Everything was going to shit! This wasn't supposed to happen! I had the notes! I wrote every key point there during each loop we've gone through! Why wasn't it enough? I'll tell you why! Gregory, the town's "hero", was the author – the mastermind – behind it all! He has the high advantage of changing anything to his whim! Me and the rabbit saw Gregory use the book to suck in Merrill. It wouldn't surprise me if he already had Leonardo with him as well. After he closed the book, Gregory just scoffed at us and left without doing anything.
I never felt so offended in my life! I tore apart my papers. I didn't care! We've been outsmarted by a man we thought was the male lead! He thinks we're not good enough to be up to his level! Ha! I'll show him! I'll show them all!
"MASTER!" The rabbit wailed, crying out crocodile tears and bawling her eyes out. "HE'S GOOOONNNE!" What's worse was her waterfall of tears was falling on me.
I felt a vein popping above my eye. "Quit the tears, rabbit! It's ruining my hair! Besides, we got more pressing matters at hand!"
The light blue rabbit used her ears to blow her nose. How unhygienic. "What're we gonna do?" she asked with a sniffle, "Big Meanie Greggy took Master. And Bluey was with Greggy. Big Bad Guy doesn't make sense to Cuddles." Hate to say it, but she got a point.
I pulled out my favorite comb and started fixing my glorious mane. Gregory was the author this whole time, but what was his objective? A happy ending? To make Goth Boy the antagonist? Why capture the kid if that plan was already a success? And what about Leo? Gregory wants the turtle alive, yes, that statement was true. Gregory wants to marry Leo to get the happy ending he desperately desires. So where does it place Merrill?
Merrill, portrayed as Beauty's childhood friend, was the Beast in disguise. Ingenious I must say. Gregory is preparing something big. In doing so it includes Merrill. "We need to get to Gregory", I said.
"Yes! We go to Big Meanie Greggy to kick his butt!" Cuddles said.
"Love where your head is at, but not the direction I'm thinking of."
"I don't get it."
I sighed. Out of everyone to be stuck with... I'd rather stay with the blue turtle! "Gregory is powerful in his domain; however, he has one Achilles' heel."
"He named his heel Achilles? Who does that?" I forgot whom I was speaking to.
"Correction. Gregory's powerful but his greatest weakness is his power source." Cuddles owlishly blinked. "The book. The book he carries is both his power and his weakness! We take his book and he is as powerless as the average man!"
The rabbit continued to stare until her eyes grew big. "Ooooooh! Like how Mrs. Cuddles gets bigger with screams of fear then gets smaller with laughter of joy!" At least she understood the concept.
I jumped up. "Once we get the book, this world will be at MY mercy!"
"And Master will praise me!" She pumped her stuffed arm.
I leaped onto her head pulling on her yellow bow. "Let's go, my long-eared comrade! We have a book to steal!"
Cuddles rode off through the hallway like a horse. "We're going to be heroes!"
Yeah. Sure. Whatever.
~Lady Ai~
I ran through another corridor after running out of another room. No sign of Gregory or his stupid book! The castle was bigger on the inside than I thought. All the hallways looked the same! I swear I've passed that woman pig portrait already! I'm so close to cutting down a wall to get it over with.
I leaned next to the painting. I thought as soon as I escaped the ice garden, I would have some clue as to where Merrill or Gregory was. Nothing! I thought Light's enhancement would help me be aware of some sense.
'Hey! You should be thanking me!' Light complained, 'How dare you! If it weren't for my "enhancement", you would be sleeping in that frozen coffin of yours for the next few years!'
I huffed. I'm sorry. I'm just frustrated that I don't know where I'm going! I feel like I'm running in circles! Moments like this I wished we had our mind links.
'I can't seem to comprehend how you are not able skilled in your ninpo. You have Hamato blood running through your veins!'
Yeaaaah... I don't know what any of those names mean... should I? I mean... I'm Misa's descendant or was it her reincarnation?
Light groaned. 'We are going to have a long discussion after our little adventure.'
That's great! I can't wait to get started if we're ever getting out of here! Any who think you have any idea on how to track Dark since I don't have the faintest idea where Merrill could be?
'I felt a tiny trail north to northwest.' I scratched my head. 'How about you run, and I point out which way you go?'
Great! Let's go!
I ran down the many twists and turns carefully listening to Light's directions. I passed through a hall with glass windows. I stopped after seeing something through one of them. I squinted my eyes. I spotted a mob marching forward with lit torches. Oh, right. I remembered an angry mob marching their way to the Beast's castle. Gregory must've called them over to showcase his big scheme. All the more reason to get to him sooner.
"Ooo! Look! A party!" I turned over to see Cuddles and Worm Guy watching through another window seeing the same thing as I was. "I hope we're invited!"
"Obviously, we're not, you cotton-brained loon!" Warren rejected, "Gregory brought them over for witnesses! He's getting too cocky!"
"We need to get the book!"
"Exactly! So I can rule this world!"
"And Master will love me!"
They both laughed evilly while a random thunderstorm clapped outside. If Light was standing next to me, they would be looking at them nonpassive. 'And you would be right, my young turtle. Should we intervene or let them assume they are alone?'
Let them brew in their evil laugh a bit more. I'll let out a cough to show I'm standing close.
Their laughter continued a bit longer until I decided to give out a loud and clear cough. They looked at my way and gasped in unison.
"You're alive!" Mrs. Cuddles jumped in glee. "We were about to look for you!"
"Riiiight", I replied with an eyeroll.
"Yeah, what she said. WAIT! No! We were going to find Gregory and steal his book!" The worm said.
"Book? The book he always keeps?"
"No, his diary. Of course, the book he always keeps!" Warren jumped angrily. "It's his source of power! We take that away and he's as weak as a newborn." Actually... that makes sense. We get the book, and we can change everything! We can finally put this story to bed!
"That's a great idea!" I said, boasting the worm's ego, "Do you guys know where he is?"
"Sadly, we have no clue. We assumed he went to keep you company but apparently that's not the case."
I shook my head. "No. I was kept in an ice garden where he kept other Beauties as frozen trophies. I managed to escape so I could find Gregory. He's planning something to marry Merrill to have his happy ending."
"WHAT! Meanie Man wants to marry Master?! Only Cuddles marry Master! No one is fit to be next to Master but Mrs. Cuddles", the rabbit yokai ranted. Not that I want to disagree with her, but I would rather not see Merrill marry that bastard. "How come you can't find Master?!" I blinked. "Master said you and he are soulmates! I thought you knew where Master would be!" I wanted to say our powers don't work here; we're not in our world, we have no control.
I shook my head again. "It's not that simple", I told her, "Our powers are limited here. It's not like I can talk to him like I did back in our world."
Cuddles tilted her head. "Why? I thought your bond was strong enough to overcome anything! Maybe you're not meant to be with Master after all." I felt my eye twitched. She's testing my limit. I'm halfway to throw her out the window. Did she think it was easy for me? I'm not as well tuned in with my mystic powers as Merrill is. I still have a lot to learn.
Sure Light gave me a small boost, but it was all I could do. I don't know how strong our "bond" is. It's not like how Merrill found me when I was with Meat Sweats. Even back then I wasn't aware we have a bond. I don't know if I can find him.
'I know you can. I may not be able to search for Dark, but you might have a chance. You can find your puppy before it is too late.'
I don't know if I can, okay! I'm not as good as I said I was!
'I swear by the stars above I will take control of your body! Your self-doubt will not solve anything! Do you want Merrill to be married to a man who is as old as his father? Or are you willing to fight to save your friend?'
Okay! Okay! I know what you meant! I just never thought of tracking before. I don't know how it's done!
'Calm yourself, Leonardo. It is not hard. All I ask is to clear your mind and imagine Merrill. Imagine him in your sight. Let your love guide you.'
If Donnie were here, he would say that line was rather cliché. It's all I got. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I tried to block out Cuddles' annoying voice. Block out the doubts. Block out the what-ifs. Merrill, where are you?
It felt like forever, and I was close to giving up when I saw my friend. I knew he wasn't there figuratively, but I felt him. I felt his presence. I saw him through my eyelids not turning around. I will find you!
I opened my eyes to what I thought was just the same hallway, but I was shocked to see a smokey trail. I sniffed the air. Nope. There's no sign of a fire. Was I going crazy? "Do you guys see smoke or is it just me?" I fearfully asked.
"What smoke?" Warren asked. I was afraid of that. I looked at the smoke again. It just floated. Maybe this was what Light meant. This was a lead I needed! I grabbed the worm and rabbit and took a running start before my wings appeared again. I flew off following the trail. "Where are we going?"
"To Merrill", I said flapping my wings with more aggression. Cuddles cheered; she was enjoying the ride. My eyes were on the trail leading me to Merrill. The twists and turns in the castle made my head spin but I kept on track. I was determined to find Merrill. I wasn't going to quit!
I made it to the end of the dark trail which brought us to the main entrance. I hid us behind a pillar as many or maybe everyone from the village entered the castle. I peered over, seeing Gregory at the top of the staircase. His book was strapped to his hip.
I just need to get close to him. How? That's a question I'm not sure to answer.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for coming to the Beast's humble abode!" Gregory greeted, "I am proud to say our future has gotten brighter!" I noticed my "brothers" weren't there. Okay. I don't have to deal with imitations. "You see. We do not need to worry any longer!"
"Is the Beast vanquished?" one villager asked throughout the crowd.
"In a matter of speaking, yes. I have vanquished the Beast and will pronounce our engagement to everyone!" Murmurs scattered left and right. "I know everyone was encouraging my engagement to Beauty but sadly, Death claimed Beauty's life. It was not the Beast's doing. Beauty's demise was... unorthodox. I believe I am willing to move on. Beauty would want me to move on." I rolled my eyes. Give me a break. "In doing so, I will marry Merrill!" Everyone loudly gasped.
"Worm Guy. See if you can get the book", I whispered to Warren. Yeah, yeah. I know the worm's name.
"Hmph", the worm huffed, "I'm doing this so I can grab the book for myself. It's not because you told me to." I let him slither through the crowd in his sad slow-paced motion. I kind of felt bad for him.
"What about me, Blue?" Cuddles asked, as quietly as she could. "I could be helpful! All Cuddles need our screams of fear and Cuddles will take anyone on! Even Greggy McStinkyface!"
"I'd rather not do something to draw attention", I told her, "We're trying to get the book and split. Hopefully Warren can get to Gregory without being noticed."
Cuddles groaned. "So we're not gonna do anything. How boring." Light gave me a slight boost, but I don't know how long it will last. I'm guessing that if I use my enhanced abilities, the faster my powers decrease. I'd rather save it unless it's necessary for a big fight to come on. Gregory is the author and, if my video game knowledge is right, he's also the final boss.
I pushed out from the pillar and creeped into the dark; however, my shell bumped into a strong yet oddly familiar build. A large arm wrapped around my waist. I tried to get the arm off; spoiler alert, I wasn't making much of an effort. I saw Cuddles using her tiny arms to hit Raph's leg only for her to get grabbed by his huge hand gripping her head.
Raph took us up to the top of the stairs where Gregory looked at us like a parent who's about to scold their kids. The crowd whispered seeing me "alive". "Beauty. Nice of you to join us", the villain greeted, "Along with your animal sidekick. I thought you were dead." Like you wanted to kill me in the first place, you cheeky bastard.
"Oh, you know, I don't die so easily", I replied, "I'm as healthy as a horse. I heard you told everyone I died. Such a shame, I thought as my fiancé you would be mourning me but here you are already marrying someone else. Where I'm from that's call betrayal." I grinned seeing Gregory's eye twitched, hearing the crowd whispering after my little statement.
"Perhaps... you are not my Beauty..." I blinked. Say what? Okay. The fact that he said "my Beauty" shouldn't affect me, does it? I mean, which Beauty was he referring to? His first? Damn straight she never loved him. He was a creep! Still is! "You are a cheap replica of my Beauty." CHEAP! "Created by none other than the Beast himself-"
"The Beast you portrayed as Merrill", I interrupted, "Which by the way, you're planning to marry and, he's fifteen! Or was he sixteen? Anyway! He's too young to marry you! By the way, he could do SO much better than you!"
Gregory chuckled. "Better than me? If that was the case, why does Merrill look stupendous in a white gown? Merrill, descend the stairs!" A figure walked out from the left side. My eyes widened seeing Merrill in a long white dress. His hair was parted to reveal his face and a veil crown laid on his head. His heels clacked with each step. He held a bouquet of white flowers in his grip. He made it next to Greg with narrowed eyes. Merrill didn't look my way. "Such a silent little lamb is he not?" The bad guy stroked my friend's cheek. Merrill didn't flinch from the touch.
I tried removing Raph's arm from my waist again. "Merrill! You're not seriously going through with this, right?" My friend didn't respond. "Don't make this like the Gumbus thing again. You were controlled by a kid, and I had to make you mad to break through. Remember that? Yeah. Good times." Merrill said nothing again.
"I think it would be serendipity if Merrill were to dispose of his "friend", Gregory suggested, adding a nod. Raph released me yet Mrs. Cuddles remained with him. I didn't understand what was going on. Does Greg want me or kill me? Guy's more confusing than a horoscope. "Merrill, sweet puppy. Would you kindly do the honor?"
My possessed friend stepped forward after tossing his bouquet aside. His arms turned dark and elongated with claws just like he turned werewolf mode. He rushed ahead with his arm raised high. I jumped away before he struck me. Merrill quickly swiped at me. I lifted my leg to kick but it was grabbed by a clawed hand. Merrill threw me like I weighed nothing. I flipped over to stand and barely dodged a swipe. He managed to slice through one of my mask tails. I focused my energy on summoning a sword, but I was kicked by a white-heeled shoe forcing me to bump into another solid surface.
Hot breath reached my earlobe. Hands touched my shoulders. "All of this will end if you admit defeat. Is it wrong to want to have a happy ending? I will not physically marry your friend. It is all for public display. Soon you will be with your friend, and you will have your happiness." Gregory's words sound comforting. We could stay here... not worry about any problems. Have a peaceful life. Humans and yokai are more acceptable in a fairytale world. All I have to do is let Gregory win.
Yeah... not gonna happen.
"Go to hell", I whispered.
"Once again, you are such a shame", the buffed man sighed as he shoved me to Merrill.
My friend shoved me against the glass window with a firm grip. Merrill leaned over me. I held my breath waiting for the end. I was going to die by the guy I love. I wasn't able to escape. I wasn't able to get the book. I can't do anything right! Was Greg going to let me die or proceed to the next reset? No. He's withering away. He's going to marry Merrill and have him finish me off. I don't want to fight Merrill! It was hard for me when he was controlled back at the Stock N' Shop. It's hard for me now!
Merrill's claw was inching close to my face. I braced myself for my doom until I felt a poke on my snout.
"Boop." I opened one eye to see my best friend smirking at me with his glossy lips. "Scared ya, didn't I?"
That fucking asshole!
