CROSS ANGE: THE GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM
ARC 3: THE LONG-AWAITED CLASH OF TWO FOES
(CAL & DUTCH)
Everything was dark and soundless. Yet unlike before, this time it felt peaceful. Even good. Cal felt light as a feather with the wind humming gently in his ears as he looked around and he found himself soaring through the starry night sky. A heavy rain pounded his skin but to Cal's amazement he was dry as a bone. He tried to look around to get a better feel for his surroundings but his head refused to budge. From what little he could see from the corner of his eyes, it looked like he was passing over farmland. Many villages and fields dotted the landscape and straight ahead was a massive mansion built on a hill side. Lower and lower he flew until finally he was floating outside a window on the mansion's second floor. Through the rain splattered glass, Cal could make out two figures. One was a short balding man in a long white lab coat, wheezing and sobbing on the floor. And standing over him was a tall man in a black coat.
"What does it mean Trager?" The man in black growled. "All those still births and failures in the lab. What were you really trying to do?"
"Please…please…" the man on the floor gasped. "I swear…I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Don't lie to me Trager!" Growled the hard voice. "I saw them with my own eyes! Those filthy half breeds! How could they have been succeeded when all the Norma in your experiments failed?" Cal felt his heart grow cold as he listened. Trager. That was the name of the doctor Gramps worked for. The one who had supervised the experiment that had given birth to him. And there were other Norma breeding with Humans? This couldn't be real, could it? Just another dream. So then why did it feel so real? "You either tell me or another one gets broken." There was a flash of green light across the tall figure's hand followed by a wet crack before the man on the floor howled in agony.
"It was their blood…#66 she was different…" The man on the floor wept. '#66!' Cal remembered. That was his mother's number.
"Now we're getting somewhere. How was she different?" A sudden burst of lightning and thunder caused Cal to missed the next few words. And when it passed, the man in black gave a bitter chuckle. "You're in luck Trager. For the sake of Donnie's memory, I'll let you off easy." The tall figure picked the smaller man up and placed him hard in a chair. Again, his hand shone with a green light and the weeping man's four broken fingers seemingly twisted back into place.
"I hope you're satisfied," Trager gasped. "You've gotten your pound of flesh now go and leave me alone. And for both our sakes, you'd better keep this to yourself. If Master Embryo finds out about this it'll be the end for us both."
"Not yet. There is still the matter regarding Subject Alpha." Cal felt his heart stop at those words before another snapping sound and Trager screamed again. Cal wanted nothing more than to turn away when the familiar icy shiver went down his spine and he was once again clouded in an icy mist.
"Come to me Cal. Leave those who would use you. Stay here with me and I will show you the truth." Finally regaining control of his body, Cal turned around and through the mist saw a slender figure; its glowing icy blue eyes peering right into his very soul. Before he could even scream, the slender black figure flew towards Cal like a bullet, it's spider like fingers wrapping around his throat. "Won't you join me Cal?!..."
His eyes snapped open, and Cal found himself back in his room. It was all just a nightmare. Taking in deep breaths to steady his racing heart, Cal eased as he felt the two sleeping angels on either side of him. Though they now shared a room, Ersha and Salia always preferred to stay in Cal's double sized bed. Ersha was in her orange pyjamas hugging Cal's arm tightly while Salia in her thin blue nightdress rested lightly on Cal's shoulder. Rising up carefully so as not to wake either of them, Cal rubbed his eyes. 'What was that?' He wondered. Why would he be dreaming about the man who put his mother and so many other Norma through hell? And who was that other man?
However, all his confusion vanished in a jolt of excitement as he remembered what day it was. "Hey wake up! Today's the Festa!" He cheered louder than an alarm clock that woke even the neighbouring rooms.
"Cal!" Salia cried as she clobbered him with her pillow.
"Still too early." Ersha slurred.
CHAPTER 34
THE FESTA
(April 1ST)
The Mermaid Festa, the one and only day of the year the Norma looked forward to. It was a day where duties and drills were cancelled to let the Norma relax and have fun. The event was set up on the western beach of Arzenal, the largest on the island with enough space to set up the many colorful games, food, and activity stalls packed with dozens of giggling girls in their bikinis. It was tradition to wear a swimsuit to add to the special occasion. However, Jasmine had to coral more than a few whose swimsuits were a bit too risqué to wear around the younger kids and force them to change into some standby dark blue one-pieces. 'I've got a feeling this is going to be a recurring problem now that Cal's here.' she thought.
At that moment, who should appear but Cal wearing a pair of knee length dark blue trunks that showed off his scars and muscular build. He couldn't have asked for a better day. Crystal blue sky with no sign of rain. A warm breeze. And rows of concession stands, the smell of which was already making him salivate. However, Cal had barely taken five steps out onto the sand when he found himself surrounded by girls like moths to a flame. Including Sadie who had managed to sneak past Jasmine wearing a burgundy slingshot bikini that was little more than two strips of fabric, and like most of them had a ravenous look in her eyes. Thankfully, someone came to his rescue when Pamela and Hikaru ran up behind him.
"Hey Cal, what you doing?" Hikaru beamed as she hugged his arm, her breasts pressing in around it. Pamela appeared beside her, wearing a dark green two piece with a lime green sarong around her hips while Hikaru wore a bright yellow bikini.
"Oh hey girls, what's up?" Cal smiled as Hikaru led him away from his unwanted Fanclub before he noticed one of the trio was missing. "Where's Olivier?"
"Oh well…someone has to stay in the Command Centre just in case of an unexpected Sortie." Pamela explained looking guilty. "I did it last year, so Hikaru and Olivier had a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors and unfortunately she lost."
"But we promised we'd bring her some souvenirs or maybe some photos of you in your swimwear." Hikaru added. Cal spotted a mischievous look in her eyes and followed her gaze to where a group of girls were hiding behind the stalls, cameras at the ready. "You wanna hang out with us?" she asked brightly, stroking her fingers along his bicep.
"Sorry girls, I promised Salia I'd spend time with her first." Cal said. Hikaru and Pamela waved goodbye as they ran off into the sea while Cal searched for Salia. Further down the way, someone in a giant Perolina costume was handing the kids balloons and Cal knew immediately despite the high-pitched comical voice it was Ersha. As he passed by, she lightly bopped him on the cheek with the bear's nose and Cal in return, after making sure the kids weren't looking, gave her a cheeky squeeze on the costume's rear. Further down, Jasmine, Maggie, and Jill in their usual clothes were overseeing the staff and infirmary tent. As he passed, Jasmine gave him a thumbs up for good luck, knowing he'd have trouble surviving the full day. Finally, Cal reached the food stalls and it was like being in heaven. Quarter pound burgers, turkey legs, pork chops, sausages, crab cakes, lamb chops, squid, fish skewers and something called Takoyaki. Finally, over by a merchandise stall, he spotted Salia who was chatting with Ange and Momoka. "I was wondering where you lot were!" He called.
"Cal." Salia turned as Cal trotted over and she flinched slightly when his eyes examined her new triangle royal blue bikini that she had swapped for her blue one piece she'd worn last year. "Don't stare, it's rude."
"Why? You look sexy." Cal grinned.
"Can you two not flirt in front of me?" Ange grumbled before she shot an icy glare at Cal's gander towards her royal black and rose red bikini. "Could you have picked something any tighter?"
"Hey, this is best I could find." Cal countered. "You don't want to know what some of the girls tried to bribe me to wear." He then noticed Momoka was still dressed in her maid uniform. "Aren't you boiling in that Momoka?"
"Oh I'm fine." Momoka assured him. "As Lady Angelise's head maid, I must always dress in a manner becoming of my position."
"I still don't know why we're wearing these in the first place." Ange commented.
"It's tradition." said Salia. "It wouldn't be the same if we wore our plug suits or uniforms."
"Aren't you embarrassed?" asked Ange.
"Of course not!" Salia stammered. "Why shouldn't I wear something more…mature?" Though she was still jealous of the other girl's cup sizes, it did ease her after Cal had said she had the best butt and legs and Salia felt like she should show them off a bit.
"Whatever, I'm gonna get a smoothie." Ange said dismissively before she left with Momoka. As he watched her walk off, Cal glanced warily at Ange. She didn't seem herself the past week. In fact, earlier that day during formation training, Mei had to use the emergency launch because Ange wouldn't move from her spot. But Cal's attention was diverted back to Salia who wrapped her arm around his. "Come on let's get going I don't want to waste any more time. Let's enjoy ourselves."
"Yes Ma'am." Cal said with a slight salute. As they wandered around the beach, Cal wanted to try everything on the menu that the Festa had to offer but Salia only allowed him to grab a corndog and chocobanana before dragging him off to one of the larger tents that advertised a black and white romantic flick.
'What have I gotten myself into?' Cal sulked.
Atop of Arzenal inside the guest Villa, Inspector Emma Bronson had a very important meeting to attend to. The Rosenblum's Second Princess Misty had travelled all the way to Arzenal to oversee the festa managements as it was her family that oversaw Arzenal's operations. Outside in the hall, Corporal Lawrence waited alongside Lady Misty's two female bodyguards. For the festa, he had changed into black trunks with purple lining and a palm tree printed dark violet beach shirt. And Lady Misty's bodyguards were giving him more than a few lustful stares along his burly frame.
"I must apologize for my appearance Lady Misty." Emma had dressed for the Festa donning a purple one-piece swimsuit but had franticly shoved her officer's hat and jacket on for her private meeting with the Rosenblum Princess.
"That's alright. You must work very hard Inspector so you deserve time off today too." Princess Misty sipped on her tea then placed it back on the table. "May I ask you a question?"
"Of course." Emma said, growing more nervous at her princess' tense look.
"Is it true that Princess Angelise is here?"
"Huh? Oh, yes she's here."
Misty nodded towards her head maid and spoke in a hushed voice. "I also heard rumor that a Male Norma exists and lives on this island." Emma felt her stomach drop. "My father warned me, but I insisted on coming as I'm now an official member of my family after my baptism."
"Yes, it's true. But don't worry we have guards trained just in case he…"
"I'm not worried about that." Princess Misty said calmly, no trace of anxiousness or fear in her voice. "Could you find them for me?" She asked. Emma was so taken aback she almost forbid it but held her tongue. "I would like to see this Male Norma with my own two eyes. But I also need to speak with Lady Angelise in private." Princess Misty had a terrible amount of guilt and regret in her eyes and Emma decided upon reflection that she should do as her Princess requested.
"As you wish Your Highness," Emma nodded before she and Corp. Lawrence bustled out of the Villa. 'I swear if that little hooligan tries anything, I'll have his head.'
Cal struggled to stay awake throughout the hour and a half long film. Luckily, Salia didn't notice him dozing off as she was practically bawling with a handkerchief in hand. He looked around and though the tent was packed, very few of the other Norma seemed very interested. In fact, most of them were using the makeshift theater as cover to make out with their partners in the dark. Desperate for any kind of entertainment, Cal stretched out one arm to put one around Salia's shoulder, his hand slowly traveling down as his fingers crept underneath her bikini top. Salia gave a tiny squeak and squirmed a bit, but as he stroked and fondled her, her own hand began to stroke Cal's inner thigh. Unfortunately, before they could go any further the movie ended and the light in the tent turned on.
"Pervert." Salia pouted as they walked out.
"Hey I just thought you might like some real action over what was on the screen." He teased. Now it was his turn and the two wandered around more, taking part in a few games and grabbing a few snacks from the various booths. With the heat starting to pick up, the two decided to relax and took a spot at the beach tables. Cal went off to get some ice cream and who should he bump into but Chris and Rosalie. Chris wore an orange V-neck and skirt bikini while Rosalie sported a strapless green one. And he couldn't help but notice the forlorn look on Rosalie's face.
"What's eating you?" Cal asked.
"She gambled all her money from the BigHorn on the pig races." Chris explained.
"I was robbed!" Rosalie cried. "Pork Bone had 3-1 odds and he got snipped within the last stretch!"
"You know you suck at gambling Rosalie." Cal sighed. He lost count the amount of money she owed him from when he beat her in the arcade.
"I'm broke, but I'll win it back during the sports competition." Rosalie vowed as a grin curled her lip. "But I wouldn't mind some comfort."
"I really have to get to the Ice Cream stall," he told her. "Salia's waiting for me and…"
"Aw come on!" Rosalie pouted. "It won't take long. I thought guys were supposed to help cute girls when they're sad." Rosalie mock quivered her bottom lip to which Chris gave a chagrined laugh.
"Alright fine. What do you want me to do?" Cal sighed. A few seconds later, the two girls had dragged Cal down to the beach where they lay face down with their bikini tops undone. "Was this really necessary?"
"Don't be such a wuss." Rosalie teased. "You said you would, so get on with it." Squirting a suitable amount into his palm from the bottle they had given him, Cal rubbed the lotion up and down their backs. It was an interesting activity to say the least. Back when he lived with Gramps, they rarely used sun lotion even during summer. "Oh yeah." Rosalie sighed. "This is the best."
"Glad to hear it," he answered. "By the way where's Hilda?"
"I don't know we haven't seen her all day." Chris said sadly. "It's almost like she doesn't like us anymore."
"Don't say that. She'll come around eventually." Cal reassured. "Hilda's just…stubborn."
"Maybe, but I'm really worried about her. She hasn't been herself lately." Chris glanced to Rosalie for support.
"Mmm…right there…a little lower..." Rosalie moaned dreamily.
"Rosalie!" Chris complained.
"Oh right." Rosalie coughed. "Just let her be Chris. She'll come out and play when she feels like it. Like I said at the race she's probably just on her period."
"There you are!" Someone scolded. Cal flinched and looked up to Salia storming over with a cross look. "I was wondering what was taking you long!"
"Hey it's not our fault we got to him first," Rosalie snickered. Salia pouted and whipped out her towel to lay beside Rosalie.
"I can't believe you forgotten your promise already that you'll rub lotion on my back first!" She huffed at Cal.
"Sorry." Cal winced as he got to work on Salia once she undid her top. Within seconds a small crowd of girls were beginning to circle them, wielding their own beach towels.
"That looks fun."
"When you're done with her it's my turn next."
"Hey get in line."
"Will you do my front?"
"Someone help me." Cal begged his face going paper white.
After about an hour, Cal finally got a chance to sneak off with the excuse to use the bathroom. At least Chris offered to pay him back by buying him and Salia the ice cream cones he was supposed to get. After relieving himself and taking the cone Chris brought him, he sought shelter behind a rock at the far end of the beach, his ice cream switching hands as he shook the stiffness from them. 'I swear it's times like this were I wished I wasn't the only Male Norma here.' Though he felt guilty for abandoning Salia, Cal really wanted to just lay low and snag some of the food he still had yet to try. As he wolfed down the last of his cone, a sudden cry of pain caught his attention and he peered out to see three of the kids gathered around Abigail who was holding her knee.
"Abigail what happened?" Cal worried as he rushed over.
"I fell down." Abigail sniffed. He looked down and saw she had tripped and grazed her knee on a small rock that stuck out through the sand.
"Let's get that cleaned up." He picked her up and took her to the infirmary tent. Maggie and her nurses were out so Cal sat Abigail on the table to take care of her himself.
"Ow!" She whimpered as Cal applied a dab of antiseptic to her graze.
"I know it hurts, just be brave." He encouraged. After cleaning the wound, he applied a padded band aid and Abigail was starting to feel better. "Does it hurt still?"
"Not as much." Abigail smiled.
"Have you been enjoying yourself today?"
"Yeah." Abigail beamed but looked a little sad. "My mother and Auntie would take me to places like these back home."
"Well, just be more careful next time. Otherwise, we'll have to cut your leg off next time." Abigail laughed as Cal lifted her off the table, and she hugged him around his waist. "Now go off and play with your friends." Cal watched from the mouth of the tent as Abigail caught up with her friends and a warm smile spread across his face. He was pleased that Abigail had come a long way since last year when she wouldn't talk to anyone. But it also made him feel sad as the two had a lot in common. Taken away from their families and arriving at Arzenal days apart. It was then Cal remembered Abigail arrived here on his 18th birthday, the day he had made THAT wish he still deeply regretted. 'I wish I could go someplace else.'
"Why the long face?" Cal looked up and felt the color rising in his cheeks. It was Scarlett and she looked astonishing in a leopard pattern bikini that showed off her voluptuous and athletic form. "Look all you want but keep your hands where I can see them!" she joked.
"Uh…sorry." Cal stammered. "You just look…really nice. If you're looking for Maggie she's not here."
"Actually I came looking for you." Holding up something wrapped in paper, Scarlett began to peel off the lining. "I heard how some of the other girls forced you to be their cabana boy. So I figured you might appreciate this." Cal's eyes widened as a sizzling smoked turkey leg was revealed to him.
"For me?" he murmured as he began to drool.
"I figured you must be getting hungry." She told him. "Dig in." Cal eagerly snatched the drumstick and set to work tearing into it, the juices dribbling down his chin and onto the sand. A few girls tried to approach him with more suntan lotion, but a quick glance from Scarlett sent them packing. "So, you ready to tell me what was upsetting you."
"It's nothing," Cal said as he chewed at the last remnants of the meat along the bone's edge. "It's just…"
"Just what?" Scarlett asked. Cal sighed and tossed the now stripped bone into a nearby waste bin.
"I was just thinking about how my life was before I came here," he said. "All my life I basically lived however I wanted. I could go anywhere, well at least around my home. And do whatever I wanted. I don't mean to sound selfish it's just…I miss it sometimes."
"Hey I get it," Scarlett assured him. "At least you adjusted better to life here than some other late arrivals did. Just, don't get so wrapped up in the past that you forget what you have now. Okay?"
"Yeah." he smiled. "Thanks."
"Now come on." Scarlett said as she wrapped one arm around his. "It's your day off too. And after all that work the girls made you do. You deserve a little pampering yourself."
"You want to put suntan lotion on my back?" he asked.
"Not exactly." It was then that Cal saw where she was taking him. It was the massage booth. And several girls were clustered around one table with hungry looks in their eyes.
"Oh no!" Cal gasped. He tried to run but Scarlett was faster. In an instant, Scarlett had yanked him back and lifted him up onto her broad shoulders in a fireman's carry. "Scarlett!"
"Here he is girls. Just like I promised." Scarlett announced as she planted him on one of the beds.
"Pamper my ass!" Cal snapped. "You planned this from the start didn't you!"
"Don't whine," she teased as the girls surrounded him, rubbing their hands with scented oils. "After all, you're getting a free massage. Think of it as payback for the turkey leg."
"Watch the hands!" Cal warned as he felt a pair creep up his calves.
"Don't worry we'll be here if they try anything." Scarlett promised. Cal looked to the bed beside him to see Ersha getting a massage as well. Knowing she was there in case the girls got any funny ideas helped him relax a little bit.
Finding some shade under one of the picnic table umbrellas, Ange and Momoka sat together drinking some smoothies. Though Momoka was enjoying herself Ange was finding it hard to have a good time. "Wow this is wonderful." Momoka awed. "It's just like a school fest…forget I said anything." Momoka halted as she saw Ange's murky expression. "Lady Angelise?" Ange snapped to attention. "You're still worried about Lady Sylvia aren't you." Momoka realized. Ange gave a faint smile.
"There's no point getting upset." She said quietly. "It's not like I'm in a position to do anything about it."
"I know but…" and Momoka stopped as she received a sudden call. They both tensed thinking it was Sylvia again, but it turned out to be the Inspector. As it turned out, one of Lady Angelise's former friends, Princess Misty of Rosenblum, was here on Arzenal and wanted to speak with her.
"I bet all she wants is to laugh in my face." Ange said bitterly. And with her stomach sick with worry about her sister, the last thing she wanted was to chat with a human. From the corner of her eye, Ange spotted the Perolina costume and mask from before lying outside the massage booth. A quick check to make sure no one was watching and she ran over and snatched it up.
"What are you planning to do?" Momoka questioned as Ange began to pull the costume up around herself.
"I refuse to talk with her." Ange said putting on the helmet and began to walk away. "Don't stay beside me it will look suspicious. Just go away and enjoy yourself."
"Lady Angelise you can't…Wait!" Momoka called for her as she walked off.
"Who's Lady Angelise?" Ange called back in a falsetto voice. "I'm Perolina." Momoka fretted with confusion as her mistress vanished into the crowd, unaware that a certain redhead was watching her from behind cover.
"I needed that." Cal sighed as he and Ersha exited the stall. "My back does get a little stiff from Scarlett's exercises."
"Well, you deserve to relax, you work so hard." Ersha beamed as she posed in her rather daring Navy bikini. "By the way do you like my swimsuit?"
"Oh yeah," he said. "I'm not sure if I should have you wear it or the Perolina costume tonight."
"Naughty." Ersha giggled as she pinched his nose. "Oh, no!"
"What? What's wrong?"
"Someone stole my Perolina costume." Ersha was fuming, her eyes flared with intent to kill. "We'll hang out soon. Just wait till I get my hands on the thief." Ersha stormed off like she was on a mission leaving Cal on his own once again.
"Hey Big Bro!" Vivian suddenly squealed as she jumped on his back. "Wow I've always wondered what it's like to be this tall."
"Ah Vivian!" Cal yelled as he tottered. "Will you get off! I'm not an observation deck!"
"Come on, let's hang!" she urged as she hopped off and dragged him away. At a nearby stall, Miranda and Mei were waiting for them. Mei wore the same ruffle one-piece as Vivian except hers was royal blue as opposed to Vivian's yellow while Miranda wore a black and lilac sleeved wet suit.
"There you are," Miranda huffed. "Vivian wouldn't let us order until she found you."
"Sorry, I got distracted, plus I've had a few daring escapes." Cal explained constantly glancing over his shoulder.
"I hope none of my team have been giving you a bad time." Mei said. "If they have, I'll sort them out."
"I'll hold your word to it." Cal laughed. As the four took their seat at the bar and waited for their food, Miranda looked back to see Margret pass by her along with Noona, Marika and Mary. She shot a nasty look sideways at Miranda who quivered and turned away, the color draining from her face. "Is everything okay Miranda?" Cal asked, noticing Miranda's sudden change in mood.
"Oh…yes…I'm just hungry." She excused. Cal looked back at Margret and caught a nasty look towards Miranda's way as their food arrived.
"Mmm so good!" Vivian chomped.
"Urgh, that smell." Cal looked back to see the Inspector behind him holding her nose from the smell of grilled squid. "Cal! You are to come with me." She ordered. "It's a very important matter."
"Hold on a second. I'll be 5 minutes." Cal answered through a mouthful.
"I'm not asking, I'm telling!" Emma said heatedly. "Corporal."
"Come on you." The Corporal growled as he stepped forward and dragged Cal by the back of his neck, almost making him drop his skewers. "Take it to go."
"Aw come on!" Cal protested as the Corporal kept marching him forward. "What have I done now?"
"You've been summoned for an important meeting." Emma informed him. "And if you don't want to wind up spending the rest of the festa in the stockade you'll behave yourself. Now, have you seen Ange?"
"I haven't seen her since the Festa began." As Cal was forcefully marched along the beach, eating his squid skewers along the way, they spotted Momoka picking out a glittering Perolina figure at one of the souvenir stands.
"Miss Momoka, where did Ange go?" The Inspector frantically asked.
"Oh I…I lost track of her!" Momoka stuttered.
"Argh! Lady Misty is waiting for her!" Emma growled in frustration. 'Who's lady Misty?' Cal wondered as Emma beckoned to a large tent that read 'Management Office.' "Corporal, please get the Commander, maybe she knows where Ange is."
"Yes Ma'am." Corporal Lawrence approached the tent and opened the curtain. "Sorry to disturb you Commander, but the Princess of Rosenblum has requested for…" But as he opened the curtain of the tent, he was greeted to the sight of Jill, Maggie, and Jasmine changing into their own swimsuits.
"Kyaaaa!" The three women shrieked.
"I am so sorry Ladies!" said Corporal Lawrence franticly as he threw back the curtain, his face beet red as he jogged back to Emma and Cal. "Sorry Ma'am the Commander is busy."
"This is a lost cause." Emma fumed and Cal fought hard to keep his face straight. "We might as well take this one to Lady Misty now. We'll look for Ange afterwards." They set off across the less crowded areas and had just passed the carousel and when one of the horses came loose and the child riding fell off. Cal dropped his remaining skewer and nearly darted forward to catch her but someone beat him to it. At the edge of the barrier, a figure in a Perolina costume was intently watching the carousel and had jumped over in time to catch the child before she could get hurt.
"Just in the lick of time," the costumed figure said. 'Nice catch Ersha.' Cal sighed in relief. As the armorers shut down the carousel to do some quick repairs and inspection, Perolina passed him by and Cal gave her a quick squeeze on her tail, only to get slapped with a hard right.
"Pervert!" a voice that was definitely not Ersha hissed at him. 'Ange'. He wondered. As she waddled off, Cal briefly considered ratting her out but ultimately decided not to. As tempted as he was to make her suffer alongside him, he was in less of a mood to help the Inspector and Corporal.
"You deserved that you little hooligan." Emma scolded. "I'll have to have a word with the committee about this. Someone could have gotten seriously hurt on that carousel."
"So you do care about us. I knew you're not as mean as you act." Cal teased her.
"Be quiet!" Emma snapped.
"Gee did you get out of the wrong side of the bed this morning? Or did you have to climb over this brute to get there? Hey I'm not judging," he added as Emma and the Corporal's faces grew angrier, "you're kind of sexy when you're angry Inspector so who can blame this ogre for wanting some action with you?" Emma slapped him on the back of the head and the Corp nearly lifted him off his feet by the scruff of his neck as they headed for the beach entrance.
"Watch your mouth boy!" the burly man warned.
Still not knowing why or where he was being taken, Cal was led into the elevator that took him, Inspector Bronson, and Corporal Lawrence to Arzenal's top level beside the Command Centre where Olivier sat all alone with a grumpy scowl on her usually cheerful face. Cal didn't even have a chance to tell her hi before they marched him outside and down the pathway towards the villa that served as the Inspector and Corporal's living quarters.
"Now when we get inside, I want you to be on your best behavior." Emma scolded. "This is the Princess of our nation you're about to see and she wanted to see you herself. She's here representing our nation so you will treat her accordingly. No swearing, no jokes and especially no perverted remarks. Understand?!"
"Yes Inspector." Cal said seriously. So that was why they dragged him up here? To meet with one of the people who enslaved him and the others? Best to just see what this Lady Misty wanted and get out as quick as he could. Remembering what Ange was like back when she arrived, Cal prepped himself for the worst. As they stepped inside, Cal was amazed by the comparative luxury the Inspector and Corporal lived in as they headed down the foyer and turned left to where two women in suits stood at a set of double doors. And when they saw Cal, they looked like they had seen a ghost.
"I'm warning you now boy, any funny business, any at all and you won't have any meals for a week." Corporal Lawrence warned. "So, when she talks, you listen and behave yourself."
"Yeah, yeah I know." The door opened and inside was a rather pretty girl in a red and pink silk dress sitting on one of the plush velvet couches. Tresses of spiral curled blonde hair fell past her shoulders, held in place by a ruby red head bow, and a soft silky face stared up at them as they entered. But what really caught Cal to girl's features was her eyes, that were practically identical in color as his!
"Oh, there you are Inspector." Princess Misty stood then looked warily at Cal. "Is this the Male Norma?" Hey eyes widened as she stared at the many scares that riddled his torso.
"Yes Lady Misty. As you requested." Emma said nervously.
"May I speak to him?" Misty asked. Emma nodded and her bodyguard sat Cal on the couch opposite his host. "Greetings I'm princess Misty of Rosenblum, and you are…"
"Cal." he said curtly. From behind Misty her maid looked like she was about to faint. It was uncanny to keep looking at her sky blue eyes, it was almost like looking at his own reflection.
"Cal," Misty repeated. "Well, its…nice to meet you. I never thought a Male Norma ever existed." Cal's eyes darted from Misty to her tea and box of sweets containing the richest looking chocolates he had ever seen. "Where did you come from?" she asked.
"I…I er…" Cal quickly rehearsed what he had told the Inspector about his life without revealing the whole truth about Gramps or his past. "I don't know why I'm the only Male Norma. But I'm just the same as the rest."
"I see, well that's good to hear." said Misty. It was hard to tell if she was just wary or mystified by his presence, but the way she spoke to him held no animosity or overt disdain towards him despite being a Norma. And a Male one at that. "And do you know lady Angelise well?"
"Lady Angelise…oh you mean Ange." Cal said politely. "Yes, she's in the same squad as me and we get along just fine. Somewhat."
"And would you say she's changed? Is she still the same Lady Angelise when she first arrived here?" Misty hoped.
"Definitely." Cal answered quickly. "She's still the mean, bad tempered Princess when she first arrived. But I will say she's nowhere near as pretty as you."
"Alright that's enough!" Corporal Lawrence pulled Cal to his feet by his ear and began to drag him out of the room. The head maid let out a disgusted gasp and Misty's cheeks went a shade of pink.
"My apologies Lady Misty." Emma apologized feeling utterly humiliated by Cal's behavior as he was kicked out the room. "He does have a mouth on him, you know how Norma are…"
"It's fine Inspector, it's not your fault." Misty assured her. "I suppose in his own way he was being polite. I'm actually rather flattered." Emma was relieved to see that Princess Misty was taking this very well and promised to deliver Ange as soon as possible.
"Are you okay Milady?" Her head maid worried as the Inspector hurried off.
"I'm fine. No harm done." Misty smiled. 'That's odd,' she thought. 'I could have sworn I only ate three chocolates not five.'
"I suppose you think that was funny?!" Emma seethed once she caught up with Cal and her bodyguard outside. "I ask for one thing!"
"All I did was compliment her." Cal argued. "Are you jealous just because I called someone else pretty?" For his comment, Cal received another slap from the Inspector.
"Just get out of here before I change my mind and ban you from the rest of the festa." Emma scolded as she and the Corporal stormed off to look for Ange. Though still irritable that he had been dragged away from the Festa, Cal found it odd that a human, let alone a royal Princess spoke to him like he was a normal human being. Every Human he had encountered apart from Gramps had either tried to kill him or treated him like he was vermin. But to his surprise, the Princess of Rosenblum was actually very nice. Judge a person by who they are not what they are, Gramps' letter echoed in his mind.
Cal was about to head back to the beach but as he approached the Command Centre, he remembered Olivier who was missing out on all the fun. He checked his watch and saw it was barely mid-afternoon. Plenty of time to enjoy the Festa on his terms even with the occasional interruption. Diverting his path from the elevator to the stairwell, Cal made his way to the mall, munching on one of the chocolates he had swiped from Misty's box. To his relief, the vending machines were unlocked with Vulcan guarding the rest of the inventory. Just like the Norma, Jasmine had dressed up Vulcan for the occasion in a striped frilly bathing suit and a scuba mask. And the dog leapt up and excitedly ran towards Cal when he saw him.
"Hey boy," Cal said as he rubbed Vulcan's ears. Grabbing two burgers and some sodas, Cal hurried back topside and entered the Command Centre where Olivier looked up to him in surprise.
"Oh Cal!" she said, her face going beet red as she saw him in his trunks. "Is everything alright? I saw you brought up here with the Inspector and the Corporal."
"Yeah it's fine," he assured her. "Just had to run an annoying errand for them is all."
"What's that?" she asked as she saw the bag from the mall in his hands. Cal grinned as she set down in Hikaru's chair and began setting up the makeshift picnic.
"I thought you might like some company." He smiled.
"But…but the Festa!" she gasped. "You'll miss it."
"I can spare a few minutes." He told her. "Besides I could use a break myself." Olivier's heart pounded in her chest. When she had lost to Hikaru she was convinced this was going to be a terrible day. But now, she realized how lucky she was. 'I get to have a private date with Cal!' she squealed to herself.
After eating and hanging out with Olivier, which brightened her mood considerably, Cal hurried on his way. As the Inspector and Corporal had taken the elevator down to the beach, Cal opted to just walk. It would take the same amount of time to take the stairs as it would to wait and ride down anyway. He was halfway down when Jasmine's voice echoed up from the beach. "IT'S THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! THE ANNUAL SPORTS FESTIVAL! GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT LADIES, BECAUSE THIS YEAR'S PRIZE IS 1 MILLION IN CASH! FIRST UP IS THE MELTING SWIMSUIT BREAD EATING COMPETITION!" He was missing the sport events. Cal sprinted along the corridor and down the stairs three at a time. As he rounded a corner, he ran into something and fell backwards as something light and soft landed on top of him.
"Ow!" It was Hilda, who tried to get up but felt a snag on her back, somehow Cal's face had gotten caught in between her top. "Will you get off you pervert!" She pulled his head free from in between her breasts, her face going redder than her hair.
"Sorry, I should watch where I'm going." Cal laughed nervously as Hilda looked like she was about to send him straight to hell.
"Honestly, it's one thing or another with you!" Hilda snapped in embarrassment. "I swear you do it on purpose."
"Hey come on don't be like that." Cal tried to apologize but Hilda was having none of it. So he took the second chocolate he snagged from Misty's box and placed it into Hilda's hand. "Here take it as an apology." Hilda's face seemed to perk up slightly at the kind gesture.
"Oh…erm thanks." She said awkwardly. "But don't think this means I'm no longer pissed." She looked shyly at him before changing the subject. "Tell me, I don't look childish in this do I?" She asked showing off her bikini more clearly. It was a black with pink lacy frills along its edges. It had been the first swimsuit she had chosen since she had been with Zola.
"Of course not. It's beautiful."
"Really?" Hilda said brightly them seemed to decide upon reflection that it was odd Cal was alone and not at the Festa. "What are you doing here anyway?"
"It's a long story" Cal sighed. "What about you. Why here instead of hanging out with Rosalie and Chris? They've been looking all over for you."
"I'm heading to my room." Hilda answered. "I just want to be on my own."
"If you want." Cal said. "But you can't hide forever."
"Who said I was hiding?" Hilda glowered.
"You can't stay angry forever Hilda. Even Scarlett has moved on. It's about time you did to." Hilda glared at him and looked as though she was about to cry but she turned away. "I know you're still angry with Ange about Zola but that doesn't mean you need to be on your own. Because you're not. And you never are Hilda." Hilda kept her back to him when suddenly she turned and without warning actually hugged Cal around his neck with an impatient groan.
"Just forget about it." She told him. "And forget about me, it doesn't matter anymore." She pulled away and gave him a faint smile before walking away and turning the corner out of sight. 'I'll never understand her.' Cal sighed. Out of all the girls in his squad, Hilda was the most complicated of the bunch. He had always wondered why she was so serious, but she had shown a softer side to him from time to time and wished she would show it more often. 'Naomi said unlike most of them Hilda was a late arrival like me." He remembered as he continued on his way. 'I wonder what her life was like before she was brought here?'
Stepping back into the light and onto the beach, Cal saw a large crowd gathered near the surf. Cal shoved near the front and couldn't believe his eyes. Many girls were waist deep in the water jumping up at a line hung suspended over the water with loafs of bread in various states of consumption dangling along its length. And all of them were wearing identical blue one piece swimsuits that began to dissolve in the water, leaving some almost naked. And when they saw him, half the girls shrank into the water screaming in embarrassment.
"There you are. You're missing out on the sports competitions." Jasmine said delightfully and handed Cal a plate of food. "C'mon eat up, you need your full strength in these competitions. I've bet a lot of money that you'll be in the top 10." As Cal stuffed his face with cheese fries, sticky BBQ ribs and teriyaki chicken skewers, he couldn't help but comment on Jasmine's choice of wear, a red and white striped retro one piece with a white hat.
"Nice suit. Did you buy that to cover up your bingo wings?"
"Watch it kid!" Jasmine warned before she whacked him on the back with the death stick. "I can see you got that one from Gaz." Throughout her relationship with Gaz, Jasmine was always touchy when he would joke about her age. Especially when she hit 35.
"The boy is right. You are looking your age Jasmine." Jill agreed, looking quite more relaxed than she normally looked.
"Don't you start!" Jasmine snapped. "You'll start double checking in the mirror in a few years' time Commander." Cal had never noticed it before but, without her cloaked uniform, Jill looked a lot younger than she was, especially in that sexy white bikini of hers.
"What are you staring at?!" Jill growled noticing the blood rising in his cheeks.
"Nothing." Cal said quickly as he quickly switched attention back to the contest. Despite her small size, Vivian won by a mile and once everyone dried and changed back into their chosen swimwear, Jasmine announced the second sport competition through her megaphone. "ALRIGHT NEXT UP IS VOLLEYBALL! TEAM 1 AND 3 YOU'RE UP FIRST!" She leaned in closer to Cal's ear. "Do your best and make sure I get paid."
"I've never known anyone to be so greedy with money." Cal groaned as he rolled his eyes.
From the edge of the launch hanger, Ange laid back on the lounge chair. When she arrived, she had to scare off a pair of Norma trying to have a little private time. Ange was more than happy to be out of that smelly sweaty Perolina costume. As well as finally getting some peace and quiet. But try as she might, Ange just couldn't relax.
"I'm so sorry Sylvia, it's all my fault."
"It's not your fault Angelise. I hope we can go riding again soon dear sister."
It was if it happened yesterday, the day Sylvia had fallen from Ange's horse and was unable to walk. Especially since Sylvia had never bore her any ill will. Rising up, Ange saw along the edge of the tarmac a white Mana aircraft sitting on its own. It was a personal royal transport Vehicle and the Rosenblum emblem was printed across the starboard hull, two gold lions against a blue shield with a red rose set in the middle. 'Well, what other choice do I have?' she asked herself as she picked up the Perolina headpiece.
"Hey! Who are you?!" Inside the parlor of the Villa, Misty heard one of her bodyguards call out to someone, followed by a brief scuffle before the doors were thrown open and a figure in a red bikini barged in, a massive patchwork bear head covering her face. Misty's head maid fainted at the sight but Misty could only stare in bemusement at the surreal scene before her.
"You wanted to see me?" the figure said in a falsetto voice.
"Uh…" Misty stammered.
"It's me." The figure removed the headpiece and Misty gasped in shock.
"It is you, Lady Angelise." Misty gasped. But the once regal and elegant young girl who Misty had sparred against during the Iaria matches was nearly unrecognizable. It wasn't just a matter of her now collar length hair, but the stern expression on her face and the cold glint in her ruby red eyes.
"It's been a while," Lady Angelise said curtly as she sat down. "So what do you want?"
"Well, I wanted to talk," Misty nervously said. "That day, I was watching your baptism and I couldn't believe it. The beautiful and radiant princess Angelise Ikaruga Misurugi, who I respected and even idolized, is a Norma? It has to be some kind of mistake. So I used the Festa as an excuse to hear the whole truth from you and…"
"Look I don't have all day," Ange interrupted. "So let's cut to the chase. I am a Norma. End of story. Satisfied?"
"Oh um…yes I suppose." Misty mumbled.
"Good. Because Now I need a favor from you." Ange smiled as she drew her knife from the back of her bikini bottom. "Help me escape."
Back at the beach Corporal Lawrence searched throughout the festa for Ange but she was still nowhere to be seen so he and the Inspector split up. He was about to search the base until someone whispered in his ear.
"What's wrong handsome you look lost?" He whirled around and saw it was the doctor Maggie dressed in an orange swimsuit that showed off her cleavage.
"Yes, I'm looking for Ange." Corporal Lawrence cleared his throat. "I'm sorry about barging in like that, I should have…"
"I don't mind." Maggie cooed. "Did you like what you saw." She popped her chest out and smiled broadly. "C'mon it's the Festa. You should take the day to wind down and relax."
"Excuse me!" Corporal Lawrence flushed and turned away. "I don't need a Norma like you telling me how to do my job." He said firmly. "Now stop wasting my time. I have to find Ange. The Princess of Rosenblum has requested her presence."
"Why don't I help you with that." Maggie said as she slithered her arm around the Corporal's and tugged him towards to food stalls. "She's bound to turn up if we look for her together."
"Will you let go of my arm Norma!"
"Lady Perolina where are you!" Momoka called out, a pair of fruit refreshers in her hands. "I'm worried she might get dehydrated with her tongue hanging out like that."
"Well look who I caught alone?" Momoka turned around and dropped the beverages in alarm. Staring back at her was Hilda, pointing a pistol right at Momoka's face. "Now shut up and you might just live through this." Hilda warned.
TO BE CONTINUED…
ARTHOR'S NOTES
Welcome back guys and girls, we're finally back with the start of the new Arc. Apologise this has taken a little longer, I've needed a much needed break to get through personal tough times but, I've been planning ahead and writing behind the scenes at a much better pace. Please check out my Deviantart account, raggylad98 if you guys are into, Character designs & visual storytelling. Big thanks and shout out to Eric Micheal Kline for editing these chapters and go check out his account and stories.
Take care guys and always stay healthy.
