Here ya go guys! Another Seven Seas Alchemy chapter!
Sorry for the long wait guys! But recently I finished college and now doing this course to get a job. A lot has happened so please be patient.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter and for what you are about to read!
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Flickering Emotions: Double Dark Lover Attack!
Meanwhile… School Grounds…
Luchia and Alphonse, after leaving the scene on the roof, had reunited with Hanon outside of the school. The two didn't bother to ask where she had gone and proceeded to tell her what had happened… that is until she jumped to conclusions immediately when she heard that they saw Ed and Rina together.
"Hey cheer up, it could just be a misunderstanding!"
"Hanon-"
"I mean, it could've just looked like that from far away! That always happens on cartoons or animes!"
"Hanon-"
"Oh! Maybe they were doing a staring contest until one of them laughed-"
"HANON!" Alphonse and Luchia shouted together, finally losing their patience with the girl who yelped before rubbing her ears.
"Ow! What?" She asked innocently, completely oblivious to the stares.
"We already know that they weren't kissing!" Luchia yelled, her face red from embarrassment, not wanting to admit that she almost thought the exact same thing from first glance and was about to leave immediately because of it. Luckily, Al had pointed out how unlikely that scenario was.
"Oh… really?" She asked, confused and tilting her head slightly.
Al sighed while shaking his helmet. "Yes, really. We didn't even finish telling you what had happened and you immediately went with them kissing! Why did you think my brother would just kiss a girl who just arrived?!"
Hanon sweated as her eyes shifted nervously from both their gazes. "...Wild guess?" She answered with a helpless shrug, making the two sigh.
"Glad to know you have so much faith in me Hosho."
The blue haired girl yelped and turned her head to see Edward standing right behind her, arms folded and with an irritated look on his face, coat folded and under his right arm.
"Ed! Uh, hi!" She smiled and laughed nervously. "So, uh… Hows things?"
"Doing good… Until I got dragged off by a girl that hates my guts for no reason and says that she's going to 'expose' me!" He finished before throwing his arms up in frustration. "I don't even know her and I doubt I have ever met a member of her family!"
"So, you don't think this could be a personal grudge or something?" Al asked with concern, his armor shifting occasionally as he tried to make more room for Luchia on the bench they were sitting on. "It just doesn't make sense for her to pick a fight with you."
"Whatever the case, she has it out for me so from now on, I'm going to avoid her like the plague." The older brother grumbled before he started searching his pockets. "Oh by the way, you dropped this Luchia." He then handed out the green finger band that the mermaid had previously dropped back on the roof.
"My friendship band!" She cheered before taking it and smiling back at Ed. "Thanks!" She then realized that if he had it, that meant he knew. "Oh… And sorry for spying. I was just trying to give-"
"Forget it." He waved off, a small smile to show that there were no hard feelings. "In the end, it's not that big of a deal." He then winced before pointing at the band. "Although, you may wanna hold off on giving her that band for a while."
"Yeah, I think you're right." She agreed before pocketing her charm and quickly stood up along with Al. "Anyway, I think it's time to head home now. Nikora probably has a bunch of chores waiting for us back at the hotel."
"Okay. I'll meet you guys later. I need to grab the rest of my stuff from my locker first." Hanon explained before she waved to them as she left. "See ya guys!"
"Bye!"
"Later!"
"Don't be late! If we suffer her wrath, you're suffering with us!" Ed called out before getting nudged by Al. "Ow! What? I'm not gonna let her get off scott free while we do all the work!"
The mermaid and armor sighed as the trio made their way back to the Pearl Piari.
Later…
The sun was starting to set as they had finally made it back without anymore problems.
"Seriously? You guys don't have any theaters in Amestris?" Luchia asked, completely floored when the brothers explained that their country lacked the rest of the world's technology.
"Seriously." Al nodded. "It was one of the many reasons why we didn't want to leave. I remember all the fun rides we used to go one back at the fair when we were kids! And all the tasty foods as well!"
"And the TV's!" Ed added with a grin. "Those things had got to be the second best thing about this place!"
"What was the first?" Luchia asked with a sly smile, but she squeaked when Ed pecked her on the cheek.
"I think you already know." He said, making her giggle.
Alphonse just rolled his eyes at his brother's flirting. While he did enjoy watching the two be together, some of their interactions were honestly a little corny, although he would never admit it.
Just as be began to drone them out again, he noticed something rather strange at the front entrance of the hotel. "Uh, guys?" He spoke, getting their attention before pointing at the building. "Is that supposed to be a regular occurrence here?"
The two followed his finger and to their surprise, they saw a blonde haired woman wearing sunglasses and a heavy button up coat, using the collar to cover her mouth.
This immediately set off alarm bells within Luchia's head. "W-wait… You don't think she could be… A thief?!" She asked the brothers, who looked at one another.
"Considering her wardrobe choice, she does give the impression of one, but I don't think so." Ed deduced as he looked her over. "I don't see a gun on her and I don't think she would want to rob a place at broad daylight without a weapon."
"Well, let's just ask her." Al suggested, getting the two to look at him. "She could be a customer looking for a place to stay." He then walked ahead of them, deciding the approach the woman calmly. "Excuse me Miss?"
The woman turned away from the door window and turned to see Alphonse a few inches away from her, making her gasp in fright. "Ah! What are you doing, sneaking up a person like that!?"
Alphonse yelped and waved his arms. "No,no,no! I wasn't trying to sneak up on you! I was just wondering… Are you looking for a room here?" He asked honestly and politely, settling the woman down.
"Yes, I am." She answered, looking away slightly. "Are you a hotel employee?"
Alphonse nodded before he gestured to himself and to Luchia and Ed behind him. "I am and so are they. Would you like to check in?" He offered, making the two look at each other, Ed giving the mermaid a smug look before he was nudged.
The woman gave the briefest hint of a smile behind her coat and nodded.
Later… Again…
"Please sign here ma'am." Nikora handed the woman a pen and slid the guest book on the desk to her with a friendly smile. "Thank you for choosing the Pearl Piari and I hope you enjoy your stay."
"Thank you." The woman nodded as she wrote down her name before handing both items back to her.
"Okay, you're all set and here is your room key." The manager handed said key over and smiled to the armored boy standing by the desk, beside the woman. "I heard that my recent volunteer gave you a warm welcome."
"That he did." She confirmed, turning to Al with a short, yet grateful nod. "Thank you for the help."
Alphonse rubbed the back of his helmet shyly, his eyes narrowing in a friendly way. "It was no problem. I was happy to help." He said honestly, getting a smile from Nikora in return.
"Well, I can't thank you enough for that Al." She then gave a deadpanned expression as she looked up stairs. "Now if Edward and Luchia would help out once in awhile, that would be helpful." She then turned back to the woman and smiled again. "So, is there anything else I can help you with?"
"No, that will be all." She answered quickly. "If I need anything, I'll call. I would just like to be alone for a while." She then gave a short bow before leaving for her room, down the hall.
But not before Nikora caught a glimpse of what was around her neck.
A gold necklace with a green gem embedded in it.
'Wait… That looked like a pearl… Was that…?' She shook her head before turning to Al. "Alright Al, you can head back and rest now. You did great today."
If Al had a mouth, he would have been smiling at the praise he received before he gave a thankful bow. "Thank you Nikora!"
As the living suit of armor climbed upstairs and was soon out of sight, the manager quickly left her desk to find Hippo and Taki.
Even if she was wrong, she needed to be sure.
Luchia's room…
As this was happening, the two blondes were doing their own thing as they listened to the song playing on the CD player in the room. Ed was writing in his notebook while Luchia was looking over the friendship band to make sure it wasn't damaged. Much to her relief, it was perfectly fine. "Whew! Thank goodness."
As she stood up, Ed put his notebook down and smiled at her. "So, all good?"
"A-Okay." She returned the smiled before their hands intertwined with one another as the tempo of the song became more upbeat. "So, shall we?"
"That's my line." Ed grinned before the two began to dance to the song, both of their steps planned carefully and moving gracefully while also keeping up with the beat with the song.
Now, you may be wondering why Ed was good at dancing all of a sudden and why he didn't seem to have a problem with it.
The answer was simple: Practice.
After their vacation and his encounter with Luchia, Ed had asked his mother to teach him how to dance so that the next time he and Luchia ever met again, he could finally dance with her, both of them now sharing the same thing for once.
Trisha was actually a very good dancer, even before she got sick and before she met Hohenheim, mentioning it a few times and even offering to teach her own sons how to do so. Al thought it would be fun while Ed thought it was stupid, saying he never do something so stupid in his life.
Trisha never stopped grinning when he finally decided to take lessons and explained his reasoning.
As they continued their dance, Ed gave a curious glance at Luchia's legs before shaking his head, something the girl caught. "What's up?"
"Well… I've actually been wondering… In your kingdoms, do you and the other mermaids dance with your tails?" He asked slowly, being careful not to offend her.
Luchia giggled and nodded. "Well, yeah. I know it may seem strange, but our tails are very flexible and some of us can stand up on our fins. But our version of dancing is very much different compared to the human's version as we do swim about like it's not dancing at all." She explained, making the alchemist nod in understanding, very interested in her explanation.
"Really? Standing on your fins?" He asked before he made a look of concentration. "Huh… I wonder how long you can do that on the surface?"
Luchia hummed as well, thinking on the idea too. "Huh. You know, that IS a good question. I've never tried it out myself-"
'Knock, knock'
"Excuse me! Can you tone it down?!"
The two jumped a bit when they heard hard knocking on the hotel room door before Luchia walked over to open it up to reveal the woman, who had a very irritated look, her eyes barely visible behind her sunglasses. "Oh, sorry! Is something wrong?"
"Yes, there is." She then pointed to the CD player on the floor. "I can hear that song from my room downstairs! Could you please turn it off?"
"Oh, sorry! Really sorry!" Luchia apologized with a small bow. "I'll turn it down-"
"No, not 'down'. I want you to turn it 'off'." The woman clarified, getting a look of confusion from Luchia and an irritated one from Edward.
"Is there a good reason why we should?" He asked with folded arms as the woman continued to cover the lower part of her face with her coat.
"Well besides it being a complete headache, I don't like it!" She stated, briefly looking away before the two teens gave her a flat look.
"Really? I'm not allowed to play the songs I like in my own room just because you don't like it?" Luchia asked slowly, getting a nod in return. "Yeah, that's not gonna fly."
The woman groaned before she squeezed past Luchia and entered the room. "Look, all I want is to not hear the song! Nothing else!" She said as she made her way to the CD player when Ed suddenly blocked her path, surprising her.
"Well, unless you have a better reason than just hating it, then I suggest checking in somewhere else." He told her with narrowed eyes, making her sigh. "Besides, this happens to be one of my girlfriend's favorites." He added.
That last part certainly got the woman's attention as she gave a surprised expression. "It is?" She asked before going quiet for a few seconds… Before speaking once more in a more softer voice. "But why?"
Luchia smiled, forgetting the sour mood that was about take place before she began to explain. "Well, besides it being a song from one of my favourite singers, Jennifer Houston, it's message is so beautiful! To look forward to the future, hoping to live life to the fullest, even if we go through the worst it has to offer, we still pick ourselves back up and with our loved ones by our side through it all!" She finished with a smile, sighing happily. "It's like the song and my feelings are the same!"
The woman was silent for a few moments… Then to both teenagers surprise, she let out a small smile. "The same as your feelings eh? I once thought the same… And I guess I still do." She then turned to face both of them directly before she took off her sunglasses to reveal a pair of blue eyes.
Luchia immediately gasped, covering her mouth in shock and excitement. "N-no way! Y-y-your-"
"Jennifer Houston?" Ed finished, more confused than shocked to see the famous american singer in Japan.
The now revealed Jennifer Houston smiled honestly at the two. "Sorry about the bad attitude. And thanks for liking my song."
Meanwhile…
Downstairs, Hanon had just arrived a few minutes earlier just in time to hear Nikora's suspicions as she had also rounded up Madame Taki and Hippo, the latter quickly grabbing the Pearl Radar to check for any signs of a reaction.
A minute later, he returned to the three at the main entrance, panting.
"So, how did it go?" Nikora asked as the penguin caught his breath.
"No reaction at all!" He answered, making the three women sigh. "I guess her necklace didn't have the Green Pearl after all!"
Nikora moaned as she shook her head. "I thought it was the Green Pearl for sure. I guess I got too hopeful."
"So I guess that means she's not a Mermaid Princess after all, eh?" Hanon asked as the two nodded in confirmation. "Not to sound like a downer, but how can you guys be sure the Green Mermaid Princess is even on the surface?"
"Because a few months before you arrived and longer before Luchia did, the Green Mermaid Princess of the North Atlantic Ocean fled into hiding when her kingdom was attacked by whatever is the cause of these incidents in the sea." Taki explained, surprising the blue haired girl before she went on. "It is rumoured that she was around this area. This combined with the timely arrival of Miss. Houston and the green jewel in her necklace led us to believe she may have been the Princess."
Hanon hummed thoughtfully before she smiled. "Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to be sure." She said to herself before leaving, heading up the stairs to her fellow mermaid's room.
Meanwhile…
Back in Luchia's room, the girl and Jennifer were sitting on the girl's bed while was leaning against the bedroom wall, watching the two converse with interest. "So, Miss. Houston… Um, question: what did you mean when you said you thought the same as me?" She asked curiously.
"Well, it's a bit of a long story." The celebrity sighed as she began. "You see, I also have someone I really like… Maybe even love. But lately, even though I'm always with him, all we talk about is work and nothing else. And when I try to get him to open up a bit more, he tries to hide whatever it is he's keeping from me." She sighed again before she seemed to be remembering something. "Then, later last week, I saw him talking and laughing with someone over coffee while I went to meet him… I guess his secret was that he had a new girlfriend."
"Ouch." Ed winced before he stopped himself. "What happened then? Did you confront him about it?"
"To be honest, I would have loved to… But I was scared… Scared that it really was what it seemed to be… I know it was from a distance… But I didn't have either the heart or the nerve to." She admitted, guilt evident in tone.
She was surprised when Luchia placed an encouraging hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Guess we are on the same boat, to be honest, If I was in your position, I would have done the exact same thing. But in the end, we wouldn't get anywhere if it was really a misunderstanding. And I'm sure this is exactly just that." She explained before grabbing her hand. "And if you really want to find out for yourself, we'll go with you!"
"Huh?"
"Say what?"
Luchia smiled. "You just need a little help to talk to him right? Well, why not have some people to have your back while you're there?" She suggested before turning to Ed. "Well, what do you think Ed?"
The Alchemist just looked between the two before moaning. "Your not going to let this go, arent you?"
"Nope!" She answered before leaping off the bed, pulling Jennifer with her, much to the woman's surprise before running out the door, passing by Hanon. "Hurry up Hanon!"
"Wait, what?" The girl exclaimed as her friend rushed past her before looking at Ed, confusion on her face. "What was that about?"
"Just Luchia doing her own thing… And getting others caught up in it." He said before following his girlfriend, Hanon following suit, still bewildered on what was happening.
The two quickly ran outside to see Luchia call a taxi over, the vehicle stopping before they all climbed in, Hanon taking the passenger seat while Luchia, Ed and Jennifer took the back.
"Where to?" The cabbie asked as he adjusted his rear view mirror.
The three teenagers looked at Jennifer who sighed. "Harō Hotel please."
"Got it ma'am." The driver nodded as he started his journey as the others leaned back to enjoy the ride… Well, as much as they could.
"Remind me again, why am I here with you guys?" Hanon asked meekly. The only answer she got was Ed shrugging helplessly while shaking his head. He was on the right side of the back while Luchia was on the left, leaving Jennifer in the middle.
"If you only saw what happened from far away, you can't really be sure what it was saw." Luchia explained with a determined look. "So we'll be right behind you while you and ask him directly."
The singer looked down with an unsure look, twiddling her fingers together. "I'm not sure about this. I know you're trying to help me and all, but-"
"No buts!" Luchia said fiercely, surprising the celebrity yet again. "If you back out from this, you will never forgive yourself for trying."
Ed and Hanon watched on in amusement as the two conversed, both throwing knowing looks and having the same thought.
'When someone else is having the same problem as her, she tries to resolve theirs first before her own.'
Later…
Night had fallen when the taxi dropped them off at Harō Hotel's car park, with the moon out along with the many stars that accompanied it.
After Ed paid the cab fare, he stood alongside Luchia and Hanon before he whispered to his girlfriend. "Luchia, are sure this is a good idea? Is it really worth getting invested in someone else's problems?"
"If it's for a good cause and the right thing to do, then yes." She answered firmly, a smile on her face. The alchemist sighed, but had a small hint of a smirk on his face.
"Richard…"
Jennifer's quiet whisper brought them to attention and they noticed that she was staring at a man with dark hair and a moustache, wearing a blue suit and holding something in his hand, a somber look on his face as he stared out at the sea.
"So that's him?" Hanon asked.
Jennifer sighed and nodded. "Yes." She stared in silence for a few more seconds before she shook her head. "Who am I kidding? I can't do it… I-I just can't."
"She was surprised when a she was lightly shoved forward before looking back to see Luchia with a firm look. "You've come this far already. You have to finish it. Besides, until you do it, I am not leaving this spot!" She declared boldly.
Jennifer stood still, stunned by the girls conviction… Before her own eyes steeled and she nodded, straightening up before she began to approach the man, who quickly noticed her presence.
"Jennifer!" He called to her in a relieved tone as he pocketed whatever he had in his hand and approached her too.
Jennifer gave a small smile as she greeted him too.
The three teens watched on, satisfied to see things were going smoothly already.
"Huh. Guess you were right Luchia." Hanon complemented with smile. "Things did work out alright."
Luchia smiled before letting out a sheepish laugh. "I wasn't lying when I said I would have done the same thing as her. But I'm sure glad didn't and neither did she."
"Only because of you." Ed pointed out with a grin, causing his girlfriend to blush and giggle. "Well, I think we're all good for today so lets head-"
'SPLASH!'
"What the!?" He exclaimed before his and the girl's eyes widened to see a large form of water burst out from the ocean by the car park before it targeted Jennifer and Richard.
The couple gasped at the sight before Richard reacted first. "Look out Jennifer!" He exclaimed before the wave enveloped them both, flinging them into the sea.
"Oh come on!" Ed yelled, throwing his arms up in aggravation. "This kind of crap didn't happen in Amestris! Why does it happen here!?"
But Luchia and Hanon weren't paying attention as they quickly recovered from their shock before nodding at each other. "Lets go!"
"Right!"
The two girls, literally, leapt into the action as they dived into the water, changing into their mermaid forms instantly and after the two drowning humans.
"Damn it!" Ed watched with an angered look as he was once again on the sidelines as someone else's life was in danger. "I wouldn't be this useless if my automail was light or rustproof!"
All he could do now, was hope his friends would pull through.
Meanwhile… Underwater…
Jennifer and Richard, both knocked unconscious by the force of the wave, were sinking as the latter was still shielding the former in his arms, completely unaware of what was happening around them.
And that was the perfect opportunity for Eriru to swim up to their descending bodies before she grinned. "Don't mind me you two! Just gotta take a little look at that Pearl of yours!" She said as she took off the necklace around Jennifer's neck before letting them continue to sink. "Ha! Finally! I caught a Pearl! Time for the 'Eriru Rules' victory dance!" She cheered to herself as she began to do a silly dance.
But it quickly ended when a water dragon swam past, yanking the necklace away from the girl's hands in its mouth before approaching Izuru, who had a less than pleased expression.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing!?" She yelled at the other Water Demon with a pout.
"I should be asking you that!" The woman replied in anger before pointing up to the surface. "What part of 'keeping it quiet' didn't you understand!? We were only meant to watch and confirm if it was the Pearl or not! Not make any unnecessary casualties!"
"Well… Okay, I got a bit too excited, I'll admit it." Eriru shrugged, a sheepish look on her face before glaring once again. "But I got the Pearl first so give it back!"
Izuru shook her head. "Have you forgotten that we need to verify if it is the Green Pearl? That means leaving it to the one more capable of doing so. And that would be me." She gestured to herself with a look of pride.
Of course, Eriru wasn't all too pleased by the not so subtle insult to her before quickly spinning around, showing her 'angered' persona, her eyes glowing red. "That's it! I'll show you not to mess with me!" She proclaimed before she waved her right arm, creating a dark arrow, covered in a red aura that shot towards the water dragon holding the necklace, hitting it right on the nose.
The dragon screeched in pain before dispersing, dropping the necklace as soon as the spear made contact with it, much to the two Water Demons horror.
"You idiot!" Izuru shouted at her before she darted after it, hoping that she would retrieve it without it being lost to the depths.
"Hey! Wait for me!" Eriru called before swimming after her.
As they dashed for the piece of jewelry, they didn't notice that Luchia and Hanon had managed to catch up to Richard and Jennifer and grab them before they swam back up to the surface as fast as they could.
The necklace finally hit the sandy sea floor, landing softly and undamaged. The two Dark Lovers found it and Izuru quickly picked it up before looking it over. A few seconds of silence passed before she finally spoke. "This is no Mermaid Princess' Pearl… It's just a human gem!" She exclaimed in despair.
Eriru reverted back to her normal person and tilted her head. "Really? Oh, so that means I didn't have to launch that… Oh… Oh…" She winced when Izuru turned to glare at her, gritting her teeth. "Okay, um… I'll admit… I may have screwed up-"
"No surprise there." The woman growled.
"BUT, there is a silver lining to this!" She quickly finished before pointing upwards to the surface with a smirk, causing her companion to look up as well before she smirked as well when they spotted a pair of tailfins by the surface. "We get a chance at payback."
"Indeed we do."
Back on the surface…
Edward looked over the drenched couple, checking both their heartbeats and that their lungs weren't filled with water. After doing so, he looked down to the water to see Luchia and Hanon looking very concerned. "They'll be fine. Looks like they were just knocked unconscious."
The two mermaids let out sighs of relief, glad to know no harm had come to the two. "That's great to hear." Luchia smiled as did Hanon before they suddenly heard the water behind them bubbling, wiping her happy smile away and replacing it with a frown. "But we still have two more problems to deal with."
Rising from the water and standing on their feet(or tail in Izuru's case), the Dark Lover duo smirked at the trio. Edward immediately recognized the red haired woman and glared. "You again!?"
"Well, well, well, look what we have here Eriru! Not only do we have two Mermaid Princesses right for the taking, we also have that runt that had the Pink Pearl!" Izuru grinned, showing her sharp teeth.
"HEY, I'M NO RUNT!" The boy yelled at them shaking his automail fist.
Eriru just giggled at the sight. "Hehehehe! You were right when you said he was weird Izuru!" Shen then turned to Luchia and Hanon, who continued to glare at them. "But at any rate, this has to be our lucky day!"
"Then your luck just ran out!" Luchia declared before she and Hanon leapt into the air.
"Pink Pearl Voice!"
"Aqua Pearl Voice!"
A flash of light enveloped their forms before they landed on the ground with their microphones in hand, striking their poses.
Eriru grinned as she span before her 'evil' person emerged. "Time for some fun!"
Izuru simply smirked at them. "This time for sure you won't get away." She then raised her arm up before pointing at them, a water dragon rising from the water. "Alright boy, GO PLAY!" She ordered to her 'pet' as it charged towards the two girls.
"Not so fast!" Ed yelled before clapping his hands quickly before slamming them on the ground. Blue streams of electricity appeared before solid stone walls emerged in front of him and the girls, the dragon crashing into them in a hail of water, shocking the two water demons watching.
"What!? You never said he could do that!" Eriru shouted to her companion who was just as shocked.
"I didn't even know he could!" She replied with a wide eyed look, horrified to see her attack had no effect whatsoever.
Eriru snarled before smirking. "Well, let's see if it can withstand this!" She then waved her arm as before, but now two dark arrows appeared, shooting towards the war before striking it. But the damage was only minimal, leaving only a few cracks. "What!?
"Oh real good Eriru! I'm sure they felt that!" Izuru mocked with a smirk while her co-worker turned to her with a snarl.
"It was better than what you did!"
Behind the wall, Ed turned to Luchia and Hanon with a grin. "Whenever you two are ready."
Hanon, while shocked by what he had done, decided to leave explanations for later and smiled thankfully at him before facing her friend. "Alright! Let's get this show started Luchia!"
The blonde smiled before nodding. "Got it! Let's show them what happens when you mess with a girl's resolve!"
Edward smiled before deciding to get rid if the wall, the foundation returning to the ground, revealing the two Water Demons still bickering. "Hey ladies!" He called to them, getting their attention before pointing behind him. "Showtime!"
The duo were briefly confused before they noticed that the two girls behind him were enveloped by a white orb the same as their last encounters as music began to play, immediately terrifying them. "NO! Not again!" Izuru shouted.
"Make another dragon! MAKE ANOTHER DRAGON!" Eriru ordered as she panicked. Her companion did so, the monster rising from the surface as it roared and charged towards the two.
But i was too late.
"Pichi Pichi Voice Live Start!" The announced before they began to sing, dancing to the beat.
"The rainbow colored wind is being blown…"
"Aiming for the distant cape…"
"The melody I could hear before sunrise…"
"Is a very nostalgic song!"
The water dragon instantly faded away as it let out a screech of pain as the song played. And it was also having the same effect on Izuru, who had quickly covered hear ears, closing her eyes tightly. "Damn it! Not again! What is with this music!?"
Eriru wasn't faring much better as she yelled in pain while covering her bat ears. "AGH! God it feels like my ears are bleeding!" She screeched.
"The birds fly towards the sky in the East, because it's a shortcut to the end!"
"The paradise of the seven oceans…"
"After the night of the storm…"
"To be born again to convey love!"
Ed just stood by, taking care of both Richard and Jennifer while also watching the performance with a smile. He had to admit, the song sounded even better with a second singer and Hanon had a great singing voice to go with it. "Heh. They do work well together."
"The melodies of the seven countries, even when the day comes when everyone will leave from here…"
"I won't forget!"
As the music began to fade out, the two idols smiled and posed. "Love Shower Pitch!"
The two Dark Lovers finally uncovered their ears, but now they were holding their heads in pain. "Augh, my heads spinning." Eriru moaned as she swayed a bit. "Make it stop."
"I feel like I need an ice pack." Izuru added as she winced from the pain.
"So, how about an encore?" The duo asked with a wink, making the two Water Demons glare at them.
"I think we'll pass on that offer!" Eriru shouted before holding her head in pain. "Ow! Okay, not so loud. Bad idea." She then dived back into the water.
"'Bonding Exercise' my tail." Izuru muttered as she slowly sank back into the water herself. "We just lost again and have headaches to show for it." Soon enough, with a sour expression, she disappeared out of sight.
The two girls couldn't help but laugh at the how silly the two were acting before smiling at one another before giving high fives. "Mermaids: 3! Water Demons: 0!" They cheered.
Later…
Jennifer moaned as she slowly regained consciousness, wincing a bit before slowly opening her eyes, her vision still blurry. As soon as it cleared up, she saw the worried face of Richard staring down at her, holding her in his arms. "Richard?"
"Jennifer! Thank god! You're alright!" He let out a huge sigh of relief as he held onto her before gesturing to Edward, who was standing beside the two. "This young man and his friends managed to pulls us out of the water just in time."
"Good thing too. You two were pretty out of it." He commented.
Jennifer remained silent as she looked down.
Richard noticed and looked down as well, but with a look of guilt. "Oh, I'm sorry. You're still upset… I understand." He sighed before looking up with with honest eyes. "But I promise you Jennifer, that nothing happened! That young girl I was talking to was actually a huge fan of yours. And as your producer I had to tell her all about the-" He went quiet when Jennifer placed a finger on his mouth with a smile.
"You don't have to say anything else Richard." She reassured before she quickly hugged him, the man returning it. "I completely understand. I was the one who didn't see things through. Right now, I'm just glad we're both alright and this whole mess is over."
Richard smiled as he helped her up on her feet. "So am I." He then turned to Edward and held his hand out. "And I can't thank you and your friends enough for helping us."
Edward just shrugged before shaking the man's hand with a small smile. "It's my job sir. Just glad I could help." He then turned to Jennifer before handing her pendant over. "Also, I managed to find this after bringing you back up."
Jennifer smiled as she held onto the necklace before putting it on and then, to the young man's surprise, pulled him into a hug. "Thank you so much. To both you and Luchia." As she let go, she made a concerned glance around the area. "Speaking of which, where are they?"
"They went to call for an ambulance. I'll let them know you guys are fine." He made up with a small smile. "Don't worry. I'll be sure to tell her and Hanon you're alright."
The singer smiled before bowing gratefully. "Thank you once more." She then turned to Richard and the two looked at each other lovingly. "So, does talking over dinner sound good to you?"
The man in turn smiled and nodded. "Sounds like a plan." He agreed before the two began to walk off, but not before giving their final farewells. "Good bye Edward! Thank you again!"
"Hey, no problem! You two stay safe!" He said before he turned away, walking towards the edge of the car park.
"Edward!"
The Alchemist turned his head to see Jennifer waving at him before winking at him. "You better take care of Luchia like a gentleman!"
The boy quickly blushed… Before letting out a sheepish laugh. "Heh. No problem there!" He yelled back as he watched them leave. As soon as they were out of sight, he reached the edge and looked over to see Luchia and Hanon hiding in their mermaid forms. "I say things turned out well for them."
"Not doubt there." Hanon smiled as she watched on. "They really do look great together." She then turned to Luchia. "You just got thanked by a celebrity for reuniting her with her lover. Now that's something you don't get to do everyday!"
Luchia laughed a little as she continued to stare at the spot where the couple stood with a smile on her face. "No… But all that matters is that they're' alright and happy together again." She then looked up to Edward with a smile, who returned it. "Not a bad ending, eh?"
"Nah, not bad at all." The Alchemist agreed before suddenly grinning. "Race you back to the hotel!" He quickly dashed away with his coat flapping, surprising the mermaid duo.
"Hey! No fair!" Hanon cried out before diving into the water, swimming towards the beach that lead to the hotel before the alchemist could beat them to it.
"We got the home turf advantage!" Luchia shouted to her friend with a laugh before diving after her, happy things turned out for the best.
Unknown to them however, they had failed to notice that they were being watched by a certain green haired girl, whose grey eyes watched the two mermaids swim away with a glare.
'I don't know how he's done it, but he's got them under his spell… But not for long.' Rina thought before turning away back home.
She would not let that monster roam free and claim another prisoner.
Not again.
Whew! That was a good one! Hope you guys enjoyed it!
My personal favorites were writing the exchanges for Izuru and Eriru! These guys are just too funny to pass up any opportunities and you can expect more next time!
Also, Rina appears to be keeping a secret. What could it mean?
Find out next time in: The Lonesome Princess: Who is Rina?
Please read and review!
This is the Wielder of the Blue Flames, signing off!