WHACK!
Mia felt her body hit the cold tiled floor, her jaw throbbing as she can already feel it swelling up.
"Do you still feel the same way?" Mikhali asked with no emotion in his voice.
"T-that you're a conniving pussy ass weasel? Yea-"
The kick that he delivered to her midsection knocked the air out of her lungs. She coughed up blood. "Shit that isn't good." Mia thought as her own blood painted the once clean tile floors.
Another sharp kick to her ribs almost knock her out of the realm of consciousness.
"Think of Laura, think of how you're hurting her each time you disobey me!" This time Mia could hear the pure anger in his voice. And she could tell it wasn't all for her.
She tried to activate Desire Manifest (?) again. But Mikhali being smart stomped on her head. He learned through observation that Mia needed focus to use her Martial Art. Like one who was masturbating needed clarity and clearness of mind to properly perform without intrusive thoughts getting in the way.
Or was it just him?
"You think after all this time you learned to keep your mouth shut." He commented as he took off his gloves and straddled her. He wrapped his hands around her throat, looking straight into her defiant orange eyes.
She spit a saved up glob of someone else's spirit at his face and watches with satisfaction as it rolled down his cheek. The beauty of the alabaster liquid has always fascinated her to no end.
The next flurry of blows knocked her into the sweet bliss of unconsciousness.
And thus marks the end of her working under Mikhali.
-----
God damn....
Talk about going down memory lane. Why is it that our freaking brains always bring up the worst moments of our lives right when we need it the least?
Where the hell am i?
Last thing i remember was asking Dr.Franz about Laura. But this doesn't look like the liminal and somewhat comforting medical space i'm used to.
Wait, is that me? Me with my hair down? Damn i look good with my hair down, but Laura already cornered that market, besides the pigtails works for me. Better question, why she just sitting in this void? So unlike me, well unless if i got really drunk and in my feelings.
"Hey me! You good?" I asked.
She raised her head up slowly and i had to take a step back at how vacant her eyes were.
"I can't keep failing her, i don't want to be a burden to her anymore." She suddenly spoke, her voice sounding like she went twelve rounds with a champion boxer.
"I-i...i don't want that either." i said quietly. There was no point in putting my pride up, it was me after all, and if i can't trust myself then who can i trust?
...….
Trust myself?
The whole reason Laura in this mess is because of me.
My heart dropped, don't know why considering it was the truth.
I could have just kept my mouth shut. Done what i was told. Me and Laura would still be living somewhat comfortably. Hell Laura could have just abandon my goofy ass that night and she would be on dream street right now.
"No she wouldn't. She just be in a gilded hell, without you to keep her sane."
I swallowed hard. Maybe.
"You still think it was our fault?" The other me asked with a hesitant tone.
"Yeah, it was. But Laura chose us over the easy life and i will never be able to repay her enough for saving me." I told her. I still wondered to this day why Laura decided to risk everything to save me. If she had just cut me off like the parasite i was then she would be all the better for it.
"Because that's not her style." The other me spoke and i nodded, of course it wasn't.
I want to get stronger, i want to win, we need to win and get our happy ending. And I can finally repay my debt to her.
"You dumbass, stop pretending you owe me. I would've save you even if we weren't best friends." Laura's voice ram through my thoughts and i felt some of my sins lifted off. Which was no easy feat i tell ya.
Silence passed in this dream of mine. The lack of noise reminded me of the days where me and Laura didn't have a tv in our room
"I'm sorry Laura."
"Don't be sorry, just promise me that you won't do anything reckless."
I chuckled.
"Laura..."
"Fine promise me you will stay alive at the very bare minimum." Laura corrected with that chuckle that melted my heart.
I nodded my head.
I used Desire manifest and....
no, no that was the lame ass name Mikhali gave it. I need a new name for this, something that comes straight from my soul." I thought to myself.
Laura appeared before me with a warm smile that made me feel everything was going to be alright.
How the hell does she does it? How did Laura gave me so much hope for the future? Laura despite all the hardships they go through made it so easy to live another day.
Easy.
I Love her.
I felt a warmth bloomed into my soul, and slowly but surely the light entered my vision. The other me hugged me out of nowhere. It was really corny, but i hugged her back anyways. Nothing wrong with being corny every once in awhile.
Are those footsteps I'm hearing?
What is that light? It getting in my eyes.
I look around, my vision blurry as hell but I can tell I was laying somewhere, the bed was softer than my own so that was a plus. I could hear voices on the other side of the mahogany door. One voice that warms my soul, the other voice squeaky and concerned. Damn I don't feel like getting up right now.
Suddenly I appeared before the bed. Damn this is way better than a mirror. Ass still fat, still hot. I sent her outside to talk to my bestie. Hmm I wonder if I could-
Ok what the fuck? Now I'm standing? I look back to the bed and saw myself laying there with my eyes closed.
That's new. I'm actually in control of this illusion! Oh this is badass! And a little concerning because what if my illusion get shot in the head while I'm controlling it? Do I die? Massive brain damage? Not to mention the fact my body is totally vulnerable. In any other situation that would actually be kinda hot.
Fuck...focus Mia!
I walked in on them, overhearing that Mouse's Martial Art got stolen?! But how, wait Mikhali! Damnit! And now I'm learning that this toolbox of this mouse is actually a portal to his house. That's is just fucking fantastic. And there goes Franz scaring me again with how quiet she can be. My form began to flicker in and out, I felt myself being pulled back to my og body. Ok let finish this conversation back in the room.
------------------------------------
Mickey and Laura walked into the operation room where Mia was laying down on a pilfered hospital bed. The sterile walls surrounding the group a pale and disturbing pink, they were standing on floors that seemed too clean, the air of antiseptic and peppermint blending into a rather comforting if not unnerving atmosphere. Mia turned her sleepy and unsteady gaze towards them, Her once springy black pigtails now undone and splay across the pillow, her orange eyes that was so full of life and mischievous intention now tired and almost sorrowful as she look at the scared and worried expression on the boat captain's face. Mia try to bring her poker face back, manually this time and not through Desire manifest ("What a shitty name. That masked bastard has no creativity once so ever."). Laura could see through her act clear as light through plastic.
"Hey um..." Mia started, pointing at the cute boat captain mouse, clearly trying bring forth his name from the depths of her hazy memories. "Fuck, what was it? Macky? Mortimer? He look corny enough to be named that." Mia thought frustrated. How in the hell was she going to apologize if she couldn't even remember the name of the person she and Laura tried to swindle? Not to mention the sobering fact that his wife might be in danger because of her and Laura. Because of course.
"When it rains, it pours." Mia thought with annoyance, she remembered the bastard Mikhali saying this to her one night after she came back from a emotionally grueling assignment where she had to comfort a teacher who had lost everything. He had shortly took his own life after Mia left the room.
"Ugh, oh Saka, i hope you find peace on the other side." Mia thought to herself with a bitter smile. She turn away from the past and focused on the here and now.
"I think Mia has something she want to say to you Mickey." Laura said suddenly as she gave a subtle wink to the short gal who thanked all the deities in this realm for having a bad bitch like Laura be her best friend.
Mia cleared her throat and sat up only a little, staring Mickey right in his cute black pie-cut eyes. Jeez now that she think about it, they were kind creepy, like looking into the abyss.
"Yeah Mickey. Listen i know what i'm about to say might seem like complete and utter bullshit but just know that I'm so sorry about what happened with your Martial Art. I didn't mean for shit to get this bad. And now your wife might be in danger because of us. Look man, you can hate us until the sun dies out and beat our juicy asses until your fists are raw and it would be completely valid. (Mia's eyes watered. She hated owing something to people. She was so fucking tired of this but it her own damn fault.) But i promise you we will not let your wife fall into the slimy hands of that bastard!" Mia finished her little apology.
Mickey nodded, a small smile on his face, he walked up slowly and placed his hand on Mia's hand.
"i'm glad you're alright. But i don't know if i can forgive you two yet, it one thing if it was just me that got hurt. It a whole nother situation if it my beautiful darling wife." Mickey's eyes stared straight into Mia's. The air in the room shifted from a somber calm to a rising fury.
"If you two really want to apologize, then help me get back Rag Joplin and make sure my wife ok. And why we're at it, let take that sleazy fella down. Cause if he laid so much a finger on her head (Mickey paused for a moment, seemingly to calm himself but he blows a gasket.) once i finished with him, then you two are in for a world of pain." Mickey told the two seriously. Laura was taken aback by Mickey's intensity and Mia gulped. Was this that Husband's rage she heard so many mythical tales about?
"Trust me Mickey, the last thing we want is for your wife to be harmed because of our dumb asses." Mia said, squeezing Mickey's hand, he seemed to calm down. His eyes searching Mia's usually mischievous eyes and seeing nothing but truth, which was a nice change of pace.
Mia wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. In an instant she was back to her usual self.
"Alright yall. It seems we're in trouble. Never fear because Mia here got a plan!" Mia said with such confidence that Mickey's hope soared. Laura just chuckles because leave it to Mia to always be scheming, even after getting her ass beat.
"If this a good plan or a completely crappy one, we will see." Laura thought as she awaited Mia's next words.
"Oh? Tell us this plan Mia, the plan that would most likely require you to be at peak health before getting destroyed again." Dr.Franz asked suddenly of Mia, scaring everyone at how silent she could be.
"HOLY CRAP-" Mia yelled out, clutching her heart.
"GOLLY!"
"SEXY WOMAN JUMPSCARE!!" Laura yelled jumping back before covering her mouth trying to take back those words. Too late Laura, face the consequences of what you said. Mia and Mickey looked at Laura, Mia with an expression of smugness and Mickey was gobsmacked. Dr.Franz just scoffed and shakes her head, but you can tell she was smiling behind the surgical mask she usually wore.
"Why thank you Laura, Also i'm hurt that you three forgot i was in the room, i do have feelings you know." Dr.Franz told them, feigning hurt in her tired tone.
"Gee Miss i'm sorry, we didn't mean to hurt your feelings." Mickey genuinely apologized, catching The doctor off guard.
"Well no matter. (She walked up to Mia who shrank under her cold gaze.) What this i'm hearing about you having a plan? While you may have recovered from your injuries you still are in no condition to be risking your life again." Dr.Franz told her like a particularly patient mother with her unruly child.
Mia knew Dr.Franz had all the cards here and that she wasn't wrong, however...
"I'm in no condition to be sitting on my big ass either doc. In case you haven't been listening, Mickey's wife whose name i never got is in danger!" Mia said forcibly as she slowly made her way out of bed, it hurts but she fought through it because now wasn't the time to be crying like a little bitch.
"Now was the time to show Mikhali that the hells has no fury like two bad bitches and a faithful husband scorned!" Mia stated proudly which Laura gave a whoop of approval to!
Dr.Franz just sighed, the longest sigh ever heard in recorded history of this fractured mess of a realm.
"I can't keep you from doing something completely stupid, however considering that i treated you all free of charge, at the very least can you three rest until morning?"
Mia thought about it, As much as she wanted to rush out right then and there...
"How many times have i gotten Laura and myself into trouble because of my bullshit? Because i didn't think things through?" She somberly thought, the once rebellious energy draining out of her.
Mia nodded, much to the shock of Laura and Dr.Franz. Even Mickey was taken aback by this.
"You're right Franz, I'm not going to get into any fights, at least for tonight." Mia told her with a cheeky smile.
Dr.Franz smiled a little, not that you can tell because of the mask she wore, but her tired eyes gave it away. Laura claims she has seen Franz smile and it was like the sun shining down on you.
"When you get destroyed because of your own hubris a second time, don't expect free treatment. And please...please really think about the plan you have in mind." Dr.Franz seriously told her before walking away to nurse her blooming migraine.
"So if you don't mind me asking Miss Mia (Mia snorted at how polite this little cartoon cornball was. It was so adorable to her.), How do your Martial Art work? If we going to help the Slayer and fight this Mikhali fella, we need a plan and i think your Martial Art can play a big factor here." Mickey said with a big smile as he spoke.
"Oh my Martial Art? (Mia gave a short laugh as Laura playfully and very softly hit her on the shoulder.) Hmm well it like the old lameass name suggest. Anything i imagine, i can make reality. (Mickey look up at her with eyes of pure child-like wonder. She hated that she have to dim it with the truth.) And hate to burst your bubble Mickey, for some reason the things i can manifest are limited to what appears in porn besides a few things here or there. (Mickey goes wide eyes and turned red like a tomato as he stammered. "P-P-P-P-por-por-por-") Don't have a stroke Mick. I mean yeah it seems limiting. But it's very handy. I can also make another me or another laura which comes in clutch for when she out late at night and i need someone to cuddle." Mia continued before slapping her hand over her mouth. Realizing she said too much.
"Aww Mia." Laura responded with wide eyes on the verge of tears. Mia looked away, her face red as she uttered a curse under her breath.
"Hold on, anything you can imagine but it restricted to what seen in p-p-p-dirty films, but you had a knife." Mickey questioned, he remembered the knife making a shallow cut.
Mia shared a awkward look with Laura who knelt down to Mickey's level.
"There are a lot of different things that people like to do that may seem weird to someone else, as long as there is consent and everyone is safe afterwards then it perfectly ok. " Laura explained like she would to a little kid. "Come to think of it, i haven't seen a actual child in a long time." Laura thought to herself, kinda disturbed by it but there will be time to ruminate on this later.
Mickey just nodded. He didn't need to know all the details nor did he want to dissect the deeper lore behind these dirty films. His mental health was already on the decline as is worrying about his darling. Although he was annoyed by Laura treating him like a child. The nerve of her after she and Mia tried to rob him and entice him with Mia's....postier!
"You know miss, i'm a fully grown adult." Mickey said firmly in a high pitched adorable voice.
Laura nodded, trying to contain her smile.
"Sorry Mick, it just that you still have that spark of innocence, and in this city that's very beautiful, so try to hold on to that for as long as you can. if not for us, then for your wife." Mia told him seriously. The Boat Captain was stunned, so was Laura and Dr.Franz who had just walked in because she forgot her phone on the desk.
"What?" Mia asked confused of why she was getting stared at like that.
"Wait a minute, do drawings technically count as p-p-p dirty stuff?" Mickey asked, trying to figure out a game plan.
Mia raised her eyebrow at him.
"Well some people draw fictional characters in a (Mickey shakes his hands adorably) erotic way, so is it possible for you to-?" Mickey began to ask. Mia already knew what the question was because she remembered Laura asking a similar question one night while she was drunk.
"I mean cmon, you're telling me you can't summon Sonic the hedgehog right here right now so he can take us away from this hellscape we call our lives?" Laura questioned, swaying back and forth as Mia steadied her and got her to sit on their shared floor mattress.
"Let me warn you right now, i can't summon copyrighted characters and it bullshit! One of the biggest things i hate about this ability, like it has to abide by some unseen law or some shit. Because trust me if i could this whole situation would have never happened." Mia explained with annoyance. Imagining the look on Mikhali dumb face when he has to fight the Hulk or Goku. Or hell have him be jumped by the sailor scouts, or those guys from jujitsu Kaisen. Or having WidowMaker from overwatch snipe him.
"Oh darn!" Mickey cursed.
"But on the topic of my Martial Art, while deep in sleep caused by the asswhooping of a decade, a realization came to me. I wasn't using this ability to it max potential. Honestly? I freaking suck at using this power."
Both Laura and Mickey was surprised to hear this.
"Mia you don't suck at using-" Laura try to comfort Mia but Mia put her hand up.
"No,no, I'm complete ass at using my martial art, let be completely real for a moment, if i were smarter i could used my ability to jump Mikhali with a horde of clones that were just us." Mia theorized.
"You were low on energy, it wasn't your fault." Laura reasoned.
"That my point, I have seen fights online of people using their Martial Arts, some of these fights can go on for hours! And here i am, winded after making a dryer! Shit got to change if we're going to survive." Mia claimed dramatically.
"True, are you going to go on some sort of training regime or something? How would you even go about training a Martial Art?" Laura asked. She herself was very curious about Martial Arts since Mia got hers and even more so now since that bastard Mikhali is running around with one.
"Nah, not training. I'm going to start being smarter with my power." Mia declared.
"Smarter? Well there a first time for everything." Dr.Franz commented snidely as Mia rolled her eyes.
"Listen here the new plan, we're gonna split up." Mia started with a grin.
"Automatic hell no." Laura deadpanned.
"Let me finish!" Mia argued.
"Have you even started?" Laura asked incredulously.
"Booby girl shush! We needa cover much ground as possible and we don't have the big booty goddess of time on our side. Me and Mick over here will infiltrate the Midnight Express to get much needed information on where Mickey's Martial Art is and if his wife safe. And for you, considering how you somehow managed to help us get away from that masked asshole, do what you think is best. Just make sure you stay out of sight and carry a weapon at all times." Mia proudly declared.
Laura just stared at Mia, but something in the closing sentences made her paused.
"Um about that, you were out for awhile. Do you know how we managed to escape that situation?" Laura had to ask.
Mia thought about it, last thing she remembered before that bitch ass Mikhali broke her fingers thinking it was her neck was Laura's screaming. It was a last ditch effort summoning her power despite her exhausted condition but the gamble payed off this time. She held onto Laura's hand suddenly.
"Hey i'm sorry for scaring you back there." She apologized gently. It took a moment for Laura to recognize what she was talking about until she remembered.
Laura smacked her butt (Mia:oh!) before hugging her.
"Just don't scare me like that again." Laura threatened as she buried her face in Mia's hair.
"I will try my best not to." Mia said warmly.
"So what happened? Did you and Mickey managed to kick that bastard's ass long enough for you two to escape? Did Oleg help you?"
"Funny enough, he actually did help me, he let go of me as he pretended to be affected by Mickey's Rag Joplin."
"So Oleg still looking out for us, even after all this time. That good to know." Mia muttered, Oleg was a valuable friend to have when it came to the more...unruly clients.
"There was this huge knight that beat the crap out of Mikhali and saved us!" Laura exclamied.
"Ok ok, backtrack, a knight saved us? Like in Berserk?" Mia asked in shock.
"I wouldn't know because i stopped reading around the time Griffith got captured. (Mia:Keep it that way.) But yeah! He was purple and gold with a red cape, he manhandled the hell out of Mikhali, knocked him straight through a wall. He actually carried you here, i told him about our plight and he agree to help us. Isn't that awesome?!"
Mia's jaw was agape. "Ain't no way we got that lucky."
"Luck do come in the strangest of times. That what my friend would say." Mickey told them with a earnest grin.
"Alright so we got a fourth member, possibly fifth if we can convince Oleg to ditch that asshole. First things first, however. (Mia pulled out a cigarette and a lighter, thanking Veju that it didn't get destroyed in her spritually enlightening asswhooping.) I need a smoke."
Laura chuckles as she rolled her shoulders. "Don't hog it all, i need one bad too."
Mia looks towards Mickey, it was a long shot, but she wanted to be polite.
The Kind Captain shakes his head. "Oh no thank you, i don't smoke."
Dr.Franz scoffs, she was not about to be Mia personal caretaker. "Just stay close by the door." Was all the doctor advised.
Mia and Laura open the back door, Mickey joined them. Maybe the fresh (haha, they wish) air can help calm his anxiety.
A loud boom that shattered the tense peace brought their attentions to the skies above as it was now painted a brilliant white before going back into darkness. Rain droplets began falling on the trio.
"Man why does shit always be happening?"Mia muttered, annoyed and awe struck by the sight of the explosion. She can already tell that some bullshit was afoot.
Laura began going the way of the explosion. "I think that was over Sweet Cream! I told that armored guy to go there!" Laura stated with panic as she quickly strides toward the direction of the maid themed bar. Mia rushed out and grabbed her hand.
"Hey now jade bear, don't fight a battle you can't win."
"You're the one talking about infiltrating a nightclub owned by Mikhali, and you're concerned about me? When did our roles switch?"
Mia let go, damn that didn't took too much convincing.
"Just be careful, From what you told me that scary knight is pretty tough, he can handle himself. Don't take any unnecessary risks, as ironic that is coming from me." Mia told her, her martial art already activating and changing Laura hair from it once vibrant green to a sleek black and her coat a dark red and her eyes now matching the color of her coat. Laura look at herself in surprise.
"Mia you shouldn't be using your martial art, i stick to the alleys."
Mia shakes her head.
"Can never be too careful, besides i think...i think this disguise is going to last even out of my range." Mia said honestly, she have no true way of knowing this, it was a feeling she had.
Laura was confused. "Did Desire Manifest-"
"No, not that wack ass name. For now on, it called Easy Love." Mia corrected quickly.
Both Mickey and Laura look at her.
"Huh, that actually a fitting name." Mickey said outloud before closing his mouth and looking away from the two.
Laura chuckles. "Easy love huh? I like it, way better than the old one."
"Hey Mick? I know i shouldn't be asking this of you but can-"
"Go with her? No problem. Oh and before i forget." Mickey pulled out a shiny silver key and handed it to Mia who was confused.
"Mickey i can't keep taking stuff from you-" Mia stated awkwardly. Mickey shakes his head.
"It the key to my hotel room, once me and Laura see what happening at Sweet Cream with that Slayer fella, we will meet up there. I'm currently registered at the Deep Six and 9 Seasons Hotel-OH I JUST GOT THAT, EW." Mickey exclaimed as Mia had to stifle her laughter and Laura grinned.
Mia takes the key from Mickey. "Are you sure? What if I take some stuff from your hotel room?"
The Boat Captain just laughs.
"Then you be sore out of luck because I already took all the free mints and soaps."
Mia look at Mickey in surprise.
"The Mouse has a bastard side to him, interesting."
The Cartoon Mouse just gulps, he can't believe he made a joke about something as wrong as stealing.
"I did steal those soaps and mints but I always leave a nice tip for the staff afterwards." Mickey thought in his head to assuage his overblown guilt.
"Will you be ok?" Laura asked of Mia. A honking car brought their attention for pretty cheap. Located not too far from them and blocking the alley was a dark red sedan, there was Franz in the front seat, looking every bit as tired as she ought to be.
"Get in Mia, you're in no condition to walk your moronic self anywhere." Franz said, sighing heavily, Mia shrugged and hugged Laura. And turn to the Captain and got down on her knees. Mickey step back apprehensively which Mia understands.
"Hey Mick, thanks. I promise that we will take down that bastard Mikhali no matter what. You be back home to your beautiful wife in no time." Mia said seriously. Mickey nodded and put out his fist. Mia fist bumped him.
"Just be careful Mia, Me and Laura after investigating will meet you back at the hotel."
Mia got into the backseat and lay down so she wouldn't be spotted. Dr.Franz was surprised at how Mia seemingly read her mind. They drove off into the crimson night.
"Oh crap, i almost forgot something." Laura said suddenly, she reaches into her pocket and pulled out the wedding ring and handed it to Mickey.
Mickey takes it instantly and slipped it back on his ring finger after taking off his glove.
"Thank you miss! But why give it back to me now?" Mickey had to ask.
Laura shrugs. "We don't need it anymore. Again sorry about that whole ordeal."
"It a long road to forgiveness, and you and Mia just got on a rocket." Mickey told her warmly.
With that out of the way. They quickly made their way to Sweet Cream.