A/N: Thanks for the comments! :D Enjoy this next chapter!
Chapter 48: Dark Manipulators
May 22
3:00 P.M.
Somewhere, deep in a quiet forest. . .
Miru's older brother and father were on the lookout for Mikoru, along with the missing Faithful Knights. They both set up camp, tracking information as they go. Now both resting. Yoriki went through his spiky hair with his hands and sighed, sitting on a rock. Kufu was writing notes on his notebook, sitting on a smooth rock as well.
May 16th was the day Mikoru was banished from the Village of Niho around quarter to midnight. May 22nd, the day 6th day on the lookout for him and the missing Faithful Knights that followed him.
Yoriki wore a black tunic with black pants and boots, and Kufu wore a half silver armor with pants and boots, and a sword and arrow attached onto him. "It's been days and we still haven't find them! Let's just go home!" Yoriki complained. He rubbed an apple with his black tunic and took a bite.
The old man stopped taking notes and glanced at his eldest son. "Yoriki, how old are you?" He randomly asked.
"Twenty-one. . ." He answered. "I know, I should probably start looking for a girlfriend."
Kufu threw a rock at him and he cried in pain. "Hey! What was that for Pop?!"
"Shut up!" He answered.
Yoriki sighed and continued to eat his apple. "I'm just stating the facts, Pop. Maybe they just don't want to be spotted."
"That could be a possibility. That Mikoru Fumiharu could do all sorts of shit. . . So,"
"-He probably erased the scent of his existence. . . Or something like that." Yoriki finished. "We really need some dogs. Only if we have sensory type people, this would be easy.
Kufu eyed his son and continued to write stuff down on his notebook. "Well, if we have potions that can make us sense his scent, maybe it would be easier."
"Damn, just when we needed her. . ." Yoriki made a lazy facepalm and sighed. "This is so pointless, we're never going to find him."
"OK, let's go."
"Go where?"
Kufu closed his notebook and headed back into the tent that they made. "We're going back to Niho dumbass! Pack your stuff!"
"Now, you're talking!" Yoriki said.
"Shut up!"
In the Village of Niho. . .
Castle
Makato's father, King Utora, and her mother, Queen Rosalinda, were discussing about the Faithful Knights crisis. Utora fanned himself with a delicate, sun color, paper fan.
"Mikoru takes the Faithful Knights with him, most of them. And how did we not know?" Utora arched an eyebrow.
The queen sighed, this was the third time he asked that. "Honey, we banished him at night remember?" Rosalinda said.
Flashback
When the whole village was asleep. . .
Faithful Knights dragged Mikoru with both arms and pushed him on the ground, forcing him to kneel upon the Queen and King of Niho.
Utora glared down at Mikoru, "After what you did to my daughter, using that horrid Five Day Knock Out Spell, I declared you banished from coming to Niho ever again! I don't want you near this place anymore or I'll kill you! Do I make myself clear?! Why did I not banished you in the first place?! I don't know! NOW GET OUT! SCUM!" Utora threw his glass cup at him as it shattered across his face. Mikoru gave a dark look to the King and Queen and was dragged out of the castle.
End of Flashback
Utora blinked a couple times and spat out laughing. ". . . I forgot! Hahahahaha!"
Rosalinda giggled a little, but then turned serious. "You always forget!" She yelled.
"Maybe that whole, 'your banished from Niho' thing was a bad idea. I hope it's not a start of an invasion. . . You know how Mikoru is. . . very persistent and determined. Maybe I should start playing Undertal-"
"Utora!"
"I'm just kidding! I hope. . ." He muttered.
"Utora!" The Queen growled.
"I'm sowwie."
"Feels great to be back home. . ." Makato's older brother, Haru, smiled happily. Her older sister was next to her brother. "Hey, want to hear a joke?"
Flora stared at him with no answer.
Haru said it anyways. "What do you call a butt being raped?" Haru covered his mouth to keep it bursting from laughter.
"What?" She answered with a monotone voice.
"Ass-assination! Hahahahahaha!"
"Honestly," Flora rolled her eyes. "Also, Haru, we only moved back to the castle because of Father. . ."
Flora walked over to her parents. "We know that Mikoru and many so called, 'Faithful Knights' are gone! I'm positive, he's planning something. Why else would he-?" Flora was interrupted by her brother.
"An attack is likely." Haru said with a serious voice. "We don't know where they are. We don't know what they are planning. Let's just assume they're planning to invade Niho."
"If that were the case," the Mother said, "Kufu and Yoriki need to find their hiding spots."
"And if that were the case, we need more soldiers. . ." Utora said. He pulled up a drawing with words on it. "How about we ask people to join? I've been working on this for a while."
The family and other Faithful Knights, stared at his poster. It was King Utora pointing at the audience whoever passed by. On the bottom of the poster it read: 'I Want YOU to Join the Faithful Knights.'
"No honey, we are not going to Draft." Rosalinda shook her head.
"No! I wasn't planning that."
"Mother, can I visit my adorable sister?" Haru asked.
"No visiting. Till we find Mikoru. Anyways, let us still be aware. At least we can do is to gather more men to join the Faithful Knights, if not. . . We'll have to manage with our previous army." Rosalinda stared at her two children. "I want you two to look for anyone who is willing join the Faithful Knights."
"Yes, Mother. . ." The said in unison. They both left the castle along with other Faithful Knights following them.
Later. . .
90 young men were willing to join the Faithful Knights. Now, being trained by Haru and Flora. Time went by, very quiet and peaceful. Kufu and Yoriki arrived at the castle to report their news.
Both bowing before the royals, Kufu spoke. "Milady, we couldn't find their hiding spots." Kufu said.
"Just as I expected. . ." Yoriki murmured.
"Well, this is not good. . ." The Queen stared at Kufu.
"Any information? Or something?" Utora asked.
Kufu stared at his notes and shook his head. "Not a sense of dark magic or people anywhere. Not a cave in sight, nor Mikoru."
"I see." Utora stood up from his royal chair and clasped his hands. "Good work! Let's continue the investigation tomorrow. . ."
May 24
8:04 A.M.
Breakfast at the Castle. . .
While everyone that lived in the castle ate a giant buffet, the messenger held up a letter with a pillow on it. On his other hand, he rolled in a giant crate.
"Your Majesty! You got mail!"
Queen Rosalinda let go of her fork and got up from her seat, excusing herself from the messenger. "And who is the letter and 'stuff' from?"
The messenger grinned as he gave her the letter. "The Princess Makato, Your Majesty!"
"Ah! My daughter! How so! I missed her so much!"
"Makato?!" Haru got up from his seat and ran to his mother jumping excitedly. "Where?!"
"Idiot, she's not here." Flora rolled her eyes.
Haru placed his cheek against the crate, "Yea, but something 'Makato-like' is in here!"
"Oh, Miru's friend." Yoriki said. "I wonder how they are doing."
"Good, like always I bet!" Kufu laughed.
"The last time I visit them, they were in a freaky airship!" Utora laughed.
Rosalinda opened the letter and read it quietly to herself.
Dear Mother,
Hello Mother! It's been a long time. How are you? How's the family doing?
"Oh, we are doing fine Makato! Everyone is alive and healthy!"
There's so many questions I wanted to ask you, but I'll get to the point. I don't recall remembering Aunt Michelle, but she's with me till my birthday.
Queen Rosalinda, read the sentence again about this 'Aunt Michelle.' ". . .Aunt Michelle?"
She said you guys are very good friends, saying she used to visit you when I was young.
Rosalinda felt sweat coming from her forehead. No, she never heard of her before. This is all new to her! She doesn't even recall being friends with a woman named Michelle.
Also, I'm going to send some potions for the Faithful Knights. I heard what happened to them. Every since you banished Mikoru, 85% of the Knight' followed Mikoru. I hope things go well in the Village of Niho. Miru sensed a war coming up, ready to attack Niho. Which is why we are going to prepare ourselves in case that were to happen. Please reply soon as you can when you receive this letter.
With Love,
Makato Tachibana.
"So Miru also had that strange feeling as well. I really pray for no war." Queen Rosalinda turned to the crate. "How nice of her. She send potions for the Faithful Knights. . ."
"Cool!" Haru gleamed. "Can I open it?"
"No, finish eating your breakfast!"
"I'm not a kid anymore! Pwease?" Haru made puppy eyes.
"A man needs to eat to become strong. Even Flora knows that." Rosalinda smirked.
"Yes, Mother. . ." Haru walked away from the Queen and head back to the food. Queen Rosalinda turned to the letter and scratched her head. Who's Michelle? And what was she doing with Makato? Michelle is staying with Makato till the 31th? And she doesn't even know that? Rosalinda stared at the crate and noticed a small paper in an envelope.
"This is the letter Aunt Michelle sent me that you wrote."
"Smart girl!" Rosalinda picked up the letter and told the messenger to put the crate in the storage room. The Queen sat on the couch with the two letters in her hand. The Queen opened up the letter that was given to her by Michelle.
To my dear daughter,
If you have received this letter, then it must be that your lovely Aunt Michelle is with you. Please, she would like to visit you and the SSBB Mansion that you work at. She will return to Niho after your birthday. Please take good care her. Also, you probably wouldn't remember her, because you were just a baby when she met you.
With love,
Mother.
"I address my daughter by her name. Also, I put my name as well. This letter, what manipulation done against my daughter! I did not write this! Ugh! This is not good. . . I must reply back immediately!"
Mikoru's Hideout
A girl with long back hair was just outside of Mikoru's room. Holding a tray of today's breakfast. She wore a short black dress with long brown boots. The men gazed upon her like an idol. She was very beautiful indeed. It was only days ago that she joined the Dark Knights.
'I'll never forget the day when took me in.' She thought. 'It felt like it was only yesterday.'
The night after Mikoru was banned from the Village of Niho. . .
In a small nonexistent village. . . Where there wasn't such total chaos.
"RUN!"
"MONSTER!"
"AHH!"
"SOMEONE HELP ME!"
The hot, burning smell of flesh and blood rose into the dark, now foggy sky. Villagers were running for their lives. Mothers and children were dying. Men tried to fight the dark army that was after their gold and weapons. Along with their lives.
The leader stood in the streets, watching his army do genocide. "I want every single man, woman, child DEAD! I've been so angry in my life!"
"Yes, Lord Mikoru!"
(*_*)
"Yumi! You need to get out of here! As far as you can!" Her father held onto her shoulders, squeezing them. He knew it would be the last time he would ever see his beloved daughter. Yumi was in a verge of tears. The father grabbed his iron katana and ran out of their small home.
"No! Father! I can fight too! Wait!" Yumi grabbed her crescent moon staff and ran after him. More smoke blocked her view and screaming children clogged her hearing. She saw her friends being slaughtered right in front of her. What a horrific sight for her to see. Yumi lost sight of her father from the distractions that passed her.
"Father! Where are you?!" She kept on running, passing babies, elderly men and women, and crying children. She gripped onto her crescent moon staff. Only if she could do something to stop this!
Yumi stopped when she felt something under her shoe. A body. She slowly looked down. . . and saw her father's neck opened. Blood was slowly pouring out,, creating a puddle. On his back was his katana sticking out. Fire exploded in the background and people ran passed her.
"FATHER! NOOOO!" She screamed. Yumi laid her hand on his back and cried. Her only family, now gone. Yumi pulled the sword out from his back slowly and threw it. She carried her father and place him on the grass.
"Don't you worry father, I'll avenge you!"
"Heh, you and what army?"
Yumi searched for the voice that was talking to her.
"He didn't even put much of a fight, and you want to avenge him?"
Yumi turned to the guy that was talking to her and growled. "Who are you?! Did you kill my father?"
Mikoru pulled out his sword. "Don't worry, you too will go with him."
"I'm going to kill you!" Yumi cried as she chanted her spell to kill Mikoru. "Ice Bomb!" Ice shards were summoned as they flew lighting speed toward Mikoru. An explosive sound was made, but it didn't even made a speck on Mikoru.
"Hmph. Not, bad for an ametur. Watch this. . . This is just your level-" Mikoru pointed his sword at the Yumi. "Ice Steel!"
Ice zapped onto Yumi's foot. Colder and colder her feet gottened. She tried to move but it was impossible.
"What the?!"
"That was my favorite spell, I'll like to see you escape from that." He smirked. Yumi lifted her staff into the air and pointed it at her feet.
"Flames of Disaster!" Raging flames surrounded her feet and the ice began to melt slowly. Mikoru was shocked, more impressed to be exact.
"You got some skills Girl. Looks like I won't have to kill you." Mikoru put his sword away and walked away from her. Yumi slowly moved her feet once the ice was gone.
"Who are you?! Were you the one who started all of this? Why did you do all of this?!" Yumi questioned.
Mikoru turned to Yumi with a blank stare. "I am Mikoru Fumiharu. I did this all to release my anger. Now, I have calmed down."
"You selfish prick! Many people died! Innocent people!" She cried. "I will never forgive you!"
Mikoru continued to walk away. "I don't care. . . You should be grateful that I spared your life."
"Grateful?! Why you-!" Yumi dashed toward him, ready to smack him with her staff. Mikoru at an instant, turned around and grabbed her arm, pulling it up to the smoky sky.
"Let me go! I'm going to kill you!" Yumi exclaimed.
Mikoru smirked and chuckled a bit. He stared deeply into her brown eyes. "Kill me? You must be joking."
She suddenly felt terrified, as she stared into his gray, ruthless eyes. A soldier ran up to him, bowing right after. "Lord Mikoru! Every man, woman, child has perished! But some escaped, so have mercy upon my fragile soul." He muttered at the end.
"What?" Yumi was shocked to hear that. Mikoru let go of her arm. "Let's go then. . ."
"May I ask, who is that Mailord?" The soldier then asked.
Mikoru turned to Yumi and scanned her. Yumi tried not to move a muscle as she stared right back. More soldiers came up to Mikoru, glaring at Yumi. Was she about to get killed?
Mikoru then spoke, "Take her. I'm sure she would be useful to the Dark Knights."
"D-Dark Knights?!" Yumi gasped. She heard of that group before. The group that tried to take the Tachibanas in Niho. The group that was evil with power. The leader died but most don't know how. Now the Dark Knights. . . are back?! Before she could make a move, the soldiers surrounded her.
0_0
That night, Yumi was taken to Mikoru's special hideout. Where the new Dark Knight lived. There was other men and women in the cave already, chatting, sparing, and other important things. The smell of beef rose in the cave. Smelled somewhat delicious. She looked back, she felt as if she went inside a barrier or something. It seemed lively in here, but at the same time, scary. Mikoru told the men to put her in a cell, so he could talk to her later.
Yumi's new home was a dry, smelly cell. A few people were in cells as well from not obeying, or attempting to kill Mikoru. She sighed and thought about her father. Now in the otherworld. How could that evil man be so heartless? Yumi scrunched up into a ball and wept. She wanted to be with her father again, she wanted to be with her friends again. No bloodshed whatsoever.
An hour seemed like it passed as she stared at the ground.
"Wait. . ." Yumi looked around the cell grounds and her hands. "Where's my staff?! That gray haired man must had took it away from me!"
"No, I was giving it back of course."
Yumi heard the same voice before. His footsteps gradually gotten louder as he approached her. "That is, when you join the Dark Knights."
"Heh, you seemed determined." Yumi stared at his face. Her felt began to heat up. Up till now she never noticed how handsome he was. She quickly glanced at the ground, not wanting to admit defeat. "Well, too bad, I'm not joining! I want to get out of here!"
Mikoru crossed his arms and leaned against a wall, facing across her. "Sorry to disappoint you, but you really don't have a choice." Mikoru didn't drew out his sword, but his hand. Purple aura surrounded his hand and just like a bullet. The purple aura then attacked Yumi's arm. She screamed in pain, clenching onto her arm. Sweat and tears mixed together. Yumi glanced at her arm, and saw two letters that appeared on her arm in elegant hand-writing. DK.
"What's DK? Donkey Kong?"
Mikoru shot a glare at her, feeling compared to a mere monkey. Yumi closed her mouth and sweat dropped. "No, it's the initial for Dark Knights. That symbol represents your membership in the Dark Knights. Every member gets one, somewhere marked on their bodies. And also, it's my way of keeping track on each and every single one of you." Mikoru explained. "I can see your every move with that simple mark. If you were to betray me, that mark will turn into a poison and you will die within minutes."
"Can I wash it off?"
"No."
"Can I scratch it off?"
"No."
"What if I were to get a cut?"
"It's permanent to the bone. Even if you lose your arm, the symbol is in your blood. Only I can remove it."
"Well, isn't that great." Yumi yawned and rolled her eyes. Mikoru laughed a little and threw her staff back to her. "So, what is your answer?"
Yumi got up and grabbed her crescent moon staff along with it. "It's not like I have a choice."
"Good. That's what I wanted to hear. Mikoru opened the cell and she was free. "I'll explain the mission letter. Go grab some dinner. I don't want to hear your complaining."
Yumi stared at his back as he slowly walked away. "Mikoru. . ."
"Oh, I almost forgot." Mikoru turned to her. Yumi blushed in embarrassment, almost crashing into Mikoru.
"W-what is it?"
"Your name."
She cleared her throat. ". . .Yumi."
"Yumi, huh? What a beautiful name."
Yumi's heart skipped a beat when he said that. No one had called her name 'beautiful' before. The Dark Knights Leader continued to walk, leaving the underground jail.
"I can't believe I'm in love with a guy who killed my father. . ." She cursed.
Back into reality. . .
"Are you going to stand there or are you going to give me my food?" Mikoru crossed his arms, slightly irritated by her actions. Yumi panicked and handed the tray to Mikoru. "My apologies, Lord Mikoru!"
Mikoru grabbed the tray and went back to his room. Yumi sighed and walked away. "Oh, Lord Mikoru, if only I were that potion princess, I would gladly marry you. I'm so glad he left me lead the invasion of Niho! I just need more training. . . Maybe he would marry me. . ."
"Seven more days left. . ." Mikoru muttered to himself. "This is going to be war. . . Both Niho and Smash Mansion. . ."
"Two invasions in one day Mailord?"
"Yes, Michelle. . ."
A/N: Thanks for reading! :D Please hit that review button while you're at it. Till next time.
