Disclaimer: I don't own Kamen Rider Faiz or Monster High G1. They belong to their respective creators, namely Toei and Mattel. For those that will ask, this story takes inspiration from Ten-Faced Paladin's story, Knights of the Otherworld. I write this as a fan of both franchises, wanting to make something as awesome and awe-inspiring like their stories. Feel free to comment.
The Champions of Monster High
By Yutilov
Chapter 7: The Worst Weekend and Creepfast Club
Konichua to all of you and welcome to a brand-new chapter of our eiyuu's adventures!
This time I won't do the best part, meaning the daily recaps as to start with a clean page, haha!
Did you get it? Clean page! Haha! I'm so funny...
Anyways~ Let's watch a new day for our young eiyuu's in their next step to become worthy of the title as Defenders of New Salem!
Oh! And tanomu, but be very, very quiet, because I have something special planned for the gakis. Fufufu~
(*)
Fox Flare Cafe
At the crack of dawn, there are few that are active. Whether this is the human or monster side of New Salem, all can agree that having a good long rest is necessary in order to start your day.
The same can be said about the five teens from another world. Residing in the small room provided by their host, each one is laying in their beds and resting for the upcoming day.
Blake Wolfson and Kenneth Gregory are sleeping normally on their beds, both ready in their own ways to face whatever is ahead of them, while Maximilian Skye is struggling and moving frantically, most likely having a nightmare, and Leon Hart is halfway from falling off his bed, having his face, rather his cheek pressed on the floor, but the adventurous teen somehow sleeps without a care and an occasional snore coming from his mouth.
There is truly nothing strange about this, but the de-facto leader Michael von Brahm is laying with his hands crossed like a mummy, barely making any sound. A sight that if not for his princely appearance and demeanor, it will be considered scary.
*TAN·TA·RA!*
*TAN·TA·RA!*
*TAN·TA·RA!*
"Hm?"
"Dammit! What in-!"
"P-Please! I'm not tasty!"
"I need to sleep more, Colonel, sir!"
"Huh?"
A sudden loud noise permeated the room, immediatly awaking all five teens. Four of them rose up from beds, groggy and disoriented from their interrupted slumber, but more importantly, some are more than ticked off. While in spite of the odious sound, the blue-blooded teen, Michael von Brahm slowly opens his eyes, his piercing blue gaze scanning the room and his schoolmates with a thoughtful expression. He sits up from his bed, his movements fluid and precise, like a predator awakening from slumber.
"I... I'm alive?!" Maximilian asks, taking deep breaths of air.
"What is this sound!?" Blake demands.
"I'm having that army dream again?" Leon asks, trying to make sense of his surroundings.
"It sounds like a trumpet?" Ken theorized.
"Since when a trumpet sounds like this!?" The gray-haired teen questioned.
"Kenneth assumption is correct. The sound is made by an inexperienced musical player, Blake Wolfson," Michael calmly anwered.
"Then who's playing!?" He demanded, as the horrible sound suddenly stopped. The next moment, Seimei immediatly burts out of the door, wearing a blue army uniform with many golden buttons. More importantly, he has in his hand a trumpet. The trumpet that awake them.
"Attention gakis!" The fox-earred man shouted. "All of you must present to the dojo immediatly! No questions asked!" he demanded before them.
"What makes you-!"
"I said no questions, gaki!" The fox-earred man countered back with a wicked smile. "Present youselves to the dojo now!" He demanded, immediatly snapping his fingers and vanishing in a cloud of smoke.
(*)
Not having much of a choice, the five teens made their way to the training room. From first glance, the room looks like a japanese dojo, with various paper scrolls on the wooden walls bearing japanese characters with a large scroll in the middle bearing the blood-red emblem of a fox.
"Welcome to the special area designed to train in your questou, gakis!" Seimei exclaimed with a smile.
"Mr. Seimei. I must ask-"
"Why did you wake us at 5 in the freakin morning!?" Blake shouted, pointing a threatening finger at the fox-earred man.
"Not to mention in the weekend, man!" Leon added, trying his hardest not to fall asleep.
"What a silly question, shounen!" Seimei laughted. "I called you all here for training!"
Blake eye twitched. "What..."
"Ikanimo! For those that don't know yet, the day before, an Orphenoch more powerful than the previous ones appeared and brought a lot of mondais for young Blake and Ken." Seimei began, his eyes focused on the aforementioned teens. His tone became serious. "It was a close tatakai which only proved that for the future, you will need to be teached to properly combat the Orphenochs with and without the belt powers!"
Blake's eyes widened in realization, his anger melting into a more serious expression. "I hate to even say this... but you're right."
"You agree with him!?" Leon exclaimed stupefied. "But can't we start a bit later, fox dude?" He pleaded. "I'm all for adventures but not so early in the morning!"
Seimei shook his head. "Nope! And I said yesterday that I'm going to teach you how to fight and I'm not going back on my word, shounen!"
"But I want to go to... you know... to the bathroom," The teen said.
"Mataku... fine," Seimei sighed. "But in five minutes, you all better be back!"
"Ah! Almost forgotten!" He snappend his fingers and in his hand, five pure-white gi uniforms manifested. "And don't forget to get dressed. I can't have you training in your sleepwear."
(*)
Five minutes later...
After giving them a short delay to properly start the morning, the teens were once again back at the dojo-like room, dressed in the outfits given by their host. Amongst them, Blake and Leon weren't happy because they were awakened like that in the weekend, but all knew they need to be taught how to defend and fight against the Orphenochs. It's why they are here after all.
"Welcome back, gakis!" Seimei re-greeted them.
"First, I need to see with what I'm working! Simple videos from your previous fight won't do this time!" He began, snapping his fingers and in large puff of smoke, his militaristic outfit was switched with a pure white gi, added with a red fox emblem on the back with a similarly-coloured belt tied around the waist.
"Really?" Blake asks.
"Ikanimo," Seimei confirmed, his eyes twinkling with excitement.
"So we attack you?" The gray-haired teen guessed.
"Why not~?" Seimei confirmed. "Just one at a time, tanomu."
"Mr. Seimei. I do not think such a rudimentary method will-" but before Michael could finish, Blake Wolfson already rushed at the fox-earred man.
Using the dash to propell himself, he prepared to unleash a fist immediatly, but that very same fist was caught at astonishing speed by the fox-earred man.
"Wha-"
THUD!*
Then at the same astonishing speed, Seimei foot hit the teen leg, making him lose balance and hit the floor.
"Is that all shounen?~" Seimei asks with a mischevious smile. "You always rush and attack without any true technique or strategy in you skull, but while it may work on a few rich kids that claim to be martial artists back on your sekai, against the Orphenochs that use the same style, you may need to expand your portofolio."
"Awesome!" Leon exclaimed. "You rock fox dude!"
"A-Are you okay, Blake?" Maximilian asked in worry.
"An astounding performace," Michael appraised with a smile. Either he was impressed by the fox earred-man martial arts proficiency or enjoyed seeing Blake Wolfson get thrashed is something we will never know.
As for Blake himself, he sat on the floor, rubbing his sore leg. His pride was stinging more than his leg, but he knew, as much as he heated to admit that Seimei was right. He glared at the fox-earred man, still wary but resigned to learn.
"Alright, what do I do?" Blake asked, his voice tinged with reluctance.
"First, you need to understand your limitations," Seimei said, stepping back. "You rely too much on brute force and random punches, shounen."
"In spite of such a method to determine Blake Wolfson combat ability, your assession is indeed correct, Mr Seimei," the blue-blooded teen praised with a smile.
"I know, I know. I'm quite sugoi~" the fox-earred man proclaimed.
"Now~" his eyes began glowing with a golden hum. "Who's next?"
(*)
After Blake Wolfson, Leon soon followed, and in spite of his first time combating the Orphenoch, the adventurous teen proved himself a much better combatant against the fox-earred host, showing techniques from different martial arts learned through his family travels, yet, in the end, he was quickly defeated by a surprise attack in the back and told that he should expect the unexpected in a fight with the Orphenochs and start thinking a bit more. And maybe to not be so unpredictable himself.
Maximilian Skye was next, and not so surprisingly, the scrawny teen was defeated in a literal second, not even landing a hit, but immediatly fainted when Seimei was about to attack him. This situation perplexed the fox-earred man, saying in his long life, he has not encountered such a situation, but he'll get around it!
Next was Ken. The day before, he was drained by the so-called Kaixa Gear and needed rest, but even if he has not fully recuperated, the noble teen proved still wished to fight and proved himself as an opponent that could think and react quite fast, having the strength and stamina to keep up unarmed combat, but, just like Leon, he was defeated by an unconventional surprise attack by the fox-earred man very own silver fox tail. His tail was swung like a whip and aimed at Ken's chest that took the air out of the teen's lungs. Worried that he overdid it, but Ken slowly got back up and bowed down, admitting his defeat. He was calmly advised by his host to always expect a nasty attack from the Orphenochs and at the same time not to always overthink.
Finally, Michael von Brahm calmly stepped forward. The blue-blooded teen took a defensive stance, giving Seimei the first strike opportunity which he indeed take. But to all present astonishement, the attack was caught with almost inhuman speed and countered by a powerful elbow in the chest. Seimei quickly took a step back, only being by a hair away from being hit. His eyes widened, a sign of genuine surprise and his irises thickened and inverted. If not for his humanoid appearance, you can say that what was in his eyes was the reaction of a fox when cornered by a predator, or rather a hunter that is having the fox right where he wanted it to be...
As if expecting that inhuman reaction, Michael took a step back and rushed at Seimei. The fox earred-man tried sidestepping, but that was what made him fall right into the trap. As Michael was halfway, he immediatly jumped and with a raised foot, aimed a flying kick to Seimei torso. The attack connected, knocking him down, while the blue-blooded teen precisely landed back to the ground like a trained acrobat.
The room fell silent as everyone stared in awe at this display of skill and strength.
"Instant K.O, dude..." Leon gaped in awe, being at what is rarely known to him as a loss of words.
"A-Amazing, Michael!" Maximilian praised with wide eyes.
"I knew he was holding back that time," Blake muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, Seimei struggled to his feet, his golden eyes narrowing with a mixture of admiration and irritation, plus a tinge of fear.
"Are you alright, Mr Seimei?" Ken asked.
"I'm fine, gaki. Now, young 'Mickey', that was quite the kick," Seimei said, getting bak on his feet. "Through my life I've seen many talented in the art of combat, but you're definetly among the prodigies!" he exclaimed, taking position and bowing to the teen.
"I am thankful for your words, Mr. Seimei," the blue-blooded teen answers, bowing back.
"No matter how I enjoyed seeing getting your butt kicked," Blake addresed Seimei. "How are you going to train us? You saw that we all fight too differently from each other."
"I did see it, gaki and it is no problem!" Seimei pridefully declared. "I have been an advisor and teacher through my jinsei, thus teaching you five how to properly develop your tatakai is mere child's play for yours truly!" he gloated. "But this is just the first step!"
"Then, I assume we shall also develop our armed combat skills?" the blue-blooded teen assumed.
Seimei nodded. "You are right, shounen!"
"Yeah!" Leon exclaims, pumping his fist. "Now we're talking!"
"Buuut, I more or less know what I'm expecting in that department, shounens," Seimei stated, snapping his fingers and in another puff of smoke, he returned to wearing the militaristic outfit. "Which is why I'll give you these precious few moments to recuperate before your true training begins.~" he declared, his voice suddenly taking a mixed tone of sweet and menacing.
"Uh, say what now?" Leon asks, looking at the others who are just as surprised by the personality switch.
"M-Mister Seimei...?" Maximilian gulpepd, feeling about to faint again.
Seimei began giggling maniacally. "Remember what I said the day before, shounens.~ Enjoy your last day of slacking around in my cafe~!"
"Told you he wasn't kidding," Leon said, taking a few steps back and maybe, just maybe try to run away...
CAW!*
He was suddenly stopped by the mechanic crow, Kiichi, whose eyes glowed red.
"Don't even think about it gaki~" Seimei smiled, displaying his sharp teeth.
Leon let out a nervous chuckle, "I guess you're right, fox dude... hehe."
"Indeed~" Seimei nodded with a wicked smile. "Now, be prepared for the worst week of your lifes, children! Mwahahaha!"
(*)
Monster High - Halls
After the end of the weekend, it was back to school for all, normie and monster included. And, as the beginning of the day, many are chatting up on the halls of Monster High to catch up or to be prepared for the-
"Kyaaah!" screamed a bunch of passing-by monster girls.
"Huh? What ha-... Ken, Blake!?" exclaimed Frankie, checking on the commotion. "W-Wha-"
"What the ghoul happened to you all?" Clawdeen questions with wide eyes upon the sight before her eyes.
All five human teens are looking for better or worse... dead tired. Each one is sporting eye-bags underneath their tired bloodshot eyes and disheveled hairstyles and clothes that look like they haven't been washed. Even their movements weren't in any better condition.
The reason for such a state was the arduos training that Seimei put them through the past two days in which they have trained with barely any rest in hand-to-hand and armed combat days and nights, not to mention some extra tasks around the cafe. Worse was the horrible trumpet play of Seimei, especially when he used it in case one of them was caught slacking or fell asleep during training.
"Whoa! Dudes, what happened to you five?" Deuce who was just passing-by with Cleo asked.
"You all look terrible," Clawdeen remarked. "And not the spooktacular kind. The bad kind."
"Huh? Did you say something?" Blake tiredly asked.
"Dudes, are you sure you're fine?" The gorgon teen asked again.
"Maybe they can't handle Monster High classes, Deucey," Cleo snorted behind him. "It is no shame in admitting that you don't belong in our school, after all.~"
"I'm too tired to even say something back," Blake sighed, forcing himself to stay awake. "'Mickey', it's your time to shine."
"Ignoring my fellow schoolmate words, you are quite mistaken on your assumption, Miss Cleo," the royal teen began, stepping forward. In spite of presenting the same marks of tiredness like his fellow Academy students, his posture and keen gaze is the embodiement discipline and superiority. "The subjects taught in Monster High have never posed a challenge towards us, and our present state of being is a result of helping our host."
"You mean Mister Seimei?" Frankie asked.
"Who?" The mummy girl asks.
"He is the one that houses us in New Salem," the blue-blooded teen answers. "You have met him the very first day we stepped in this institution."
Cleo merely rolled her eyes. "I never asked."
"Well, it's good you're helping, but you look like you've been through spook, dudes," Deuce said, eyeing them with genuine concern. "You should all take it easy today."
Blake tiredly nodded. "That's what we plan to, or at least I do."
"Well, you look about to kick the grave, normie boy," Clawdeen teased with a smile. "I wonder why one of ya didn't fall asleep by now... Nope, I take back my words, one of five already did."
"Hm?" The gray-haired human questions, looking behind him. Surprisingly and not so surprisingly, Leon fell asleep with his face next to a locker. Plus, he even began snoring.
"Oh, for the love of... Wake up!" Blake exclaimed, stomping his foot. Leon was jolted into consciousness by the sudden pain.
"Ghoul! I don't want to clean up th-! Huh... What happened?" Leon mumbled, confusion evident in his voice.
"It wasn't necessary to awaken Leon like this," Ken stated with a slight frown.
"Better than sleeping in class," the gray-haired teen countered.
"Too bad indeed!" The mummy girl scoffed. "You should have let your loud friend sleep."
"Even I regret this choice, but I don't want to be scolded by that fox later," he explained, but saw the strange looks the girls were giving him. "I meant Seimei."
"I don't care anymore," Cleo rolled her eyes, beginning to walk away. "Come, Deuce!"
"Sorry about that, dudes," he whispered to the teens.
"What is the hold, Deucey!"
"Coming!" he exclaimed, running to catch up. "Take care!"
"I guess even after all this time Cleo can't accept that humans can attend Monster High," Frankie sadly said.
"It is not your fault, Frankie," Ken stepped forward. "There will always be some monsters that are against our presence in here. You don't have to feel sorry for us."
The stiched girl nodded. "I guess you're right. But still! You didn't even do anything bad! All this time you helped the school!" she exclaimed. "I just don't understand what Cleo could have against you..."
"Did you forget what Leon did?" Blake asked her, reminding about the incident that sent the mummy girl along with Toralei Stripe to detention.
"Huh... What I did?" Leon asked between yawns.
As for Frankie, her eyes widened, recognising the event that Blake meant. "I... But that was long ago! There's no way Cleo would-"
"That long ago was last wednesday, ghoul," Clawdeen stated.
Soon, the familiar sound of the bell ringing was heard, which prompted the remaining students in the hall to assemble and head to their classes.
"It seems we must go to our classes, Miss Frankie," Michael said.
"Alright," she nodded. "But take care!" she pleaded to them, before hesistantly going back to her scheduled class.
"The same goes for you, normie boy," Clawdeen addresed Blake. "Don't let anything bad happen to ya. I still want some free smoothies after school, ya know?" with a tiny smile she bid him farewell, joining Frankie.
"What!?" Leon exclaimed. "Now you too, dude!? I sooo knew it!"
"It wasn't a date," The aforementioned let out a long sigh. After the events at the school's pool, he indeed took the werewolf girl to the Maul and as per her demands, he buyed more than enough smoothies made out of meat in order to patch things up... Honestly, how can a girl slurp on a dozen meat smoothies in just a few minutes and not get a stomachache at least!? That is not his problem, but the impossible dent that she left in his very few savings since coming to this world... In these moments, maybe it was better when she had a grudge against him.
(*)
Monster High - Dead Languages
After separating from the others, the first class Blake had in this day was Dead Languages.
A class that studies for a part languages of monsterkind and it's aspects, but also deals with the english language of the current era, somehow including even the monster side slang... That's just weird. In all, it was not such a bad class to start the day, and other than a few weird stares because of Blake's ragged state, but that's about it.
"Attention class!" called Mr. Rotter. He is a man with a distorted face and teeth like a ghoul from horror movies with green skin, but wears a vintage brown coat and has his sandy hair carefully styled. He is the teacher of many classes, Dead Languages being his main. Unlike his zombie-like appearance, he is part of a subspecies of ghosts called a phantom, that is capable of directly interracting with the material world. And in spite of his grotesque face, he is a stern and devoted teacher, being known to never give A's in his class.
"In order to properly start the day, we'll have a pop quiz!" he announced to the whole class. Most of the students began groaning and panicking. "Come, children! If you properly attended my classes, you will pass spooktacularly!" he declared, but moved his giant eyes to one particular seat. "Unlike a certain normie," he muttered under his breath.
"Yay me," the very same human uttered without an ounce of shame. Mr. Rotter seems to be also the type that holds a grudge, because ever since he couldn't attend the first Dead Languages class, he became the so-called black sheep in his classes. Even apologizing by Headmistress Bloodgood request in that very same day only fueled his dislike of the human teen.
"Guuh?" An all-too familiar groan was heard behind him. Turning, he found the zombie girl, Ghoulia, staring curiously at him.
"What?" the teen asked, understanding what her look meant. It takes no genius to see that she's asking about his earlier comment.
"Thought I'd try something. Not like I'd ever get or even want an A," Blake replied, keeping his eyes on Mr. Rotter as he handed out the quiz sheets.
"Then, I suggest you try to keep your volume low, Mr. Wolfson... if that is even your real name," the teacher grumbled, moving to give the rest of the papers.
"Not the first time I've been told that," the teen muttered.
"Ghuh?" Ghoulia uttered, curiosity clear in her eyes.
"I've been asked that question too much back at the Academy and even before," he answered her, before returning back at the quiz at hand.
But unbeknowst to Blake, this answer made Ghoulia more curious regarding the teen named Blake and his fellow exchange students. Counting the time they suddenly arrived in Monster High, she recently had been investigating at Cleo's request more about the five normie students. There were some aspects about their story and even their previously mentioned school that just don't seem to fit, like they were not only outsiders to New Salem... For now, every current detail she can get counts.
(*)
Monster High - Creepataria
After the test at the class of Dead Languages, in spite of the occasional stares by a few monster students, some more worried than the other, Blake managed to get by till now, managing to stay awake till it was time for lunch.
At the usual table, he sat along with the others, still sporting the same after-effects of the weekend.
"Welcome, my fellow Academy students," Michael calmly greeted. "How did our current day treat the rest of us?" he asked with a polite smile.
"Dude! I'm so tired my hands can barely lift a fork!" Leon whined, immediatly hitting the table and began snoring.
"L-Leon..." Maximilian worried for the adventurous teen.
Meanwhile, Blake rolled his eyes. "Then don't even tell us, loud-mouth. You just pay for your wish." he muttered, chewing on an apple.
"What do you mean?" Ken asked, curiously.
"Blake Wolfson reffers to our fellow schoolmate, Leon, excessive desire for adrenaline, but never amounting the effects on his physical and mental state," Michael calmly anwered, earning an eye-roll from the gray-haired teen.
"Eh, close enough," the aforementioned muttered.
"Indeed. Now, I am more curious about our currrent state, of affairs," the royal teen repeated. "Myself and as it seems, Blake Wolfson, have proceeded normally through our school schedule. The question is if the same can be applied to our remaining schoolmates."
"I have been doing alright, Michael," Ken replied from his seat. Strangely, since he walked in the first class, many of the present students have been offering to help Ken in the smallest of tasks. What he didn't notice was that the students that offered their help were all girls that gave him occasional flirty stares besides the worried ones.
"I-I have been doing the same!" Maximilian exclaimed. Actually nobody except Howleen and her friend Twyla even bothered to come to his seat and ask about his sleepless state... N-Not like he can blame those that minded their own business...
"And as for our last schoolmate," Michael calmly pointed to Leon. "His day proceeded in his typical, unruly manner, except with an occasional moment as shown before our eyes."
"Just get to the point already," Blake tiredly groaned. "It's about that sketchy fox and our two day torture, isn't it?"
In spite of the nasty comment, the blue-blooded teen put on a more wide smile. "If you insist, Blake Wolfson. The reason we are here is regarding to our host, Mr. Abe no Seimei teachings in our current ordeal."
"You reffer to his sudden choice to prepare us in case another..." Ken paused, almost saying the O word.
"Speak normal," the gray-haired teen sighed. "No one except us and that fox knows about the Orphenochs."
The table fell into an uneasy silence as the implications of their situation settled over them. Each one of them had the chance to fight against the otherworldly invaders, but in spite of a lack of proper training, they managed to defeat and stop them. Yet, it all took a bad turn when that crocodile-like Orphenoch which possessed power, speed, and even endurance greater than Faiz appeared and whipped the floor with the gray-haired teen. Thankfully, that Orphenoch was stopped before it could cause any victims by using the second belt, the Kaixa Gear who was apparently tested by Ken himself.
All five can't deny that it was a close call, which not only showed they lack proper training, but they also lack true teamwork.
Blake just took another bite of his apple, the crunching sound the only noise breaking the silence.
Michael's eyes narrowed slightly, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "It is clear that we're being prepared for something else, and our training session must serve another purpose than developing our skillset. We lack information to understand our current enemy, and I suggest you don't mention more about them so openly, Blake Wolfson."
"Fine," the teen nodded, more or less willing to listen to that royal pain. "It is clear that fox hides something more about you-know-what anyway, but we don't have any clue to start looking."
"That is where you are wrong on your assumption. We have contacts which may give us possible leads on our host's agenda." Michael explained.
"We do?"
"Indeed. I believe you already know him, Blake Wolfson. He is among the first students that attended Monster High since it's creation over two hundred years ago and our current Dead Languages teacher."
The teen eyes widened. 'Well, fuck,' he mentally groaned.
As Blake began cursing his luck, far away from their table stood Ghoulia along with her fellow monster friends.
"Ghuhh?" The zombie girl uttered, having a pair of headphones connected to a microphone. For a brief moment, she caught up some intel, especially about that strange word... orphnoch? What is an 'orphnoch'?
"Uh, what'cha doing, ghoul?" asked Clawdeen.
"You haven't touched your food yet, Ghoulia," Frankie added.
"Guh,"
"It's a secret?" Draculaura asked.
"What kind of secret?" Clawdeen questions, but Ghoulia only shook her head, expressing that she can't tell.
Clawdeen turns her golden eyes to Cleo. "What did you put Ghoulia to do, Cleo?"
"Me? I absolutely have no idea what you're talking about!" She dramatically replied.
The werewolf girl rolled her eyes, not believing her words. "Yeah, sure."
(*)
Monster High - Fashion Entrepreneur's Club
One of the many extra activities of Monster High, the Fashion Entrepreneur'd Club. A classroom that is filled from every inch in hand-made outfits of ranging style, length, colour, and even culture.
Today, the class is empty, except for the presence of one of it's founding members, Skelita Calaveras, along with the blue-blooded teen, Michael von Brahm. After lunch, the human teen proceeded to his classes, standing at the pinacle of perfection without mistakes in this school, even in the state caused by their training.
After finishing the classes, he received a message from Skelita Calaveras to come to the class reserved for the Fashion Entrepreneur's club.
"Hello Michael!" Skelita greeted the human teen. "Thank you again for coming after classes."
"I am delighted to be here, Miss Skelita," the blue-blooded teen answered with a smile returned by a beamy, more natural smile from the skeleton girl.
"Have you been feeling unwell since your last premonition?" He suddenly asked as the most recent episode of Skelita Calaveras happened when he was present. The two were on their way to the library, trying to find information regarding her sixth-sense when suddenly every bone that composed Miss Skelita body began to shake uncontrolably. Such a reaction almost made the blue-blooded teen think that she will break into pieces, but he pushed aside such a silly thought and quickly proceeded to guide her to the infirmary.
This was the first time he witnessed her so-called sixth-sense and to say, he was surprised was an understatement, because the skeleton girl informed him that her bones only did that if something, by her words, 'malísimas', which translates to 'very bad' is happening.
This prompted Michael to make a hidden phonecall to Mr. Seimei, inquiring about the Orphenoch that appeared, and he was also informed about the inability of Blake Wolfson to defeat the otherworldly creature and it's escape in the deep of the pool where Kenneth along with two monster students have ventured to retrieve a lost necklace.
The rest of the details didn't hold significant matter, only that as soon as he noticed Miss Skelita condition began to stabilize, he deduced that Kenneth has managed to defeat the creature, and accordingly triumphed in his underwater task.
"S-Si! I have been," she shyly responded. "But I heard that you and the others don't feel as well and-"
"I assure you, I am feeling marvelous in spite of my current appearance, Miss Skelita," Michael spoke up. "Helping our host who has been only kind and generous to us during our exchange program is only natural." He assured her with a rather forced smile.
Skelita's eyes twinkled with curiosity and concern. "I still hope you're not overdoing it. If there's anything I can help with, please don't hesitate to ask."
"I am thankful for your words," the human teen answers with a smile. "Now, I take my presence is related to a fashion project?" he politely inquired.
Skelita cheerly nodded, her phalanges retrieving a measuring tape from the table. "Yes, I want to work on some new of outfits I designed a-and..." she paused, averting her gaze. "M-Maybe you could model for me...?" she asked with a clear blush from her skull.
Michael's eyes widened slightly, but quickly hiden his apparent surprise at her request. "I would be honored, Miss Skelita," he replied with a respectful nod.
Skelita's eyes sparkled with excitement as she took out a sketchbook and began flipping through the pages. "Spooktacular! I've designed these pieces specifically for you! They have a more human touch and are inspired by the fashions of the past!"
"Then let us begin," the blue-blooded teen confirmed. While they may waste a possible day where they could find answers regarding her condition... Right now, her mental state is more precious. This is the gentlemanly thing to do after all.
(*)
Monster High - Halls
"I'm honestly cursed," Blake muttered, walking toward his next destination. After lunch, he'd gone back to the regular schedule of classes with weird monster-pun names and zombies fans chasing him during breaks.
Managing to finish the rest of the classes, he was suddenly called to detention, which is also managed by Mr. Rotter...
That is also the place where he is heading... the detention room. "How the spook I got detention just now of all days... I can't believe I even said that." he grumbled, hastening his pace. Sooner than expected, he reached the door to the room he'll be confined for at least an hour, give or take.
"That royal pain knew I'd get into detention an-"
"Blake!?" exclaimed the familiar voice of Frankie that awakened the human teen from his thoughts. Wait... why is she standing just next to the door...
"You got detention?" He asked, taken back. Frankie is in detention? Probably the most good-natured and kind person that can give Mr. Compassion, Ken, some competition for his title... There's no end to surprises today.
"I-I don't even know what I did!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with frustration and shame.
"I'm not here to judge you, Bolts. Don't worry," he said to her.
Frankie tilted her head. "You meant me?" she pointed to herself.
"I tried to..." he paused, averting his gaze. "Cheer you up, I guess. You're one of the few I can tolerate in this school."
"I guess you're also one of the few I can tolerate!" Frankie smiled, but immediatly dropped it. "That sounded not so weird in my head." she said with a blush.
"Alright, since you're probably new to this, I warn you, Mr. Rotter will be more excentric than usual," he advised her, reaching for the door handle and entering, soon followed by a rather hesistant Frankie.
As they entered the detention room, they found themselves in a dimly lit classroom filled with cobwebs and old wooden furniture and what looks and most definetly is an electric chair next to the teacher's desk.
Seating in those creaky chair were the friends of Frankie consisting of Cleo, Lagoona, Draculaura, and finally Clawdeen, also Heath sittting behind them.
"You guys too?" Frankie asked, gazing upon her friends.
"Yes, Miss Stein," came the thick-accented voice voice of Mr. Rotter. He stood, gazing at a large window, then dramatically turned to face the teens. "You and your friends have detention!" he declared with a crooked smile as the sound of thunder echoed outside.
'Really?' Blake thought of the sudden timing.
The two teens didn't say anything more and took their individual seats. Frankie was sitting on the front-right side next to Draculaura while Blake took the further-left seat from behind, coincidentally standing behind Clawdeen.
"But what did we do?" Frankie asked, receiving no apparent answers from her friends, just as stuck and curious as her.
"One of you is responsible," Mr. Rotter bitterly answered, gazing for a moment at Blake, before his sight returned to the rest of the monster students. "And you all will remain incarcerated until I get a confession."
"What did you do, normie boy?" Clawdeen whispered to the human teen.
"First, I have a name," Blake tiredly stated. "And two: I'm sure I served my detention hours, so imagine my surprise when I was called here."
"I prefer normie boy much better than Blake if ya ask me~" Clawdeen responded with a teasing smile. "And three: I hear Mr. Rotter doesn't seem to like you."
The human teen sighed. "No comment on that."
"Quiet on this corner!" Mr. Rotter demanded before recomposing himself. "Now, who would like to step forward?"
(*)
Monster High - Gym
After the end of his classes, Maximilian Skye met once again with the dragon girl, Jinafire Long, for a training session.
She gave to the scrawny teen this chance to learn how to defend himself since she confronted and easily stopping the minoatur teen, Manny Taur, from bullying him. Hesistantly Maximilian Skye took this chance in order to try and improve himself in the case he will have to face another Orphenoch ever again rather than a bully. Right now, the human teen is swinging a wooden swords in different angles with Jinafire Long carefully watching.
SWISH!*
"Again."
SWOOSH!*
"Again."
"H-Haaah!"
WHOOSH!*
"Stop."
"D-Did I do well...?" asked Maximilian Skye, sweaty from up and down.
Jinafire Long, stepped forward, eyes narrowing as she examined Maximilian Skye. "You show signs of improvement," she said, her voice a mix of approval and criticism. "But there is still much to work on."
Maximilian Skye wiped the sweat from his brow, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "I... I'l try my best," he said, his voice weak but sincere.
Jinafire narrowed her eyes at this weak-willed answer. "Trying your best in your current state during a practice session and trying your best in true combat are two fundamentally different concepts." she said with a small growl.
"I-I understood, ma'am!" The scrawny teen responded in a fearful voice.
"You don't have to use honorifics when addresing me," Jinafire stated.
Maximilian nodded, still panting heavily. "Ye-Yes, ma'am! I-I mean, Jinafire," he corrected himself.
Jinafire's stern expression softened slightly. "I taught you the basics of holding a sword, but your technique needs to be more fluid and less reliant on brute effort. Remember, speed and precision are a key component."
The human teen nodded. "Y-Yes."
"Today, we shall work to improve your agility and reflexes," she said, moving to stand beside him, handling a similar wooden sword. Next, she demonstrated a series of swift, precise strikes, each one a blur of movement. "Watch closely and then mimic me." she instructed.
Maximilian strained his eyes to follow her movements, his mind racing with the task at hand.
Jinafire made a series of basic strikes, each one a demonstration of her mastery of the blade. "Now, try yourself."
The human teen nodded, his hands gripping the wooden sword tightly. He focused on Jinafire's movements, trying to replicate the moves she demonstrated. His first few attempts were clumsy due to exhaustion and the sword clattering as he swung it awkwardly.
"Not like this," Jinafire said, her voice steady and measured. "Remember, precision over power."
Listening, he tightened his grip on the wooden sword and tried again. His movements were still clumsy, but he was starting to grasp the concept. "I'll get it right," he muttered under his breath, determination in his voice.
Jinafire stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she observed his form. "You need to relax your muscles," she said, her tone gentle but firm. "The sword should be an extension of your body, not a heavy burden."
"I-I'll try!" He exclaimed, trying to swing the blade again, but accidentally dropped it mid-practice.
The wooden sword flung in the air, but was immediatly caught by the dragon girl with a precise movement of her hand.
"We should stop for now," she said, almost sighing. "Your current physical state can't allow to properly develop your technique today."
"N-No!" The scrawny human exclaimed. "I-I'll get it right!" Maximilian's eyes showed determination as he pleaded with Jinafire. "I refuse to give up!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with determination.
Jinafire's stern expression softened slightly as she gazed at the human teen. "Very well," she said, placing the wooden sword back into his hands. "But remember, rest and training must go hand-in-hand. One more session then we'll continue another day."
Maximilian nodded accepting her counter-offer. "T-Thanks! I'll try my best!" he said, his voice steadier.
"I expect nothing less," she replied, her tone both encouraging and demanding. She couldn't deny the human teen's determination in spite of his fears, but his current physical state made it challenging to make progress. Yet, the shown determination akin to that of a warrior... no, rather like one who wants to be a warrior. She never asked more details about him and his background and why he was so eager to improve, but the desire to learn and improve himself was something she can respect and admire in an individual.
(*)
Monster High – Detention Room
Back at the detention, as Mr. Rotter demanded each one of the present teens took a turn in the electric chair as he tried to get them to confess of their so-called deed.
The first one was Cleo De Nile, who confessed to using a magical totem that teleported her in front of the line for lunch, but somehow made the slice of pizza she wanted to gain life... That's a new level of Monster High weirdness to the human teen, but this wasn't what Mr. Rotter wanted to hear.
The next one was Frankie herself and she immediatly admitted her guilt. This confession immediatly sparked shocked reactions from all present, human and monster included. But, much to the phantom teacher's ire, she confessed to accidentally provoking a mass-electrification event when she smelled free perfume samples from a magazine and sneezed. Of course, Mr. Rotter didn't want to hear that.
Soon, the rest followed which confessed to either releasing of frogs from being dissected by Mr. Hackington in the case of Lagoona, to cases like the werewolf, Clawdeen, which said without any hint of lie and deceit, and in a quite bored tone that it's not her fault and blamed her brother that ate her homework... And to Heath in which the flaming teen burned accidentally a lot of stuff, including a pool... How did he burn a pool full of water? Of course this wasn't what Mr. Rotter wanted to hear.
"And then he was all like, you know, and I was like whatever and he was like for real!" Draculaura was the second-last to admit to doing something, but somehow along the lines, the conversation turned into one akin to those rich and pompous girls who talk in slang laguage back at Saint Brahm Academy had from Blake's perspective... No, scratch that... Draculaura definetly rants in a whole new other level.
"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, but NO!" Mr. Rotter groaned, having enough of listening. "Who's next?" he asked with a sigh.
At those words, all turned their gazes to Blake.
"Let's get this over with," the aforementioned said, seating without a care in the electric chair.
"So Mr. Wolfson, if that is your actual name... Confess of your misdeed!" Mr. Rotter demanded.
"His name is Wolfson?" Cleo asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Took me by surprise too, ghoul," Clawdeen added. "Not much of a name for a normie if you ask me."
"You wouldn't be the first one," the human teen stated with an eye roll.
"Quiet! Back to the matter at hands. Admit your guilt, Mr. Wolfson!" Mr. Rotter repeated.
Blake let out a sigh. "Of what?"
"Of your misdeed!!!" Mr. Rotter began seeing red. "Of the vile dastarduously deed that is a big part of Abe No Seimei plan's to take over Monster High!" he shouted, as all present gained interest.
"...Huh?" The human teen uttered, speechless. "Actually it wouldn't surprise me that much."
"I knew it!" Cleo exclaimed.
"But Mr. Seimei helped me and Lagoona!" Frankie protested.
"He's weird, but not a bad monster at all," Lagoona added.
"Try rather very sketchy," Clawdeen commented, making Blake almost break in laughter.
"That is where you're all wrong!" Mr. Rotter cut them off. "The monster known as Abe No Seimei is intent on taking over the school from the Headmistress the moment she was appointed to run it instead of him so very long ago!" he explained. "Yet, instead of accepting defeat, he reappears time and time again with quaint approaches and the claimed intent to help the school, but in all cases the institution suffered through untold amounts of chaos!"
"But why did the Headmiss accept those weird project ideas in the first place!?" Cleo asks in disbelief.
"Because Abe No Seimei is part of the Monster Council!" he revealed as all gasped with the exception of Blake.
"The what now?" he asks, receiving another set of gasps.
"The Monster Council is the first society where monsters of different kinds joined together in the singular purpose of co-existence, ignorant boy!" Mr. Rotter explained. "Monster High as you all know it, was not only intended for monsters of different kinds to associate in neutral ground, but to also welcome normies one day!"
"No way!!!" Heath exclaimed.
"Uh, Heath..." Frankie uttered.
"The Headmiss told all school about that during our merge with the vampire and werewolves," Clawdeen remarked.
"She did?" the fire elemental scratched his head in thought.
"And this has to do with me in what way?" The human teen finally asks.
"You!" he pointed at Blake. "And your fellow normies are part of his next plan! And whatever scheme are you implicated on, it will all end in chaos and mayhem falling upon the school once again!"
"That's enough!" Frankie shouted, having enough. "What did Blake do to deserve that!?"
"Miss Stein!?" Mr. Rotter gasped.
"They suddenly came to our school and think they can rule over it!" Cleo snapped. "Does no monster think it's maybe a lot too suspicious!?"
"Well... it is a tad suspicious how they suddenly arrived," Draculaura admitted.
"No comment," Clawdeen uttered with a slight tinge of guilt in her voice.
"But did they ever do anything suspicious or seemed to want to hurt us!?" Frankie questioned.
"Well-"
"Except that Leon incident," Frankie clarified to the mummy girl.
"Oh, fine!" She grumbled. "They are not that bad for a few normies in our school! Happy?"
"Kinda!" Frankie huffed.
Mr. Rotter's eyes narrowed, his ghostly face glowing with an eerie light. "Unfortunetely, satisfying your curiosity won't save you from the impending doom that could come in any moment!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the detention room.
"I don't need this nonsense today," said Blake, breaking the short silence. He rose from the chair and faced the phantom teacher. "I'm not an all-helpful human or normie as you all seem to like calling me. I barely care about what's going to happen most of times if I'm not involved, but other than skipping that class when first coming here, I never did anything else to you, Mr. Rotter."
"You are lying," The phantom teacher sneered. "Only one that is in cahoots with Abe No Seimei would ever do such a vile deed!"
"You think he would even bother to tell me of some great plan?" Blake asks. "That fox never does that."
The ghostly teacher's eyes flared with indignation, then suddenly stood still. "True. That would be in his character." He admitted. "Maybe you are not guilty then, Mr. Wolfson."
"Finally," Blake sighed, going back to his seat.
"But one of you took my glasses and I demand to know who!" He declared, hitting the desk with his fist. The impact made the very mentioned glasses fall back from his upper-head to his nose.
"Those glasses?" Clawdeen asks.
"Oh, um... yes," Mr. Rotter was at a loss of words. "...You're free to go."
Blake sighed, his face hitting the desk. "That was probably the closest thing I ever did to a speech and I wasted it." He muttered to himself.
"Finally," Clawdeen uttered, rising from her seat along with the rest.
"I knew we didn't do anything," Lagoona commented.
"Come ghouls. Let's see if we can save the rest of this day," Cleo said.
"Count me in!" Heath declared.
"I didn't ask you, Heath" Cleo clarified. "But fine, you can too."
"Yeah baby!" The fire-elemental pumped his fist.
Clawdeen then glanced to Blake. "You too, normie boy."
"You want to invite him?" Cleo sneered.
"Yeah, ghoul," Clawdeen confirmed. "Have a problem?" she asked with narrowed eyes.
"I-If you want to, Blake?" Frankie shyly added.
"I don't have anything else to do and don't plan to see that fox anytime soon," Blake shrugged, getting up and joining them.
"Wait! My fountain pen!" Mr. Rotter suddenly exclaimed. "One of you-!"
"In your pocket," Blake and Clawdeen pointed out.
"Oh, thanks," the phantom teacher uttered, watching all go.
"Before I go," Blake returned. "Can you tell me more about those 'untold amounts of chaos'?"
(*)
New Salem - Fox Flare Cafe
"Welcome back, shounens!" Seimei greeted the ones he expected to be the incoming normie teens back at the cafe. Momentarily, he is quite busy with cattering and admiring to some porcelain mugs, all having a red emblem in the shape of a fox head. He also can't wait to tell them about the upcoming training he has planned for them today!
"Well, guess again," came the voice of Blake.
"So this the place you stay at?" came the voice of Clawdeen that made the fox-earred man to drop the mug he was holding on the floor and gaze with wide eyes at the door.
Other than Blake, he was accompanied with the monster group consisting of Clawdeen and the rest of her friends.
"Oh, my kami..." Seimei gasped. "Customers!!!" he exclaimed, rushing to meet the monster group. "Well, don't just stand there? Take a seat!" He immediatly guided them to a large table with view to the rest of the Maul.
"Young Blake, you never told me we're going to have visitors!" Seimei addresed the gray-haired teen. Don't mistake, he was not angry, rather overjoyed at finally having customers!
"Someone or rather some-monster really wanted to see how is this place," His gaze fell to the mummy girl for a moment.
"You should learn to be more subtle," Clawdeen remarked with an eye-roll. "Plus, ya said all weekend you and the others worked your normie butts into making this place have more customers, so, it's normal to be curious."
"I never said that last part," Blake corrected. "I said that fox put us to work in trying, emphasis in trying."
"Hidoi!" Seimei pouted. "I'll have you know that I'm also a great designer and I'm proud of my shop's upgraded look!"
Blake rolled his eyes. "Sure... upgraded look."
"What do you mean, mate?" asks Lagoona.
"The shop looks the same. Nothing's changed," the human teen explained.
"But you all must've done a great job!" Frankie exclaimed. "This cafe looks so..."
"Simple?" Heath guessed.
"Welcoming?" Draculaura tried too.
"Try rather plain," Clawdeen added.
"Plain!?" Seimei gasped.
"Unnatractive is the word, dear," Cleo declared. "No wonder nobody's heard or stepped in such a tasteless place."
Seimei's face turned bright red, and he clutched his hand to his chest. "I will take your constructive criticism into consideration, ojou-chans," he said, his voice tinged with a bit of hurt pride.
"For starters, I think this place could use a little more charm and flair," Clawdeen said, her eyes scanning the room. "Definetly needs a different wall shade than white."
"But I like white!" Seimei huffed.
"Well, it's too simple," Clawdeen concluded. "This place doesn't even have anything that says fox... well other than yourself."
"Pff!" Blake barely holded a laugh.
"You too, gaki!?" Seimei whined. "Why I should've-" he stopped mid-sentence as his eyes glowed a faint pink light before returning to their golden glow. "Uh, you know what! Maybe you're right!" He exclaimed, snapping his fingers, prducing a stack of menus and handing them to the monster teens. "Take a look and be ready to order!"
"Uh, sure," Clawdeen eyed him with suspicion, before she opened the menu. "Hm... How about we start with some spookacino's, ghouls?"
"Sounds great, mate!" Lagoona agreed.
"Seems acceptable," Cleo confirmed.
"Fox-tastic!" Seimei exclaimed. "Come, young Blake! Lend a hand, tanomu?" He proposed, but immediatly dragged the human teen right in the kitchen.
"I'm not helping in the kitchen," Blake crossed his arms, thinking that fox is just too lazy to do the work himself and pass it all on him. Imagine his not so apparent surprise when Seimei snapped his fingers, producing the briefcase containing the Faiz Gear and quickly handing it to him, plus giving him another bracelet. Unlike the one in his hand that has lost it's colour in the gem and turned pale white after failing to deal with the last Orphenoch.
"You're kidding? Why now?" he groaned, understanding what he wants. This day wasn't the best and an incoming Orphenoch certainly doesn't make it better.
"That's your job, gaki~" Seimei teased with a smile.
"If only I'd actually get paid," he sighed, switching the metal bangle in his hand with the new one.
"That's a topic for another time~" Seimei chuckled. "Now, go on the back side, so they don't see you, and try to look for the Orphenoch. My senses tell me our incoming visitor will appear in the Maul area, but I still don't know where or when yet."
"You expect me to look around the whole place?" Blake asks with a raised eyebrow.
"Ikanimo!" Seimei nodded. "Buuut, I will also call another one of you shounens to help!"
"Fine," the teen muttered, not having the energy to complain at this time. "As long as I'm not paired with that royal pain."
"But of course gaki~!"
With that, he walked past the fox-earred man to the other present door in the kitchen.
"Mataku, mataku," Seimei shook his head, watching him go. His features immediatly morphed in a mischevious smile. "Well, they say the expected is the best unexpected, after all.~"
(*)
After walking through the back, Blake returned once again to the Maul. As long as he stays out of the food area where the cafe is while searching for the Orphenoch, he should be fine.
"I don't even know where to start looking," he uttered, folding his jacket's sleeve, checking the metal band strapped to his wrist. "Let's see where it leads me then."
"Such absent-minded tacticts are not unexpected from you, Blake Wolfson,"
"And I'm not too surprised to see you too, royal pain," the gray-haired teen sighed, turning and facing, Michael von Brahm. Of course he was the one that sketchy fox called and paired him up... great.
"Then how do you propose to look?" He asked with crossed arms.
"It is simple," Michael responded with a calm smile. He was untimely called when helping Miss Skelita with her fashion designs, but when hearing he was also going to collaborate together with Blake Wolfson, his princely smile almost dropped. "We separate and take the two main directions of the Maul. I shall take the north and east area, and you will take the south and west. If the incoming Orphenoch materializes in our choosen area, we shall inform the other."
"Fine," Blake simply nodded. "Guess that's my life now. Being stuck in another world and having to listen to you."
'The sentiment is shared,' the blue-blooded teen thought, going in his designated way.
(*)
Maul - Fox Flare Cafe
"Hm? Why is is taking so long?" Cleo asks, tapping her fingers on the table.
"Don't know, ghoul. Can't take that much for a couple of spookacinos," Clawdeen remarked.
"Man! I'm thirsty!" Heath complained.
"Maybe they are making sure the drinks are ready?" Frankie theorized.
"It is indeed quiet," Lagoona remarked. "Normally, a coffee machine is quite noisy, but I can't hear anything like that from here."
"Did some-monster say Spookacino?"
POOF!*
"Then here you have it, ojou-chans!" Exclaimed the fox-earred man, appering out of a cloud of smoke and having in his hand a plate with six cups of cappuccinos, or more commonly known to the monster side as spookacinos.
Snapping his fingers, the six cups vanished in a cloud of smoke, and reappear back at the monster teens table.
"What a silly presentation," Cleo commented.
"I think it was spooktacular!" Draculaura exclaimed with wide eyes.
"Yes, it was!" Frankie added, clapping her hands.
"Totally!" Heath confirmed it.
"Thanks, thanks!" Seimei theatrically bowed. "I know. I'm quite sugoi.~"
"Presentation aside, let's see how they taste," Cleo announced, picking up a cup, along with the others. They each took a small sip, but immediatly their faces light up! "T-This is-!"
"Pfft!" Clawdeen spit up her drink. "HORRIBLE!"
"Nani!?"
"Tastes fine to me, dude!" Heath exclaimed, gulping down the whole cup. "Hm! Like burnt toast!"
"I-It isn't t-that bad..." Frankie forced herself to gulp down. "I-It tastes great..."
"Y-Yes!" Draculaura forced herself to take another sip. "T-Tastes spooky..."
"Don't lie, ghoul. Just say it tastes bad," Clawdeen suggested, scratching her tongue to get the taste out.
"I'm sorry, but it's true," Frankie admitted.
Seimei lowered his head in shame. "I understand." he whispered, avoiding to gaze at the girls.
They in return, started to feel bad, exception being Cleo.
"M-Maybe you can serve us another cup and it will taste better!" Frankie proposed, gaining wide-eyed looks from her pals.
Seimei's face brightened at the suggestion. "I can do that, ojou-chan! I'll make sure to brew it with extra care this time!"
He snapped his fingers, and next he disappears in a cloud of smoke.
"Why'd you said that!?" Cleo demanded.
"He looked so sad and I-"
"Save it," Cleo stopped her. "Seems we're foced to stay in this cafe longer."
"My problem isn't the place, but the next taste!" Clawdeen gulped, getting jibbers down her tongue. Thanks to Frankie, that fox monster will serve them horrible spookacinos after another till he gets positive reactions... This a nightmare.
(*)
Back with the human teens, they had scurried every inch of the Maul, every floor, every shop, and every corner twice already, yet no sign of any Orphenoch.
Blake: Any signs, Mickey?"
Blake tapped on the phone. After a moment, he got a reply.
Royal Pain: Unfortunately, I have not received any signal from our devices, Blake Wolfson.
Blake: Even in messages you can't stop that, huh...
He tipped, ticked off by his attitude, no, rather his ego.
Royal Pain: I will afrain from using your full name if you in exchange learn how to properly communicate without your meaningless and derigatory abbreviatons.
The gray-haired teen rolled his eyes.
Blake: I will. If you learn to speak normal for once.
He put his phone back on the pocket, scanning the area one last time. Everything looked normal... or what is considered normal in a mall full of monsters designed to their tastes. Occasionally, one zombie would greet him with a friendly grunt, while other monsters may give him a nasty look for passing-by, but other than that, they kept their distance.
"Feels like I'm looking for a needle in a haystack?" he muttered, sitting on a nearby bench to take a break. He feels like his legs are about to give in, not to mention the remaining pain from that weekend didn't help. "Almost wished I'd crawl out in a second like the others."
RING-RING!*
Hearing the ringtone, Blake picked again the phone, checking who it was.
"Of course it's him," he sighed, but nonetheless answered the call. "Speak up."
"I have a signal."
At those words, he jumped up from the bench.
"Where!?" He demanded.
"The signal is in the food court," Michael's voice came through the phone, clear and calm. "It is faint, but it's definitely there."
He didn't need to say more as Blake's heart pounded as he rushed through the corridors of the Maul, ignoring his accumulated tiredness.
The food court was a central hub of the mall, bustling with activity—monsters from all walks of life gathered here, from werewolves and vampires to zombies and skeletons, and even actual gremlins to stay and enjoy a cup of coffee or a quick meal.
And it was also the place that he shouldn't go at this moment, because while almost invisible compared to other food stands, the fact remains that Frankie along with Clawdeen and their friends are at that sketchy fox cafe.
"I see you have come, Blake Wolfson," Michael calmly greeted the gray-haired teen. Both teens were hidden in a corner, making sire that they aren't spotted.
"W-Why..." Blake huffed, approaching him. "Why in here of all places!?" He demanded an answer, but knows he won't get one. So, he spinned around in this mall when an Orphenoch would appear just a few steps outside that sketchy fox place... Someone up there must hate him.
"The ways of karma are always strange. Not even our host was sure where the Orphenoch might appear, but it seems our skills are put at test," Michael calmly answered.
"What... what are you even talking about?" Blake asks, getting back his breath.
"There are too many witnesses currently present, and most, if not all are part of Monster High and know of us," the blue-blooded teen explained. "We must quickly devise a plan to evacuate them without putting our guise at risk."
"I've got you on that," Blake said, approaching a nearby wall, rather, he approached the small red box connected to the wall. This was a fire alarm!
Blake's fingers found the button, not hesitating for a moment before pressing it.
The next moment, the alarm blared loudly, reverberating through the mall and drawing the attention of every monster within earshot.
"What's going on!?" someone shouted from the crowd.
"Fire!!!" someone else yelled, adding to the chaos.
"Every-Monster run for your lives!!!" was the final straw that made all descend into chaos.
Monsters from all sides began to shuffle and scurry towards the exits, their faces filled with confusion and fear while Blake and Michael moved swiftly, weaving through the crowd.
"Such a method was uncalled for," Michael calmly said amidst the crowd.
"It's quicker this way," Blake countered, trying his best not to get stepped on.
Thankfully, by the short time, all evacuated the building, all except the two teens.
"I knew it was your doing, gakis!" Exclaimed the mechanic crow, landing closer to them. "Why did you do that when I was about to present the ojou-chans the best drinks in this sekai!?"
"Your drinks are horrible," Blake stated with an eye-roll.
"They're not!" The crow denied it. „"You loved my coffee!"
"Not at all," the teen states. "I simply had worst that that."
"Never the matter, we are the only ones remaining, Mr. Seimei?" The blue-blooded teen asks.
"Excluding yours truly, it's now only you two," the mechanic bird confirmed it. "As for ore, I'm outside with all who wonder what happened that started the alarms."
"Just say it was a false alarm," Blake proposed with an eye-roll.
"Hm... Guess it works!" The crow exclaims. "But first, you need to deal with our incoming visitor!" It pointed it's beak at a food stand that serves sea-food. The shadow casted by one table began glowing a dim-green as an armed figure emerges.
Possessing light-gray cracked armor akin to a samurai and armed with a long spear that has feathers tied to the shaft. It's head is in a conical shape with smaller hexagons plastered on it. This Orphenoch is probably one of the most humanoid-looking ones if not for it's shoulders and head that bear resemblance to a marine plant.
The creature slowly walks and gazes at the teens, a slow growl intended at the teens.
"That's all?" Blake muttered with a sigh. All this pinning around for this? Honestly, after dealing with that crocodile-like Orphenoch, this one looks very weak in comparison. "I'll take care of this." He took out the briefcase containing the Faiz Gear he carried around this time and opened it.
Attaching the belt to his waist, Blake took out the celular device and opened it.
(5-5-5)
Next, he pressed ENTER.
[Standing By!]
"Henshin," he said, not even bothering to strike a pose, connecting the phone on the belt, sliding it.
[Complete!]
A surge of energy pulses through the red bars, releasing laser-like projections around Blake's body. With another glow, he was clad in the futuristic armor, becoming Faiz.
The Orphenoch immediatly charges at the armored teen with it's spear raised high. The attack failed to connect as Faiz grabbed the wooden end of the spear before it hit him.
The spear spun in Faiz's grip, and with a quick flick of his wrist, he tossed it aside. It clattered to the ground, upon contact, the weapond turned to dust. Now armless, the armored teen took this chance and began landing a series of strikes with his fists.
"Go gaki!" Exclaimed the crow.
"Indeed," Michael appraised, calmly watching the fight. Compared to the footage of Blake Wolfson's previous fight, thanks to the training that their host put them throught, his fighting style shows slight signs of improvement. Blake Wolfson actually assessed that the first and best option would be disarming the invader, thus giving him more chances to attack in retaliation. Basic knowledge in combat that he previously lacked.
FSHHH!*
"Huh?" Faiz uttered, suddenly feeling dizzy from head to toes. He was too busy punching that plant-like Orphenoch and didn't see that from it's shoulders, some sort of gas began leaking.
"Young Blake!" Seimei shouted, worried.
"It seems our foe has a trick up its sleeve. Akin to it's motif, it released spores that cause symptoms of nausea," Michael noted, his voice calm and calculated. In this current state, Blake Wolfson can not handle the threat anymore.
His gaze turned to the machanic crow. "Mr. Seimei. Grant me access to the Kaixa Gear."
"Shounen! The Kaixa Gear is-"
The blue-blooded teen gazed turned ominous with a wide smile. "I'm sure you had the adequate amount of time to repair the errors from the data you gathered from our previous fights and training, great onmyōji to many emperors Abe No Seimei." He calmly declared as the robotic bird stood still.
"...Maybe I'm not this Seimei that you speak of shounen," the robotic bird said, glaring at him with it's eyes taking a red glow. "Maybe a descendant or just some random kitsune that bears the same name.~ There are many layers to a ningen, after all.~"
"I never claimed for you to be human, or part human as is your case," Michael calmly corrected, catching the monster behind the robot.
"Well played~" Seimei congratulated him. "I'd have to say you're-"
"Shut up, you two!" Faiz screamed, knowing well that sketchy duo forgot about him. It takes everything to stand on his feet and dodge attacks from the Orphenoch after it sprayed him with those spores!
"Oopsie! Gomen. Almost forgot about you, gaki," the crow apologized. "We'll talk about this another time shounen, but now!"
CAW!*
The robotic bird began spinning as pink light began surrounding it. In the next moment, before the teen stood a silver briefcase.
Michael opened it, revealing the dark-gray belt along with the phone with purple emblem. Next to it, were the x-shaped ruler along with a dark-gray camera and a similar bangle that their host gave. Unlike the previous ones, this one is made from a darker alloy and has a yellow gem in the middle instead of red.
The blue-blooded teen exchanged the silver bracelet on his right wrist for the dark one, then connected the belt to his waist.
Taking out the phone, he flipped the cap, displaying the golden screen and it's codes.
(9-1-3)
Next, he pressed ENTER.
[Standing By!]
The phone announced in a rasping robotic voice, as it began beeping.
Closing the phone, he moved it close to his chest, showing the purple emblem like a deserved medal.
"Henshin," Michael calmly announced, connecting the phone on the belt's blank space, sliding it.
[Complete!]
Yellow energy pulses through the bars as four laser-like projections erupt and surround his body.
With another glow, the blue-blooded teen was now clad in the futuristic armor, becoming Kaixa.
Grabbing the x-shaped ruler, he pulled pulled the handle, removing the safety.
[Burst Mode!]
The weapon announced, as Kaixa joined the fray.
Aiming true, he fired a series of golden energy shots at the Orphenoch who was too busy trying to hit Faiz to notice.
BANG! BANG! BANG!*
Each shot hit it's target perfectly. Straight into the otherworldly creature hands, legs and nape. Specifically the areas that aren't covered in armor.
ROAAARH!!!*
The Orphenoch roared in pain, clutching it's neck and unceremoniously falling to the ground. In the next moment, blue flames began to seep around it's form and the rest of it's body turned into ashes, leaving nothing more of it's existence.
"T-Took you long enough," Faiz huffed, glad that he could finally rest.
"My intervention would not be necessary if you anticipated such an unforseen attack," Kaixa commented, his gaze analyzing the his fellow. "In spite of this mistake, I commend your efforts, Blake Wolfson."
It was the truth. In spite of his weakened state, he managed to avoid any damaging attacks that could force him out of the transformation, and gazing upon the area, other than the scattered ashes of the Orphenoch along with chairs and tables turned upside-down from the panic caused by the fire alarm, nothing else seems to be disturbed or which could incriminate to them.
"I don't need you praise," Faiz snarled, taking out the cellphone from the belt. He pressed the call end button as the red lines forming his body began glowing and retracting back into the suit, dissolving the armor in the process.
Kaixa didn't say anything, only took out the celular device from the belt and pressed call end. Just like Faiz, the yellow lines forming his suit began glowing and retracting back into the belt, cancelling the transformation and returning back to his self as Michael von Brahm.
"It was sugoi tatakai, shounens!" The crow praised, landing to one of the tables that haven't been scattered. The crow then proceeds to looks at the teen and it's eyes began glowing green. "And for you, young Blake, now that the Orphenoch is no more, you should be daijobu in a few moments. I detect no other mondais."
"Didn't need a check-up from you," the aforementioned muttered under his breath.
"Now, what are you going to do then?" Seimei addressed both.
"We shall leave through the back exit and subly join the rest of the civilians gathered outside," the blue-blooded teen answered. "As it goes, let us hope our absence wasn't noticed."
"Actually..." the crow paused. "...There are a few ghoulish ladies that are asking about you, gakis..." he revealed with a guilty tone.
"Here we go again," was all Blake could say.
(*)
And just as expected, outside of the Maul, many monsters are standing outside. All sporting worried looks, wondering what happened, especially some of the aforementioned ghoulish ladies.
"But what if he's still in there!?" Frankie exclaimed in a worried tone.
"Y-Young Frankie! I'm sure that young Blake is safe! You just haven't seen them..." Seimei said, lying through his teeth to buy the gakis enough time.
Suddenly, Clawdeen approached the fox-earred man and grabbed his collar. "You smell like a liar," she growled, catching all off guard.
"Clawdeen!?" Draculaura gasped.
"Whoa..." Heath followed with his mouth hanging.
"Mate!" Lagoona soon followed after.
"Even you, dear?" Cleo was the only one that didn't look worried the least by this sudden behaviour of her friend.
"Clawdeen!" Frankie exclaimed. "There is no need for-!"
"I never trusted this fox since laying my eyes on him, ghouls," she declared. "My instincs tells me he knows something we don't know."
Seimei's eyes widened in alarm as he struggled against Clawdeen's grip. He knows it's not nice lying to a lady, especially a werewolf... But! Exceptions must be made!
"You misunderstand my intent, ojou-chan. I swear I am telling the shinjitsu! Young Blake and 'Mickey' are fine, I assure you of that!" He assured her as it was the truth! Well technically the truth!
"I never asked about that other normie!" she growled, catching Seimei with the lie.
Thankfully, Draculaura stepped forward, her eyes wide with concern. "Clawdeen, I know you must worry about Blake, but, you can't just accuse him without proof!"
At these words, the werewolf girl face took on a red tint. "I'm not worried about him, ghouls!" she claimed with a huff. Her eyes flared with indignation. "I just don't like being lied to, and I suspect this fox is hiding something."
"He sure does hide lots of stuff, but not about us," Came the voice of Blake filled with sarcasm that made all turn and gaze at him along with Michael.
"Gakis!"'
"Blake!" Frankie exclaimed with joy, approaching him along with the others.
"Are you alright, mate?" asked Lagoona.
"I assure you we are unharmed, Miss Lagoona. We merely encountered a small inconvenience on our way out," the blue-blooded teen calmly responded.
"Wait... you were also there, dude?" asked Heath, pointing to the royal teen.
"Mr. Seimei did mention him as well," Frankie thought, turning to an explication from the aforementioned monster that is still having his suit grabbed by Clawdeen.
"You see..." He began but was at a loss to what to say to avoid any more suspicions.
Fortunately for him, 'Mickey' continued. "Mr. Seimei had called me in order to bring him certain ingredients for the beverage called spookacino. He told me that he wanted his customers to test these new recipes for him."
Seimei nodded fervently, relieved that Michael's explanation provided a plausible reason for his presence. "Yes, that's right! The spookacinos! It was a crucial moment that required the best ingredients, ojou-chans."
"Eughh! Not today!" Clawdeen protested, releasing the fox-earred man.
"I just want to go home after this day!" she complained loudly. She still thinks there is something slimy going on, but refuses to smell and see another cup today. She's feeling about to be sick if she hears about those horrible drinks that Seimei brought over and over back at the cafe! Each one was a literal taste-buds killer!
"Well, I'm still glad you're okay. Both of you," Frankie addresed the normie teens.
"I guess so..." Clawdeen muttered, averting eye gaze.
"Still, wonder what happened that started the alarms?" Lagoona questions. "There doesn't seem to be any fire going on."
"We may never know, Miss Lagoona. Most likely an error from the systems," the blue-blooded teen answers, making Blake roll his eyes.
(*)
After the panic died down, the staff and security of the Maul deemed it to be a false-alarm and they couldn't check the cameras to see who or what started it or if something else happened after, courtesy of a trick made possible by Seimei.
Back in, all shops returned at the usual schedule, minus the cleaning they had to do after the incident caused by Blake, which he was encouraged to help in doing so. The teen didn't complain, but obliged, because say what you want about him, but he's the one at fault for it and maybe it was either out of a sense of responsability that he refuses to openly show or not having to hear Seimei nagging during this time. Maybe it was from both.
Cleaning up didn't take much time and no monster said any back-handed comments about him other than being a 'strange normie'.
In the end, after being done cleaning up the mess he was more than partly responsible, he headed back at the cafe. But, just as he took the first step inside, Leon who just recently returned, jumped out from his chair to face the gray-haired teen.
"I missed that much, dude!?" Leon exclaimed loudly. "Please!!! I want you to tell everything!" He demands akin to a child that wants candy.
"I'd forgot you also stay here," Blake muttered, going past Leon and taking a seat to rest. All this tiredness from today is beginning to catch up to him.
"I know you're curious Leon, but you must let Blake rest," Ken advised from his own seat. He and Leon both arrived at the same time, reason because was the adventurous teen fell asleep righ where the classes ended. In good conscience, Ken couldn't leave him like this and with help from Deuce who was passing-by brought his friend to a nearby bench where he could rest in peace and quiet.
The gorgon teen asked if he was alright, but immediatly dropped the subject when he heard a very loud snore coming from the sleeping normie.
Going on his way, Ken patiently waited for his friend to wake up. After about two hours from bench-sleeping, Leon awakened and was back to his usual loud and energetic self.
"Still can't believe I didn't get to see our first team-up!" He exclaimed in a disappointed tone. "You and 'Mickey' who are like oil and water put aside your differences and fought an Orphenoch! This is where true friendships are born!!!"
"Unfortunately, the term 'team-up' is rather unfit to describe this past confrontation, old friend," 'Mickey' himself rejected that explication. He doesn't deny his involvement, but in the end, this experience was akin to a test to witness Blake Wolfson slow progress in combating the Orphenoch, but also turned into the opportunity to test the finished Kaixa Gear. From the first second, he coult tell it's stats and greater fire-power make it the clear superior to the Faiz Gear that they previously wielded. A power truly beffiting of him to wield as shown with the dark bangle on his right wrist.
"I'm too tired to even say something back," the gray-haired teen muttered, not bothering to make eye contact from his seat.
POOF!*
"Mataku, you two shounens just can't seem to get along, do you?" Seimei asked, poofing out of nowhere. By now, the teens have gotten used to this trick, even Maximilian who returned from his own training with Jinafire Long.
Blake sighed. "Give me a break already,"
"Unfortunately, you still have your training session todaaay~!" Seimei revealed with a wide smile, suddenly changing the atmosphere in the cofe shop from loud and somewhat lively to one of deep quiet and worry.
"Fine. And I have something for you as well," Blake said rising from his seat and approaching him. "I know about the rice incident from ten years ago." He whispered into his fox ear, suddenly making the host's smile drop and skin to become almost as white as his hair.
"Na-Nani..." Seimei gulps, but tries to recompose himself. "And maybe I was too harsh on you shounens and you all deserve a break today!"
"Try better," Blake suggested, about to spill everything about this incident that left such a scar on the fox-earred man and never wanted to hear ever again.
"How about I cancel all training for this week...?"
"Yeah, dude!" Leon exclaimed in joy.
"Not even close. We'll only train in the weekends WITH breaks and NO trumpet!" He proposed extending his open palm in waiting.
"Mhh... Idaro!" Seimei grudefully accepted the terms, snapping his fingers and producing the golden trumpet in his hand, then giving it to the teen that promptly smashed it on the floor and stepped on it, crushing it. "At least I know I haven't lost my musical touch." He whined, picking up the pieces.
"Thanks man!!!" Leon exclaimed, immediatly bringing Blake in a hug. Being tired, he awkwardly tolerated Leon's enthusiastic hug for a moment. "Yeah, yeah, just don't get too comfortable," he said, pushing Leon away.
"B-Blake... I..." Maximilian tried saying.
"I'm going to sleep. Don't bother me," he declared, going past the scrawny teen. He knew he probably also wanted to thank him, but he just doesn't want to. 'I did it more for myself... but I guess this works too.' He thought with a thin smile appearing on his lips.
(*)
T-This marks the end of today monogatari... and... and... WHY YOUNG BLAKE CRUSHED MY TRUMPET!? IT WAS AN INNOCENT INSTRUMENT!
Just you wait shounen! Just so you all present know, cruelty and kindness are two parts of the same coin for a kitsune, meaning I will have my fukushū!
A/N: Compared to the previous chapters, this one feels kinda wacky compared to the others that have either a more serious or single genre present. Still, we see a bit more of the true power of Kaixa, even if was for a few seconds, plus slight developments in fighting style for the riders.
EDIT: I did a few small modifications, because I felt this story needed an explication or bonus dialogue in here. In all, it's the same.