I get up. "Nice one, Aqua. You got me there." I say, a hint of irritation in my tone.
She bursts into a loud laughter, but stops as she takes a spoon full of food and puts it in her mouth.
"Okay. Okay." She says dryly and raises her hands up in defense. "But, you started it."
"Huh? How?" I ask in confusion.
"Well, you're the one who said you are developing feelings for me." She says as a mischievous grin appears on her lips.
"Yes." I say and she widens her eyes in shock. "That's because I am. I am developing feelings for you as my.... "
"Stop it right there pervert!" She shouts. "Just one night of cuddling and this?" She says obviously irritated.
"What?!" I shout in disbelief. "No way! No way!" I begin shaking my head. "I meant as my close friend or as a family!" I stop shaking my head and look straight at her, who is bending her head, obviously feeling embarrassed.
"Oh." She raises her head and smiles an awkward smile. "Sorry? I guess?"
I sigh tiredly. "I'll only forgive you, if...! You give me space to freshen up. I need to meet someone today." I say, pretending to be irritated.
"Fine." She says dryly and stands up, turning to leave.
For some reason I feel uncomfortable for telling a girl to abandon her food in order for me to freshen up.
"Wait. You can continue. When you're done, just let me know." I say.
She turns around and beams a wide smile, then she sits and continues her eating.
Something rushes into my mind and I decide to ask her.
"Aqua?" I begin feeling uncomfortable.
"Yes?" She looks at me, causing me to feel more uncomfortable.
"Can I ask you questions?" I ask.
"Sure."
"Okay." I take in a deep breath and exhale it. "What is the mask for? Why did you lie to me that you aren't the masked girl? Why were you keeping distance from me, but still looking after me? Why were you shocking me all this while? How did you vanish so quickly, when I was chasing you in town? Who are those fake versions, or if I'm not wrong; dark magics? What undercover business are you doing? Who are those water people? And where do you live? Or where are your friends and family?" I ask hurriedly.
She stops eating and I can feel a rush of negative energy from her. It's like some sort of killer aura. But I still stand firm, not wanting to back down from the questioning.
She stands up. "I'm sorry, I must go now. Looks like I have overstayed my welcome." She says coldy and turns to leave.
"No. You have to answer." I say, feeling annoyed. I rush forward and grab her wrists. "You haven't overstayed your welcome." I say in a pleading tone. "If you can't answer me, leave it. Just... Just stay with me."
"No." She says, her tone cold and firm.
She pulls her hand away from my grip and begins walking away.
"Please." I say pleadingly, rushing forward, turning her around and hugging her, causing her to tense. "Please, don't go." I beg calmly.
She begins shaking and sniffing and begins sobing. "Leave me right now!" She shouts, pain and anger in her tone.
"No!" I say, stiffly.
"Let go of me!" She says and sniffs.
"Make me!" I say and chuckle, surprising myself. "You know, you're just being a naughty girl. I know deep down you don't want to go. So... Don't worry. I got you." I say calmly and then receive the shocking of my life. I thought she was surprisingly shocking during other times. But, this one made others look like child's play.
After some severe seconds, I pass out.
"Let go of me, you pervert!" A voice shouts, startling me.
I open my eyes to see a very furious Aqua. "You haven't gone?" I ask, surprised.
"Well, I was about to." She says calmly. "BUT YOU USED ME AS A CUDDLE-ME-TO-DEATH TEDDY BEAR!" She shouts and scoffs. "WHAT DO I LOOK LIKE TO YOU?! A POLE?!"
"Well, maybe. Poles are always cold." I say calmly, causing her to gasp and freeing her.
"I can't believe you just called me a pole and forced me into a one hour standing hug! And the worst part?! You were sleeping through out!" She shouts and I gasp in horror and shame.
"I'm very sorry for that." I say quickly, feeling embarrassed. "But, you're the one who shocked me till I became unconscious!" I say angrily. "You know what?! You can go if you want to! I won't stop you again! I have tried and I see it's not going anywhere! So, you can leave if you want to! Just know I am sorry!" I shout angrily, tears streaming down my face.
I storm into the bathroom, smashing the door close behind me.
I sigh. "What is wrong with her?! I know she might be through a lot, but why is she so... COMPLICATED!" I groan in frustration. "So much for close friend or family!" I scoff.
I shower, taking as much time I can. Or maybe too much. Still, I'm having a good time with the warm water and trying my best to be calm.
"Guess I'll have to get new clothes, shoes, toothbrush, sponge, soap, toothpaste and more money." I sigh tiredly. "Life is sure hard for me right now." I sigh again.
I put on the pyjamas and leave the bathroom. I walk to my bed and notice a paper on it.
'This wasn't here before.'
I pick up the paper and discover it's from Aqua.
'Look, uhh... What's your name?! Nevermind. I'm sorry for the way I treated you. I know it's very bad, but I hope you forgive me. I'll answer your questions.
One: Why I lied to you about being the mask girl was because I don't want you to know who I am. Playing the mystery girl and being chased around was cool. LOL.'
"You weren't the one being shocked." I sigh tiredly. "And what's funny?!" I groan, feeling pissed off.
'Two: I was keeping distance from you, because I didn't want you to get involved with the dark magics. And I look after you, because it's my duty as an only friend and as a hero. Three: Okay. The shocking part is on me. LOL. But you're too stubborn and you have an issue of not letting someone go, once you catch them. Again, I'm sorry. Four: The vanishing part is a mystery you should find out yourself. *Chuckles in a mysterious way*'
"Is she for real?! I thought she is angry. So, where did all this happiness come from?!" I groan, feeling more pissed.
'Now... The reason why I am angry. Five: Those fake versions are dark magics, you got that right. But... They're the DOMINANT LIGHT. And trust me when I say they are something else. They plan on ruling this town and a lot of others. When they first attacked, they destroyed every magical creations of Tom in sight and began killing alot. It was a horror to behold. Some brave magics, I included, risked their lives and a lot died. Even the town's people weren't spared from death. When there was no hope and I was on the verge of dying, the legendary 'THE END' came forward. He defeated them all. Trust me, that guy is a literal God. He is powerful, very young, very well built and ho... Honest, I mean.'
'I have a feeling she wanted to write something else. But oh well.' I shrug.
'After the war ended. 'THE END' went into living a very isolated life. He became so rare that whenever he was seen, he was celebrated. And to be honest, I think that's he's reason for leaving. He seems like someone who dreads attention. Six: On a bright beautiful day in the forest, I came across the dark magics. But, this time, they are insanely upgraded. I tried my best, but trust me my friend, it was hopeless. I went to the town to warn the people, but none believed. Even I myself was finding it hard to believe, because they were all brutally killed by 'THE END'. After hopelessly trying to convince the people, I stopped and begin looking for 'THE END', but it was hopeless too. Not wanting to give up and not wanting what happened to my village to repeat itself, I decided to try my best and fight with the dark magics as much as I can, but it is still hopeless. So, I became a spy, trying to see if I can get any information of their weaknesses. Seven: I don't have any friends or living families and that cave you saw me in; is my home. Eight: Those water people are my family. I killed some.'
"WHAT?!" I shout in horror.
'Before you judge me, I didn't kill them on purpose. My village was the best village anyone could live in. It was so beautiful and perfect. Due to it's beauty and our kind heart and hospitality, it was named: 'THE HAVEN VILLAGE' but most people called it: 'HEAVEN ON EARTH'. Our village was so perfect that it was known far and wide. And like I said; due to it's beauty and our hospitality, people always come visiting, and we have no problems with that. But everything changed one day. It was a beautiful normal day, when suddenly one of the visitors committed an abomination by raping one of our village girls. The first ever rape in our village's record. The man was flogged severely and was banned from ever entering our village again. The girl was healed by a powerful healing magic. But, due to fear of it happening again, some of the villagers began protesting against us allowing outsiders in. The leaders protested against it, saying: "We should forgive them, because everyone deserves a second chance." That's our village's number one rule; mercy. After much struggles, they succeeded in making everyone accept their option. We continued like this, being the good people we are. Until one day, we were attacked. It was a horror to behold, as many of our villagers were slaughtered like animals. My mum was a powerful wind magic and my dad; a powerful earth magic. They both fought hard, but the attacking magics had a powerful dark magic that erases things easily. My mum and dad saved me and some kids and took us to a safe distance. They both advised us to run and not look back and we obeyed. While I was running, I decided to turn around and look. I froze in horror as I saw my parents being erased, dissipating into dust. They were both smiling.
"WE LOVE YOU. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER SECOND CHANCES!" Was all they could shout, before being carried away by wind as dust. I felt nothing but anger, hatred, urge to kill and so much more.
I felt a light tug on my hand and heard my crying friend say: "Come on, we have to go." And I turn, glaring at her.
"We?! Go?! I don't think so!" I said, harshly.
"We have to! Remember we promised each other to stick together no matter what and remember your parents last word; is obviously telling you to use your second chance well! Now, we have to go!" She said and pulled my hand, but I pulled it away.
I began feeling very very angry and also began feeling filled to the brim with power.
"Run! Run!" I shouted.
"But..."
"SHUT UP AND RUN, MULAN! Please... Just go." I said and her crying intensifies.
"I can't leave you here. I'll die with you." She said, surprising me.
"Fine, then." I hugged her and the other kids comes to us.
Luckily for us, there were ten big water drums and we were twenty children.
"Let's get into the drum and escape. I'll try using my water magic." I said and faked a smile.
"Great!" Mulan shouted, her joy very much.
I quickly made sure everyone entered the drums, two each. After they all entered, I advised them to hold onto the cover and hold themselves.
It was remaining I and Mulan. And I urged her to enter first and she did. I picked up a thick, but easy to break stick and closed the drum with it's covers, quickly holding the mouth part with the stick.
"No. No. Nooo...." She shouted, banging on the inside.
I quickly released a huge amount of water that sent them off with force.
My parents had always said I am destined to be a powerful water and lightning magic prodigy. But, this was very surprising. But why now?! Why now that it is too late?!
I couldn't help but cry bitterly at how my life had turn out. Even my two younger twin siblings were missing, with me and my parents hoping they survived.
I watched as the huge amount of water washed away the other kids and felt happy that at least I gave them a second chance.
Random flashbacks began running through my mind and before I knew what was happening, I was shouting and crying, pain enveloping me.
"NO SECOND CHANCE THIS TIME! THEY SHALL ALL DIE!" I shouted as the pain and anger grew and I began to feel more power arise in me. I began to feel like I'm losing consciousness and my conscience.
I shouted and instantly there was a massive explosion where I stood as a huge flood of water began spreading with immense force and speed.
"NOW DIEEEE...." I shouted more and instantly, the water was filled with lightning.
I began hearing shouting and screaming.
"I'm sorry, my people." I said in pain as I watched some die painfully. Tears began running down my face. "You guys don't deserve all this." My crying intensified.
I watched as the flood of lightning water destroyed all in it's path. And then, died. Or so I thought till I woke up.
I sighed tiredly, deciding to commit suicide, but remembering my parent's words and deciding not to. I watched the empty black village. What was once a haven is now a nightmare zone.
After days of walking, resting and depending on only my water magic for survival, as my village is now an empty waste land, living everyday on the belief that I killed my villagers and my siblings and hopefully, not the saved kids and dying of immense guilt. Days later, I reached this town. Not wanting to start socialising, I began living alone in that cave. I also began hunting and selling some of the creatures for money.
One day, while I was all alone in the cave I began crying(my everyday routine), hoping it was all a dream, hoping my family would just appear in front of me, laughing and telling me it was all an illusion magic trick. But it was the sad reality that nothing can change. I really miss everyone and everything. As I was still crying, I brought out my goodluck sea shell and my crying intensified as flashbacks of me and my family touching the sea shell, playing with it and laughing together, rushes through my mind. Suddenly, I felt a light tap on my shoulders and almost screamed my heart out my mouth. I looked up only to see my family and instantly I was feeling all emotions at once and began tearing up.
"Mum?! Dad?! Johnny?! Joan?! How?!" I asked, tearing up more.
"We don't know. We just appeared here." My dad said with a warm smile.
"Yeah. It was like a summon." My mum said, smiling too.
"Summon?!" I asked in confusion.
"Yeah! It's like you summoned us." Johnny said, also smiling.
"That's great! We would be able to see our sister again. YAYYY!" Joan shouted happily and I burst into tears of joy.
We began talking and I explained all I did, feeling immense pain and guilt. But, being the best family, they understood and forgave me. My parents only warned me not to lose control next time. But, they are all still proud of me, because of the powerful magic I used.
I began feeling weak and soon fell asleep. I woke up to the silence of the empty cave the next morning and became down. I tried summoning them again, but nothing. I tried for the whole day, but nothing. I tried again the next day, and again, and again, and again....
I continued but it was fruitless.
One night, I sat down looking at the beautiful sea shell and admiring it.
"HEY!" All my family shouts together, happily, startling me almost to death. But filling me with so much joy.
We began talking and after sometime, I felt weak and slept off.
The next morning I woke up to my empty cave again. But this time I quickly grab the shell, hoping my theory is true. And M-A-N! It is true. We continued talking and after some while, I became tired and slept off.
We continued like this everyday for a long while and I finally discovered that the summoning sucks my energy, that's why I always get tired and fall asleep. Nine: The mask is a very powerful tool that I use for battle only. I saw it on the floor in the forest and took it, making it mine.
I put it on, the first time and became overwhelmed with pain and sorrow, but also increased in power. I took it off and surprisingly, kept it.
After some days of testing it, I finally found out that it fills it's user with pain, sorrow, grief, for boost in power and everything, making them more powerful than before. I named it: 'MASK OF GRIEF UPGRADING'. Duh isn't it obvious.
So there you go. All your questions except the town incident have been answered. I am really really sorry for how I treated you, I swear I am. So, forgive me and stop being such a jerk.'
"Wow! What a very sincere apology!" I mumble to myself, feeling a little irritated and sigh tiredly.
'I became friends with you, because I know you're almost in the same conditions with me. So, yeah we're close friends and family. Besides, you're the closest person I have. I don't even socialise with the town's people, except for businessess. So, yeah I'm a loner. Thanks for being a good friend. I sure will miss you. Bye for now. Need to continue on my mission.'
After reading the message, that's when I notice the huge amount of tears running down my face.
"WHAT THE...?! THIS IS STUPID! IS SHE OKAY!" I shout in frustration. "Need to go find her, before she'll get herself killed. She CAN'T get killed. Not when we're family and close friends." I sigh tiredly. "I don't care about her opinion. All I know is I need to find my only close friend. And besides she's probably going through a lot now. WHY THE HELL AM I EVEN TALKING TO MYSELF?!"
I stop crying and quickly bolt down the stairs, to the counter man and woman.
They both greet me like a God and to be honest, it is refreshing.
After explaining my problems, they provide me with extremely nice clothes and shoes.
I quickly bolt upstairs, dress, leave the room and lock the door and bolt downstairs.
"Aren't you having breakfast sir?" Yuji asks and I turn to face him.
"For real?!" I ask and he nods. "What's it?"
"Some, nice tasty delicacies." He says and I can feel myself drooling in my mouth.
'Some breakfast won't be bad! But...' I groan in frustration. 'But I have to do this!'
"No, thanks." I say, shocking myself and Yuji, before exiting through the exit/entrance door.
"Oh, she's so gonna get me a nice breakfast!" I grumble, feeling frustrated. "BEN! I need to see him."
I begin running around, looking for Ben's boutique.