"Here? Again?"
Kid had once again, found himself on the Surface in his dreams. He stood in the very same spot, gazing at everything around him. The trees, the hills, the water, the animals, everything. It was all the same.
"Hmm...I wonder," Kid thought out loud. He wasn't able to walk the last time he came here. Maybe this time…
He lifted his foot, and stepped forward.
Kid's face lite up. He took a step, and another, and another, until he was sprinting through the field. The smile on his face was larger than he had made before, and his laughter rang through the air. As he approached the birds, they flew away in fright, chirping as they went.
"Hahaha! Having fun are we?"
Kid skidded to a halt. Someone spoke to him. His head whipped back and forth, searching for the owner of the voice. He looked up at a rocky ledge, gasping slightly.
A boy around his age was standing there, smirking at him. He had fluffy, snow white hair, piercing red eyes, and shark like teeth. A long, stitch line scar ran across his chest, and a strange instrument was hung around his torso. He laughed again.
"We were wondering where you went. Frolicing through the fields again?" he jumped down from the ledge, advancing on Kid.
Kid felt his heart race. Why was that happening? Who was he? And what did he mean by 'we'?
But he only smiled.
"Yeah...sorry if I'm causing you three problems..." Kid gave a small bow. The boy only broke into loud laughter, clutching his middle.
"It's nothing Kid. But seriously, you look so adorable when you run around like a small child," he rubbed his temple, smiling down at Kid.
Kid blushed. How did he, and WHY did he know his actual name? And he called him...cute!?
"Heheh...I do not," he blushed, looking away. The boy grinned at him, stepping closer to him.
"Come on, don't be like that. You know you're adorable," he purred, reaching out and pulling Kid to him, holding him gingerly.
Kid squeaked, staring up at him with wide eyes. When those crimson eyes stared deeply into his gold, Kid felt...light. He sunk into the boy's embrace, even going as far laying his head on his chest.
What was he doing!? Why was he...touching this boy in this way!? He didn't understand!
But Kid took it further and placed small, butterfly kisses on his chest and shoulders, causing his skin to ripple.
Then, the boy began to pull away.
"Huh?" Kid looked up, seeing a panicked expression on his face. Kid felt his body jerk back, like something was sucking him away.
"KID!" the boy screamed when suddenly Kid was ripped off his feet and carried up into the air. Kid screamed, feeling his body flip through the air.
"NO WAIT! I don't want to go back! I'm happy here! PLEASE!"
"NO!"
Kid fell off his bed with a large thump. He groaned, sitting up slowly and rubbing his side in pain.
"Oh, owww…" he sighed, climbing back onto his bed. He looked out his window, seeing the sun rise gently over the clouds.
"It's morning huh? Guess that's a good thing then...I do have to be up early…"
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
"Your majesty! You need to get up! I know it's early but we can't waste time today, it's your wedding day!" Liz called from behind the door.
Ah, that was why. He forgot. His wedding.
His wedding. HIS WEDDING!
Suddenly, Kid sprang to the closet, tearing out his robe, sloppily throwing it over himself and throwing the bedroom door open.
"Woah! Nearly hit me there!" Liz yelped, jumping back when the door swung open. The three girls rushed in, immediately getting to work.
"Morning my prince. Did you sleep well?" Tsubaki asked, picking the blanket up from the floor and placing it back on the bed neatly. Kid shook his head.
"Nope. Not in the slightest, I feel horrible right now…" he confessed, allowing Patty to drag him to the vanity. Liz looked at him with worry.
"Really? Are you sure you're not just tired or…" Liz was fishing through the wardrobe for the ceremonial outfit he possessed. Kid shook his head, frowning.
"I wish it was just that. But the dream I had was more detailed than the last. I mean, there was a person in it this time, but my dreams don't matter today." Kid sat up straight, allowing Tsubaki to start working on his face.
"You don't have to help us you know? You can do other things if you want…" Liz turned to Tsubaki, only for the girl to shake her head.
"Today is extremely important, so you'll need all the help you can get. So on another note, where are the accessories for this thing?" she asked. Patty had just finished with the face wash and was now gently, but hurriedly brushing Kid's hair.
"I hate to be mean, but yes. Today is the day huh? Finally marrying Tsugumi after those few months to get to know her? How do you feel right now? Other than having a crappy night's sleep," Liz asked, dusting off the outfit with a small duster.
Kid winced, one because of the question, and two, because Patty ripped out a pretty bad tangle in his hair.
"I dunno. I'm honestly freaking out right now. What if something goes wrong? Like she trips down the walkway? Or I forget a line? Or something like-"
"PRINCE! Please, calm down. I know you're nervous but you need to relax for a bit. Liz, is the outfit ready yet?" Tsubaki asked after she was done putting on the lotion for his face. Patty had symmetrically fixed his hair, even double checking to make sure it was straight and even on both ends.
"There! Perfect symmetry, just like you like it!" Patty clapped her hands together proudly. Kid smiled, checking himself to see that it was indeed symmetrical.
"Alrighty your majesty. Your suit is ready when you are," Liz came around to face him, getting a nod in return. Kid stood up, taking the suit from Liz's hands and proceeding behind his changing screen. He fixed the suit on, making sure to keep it as neat as possible.
When he stepped out, the others all awed and fawned over how he looked.
"You look wonderful your majesty! Tsugumi is gonna be blown away today!" Tsubaki cheered.
Kid was wearing a black suit with the loftwing symbol etched into the back. The front was decorated with strips and the royal broach, giving him a very formal look. He looked in his body-length mirror and smiled.
"Yeah...I guess…" he stared a bit longer, doubted whether he really looked presentable or not.
"You know you're adorable."
Kid gasped, shaking his head violently and suddenly. The boy's voice, it was ringing in his head.
"Princey? Are you ok?" Patty asked, seeing Kid get frustrated.
"Ah...yes, I'm fine. Just had a bit of a head rush, nothing more. Come on, we need to go met with my father," he straightened himself out, smiling at the girls. While they all still looked worried, they pushed it aside and led him from the room. As they walked down the halls, nobles, maids, butlers, and cooks were all bustling to get ready. They all bowed deeply when he walked by them, treating him with extra respect on this day.
Kid proceeded on to Death's room, knocking gently.
"Father?"
At that point, the door swung open and Death walked out, his smile large and glowing.
"There he is. The lucky man of the day! You excited?" he asked, drawing Kid in for a large hug. The girls behind him all awed at the father-son display, Kid blushing in embarrassment.
"Dad please!" Kid squirmed in protest, pulling back and fixing his suit. Death only laughed, patting his son's shoulder.
"I know, but my little baby is getting married today, so let an old man be a little sentimental alright?" he sighed, getting a wistful look on his face. Kid blushed, looking away for a bit.
"Thank you Dad, but since I'm getting married I need to be treated like an adult ok?" Kid smiled, giving Death a small hug.
"I hate to interrupt this, but we need to hurry Prince, we don't wanna be late," Tsubaki pointed to her notebook, receiving a nod from Death.
"Of course. Well, I'm gonna go talk to some of the other nobles. I'll see you at the ceremony okay?" he gave Kid and the girls a small wave before walking away. Kid sighed, feeling slightly down. He knew his father would have to treat him older now, but he had to admit to himself...he would miss his father's hugs and playful antics.
It was times like this he wished his mother was here.
"Your majesty? Are you alright? Your eyes got all watery…" Tsubaki placed a hand on his shoulder, snapping him from his trance. Kid looked up, taking out his handkerchief and wiping his eyes.
"Yes, something in my eye. Nothing to worry about. Now come on, we need to get to the ballroom," he walked forward, keeping the hankie up to his eyes when more tears began to fall.
The girls followed silently, knowing that he was, and why he was crying.
Patty sighed.
"Sometimes I wish he wasn't a prince...he could be more free."
They all nodded in agreement. As they proceeded, they counted down the minutes. Once he was married, he was going to have to be dedicated to his wife and wife alone. They all would lose him.
Thirty minutes left.
"Places! Places! Everyone get in your places!"
With the kingdom present at the castle, and Kid standing on the altar waiting. Two of the workers were fussing to get everyone else in their places.
"Kim! Are the cooks ready with the food?"
"Yep! And you got the flowers ready Jackie?"
"Yep!"
The two girls present, Kim and Jackie, were not only fussing with everything else going on, but were preparing Tsugumi to walk down the runway.
"Do I look ok?" she asked Meme, receiving an approving nod.
"Yep! You look beautiful Tsugumi! When he sees you, his jaw is gonna drop!" she cheered. Anya was next to her, nodding.
"And when you're married, you'll have him all to yourself. His servants won't be able to be with him as often. He can basically get rid of Elizabeth and Patricia. He won't need them anymore," she smiled, patting Tsugumi's back. Tsugumi sighed, taking the bouquet from Kim.
"He just doesn't seem as excited as I am…" she sighed, Jackie leading her in front of the door.
Meme waved it off.
"Oh please, Kid's just a bit of a stick in the mud. I bet he just wants this to be perfect for the both of you!"
"Tsugumi. Only a few more moments. You ready?" Kim asked. Tsugumi took a deep breath and nodded, clutching the flowers in her hand a bit tighter.
The music started. The doors opened.
Everyone stood as Tsugumi walked in, Kid standing at the altar.
When he saw her, he stared. When Tsugumi took a glance, it wasn't an expression of amazement, it was one of sadness.
Kid sighed deeply, trying to seem happier, but the closer she got, the more his heart broke. His time with his friends and his father was coming to end, it was approaching him as she walked towards him.
When she reached him, she lined herself up with him and smiled.
"Nervous?" she asked. Kid shrugged.
"Just hoping nothing goes wrong with the ceremony. You?" he asked. Tsugumi's heart dropped. He looked like he didn't care! He kept glancing at the girls, and his father standing at the end of the altar.
"U-Um...a little bit…" she smiled sheepishly. Kid gave a crooked smile, before his serious face fell back upon him.
Lord Death cleared his throat.
"Ladies and gentleman. Citizens of the Death Islands! We are gathered here today, to witness the union of Lady Tsugumi Harudori, and Prince Death the Kid. With this union, the new Lord and Lady shall lead us into a grand new era!" Death announced, gesturing to a man next to him.
"May I have the rings please?" he asked. The man nodded, holding out the silky pillow they were placed on.
He took them into his fingers and held on out to Kid.
"Tsugumi, do you, take Death the Kid as your husband. To care for him in sickness and health, and forever stand at his side?" Death asked. Tsugumi blushed, and nodded.
"I do."
Kid took her hand gently, slipping the ring onto her finger. Death the handed the other ring to Tsugumi.
"And do you, Death the Kid, take Tsugumi Harudori to be your lawfully wedded wife? To care for her in sickness and health, and forever stand at her side?"
Silence.
Kid sighed, giving a gentle, yet forced smile. He hesitantly nodded.
"I-"
BOOM
The walls shook, the ground rumbled, and decorations fell when a large explosion suddenly rippled through the air.
"What the hell!?" Kid shouted, turning around and looking out the window. Screams suddenly filled the air. The people outside were running in, screaming loudly about an 'invader'.
"EVERYONE PLEASE! REMAIN CALM!" Death bellowed, grabbing the attention of only a handful of them. The girls rushed to Kid, barricading him from any debris.
"Princey! Are you alright?!" Patty gasped. Kid nodded.
"Yes I'm fine! But what's-"
The wall caved in, and a stream of red light directed itself to Kid's forehead. Kid's face ran white as he stared up in fear at what he was looking at.
It was some kind of monster! Large, with one beaming red eye staring deeply at him. Four propellers swung heavily at it's top, keeping it midair.
"What is that thing!?" Liz screamed. The beam began to flicker rapidly, the large creature making various clicking noises.
"KID!" Death leap forward, scooping the girls, Kid, and Tsugumi into his arms and diving out of the way. Right as he did, the monster launched a large blast, destroying the altar they were standing on just seconds ago.
Death picked them up and placed them on their feet.
"GO! RUN!" Death screamed, shoving them forward. Kid took Tsugumi and ran forward, scouting Anya and Meme in the crowd. He rushed her to them, shoving Tsugumi into Anya's arms.
"Take her to the bunker!" he shouted, receiving a curt nod. Once Tsugumi was out of the room, Kid and the others ran out.
"You need to get to the bunker Prince!" Tsubaki shouted. But Kid shook his head.
"We need to get the citizens to a safer place. They're running rampant through the streets and they need direction!" he yelled, throwing the front doors open and rushing past the gates.
People were running in no general direction, trying to find cover from the large beast flying through the air. Knights were doing their best to steer the beast from the castle and lead the people to safer destinations. Kid rushed out, moving through the people and standing at the side of the road, begining to snap directions.
"HEAD TO THE SIDE OF THE CASTLE! THE GUARDS WILL LEAD YOU TO THE BUNKER!" he yelled, pointing people in the right direction. While they followed his orders, the beast heard him, and swiveled its head and looked at him. It suddenly flew away from the castle and off the island, floating behind Kid.
"PRINCE! LOOK OUT!"
Kid spun on his heel to see the beast targeting looking in his direction. But it wasn't targeted him.
It was targeting the ground underneath him.
Suddenly, it fired it's beam and the earth beneath Kid crumbled. The beast flew down and began shooting at the island, seemingly trying to shrink it. Kid yelled, the ground falling out from underneath him and causing him to slip. Suddenly, there was nothing beneath him. He was falling!
"PRINCE!"
Kid plummeted, flipping through the air. When he tried to angle his body, he only drifted to the right, seeing the beast flip in and out of his vision. He opened his arms, and slammed into its middle, latching himself to it.
The beast reared its head, attempting to locate him. But the center could only rotate, and it couldn't look directly up, so the beast began to frolic. Kid screamed the whole ride, gripping onto the gravel like exoskeleton of the large creature. As it spazzed, it's movements became jumbled. With the propellers flipping sideways, the beast lost momentum, falling closer and closer to the cloud barrier.
"SOMEONE HELP ME!" Kid screamed, seeing his doom come closer and closer to him. As the beast searched for the unwanted attachment, it flipped itself upside down.
And plummeted.
"KID" Death shouted when he neared the edge and saw his son fall further and further from the island. Kid began to sob as he screamed, watching the clouds become too close for comfort. Suddenly, the momentum of the fall and the rush of air and flipping of the beast caused him to get light headed.
The second the beast cut through the clouds, Kid passed out, his body detaching from the beast and going limp. The city watched in fear as their prince descended through the clouds and out of sight.
Kid was gone.
Only difference here is the role swap
Next Time:
Kid's dream has been realized and he's descended upon the Surface. However, once he gets there, he finds himself losing the image of a perfect world as he truly experiences danger for the first time. Will his fantasy remain strong, or will it be crushed under the hand of harsh reality?