Disclaimer: Prison School belongs to its original creator Akira Hiramoto and the anime series J.C Staff. Shadowdream30 claims no ownership of anything save for any OCs, original scenes.
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Matsuri and his friends are trapped within the mansion by the evil witch Morgana! Now they must do everything in their power to escape. But how will they manage to do so to begin with….
-Outside of the Mansion Gate-
Gakuto and the others were waiting outside of the gates towards Morgana manors. Waiting for the recuse group to come back safe and sound with Mari in hand. But the more they wait, the more they become slightly more concerned.
The young Chiyo had a concerned look on her face with tears beginning to form in her eyes. "Onee-chan…"
"Fear not, Chiyo-dono!" Chiyo looked to see the young Gakuto. "I am almost positive that Hana-dono, Kiyoshi-dono and the other two will come back with Mari-dono in hand! I am indeed, almost positive!"
"How are you *cough* so certain?" The young Joe asked the boy.
The young Gakuto didn't say anything for a moment before slowly turning towards the boys. "I-Indeed…I do not know…"
"SO YOU DON'T KNOW!?" Young Shingo said.
Chiyo whimpered a little louder.
"Hey, Gakuto. How about not trying to scare Chiyo. She doesn't need any negative vibe from you." Young Andre said.
"Y-Your's truly is not trying to imply such! I am just merely trying to think positive!"
The young Shingo gave a sigh as he looked at the boy. "Then how about trying to at least THINK positive!"
The young Gakuto flinched at that. He shyly glanced the other way. Feeling ashamed of himself as he bit his lip. "I-Indeed. Your's truly WAS trying to think positive, but do think for a moment. This is Morgana we are all talking about here. She is someone who is not to be reckoned with!"
"That is true. But I'm sure they'll be fine. Besides, they got those two other kids with them." Said Joe.
The young Shingo felt a little miffed. "You mean Meiko and Matsuri. I don't know man, that Matsuri boy seems almost too…weak. Not only him, that Meiko girl almost seems not too reliable either."
"But she does look cute." Gakuto said with a blush.
The boys held a blush on their cheeks. Remembering the features of the young Meiko. The young girl's cute and adorable face. Her long but short hair stopped at her back. But the one thing they noticed about, was her rather impressive bosom.
"They looked so soft." They all thought to themselves.
"Um…guys?" The young Chiyo tilted her head curiously at the boys. "You okay?"
"AH! INDEED! WE WERE JUST THINKING THAT'S ALL ABOUT THEIR SAFETY THAT'S ALL!" Gakuto said with his face still beating red.
Chiyo blinked before a frown covered her face. "I…I don't know…I still hope they're okay…I just want my sister back."
The boys looked at the young girl who gripped her skirt as she began to silently sob. They glanced at each other with a frown. Shingo scratched the back of his head with a slightly conflicted look. Joe and Andre glanced at each other as if they were hoping if they had an answer on what to do.
Gakuto slightly pushed his glasses up with a determined look as he faced up towards the direction that led towards the manor.
Gakuto walked up towards the steps fountain and coughed in his hand to gain their attention. "Gentleman…and girls. Your's truly shall volunteer and do my part and go help them!"
"HUH!? WHAT DO YOU MEAN!? YOU'LL SURELY BE DEAD!" Shingo yelled.
"It is better than waiting while twiddling our thumbs! I will not stand here and wait any longer! Your's truly shall go through that gate, run up to the manor, look at Morgana-dono ugly face, lay on the line that I will never bow to her!"
"Gakuto-kun…" Chiyo's eyes sparkled at the boy.
Gakuto jumped off the steps of the fountain and walked towards the direction of the gate. His eyes looked up at the gate that led into the dark woods, leading straight towards the manor. Walking up towards the gate as he opened it and stepped foot on the other side of the border. Shivering under the cold air from the dark woods.
"Indeed…I am going."
"H-Hey! Hold on! Think about this! This is Morgana we're talking about! If you go there you're a goner!"
"Nay! Your's truly must do something! For Chiyo-dono sake! Your's truly shall go forth and help the others!"
"But Gakuto-"
"HERE I GO!"
The young boy made a mad dash towards the woods. Ignoring the protest from the others who were trying to call him back. But it proved futile as the boy continued further into the woods. Running past the scary trees, the air got colder, but he bravely ignored it as he ran down the road.
"I'M GOING! I'M GOING! SO WHAT IF MORGANA-DONO A WITCH! I'M GOING! I HAVE TO GO! I NEED TO GO! I'M GOING!"
He ran as fast as he could as he slowly reached Morgana's manor.
"GAKUTO! COME BACK!" Shingo yelled.
They received no response from the boy as he had already gone deeper into the woods.
"He's a goner." Joe said with a cough.
Chiyo whimpered with a slightly worried look on her face. She gripped the bars on the gate as she peered through the opening.
"Do you see him?"
"Not sure…hopefully he's fine…"
They waited for a few seconds before they heard what sounded like someone crying in the distance.
"What in the world is that sound…is that…Gakuto-kun?" Chiyo tilted her head.
As if on cue, they see the boy running with his hands flailing in different directions, tears leaking from his eyes, his mouth gaped open, releasing wailing noises. His eyes were not looking back but was running with a cry.
"Hey! It's Gakuto-kun!" Chiyo said with a smile.
Shingo and the others looked at the young boy who looked almost scared. "But…why is he scared?"
"HELP ME! YOUR'S TRULY DOES NOT HAVE THIS!" Gakuto cried.
"Huh…what do you-"
Their question was cut short when they saw something coming behind the boy. Three large black armored suits coming after him with swords raised over their heads, chasing the poor child, releasing a monstrous roar from their hollow body.
"WHAAAA!?" They all said at once with terrified looks on their faces.
"HEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLP!" Gakuto yelled as he ran towards the gate.
Chiyo hurried and opened the gate, holding it open for the boy to come in. Joe, Shingo and Andre all yelled for him to come over.
"RUN GAKUTO! RUN!" Shingo yelled.
"RUN FOR IT YOU DOLT!" Joe yelled with a wheeze.
"DON'T LOOK BACK!" Andre warned.
"INDEED YOUR'S TRULY WASN'T EVEN CONSIDERING ON THAT!" Gakuto said.
Reaching the gate as he crashes right into Shingo, pushing him over, knocking him down onto the ground. Chiyo quickly closes the gate, slamming the door on the knights as they immediately halted on a dime. Their swords still raised over their heads before slowly bringing them down to their waist. They then dissolved and disappeared.
Chiyo gave out a sigh. "That was close."
"GAKUTO! GET OFF OF ME YOU IDIOT!" Shingo yelled as he pushed the boy aside.
Gakuto laid on the ground with both his hands and legs sprawled out. His eyes still had tears leaking from his eyes, trying to catch his breath.
"I-Indeed *hic* I almost thought I saw my life flash before my eyes…" Gakuto said as he got up wiping his tears away.
"Gakuto-kun, what happened?" Chiyo asked as she kneeled before the boy.
"I-It was horrible! There I was, running up to the manor! Up the front door! But just as I was about to reach the front door, it was as if she was planning for our return and the three knights that were chasing me, suddenly sprawled out of nowhere! Their swords in their hands were ready to fight me! I was so scared for my life that I just ran! I ran as fast I could, but alas, I never anticipated for them to be faster! Indeed, I-I almost thought I was a goner."
"Told you it was a bad idea." Shingo said. "Come running back here and crying like a baby."
"N-Nay! At least I tried to DO something about it! Unlike you Shingo-dono!"
"Well, whatever!" Shingo said as he stood up. "From now on, I say no more doing stupid actions!"
Joe coughed as he looked towards Shingo. "So now what?"
Shingo looked towards him. "Put it in park and wait! That's all we can do at this point!"
The boys and Chiyo looked amongst each other. Their eyes then looked towards the pathway of the manor. Unsure of the other safety.
-Inside the Manor-
Kiyoshi was cowering in the corner, balling his eyes out. His nose running mucus out of his nostrils. The poor boy was letting out soft whimpers here and there, his eyes not looking at anything particular, but was just staring into deep space. Giving the thousand yard stare.
"We're gonna die. We're gonna die. We're gonna die! I DON'T WANT TO DIE! WAAAHHH! I WANT MY MOMMY! WAAAAHHH!"
The boy was suddenly slapped silly by Hana. The small girl slapped the boy across the cheeks, his cheeks turning bright red from the impact.
"GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF YOU BABY!"
"I-I can't help it! WE'RE TRAP DAMN IT! I DON'T WANT TO DIE JUST YET! I LOVE MY LIFE!" Kiyoshi cried.
Hana got a good hold of the collar of his shirt and roughly brought him close to her face. Her face glaring angrily at his face.
"YOU THINK YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WHO SCARED! I'M JUST AS SCARED AS YOU ARE! BUT YOU DON'T SEE ME CRYING LIKE A LITTLE BITCH!" Hana said.
Kiyoshi looked closely at her eyes, noticing small tears building up behind her eyelids. "YOU LIAR! YOU'RE CRYING AS WELL!"
"S-SHUT UP! I'M NOT!" Hana trying to deny.
While the two were arguing. Mari, Matsuri and Meiko were trying to open the main double doors. Mari and Meiko pulling on one side, while Matsuri trying to pull on the other side. But nothing was working.
"It's not budging." Mari said with a scowl.
Meiko groaned a little. She looks towards her partner. "Matsuri. Can't you use your powers or something?"
Matsuri held a disappointed look. "Sorry. I tried doing something but…I'm sorry."
Hana looks at the boy with an accusing look. "What do you mean!? You were able to break into the mansion and save Mari! Now you're telling me you can break open this door!?"
"S-Sorry! I'm still learning what my power does!" Matsuri said as he raised his hands in defense.
"Ugh! Then what use are you then!?" Hana yelled.
Matsuri wanted to say something. But in some parts of it, she was right. It's not like he was much use because he wasn't sure how to control it or use it in this situation.
He felt a gentle touch on his shoulders. He looked to his left and noticed Meiko was looking at Hana with a sympathetic look.
"Hana. I know you're scared, but please don't take your anger out on Matsuri. He doesn't know how to utilize his powers yet, so please calm down." Meiko said, trying to defend Matsuri.
Hana whimpered a little, tears slowly leaking from her eyelids. "I just…I just don't want to die here."
Mari came over and embraced Hana in a hug. Stroking her hair gently. "Hana, please calm down. The same goes for you, Kiyoshi."
Kiyoshi only responded with a loud whimper.
"As long as we're together. Then everything will be okay."
Mari did her best to tone down the situation. Despite the locked doors. It was slightly working as Hana was silently whimpering against Mari's neck. She sniffled a little.
"Aww~! Isn't that sweet?" Morgana's voice ranged out. Scaring Kiyoshi. "You all got each other even in the scariest of situations. I'm so touched."
"PLEASE LET US OUT!" Kiyoshi cried. "WE PROMISE WE WON'T BOTHER YOU ANYMORE!"
"Oh~? How do I know you're gonna keep your promise, you little brat?"
Mari while still holding Hana close. "Please let us go, Morgana. We promise to not bother you anymore if you release us."
"T-THAT'S RIGHT! WE PROMISE WE WON'T MAKE ANY MORE BETS ON GOING INSIDE YOUR MANOR'S WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION ANYMORE! PLEASE MISS MORGANA! HERE I AM ON MY KNEES!" Kiyoshi added as he pleaded.
"No your not." Matsuri said.
"Huh?" Kiyoshi looked towards the boy. Matsuri pointed towards his feet. Kiyoshi looked towards his feet. "Oh."
The boy then got on his knees.
"SO HERE I AM ON MY KNEES! PLEASE TAKE PITY ON US POOR CHILDREN!" Kiyoshi asked.
"Sure~. I'll let you go." Said Morgana's voice with a hint of sarcasm.
"R-Really?"
"After you return my precious treasure!" She said with her tone now shifting to anger.
"Treasure…" Matsuri and Meiko asked together.
"I-I don't know what treasure you're talking about?" Kiyoshi said.
"Don't play dumb with me, child! I am talking about the treasure you rightfully stole from me!" Morgana's voice rang out as it shook the room.
Kiyoshi whimpered under her voice. "B-But I didn't took any treasure! It was just some old stuff here and there!"
"Fine! Be persistent! If you wish to leave this place uninjured! THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO ESCAPE OUT WITH YOUR LIFE!"
Kiyoshi screamed once more as he cowered in fear, covering his head, bending on his knees.
"What treasure is Morgana talking about?" Matsuri asked towards the young boy.
"I didn't take anything! I just took an old scope or something! I didn't take any treasure!"
"And old scope…what old-"
"KYAAA!"
They turned towards Hana scream as she and Mari were currently sinking through some dark puddle that was underneath their feets. Hana was holding onto Mari her dear life with tears bursting through her eyelids.
"Mari! Hana!" Kiyoshi yelled.
However, just as Kiyoshi was trying to come to their rescue, he finds himself in the same predicament. Soon both Matsuri and Meiko found them sinking into the dark mass pool that covered the entire room. The chair, table, drawer, everything in the room was sinking.
Matsuri tried to reach out for Meiko, desperately trying to reach out for his hand. However, they could only touch the tip of their fingers as they were already sinking into the dark abyss.
Everything is turning black.
-Unknown-
"...Ma….Matsu….Matsuri….Matsuri…."
The boy groggily opened his eyes. Hearing a faint voice calling out his name.
"Matsuri….Matsuri wake up…"
His eyes opened, his vision coming clear. He looks up to see Meiko's face, hovering over his face. Her expression showed concern for the boy. Her gray hair covered both sides like curtains. The boy took notice of her innocent looking face which is a rather stark contrast to her sharp and edge expression.
"M-Meiko…" Matsuri asked.
"Thank goodness you're alright…" She said as she exhaled. Blowing a soft breath into his face.
Matsuri got up, Meiko allowing some room for him to move. He sat up straight as he rubbed the back of his head. His eyes opened to look at their surroundings. And it was anything not normal. Not that anything was normal at this point, but this was taking things a little too far…
Looking at their surroundings. They were still in the mansion, but everything looked…different. The room gave off a different sort of color. A neon vibe theme with the purple lights, slightly bright red and green walls. Some of the tables, chairs and candles were slightly floating off the floor.
"We're…in the same room…?" Matsuri asked.
"No…something is not right." Meiko said.
"Ow…."
They hear familiar voices near them as they turn to see Hana, Mari and Kiyoshi on the floor knocked out. Kiyoshi groaned as he got up with his hands. He let out a sharp scream as he noticed a floating chair in front of him.
"WHAT THE HELL!?" He screamed.
Mari released a groan, rubbing her eyes before she opened them to the sight.
"Where…are we still in the room?"
"It looks like it…but…everything looks different…" Hana said.
"O-Oh no…" Kiyoshi said with his expression filled with dread. "I-I think I know where we're at…"
"Where?" Matsuri asked.
Kiyoshi sprang up from the floor as he took a closer look at the floating chair. "I think Gakuto said something about this once. Morgana has the power of illusion. Making everything a trippy ride!"
Matsuri blinked, thinking hard on that. "Isn't that the same power that Etsuko has…"
"So what are you trying to say?" Hana asked.
Kiyoshi didn't answer as he ran towards the door. He opens the door, only to find himself staring into the room that looks almost exactly as the one they are in. The others held similar expression to his shocked face.
"Y-You're kidding me…" Hana asked.
Kiyoshi didn't waste time as he ran towards the door in the next room. He opens it. Revealing another same room. He rushes towards the next door, opens that. Same room. He repeatedly keeps on doing this until he makes a full circle towards where Matsuri, Meiko, Mari and Hana were standing where he left them.
Kiyoshi started to panic. "W-We're trapped within Morgana's manor illusions."
"KEKEKEKE~! THAT'S RIGHT MY CHILD! YOU ARE FOREVER TRAPPED WITHIN MY DOMAIN! YOU'LL NEVER FIND YOUR WAY OUT OF HERE ALIVE! KEKEKEKEKE~!"
Kiyoshi grinded his teeth in frustration. He points an accusing finger towards the ceiling. "WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT YOU WITCH!"
Kiyoshi lets out a scream as he rushes through the doors, going through the multiple cloned rooms until he makes a full circle. But he didn't stop as he continued onward! Trying to achieve something in the process.
The other four could only look with confused looks as they see Kiyoshi coming out from the other door, while screaming and towards the other rooms again.
Mari releases a sigh. "This is getting us nowhere."
"Oh for the love of-!" Hana threw her hands in the air as she approached the invisible pathway that Kiyoshi made for himself. She extends her foot as soon as he reaches the main room again, only for Hana to extend her foot out and successfully trips him. He slid against the floor against his face.
"CAN YOU STOP FOR ONE MEASLY SECOND AND THINK FOR A MOMENT!" Hana yelled.
"..."
She didn't receive any response. The only thing that was heard was the sound of his whimpering and crying.
"Y-You…okay…"
By this point, Kiyoshi lifts up his face as he looks directly at Hana! "NO I'M NOT OKAY! I'M FAR FROM BEING OKAY! WE'RE TRAPPED IN HERE WITH A WITCH WHO'S GONNA KILL US! I BROKE MY PROMISE TO CHIYO-CHAN! AND I WON'T BE ABLE TO SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY ANYMORE!"
"Kiyoshi, please calm down…" Mari said.
Kiyoshi didn't listen as he kept on rambling on as he started to dig into his pockets and took out what looks to be the lens-scope for a telescope. He raised in the air and gave out a shout.
"YOU WANT YOUR STUPID LENS BACK! TAKE IT! IT'S NOT EVEN SHINY!" He said.
He threw towards the ceiling only for it to bounce off the wall and back at him. Bouncing off of his forehead as it rolls on the ground towards Matsuri feet. Curious, the boy bends down and grabs the scope, ignoring Hana and Kiyoshi arguing over each other, Matsuri carefully looks at the lens with a curious gaze.
"Is something wrong, Matsuri?" Meiko asked.
"I…I don't know…it just…if this is the treasure that she's talking about. Then would she go to such great length to trap us here for it."
Meiko looks at the lens-tube. "That is true…"
Matsuri took a closer look at the lens-tube before attempting to look through the glass. However, just as he did, he notices something off. The room was giving off a different lighting. The bright neon like colors were now toned down to gray scheme color. The boy blinked to himself as he took the lens away from his eyes, the lighting to the room was back to normal. He then looks back through the lens.
"Whoa…."
"What?"
"Look." Matsuri handed her the lens.
Meiko looked through the lens and got the same results. She was startled for a moment. "W-What the!?"
"What is it?" Mari asked.
"I-It's this lens! This len's shows us something strange!" Meiko pointed out.
By this point, Hana and Kiyoshi stopped as they turned to look at the group.
Mari with a curious gaze, takes the lens and peeks through the lens. Seeing the room color dying down to a more gray scale color. "You're right."
Mari continued to peer through the lens until she started to look around the room, until she found one off color that was giving a bright glow. It was in a shape as a door. She removes the lens and finds nothing there before she peeks through it again.
"I think I found our exit." Mari said.
This immediately caught Kiyoshi's attention. "REALLY!? WHERE!?"
"Straight ahead. Between the bookcase and the couch."
"THEN WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR!?" Kiyoshi yelled.
The boy immediately stood up, with a minor slip, he hurried over to the wall that Mari said to be an exit.
"K-KIYOSHI! WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE!"
"I'LL TELL YOU WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE!" He yelled as he pushed through the wall! Opening the secret passageway. "IT'S OUR TICKET TO FREE-AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"
He screamed at the top of his tongue when he found his footing to be completely lost as the next room he entered had no floor.
"KIYOSHI!" They all screamed.
They ran towards the doorway, stopping just before crossing the threshold. They peered down at the floor, fearing for the worst of the boy. Only to find out that…he was completely fine?
Kiyoshi was lying on his back, his fall was saved from a floating table that was floating in place.
Mari gave out a sigh. "Oh thank goodness."
Matsuri allowed his body to go limbless as he let out a sigh.
Meiko could only release a groan. "He should've looked before leaping."
"YOU DUMBASS! DON'T GO RUNNING OFF ON YOUR OWN LIKE THAT! REMEMBER, THIS IS MORGANA'S MANOR!" Hana yelled.
"Y-Yeah…sorry…" Kiyoshi squeaked out.
Mari looked at the room, bigger than the main room, if it wasn't for the bottomless pit and all the objects floating in the air. She looks up to also notice the ceiling going all the way up towards heaven.
"Just what in the world…" Mari asked herself with a cold sweat.
"How are we going to navigate through this room!?" Hana yelled with frustration.
Mari pondered for a moment before hatching an idea. She peered through the lens tube once more. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary before she looked up. There, she sees something flicking up at the top.
"Could it be another exit?"
They suddenly felt the ground shake underneath them.
"W-WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?"
"SO~! YOU LITTLE BRATS HAVE FOUND A GOOD USAGE OF THE CRYSTAL LENS!" Morgana's voice ranged. Her voice sounded awfully closer than they anticipated.
"W-Where is she!? That sounded way too close!" Hana yelled.
Kiyoshi was fumbling a little on the table, until he found the wall being slowly covered with dark shadows. Slowly crepting the wall. Kiyoshi cowered in fear as he crawled on his back.
"YOU WON'T ESCAPE MY MANOR'S! ALIVE!"
Appearing from the depth below them. A giant shadow creature slowly crept its way up towards the floor where they were at. Her entire face was completely covered with her long shaggy,wavy hair. She showed a crooked smile as she glared at the kids.
Kiyoshi looked down from the table and immediately shook in his pants. Releasing a high pitch scream, he began crawling away from the edge.
Mari, as calm as she tried, quickly got on her feet as she jumped on the table where Kiyoshi was panicking. She looked back at Matsuri, Meiko and Hana. "GUYS! COME ON!"
"Huh!?"
Mari points upward. "We're going to climb up! That's our way out!"
"B-But how are we-"
Hana was interrupted when Morgana released a screeching roar, climbing closer to them.
"HURRY!"
Meiko glanced over at Hana who was trembling a little as she stared between the gap of the table from where she stood. Meiko sets a reassuring hand on her shoulders, Hana glanced over at Meiko.
"You'll be fine. Now go." Meiko softly said.
Hana blinked, but steeled herself. She gave herself a running start before she leaped from the doorway and landed on top of the table. Stumbling a little before Mari caught her.
Matsuri and Meiko followed the same example as they jumped on the table.
Mari was already in the process of trying to grab a piece of floating furniture that was moving slowly upward towards where they needed to go.
"Everyone! Quick! Grab a piece of furniture! Hurry!" Mari yelled.
Hana frantically looked around before she found a piece of rocking chair that was floating up. Hana, steeling herself, rushes up towards the edge of the table and makes a brave leap for the chair. Her weight slightly rocked it before she composed herself.
Matsuri and Meiko quickly spotted a pair of chairs that were floating upward into the air. Acting fast, they ran towards the edge of the table and leaped towards the chairs. Matsuri turned to see Kiyoshi who was still cowering in fear as Morgana's hands were nearing him.
"KIYOSHI YOU WIMP! MOVE YOUR ASS!"
"I'M TOO SCARED!" Kiyoshi cried.
Morgana's face rose from the table as it peered right at Kiyoshi who was crying in fear. A crooked smile appeared on her face. "NOW YOUR MIND, MY PRECIOUS~!"
"I WANT MY MOMMY! AND A PAIR OF NEW UNDERWEARS!"
Hana grimaced at that. "You're kidding me…"
Matsuri was slightly panicking a little, it wasn't long before he hatched an idea. He looked down at the emblem strapped around his waist. But will it help him…
"Please…just help me with this once…" Matsuri said as he tapped his emblem, the stardust energy formed a ring around his wrist. Staring at it with a bit of curiosity, a long string shot out from his wrist and strapped around Kiyoshi's waist. Startling Kiyoshi in the process.
Matsuri didn't waste time before pulling Kiyoshi from the spot where he was before Morgana could make a grab for him. Matsuri, with enough strength, swung him around until Kiyoshi impacted a piece of stool that tumbled a bit from the impact before flying straight up.
The string retracted back into Matsuri's wrist. He looked back at the make shape ring that he now wore around his waist. Staring at it with Curiosity.
"How in the world…"
"SHE'S COMING!" Matsuri was brought out of his thoughts when Morgana was inching closer and closer to the kids who were riding on the furniture.
"YOU CAN ONLY GO SO FAR!"
Mari bit her lips as she looked around for more furniture. She spots a dresser floating above her. "Everyone, keep climbing up. If you see a piece of furniture grab it immediately when you can!"
The group looked to see Mari steeling herself as she jumped on another piece of furniture above her. Hanging from one of the legs as she was left dangling a little at the bottom, the furniture still floating up. She spots another to her right and swings herself to jump on top of the dresser.
"HOW THE HELL DO YOU EXPECT ME TO DO THAT!?" Kiyoshi cried.
"Quit your bitching and hurry up you baby!" Hana yelled as she aims for a lone stand floating upward.
Matsuri hatched an idea as he tapped his emblem once more, another string of energy wrapped around his wrist. He shoots his rope and straps it around Meiko's waist. The girl looked towards the boy with a confused look.
"Hang on!" Matsuri said.
The girl was slightly confused before she looked at his wrist. Spotting the two bracelets around his wrist, her eyes widened as she looked up at the boy with a nod. Matsuri quickly aimed for the highest furniture that was floating above. Another table that was floating up. He shoots the rope towards the table as it wraps around the big furniture. Matsuri and Meiko immediately zipped across and made it on top of the table.
"W-WAIT! WHAT ABOUT ME! I CAN'T MAKE THAT SORT OF JU-!"
Kiyoshi was stopped as he felt his waist being wrapped around. Before he knew it, he suddenly found himself being whisked away off the stool and onto the table with Matsuri and Meiko. The boy was thankful for the help. Matsuri gave a nervous smile while Meiko just looked at him with a disapproved look.
"DON'T THINK YOU CAN CLIMB FOREVER! JUST REMEMBER THIS IS MY MANOR!" Morgana said.
The room shuddered once more. It wasn't long before block shapes extended out of the walls around them coming out of shape of sharp spikes with a pointy edge to it. One of the furniture suddenly penetrated from the impact.
The kids all reacted the same way. Filled with dread as many of the debris from the furniture fell towards the bottom. Being consumed in Morgana's shadow mass body. Morgana released a shrieking laugh.
"LET'S SEE YOU GET OUT OF HERE ALIVE!"
Mari bit her lips as she aimed for another floating furniture. "KEEP CLIMBING! WE WILL SURVIVE!"
"DON'T HAVE TO TELL ME TWICE!" Hana yelled as she began to jump from furniture to furniture.
Matsuri clenched his fist as he kneeled down. "Meiko! Get on my back!"
"H-Huh!?" Meiko's face flushed red.
"Hurry! Please!"
Meiko shook her head as she quickly latched on to his back. Wrapping her arms around his waist. Causing Matsuri to yelp a little from the sudden contact.
"A-Apologies. Did I hurt you?" Meiko whispered.
"N-No. Just surprise me, that's all." Matsuri whispered as he still faced the other way.
Matsuri felt Meiko's body pushing against his back. His heart was pounding against his chest. "Even when she was young, her boobs were rather big as well…ugh. I don't want to be any worse like Sousuke…"
Matsuri shook his head as he wrapped the rope around Kiyoshi's waist. He then began climbing his way up. All while carrying both Kiyoshi and Meiko.
The group began climbing as fast as they could. Trying their best to avoid Morgana's spike that shot out of the walls. Morgana was inching closer and closer to them. Hana attempts to kick down some furniture at Morgana's face. But it only proved futile as it was only consumed within Morgana's body.
Just as they reached the top, Mari peered through the scope to see that the wall was just in front of them.
"THERE! WE JUMP THROUGH!" Mari yelled.
"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOUR GOING!?"
"SHE'S COMING!"
Mari made the first jump as she jumped across and through the hole. Fully phasing through the wall. Matsuri, while carrying Meiko, jumped across and into the hole. Followed by Kiyoshi and Hana.
All five of them ended up together within another hallway. Fumbling on the ground. Mari raised her head as she looked to see that there was a light at the end of the hall. Curious, she peered through the scope and looked down the hall. The light was shining just as brightly before she even used the lens scope.
"There! That must be the exit!"
Kiyoshi perked his head up. "WE'RE GONNA LIVE!"
"KEKEKEKE~! NOT FOR LONG!"
Morgana shadow crept against the wall. Covering the whole hall with her body. The wall cracked open, revealing her grim looking hands as they formed out of the walls, floor and ceilings all of them aiming for the kids.
"WE'RE GONNA DIE!"
Mari clenched her hand into a fist as she slams her fist on the ground. She stood up as she looked straight ahead. Her face shows a mix of fright and determination.
"We will survive!" Mari said.
"HUH!? A-ARE YOU MAD!? WE CAN'T MAKE IT THROUGH THERE!"
Mari didn't bother looking at Kiyoshi as she kept her eyes forward. "Kiyoshi. If we don't act now, then she will most likely kill us on the spot. We won't be able to see the outside world anymore, nor we will be able to see our family…"
Kiyoshi then remembered, it was true, if they don't do anything, then they will never escape Morgnana's manor if they don't act.
Matsuri got up on his feet as he stood beside Mari. "She's right, we have to do this."
"There's no turning back. And I mean that literally as well." Hana said as she stood next to Kiyoshi.
"This is the final stretch." Meiko said.
Kiyoshi whimpered a little. Fearing for the worst. But clenched his hand into a fist as he turned around towards the exit ahead.
"So if you value your life…THEN YOU RUN LIKE HELL!"
On that note. Mari and the others made a mad dash towards the exit. Startling the witch for a moment before she lets out another screeching scream. The hall started to transform once more as the exit stretched further and further away from the kids. The whole entirety of the hall started to shift and twist around them.
Mari and the others try to stay on their feet, but it only proves to be futile as they begin to drop towards the side of the wall. Soon the whole entire hallway became disjointed. The next hall in front of them was the ceiling, the other was the wall and so and so forth.
"LET'S SEE YOU ESCAPE!"
"W-We'll see about that, you old hag!" Hana yelled.
They all started running towards the exit. They all try their best to avoid the hands that kept on trying to make a grab for them. One of the hands attempts to make a grab for Meiko, however, in a flash. A bright flash slashed the hand into pieces.
Standing in front of her, Matsuri held his sword in place as he defended Meiko. "Are you alright?"
"Y-Yes. Thank you…"
"OH~? WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE~? A LITTLE BOY WHO'S PLAYING KNIGHT!"
"Matsuri! Above!" Meiko yelled.
Above them, more hands appeared from above and tried to smack them down. Matsuri acted quickly as he whipped his hand out and aimed ahead. Grabbing Meiko with no hesitation, he was able to pull them away from the spot as the hands made impact on the ground.
"I SEE! I SEE! THAT'S SOME NIFTY POWER YOU GOT THERE, LITTLE BOY! BUT IS IT ENOUGH TO DEFEND YOU AGAINST ME?"
"I can try!" Matsuri said.
Matsuri and Meiko make a run for it as he tries to defend Meiko from the oncoming hands.
"PLEASE! ALL YOU CAN DO IS THE BARE MINIMUM. CAN YOU REALLY KEEP UP BY PROTECTING THOSE CLOSE TO YOU!?"
"AAAAHHHHH!"
They turned to see Kiyoshi being grabbed by one of the hands that was trying to drag him back. Matsuri quickly releases the ropes from his bracelet and wraps it around Kiyoshi's hands. Pulling him out of the bind with all his strengths. Kiyoshi's body rolled towards them. Catching his breath.
"I-I thought I was gonna die!"
"KEEP MOVING!" Mari yelled.
"MARI! LOOK OUT!"
Mari looked ahead and narrowly dodged the incoming falling debris that fell from the ceilings. The flooring on the hall collapsed, creating a giant gap from where they were to the other side of the hall where the exit was at.
"NO! WE'RE SO CLOSE!"
"I'M COMING EVER SO CLOSER MY SWEETIES~!"
Morgana crept closer and closer to the group. She stretched her hands out towards the group, hoping to make a grab for them.
Matsuri tries to act fast, he shoots his rope out to the other ledge on the other side of the giant gap. However, it only reached so far as it stopped and dropped to the deep abyss beneath them.
"W-What?" Matsuri expression fell.
"KEKEKEKE~! LOOK AT YOU! PATHETIC! CAN'T EVEN USE IT TO YOUR FULL POTENTIAL, CAN YOU NOT?" Morgana sneered as she slowly reached towards them. Despite not seeing her eyes, she was mocking directly at Matsuri. "HOW WEAK~! CANNOT PROTECT YOUR FRIENDS OR LOVE ONES WITH A POWER THAT NOT EVEN AT ITS FULL POWER! WHAT USE ARE YOU IF YOU CAN'T EVEN DO THAT!?"
Matsuri bit his lips down, trying to not let her words get to him. But they stung true and for the most part she was right. He felt tears slowly building behind his eyelids.
"NOW YOUR MINE!"
Many hands extended from the walls and ceilings as they aimed for the five kids. They all huddled towards each other. Trying to find comfort in each other as they were about to be skewered.
"WE'RE GONNA DIE! WE'RE GONNA DIE!"
Matsuri brought out his sword with swift movement and was ready to defend them. He tapped his emblem once more. Stardust energy took the shape of an armor plate on his shoulder to his arm. He raised his sword in front of him as he stood in front of the huddled group.
"KEKEKEKE~! LOOK AT YOU! PLAYING KNIGHT! IT'S SO PRECIOUS!"
She mocked as Matsuri began slashing and penetrating each of her hands from getting any closer to them. But no matter what, the hands kept on reforming once more. Gathering together and closing in on them.
"THEY KEEP ON COMING!" Hana cried.
"MATSURI! DO SOMETHING!" Kiyoshi yelled with a terrified expression.
"I-I'm trying!"
"KEKEKEKE~! NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO! YOU WILL FAIL! IT'S SEEMS YOUR ALL BARK AND NO BITE! YOUR LOSS, LITTLE FAKE KNIGHT!"
Matsuri tried and tried. He even tries to smash them with his fist that was covered with stardust energy. But it didn't do much. He hears the cries of Kiyoshi and Hana as they were all getting consumed in the mass of Morgana's body.
"HANA! KIYOSHI!"
Mari was suddenly caught off guard as she felt her legs being wrapped together. Her whole body was soon dragged towards Morgana's shadow. Being slowly consumed slowly.
"M-MARI!" Meiko cried.
Meiko grabs both Mari's hands. Desperately trying to pull her out of the shadow. Matsuri wrapped his arm around Meiko, trying to help her pull Mari out from the walls.
"J-JUST HANG ON, MARI! HANG ON!" Meiko cried.
"P-PLEASE DON'T LET ME GO!" Mari yelled.
Matsuri desperately tries to pull her. He released one hand and used his armor-covered hand to plant it against the ground. Trying to pull Meiko and Mari. The boy began to struggle, proving to be a challenge for the poor boy.
"KEKEKEKE~! GIVE UP! YOUR NEXT TO NOTHING LITTLE BOY! YOUR FINISHED!"
"N-No…I…I can't give up now! I have to…I have to do this…for Meiko! FOR EVERYONE!" Matsuri said as he felt tears leaking from his eyes.
"KEKEKEKE~! AND YET YOU FAILED! A SMALL BOY WHO WISHED HE WAS A KNIGHT AND SHINY ARMOR! AND LOOK AT YOU NOW!"
Matsuri began to cry a little. He desperately tries to pull, but only feels both of them getting dragged inside. Being consumed in the shadow mass. Mari's horrified expression as she tried to scream for help, but was muffled by the shadow mass that covered her face and soon only her hands were visible. But not for long as Meiko begins to be dragged inside.
"N-NO!" Meiko screamed.
She tries her best to escape, but it was futile as she was being consumed alongside Matsuri. Both of them being dragged inside the mass shadow wall.
"YOU FAILED MY BOY! NOW YOU AND THE OTHER SHALL NEVER ESCAPE FROM THIS MANOR! FOREVER~!" She released a boom as it echoed throughout.
The boy looked up at Meiko who was looking back at him with a terrified face. Matsuri couldn't stand it. The way Meiko was looking at him, her eyes telling him how scared she was of dying here. He felt the crest on his arm glowing a faint blue. He looked back at Meiko who was already being consumed by the shadow mass.
Matsuri bit his lips. "Please…I want to be….I want to be by Meiko's side. I want her to be happy…to have a happy life without worrying about being the maiden bride. She…she deserves to choose how she wishes to live. I WANT TO BE THAT HERO WHO SAVES MEIKO!"
Everything around fade to black. He could not hear the muffled scream of Meiko or the others. Nothing was heard, not a sound.
Until he sees a twinkle in the distance. The small light only got brighter as it came towards him. Blinding him as it engulfed him whole.
-Unknown Location-
Matsuri's eyes hesitantly opened, thinking that he would be in nothing but a pit of darkness. However, what he found was nothing like that. He found himself in a completely different landscape. His eyes couldn't believe what he saw around him.
The bright and big sky gave a celestial feel. Shooting stars, million of them from the looks of it. All of them heading in the same direction. A giant moon hung overhead with the bright sun shining in the distance. It was like he was in space.
The boy looked at his surroundings, he was on some plank of wood for the floor. Completely replacing the tiled floor. Curious, he walks over to the edge. To see where he was or what he was riding on. He finds himself on a giant flying ship with wings on each side of the ships.
"I'm on a…ship? Is this Etsuko's powers…" He asked himself. He then looks at himself. He was back to his older self again. "I'm normal again…"
It didn't take long for him to realize that Meiko was nowhere to be found. "M-Meiko…Mari, Kiyoshi, Hana!? Hey, where are you guys!?"
"Silence."
Matsuri flinched a little when he heard a familiar voice. The same voice that he heard from before he was consumed into Morgana's shadow body. He looks up on the captain's helm and spots an unfamiliar person.
Sitting, posed on the guardrails was a beautiful looking woman. The woman had short icy-blue hair with a big star clipped to the side of her hair. She wore a purple and blue outfit. Showing off her cleavage in the middle. On her shoulder she wore a single cape that flowed on the back. She wore high boots.
Matsuri looked at the woman with a faint blush. "W-Who are you…"
The woman gave a sigh. "Seriously, you don't know. I know we hadn't been together for a while, but you at least have to know who I am."
Matsuri blinked with a curious tilt of his head. "U-Um…s-sorry. But I still don't know."
The woman rolled her eyes. Feeling annoyed by this point. "I am the goddess who houses the emblem you now wear. I am Chariot."
Matsuri felt shocked for a moment. "Y-You!? You're Chariot!?"
"Duh, genius. Sheesh, can't believe you don't even know who I am even though I've been with you for a while. Sure it was short, but still…" Chariot said as she looked at the boy with an annoyed look.
Matsuri felt a little ashamed. "S-Sorry, but it's just that…I don't think I ever met you or was even aware of your presence…"
"Well, granted, I can't blame you. Granted this is my first time showing myself to you. So my anger is just a 'little' unjustifiable."
"A little…"
Chariot rested her cheeks on the palm of her hands. "Of course. Because I'm angry at you."
Matsuri blinked for a moment as he just stared at her, wondering what he had done to tick her off. "W-Why me…"
Chariot growled under her breath. "Because your dumbass had to go and face off with Etsuko, the wielder of Luna's power to her test all by yourselves!"
"B-But we had to. She said that if we pass her test, then we would be granted access to Victoria."
"Tch. Of course. But the problem was that you had to go and be dumb and lose."
"I…oh." Matsuri then remembered.
How he was completely useless during that whole situation. He was trying his best, but he failed. He failed Mari and the others. He even failed Meiko. He remembered seeing her scared face as she looked back at him with tears in her eyes. Before she was completely consumed by Morgana…
He clenched the edge of his shirt feeling frustrated. "I…I failed her…I thought that I could do it…but-"
"You fucked up." She bluntly said with no care. "Plain and simple."
Matsuri bit his lip as he looked the other way. "You don't need to say that…"
"Hmph. Looks like I have to. I mean, did you actually think of yourself being the hero who would save the day and impress the girl whom you love. Guess that backfired."
Matsuri softly growled under his breath. His cheeks flushing red from embarrassment.
"It hurts does it. The fact that you failed and let her down." She said as she continued to glared at him with non-caring eyes. "Guess all that talk of saving her from fate was all but an empty dream."
"N-No…"
"You failed her. You let her friends get killed and now here you are waltzing in your own failure."
"N-No…y-your wrong…it's not…" Matsuri was feeling more and more agitated.
"So what now. You're gonna cry. Because that seems to be the best option to do. It's not like there's nothing else to do."
"T-That's not true…I-I can…"
"Still what?"
Chariot jumped off of the handguard and approached the boy. Her glare is not leaving. "You truly are hopeless. Just give it up. You're nothing but a crybaby loser who only daydreams. Not pushing yourself to make those dreams of your's a reality."
"N-No…y-your wrong…I'm not…it's not…" Matsuri sucked his breath in.
Chariot approached him. Closing the distance. Glaring him down to size. "Your failure."
"I'M NOT A FAILURE!" Matsuri yelled as he glared back at her with anger in his eyes. "It's true, I may be dumb and reckless. And sometimes I'm a coward…but it's not true! I made a promise to Meiko that I would save her from her fate!"
Chariot listened to the boy. Her expression is not falling.
"I…I made a promise. I promised her and I intend to keep that promise! Meiko doesn't deserve to be treated as some object to misuse for their own pleasures! She's a person like everyone else! She can choose her own future! Which is why…I'm not giving up just yet…I'll try to find other ways to lift the curse off of Meiko! I'll keep searching for her!"
Matsuri breathed heavily with small tears leaking from his eyes.
Chariot blinked as she looked at the boy. But her expression is now softening. Looking at the boy from a different angle.
"What's your goal?"
"Huh?"
"Your ambition. What's your ambition?" She asked. Her sharp tone fading.
Matsuri wiped the tears from his eyes as he looked down fidgeting. "I…I want to…I want to be…"
Chariot noticed how he was heavily blushing looking the other way with a shameful look.
"I…want to be a hero." He muttered.
"Huh?" Chariot said as she leaned in towards his face with a glare. "Speak up you crybaby! I can't hear you!"
"I want to be a hero…" He muttered a little more louder, but was still quiet.
By this point, Chariot was in his face. "SPEAK UP!"
"I WANT TO STAND BY MEIKO SIDE!" Matsuri yelled. "I…I love Meiko…I always admired her from the sideline. But I could never have the courage to speak up towards her because I always felt like I was out of her league. I always wanted to be that knight so that she can acknowledge me or something at least. But now seeing her being cursed with this crest…I…I WANT TO BE HER SHINING KNIGHT WHO STANDS TALL AND BRAVE! I WANT TO PROTECT MEIKO! LIKE A SHINING KNIGHT WHO COMES TO THE DAMSEL AND DISTRESS!"
…
Nothing was said between the two. Matsuri's face was heavily red as he looked up at the woman who looked at him with an unreadable expression. Her complex and yet intimidating eyes stared back at him. Matsuri's heart was pounding hard against his chest.
It didn't take long before Chariot stifled a laugh. She partially covers her mouth before she bursts open a laugh. Matsuri just blinked at her as she began to hold her sides, almost kneeling down.
"Um…C-Chariot…"
"HOLD ON! HOLD ON! I CAN'T BREATHE! HOLY SHIT THAT'S HILARIOUS!"
Chariot continued to laugh and she began to roll on the floor. Rolling from side to side.
"I THINK I'M GONNA DIE FROM LAUGHTER! KNIGHT AND SHINING ARMOR! WHAT KIND DUMB, KIDDIE DREAM IS THAT!? HOLY FUCK! HAHAHAHAHA! STOP IT! STOP IT!"
Matsuri felt a little embarrassed but confused. "I mean…it's not like I was aiming to make you laugh that hard…"
Chariot finally calmed down as she stood up. Looking at Matsuri. "I'm sorry for that, but that was just hilarious. Yoshimiya was right about you…"
Matsuri blinked. "Y-Yoshimiya…"
"Yeah…listen that dream of yours…is totally something what a hopeless virgin would say." She said with both her hands on her hips.
Matsuri's mouth was gaped wide open. Hearing that word. "V-V-VIRGIN!?"
"Oh yeah, hahaha! At first I thought she was exaggerating but man, was she right about you! You truly are a hopeless virgin!"
"P-PLEASE STOP SAYING THAT! IT'S TRUE THOUGH! I TOLD YOU MY DESIRES!"
"Yeah. And it's embarrassing and stupid. Like you." She pointed out.
Matsuri pouted as he looked the other way. "I'm not."
Chariot snickered before she smiled at him. "So you still intend on keeping that promise of yours?"
"H-Huh…"
"The promise that you'll still fight for Meiko."
Matsuri blinked before nodding. "Of course…that is still my desire…I made my promise and I don't plan on going back on it."
Chariot held a smile. Her eyes loosen the sharp edges. "Perhaps I was a little too harsh on ya…I like you kid. You got guts."
Matsuri slightly blushed. "T-Thanks, I guess."
"However, what I said about you not unlocking my full power is true. Going up against Etsuko with Luna's power was not a wise idea…but in the end you were just trying to find more ways of saving Meiko."
"I-If I was just using a portion of your powers…how do I go about unlocking it…"
"Right. Something you need to know about using the maiden's power. Yoshimiya and the others are known as wielders. They form a bond with us that will grant them access to our full power. You were only using a portion of my powers. But not the full access of it. You were only able to get lucky with Sousuke since he wasn't using goddesses powers. Etsuko was way out of your league because she has full access to Luna's power."
"S-So then…I have to form a strong bond with you in order to unlock your true power…"
"That's right."
Matsuri bit his lip as he clenched his shirt before looking back up at her. "W-What do I have to do…"
"...you are still willing to fight…"
"Yes…I'll do anything to protect Meiko and help her lift the curse!" He said with a determined expression.
Chariot held a grin. "Alright then…"
She held out her hand towards the boy.
"Take my hand."
"H-Huh?"
"Come on, take it. We're gonna chant the ritual so that you can unlock my powers."
"R-Really…i-it's that simple. There's no test?"
"Nah. I thought of fighting you, but hearing your resolve and desire was good enough for me. I like you kid. So go ahead and unlock my powers so that you can fully use them. In other words…I accept you as the wielder of my powers." She said with a confident smile.
Matsuri stared back at her with sparkles in his eyes. A genuine smile formed upon his lips as he clasped her hands.
"I. Chariot. Maiden Warrior of the stars! Hereby acknowledge and grant you, Matsuri Hitoyoshi, my powers! Do you promise to use these powers and use them for the rights? And not have any ill intentions?"
"I promise to use these powers wisely! And I have no intentions on using these powers! I will be a true celestial knight!"
"THEN I GRANT YOU ACCESS TO MY FULL POWER! MATSURI HITOYOSHI!"
A bright glow burst from their closed hands.
-Morgana's Manor-
Morgana was laughing menacingly as she finally was able to consume all the kids within hers. "I'VE WON! KEKEKEKE~! NOW YOU WILL FOREVER BE HERE-"
She stopped when she saw a bright light poking from the shadows where she consumed them. Another bright light poked through and another. It wasn't long before she was blinded by a bright light. Giving off a light blue glow. Her hands and portion of her body were evaporated in thin air. Around her, stardust particles were flying around in the air.
"W-WHAT!? HOW!?"
Mari and the others were freed from their imprisonment. Mari looked around with a confused look. Kiyoshi, Hana and Meiko looked at their surroundings.
"W-We survived!?" Kiyoshi exclaimed.
"But how!?" Hana asked.
Meiko spots some familiar stardust in the air, a mist that traveled along. She recognized this familiarity. She turns around to find Matsuri. She finds the boy standing tall, his appearance looking different from before.
Matsuri was still in kid's form. But his clothing looked a little different. He was wearing a set of small armor plates on his shoulders and legs that were formed from the stardust particles. On his shoulders he wore a long cape that flowed behind him. He wore a feather that was clipped to his hair.
"M-Matsuri…"
The boy looked over his shoulders as he looked at Meiko with a smile. "Yeah, it's me…"
Meiko's eyes sparkled at the boy who was standing in front of her with a protective glance.
The boy looked back up at the witch who was now startling in fear. "Y-YOU!? DON'T THINK THAT YOU CAN STOP ME JUST BECAUSE YOU LOOK MORE DIFFERENT!"
Matsuri swung his arm to the side as a sword appeared out of his hand. "I will pass this. I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT AND PROTECT THE ONE WHO I ADMIRE!"
Meiko was left with her heart pounding against her chest. Looking at the boy who stood tall.
"YOU LITTLE BRAT! DON'T ACT ALL HIGH AND MIGHTY JUST BECAUSE YOU SAVED YOUR FRIENDS! YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING BRAT!"
Morgana releases her screech as she aims to cover them in her body. Meiko and the others cowardly in fear as they were about to be consumed once more. Being surrounded by nothing but her shadows once more. However, Matsuri stood tall as he faced in the opposite direction where the exit was at.
"Guys…don't worry. I'll get us out of here."
Matsuri gets in front of them as he stretches his hands out on both sides. His hand glowed, an energy force field surrounded them. All of them briefly floating in the air. Matsuri's eyes shot open and in an instant, they launched!
They blast through Morgana's body, penetrating a hole, causing her to scream. Leaving her in the dust as they blasted from the spot they were at and shot their way towards the exit. Everything was a blur as they zoomed past everything. The light ahead was getting brighter and brighter as they approached it at a rapid pace. Ignoring all of the hands that tried to grab them, but were only shredded to pieces.
It wasn't long before they finally escaped.
-Matsuri/Meiko Room-
Matsuri turned to sleep, groaning a little. It wasn't long before he found himself opening his eyes to a familiar girl looking right at his face with a bright smile.
"Wakey~! Wakey~! Maiden Warrior!" Etsuko said in a cheery manner.
Matsuri's face flushed deep red as he found Etsuko sitting on Matsuri's stomach, her face up close to his. "GAH! E-Etsuko!?"
Etsuko giggled. "It's about time you woke up! Did you have a nice sleep?"
"I-I mean…I guess…w-were you on me this whole time?" Matsuri asked.
Etsuko pondered for a moment with a hum. "Perhaps I was. Perhaps I wasn't."
"T-That's not even answering my question…" Matsuri thought to himself.
"S-So why am I here and where's Meiko?"
"You're soon to be, wife! She's over next to you!"
Matsuri looked on the side of him to see Meiko sleeping next to him. The girl was sleeping soundly before groaning in her sleep. Her eyes opened to find Matsuri next to her.
"M-Matsuri…" The young teen said as she was slowly waking up. "Where-"
She stopped when she found Etsuko sitting on top of Matsuri's stomach with an innocent smile. Meiko's eyes were fully open as she just looked at the girl who had a knowing smirk when she realized what the girl was staring blankly at her for.
Matsuri took a moment before he realized why she was staring intently at the small girl. "O-Oh! Um! I just-"
He was stopped when Etsuko threw herself on him. Her arms wrapped around Matsuri's neck as she rubbed her cheeks against his. Causing him to blush. "I'm so glad that you're awake Matsu~!"
"Matsu!?" Matsuri thought to himself.
Etsuko looked at Meiko who was fiercely blushing but was fuming mad at the girl. "What's wrong, Meiko? You're mad that I'm getting close to your boyfriend~."
"GET OFF OF HIM ALREADY YOU TWERP!" Meiko yelled.
The girl got up as she threw a kick at the small girl, only for the small girl to dodge it before she got hurt. She briefly floated in the air and landed on the bed. She released a giggle as she looked at the teenager who was still fuming mad at her.
"I swear, seeing your face like that is just too much~!" Etsuko giggled.
"Ugh!" Meiko groaned.
Matsuri got up from the ground as he looked up at the small warrior. "S-So…why are we here? I thought we had to find some badges to pass the test."
"I decided to change the rules a bit~! And besides, my original goal was to really test your bond with Meiko and your capabilities of being a wielder of Chariot's powers!"
Matsuri blinked at that, then it hit him. He encountered Chariot in his dreams right as he and the others were being consumed by Morgana. He remembered how she was at first being harsh on him because of how he failed to protect Meiko and the others. But he found his resolve and formed a bond with her.
Etsuko looked at the boy with a smile. "You understand now, don't you?"
"I-I do…I think."
"You see Matsuri. We, as wielders of the maiden goddesses' powers, form a bond with our spirits that house these emblems in order to be granted access to their full powers. And it is very important to show that you are trustworthy of using that power without using it for any ill intentions. And it looks like Chariot chose you for a good reason in one way or another." She smiled at the boy.
Matsuri pondered for a moment with an amusing thought. The idea of forming a bond with these spirits to be allowed access to the power that they have. "So that's how it works…"
"Chariot…" Meiko asked with a questionable brow.
"A-Ah! Sorry, I'll explain it to you later." Matsuri said.
Meiko gasped a little when she remembered. "Wait a minute! What about Madam President and the others! What happened to them!?"
Etsuko sat down on the bed side, resting her cheeks on the palms on her hand. "Relax, they're fine. As soon as you guys woke up, they woke up as well."
"S-So they're fine…" Matsuri asked.
"Yup~! Don't worry, they're okay! They're okay~!" Etsuko said with a merry tone.
Both of them released a sigh to themselves.
Etsuko giggled. "Anyways, back to what I was saying. Not only that. Your resolve with Meiko shows how serious you are of protecting her and helping her through this ordeal. I think that's plenty enough to have Victoria acknowledge you."
"R-Really…"
"That's right!" Etsuko jumps on top of the bed. Looking at them with a smile. "You've passed my test and got to have an audience with the goddess herself, Victoria!"
….
And that's a wrap! Matsuri finally unlocks Chariot's powers and has passed Etsuko's test! Granting them an audience with Victoria who awaits them. What will come next? Will they be able to finally find a way to remove the curse on Meiko? Next will be the final conclusion to the Maiden Heart Crusaders!
First and foremost. I am very sorry for the long wait. Many things to say. Not only was my entire focus on the main story Hitoyoshi and The Prison School. But it was finals week for me and I had to dedicate my time and energy into that more so than my story. But I am not officially on winter break and I can finally focus on my stories. Of course I still have a work schedule, but I can at least focus a bit more on my side projects.
Now for the story, I was doing some brainstorming and decided to change some story elements here and there. Mainly with the maiden warriors. Instead of Yoshimiya and the others being goddesses, they will be wielders of the goddesses' powers that are housed within the emblems that they wear. I do feel that this makes sense and has some potential. So of course, as soon as this chapter is posted, I will have the previous chapters edited to make the story flow smoother.
I have decided that the next chapter will be the final chapter of Maiden Heart Crusaders. I don't plan on for this story to go on any longer since I would also like to focus on Hitoyoshi and The Prison School. Plus it makes it easier on me if I just have one story to focus on. Plus I know there are a good number of you who are eagerly waiting for my main story to finish. Despite that, I'm not gonna half ass my way with this story. The ending for MHC will be worth it. I promise that. XD
Anyways, thank you all for the wait. Next update will be Hitoyoshi and The Prison School and I will come back to this story another day. Till then, leave a review for feedback. Stay safe. And I will see you again next time!