Chapter 126: Abnormal
September 7th
10:00 P.M.
Smash Mansion
By the time Samus and Eleven arrived back from their vacation, M. Robin suddenly made his appearance at the Smash Mansion. The tactician was supposed to be dead from suicide. . .
Of course not. Nobody was surprised at his arrival.
(oOoOoOo)
Septemeber 8th
9:00 A.M.
"I did it. . .! I told Ike how I felt about him!" F. Robin held her chest where her heart was placed breathing heavily.
Lucina and Samus looked at each other before coming to a slow clap.
"Wow! I'm proud of you!" Lucina said. "If only I had a heart of steel like yours, I would confess my love to Marth-sama immediately!"
"What did he say?" Samus asked.
"Nothing. . .! All he does is avoid me! I need some help, girls." Robin pouted.
"So the breakup between Ike and Makato is true," Samus muttered. "I did see Makato as the jealous type, but did she really say you can go for him?"
"Yeah! Honestly, I'm shocked about this myself." Robin rubbed the back of her hair. "Her actions were almost automated. . ."
". . ." Samus crossed her arms. 'Did Makato program the clone to act on her own accord? Perhaps it's for the best.'
"If I were you," Lucina started. "Just be yourself around him!"
"That's a bad idea, or did you forget she's a strong feminist leftist?" Samus elbowed her.
"H-hey!" Robin gritted her teeth. "Somebody has to speak up for the Trans Community! But that's beside the point. If Ike won't talk, I'll make him!"
The girls looked at each other before giving a smile.
"That's the spirit! Good luck!" Lucina said. "Give him some food! You know how he likes meat, right?"
"Ike loves meat. Anything that is at least five pounds." Samus smirked.
"Ugh! Five pounds of meat?! Forget that earth-killing animal! I got the perfect substitute!"
(oOoOoOo)
Richter's Room
"I broke you guys out of prison, so the least you can do is execute that witch–vampire!" Pit stared intently at the vampire hunter.
Richter exaggerated his yawn, tearing up. He crossed his legs on his bed. "Just let me rest. . . I had a long day in the prison."
"Yeah- -no! She's not a witch! Come on! You owe me! And you've only been in prison for like 3 days!"
"Fine, fine! I'll think of something. . . Just let me sleep. . . It's been a long week. . ." Richter yawned loudly before drifting off to a loud snore.
Pit stared at the vampire hunter, not convinced. He sighed and walked out of his room.
(oOoOoOo)
F. Robin was in the kitchen with Peach, Kirby, and Marmalade to cook breakfast.
As Peach pulled out the pan of bacon, Robin stopped her with her pan.
"As of today, Peach, we're eating turkey bacon!" Robin grinned.
"Turkey bacon?" Peach smiled, sweatdropping.
"Not only that, I also got turkey sausage and vegan ham! Don't worry, I know how to prepare these." Robin opened the pan and placed each strip of turkey bacon on a large baking sheet.
Peach and Kirby watched with unsure looks.
"What the hell? Who's gonna eat Thanksgiving for breakfast?" Kirby asked.
"Turkeys can be eaten every day! Not only Thanksgiving!" Robin said.
"I. . ." Kirby puffed his cheeks, as his whole body slowly turned a light shade of green. "I think I'm finna be. . . sick."
"You eat anything, Kirby! What's so bad about turkey bacon?!"
"Nihao! Min-Min ready help make breakfast!" Min-Min entered the kitchen, waving her hands. "Today, I make rice porridge!"
"That sounds yummy!" Peach smiled. "We love trying new things! Perfect for the fall."
"Yay!" Kirby cheered.
"Excuse me?!" Robin exclaimed. "Hmph, fine! You'll see the power of fewer calories and healthier options!"
The four of them cooked many dishes to fill the veterans and the new Smashers for breakfast.
(oOoOoOo)
Soon, breakfast was ready for the Smashers as most gathered around the dining table. An even larger table than before. F. Robin sat by Ike, watching him eat a little bit of everything. She grew concerned if Ike liked the turkey-based sausages and bacon.
"What do you think about the bacon? Doesn't it taste the same as any other-"
Ike stopped chewing and glanced at F. Robin. "Hm. . . Taste a bit. . . dry-"
F. Robin frowned.
"-In a good way." Ike changed his comment a bit, eating Min-Min's rice porridge before taking a bite of the sausage.
"That's great!" She smiled, soon eating her breakfast.
". . ." Ike cleared his throat, not expecting Robin to sit by him. Not only was he avoiding Robin's confession, but- -no, that was it. Ike had been avoiding her because of Robin's confession about a week ago.
He glanced at Makato, seeing her eat at the far end of the table with the Male Robin.
"Ike." F. Robin called to Ike.
"Hm?"
"I'll. . . I'll give you a choice by your actions alone. If you meet me at the Delfino Plaza at 10 PM, I'll take it that you want to date me." F. Robin showed a stern look on her face. "If not, I'll assume you still. . . love her. And I won't pursue you anymore."
Marth eavesdropped, sitting right next to Ike, and grinned. "I thought you guys were dating already!"
"SHUT UP." Ike snapped at Marth.
"It's. . . um. . ." F. Robin grew flustered. "Just a matter of time."
"Fucking hell. . ." Ike sighed, face-palming to himself. Facing his attention away from the two, he glanced down the long table of old veteran and new Smashers until his eyes caught pink buns.
He stared at the supposedly depressed Makato, watching her eat a cinnamon with both of her hands. . . which was.
'Damn it! The way she's eating is fucking cute! I made the right choice. . . At least she looks okay. . . It seems her desire to. . . kill her father was avoided.'
From afar, as he observed Makato, he noticed the back-from-the-dead prisoner from New York, wiping C. Makato's cheek with a napkin.
"Damn, why do you eat like a cutie?" M. Robin showed a sly smirk.
Ike couldn't help but stare, as it only tightened up his glare from their interactions with each other. 'Why is Makato warming up to that sex-trafficking pimp all of a sudden?! Don't tell me she moved on. . .? Is that why she was supportive of me pursuing a new relationship?'
Ike came up with his conclusion which caused him to snap the metal fork in his palm.
"Hey, don't go breaking the silverware." Marth eyed Ike.
". . ." Ike's breathing went heavy, still glaring at the two from afar. 'Ah, hell no! I need to talk to her! Maybe she'll hear what I have to say about her real brother that I met in prison!'
(oOoOoOo)
Makato's Room
After breakfast, M. Robin followed Makato to her room as she did her normal routine: making potions.
Robin kept his hands in the pockets of his cloak and grinned. He watched her as he leaned against the wall of her room. "Makato, there's just something about you. As if you blossomed into a new person."
C. Makato turned to Robin and stared at him for a while before opening her lips. "12%."
"Uh. . . Excuse me?" Robin blinked a bit, still keeping a smile.
She walked closer to Robin, eyeing his rough white hair and his face. "Yes. . . before you had a capability of 89%, but it soon dropped to 12%. . ." C. Makato nodded to herself.
"What are you talking about-"
"Roy, however, is 88%. . . Ryu, 85%, Marth, 77%, Corrin, 69%, all fine candidates. . ."
"Candidates?" Robin arched his head, confused.
"Oh, don't mind me. Now if you excuse me, I have some work to do."
"Wait, Makato! Why am I a 12% when the names you listed are higher than a failing grade?! We haven't even talked about GPAs!"
As if she was programmed, C. Makato ignored him and started to make potions with her large witch pot. Robin stood there in awe and decided to leave for now after some consideration.
She wasn't herself.
(oOoOoOo)
Miru's Room
"Miru!" Robin slammed his door wide open with his legs spread apart. He breathed heavily, staring at the gunslinger. "Makato's acting strange!"
Miru flinched from the impact of his door, dropping one of his bows. "Oh, how I wished you weren't alive. . ." He murmured under his breath before placing his hands on his lips. "She's acting strange because she's a clone. Don't be fooled."
Robin closed the door behind him and gasped. "A. . . a clone?!"
"Why are you surprised? You cloned not only yourself but Corrin. . . This shouldn't be anything new." Miru sighed. "Even though Makato told me not to anyone about this, you already suspect something, so I might as well. . ."
"I'm. . . shocked. Honored." Robin let out a small laugh, rubbing his head. "Great minds think alike."
"Your minds will never be alike."
Robin couldn't stop showing a giddy smile as he paced around his room slowly. "Now that I know she isn't. . . human, can I do some. . . I don't know, further research on her? What makes her tick?"
"As if I'd let you!"
"So, if this clone is here. . . where's Makato?" Robin stared at Miru.
"At home, Niho. She insisted on taking the trip alone. . ." Miru frowned, brushing his light blue hair. "I hope. . . she's okay. . . Makato's been through so much. . ."
"Tweet. . ." Miru-3000 nodded, standing on Miru's shoulder.
Robin crossed his arms. "I see. . . This must have to do with her white hair. . . am I correct?"
Miru glanced at him. "Yeah. . . You seem to already know the situation. . ."
"Yeah, believe me. It happened in the parallel world. . . After the winged man was defeated, Makato's demeanor suddenly changed. The way she was able to make a potion from thin air was unbelievable. . . Now that I think about it, this Makato seemed too cheerful for my liking. . . I kinda like my girls a bit crazy and emo."
"The Princess is NONE of those!"
"Well, we can't be so sure, right?" Robin shrugged. "I mean. . . she's not here for a reason!"
". . ." Miru paused his words.
"Anyway, about the clone, how long is she able to function?"
"As long as extreme hot or cold temperatures don't touch her body, she'll be fine."
Robin nodded. "I have another little cute question: why does this clone think I'm a 12%?"
"Huh?" Miru furrowed his eyebrows. "Wait. . . don't tell me she's still trying to play Cupid?"
"Cupid? Ah. . . WAIT, WHAT?! Is that why she called me a 12%?!" Robin gasped louder. "I. am. HURT."
Miru groaned, shaking his head. "Unlike Makato, this clone version of her is bothersome. I told her not to do that for the Princess' sake."
"I'll make her change my percentage with an ice bucket of cold water!" Robin ran off in the other direction.
"Hey!"
(oOoOoOo)
Makato's Room
"Hey."
A voice called out to C. Makato, interrupting her daily task. She turned her head, seeing Ike leaning against her front door.
"Hello, Ike-"
"Can we talk for a moment?" Ike closed the door behind her and made his way enter her room. He walked around the pot until he was face to face with the potion maker.
C. Makato didn't seem bothered by his closeness and tilted her head. "About a potion?"
"No." Ike furrowed his eyebrows as if the question she asked made him more irritated. "I wanted to see how you're doing, but. . . you seem fine. . ."
". . ."
"I don't know. . . It seems after what happened at the parallel world, you seem to be. . ." Ike sighed, pausing his thoughts for a brief moment. "Putting up an act or something. . ."
C. Makato gazed at his eyes. "40%."
"Huh?" Ike blinked a bit, sweatdropping.
"That's right. You're a 40%."
"This isn't the time to joke around, Makato."
"That's me." C. Makato smiled.
Ike stared at Makato, bewildered. "I'd assume you would have left to go back home…"
"Oh, that? I changed my mind." She continued smiling.
Ike was taken aback by her answer. "You. . . changed your mind?"
"That's correct."
"Well. . . I'm. . . relieved, I guess. But still. . . you don't seem like yourself. Almost as if you were. . . a robot or something-"
C. Makato stared at Ike flinching at his response. "Whatever do you mean? I am Makato, Princess of Potions."
Ike furrowed her eyebrows."Nah, now I know you're not her. Ain't no way she would just say her whole title to me."
"But it's true isn't it?"
"That's not what I mean. . ." Ike grew irritated. "Stop playing stupid, Makato. What are you hiding?" His expression changed into a glare, leaning in.
"I am hiding absolutely nothing."
He kept his glare at her ocean eyes, waiting for a genuine reaction. She kept a nonchalant gaze, maintaining her eye contact with Ike. Not even blinking for at least a minute.
Ike sighed and leaned away, crossing his arms. "Whatever. There's something I need to tell you. I don't believe you will have any memory of knowing this person but. . ."
C. Makato tilts her head. Important information wouldn't matter to her. She'd have to save it. . . well.
"What is it?" C. Makato asked, growing curious.
"I met this person. . . who looked just like you. Your older brother. Not that incent freak, Haruhi, but your actual blood relative." Ike explained.
". . ." C. Makato pursed her lips into a chuckle. "Is that so? You must be highly mistaken, Ike. I only have two siblings. Haruhi and Flora. Surely, he must be claiming to be my brother. Do you have proof?"
Of course, it would be a hard pill to swallow. Ike continued to stare at her, expecting a. . . more humane reaction.
"I had a feeling you wouldn't believe me. . . How about this," Ike dug inside his inner shirt until he pulled out a small piece of paper. A photograph.
Ike glanced at it one more time before handing it to C. Makato.
C. Makato stared at the photo. It was a family photo. Three people. The woman smiling with her two children. A young boy holding a baby wrapped in cloth. All of them had white hair and purple eyes. The photo was stained in dried blood, covering the woman's eyes.
"This baby could have been anyone." C. Makato smiled, handing back the photo. "Also, anyone can have white hair and purple eyes. I simply don't believe it. Hehe."
Ike scoffed. "As if that's a common trait. . . Look at the back of the photo."
"Hm? The back. . ." C. Makato turned the photo around and processed the words she was reading.
Her eyes widened for the first time, showing a human reaction.
Now that Makato has been blessed with Potion magic, my family is complete! Treasure this photo, Carly, until you meet your sister again. Love, Mommy. Date: XX/XX/19XX
Ike showed a small frown. "This is your mother, Lydia, a potion maker just like you. Your. . . birth mother and your real brother, Carly. An old photo your brother kept since he was in GCP. For some reason, he wanted me to have it, thinking I may see you again. . . "
"That's impossible!" C. Makato interrupted. "That isn't in my memories- -no. This can't be correct!"
"Honestly, the whole thing confuses me as well. . . But, I think it's best if you speak with your father-"
Just after Ike's final thought, the door slammed down from the foot of an angry tactician, holding a bucket of ice-cold water over his head. Small water splashes caused him to chill up immediately as he attempted to maintain his composure.
"Makato! If you don't give me a better rating, I'll end your existence, clone- -ahh. . .!" Robin's eyes met up with Ike standing by Makato.
Ike and C. Makato stared back at Ike, making the whole situation awkward.
"I am not awkward!" Robin sweatdropped, still holding the bucket over his head.
"Wait, did you say clone?" Ike stared at her for a bit longer before widened his eyes. "Don't tell me. . ."
Robin turned his head away from Ike, whistling as if those words never escaped from his lips in the first place.
"Hey, my eyes are right here!"
"Oh, Ike! I didn't see you!" Robin started all over, this time laughing. "As you can see, I'm doing the African way of carrying water to the village! Ololololo!"
"Borderline racist with that 'African cry'!" Ike then turned to C. Makato. "Are you a clone?"
"I'm Makato." C. Makato answered back automatically, but she was far from Robin and Ike, as her eyes only watched the bucket of ice water, swaying back and forth.
Ike noticed the bucket of ice water and exchanged glances between C. Makato and the bucket. "Give me that-" Ike snatched the bucket from Robin's hand and carried it towards C. Makato.
"Ah, what are you doing?!" C. Makato cornered herself into her room, panicking.
"Are you a clone?" Ike dipped his hand into the ice-cold water and showed his wet hand.
"I'm a clone! Clone!"
"You hate showers?" Ike lowered the bucket after receiving some kind of reaction from Makato.
"No, I'll disappear if I'm doused in hot or cold water!"
"Where's Makato?"
"At the Village of Niho. . ."
"Niho. . ." Ike stared at the clone, watching her breathing become a bit tense at the sight of the bucket of ice water. Ike then set the bucket of water down, staring at her. The real Makato made up her mind for. . . how long? Just how long ago did she leave?
"So, during the court case, that was you in the audience?"
"Yes, it was me."
Ike nodded his head. "And it was also you who said we were capable. . . me and Robin?"
"Yes." C. Makato nodded.
There was some relief that it wasn't Makato's words to Ike's sigh. He paused for a bit before opening his lips. "Is that your personal opinion or were you programmed to say it?"
"Most definitely my personal opinion." C. Makato sweatdropped. "My Master has been through so much. . . You caused her so much pain and agony!"
Ike cringed from her approach and her rise of tone. He blinked a few times, listening silently. Was this glob of a clone right? The entirety of their relationship was nothing but rollercoasters. . . Trust issues, drama. . . yet even so, they were still in love with each other. . . And now. . .
"You deserve to die a thousand deaths! No, ten thousand deaths! Choke on needles until your throat gets pricked- -aahhh!" C. Makato's rant was interrupted by the bucket of iced water in close contact with her face, quivering in fear.
Ike held the bucket out of response, popping a vain. "Shut up, Clone. You're more annoying than Makato herself and she barely talks! You know what, I'm 'bout to end your existence-!" Ike carried the bucket of ice water over his head, ready to resume the assault.
"Ah, wait a minute Ike." Robin cleared his throat, slithering his body between the two.
"Nasty-ass, don't do that shit again." Ike glared at the tactician. "What?"
Robin grinned his tactic grin as he lightly pressed his fingertips together. "Am I hearing things, or did you two break up? As in. . . you two are no longer in an intimate relationship. . ."
"Yeah, we did. . . I had my reasons." Ike sighed a bit.
"And I have a P.E.N.I.S.! Time to take a vacay to the Niho Village!" Robin winked at Ike before dashing away towards the door of Makato's room.
"Oh, fucking no you don't!" Ike aimed the ice bucket of water towards the tactic, and threw it, knocking him to the ground as he was soaked to the bone.
"Ahhh! C-c-c-c-c-cooooold!" Robin squirmed on the ground from the pain and temperature.
C. Makato watched the whole scene unfold in front of her as she folded her hands. "Master is in no stable condition for friends to visit her! That's why I'm here to make sure I keep the happy and alive version of Makato within me-!"
"Shut up! You're annoying!" Ike and Robin exclaimed.
Miru entered Makato's room and crossed his arms. "I could hear you two from miles away. I don't want you guys exposing Makato's absence."
"Just how many people know about this clone-?" Ike glared at C. Makato.
"Besides you two," Miru eyed Robin and Ike, "there's Eleven, Samus, Lucina, and Zelda. Seven of us. This was the Princess' choice to create a clone. . . She's not herself right now. . ."
The room fell silent for a brief moment. Ike stared at Miru and sighed heavily, rubbing his head. "I see. . ."
"She'll be back by December. . ."
"Are you kidding me?" Robin groaned in disgust. "Not only does she miss the most important holiday, Halloween, she's not coming back until December?!"
Ike was surprised as well. "That's three whole months. . ."
"And why are you concerned, Mr. Ex?" Robin smirked. "Mr. Suddenly Worried About My Ex. Mr. Thinking About You."
"Shut the fuck up." Ike yanked the collar of Robin's cloak, lifting the tactician's feet off the ground.
"I'm kidding! Laugh with me! Hahaha. . ."
Miru only showed irritation as he watched the two. "I'm unsure if she plans to return during the holidays. If anything, her stubborn behavior will only make her stay back in Niho until otherwise. . . I just hope she'll be okay when she comes back. . ."
Another brief moment of silence spread across the room. Ike and Robin gazed at Miru's attention, as they stepped away from each other.
"It'll only be ever so unfortunate just to be gone in only three months." C. Makato wiped a tear from her eyes. "Alas. . . I shall do my best to live up to Master's reputation."
"Oh boy, do we hope. . ." The three men muttered.
(oOoOoOo)
Pit walked down the halls after another failed attempt to drag Richter out of his room.
"Ugh, what a waste of time! Knew breaking him out of jail was risky! But-"
"Oh, Little One~"
That voice. That sinful playful voice. Pit froze like a statue and sweated immediately. The sounds of heels clicking behind him as his wings stiffed.
'That. . . that witch!' Pit's eyes dilated in fear as he kept his back facing the Umbra Witch.
The heels came closer and closer until he could feel her breath breathing softly against his neck, sending him shivers down his spine.
"It's that time of day when I need a plaything to ease up my stress. . ." Bayonetta brushed her fingers against her lips, smirking menacingly. "Torturing my little angel. . ."
"N-no! Anything but plucking out my feathers!" Pit's face darkened in fear as his legs gave up on him, collapsing on his butt while shaking.
Bayonetta stepped closer, kneeling before him as she pivoted his chin at her gaze through her frames. "The black angel wasn't my type. . . You, however. . I'm very fond of your reactions. Almost as if we have some kind of bond."
"E-ewwww!"
Bayonetta gripped tightly to his chin. "Now then, shall we get going-?"
Before she could finish her sentence, a dark presence brought chills down her spine. Bayonetta glared straight ahead to the tall, dark figure at the end of the hallway.
As if everything shut around her completely. Shallow steps continued forward towards the Umbra Witch. His smile was wicked yet. . . friendly.
Once he was closed enough, he placed his hand on Pit's shoulders, which snapped Pit from his crybaby trance, turning to see a fellow "angel".
"You do have a weapon. Why not use it?"
Pit widened his eyes at him. Not because he was afraid. He had a friend.
Yes. Sephiroth.
"My besto friendo!"
'Excuse me. . .?' Bayonetta sweatdropped, showing a snarling look.
Sephiroth glanced at Bayonetta with his sharp cyan eyes. "Sorry, Bayonetta, I can't allow you to hurt a friend that helped me. . ."
Silence filled the hallway between the Sephiroth, Pit in the middle, and Bayonetta. Both of the adults kept their smirks as if they were trying to apply pressure to intimidate each other.
'He didn't seem to know me upon first glance which proved that the other Sephiroth remained in the parallel world. . . It's not like the Sephiroth we fought traveled to this world. If anything, this man is dangerous. How could such a boy like Cloud, defeat him? It's a good thing. . . they're different.'
After Bayonetta went through her thoughts, she placed her hands on her lips and smirked wider. "Just harmless teasing. . . No need to tense up, Big Angel."
Sephiroth cocked his head to the side, allowing part of his strands of silver hair to cover part of his eyes. "Quite the sense of humor you got, Bayonetta."
Pit stood in the middle. From rejoicing with his besto friendo, to sweating bullets at the intensity he was feeling.
'They're both doing the smiling! I feel like I'm stuck in a romcom!'
Pit glanced at Bayonetta's demeanor. For the first time, she never had a problem with anyone. . . until Sephiroth. This was his chance!
TO escape.
'But one thing's for certain, Bayonetta is a pussy against Sephiroth! I'll stick by him whenever she gets a lady boner!'
(oOoOoOo)
Castle of Niho
Queen Rosalinda walked down the corridor of the castle on her way to meet her third daughter. From what Rosalinda received from the maids, her behavior was diminishing. All she could ever think of were the past conversations she had with her maids after making their reports.
"The young princess is skipping lunch today. Before I arrived, I overheard her mumbling again. . ., as if she's talking with another person in the room." A maid said, meeting up with the Queen with the latest report.
"I see. . ." Rosalinda nodded her head, frowning. "I'm just on my way to see her. . . Please. . . have the guards ready on standby."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The maid bowed halfway before walking off.
Now that she was alone with her concerns, Rosalinda continued her walk as she sighed. 'Perhaps I should ask. . ., but I'm afraid. Does she know the truth? Her white hair and eyes. . . All I see is the spitting image of Lydia. . .'
After some time, Rosalinda stood in front of Makato's chambers and knocked on the door. "Makato Dear, may I come in?"
The door opened immediately, showing Makato. Rosalinda sweatdropped. The white hair and purple eyes always frightened her as if she had seen a ghost. The black and purple mage kimono wasn't doing it any good either.
Makato gazed at her nonchalantly. "Yes, Mom?"
"It's Mother. You will address me as Mother." Rosalinda corrected.
Makato lowered her eyelids, dismissing her command. "The headaches. . . they came back. Can you heal me. . .?"
"Of course. . ." Rosalinda softly smiled, placing her hands on each side of her temple, commencing her magic. Makato's gaze remained on her mother, staring with her soft purple eyes.
Rosalinda smiled back, thinking. 'It's hard to get mad at her recent behavior. Maybe I should tell the truth. . .'
Once the healing magic was completed, Rosalinda laid her hands on her shoulders once more.
"Makato, how are you feeling-"
"Mom- -Mother. . ." Makato interrupted, glancing away.
"Yes?"
"Ike and I broke up." Makato showed emotion as tears formed beneath her eyes.
Rosalinda blinked a few times. "Ike. . .? Ike! Ah, that mercenary from the Smash Mansion?"
Makato nodded. "Yes. . ."
"Is that why you're so down. . .?"
". . ."
"Don't worry, there's plenty of men-"
Makato sighed, still not making eye contact. "No. You don't understand his reason. . ."
Rosalinda sweatdropped, smiling softly. "May I ask why he broke up with you. . .?"
"He broke up with me. . . because of my agenda."
"Huh. . .?" Rosalinda froze.
"He hated my true self and broke up with me. But I . . . I still want to be with him, Mother." Makato backed away from her mother and walked to the smartphone on her desk. "I tried using this cellular device to call him, but he won't pick up."
"We don't have cellphone towers, Sweetie."
"Oh, I see. . . A mistake on my part." Makato lowered her head with a blank gaze.
"Makato Dear, is that why you're back home in Niho? Don't you want to be with your friends? And what about Miru?"
"I'm waiting for Father." Makato snapped what seemed to be a glare at her mother.
Rosalinda flinched in place without showing a reaction.
Makato continued. "I'm not leaving until I see him. It's very important that I . . . talk to him."
That. . . that glare.
Rosalinda stared at her daughter, growing more curious about her behavior. "May. . may I ask why?"
Makato kept silent for a while before turning her back towards the Queen. "I can't tell you, Mother. Or. . . you'll hate me just as Ike is."
It was the first time Rosalinda's heart raced. Not because she was terrified, but because she knew what had happened to her.
"You wouldn't understand. My potion-making has increased by 50%. I need Father to help me obtain the rest of my power."
'No. . this can't be. . . The seal. . . the Dark Seal has been broken! I'm certain of it! But how does she know that her power has been sealed off. . .?! Who could have told her?!'
"Mother."
Rosalinda snapped out of her thoughts, staring at Makato breathing shallowly. "Y-yes?"
"You look pale. . ." Her purple eyes glistened. "Is something the matter?"
'Telling her the truth will give her more of an excuse to potentially kill Utora! 50% of her power, her 'Darkside' is sealed inside of my husband years ago. If she abstracts that power back, he'll die! And for Makato being born of a rare talent, potion makers know a natural way to obtain it. I must delay the inevitable.'
Rosalinda finished processing her thoughts and swallowed. "Makato. You said your potion powers increased. What can you do?"
Makato stretched one of her hands out, curling her fingers slightly. "I can make potions with my bare hands, reading and listing each ingredient from my mind like an open dictionary." Not only her eyes, but her smile widened, excited about her new founding power. "It's. . . it's so easy! But I get headaches in return! So bad, I pass out from the pain!"
The white hair and purple eyes made her more mad at the sight, as if she were a completely different person. No. Rosalinda was reminded of Makato's mother. Lydia Tachibana. That same excited yet, insane look when unlocking her potential power.
Rosalinda watched silently.
"Father has what I need!" Makato took a step forward. "Once I obtain it, I'll be whole! I won't have to rely on people's strength to protect me! Aren't you happy, Mother?!"
". . ."
"Mother?" Makato furrowed her eyebrows. "Why aren't you celebrating my achievement?"
"How. . . how did you unlock your power? When did it start?" Rosalinda dropped her smile, showing a stern gaze.
"I. . . don't know how. But. . . before I knew it, I. . . started getting headaches. The voice inside of me wanted to break free. . . A man named Sephiroth; the song. . . Black feathers falling. . . I. . ."
In other words, someone broke the seal, knowingly or unknowingly. Someone that had to be tainted with pure evil could only break the seal.
Rosalinda snapped her fingers loudly just for whoever was listening outside of the room would be alerted. "Makato, I'm sorry. Please forgive me for what I'm about to do."
The snap of her fingers startled Makato, and before she knew it, dozens of Faithful Knights charged into Makato's room, detaining her immediately.
"I want her lips and hands sealed away," Rosalinda commanded.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"M-mother!" Makato was forced into the ground being pressed with no wiggle room to move. Hands grabbed hold of her thin arms and legs and more hands pushed her back to the ground, keeping her immobilized.
"Forgive us, Princess Makato!"
"Queen's orders!"
"Our sincerest apologies!"
"N-no- -mmph!" Anger was her instant reaction as one of the Faithful Knights taped her lips with a magic seal with the scent of golden flowers.
Rosalinda looked away as her daughter was treated almost like a criminal. Once the Faithful Knights confirmed her detainment, they lifted her off the ground. Both knights wrapped their arms around hers like chains.
Makato glared at her mother, panting through the seal from screaming earlier.
Rosalinda turned around, seeing the sight of Makato. "I'll tell you everything when the time comes. This is for your safety and ours in the Castle of Niho."
"Mmhh!"
"Take her away." Rosalinda stepped out of Makato's room, making Makato's scream more prominent for the Queen to hear as she walked down the halls.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
(oOoOoOo)
Smashville
Delfino Plaza
10:40 P.M.
F. Robin stood near the water fountain of the plaza in a black halter dress, watching the tourists and the civilians on a bright night.
Eagered, she waited but counted her chickens. It was a bold move on her part after Ike broke up with Makato, but she had to shoot her shot. It was now or never.
Robin sighed, staring at her iPhone, watching the time. Forty minutes passed. She was willing to wait for an hour. . . maybe two to see if Ike would show up.
After some time, Robin noticed how empty the plaza was becoming. Of course. Nobody took the trip to the beach at night. . .
She sighed again, brushing her hair before turning to the waterfall. Embarrassment showed in her cheeks as she stared deeper into the water fountain.
"God. . . What was I thinking. . .?" Robin groaned.
"Yeah, what were you thinking?"
That voice.
Robin froze and turned her back in a fast motion. Her eyes widened in shocked seeing. . .
"You. . .!" She grew mad at his face, but not enough to rage out.
"Want some gelato?" Ike smirked, holding two cones of gelato.
"You're late!" Robin ran up to Ike, wrapping her arms tightly into a hug, forcing him to release the gelato as it dropped to the ground.
