objections she held about this... wedding. Now if only Kidd's best man, Scratchman Apoo hasn't jumped across the alter to her, wrapping his double jointed arm around her head, large hand clamped on her mouth.
"Thanks man." Kid fist bumped Apoo.
"No prob bro'" Apoo chuckled, not flinching as Rebecka's foot smashed the boys down under. "Damn she's strong. Yep, I was skeptical at first but she's perfect for you. Strong willed and strong kicks."
"No one?" Magellen squinted his eyes, searching the gathered crowd of possibly every single One Piece character in existence. "Good! Then let us proceed."
Apoo took his hand off her and Rebecka screamed, "I am entirely apposed to this!"
"You should have said something before then." Magellen said, shrugging his shoulders and farting at the same time. "It's too late for that now."
"No!" Rebecka cried, her face turning red. "No! I'm the bride! Do I not get a say in this!"
"As it is stated in the 'Marriage Ceremonies of the Pirate Era' that the bride has no say. At all." Said Mr. 3 appearing suddenly behind her.
"That's not fair!" Rebecka shouted as she jumped Mr. 3, her hands slowly strangling the life out of the wax man. She could have killed him but Drake just had to stop her.
"It's just how it is." He cooed, smashing her face against his chest. "Don't worry girl. It's not so bad. Sure he had no money, no job, no home and your fathers paid for this entire wedding, going broke in the process but hey! At least he's hot."
"Drake..." Rebecka said dangerously, her arms squeezing his until the blood circulation was cut off.
"Ah Rebecka dear... that hurts."
"I hate you."
"Thats..." Tears welled in Drake's eyes. His cool demeanor torn away to revel the shy, self conscious person inside. "Hawkins!" Drake ran from the alter, jumping into the arms of Basil Hawkins, sitting at the end of the first pew. "She's being a bitch again!"
"There, there." Hawkins comforted Drake, pulling a handkerchief from his coat pocket.
"I love you more and more." Kid said lovingly.
"I'm not marring you..."
"Pirate Law says 'screw you'"
Magellen grunted, getting their attention. He turned to Kid. "Do you, Eustass Kid take Rebecka Thornson as your wife for now and forever and ever."
"Hell yeah." Kidd smirked, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. She elbowed him harshly in the side. He chuckled in amusement.
"And Rebecka Thronson says 'I do'" Magellen announced, the whole room cheered.
Rebecka was appalled "I don't even get to say 'I do'?"
"Nope, Pirate law." Magellen shrugged his shoulders at her animosity. "You do get the choice of eating the first piece of cake."
This was going badly. She needed to get out of here, now.
"I now announce you-"
Rebecka lunged for the nearest candle holder. She rushed past Magellen, and swung with all her might at the glass windows. Shards of glass flew everywhere and the terrified crowd screamed. Her original plan involving more elegance. She stepped on the edge of the windows, the jagged glass cutting her dress.
The church was on a freaking cliff! Nothing but air between her and the ocean a hundred foot drop below. Kid was right behind her, his hand grasping her arm. He tried to pull her back, she swung her candle holder. The golden metal colliding with his nose.
He let her go and she lost her balance. She tottered dangerously on the edge, the candle holder slipped from her hands. Falling down to the ocean. Kid made another grab for her. She fell over the edge. He grasped the end of her dress. The white fabric tore and she plunged down, wind whipping her hair and dress.
This couldn't be happening! This couldn't be real. It could only be a-
"Dream" Rebecka's eyes snapped open. She was in seat 5-2, first class. The muffled hum of the plane engines boring into her ears. A man snored in the seat behind her. She was really there. She wasn't getting married to Eustass Kid. Thank god.
James muttered in his sleep in the seat beside her, a green blanket pulled up to his chin. Jerk, that was her blanket.
A stewardess hovered over her, tapping her black heeled foot. "Excuse me Miss? Your overhead luggage is too big for the compartment, I'm going to have to take it and put it in the back with all the other cargo.
"I was told that it was alright." Rebecka said cooly. All thoughts of the dream gone from her head. The stewardess gave her the stink eye. "Besides, I have valuables in that bag what I would like to not leave my sight."
"I'm sorry but it is against code and safety. I'm going to remove your bag." The blond haired woman reached up, standing on tip toe to open the overhead compartment. Rebecka pressed the button on her hand rest for assistance.
Another stewardess walked down the aisle. Saw the stewardess next to Rebecka and started to go back when Rebecka pressed the button again, looking right at her.
"Is there a problem?" The new stewardess asked, she had brown curly hair and her blue skirt was too short for her.
"Yes there is." Rebecka said. "I was told that my bag was okay and this woman here says it's not and is removing it without my consent."
The browned haired woman, the name 'Milley' on her name badge, tugged on the blonde stewardess shoulder. "Is this true?"
The blond woman, Joanna printed on her name tag, flipped out. "I told her it was against regulation and is a safety hazard. I'm taking it into the back where it wont be a problem."
Milley looked from the black bag in the overhead compartment, to Rebecka, then resting her gaze on Joanna. "It is okay Joanna. I know you are strict about these kinds of things." She leaned in, whispering. "You almost got sued by the last passenger you did this to, remember? If it weren't for the Captain intervening... he made you promise to be more respectful to passenger wishes."
To say that Joanna went mad was an understatement. The woman went bonkers.
"No! I'm sick and tired of people not obeying baggage regulations! I've been hit again and again by falling luggage and I'm tired of it! You!" She jabbed a finger into Rebecka's chest. "I will take your bag into cargo and you will like it!"
Where was the taser button when you need it, Rebecka thought dryly. "I think you need to take a rest. The air pressure must be affecting your judgment."
"You little bitch!" Joanna screeched, grabbing Rebecka's hair, and ripping it out.
James jumped over Rebecka, tackling the stewardess in the stomach. The woman screamed and fell backwards, falling into the lap of a startled man. Milley held James back before he attacked the woman again.
Aunt Poppy, sitting in the pair of seats before them turned around, pulling headphones out of her ears. "My gosh, James!" She smacked the boy across the head, shouting for him to get back into his seat. James tried to defend himself, that the stewardess was attacking Rebecka and he was trying to help her.
Aunt Poppy wouldn't hear a thing of it until she saw the bald spot on top Rebecka's head near the part line.
"Look here missy!"Aunt Poppy picked Joanna up, lifting her so they were eye to eye. "Your job is to be an assistant, to help people. You're not a barber!"
"Ma'am," Milley separated the two woman, gesturing for Aunt Poppy to take her seat. Two male flight attendants came down the aisle, grabbing Joanna by her elbows and escorting her away behind red curtains. Joanna screaming and kicking all the while. Milley, disappeared behind the red curtains on the opposite end of the aisle, coming back moments later with a navy blue pilots hat. "Here Miss, this should cover that..."
"Thank you." Rebecka gladly accepted the hat, putting in on. It was just slightly too big for her, but she didn't care.
"Damn bitch." James hissed when he sat down in his seat. He pulled her blanket over his head, huffing in anger.
"Why'd you attack her." Rebecka asked.
"She hurt you." James responded, his dark tone scaring her.
"You've never defended me. Last year you pushed me into Mr. Neggs yard and watched as his two pitbulls attacked me!"
"I'm sorry."
Rebecka choked. James never said he was sorry.
"For three years." She jerked the blanket off him. "Three years you treat me like trash. Degrading me, insulting me, harming me. You even hurt Kat! Now, all of a sudden you want to protect me? To be my shinning knight in armor? Do you want to be a hero? Is that what you want?"
James face softened, he reached out and grabbed her hand in his. "I want to protect you Becky. I always wanted to protect you. You were a real crybaby when you were younger. You'd come crying to dad every time you got hurt."
Dad. A lump formed in Rebecka's throat.
"And when he disappeared... you didn't cry. You did nothing, you were like a doll. Emotionless and empty."
That Sunday afternoon came back to her all too clear. Mom drove them home from Church, crying. Days passed and father never came home. Mom never said anything. She locked herself up in her room, leaving Rebecka and James to fend for themselves.
"I went to the store to buy food, and when I came home you were gone."
She was looking for her father.
"I called the police but they thought it was a prank call."
She searched everywhere, and never found him. So focused on her search she became lost and couldn't find her way home. She stumbled upon a park and hid in the monkey bars.
"You never came home and I thought something bad had happened. I searched for you on my own. I searched all night. I didn't find you until morning, snuggled up against Kathline."
"The first time we meet." Rebecka whispered, fighting her tears back. "She ran up to the monkey bars, panting. The front of her shirt soaked entirely in blood. I thought she was a demon. She said, 'you're just like me'. I cried so much. I cried for dad, for her. I cried until I had no tears left to cry."
The intercom turned on. "We will be landing at Berlin International Airport in one hour."
Milley came down the aisle. "Miss?" She tapped Rebecka on the shoulder. "You have a call."
Rebecka turned to James, her brother squeezed her hand.
"Would you please come with me. It's from a Mr. Schwartz."
"Don't answer it." James said quietly. A dark shadow fell across his face.
"I have to."
"No, you don't!"
"I want to know what they are planning. What their next move is. Their intentions. Know your enemy, that's how you win the battle."
"This isn't a battle." James growled, squeezing her hand just a little to tightly. "This is survival."
"I'm not going to run away."
"Miss." Milley spoke up, she couldn't hear the two teens discussion but by the looks on their faces it was serious.
"I'm going to China to solve this." Rebecka jerked her hand back. "I'm going to put and end to everything." She stood sharply, following Milley down the hallway. James was right behind her, muttering what a bad idea this was to himself.
Milley handed Rebecka the phone and left to give them privacy. Rebecka positioned the phone so the both of two of them could hear.
"Hello Rebecka." Came the Professors smooth voice. He didn't remind her of a jolly grandfather anymore. "Did you get Nathaniel's message?"
"Yes." Rebecka said. James gritted his teeth, biting back a remark.
"I have friends in high places Rebecka. Don't think you can run away forever."
"I'm not running away." Rebecka paused, uncertain. "Let's make a deal."
"My, my, a deal? What is going through that little mind of yours my dear?"
"One week. Let me have the book for one week and I'll hand it right over."
James gave her a look. He put his hand over the receiver and hissed, "What the hell are you saying?"
Rebecka glared at him. "We only need the book to break the curse."
Time and figures filled his mind. "Is a week enough?"
"I don't know."
Professor Schwartz interrupted them. "It's so fascinating." He laughed on the other end, it wasn't a pleasant, jolly laugh. There was something sinister behind it. "You and your friend Miss Kathline are so keen on protecting that book. Even taking it to China. Why? And why are you just giving it away after asking to keep it for one week?"
Rebecka had a suspicion. Something so outrageously impossible. "I think you know the answer to that."
James' eyes widened as realization came over him. "No, then he knows."
"That book is magic. It can create portals to other words." The professor confirmed. "I heard tales of such a book when I was in collage. I spent my whole life searching for it. And I finally found it, in the hands of two, weak girls.
"It was going to be so easy, I had thought. To trick two girls into handing over the book. But no, how god laughed at me. He fated the book to be in the hands of two very clever girls who not only protected it from me but figured out it's magic as well. How did you discover it?"
"Do we have a deal or not." Rebecka changed the subject. The professor chuckled.
"Why not. It makes things much easier for me. Though, expect a surprise in Berlin. I'm afraid I won't be able to get a hold of him to... inform him of this new development. Think of it as a test my dear."
"You're a sick old man." James snapped, slamming the receiver on the phone base.
"Idiot. We could have gotten more information from him."
"I'm going back." James left, and Milley came in.
"I want to make a quick call." Rebecka told her. Milley nodded her head and told her how to dial the phone to make international calls.
Rebecka punched in the numbers on the back of the phone and waited. A woman answered the phone on the other line.
"Pine Dale hospital."
"Hello, this is Rebecka Thornson. I would like to talk to my mother, Lillia Thornson. Patient number 4503."
"Just one second." The woman said and the phone rang again. It was picked up a few moments later.
"Hello?" Her mother answered, her voice softer than usual.
"Mom, it's me. Rebecka."
"Becky. I'm so glad to hear from you. Are you calling from China?"
"No, we're flying over Germany right now. We'll be landing at Berlin in half an hour."
"Germany." Her mother sighed, "I took german in high school. It's how I meet your..."
"How you meet dad? Yeah, I know."
"I'm in the same room as Kathline."
Rebecka giggled. "You finally got her name right!"
"She's like my second daughter. A mother should get her children's names right."
"Mom. I love you. And Kathline dose too, and James. Aunt Poppy loves you the most though, and she'll challenge anyone who says else wise. "
"Rebecka." Her mom said peacefully. "Why are you saying that so seriously? The doctors say I'll be just fine. There are police here protecting Kathline."
"It scared me so much when... he shot you."
"I was scared to Rebecka. It's okay."
"Mom... in case I die." It was a hard thing to say. "In case I don't make it, I wanted you to know that I love you and-"
"Don't say such things Rebecka. You are a beautiful, smart girl. I may not know what's going on, but I have complete faith in you. James too. He has a kind heart Rebecka. He hates to see you suffer. He tried to make you strong. He wanted to see you stand and walk on your own two feet. I love the both of you so much."
Rebecka sobbed, losing all control. Her mom wasn't the best mom in the world at times. But she had an unwavering faith. She loved her mother so much.
"Bye mom, I'll call again when we arrive in China. Tell Kat, that I'll save her. That I won't let her down."
"Goodbye Rebecka."
"You did well." Nathaniel clapped his hand's together.
Lillia Thornson closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. "I wish I could have seen her face."
Nathaniel shook his head, "Now, now Mrs. Thornson. Don't get sentimental on me."
"Don't do this." She pleaded. "Don't do this to them."
"I have to finish what I started Mrs. Thornson."
"Kathline. Rebecka says to trust her. She'll save you. You really are a second daughter to me Kathline." Lillia watched the girl in the white bed beside her. Her heart monitor the only sound in the room. "You are so creative. I love all your stories. I'm envious of yours and Rebecka's talent.
Rebecka. Kathline. James." Lillia cried, her memories flooding her. All her mistakes, all her precious moments, sad moments, happy moments. She was drowning in them all. "I'm so sorry. I never wanted to leave you alone. I never wanted to-"
Nathaniel pulled out his gun.
"-leave you this way."
And shot her through the heart.
"I was told to make it clear. We aren't cartoon villains. We mean business."
Tally Mai-chan: (crying over Lillia's death) How did this happen. I wanted to write about Rebecka getting along with her brother, finding a lost girl and arguing with an ex-whore begging for drugs but no, I had to kill her mom.
Big stuff planed. The endings, yes endings, are jolted down and it's going to be great!