EPISODE 16: TUMBLING SYMPHONY!
Summary: For Galia's annual Harmony Gala this year, Rush is invited by the Emperor, who is planning something for the Human Killer…but then unexpected figures turn up at the party!
Disclaimer: I don't own Cross Ange or any of its characters and original plot, excluding the original characters I created for this story. This is a spin-off series of the main 'Cross Ange: Living Hell' story. So please read that before here.
Cross Ange and all its rights belong to King Records (Japan), Sentai Filmworks (USA), and Sunrise/ Bandai Namco Entertainment (Japan). This fanfiction is meant for entertainment only and not for profit. This story contains heavy language, blood and violence, and mild sexual themes not for audiences under 16-18 years old.
Another day has passed without an issue from the Norma apprehended by both the proud Norma Maejure Force and the Human Killer, the latter is still a top priority of concern for humanity under each ruler's jurisdiction but mostly his Emperor, although the latter is confident by reading the reports given by his soldier that the Human Killer has been doing well on his end. And in Rosenblum's end, not a single incident happened in Arzenal between the Norma and the DRAGONs so the world will be at peace for the night. For this year, one night shall be the night that one nation will be made special to commemorate what its ruler thought of as an event strictly for the noblemen and noblewomen of his kingdom ever since it was made and held on this night. Inside the Escarpment where its host is not joining his six subjects but sitting in his usual spot behind the single tree behind the pagoda to either read his book or accompany the virtual animals in peace, the rulers of each official nation were initially discussing the important subjects regarding their homes and the Norma occurrences alongside a few mentions of the Human Killer when one of them recalled something to turn towards his acquaintance.
"Ah, I just remembered; tomorrow night is your Gala, isn't it?" The Rosenblum King enquired the Galia Emperor, collecting the other rulers' attention with Julio the only one curious and confused about this Gala, making the eldest man of the council smirk his pride.
"Indeed. Thank you for mentioning it, Rosenblum." The Galia Emperor affirmed, secretly chortling his amusement at the youngest Emperor of Misurugi's puzzlement for the Gala. "Allow me to educate you for your curiosity, Lord Julio. The annual Harmony Gala has been a yearly night tradition for the Galia Empire that I first made eighteen to nineteen years ago, to commemorate the sudden peace that happened on that same night. Only my proud aristocratic people are invited to the extravagant event…but this year, I wish to invite a special guest."
"Special guest?" Endurant Union President Irijah wondered with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes. Ever since Julio heartfully invited the Human Killer to his gathering, which made him meet Master Embryo and somehow easily get his favour like us, I've been thinking of seeing how he will experience his first Harmony Gala." The Galia Emperor mused aloud, mentioning the name that alarmed the others mostly Marmeria and Rosenblum's anger, and Queen Parvati, Julio, and President Irijah's mixed surprise alongside the former's concern. The Galia Emperor could wonder, but not believe, how Master Embryo would react in his spot. "I understand your surprise. But I find it fair on my part as the Human Killer is technically a stray ruler for overseeing the Haven and being our soldier in dealing the Norma and traitors."
"Won't the Human Killer gun down your guest for being the trigger-happy brat he is?" The Marmeria Secretary bemused in irritation at his hatred of the Human Killer.
"As much as I wish to say the Secretary does have a point, it will not be a surprise that he would only do so if something instigates him." Julio pondered, ignoring the older man looking at him with a stern glower.
"Lord Julio is right." Queen Parvati Velda nodded with a firm scowl, happily being the only one defending her surrogate Misurugi child. "Due to the Human Killer's sadistically noble job of protecting the world from the Norma, those who rather see him as a human monster will not hesitate to initiate a terrible occurrence towards him."
"Galia? Since you're inviting the Human Killer, despite not being Galian, are you also inviting Master Embryo?" President Irijah enquired.
"Sadly, I've given my invitation. But Master Embryo insisted on not attending, wanting to check on his two children." Galia Emperor shook his head with a glimpse at the tree where their master reclines instead of joining this conversation, scowling his suspicion about his two children before he faintly smiled at the other rulers. "Rest assured, Your Majesties. You mustn't worry just because of our acquaintanceship with the Human Killer. I'll see to it if he does appreciate the Harmony Gala."
Unaware of the others, the Galia Emperor mentally smirked his cruel anticipation of what he just planned relating to the Human Killer. 'I shall make sure the brat will learn his place in MY kingdom. Even if it publicly humiliates him the way we'll see him as a filthy coward for once, Master Embryo will surely see he does not need him.'
…What he and everyone don't know that their Master is listening to EVERYTHING…
"Hmm. It seems the old fool is planning something terrible for Rush, right when I rejected his invitation for his so-called special Gala. What should I do?" Embryo whispered his annoyance for the council, mostly Galia's ill intention for Rush he heard his mind with his telepathy, to not himself but the adorable red bushy-tailed squirrel almost sleeping on his hands, like a loaf until it stood on its hind legs. Embryo didn't think, from visiting Rush's land, of the possibility of talking to understand animals the same as the Haven citizens bearing their furry companions like Rush and Sheeta. The sight of the baby-looking squirrel raising its pawed hands seemingly pointing against its fluffy chest, as if silently asking in surprise if Embryo was talking to it, made him chuckle from his smile. "Yes, I'm asking you."
Silent for an animal, Embryo paid no mind to the tiny squirrel running out of his hands, climbing onto him until his head before ascending its path onto the tree against his back, possibly getting more nuts. 'Heh, no surprise.' Embryo brushed off no hard feelings. He knows the virtual animals here are not like the Haven animals, making him wish to visit there just for Rush.
However, Embryo unknowingly caught the squirrel falling back onto his hands from the tall height, alarmed and almost dropped the fast blur of brown out of nowhere. With a startled gasp, Embryo watched the squirrel holding its nut it then successfully knocked it open in half with Embryo's palm without pain and ate its seeds until finished. But instead of climbing away, Embryo watches the squirrel holding two halves of the empty nut in its paws and clapping them together, staring at him with those big, beady eyes and adorable chattering noises.
Whether Embryo understood what the squirrel was trying to tell him or not, he glanced at the creature clapping the nut halves a few more times with a dumbfounded frown…but it might make him think of something.
The starry night sky for tonight immediately excited the rich politicians and guests of the Galia Empire attending the Harmony Gala taking place in the Imperial Galia Palace under their ruler's invitation. And from what they were informed by their Emperor, which alarmed but unable to speak against his wishes, he invited the Human Killer as both a guest and a special guard for their secret entertainment, which made the selected citizens muse and even anticipate what the Emperor will give the foul gunner a taste of comeuppance for existing as a murderer even towards those disgusting Norma. Standing outside and farther from the Palace entrance to look at the exterior and the sky, ignoring the guards doing their posts behind him and some of the arriving guests eying and whispering their insults at him, Rush irritably mused his suspicion for both his invitation that Galia FORCED it on him and tonight, dusting his bandaged and fingerless gloved hands on his royal attire he last wore in Misty's baptism.
From what he remembers, tonight's Gala was made eighteen to nineteen years ago…which was also the same day that its Emperor did something that prompted Rush to inform someone when she asked him why he was visiting Galia tonight… "So that Emperor sees THIS night as a celebration, even calling it Harmony. Give them hell, Rush."
"I wish, Jill." Rush tiredly sighed in annoyance. He didn't understand why the Galia Emperor insisted on inviting him to a party only reserved for the Galia's politicians and other snobbish rich people bragging about their achievements. He had one thought that could be a reason; Galia is trying to embarrass him just because he hates going to fancy parties. 'Well, I'll just get this over with…' Rush rolled his eye in anger and just took one step when he felt a presence walking towards him, clicking high heels with each step from behind him.
"…Am I too late to be your escort, Rush?" Rush's single eye widened in surprise at the familiar voice softly asking him from behind, the voice that he wished to hear again despite his people's painful so-called concerns for him for the owner, which made him immediately turn around and face the speaker. But instead of who he was thinking about…Rush's half-bandaged face shook and gawked his mouth in aghast at being greeted by someone unexpected.
'The…the fuck!?' Rush mentally screams his shock at seeing a well-dressed woman that he knows who she is. She has back-length, pale-blonde hair but her eyes are hidden by the green noble flower hat, must be wearing and surprisingly easily walking on high-heeled boots subtly shown under the dress to be almost taller than Rush, and wears a light green, exquisite ballgown with frilled, long sleeves and red, laced frills around the skirt, long white gloves, a tint or average amount of glittered makeup around the cheeks and red lips…only Rush could've sworn her lipstick's texture looks a bit like blood when it perfectly smeared on its skin like an actual lipstick.
"You've gotta be fucking me, man…" Rush twitched his eye in bafflement, unsure of feeling disbelieved or even impressed by this woman.
"You dare remark such foul words just for seeing me in a dress, Rush?" The woman, who surprisingly fooled Rush the first time if not for the exact voice he would hear from someone, chortled with a sarcastic smile and faintly lifted her head revealing a glimpse of the exact, beautiful glowing eyes Rush would see in someone, whom Rush pointed out in a tint of anger and worry, quiet from the guards who could hear their conversation despite the distance. "Why are you in a dress, Em!? Even with the hat, you confused me for a woman!"
"I have two good reasons." Embryo curtly noted, bringing Rush to lean forward with curiosity at his enemy's proud tone and expression in his scowl, his gloved hands on his hips and skirt. "…One, I wore this dress to tease this spin-off in the author's other story Tainted Repentance…"
'I know we can break the fourth wall, but damn man…' Rush stoically deadpanned his surprise at Embryo's casual fourth wall breaking but retains his composure when Embryo sports a serious sneer facing the Galia Palace. "But it's mostly to save you from the Galia Emperor's future humiliation, just because you prefer to withdraw from society. If I remember when we first met, you don't like attending parties."
'Of course, the fucker invites me for THAT.' Rush mentally sneers in annoyance. But now, Rush's main concern is not himself nor Galia's failproof plan but his frenemy joining him as a crossdresser. "Yeah. As much as I don't want to because of that, I'm not having the old man calling me a pussy for backing out like some coward. Aren't you worried that people may recognise you?"
"I've been disguising as different men and women since I was a child, so I'm an expert actor. I'm not some disgustingly small-minded hypocrite or misogynistic fool boasting that men shouldn't wear dresses." Embryo confidently brushed off his concerns with crossed arms against his body, initially startling Rush of his attitude just as Embryo smiled his reassurance. "But I'm glad you asked me that; I used a bit of my illusion magic so that everyone here shall mistake me as a full woman while I want you to be the only one who sees me as myself. Just try to look and think of me as such." Upon Embryo's suggestion, Rush carefully looks back at him with both his eye and mind seeing the other as just himself. Immediately, in Rush's vision, Embryo in his dress shifts like he is hallucinating until Rush sees Embryo not wearing a dress but the same formal clothes he wore at Misty's baptism.
"Oh, good. I can still hang out with you without disgusting people to date with a guy. Although, I don't mind you, dress in all…just please don't do it often." Rush instantly smiles his relief although he quickly sees Embryo back in his dress as his mind's command, his words prompted the other to raise an eyebrow under his hat with the same, bemused smirk. "But you don't need to trouble yourself to help me, Em."
"I want to because you're my dear friend." Embryo's response surprised Rush to see him looking at the Human Killer with a faintly calm smile or frown. "Everyone on our sides thinks I shouldn't even be close to you, just because of our stations and affiliation. But you don't allow people to control and force you to do what you despise, even associating with people deemed enemies because you choose to be yourself rather than pick a side. And that... astounds me. Therefore, thanks to you, I wish to follow your mindset on seeing through people." Rush blinked his right eye in astonishment at Embryo's words but immediately smiled his appreciation, feeling better from before and arriving in Galia.
"Thanks, Em. I wish I could hug you for that, but figured it'll ruin your makeup and dress. Wanna?" Rush exclaimed with a chuckle and waved his bandaged right hand to lead themselves into the Palace, also pleasing Embryo to smile his gratitude before the two men leisurely walked inside, keeping up appearances by Embryo holding his arms and hands around Rush's left arm. "Hey, Em? Other than the glitter on your face, what kind of lipstick are you wearing?" Rush whispered what he wanted to ask earlier.
"Oh, it's blood, not lipstick," Embryo answered without hesitance or embarrassment with a peek at Rush's reaction to first surprised instead of disgusted, but then curious and impressed. "…Would kissing you make you taste like blo-ow ow ow ow ow ow ow!? Em, you're gonna pinch my ear off!"
Inside the spacious ballroom fit for the Harmony Gala, the air was filled with soothing music by the orchestra band at one corner of the room, soft chuckles of pleasure by the guests entertaining themselves with conversations amongst each other or dancing around the large centre of the ballroom, and the Light of Mana holding their wine glasses, plates of dishes, and belongings. As part of the Harmony Gala, some Mana camera drones fly around the room live streaming the event towards the Mana network under the royal Galia's Mana account, for the entire world to see as tradition. But to the Galia Emperor, this year shall have the amusing entertainment regarding the last person he thought of inviting and will humiliate him for all to see. Surrounded by some of the politicians working under him, also as old as he is, the Galia Emperor listened and paid attention to their less-priority conversations about their current affairs or their families although the only thing on his mind was the Human Killer, who had yet to come. However, the Galia Emperor does not seem to be surprised. For a heartless trigger-happy fool who prefers to torture traitors and fill everyone's heart with fear for his existence, he is someone who doesn't appreciate acting like a decent human being would. Even if it's a royal invitation, perhaps the Human Killer's absence can also assist The Emperor in using his power and authority to punish that brat however he likes.
"Your Majesty. I'm sure tonight will be a grand night as it normally is each year." One of the politicians humbled the proud Emperor.
"Oh, yes. Made to commemorate the anniversary of your late daughter's passing with the first Harmony Gala. If she was alive, she would've enjoyed it." Another noted what secretly made his ruler twitch his mouth but refrain from frowning his repulsion. '…That thing is not my daughter.'
"I recall that you invited the Human Killer of all people, Your Majesty. May I trouble you to ask why?" The current commanding officer, who replaced the previous one dead for protecting his foul Norma daughter sixteen years ago, wondered what made the group shudder their suspicion, dread, and anger in their frowns at their ruler's decision to invite that cruel murderer and why he was surprisingly pleased about it with his smile.
"Ah, of course. I invited the Human Killer out of my kindness to show him his first Harmony Gala. Alas, I can't seem to find…" However, the Galia Emperor was interrupted by hushed gasps and whispers from the guests now looking at the entrance of the ballroom in mixed surprise. When he followed their direction, the Galia Emperor was bewildered by not the last guest's arrival but the mysterious noblewoman who hid her eyes with her hat and bravely held his arm around hers, yet everyone presumed highly of her beauty that made the men, and even the Emperor blush a soft pinkish-red on their cheeks in bewilderment.
'What? The Human Killer's here… with a partner?' The Galia Emperor mused once he slowly calmed down from the shock, seeing the last two guests walking towards him and protégé until the older ruler greeted the half-bandaged man. "Human Killer. I thank you for accepting my invitation to attend the festivities."
"Thank you, Your Highness." The Human Killer bowed alongside his partner, boring his glued scowl that irritated everyone who saw him before he motioned his bandaged right hand to the woman smiling serenely beside him. "I hope you don't mind…I brought my fiancé with me for tonight, last minute." The revelation of his woman and their relationship may have horrified the Galia Emperor and his entourage.
'Fiancé!?' The Galia Emperor gawked at Human Killer and his fiancé who were surprisingly unfazed by the former's introduction. However, he must put up with appearances when he hurriedly calms down to faintly bow to the woman. "I…Indeed. I believe this would be best to have a partner who helps us calm YOU down. Welcome to the Galia Empire, Miss…"
"…Alice." The woman softly bowed with a faintly husky feminine voice and her smile never wavered. "I am Alice Asmodeus Zechs. It is an honour to meet the Emperor of another beautiful nation outside the Misurugi Empire for the first time, Your Majesty. My love has told me all about his work, but I hope we shall enjoy ourselves under your eye the same as your subjects who are dearly loyal to you."
'Ah! For a heartless brat, his fiancé is a charming lady…' The Galia Emperor blinked his eyes in amazement at this woman's smart words, unlike the Human Killer whom no one noticed he stared at his partner in surprise until the Galia Emperor acknowledged with a small but kind smile for Miss Zechs. "How delightful to hear that, milady. I hope you two shall enjoy the Harmony Gala." The Human Killer and his fiancé gave another bow towards The Emperor and leisurely walked away through the party with the ruler glaring at them, his pleasure for Miss Zechs's kindness faltered into suspicion and disdain for the Human Killer especially when he heard his men whisper their envy for that brat.
"Fiancé?" Rush just breathed his relief when he heard Embryo whisper his annoyance to see his smile widening in bemusement, unable to see his eyes under his hat while the two ignored the unsubtle whispers coming from the jealous guests. How did the old man NOT recognise his superior from both his disguise and slightly feminine voice that amazingly works? "Is you calling me that just to lie to the old man or another way to court me?" Embryo scoffed.
"I can't think of anything else to call you, man. Luckily, I'll just say that it's like those childhood dreams of 'growing up to marry your best friend' schtick just to help us." Rush quietly complained with a faintly confident smile about his possible reason, which made Embryo chortle but mused his agreement for the idea although both were stopped by the loud forced cough from behind them, turning around to see one of the male guests walking towards them, mostly eying Embryo with a lustful smirk.
"Excuse me, miss? I can't help but notice how you of all women are bold enough to hold arms with the Human Killer. What are you both relationship?" The man's obnoxious personality and sarcastic demand to court Embryo in front of Rush immediately angered and disgusted the two.
"We're engaged." Rush and Embryo curtly answered the same thing without hesitance, shocking the playboy and some of the people who heard them at close distances. The speaker first snarled his anger and jealousy at Rush but quickly coughed against his fist which he then offered the same hand towards Embryo, that and his sickening seductive smile made the secret Tuner sneer his repulsion and Rush carefully pulled him closer in defence.
"I-I-I see. However, miss. Would you dance with me, if this is your first Gala? A woman as mysteriously beautiful as yourself will have a grand night with someone more humane than your so-called partner…" However, the three including the pervert heard a mocking chuckle and saw a few more of the male guests interjecting the furious deviant sneering at them.
"No, I think she is suited to dance with me…" The man who scoffed earlier proudly declared although another of the, now, seven single old men in their thirties or forties warned. "How laughable. Surely the Human Killer's lover prefers me…" Unknowingly to the seven men now arguing with each other and made the other guests watching them in mixed confusion, Rush felt Embryo's gloved hands tightly clenched against his arm and look at him in confusion only to lean a bit downward and spot, what surprised him, Embryo's glowing green eyes widening in horror and anger under his hat.
'…They're just like the Tyrants and those boys…' Embryo mentally hissed as his ears couldn't ignore the humiliating and painful voices of these vile men publicly embarrassing themselves instead of Rush, his mind forced to remember similar voices and figures hounding their lust at him, that made him want to strike these insects even if it accidentally reveals himself in front of Galia. He was so out of focus from his plight that he didn't feel the arm he desperately held surprisingly pull away from his hands but wrap around his waist from behind until he gasped from being gently dragged away to the centre of the ballroom. "Human Killer, where are you taking your partner?" Embryo heard one of those foul men angrily demand Rush.
"Alice hates guys who don't shut up and force themselves on them, so you guys are making her uncomfortable. They're not some goddamn toy you can break them to cheat on me, so get your wives." Rush strongly warned and glared over his left shoulder in fury, both his tone and his right hand resting on the trigger of his gun still hanging against his hip at least made the men shudder and mewl in fear for their lives towards Rush leading Embryo away from them. "You okay, Em?" Rush whispered once it was safe to ask the other.
"…Thank you, Rush," Embryo whispered, relaxing in Rush's single embrace instead of pushing him away for the scary but kind act away from those foul, disgusting men. As always, Embryo trusts Rush to save him from breaking down. Suddenly, Rush and Embryo heard the music starting to go louder from the orchestra band and saw some of the couples immediately start dancing around the room's centre with the other guests as their audiences. "Oh, it's time for the dance. Rush, have you ever…?" Embryo wondered, hoping to forget earlier by curiously asking his fiancé.
"Haven't done it after coming to Haven," Rush noted, raising his right hand to sneer his anger at his bandages. "The assholes would whip my hands until red if I either refused or even did a wrong step without caring that they hurt me so much that I don't have the energy." Embryo's horror was luckily ignored, not wanting Rush to see his reaction but not wanting to see the other angry and depressed for his abused past. 'I can't tell Em; I may have practised at home after getting invited, without my team watching as blackmail.' Embryo's telepathy heard Rush's mind sadly sigh, trying to cheer himself up but still frowning…
"I see…" Rush heard Embryo mutter but was startled to get himself dragged towards the dancefloor by Embryo walking forward before turning around and facing him, his left hand grasping between Rush's right shoulder and forearm and his right bandaged hand holding Rush's fingerless gloved hand. "Then, why don't you put your practice to good use, without those foul memories traumatizing you? Allow me to help you every step of the way." Embryo's suggestion and the glimpse of his mouth smiling either sincerely or confidently almost surprised Rush to speak but instead relented with a faintly assertive smirk, gently grasping his right hand against his dance partner's hip.
"Tell me if I accidentally step on your feet." Fully prepared mentally, Rush led themselves onto the dancefloor and graciously twirled each other without hitting any of the other dance couples without incident. As soon as they danced, with Rush aware that his waltz dancing was still perfect without getting tortured unlike his past, he and Embryo heard the startled whispers of awe, jealousy, and astonishment from the guests and spotted glimpses of their reactions including the dancers. But Rush doesn't care when his attention is only on Alice…
...although he may have followed Embryo's advice earlier to visualize him dancing with Embryo's true self by how he and Alice smile their humane satisfaction towards him.
"My, the Human Killer is surprisingly a good dancer." The Galia Emperor heard one of his proteges musing his distrust as the group watched the Human Killer and Miss Zechs dancing graciously around the ballroom with the other guests, with the music not completely drowning the ongoing whispers regarding those two, especially from the group of men that tried to steal Miss Alice from her so-called fiancé, The Emperor wished they have done it regardless of their feelings for each other. As he watches them enjoying their dance, despite wishing them the best after their surprising arrival, The Galia Emperor mentally frown his anger a suspicious thought; that the Human Killer must've known about his plan to humiliate him which explains of using his fiancé to assist him.
Seeing the Human Killer slightly smirking as he danced with his lover boiled The Galia Emperor's blood in fury. The nerve! He must do something to disgrace the Human Killer with his Mana livestream of the Gala as evidence to prove his superiority to Master Embryo.
When he looked up and back to the couple, something he saw made him immediately gasp his shock which alarmed his group. Just for a second…he thought he saw Miss Zechs as Master Embryo for a split second before he saw the lady as herself. But that's impossible. Master Embryo wouldn't sink low to attend a party he couldn't come just to help someone as wicked and cruel as the Human Killer, even something as humiliating by cross-dressing as some noblewoman. Although the Emperor knew that HIM cross-dressing would be ludicrous for a normal person or a God like his master… could he do it just for that impudent fool?
He was so focused on spying on his target and his lover, that he didn't notice that his form strangely emitted and released an ominously dark purple or black mist of smoke rising from his head and body…just like the slowly but growing mists releasing from all the guests except the Human Killer and Alice Asmodeus Zechs.
"Hmm?" Embryo was hearing the music from the band slowly dimming to be the end of the dance when he noticed something unusual that attracted his disbelief to look around the ballroom, confusing Rush who scowls his curiosity for his partner's reaction. 'Why are everyone…releasing darkness from their hearts?' Embryo wondered from seeing almost everyone but himself and Rush spewing such dangerous-looking dark mists that they somehow didn't notice, most of them were glaring at them with suspicious sneers visibly showing their anger and envy, unfitting for a grand party like this Gala.
"Em, are you okay?" Embryo glances back at Rush whispering his call with a curious scowl, possibly not seeing the darkness that Embryo must be the only one who can see still worries him in confusion.
"What a wonderful dance for the night, ladies and gentlemen, especially the unexpected sight of the Human Killer and his fiancé Miss Alice Asmodeus Zechs willingly joining us." Everyone hears the Galia Emperor speaking towards the entire ballroom as the host he is, although Rush and Embryo are not surprised by his overbearing tone hissing his mention towards Rush. But Embryo grew more suspicious of the Galia Emperor releasing a stronger volume of darkness out of him than the other guests. "Perhaps other than our beautiful gathering, we should offer our congratulations for their union…"
"A-aaaah! Your Majesty, something is behind you!" A sudden scream of fear from one of the female guests alarmed everyone although what she said brought them to look behind the Galia Emperor who also whirled around before backing away in fright when he and everyone spotted the colossal, dangerous-looking pool of dark purple-blue, and black mists of darkness materializing on the floor out of nowhere, making Rush, Embryo, and the Emperor see it almost like a Singularity but ominous just as a gigantic figure flew out of the portal. Instead of a DRAGON, this new and odd monster made almost everyone but Rush and Embryo, who gawked in puzzlement and disbelief, scream in fear with the Galia Emperor running away from the beast now hovering into the air after its portal of darkness disappeared out of existence.
This grey-skinned, large humanoid monster, which only has a pair of glowing red, angry-shaped eyes in its face and grey musical note horns on each side of its head, resembles a march conductor with its bright green coat with white cuffs and a matching green hat adorning a yellow and orange feather, two black M-shaped patterns on its chest, white pauldrons with gold tassels on its shoulders and matching trim, white and black striped - baggy pants, black gloves, knee-high, white boots with slightly curled toes, and its right hand held a red, lightning bolt-shaped baton. With a wave of its arms and hands now swaying like a conductor, three flashes of pink, yellow, and dark red light materialized for a sudden appearance of three musical instruments; a violin, trumpet, and drums with its drumsticks, each floating around the monster.
'An Unversed?!' Embryo wondered in shock and felt Rush holding his arms around him to protect each other but mostly the Tuner, not screaming like the other women and terrified men out of fear, as thirteen of the royal guards dashed in from outside and past the guests now running away to the hallways alongside their Galia Emperor while Rush and Embryo stood through the cowardly mob until the room only has the two and the guards ready to fight the monster who is strangely not attacking them but playing loud, fast music with its instruments circling its conductor.
[Background/ Battle Music: The Tumbling from Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep]
"Shoot it down!" With the Emperor's orders, the guards aim their live rifles but Embryo stops Rush from aiming his gun, confusing the gunner yet the two notice that as the humanoid monster continuously plays its instruments, it also conjures a strange glowing pink and yellow energy power with light taking shape of musical notes towards the people who the guards did not fire but all immediately fallen on their knees of the energy now swirling all over them, forcing them with strangled breaths even Rush and Embryo…
"Rush!" Realizing a potential trap, Embryo swiftly grabbed Rush in his arms and quickly flew and carried themselves towards the side of the ballroom before landing expertly in time to witness and hear the thirteen men's screams from automatically blown out of existence by the explosion they unknowingly stood on top. The conductor monster ceased playing, initially acting surprised by its body movement and silently looking around possibly for them with its instruments orbiting its master.
"Thanks, Em." Rush panted his surprise in his exhilarated smile for an upcoming battle as Embryo positioned the hat almost flying off his head, keeping his disguise in check just as the two witnessed a Mana screen popping in front of their faces and showing the Galia Emperor snarling his rage at Rush.
"Human Killer! This is an order; kill that foul beast for ruining the Gala…do it even if you die in front of your so-called fiancé, for the good of our world!" The Galia Emperor did not waste a second to loudly order Rush and shut off his screen without a response, baffling Embryo while Rush deadpanned his irritation although the latter almost thought he heard a low, ferocious growl from the former.
"…That miscreant was fooled by my disguise, and yet he wants you dead." Embryo muttered in vehemence, already deciding to punish Galia for this disobedience but putting the focus on helping Rush fight and win from the Unversed when he quickly stood on his high-heeled feet. "Rush, we shall defeat the Unversed ourselves." Embryo decided with a hand raised for Rush's, seeing the subtle surprise in his eye but smirked his anticipation.
"Yeah, Em!" Rush quickly accepted Embryo's hand pulling him to his feet and both men dashed out of their hiding spot and stood before this Unversed, Embryo will mentally call it Symphony Master by its orchestra-like appearance, still looking around for anybody until it heard Rush shouting at it from in front, after seeing that the two are as big as the Unversed's knees. "Hey! You're in the wrong franchise!"
With the couple prepared to battle the Symphony Master who immediately swayed its arms and hands again, not doing it for Galia for his actions, Rush and Embryo raced towards the Symphony Master with the floating drum, violin, and trumpet flying towards them and forced Rush and Embryo to leap away with the drum chasing Rush and the violin and trumpet after Embryo.
As he slowly but heavily swings his gun like a sword against the drum that first hit Rush by playing itself and bumping against him, surprisingly painful until Rush whacks it aside, he glanced at Embryo battling the other two instruments at once, curious to see how he fights only to react amazed of seeing Alice throwing his arms, fists, and legs against the violin with swift karate moves and flips, even one bold move of raising one leg off the floor and rapidly kick his high-heeled, booted foot against his opponent fast enough his leg became a fast black blur. To Rush, not even the agile Haven fighters can move as fast as that…unfortunately, he was so distracted that Rush was blown away from his feet and landed roughly at his side, surprised from being hit but the Symphony Master breaking its baton into five smaller sizes and threw them at Rush's direction like knives until the baton reappeared as it was onto the Unversed's hand.
After he leapt away from the trumpet blowing a wave of shockwaves from him before conjuring a fireball of Mana he threw to destroy the violin now bursting out of existence in darkness and wisps of light, Embryo noticed the Symphony Master stopped playing right after that to lift its hands and grab its head, acting in pain while its entire body was covered in dark violet or black energy of darkness while its red eyes glow brighter for a few seconds before the darkness was released from its form to be the same and resume playing the drum and trumpet to attack him and Rush.
"Destroy the other two instruments!" Embryo shouted at Rush hurriedly getting on his feet from being hit, making sure to still sound like Alice and fool the Galia Empire since the Mana drones above their heads are STILL recording everything.
"G-Got it!" Rush responded, dashing towards the drum and shooting and hitting his gun while sliding and rolling his body to dodge another attack after Embryo jumped and flew away from the trumpet. With a sway of his right arm, Embryo summoned multiple, large orbs of glowing light with some coloured pure white while some were made of his Light of Mana around him until he spun his body to send them flying in different directions. Some of them successfully hit the trumpet now exploding out of existence and the other half flew and hit the Symphony Master, stunning it to crouch and its hat fell off its head for a few seconds, just as Rush shot a bullet that destroyed the drum and its drumsticks before running to Embryo hurried after him.
Both men watch the Symphony Master slowly getting back on its two feet, reclaiming its hat but immediately react the same from losing all three instruments; covering in darkness and acting in pain before it calms down but resumes swaying its arms and hands despite no longer having an instrument. However, Rush spots Embryo faintly holding his skirt off the ground with his gloved hands and swiftly slams his right boot against the floor, which immediately shines a brief glow of white light all over the ballroom floor, looking shinier than it was…almost like glass or ice.
"Dance for me!" Rush heard Embryo shouting in determination but gasped his surprise when the other held his right hand still holding his gun and made them run towards the Unversed, who bounded off the ground and initially reached the ceiling before falling back and slamming its feet into a large impact of energy on the ground, but missed knocking the couple now sliding around the instantly slippery floor like they were ice-skating with Embryo holding Rush's hands … both men expertly and rapidly twirl their bodies like dancing while repeatedly spinning and viciously hitting the Symphony Master, clashing their bodies against the creature in different directions, disbelieving Rush that Embryo's odd plan of attack is surprisingly working.
'HOLY SHIT…THIS IS FUCKING AWESOME!?' Rush smiled his amazement when he noticed his gun now releasing countless projectiles of green light, almost like Mana, running around the air and hitting the Symphony Master by possibly Embryo and Rush's projectile bullets. Occasionally, the two end up moving and lifting their bodies as if they are both dancing and ice-skating around the room, whether Rush boldly lifts Embryo's body off the ground with his hands while sliding/ skating and vice-versa just to make exaggeratedly poised poses while shooting Mana projectiles around the room.
After the final spin and rain of projectiles that staggered the beast, Rush and Embryo successfully ceased spinning and stood in front of the dazed monster stumbling side to side. Realizing the Symphony Master was under the chandelier, Embryo broke apart from Rush's hands and jumped to crouch his high-heeled boots planted on Rush's right arm, surprising Rush but quickly swayed his arm which sent Embryo leaping off towards the air like a rocket towards the Symphony Master, stomping his booted feet at the monster's torso and bounced off in a backflip.
Rush saw Embryo landing and hanging himself perfectly on the chandelier by holding the chain with his left gloved hand, with another plan hitting his mind when Rush ran towards the ground under the chandelier. "Throw me to you!" Right after Rush shouted to Embryo, he quickly jumped and landed his feet onto the area that, after Embryo's right hand glowing with the Light of Mana waved upward, grew out of the now damaged tile floor like a tower, catapulting Rush higher and onto the chandelier he landed beside Embryo, successfully avoid being hit by the Symphony Master elongated and holding its baton now as tall as the owner, twirling it around and throwing it vertically like a boomerang around the ground before returning to its owner as a baton again.
"Hold on!" Right when Embryo hurriedly wrapped his right arm around Rush's waist…both men almost screamed their shock as the chandelier suddenly descended from the air, caused by Embryo's left Mana-infused hand elongated the chandelier's chain longer and stopped midway in front of the Symphony Master.
Suddenly, Rush felt the chandelier moving like a giant hand was twirling the chandelier now brimming with the Light of Mana by Embryo's hand holding onto the chain until Rush held on as the suddenly spun around the ballroom and managed to hit the Symphony Master now held against its wishes like a ragdoll, until it was blown farther away from the centre in pain.
Rush and Embryo hastily jump off the chandelier that quickly rises into its rightful position above their heads by the latter's Light of Mana as they see the Symphony Master regaining its composure but immediately swarmed with its darkness in pain again for a few seconds. "Got any ideas?" Rush asked Embryo while guessing his expression underneath his hat with a faint scowl from his perfectly blood-stained lips.
"…Yes." Embryo collectedly raises and swings his right arm in front of their eyes just as Rush watches multiple long and glowing flashes of green or Mana chains manifest and shoot themselves from the ground, instantly wrapping themselves around the Symphony Master's arms, legs, and body, possibly shocking the beast to start jerking and squirming but unsuccessfully escapes from Embryo's chains. First seeing the bounded Unversed before Embryo, his silent nod towards him informed Rush to hurriedly aim his gun and fire a bullet at the monster's heart which immediately burst a bright glow of white light from taking the shot.
But unlike its three instruments disappearing into darkness, both the Symphony Master and Embryo's Mana-made chains of light glow a brighter white light that could blind the entire room, but both men closed their eyes in time. The first to open their eyes once the light had dimmed until it faded into the normal brightness of the ballroom was Embryo who saw that the chains of Mana he made were gone alongside the Symphony Master but did see something had taken its place that prompted Embryo to walk towards him without fear nor hesitance for a possible trap.
"Em?" Embryo ignored Rush calling him in confusion after he opened his eyes, once he stood in front of the last spot for the Unversed, leisurely kneeling on the ground and plucking the only thing he saw and sensed such tremendous power from during the Symphony Master's fight; a small emerald jewel the size of his pinky finger and shaped like a quaver music note with an additional red piece in front of it shaped like a lightning bolt just like the Symphony Master's baton…and Embryo's prized treasure he would always keep at all times.
'It would've disappeared back to the darkness or even out of existence…but I think I can turn it into a demon summon to call it out whenever I need it too.' Embryo decided with a sad smile, hurriedly and gently hid the jewel in his fist when he stood and turned around towards Rush walking closer to him. "Are you okay?" Seeing Rush concerned for him, more sincere and unlike the rulers, always makes Embryo smile his happiness and relief.
"Yes. Are you also fine?" Embryo enquired with a quick check of Rush's body, seeing him slightly fazed but not wanting to show it when he saw Rush smiling his relief at him. "Yeah, thanks. Just glad that you're both safe and helped me out." Even under his hat, Embryo blinked his eyes with a brief glow in surprise, visibly and subtly opening his mouth in bewilderment. But the two saw the ballroom doors finally pulled open, not surprising them that the Galia Emperor locked it from outside but seeing his vehemence sneer towards Rush, The Emperor wants them or just Rush to die from the Unversed.
"Human Killer!" The Galia Emperor yelled without seeing the frightened guests remaining outside, stomping towards the Human Killer who hurriedly raised his left arm to protect his fiancé if the ruler thought of striking her. The sight of the Human Killer alive and frowning a stoic glower made him more agitated than normal, for he was hoping he would die with that beast. And now the world has seen everything from the livestream, making him afraid of Master Embryo's reaction. "As much as you…and your partner defeated that monstrosity that would've resulted in heavy casualties towards the guests, I expect you to write me everything about tonight. Worst-case scenario, I have no choice but to mention this diabolical event in my meeting with my superior."
'You locked us in there to do YOUR order, and yet you're not going to thank Rush, you old crone!?' Embryo mentally argued in anger that grew into disgust for the heartless Emperor now turning away from Rush to him, still being fooled of his disguise by the soft but still angry frown on his wrinkly face. "Miss Zechs? Thank you so much for your surprisingly bold but strong assistance to our guests. May I have my medical staff check you for any sign of discomfort?" The comforting proposition made Embryo wish he could kill him for Rush but he must refrain and regain his composure.
"Thank you for your kind offer, but would your medical staff also be checking the Human Killer? He is the one who slew the creature." Alice exclaimed, feigning ignorance to the Galia Emperor, but hoping he could do at least something good for Rush. Instead, the old man briefly sneered his repulsion at Rush who stoically said nothing and reclaimed the faint but disgustingly composed smile towards Alice.
"I understand your concern for your fiancé. But it's nothing to worry about him. The Human Killer was trained to resist such attacks since he was a child that killing him is impossible…despite our wishes…." The Galia Emperor's reassurance, however, was interrupted when he saw a glimpse of Miss Zechs's eyes bulging in anger under her hat, right after he confessed his true desire, but what he noticed made him gasp in dread. 'Those eyes…it's just like Master Embryo!?'
"It's alright, Alice." The Human Killer softly reassured, snapping both his fiancé and the Galia Emperor's surprise after hanging his gun back on his hip. "I'm used to fighting stronger opponents and even monsters that could kill me. It's normal for me even if everyone wants me dead." Looking back at her fiancé, hiding her eyes again but her red lips faintly open possibly in shock, sadness, and concern, Miss Zechs released a sad sigh and gently wrapped her arms around the Human Killer's left.
"…I see. However, I wish to return to my home in the Misurugi Empire with the Human Killer. I don't want ou…" Alice almost continued when they realized what they almost said but quickly rephrased it without trying to look at Rush's face secretly smirking his amusement. "I mean my children to cry their worry for their mother and future stepfather about tonight. Have a good night, Your Majesty." Without allowing the Galia Emperor to speak and stop them, both Rush and Alice hurriedly walk away and even push through the mob of guests either too afraid to stop them or some of the guests trying to for an interrogation, especially dodging the same men who wanted to take Alice away from Rush before the fiasco started.
"Have the guards apprehend the Human Killer and his lover." The Galia Emperor strictly waved one of the living guards to his side and gave his order, staring at only the guest-filled path that unknowingly helped hide the Human Killer and Miss Zechs even when some of the other guards quickly went after them. He better hope that he'll get them for answers and have the Human Killer punished, even lying to Master Embryo that HE was the one who summoned it. As he reassured and calmed down the guests still shaken by the ordeal, it only took three minutes for a small Mana screen of one of the guards calling beside his ear…only he was disbelieved by the response. "Your Majesty…they've disappeared from the Palace?!"
"Yoo! That was the best night ever." Rush loudly sighed his pleasure and stood against the wall of some alleyway back in the Misurugi Empire with his arms resting under his head, already sent a text to Charlie to retrieve Apache and pick him up in the new place after Embryo helped whisk them away from being caught by Galia. "I don't know if you feel the same, or you're gonna feel annoyed that I only bring you trouble, as everyone on our sides always says." Rush grinned at Embryo who removed his hat off his head and his hair but still wearing his glittered makeup, faint eyeshadow, and blood lipstick…wondering what is he doing behind Embryo's hat hiding his right arm sliding a red, lightning-bolt, shaped dagger out of his sleeve and place the Symphony Master's jewel against the surface like the other tiny jewels adorning the front.
"On the contrary, Rush, I too feel the exhilaration of seeing and battling something out of the ordinary. What matters to me is that I can help you and do something good for once." Embryo admitted with a pleased smile, hiding his blade and wedding band now bearing the Symphony Master's heart and soul and using his powers to move it back inside his right sleeve and forearm from Rush. "Allow me to handle with the Symphony Master Unversed, so you won't get in trouble by Galia."
"Yeah, thanks…for being there for me." Rush's confidence in his smile when he first thanked Embryo slowly dimmed to now bear appreciation that surprised the other. "Not only before the fight happened, but I'm also glad you were there to help me from breaking down by my past. From how you handle yourself, I see you fighting as the first taste of what I might look forward to if people want us to kill each other or we want to fight ourselves. To me, even if people think it's gross, we can still be friends and rivals."
Embryo softly gasped his shock. He didn't think, even finding it hard to believe himself, that someone was THANKING him instead of despising him like everyone. He knows how much he was either worshipped by his blind creations despite despising their beliefs of him or loathed by those who wanted him dead for centuries. But from sensing Rush's heart just like before the Symphony Master was summoned, something he realized couldn't help but dismayed Embryo…
…Never that Rush ever had any negativity in his heart, not even towards Embryo, unlike everyone who thinks he does in this world. For the heartless Human Killer, Rush insists on killing the enemy but also sees him as a human equal. And yet…that also made Embryo happy to almost cry and ruin his makeup with his tears.
"…If by chance, whether that happens, we shall prove to everyone that only we are each other's opponents without anyone stopping us." Embryo accepted with a faint nod, seeing Rush smiling more humane than everyone including Haven seen him rarely smile when he suddenly pushed off the wall and stood in front of Embryo, confusing him by watching Rush giving a bow and gently reach his bandaged hand for his right hand releasing from his hat now held on his left hand to, surprising Embryo with a gasp, kiss the back of his gloved hand like a gentleman greeting or reassuring a lady. Especially since Embryo is disguising as Alice.
"I'm giving you this kiss as you're Alice…soon I'll give you one as Em." Rush chortled with a smile when he stood his posture but still holding Embryo's right hand, chuckling at Embryo's blushing mad face in disbelief, not as red as his blood lips, with stammering noises out of his opened mouth ajar. Expecting him to slap his unbandaged cheek, despite recalling that not once had Em ever punished him whenever he flirted with him just for show or no reason, Rush was both confused but pleased to see Em, attempting to hide his anger by his lips twitching, smiling his appreciation and happiness.
"…Good night, Rush. Please call if you want to see me next time, whenever we're free…hopefully, you don't mind me tormenting you as your fake fiancé in the future." Embryo acknowledged once Rush removed his right hand to wear his hat over his head but fully showed his dimly glowing eyes at the other smirking his eagerness for his proposition.
"Sure, but soon you'll love it if I still want a date with you as yourself. Good night, Em." Rush nodded his agreement, seeing and hearing a playful scoff from Alice's smirk and turning around to walk through the alleyway until Rush blinked his eye once and saw no sign of Embryo who teleported away, but Rush paid no mind when he went back to stand against the wall and look at the starry night sky, unable to hide his smile for tonight.
'Thanks for everything tonight, man.' Rush mentally acknowledged just as he heard a Mana car parked beside his side and a familiar voice called for him to see his car's window opened to reveal his last and final member of his team. "Commander Rush!"
As predicted, the entire world was buzzing with the shocking sight of the Harmony Gala's livestream showing a vicious battle between the Human Killer and a terrifying-looking monster who mysteriously appeared out of nowhere. Already there are social media videos claiming themselves to be conspiracy theories of multiple key points; the appearance and identity of this monster, its purpose, the Human Killer, and his fiancé who astonishingly fights and uses her Mana to combat the beast unlike how a Mana-human use their Light of Mana. This is the most shamelessly humiliating thing that has ever happened in Galia in history, and The Emperor only has the Human Killer to blame for everything that night. It is bad enough that the overall topic of his current meeting with the world leaders right now is the ruined Gala, but to his horror, Master Embryo chooses to partake in this meeting although everyone notices in bewilderment or fear that he is displeased at Galia when he took his seat. He hoped that his superior would not figure out that he tried to disgrace or even have the Human Killer killed…but he could not shake what he kept thinking about that night.
"Ah, I believe I recognized the monster." Everyone including Galia was surprised to hear Master Embryo noting what attracted them to look at their master busily and generously feeding the virtual red squirrel on his hands with sunflower seeds. "I can't say the name but that is a creature of darkness summoned by negativity, regardless of what it looks like, among other darkness creatures of the same category."
"N-Negativity, Master Embryo?" President Irijah asked in confusion and apprehension.
"Indeed. Negative emotions in people's hearts whether by anger, jealousy, hatred, or other dark emotions, will be so dangerous that they unknowingly summoned this creature to wreak havoc and corrupt a heart and soul." Master Embryo affirmed with a nod, petting one of the squirrel's cheeks with his thumb but looked up with a small but stern glower of anger and disgust towards the terrified Galia Emperor. "From watching your live stream, with my Assess spell analysing the source, it seems that everyone in your party bore such negativity towards the Human Killer that THEY summoned it, while he was unaware of it for someone NOT having anything worth damaging in his heart..." As he tried not to give in to Master Embryo's dangerous anger, unable to calm down for his life by his God's hand, his mind again played a trick that made him see Master Embryo as Miss Alice Asmodeus Zechs for one second before he sees him back as himself.
'Why do I keep thinking…Master Embryo WAS Miss Zechs?' Galia Emperor couldn't get his mind straight out of his fear of Master Embryo who coldly smirked his irritation, making him more intimidating than usual. "Galia? Will you explain this in your future interview regarding this matter with my words?" Why is Master Embryo infuriated with him just for this event? However, Galia hurriedly responds to his dread but unknowingly humiliates himself from the other rulers confused by his suddenly odd behavior for today. "Y-Yes, of course, Master Embryo! Anything for you!"
Chortling his amusement at Galia acting like a fool, ignorant of what he did to him and Rush when he disguised as Alice, Embryo looked away from the humans to the squirrel who boldly growled an angry hiss at the Galia Emperor on his hands until its attention was caught to turn and see the small but softly sincere smile on Embryo's face. "…Thank you for suggesting me to help my friend, Mister Squirrel." Embryo whispered and tenderly rubbed the same thumb on the squirrel chattering its happiness for the gesture.
'I hope to see you again, Rush.' Embryo wished he could tell his mind to Rush back to the Haven.
"C-Commander Rush!? Can you tell us about this!?" Rush's mood for today soured more than usual when he loudly groaned his irritation at the woman's voice shouting from behind, turning around to be swarmed by a group of his annoying and desperate fangirls looking horrified when the speaker used her Mana screen to show the article of last night's event that became the buzz on the entire world, with the main picture showing a screenshot of Rush and Alice's fight against the Symphony Master Unversed and the headline read 'UNIDENTIFIED MONSTER, HUMAN KILLER SURVIVES!'
"Exactly as it said: I fought a giant ass monster…" Rush calmly pointed out but was interrupted when the women glared at him in shock and anger with the same speaker pointing aggressively at the tagline under the picture. "Not the monster! THIS!" Growing more irritated by their harassment, Rush read what he now knows why the women have been on edge since it was published to the whole world this morning.
'The monster was defeated by both the Human Killer and his fiancé Alice Asmodeus Zechs, according to the Galia Emperor…'
"You have a fiancé!?" Another of the women demanded Rush with another woman interjecting, as suspicious, jealous, and angry as the other girls in the group. "Why didn't you tell us all this time!?"
"It must be one of your acting lies! There's no way you're planning to marry some random woman instead of one of us!" Rush scowled his anger and annoyance as he looked over the obnoxious women's heads and sport the other people watching the scene in bemusement, aggravation, and even dumbfounded that Rush wanted to agree with one of the women, who is luckily NOT obsessing about Rush and having a loving husband and children, waving her hands at the fangirls in bafflement. Why is it these women are more focused on their leader having a fake fiancé than him almost getting killed by an unknown monster?
"Relax your wet ass thongs, you horny freaks." Rush sighed his annoyance without care of the women's offended reactions. "Alice is just one of my few friends from Misurugi, like my best friend and informant. They correctly knew something was gonna happen badly that night that we planned ourselves as a fake engagement out of their kindness…but I appreciate it that they don't mind us being engaged."
"No, you can't marry her!" One of his human stalkers cried her jealousy, even shedding fake tears that failed to catch Rush's sympathy. "You could've told us that you need a lady to follow you to the Gala. You should've picked one of us instead of some loser bitch outside the Haven!" Rush blinked his unbandaged eye in surprise at the same woman saying what she dared say which also got the heartless agreement from her friends, without realizing they also said it loudly and shocked the other listeners in dread.
"Y-Yeah! She wears a hat to hide her eyes, but I can't see why the men are obsessed with her. She must be very ugly." A Norma fangirl mocked with a cruel grin and nudged an elbow at her friend beside her to interject, trying to change her Commander's mind about marrying his so-called fiancé, "She helped you fight that monster, but we're better than her in combat…" However, the harsh clocking noises and a bang send the group jolting in petrifying whines and screams as they and the witnesses tremble in fear from Commander Rush angrily raising his gun and ready to pull the trigger.
"…You dare call my partner a bitch, when you bitches can't even get your shit together?" Rush threatened with such anger, that he never felt so long, at the terrified group of girls he NEVER wanted them to have feelings for him. All he could think about was Alice and the memory of their fight. "Unlike stalkers wasting time not doing their work of giving this world hell, Alice is smart enough to understand the problem and fight back for anything without question. If you watched the video, you would've noticed that no one fights the way like them and that's why I enjoyed fighting with 'em." Seeing that he scared them so much, one accidentally leaked a bit of her bladder by the wet spot on her pants and crotch, immediately disgusting Rush after noticing her reaction before he walked away from the girls who were too late to stop him from leaving. "At least we both had a great night. I wish we could spend more time if we're both free…."
"C-Commander/ Sir! Please wait… A-Ah! Let go of us!" Rush may have peeked over his right shoulder to see the group of his obsessive fangirls almost ran forward to catch up with him but ended up being pulled back by the other citizens, luckily sane enough by hearing one of the men demanding them to stop going after Rush, relieving him. At least, thanks to Em pretending to be Alice, the number of crazy Haven women obsessing about Rush increasingly reduced to less than twenty and now improving themselves for the better and even got better boyfriends. But those almost twenty women crazy about him are hellbent on trying to find and kill Alice to break up with Rush and take him themselves. But Rush, knowing about his fiancé, shouldn't be worried about them.
'Good luck trying to survive from them.' Other than his sarcastic thoughts towards those girls, Rush wished he could also tell another of his mind to Embryo back to the Dawn Pillar. 'Em…I'm SO gonna fuck ourselves for this.'
A/N: I want to put this story on temporary hiatus because I want to draw, animate, and rest so badly before my new semester. But I've already made the next chapter which I'll publish at the end of next month, and will edit and post this and the previous few episodes in AO3 immediately.
Trivia/ Context:
- For those who don't read my other stories, I add Embryo (initially OOC before writing Living Hell) in some of my stories as a crossover character (whether for no reason or relating to my lucid dream references), with more coming soon. The recent one is the 2023 rewrite of my Dissidia Final Fantasy X Multifandom X my stories crossover Tainted Repentance.
- Embryo wearing the dress was first made in TR's bonus ending just to tease this spin-off. [I almost called him Emberly as his female Disguise name but I want to use the name of another Chris Patton-voiced character Alice from Chivalry of a Failed Knight]
- The Symphony Master Unversed belongs in Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep and its Final Mix version. (I played it on the PSP but couldn't play the Switch Cloud, wishing for a physical port). I added this not only to reference the game but as a subtle teaser for the Cross Ange X Kingdom Hearts crossover I promised from finishing the main Living Hell story. [Both BBS Symphony Master's fight, and KH2's Dark Thorn battle inspire the chapter's ballroom fight]
- Regarding the Final Mix! Symphony Master (which is this version in this chapter), is also the inspiration for one of Embryo's new clothes because I find both of them musically similar. [Like Living Hell! Embryo, this Symphony Master also appears in Tainted Repentance]