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 8: This Day That Voodoo
Hello monsters and normie fans of all ages!
It's your favourite foxy host Seimei!
Maybe it has been a long time or maybe not, but one thing is certain. I feel sugoi!!!
Many of you who paid close attention would think that after having my carefully-designed training schedule for the shounens AND my trumpet ruined by one memory of a mistake of my kakou would sour my mood... Well, you're wrooong~!
And do you all know what is the best part? I didn't even need to lift a finger! It seems the hands of unmei took care of it all for moi.~
But, instead of hearing the short version, why don't we sit back and watch unmei take my venageance, nee~?
(*)
Monster High - Halls
In the corridors of the school of monsters of all kinds, many are walking and chatting. Some chatting about their classes and some chatting about what to do after them.
Today is quite a normal day for many, but for one normie teen that hasn't the best of luck, this day is one in a long line of bad days.
"How many times I have to tell you I don't know," Blake let out a long sigh, hastening his pace. Behind him is Clawdeen and this whole day, she kept asking questions about that sketchy fox Seimei after the fake alarm he caused at the Maul, not that she knew it was him who started it. At the beginning he didn't pay much attention to her questions and answered quite honestly that he doesn't know much about Seimei other than what Mr. Rotter told them back at detention, but after more than a few times of same questions, he's starting to get annoyed.
"And are you sure that you haven't seen that fox do something sketchier recently?" Clawdeen asks, hastening her pace until she was shoulder to shoulder with the human teen.
"How much I have to say that I don-"
"Oops! Sorry!" Exclaimed an unfamiliar voice that made Blake raise his head and gaze at what is definetly a human-sized rag doll. A walking and sentient rag doll dressed in a black jacket with mostly grey material acting as skin and patches of various hues of blue, with visible stitches. For hair it had blue strands and a black nose, sporting a mouth with stitches and two button eyse. One is a lighter shade of green and the other is pink. Additionally, he has various pins sticking out of his body.
"What are you?" Blake asks, trying to make sense of the walking doll that blocked his way.
"You don't know Hoodude?" Clawdeen asks with wide eyes.
"O-Oh! I'm Hoodude Voodoo!" The talking doll introduced himself, extending it's hand for a handshake.
"Be careful," Clawdeen whispered to him.
"Huh?" Blake uttered, shaking the rag doll's hand. "Tch!" He groaned, feeling a sharp pain in his hand. He took back his hand and saw a small metal tip extend from Hoodude's hand.
"Oh! Sorry!" Hoodude apologized. "I don't know how that got there.
"Sure..." Blake muttered, not buying it.
"See you later!" Hoodude waved, going his way.
"You should count yourself lucky, normie boy," the werewolf girl remarked.
"For what? Getting stinged?" the aforementioned asks.
"Not even close. Monsters that are near him experience far worse," she explained. "Hoodude is a voodoo doll. When you get too close to him or he has an object of yours, you experience pain in his place and trust me," she felt a shiver don her spine. "Hoodude is very clumsy."
"Sure..." the gray-haired teen rolls his eyes, continuing to walk.
"You think I'm joking!?" she questions enraged.
Blake didn't say anything more. Honestly, he is in a world that has actual monsters and goes at a school full of them, but a walking and talking voodoo doll... There is a limit to the kind of supernatural stuff he is willing to doubt and accept till he sees it.
(*)
Meanwhile, for the other human teens, this day proceeded in it's usual course. One perfect example would be the adventurous teen, Leon Hart. Normally, he would begin this day by doing a dare from the monster students, but this day, he is on a slightly different mission and he's not alone.
"Oh! You look so flaming hot, baby~!" Heath exclaimed, strolling the halls and flirting at the girls.
"You're spooky-cute, ghoul! You can always dare me to tell you so!" Leon exclaimed to one girl, shoulder to shoulder with the fire elemental. This was more of Heath's idea than his, but he loves it! Flirting with the girls was one of his hobbies back at the Academy, and while he admits this never really helped him score much in the dating game, he just can't shake off this habit, plus, he'd be a fool to deny the beauty and spooky charm of the girls at Monster High. Plus, if he encounters Tora-Lion along the way, it's way better!
"Smoking hot, do you believe in love at first sight? Or should I walk by again~?" he winked at one girl with green skin, but doing so, he accidentally dropped his book.
Fortunately, his book was picked by none other than Hoodude Voodoo himself. "Heath! You dropped your notebook!" he exclaims, running to catch up to the blazing-headed teen.
Heath was just at the middle of the stairs when he notices the living voodoo doll, who also has his book and is about to collide into a dinosaur-like monster. "Oh no!" he exclaims. "Hoodude! Slow down!" he shouts, more like pleads to him.
"A talking doll?" Leon questions, more interested in the monster himself than Heath apparent fright at it.
Thankfully, Hoodude managed to dodge getting impaled in the back spikes of the dinosaur student, but also ended up falling and rolling on the stairs. And in accorance to his name, Heath also suddenly began to roll down the stairs along with him.
"No fair dude!" Leon exclaims. "No monster told me we're having a rolling on stairs contest!" he declared, getting into position and with an intentional trip on his foot, he also began to roll and fall. "Banzai!"
Thankfully, the 'race'... if it could be called that was short-lived. After a few seconds, all three teens reached the lower-floor and crashed on the ground together.
"That was... AMAZING!!!" Leon exclaimed, getting up. "Who would believe falling on stairs can be so fun!"
"Dude, you're one crazy normie," Heath muttered getting up as well along with Hoodude.
"Live crazy or don't live at all," the adventurous teen quoted, then turning to face Hoodude. "Anyways, who are you... doll... uh... dude?"
"I'm Hoodude," Hoodude introduced himself, extending his hand.
"Can't say I've really noticed you, but still awesome!" Leon commented, shaking his hand. "Auch!" he suddenly cried, taking back his hand. And just like Blake before him, he saw a small metal tip poking from Hoodude's hand.
"Sorry!" Hoodude apologized. "I forgot to remove that when I met the normie in jacket."
"You met Blake?" Leon asks, getting a nod. "Lucky him, man." he muttered, thinking he was the first one to get the honour of meeting and befriending a monster he hasn't encountered yet.
"Still! Nice to meet you, dude!"
"Me too!" Hoodude exclaimed, shaking Leon hand again, this time with the other hand.
"Don't you think you're forgetting something?" Heath interrupted them, pointing the book in Hoodude's posession.
"Ops! Sorry Heath," Hoodude apologized, returning the book.
"Guess you can't blame a voodoo doll doing it's job," the fire elemental sympathized.
"Voodoo doll!!!" Leon suddenly exclaimed with sparkling eyes. "You're a voodoo doll!? Like an actual voodoo doll!"
The aforementioned nodded. "Uh, yes,"
"He's the real thing," Heath confirmed. "When he's holding somebody's stuff, if something happens to him, they feel all the pain in his place."
"It sometimes tickles to me," Hoodude added. "Which is why most of the times I don't even realize when I'm using my powers."
"Still man!" the normie teen declared. "It's spooky awesome!"
"Y-You think I'm awesome?" Hoodude shyly pointed to himself.
"Well, duh!" Leon excitedly nodded.
"The two of us gotta go, right Leon?" Heath cut in.
"Do we man?" the aforementioned asks, but immediatly got grabbed and moved away from the sentient doll student. "Not awesome." he muttered.
"You're really a weird normie, dude," Heath said. They weren't really in a hurry, but when Hoodude is nearby, things always take a bad turn. "Say thanks you or the others didn't end up as the victims to his powers yet."
This made Leon pause and think. For someone else, they would probably listen this warning, but for someone like him. "Hm... How bad can it be?"
But, hiding closely and hearing all of it, were the werecat twins Meowlody and Purrsephone, along with their leader Toralei Stripe.
"Did you hear this?" she asks with a wicked smile.
The twins in response nodded with their own gleeful smiles.
"That Hoodufus and Loud Leon just gave me a cat-astastrophically great idea~" she let out a wicked purr, before disappearing in the shadows along with her fellow werecats.
(*)
Meanwhile...
After meeting two of the exchange students he heard so much about but never was got the chance to face, Hoodude minded his own way, each monster he passed on the way making sure to keep the appropriate distance from him as to not end up a victim of his powers.
Hoodude was aware of that, but also didn't blame them.
He was originally created to be a boyfriend to Frankie Stein, but she ditched him. This was what caused him to feel pain for the first time. Not the physical kind, but emotional kind.
It took time, but that pain he felt in his heart slowly healed and allowed him to attend Monster High and explore more about being alive. Plus, he and Frankie are on better terms and if he needs help, she said he could count on her.
Stopping to a sprinkler nearby, Hoodude decided to take take a few dips to quench his thirst.
After finishing, someone approached him. It was Toralei Stripe.
"I just had to come over and talk to you~" she purred, suddenly closing the distance between them.
Hoodude was at a loss of words. "O-Ow... wow."
Toralei smiled, putting her hand to his shoulder. "I think you're perfectly awesome.~"
"I must be dreaming!" He exclaimed, feeling flustered. "I'd pinch myself, but I wouldn't feel it!"
"Great.~ Let me just write down my number for you," she smiled, pointing in the direction of Draculaura who was busy writing with a feathered quill on a book. "Would you borrow her pen for me~?" she pleaded, knowing he couldn't refuse.
"Oh, okay," the doll teen nodded, walking to the vampire girl.
He approached Draculaura, who looked up from her writing with a curious expression. "Hey Draculaura. can I borrow your pen?" he asked.
Draculaura, slightly hesistant, handed over her pen with a smile. "Sure thing, Hoodude."
"Thanks!" Hoodude said as he took the quill. But unbeknowst to him, someone else was waiting for him. That someone also tripped Hoodude and activating his powers. The doll teen fell on the floor and rolled down the stairs. He shrugged it of as his clumsiness and got back up without a scratch.
"Ouch..." on the other side, Draculaura also fell and rolled on the floor because he holded her item, she felt that, plus suddenly getting up and hitting the metal door of her locker. "Ouch again..."
Watching the event where she couldn't be seen, Toralei purred, barely containing her smile. "This is going to be a great day~"
(*)
Monster High - Creepataria
"Dudes! Did you know that we go to school with an actual talking voodoo doll?" Leon asks the others at the table.
"V-Voodoo doll!?" Maximilian gulped in fear.
"Who?" Blake uncaringly ask through bites of his sandwich.
"You mean Hoodude?" Ken asks, putting his fork away from his simple salad. "I have the psycology class with him, but I didn't get a chance to talk much."
"Oh him," Blake uttered, still not interested.
"I have only heard of one individual who fits this description," Michael calmly answered. "While each student at Monster High is a fascinating being, I have heard of the simulacrum named Hoodude and his quaint ability that makes him stand out in this institution."
"Speak simple for once," Blake muttered, still not interested.
Michael smiled. "I reffer to his special ability, Blake Wolfson."
"You tell me you believe in this voodoo nonsense?" The gray-haired teen asks.
"I have no reason to not disbelieve it as our present circumstances and location prove otherwise," the blue-blooded teen clarified.
"W-What ability?" Maximilian asks, feeling out of the loop.
"Not having met him, I heard that those who come too close to the aforementioned or if he possesses one of their objects, they would feel all the pain that Hoodude himself is incapable of feeling," Michael explained.
"It's the real thing, dude! I saw it!" Leon excitedly exclaimed. "It looked awesome!" He declared getting weird looks from the others.
"Only you would think of that as awesome," Blake said, still not believing in this nonsense.
Leon shrugged it off. "Hey, it's not every day you meet a living, breathing voodoo doll."
Michael leaned forward, his eyes locking onto Leon's. He had heard more than enough of this foolishness. "This institution is a place that could endanger a human life if not careful in countless ways even if the hostility of the student body towards our presence had lessened. That is likely another reason why Hoodude Voodoo along with other monsters with such reputation keep their distance from us."
The others paused from what they were doing, taking time to digest these words that sounded more like a warning.
"So you mean there are other too shy to come and say hi to us?" Leon finally asks.
"These seem to be the only terms that you can properly understand, my old friend, then yes," The blue-blooded teen nodded with a forced smile.
"Hmm... Then I'm going to meet them!" He declared, getting up. "I have a quest today and I'm gonna clear it!" without any words, the adventurous teen rushed out of the Creepataria, leaving his schoolmates with different opinions to his words.
"Not even you can stop that loud-mouth when he decides to do something, can't you ‚'Mickey'?" Blake snickered from behind.
"I merely warned him of the potential dangers. The choice to go was his," the royal teen calmly stated.
"Aren't you going to follow him, Mr. Compassion?"
"I have faith in Leon," Ken simply responded. He knows his friend can take care of himself in spite of his antics.
"Whoa!"
Exclaimed a voice accompanied with a thud that made the remaining humans perk up and turn. Falling on her face in the food tray itself was Frankie. She seemed to slip on something.
In response to this sight, Ken rushed to her and gently helped the reanimated girl stand up.
"T-Thanks, Ken!" she exclaimed, seeing it was him who helped her.
"Are you alright Frankie?" he asks.
"I-I guess. It felt like I was slipping on a puddle, but I didn't... oh," she paused. "I gave my spoon to Hoodude and he must've slipped up."
As Frankie finished her explanation, she noticed Hoodude approaching her. As always he is unscathed. Her eyes softened, and she gave him a reassuring smile.
"Hey, don't worry, Hoodude! It's not your fault," she said, her voice soothing.
Hoodude, still trying to process the whirlwind of events, nodded slowly. "Thanks, Frankie. I promise I'll be more careful."
Besides Hoodude, hiding among the students, Meowlody and Purrsephone were watching the whole thing. The two immitated a gagging in disgust expressions then suddenly narrowed their eyes with wide smiles crossing their faces.
They just found their next target.
(*)
After finishing lunch, Ken bid goodbye to the rest of his schoolmates and proceeded to his locker. Passing by, he was greeted by monsters of all sorts, still oblivious to the amorous eyes of the girls that gazed at him.
Reaching his locker, he took the book for his next class.
"Wait up!"
Called a voice that made the human teen look behind.
"Hey," that voice belonged to none other than the sentient doll Hoodude. In spite of his body he managed to run quite fast. "I-I'm Hoodude a-and we kinda have classes together but never got to talk... and I wanted to say hello!"
"Hello too," Ken responded with a kind smile. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"I've heard we may have a test at the next psycology class and thought if I could borrow your notes?"
Ken thought for a moment. "I don't remember being told about a test, but sure." He opened his locker and pulled out his notebook at the specified class, handing it to the monster teen.
"Thanks!" Hoodude smiled, receiving the book.
"No problem," Ken responded. "Do you want to come with me too?"
Hoodude perked up. "Sure!" he exclaimed.
(*)
"Meow~ Those two morons are sooo predictable," Toralei purred, adding the finishing touches to the prank meant for her next victim. Honestly at the beginning she could barely care that a normie or two have come to Monster High on some weird exchange program meant to promote co-existence or some sugary nonsense. She thought that she didn't even need to lift a finger as others would take more of the joy of showing some puny normies how their school runs and in not even a week they'll be back to whatever normie town they came from.
Imagine her surprise when each one of them not only survived from bullies like Manny, but mocked the clubs of the school by defeating each single-handedly, then that annoying Leon who accepts stupid dares from the boys and kept flirting with her even after confessing to wanting to ruin his reputation! Oh, she is going to enjoy making that loud normie suffer later!
Now her target is the normie who acts like some knight in shining armor and who will get the surprise of his life for the clasic but timeless humiliation that she has in store for him.~
(*)
Walking to the next class, many stopped from what they were doing and gazed at the scene before them. Hoodude who has gained a reputation through the school as one among the monsters many should stay clear off is walking together with one of the exchange normie students, more specifically, the most popular one and not-so secretly sought out, Ken.
While the noble teen didn't mind the gazes, being something that he got used to even back at the Academy, the sentient doll felt the stupefied stares of every student bearing into him.
"M-Maybe we should go our separate ways?" Hoodude proposed. "I don't like how the others are looking..."
"What do you mean?" Ken innocently asks.
Hoodude's eyes darted nervously around.
"They're all staring at us..."
Ken's thought for a moment. "I think it's normal to be curious, Hoodude. Many don't really see you."
Hoodude shifted uncomfortably, his stitched lips curling into a thin smile. "I guess you're right. Oh! Can I ask something?"
"Sure," the noble teen answers with a smile.
"It's about Frankie and I've heard from my new friend that you and her..." but not even managing to finish his sentence, Hoodude suddenly tripped on a carefully planted wire and fell on the stairs. And following the rules of his powers, by having an object belonging to someone else, namely Ken's notebook.
And so, the human teen began falling on the stairs, but didn't just stop.
"What in..."
He also collided with none other than Blake who just managed to lose from his tracks not just the usual zombie fans, but Clawdeen as well.
So imagine his misfortune when he saw none other than Ken who suddenly stumbled on the stairs and rolled down like a cartoon schtick and collided into him.
CLANK!*
Just adding more salt to the injury, the two were pushed by the impact right into an open locker and crammed together.
(*)
Hahaha! G-Gomen for being dragged into this, young Ken, but I can't contain myself! You get what you deserved gaki!
M-My kami! This is too funny! Hahaha!!!
Ahem-ahem! I deeply apologize fot interrupting the story, dear watchers, but I simply couldn't contain myself.
Just so you all know, you shouldn't try to mimic these kinds of actions that could bring pain and humiliation and try to resolve your school conflicts the peaceful way or by calling a superior. In no way, you should do such things EVER!
Now, let's continue our monogatari.
(*)
"Ken? Where are you?" Hoodude asks, getting up. "Where did he go?"
"Hi Hoodude~," Toralei suddenly grabbed his shoulder.
"O-Oh! Hi Toralei! D-Did you see Ken by any chance?" He asks, looking for him.
"Mhh~ No, but I'm sure he had other important normie stuff to do."
Hearing this, Hoodude deflated a bit, but put on smile. "I guess he has..." he muttered, walking along with the werecat as far away from the lockers.
(*)
Inside the locker
"I'm having a nightmare..." Blake said, his voice muffled by the tight space he found himself stuck in. "Another one in a series of nightmares I would wake up in any moment now..."
"I'm sorry Blake but-"
*CLICK!*
Hearing what is definetly the sound of the metal door being locked, he could just groan.
"...Duck, it's all real."
(*)
Later...
"Hi!!!" Leon suddenly exclaimed, approaching a random monster.
"Uh, hi," the monster teen responded. He was an average werewolf with dark brown fur covering his body and wears simple clothes that were fashioned after a lumberjack's with tattered bits, giving claw-like impression.
"Would you say that we've know each other for long, dude? I'm sure that I haven't seen you much in classes or are you keeping your distance? Are you scared? Are you shy? Are you the silent type? Or rather the strong type? I must know my classmates and I'm not going away till you give me an answer!" He suddenly asks, getting a stupefied look.
"Uhhh..."
"Take you time, dude. I have time, you know! Maybe you want to say something long, who knows! Or maybe it's something poetic? Or something with long smart words? Or a riddle maybe? I've met those kinds of folks at my old school, so no spook!"
"Uh... I don't think I have classes with you," the werewolf teen responded, making Leon blink.
"I see... Still, nice to meet you!" he exclaimed eagerly shaking his hand. "I must go now! See you later!" and just as fast as his words, he rushed out, leaving the baffled werewolf.
"...This school is starting to become too freaky."
(*)
"Man... It feels like they're avoiding me," Leon muttered on his walk. After hearing 'Mickey' words about being other awesome students like Hoodude at Monster High, he couldn't contain himself and just began asking randomly if they knew each other or just met. Most barely even understood what he wants to begin with and others didn't even tell him much about them, preferring not to share their informations with a human.
"Can't believe there were so many other cool monsters at this school and nobody's told me about! Not awesome!" He complained, soon reaching his locker. "Meh. At least I got to talk to so many others, sooo, I guess I kinda did my quest!"
"Up to your stupid games of friendship, loud normie~?" purred an all-too familiar voice that made the human teen suddenly turn with a big smile to met Toralei.
"Hi Tora-Lion!" Leon greeted her with a huge smile. "Did you come to see me!"
She growled in response. "That's not my name and I merely happened to pass by!"
"Still nice to see you!!!"
Toralei's cat ears twitched in irritation as Leon's booming voice echoed on the hallway. "Yeah, yeah, I guess it's nice to see you too..." she replied with a forced smile.
"Really!!!" Leon shouted, feeling joy. "I knew you'd care Sweet-Fur!"
"Yes..." The werecat barely holded her claws. "But, I suddenly remember that Hoodude asked for you!"
"Sure!" Leon exclaims. "Where is he?"
"I think he's outside in the school yard," she replied. "You should go look for him.~"
"You're right!" Leon pumped his fist. "I can't let my new Monster High buddy down!" He suddenly lounged at the werecat hugging her. "Thanks for telling me Tora-Lion!" And just as quickly and unexpectedly, he kissed her furry cheeck before dashing through the halls.
"Normie germs! Disssgusting!" Toralei groaned, scratching the place where that normie put his lips. "I'm definetly going to enjoy what I'm about to do to you, annoying human!"
(*)
Earlier...
After another hour has passed, the ringing of the bell signaled the time for it's monstruos students to roam the halls and prepare for the next classes.
"Gills! Today I had the strangest feeling," Lagoona uttered, approaching her friends.
"Say what now, ghoul?" Clawdeen asks, turning away from her locker.
Lagoona nodded. Her day was supposed to consist of the usual classes and swim practices and time with her boyfriend, Gill Webber, but something strange had happened. "Last break, when I reached my locker, I suddenly felt like there were thousands of needles sticking into me!"
"Me too!" Frankie exclaimed. The others except Cleo nodded with wide eyes. They all had that feeling during this day.
"We must be cursed!" Draculaura screamed in panic. "It all makes sense. Some-monster cursed us!"
"T-That's a bit too much, Draculaura! I don't think we're cursed," Frankie reassured her.
"I'm sure you're exaggerating, dear. Maybe you're all having a bad day," Cleo shrugged.
"I AM HAVING A BAD DAY!"
"What was that!?" Frankie exclaimed.
"It sounded like it came from there," Clawdeen pointed to a faraway locker. Carefully she approached it. "Uh... hello?"
"ABOUT TIME!"
Came a distorted voice from inside the locker.
"It talked!" The vampire girl shrieked.
"Wait a spook... I know that voice!" Clawdeen's eyes widened in shock, her friends gathering around her in alarm. "Is that you in there, normie- I meant Blake?" she called out.
"WHO ELSE? I'M TRAPPED IN HERE AND I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT!" the voice inside shouted.
"You're trapped inside, mate?" Lagoona asks.
Frankie, ever the empathetic friend, stepped forward. "We'll help you!" she said, trying to sound calm. "Just stay calm and we'll figure this out!"
The stiched girl grabbed the metal door of the locker and tried opening it, but it wouldn't budge.
"I'M SURE IT'S LOCKED," the trapped teen stated.
"FRANKIE TRIED HELPING, BLAKE."
"K-Ken!?" The stitched girl exclaimed. Suddenly her bolts, began charging up electricity and the voltage traveled through her hands into the closest conductor. That one being the locker.
ZAP!*
"MIND NOT TRYING TO FRY US!?"
"S-Sorry!"
"Let me handle this, ghoul," Clawdeen approached the locker and inspected it. "Good thing I always have hairpins with me."
She took a hairpin out of her pocket and carefully inserted it into the gap between the door and the frame and worked it until she heard a satisfying click. The locker creaked open, revealing Blake and Ken, who were both dazed and slightly smoked, but otherwise unharmed.
"I guess I owe you a a smoothie," the gray-haired teen said, rubbing his head.
"Try a dozen more~" she clarified with a wide smile upon hearing of smoothies.
Blake groaned, but otherwise accepted her terms. "Fine."
Pushing himself out of the locker, he took out his ICoffin. He sighed. "An hour, eh? I won't hear the end of it from that fox."
"But how did you two end up stuck in a locker, mates?" Lagoona asks. "Don't tell me it was some-monster who did this!"
"No way!" Draculaura exclaimed.
"I understand if it was Manny out to get you," Clawdeen pointed to the gray-haired teen. "But absolutely no monster in this school has a bad bone to pick with Mr. Perfect Normie over here."
"There was no monster implicated, Miss Clawdeen. I suddenly tripped on the stairs and tackled into Blake," Ken answered, dusting himself. "I guess I had a bit of bad luck today."
"Did you forget who you were with?" The aforementioned asks with a tint of anger that could barely be contained. "You were with that Hoodude."
"Hoodude!?" The girls exclaimed, not believing their ears.
"Why would... Wait, did he have something of yours like a book or a pen?" Frankie asks.
"I let him borrow my notebook for a test he said we're having," Ken responded.
"Then that explains it all," Clawdeen concluded, then turned to Blake. "And I guess you got dragged into this, didn't ya? Well, I warned you about his powers, but still didn't believe me."
"What do you expect from a normie, dear?" Cleo snorted. "It is in their nature not to take heed to a warning."
The gray-haired teen rolled his eyes. Well, she was not exactly wrong. "No comment on that."
"It still doesn't make sense," Lagoona stated. She knows Hoodude and seems not only her, but others, including even Blake and Ken have been affected by his powers. What is strange is that it all happened in a single school day. "There is something mighty fishy going on."
"Why do you think so, Lagoona?" The noble teen asks. He knows about Hoodude's powers, but thinks these were simple accidents, nothing serious.
"Speaking of fishy, look over there ghouls!" Draculaura suddenly exclaimed, pointing at none other than Hoodude himself. And he wasn't alone. "How weird is that Hoodude and Toralei are fanging out?"
"Wasn't she the one that-"
"Yep," Clawdeen finished for Blake with a slight growl. "That's Toralei. She's the most vile ghoul you could find in this whole school."
"Wait..." Cleo gasped with wide eyes. "Hoodude borrowed my Biteology book and never gave it back!"
Triggered by those words, Toralei herself shifted her gaze at the crowd of monsters and humans. And with a wicked smile plastered on her lips, she slowly pushed deep one of the needles stuck to Hoodude's chest. The doll teen didn't feel anything, but for Cleo...
"Ahh!" She screamed, feeling the sharp pain in her chest.
"Toralei!!!" The monster teens shouted. It all makes sense now!
"She's been using Hoodude's voodoo power to torture us all day!" exclaimed an enraged Frankie.
"And Hoodude himself isn't aware that she's using his ability," Ken concluded, narrowing his eyes. This is not right. "We must stop her." He said, full of determination. The monster teens nodded.
"The question is how?" Frankie asked.
"Gills! I've got an idea!" Lagoona suddenly said. "But I'm going to need some help."
"I'm in," Blake stepped forward, earning few surprised looks.
"You'll help?" Clawdeen asks.
Blake just nodded. "Don't be surprised." He doesn't really care about what others do with their lives be it in here or back at the Academy, but when he's the victim of some tasteless prank you know what they say about how further one is willing to go for a payback.
"Then follow me, mates. This plan will give Toralei what she deserves. A literal splash."
(*)
Monster High - Courtyard
"You said Leon needs me?" Hoodude asks. This day was the best ever. Toralei was so nice to him and he loved helping her, even if he needed to borrow books or pens from the others! He must thank them later.
"Yes~" Toralei purred, not even bothering to hide her feral grin. "Oh! I think I see him!"
"Where?" Hoodude asks, stepping ahead to go and see where Leon is until he was out of sight.
"Nya~ What a fool," she whispered with a wide smile. "Still, you gotta love these morons who can prove useful."
"He is not a fool, Miss Toralei."
"Hm?" Turning, the werecat was graced with none other than the noble teen, the normie known through the school as Ken along with that one who is popular among zombies. Five minutes ago she pretty much revealed that she was the one behind these let's call them comical and not so painless 'accidents'. The question is what these normies wants with her.
"Ken was it? I don't think we officially talked. Do you two need something from me~?" She asked in an innocent tone, or as innocent as she could fake one.
"I'm just here to watch," the gray-haired teen stated, confusing her. But that was for a second as she smiled again, but wider and intrigued.
As for Ken, his eyes narrowed as he took in Toralei's sly grin. "I know what you have done by using Hoodude's powers. Please, you must stop," he said, his voice firm.
"Oh, how brave of you~," she replied, her tone dripping with mockery. "Do tell me more."
"What you're doing is wrong," he declared, his eyes locking onto hers. "Using Hoodude's powers to inflict pain on others is worse enough, but you're also hurting him."
"I'm quite sure he doesn't feel any pain and doesn't mind me using his only good quality for some mischief," she answered with a smug grin. "Normies like you who think are heroes and ask for no reward are just so sketchy. I already had my fun locking you and the zombie magnet over here in the locker, so I'm satisfied and don't have any business for the time... Now~" she appoached with a threatening glare. "Be good and rule-abbiding humans and step out of my way.~"
Ken stood his ground, refusing to back down despite Toralei's intimidating glare. "I won't let you continue to hurt others with Hoodude's powers," he repeated, his voice unwavering. "I already told Leon he is likely the next victim of your actions and it took some convincing, but decided to keep his distance from you."
In response, Toralei's smile dropped, revealing her sharp fangs. "Oh, you think you're some kind of protector of this school? How cute~ But it's not like you can make me stop anyways, silly human. I admit he was going to be my next and favorite target, but at how much he's in love with me, I'm sure that even calling him now would make him dash here with his optimistic smile and loud voice."
RIIIING!*
Hearing the sound of the bell, the werecat sighed. "You got lucky... for now." Turning around. She noticed Hoodude is still busy trying to find Leon by searching inside the murky water of the fountain.
"Come Hoodude! I think Leon is not in there."
Hearing her voice, the doll teen rose from the fountain, his very body drenched in water, but otherwise fine. "Oh. Okay." He innocently replied, then noticed the human teens. "Hi Ken! Hi Blake!" He greeted, immediatly catching up to Toralei.
"Well, we tried your peaceful way, but seems we'll keep the original plan," Blake said, opening up his fist and revealing a golden bracelet with small spikes. "At least she was too busy trying to sound menacing and didn't see I took it from her hand." He smiled, gazing at the item. "And they said cats are always on alert."
"Is it my fault again?"
Hearing those words, the gray-haired teen paused and clicked his tongue. "Not with this again. She is not like her. Honestly, even with this plan to torture us with magic or whatever is supposed to be this voodoo nonsense, you're not at fault in any way, you damn idiot."
"I... guess you're right," Ken whispered, walking away in thought.
"...I really suck at advices," Blake sighed. It's not like he can understand having to go through what Ken did back at the Academy not that long ago with... that girl.
RING-RING!*
The sound from one of the teens phone was suddenly heard. Blake took his own phone, but it wasn't his that rung.
"It's yours," he said to Ken.
The noble teen stopped in his track and took out his ICoffin and saw that it displayed the numer of their host, Mr. Seimei.
"Hello gakis! How was your day?" Came the voice of the fox-earred man. "Mataku, just what mondais did young Blake drag you into, shounen?"
'How did he know I was with him?' The gray-haired teen thought.
"Our day was..." Ken paused in thought. The right thing to do would be informing their host today's events, but there's a part of him that thinks maybe he shouldn't know.
"Anyways! We have a signal quite far this time. Take young Blake with you and quickly go to the park."
At those words, Ken narrowed his eyes and nodded. "Understood," he ended the call. "We must go." he stated, going without a second to waste.
"Well, I guess it works than being gloomy. That's my thing," Blake muttered, soon following along.
(*)
New Salem - Park
The park of New Salem, or rather, the one located in the monster side of the town. In spite of it's wild vegetation and decript wooden benches that give the place a common spooky sensation like many places, to a monster, this place is a rather common and to others even beautiful attraction from their point of view.
"The mayor in this town doesn't seem to care about the monster side at all. What do you think, Mr. Compassion?" Blake remarked, walking. Honestly, even the steps on the stone pavement feel shaky, like whoever set them didn't even bother to put them right.
"..." But in spite of this comment, the noble teen just kept walking, his mind more focused on their duty at hand.
After a few more steps, they reached the place where their host mentioned. It was a rather clear are with a small pond that has greenish and murky water.
"This is the place," Ken said, looking around. In one of the trees he saw many crows perked up on it's branches. One of them took flight and landed to his shoulders.
"Good thing you arrived, shounen," the crow said grateful. "Our incoming visitor must appear around this area soon."
"But why you need me too?" Blake asks. "I'm sure Mr. Compassion over here can do this all on his own without breaking much of a sweat."
"While I'm sure that your fighting skills are up to measure, young Ken, we can't afford to take risks any more," the crow stated. "Better to be safe than sorry and all that.~"
Blake rolled his eyes, not fully buying it. "Sure."
"Hmm... did anything happen to you, young Ken?" The mechanic bird suddenly asked. "Did something happen at gakou or is young Blake teenage phase getting to you?"
Blake in response clicked his tongue. "My what?"
"I meant... ehto..." the crow stammered. "How shpuld I put it into words... Oh! Look over there!" It suddenly exclaimed.
Thinking that damn fox just wanted to avoid the subject, the teen ignored those words, but when he heard something like a splash from close, his curiosity won over.
Turning and gazing from the glowing shadow casted by a tree over the pond, a being slowly emerged from the water. It was tall and covered in pale gray cracked armor with a half robe, giving similarity to fish scales. The same can be said for it's hands with large fins that add further to it's motif. As for it's head, the creature has it covered in curved fin-like extensions serving to defense, especially it's pair large empty eyes the size of dinner plates, being partly covered as not to restrict it's vision.
"Interesting. From my quick analysis, this is an Orphenoch that bears resemblance to a flying fish," the crow explained. "Brings some bad or good memories for you, gaki?"
"As is you don't know," Blake countered, knowing that bird reffered to the very first Orphenoch he dealt with. Not one of his best memories to be sure.
The Orphenoch's empty eyes, soon gazed at the two teens, and it let out a low growl as it charged at them.
"Duck!" Blake shouted, both him and Ken moving out at the crucial moment. As a result, the Orphenoch missed it's targets and soon stumbled and fell on the stone pavement.
"I don't know what's more annoying. The fact that I'm getting too used to dealing these things or that I have a deja-vu?" The teen asks himself, reminding that the Orphenoch from day one was just as clumsy as this one. The charge was quite fast, but definetly clumsy. "You know what to do now, sketchy fox."
"I don't like this nickname at all!" the robotic bird huffed.
CAW-CAW!*
Soon, several crows from the tree and other part, began gathering around the teens and fish-like creature and surrpunding them in a tornado of feathers. Soon, pink lights began to envelop them, and with a glow, they vanished.
(*)
???
The next moment, the teens soon found themselves at the top of a sandy-gold dune, with the bright sun shining on the cloudless blue sky.
"Of course it's the dessert," Blake complained, already starting to sweat from up and down from the sudden spike in tenperature, not helped by his black leather jacket.
"Deserts at this hour, shounen~?" The crow asks in a cheeky tone. "Why can't you be more like, young Ken? Look at how well, he's handling our visitor."
As the mechanic bird pointed out, the sudden change of scenery wasn't even noticed by Ken, as the noble teen immediatly grabbed the Orphenoch, keeping it in a chokehold.
The beast tried squirming and clawing itself out, but Ken's grip was firm and steady, not helped by the fact that it suffered even worse from the change in temperature, courtesy of it's aquatic motif.
"That idiot has a death wish," Blake muttered under his breath. "Give me the belt!"
"Yokaishta!" The crow confirmed, flying and spinning as pink lights began gathering around it. With another glow, the familiar silver briefcase manifested on the sand.
Blake opened it and took out the belt along with the phone. He buckled the silver belt to his waist, then opened the phone.
(5-5-5)
Next, he pressed ENTER.
[Standing By!]
The device announced in a robotic male voice as it began beeping.
"Henshin!" Blake called, raising the device above his head, connecting it to the belt blank space, sliding it.
[Complete!]
A surge of energy pulses through the red bars, releasing laser-like projections around his body. With another glow, the teen was clad in the futuristic armor, becoming Faiz.
"Alright, Mr. Compassion, you've had your fun," Faiz said, stepping forward. Ken nodded and released his hold on the Orphenoch, letting the fish-like creature free. It's glassy eyes were fixed on Faiz, not even moving.
ROAR!*
But that was for a short moment, as it's right hand began glowing a dim-green and manifested a harpoon gun.
Faiz eyes narrowed underneath his helmet, gazing at the weapon of his enemy. Of course it was a gun of all things. But, instead of trying to shoot him, the Orphenoch turned towards the other present human. He wants to shoot Ken!
"Damn it!"
Quickly, Faiz launched himself from his spot, trying to tear away the gun from the Orphenoch who refused to let it go. The armored teen, using this chance, he began to sucker punch the creature with his other hand. Not some knightly or heroic thing to do, but when he faces a fish-like beast armed with a gun, then it's no time to be picky.
"Use the blaster mode, gaki!" shouted the mechanic crow from the sidelines.
The armored teen nodded, stopping from punching the Orphenoch and taking a few steps back. He took out the phone and opened it.
(1-0-3)
And pressed the ENTER button.
[Single Mode!]
The phone declared, as it's upper side flipped diagonally, giving it the look of a gun.
Faiz pressed the hidden switch from the side, releasing a crimson laser beam from the tip of the antenna headed towards the Orphenoch.
BANG!*
Unfortunately, the shot didn't hit it's target, as the creature managed to fire one harpoon. The projectile met the beam of energy and collided, creating an after-wave that made both combatants fall to the ground and scattered sand in the area, blocking vision.
"Ugh... When you think lasers can break an oversized dart, you're wrong," Faiz groaned, slowly rising up. The armor protected him, and likely the Orphenoch didn't perish just like that.
BANG!*
"Agh!" Suddenly, the armored teen felt a sharp pain in his leg. Crouching down, he noticed the broken tip of the very same munition that the Orphenoch is using.
BANG!*
BANG!*
Another two sounds echoed amidst the sands and two more sharp tips ended up hitting Faiz.
"Damn it!!!" He cursed, sharp pain coursing from his arms. Even though they are protected by the metal braces, the impact and after-pain is just as worse!
"Calm youself, gaki!" shouted the voice of Seimei admist the dusty scene.
"Well I can't see where that thing is!" Faiz complained.
BANG!*
Another shot was fired, this time it hit him in the back.
"Grr! Not again!" He shouted, turning around and firing rabdom shots. Unfortunately each beam only passed the air, never hitting anything.
"Calm yourself, shounen!" the crow advised. "Don't get swallowed by anger."
"Easy for you to say!" The teen shouted back.
"Be patient and observe," Seimei stated. "The suit chikara isn't just about punching and kicking. You are now Kamen Rider Faiz! Every one of your senses is enhanced. Take a deep breath and try gazing beyond the veil of sand with more than your sight!"
"...Fine," Faiz grudgefully nodded, closing his eyes. That sketchy fox and his sketchy advices are so-
BANG!*
"Not again!" Quickly turning, Faiz shot, but instead of air, he heard clearly the shot hitting something.
"Grr!"
"Huh..." he uttered, shocked. Did he just...
BANG!*
"No! You don't!"
Hearing and avoiding the incoming harpoon, he turned and fired another shot. The armored teen definetly heard the sound of inhuman groans of pain.
Not just that, but as Seimei said, his senses feel like they have heightened! He could hear the Orphenoch through the swirling sands and every breath it takes that is filled with rage and desperation.
Suddenly, from the veil of sand the aforementioned creature charged with it's weapond raised in one hand and firing in all directions, no longer caring about which part it wants to hit as long as it ends the life of it's opponent.
Without hesitation, Faiz leapt to the side, his armor's agility and newfound perception allowing him to narrowly avoid the incoming projectiles.
In retaliation, the armored teen fired a shot, this one not aimed at the Orphenoch itself.
CRASH!*
The bullet of light hit the harpoon gun, shattering it in pieces, and with a leap of speed, Faiz sucker punched the creature in the face. The armored teen's punch connected with a resounding thud, sending the Orphenoch stumbling back.
Seizing this opportunity, Faiz spotted the silver briefcase and rushed to it.
Inside, he spotted the silver flashlight. He and the others didn't get a chance to use this item.
"Time to see what you can do."
Putting back the phone on the belt, he removed the mission memory bearing his emblem, and inserted it in the blank space of the flashlight.
[Ready!]
The device announced, extending it's handle as Faiz alligned it to his right foot. With a click, he connected the device to the silver brace, pointing downwards.
"Show's over," Faiz declared, side-opening the phone and pressing ENTER.
[Exceed Charge!]
The device announced as red energy condensed in the right bar and began traveling down his leg and into the silver device with a yellow glow.
Crouching down, he then prepares for the finishing blow. The armored teen begins running towards the Orphenoch, and using his enhanced power, he jumps high in the sky. Faiz then did an air summersault and the flashlight glowed shot a beam that turned into a red energy drill leading straight to the Orphenoch, paralyzing it's frail movements.
"Hyaah!" Faiz then did a flying side kick and descended into the energy drill.
ROAAARH!*
The Orphenoch could only scream in pain as it was pierced, and suddenly, both Faiz and the hardlight construct vanished.
The next moment, the armored teen appeared behind the fish-like creature which already begins cracking as blue flames engulf it's form and the symbol of Faiz appears before bursting into a pile of ashes that contrast the golden sands of the dessert.
[Shutdown!]
The belt announced, beeping. Soon, the red lines coursing Faiz body began glowing and with a final glow, the projections returned back into the belt, dissolving the armor in the process.
"You did a sugoi job, gaki!" Exclaims the robotic bird, appearing from the swirling sands along with Ken. "Next time I'll be sure to sent you to a field that won't restrict vision like this one though. Meh~ At least I've got the best part!" It's eyes suddenly began glowing, displaying a holographic round screen. In it, in spite of the vision being covered by sands, the mechanic bird managed to capture the moment where Faiz delivered his flying kick.
But in spite of the praise, Blake sighed. "When I thought you can't sound sketchier, you surpass my expectations."
"That is hidoi, gaki!" The crow exclaimed, infuriated. "I'm just your ever-helpful fox!"
"Try rather ever-sketchy," Blake countered with a wicked smile.
"...You did great," muttered Ken, who was left out.
"Oh... thanks," the gray-haired teen responded. He almost forgotten about him. "I guess I just got the short straw. You would've figured this thing out sooner anyway."
"I couldn't," Ken muttered, surprising all present.
"Nani?" The mechanic bird questioned, just as stunned as Blake.
"...I actually used my bracelet," The noble teen replied in a somber tone. He used the power of the bangle to become Kaixa and combat the crocodile-like Orphenoch but didn't get a chance to ask Mr. Seimei for a replacement.
"Ehto... I forgot about that part," the robotic bird revealed in a childish tone.
Hearing this, Blake facepalmed. Forget about clumsy, if he hadn't tagged along, then Ken could have been in danger. "What has my life turned into? Just send me back to school, I have other things to do." he ordered the robotic bird.
"And may I know what you're about to do~?" The crow asks in a teasing tone. "Buuut, I'm sure you can be a great gentleman for your second date with Miss Okami.~"
The gray-haired teen let out an exasperated sigh excape his mouth, but didn't say anything more. As long as that fox brings them back at Monster High, he will get the chance to turn this whole day up for himself.
(*)
Monster High - Pool
"You want me to try out for the diving team!" Hoodude exclaimed overjoyed. He was just out of his last class and was called by Lagoona wanting to give him some good news. "This is the best day ever!"
"Yes, mate!" Lagoona confirmed with a nod. "Oh, almost forgotten! Here!" She handed him a familiar golden bracelet. It was none other than Toralei's and she received from Blake. "Toralei wanted you to hold on her bracelet."
"Ahh! She's so sweet!" The doll teen smiled, holding the item in his hands. This must be his lucky day! He met and made so many new friends today and a cute ghoul like Toralei thinks he's awesome and may have feelings for him and now Lagoona wants him to apply for the swimming team even though he isn't the best swimmer among monsters... He almost feels about to cry!
"Are you alright, Hoodude?" The aquatic girl asks.
Hoodude nodded with a happy smile on his face. "Yes. I am."
"Then what are you waiting for then? Make a splash mate!" She cheered him on, prompting Hoodude to get into position at the jumping board.
"Three, two, one! Here we go!"
(*)
"Have you found him yet?" Toralei asks her henchgirls. After the break, she was supposed to find Hoodude and to give her payback to that loud human, but she can't find him.
The werecat sisters shake their heads in denial, having not seen the doll teen.
"Having some problems, Tora-Lion?"
Hearing that insufferable nickname, the wercat hissed in annoyance. "That's not my name!" Turning, instead of that Leon, she found the normie with messy gray hair and bland jacket. "What are you doing here... hm... what's your name again~? she asks, intentionally riling him up.
"And usually I wouldn't even care if a bratty girl with fur and cat ears thinks about me," Blake countered with a sigh. "But, I'm just here to tell you that I saw Hoodude outside."
"I see... thank you, normie~" the werecat replied with a snort, passing through the human teen, thinking she won this match. As Toralei strode away, her feral eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of Hoodude, but didn't notice that when she passed the human teen pulled out his ICoffin to record what is about to happen.
As for Toralei and her antourage, after they exited outside, they were greeted by Cleo along with Draculaura, Frankie and Clawdeen. Why were they here?
"Do you know where Hoodude is?" she asked them.
"Hm nope!"
"No."
"Nah ah!"
"Haven't seen him."
They all answered, in ignorant tones, but the werecat could clearly see they are just pretending. Honestly, they are so-
Suddenly, she felt a great current of air coursing through her body and the next moment
SPLASH!*
All three werecats were drenched in water that suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"AHHH!"
"Oh yeah, I remember now!" Clawdeen exclaimed with a wide-toothy smile. "He's at diving practice... for the next three hours.~"
SPLASH!*
"Nyahh!!!"
(*)
New Salem - Maul
"Play it again! It gets better every time!!!" Clawdeen laughted, barely holding her drink from spilling.
"Guess so..." Blake added from his table. Make no mistake, the whole thing ended up in his favor, plus he's got it all recorded. He even wanted to post the thing on Bootube, the monster side version of Youtube to add further humiliation, but was stopped by the others who said that it was maybe a bit too mean by their words, except Cleo herself actually agreed with him. It would all end up well if not...
"Can you go at least easy on the drinks?" he asked... rather pleaded, all for the sake of his extremely few monetary savings that are being slurped in a moment. "My wallet is not a freaking bank..."
"Hmm... nope~" Clawdeen responded with a teasing smile.
The human teen let out an exasperated sigh. "What a day..."
(*)
Back at the cafe, after the fighting has been done, Ken returned, but not the same as his usual self.
"Check this out dude!" exclaimed Leon, immediatly drinking a can of hot tea. "Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! So hot on my tongue!!!"
"..."
But, in spite of this antic that would cause first-degree burns, Ken stayed silent and his gaze was empty. This obviously worried the others, the most obvious one being his best friend that tried for the past 15 minutes to try and get a reaction out of him and as hard as it is to believe, but swallowing a cup of very hot tea was probably the most harmless idea Leon put into practice today.
"Ehto... I don't think that's going to work, gaki," Seimei advised from his table. "Even I'm worried for young Ken state, but I don't think burning your taste buds is the answer."
"Well, I'm trying to help him, fox dude!" The adventurous teen countered.
"Your actions are merely putting you at harm, old friend," Michael calmly answered, putting down his cup of tea. "In this repeating event, we must simply allow Kenneth to accept the matters as they are."
"Repeating event?" Seimei asked, interested.
"But this is as worse as last time, man!" Leon shouted.
"L-Last time?" Maximilian asked, feeling once again out of the loop.
"A similar event happened before at the Academy, Maximilian Skye," the blue-blooded teen began. "More exactly, one year ago, Kenneth has been under the influence of an individual that tarnishthe reputation of the Academy along with that of Kenneth."
"K-Ken's!?" The scrawny teen gulped.
The atmosphere in the cafe grew tense at this news.
"Kenneth deeply trusted this individual who in secretly humiliated, manipulated and extorted large sums of money from the students," Michael continued, his voice cold but also wrathful. "He himself was not aware of this and even when the matter had reached to the higher-ups, he always defended that person, believing it to be false accusations, till one day, he witnessed such an act with his own eyes."
"Arienai..." Seimei gaped, taking in every word. He just loves teen dramas.
"Indeed," Michael confirmed it. "He tried to plead in hopes of redeeming that person, but nothing more could be done. She was a selfish being who thought of any and all as her servants and lackeys to appease her whims."
"A girl!?" Seimei exclaimed. He gazed at Ken. "I knew I recognised those symptoms!" He suddenly paused and tail dropping on the floor. "Meaning she and the gaki were..."
"Chloe."
There a sudden pause as this name was heard. Because it was none other than Ken himself who uttered this name.
"Her name is Chloe and... she was my girlfriend."
(*)
I don't believe what I'm hearing either, dear audience, but it is the shinjitsu!!!
Young Ken had an ankoku girlfriend!
Mataku, this is too omoshiroi to sit in the back row to play the very-charming-but-ignorant-of-others-affairs-fox-host!
I must do something or else he would end up like young Blake!
To Be Continued...
A/N: It's great to be posting after all this time. I really wanted to go a bit deeper into the past of my characters and while it took some time, I can't say that I regret putting a bit more time into this chapter.