Bab 27: I found him.
I found myself on a small sandy island with palm trees. Around me was a vast sea and pink sky. I looked around, saying: "What the fuck.."
I leaned against one of the palm trees as he said: "Welcome, dear Ms. Gushiken. I certainly hope you enjoy my little vacation island."
"It's nice and all.. But what does this have to do with me discovering who killed my father?"
Terrence chuckled and bowed down, and said: "Terence T D'arby, at your service." - I raised one of my eyebrows while looking at him as he continued - "I am here to make everything clear. But you must be patient.. Want some wine?"
"No thanks, I'm good.." - I said, looking away.
He put the wine back, saying: "You've done quite the job in that room. I'm most certainly amazed by your skills."
"Thanks.." - I turned my glance from him to the table with four monitors and joysticks in the middle of the island.
"Ah, don't mind my gamer setup. I may seem and talk like an older person, but I am a pro gamer at heart. I like to challenge people with video games. And I also like to take it to the extreme sometimes..."
I smiled, looking at the setup: "Well, I am a gamer as well."
"A pleasant surprise! I do enjoy challenging gamers as well." - He then smiled and walked over to the closet next to the setup, showing excitement, continuing - "Oh! I must show you something too.. I have a very special collection that shows my success and passion.."
"A collection..?" - I followed him, remembering Yuri's and my dad's knife collections. If anything, this collection is gonna be weird.
He opened the closet, and as he opened it, my suspicions were correct, with him showing a collection of creepy looking dolls. Not only that, the dolls seemed to be moving.
"What the.." - I started backing away and looked at Terence.
A female blonde doll started twitching. I looked at the closet, sweating slightly, as she said: "D…D'Arby… D'Arby.. I'm so.. Lonely.."
"THEY CAN TALK?!" - I said, frightened.
Terence took the doll, which made the doll happy as he said: "Aren't they adorable? This one is my favorite. She's such a beauty.."
"M-Mhm..?"
"I always show her off. She is the pride of my collection." - He put it back and then pulled out another doll.
I looked at all the dolls including the one he was holding and said softly: "Now I've seen it all.."
"This one is a doctor. He was actually a murderer who killed 3 patients mid surgery. - The doctor door cackled while Terence held it, as he (Terence) continued - "I even made him the glasses and stethoscope! I enjoy hearing the stories about how he killed his patients while doing his hair."
I started looking visually uncomfortable and signaled Terence to hurry up. He looked a little disappointed, saying: "Ah, I see.. I rambled a little too much about my sweet collection." - He put the doll back and pulled another one - "But please be patient to see one last doll!"
He showed me the doll. A doll that was bigger than the others, in a blue business suit and a red tie. Pink hair with pigtails and golden eyes. My eyes widened, as he said: "I thought you would like this one.."
The doll's shiny eyes looked over at me and RTTC appeared as I looked taken aback. The doll spoke: "Nat..Su..Ki.. Save yourself… Get.. Out of.. Here.."
"You poor thing.. He is still not used to playing with me. Would you like to hold him?"
"D-Dad.." - My eyes started glowing red and I looked up at Terence.
Terence started petting Dadsuki's doll, saying: "Such a cute grumpy doll..Are you sure you don't want to give him a hug? Hm hm hm.."
I clenched my fists, my voice started glitching: "ⱠɆ₮ ₲Ø Ø₣ ⱧłM." - RTTC then punched Terence.
He dodged to the opposite side before RTTC even got to land the punch, I backed away as he said: "It would be most unwise to try and hurt me.. You would truly risk killing your father." - My eyes widened and he continued - "You went through all of this, so I suppose I owe you an explanation."
"..." - I glared at him as he continued - "What you see here is my stand, Atum. In terms of strength, it's not much of a threat. Especially not to someone as powerful as your father and his stand, The World. It goes without saying that I would lose a battle against him in every possible scenario."
"Then.. Then how did you.. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?! WHY!?"
He smiled to himself, replying: "I didn't fight him. I beat him at what my stand does BEST. You see.. When someone admits defeat, their spirit strength is almost at zero. No matter who you are, if you admit defeat deep in your heart.. My stand will know it, and that's when it attacks. So once he admitted defeat, not even his abilities could save him.. His soul belongs to me."
"So how am I supposed to get it back?" - I crossed my arms.
"You want him back? Why didn't you say so? I will gladly bring back your father. I am not a fraud, like Cameo. I keep my promises. But, obviously, it won't be so easy. You must challenge me first." - Terence then gave me a pen and a paper.
He continued: "If you manage to defeat me, I will release your father's soul. But if I win.." - He pulled out a doll that looked like me, adding - "I will make a nice family out of you two.."
I stared at it, the puppet was lifeless, for now.. I looked up at him, growling through my words: "You're a sick bastard.. Fine, I will do it."
"Good! Write down that you'll wager your soul.. I will need your consent."
*Meanwhile, in Monika's POV*
Monika pulled out her keyboard and finally got service. She searched for Natsuki's location.
*Location of Natsuki.Chr located. Natsuki.Chr is at an old tunnel near the hills of the city. Unable to pinpoint exact location.*
"What is she.. Nevermind that.. I'm on my way, NatNat.."
*Back to Natsuki's POV*
I looked at the pen and paper silently.
Terence looked at me — "What's wrong? Don't tell me you're afraid."
"Not exactly afraid.. Just don't wanna fuck this up." - I said, proceeding to start signing.
"You've come this far, it's either running away or carrying on."
Monika then teleported in front of us, shouting: "NATSUKI, DON'T—"
"How in the hell- The keyboard, of course.." - I stopped to look at her.
"Oh my.. What kind of interference is this?" - Terence asked, looking over at Monika.
"And you.. I know what you did." - Monika glared at him and then turned her gaze to me, adding - "Natsuki, why were you signing that paper?"
"You must be Monika Koide Nicolaides.. PC master and programmer, huh? Well, she is just placing her bets. Natsuki is a big and responsible girl.. Isn't that right?" - He chuckled mockingly at me after turning his gaze from Monika to me.
"To answer your question, Monika, I was about to sign the paper just to do what I've come so far to do. I suffered a lot, lost a lot of blood and lost some of my sanity just to reach this point."
"Please be patient, Miss Nicolaides..." - Terence then walked to his puppet closet - "I thought of you too."
"E-Excuse me?!"
"Just wait a second, dear.. You're going to love this!" - He then started to search for the doll.
Monika turned to me, slightly uncomfortable, and said: "Natsuki, I will not let you risk yourself anymore."
"Monika, you can't stop me. I have come too far just to see him again, I am not turning back now JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT ME TO!"
"A-Are you kidding me!? The last time you risked yourself like this, your nemesis made a hard reset to the game without authorization and messed everything up, which caused you to almost lose your life countless times.."
I turned at Monika, my eyes glowing in a bright shade of red, and said: "Did you have to mention him?! I had my mind off of him for a while but no, you just HAD to bring him up."
"Let me do it." - Monika stepped closer to the table where the pen and paper were.
"My, such a heartfelt relationship.." - Terence commented while rustling up through his puppet cabinet.
"Dadsuki is not the name of your father, is it?" - I asked her rhetorically, crossing my arms.
"Stop the sarcasm, I want to protect you, don't you understand that?"
"How many times do I have to tell you.. I AM NOT A KID FOR YOU TO FEEL THE NEED TO PROTECT ME, MONIKA!"
Terence pulled out a coral brown haired puppet with a long ponytail and a white bow on it's hair, it was wearing a lab coat along with the uniform me and her were wearing. Monika looked at it and noticed the lab coat. She grew silent as he said: "Please, don't fight, girls. I made sure to prepare for what is coming." - He then placed Monika's puppet next to mine, while continuing - "I can take both of you, but we will need to go by order. And Natsuki was about to go first, wasn't she?"
Monika grabbed the paper and got her pen, signing the paper, saying: "I will go first. Let's do this."
Terence then turned the console on and Monika commented: "Well.. This will be interesting.."
"As a guest, you may choose from the games listed here. I played them all a hundred times anyway.." - Terence sat comfortably in his chair and continued - "Would you like a drink before our match?"
"No thanks."
He put the Monika puppet on the table and then said: "I had a lot of fun making this puppet's hair, especially the bow and the lab coat. May I ask though, why the lab coat?"
"….I wear it at home." - Monika looked at the puppet and then at Terence - I do have to give you credit for the lab coat and the bow, well done.."
Terence smiled cheerfully, commenting: "I knew you'd like it! I'm really glad too.." - His smile became sinister and his voice deepened slightly - "...You will inhabit it for quite a while, after all."
"We will see about that." - Monika sat down next to him.
His sinister vibe disappeared as he said: "That's the spirit! So, have you chosen the game you would like to play?"
"Brawlhalla.." - Monika looked at the game on the screen.
I went to one of the palm trees and leaned against it, saying: "Hey Monika, don't come crying to me when I have to save your ass as well. I know you haven't played this game ever since we broke up."
She grabbed a controller, annoyed. Terence took his and opened the game. He looked through the legends, wondering: "Now, who to play as today..?"
Monika looked through the legends and chose Petra. I noticed it was the legend she used to play as when we played against each other.
*Monika's POV*
"Ah, a strong legend.. In that case, I will choose Vector." - Terence said, and then summoned his stand to examine it while choosing a palette for Vector that would fit. Monika looked at his stand. She then increased the strength of her legend and was finally ready to start.
Terence then looked over at Monika and said: "Miss Nicolaides, I need a woman's opinion."
"Hm?" - Monika looked over at Terence and his stand was glaring at her as he continued - "Which of these palettes fits my stand's aesthetic more?"
His stand was mostly white based with pink hearts on it's chest, pink shapes for knuckles and shiny red eyes. The palettes he had presented was one with dark pink colors with orange highlights on the weapon, and another with a lighter pink shade of colors with light purple highlights on the weapon. She then spoke: "The second one." - while keeping her guard up.
"I agree.. The first one is a little too deep." - Terence said, choosing the bubblegum pink palette, increasing Vector's speed. Monika then chose the standard platform map while Atum leaned behind it's master, holding the controller with him.
The game started.
Soon enough, there was a weapon drop falling to the platform, Monika made Petra jump to catch it before Terence did anything, however, Vector, Terence's legend, remained idle. Petra's weapons were her gauntlets, and started punching Vector. Before Petra could land a punch though, Vector jumped above her and made a ground pound.
Terence's stand pressed a button and made Vector dash backwards. Terence held the right side of his controller while Atum held the left. Atum then pressed the moving buttons quicker, making Vector move around the map faster than before while Petra started moving right and left quickly, waiting for the next attack.
Another weapon drop appeared on the map between Petra and Vector. Vector jumped above the weapon drop, closing the gap between Petra and the weapon. Vector picked it up and had his rocket lance. Monika glanced at Terrence and Petra started pushing him towards the edge of the platform with punches, causing fast damage.
Vector performed a side sig which made him push Petra back. Petra sprinted behind him and heavy punched him to the other side of the platform. Vector got close to the edge and Petra heavy punched him again, but before Monika realized she fell into a trap, Terence smirked and Vector fell off the edge on purpose before Petra could punch him. Meanwhile, I was watching the gameplay from afar, watching Monika's moves carefully.
Petra jumped back on the platform while Monika said: "You're not gonna get me to fall that easily."
Vector then performed a neutral sig, causing him to hit Petra from below before she got on the platform. Monika got surprised and tried to make Petra hit him back but Vector pushed Petra in the air while Terence said: "Why, of course. I wasn't looking to end this so quickly.."
Petra fell on the platform and Monika made her move side to side fast. Terence used a down sig which caused Vector to turn into a jet and fly above Petra while dropping 3 bombs. Petra dashed behind Vector to try and dodge them but got hit by one. Petra, at this point, was close to losing her first life to a knockout.
"Vector's down sig is pretty unreliable , but sure as hell fun to use.. Now, let's get to the real thing."
I looked at Terence as Vector dropped his rocket lance. Monika realized Petra didn't have a weapon anymore and made her go for the weapon drop that had just landed on the platform but Vector did a heavy attack to dash towards the weapon drop and also hit Petra at the same time. Petra managed to grab the weapon drop and it was an orb this time, Monika mumbled: "Fuck.."
Vector then did a heavy attack on Petra, getting her close to the edge. Vector then started doing light attacks on Petra to push her off. Petra tries to jump up but gets knocked out, losing her first life. Another weapon drop appeared, and Petra got back on the platform. Monika started sweating with frustration.
I then thought to myself: "She doesn't know some of Vector's weaknesses, nor does she know no gravities.. Even so, she is pretty good."
Vector then went towards the weapon drop with Atum's fast maneuvering. Petra did a heavy punch barrage on Vector, or at least tried to, but Vector dashed away from the punches and grabbed the weapon; he now had his bow. Terence said: "Vector's bow is where it's at, m'lady. Prepare to get schooled."
Vector did a down sig that made him use the bow as two blades and spun them quickly from both sides, making Petra lose some health. Monika mumbled, sweating nervously: "I only have two more chances..!"
"Is something the matter, Miss Nicolaides? Don't tell me you're ready to.. admit defeat..?" - As he said those last two words, Terence's stand glared at Monika.
"NO!" - Monika summoned her stand, glaring at Terence, while he said - "I will have you know that my stand can tell your state of soul."
I looked at Dadsuki's doll and thought to myself: "I wanna hug him.. But as a doll, I feel weird.." - then said - "I will save you, Dad.."
"Even if you don't, you will all make one nice puppet family..~" - Terence said, turning to me.
My eyes started glowing red, and I slowly turned to him, saying: "Shut. The fuck. UP! You're lucky I can't kill you yet."
"Save that anger for later when I beat your friend." - He replied.
I crossed my arms and leaned my back against the palm tree, growling.
Monika then made Petra heavy barrage Vector while Terence was talking and said: "Focus on the game and stop with the blah blah blah, will you?"
"Hm.. Understood." - Terence replied, looking at Monika. He looked back at the monitor.
Petra sprinted behind Vector and tried to punch Vector to the edge but Atum started spamming the down sig as soon as Petra approached. She dodged the attacks, Vector, after that however, did his side sig in which he covered a big part of the platform. Petra moved side to side quickly while jumping and he hit her with the side sig. Monika tried to get Petra to get back on the platform, but out of stamina, she fell off, losing her second life. Monika started showing fear.
Terence grinned as Atum's eyes shined in a red light, saying: "No final move to fight back? How sad."
Petra got back on the platform with her final life, Monika mumbled, her eyes glowing in a bright shade of green: "Shut up.." - Then making Petra do light attacks as quickly as she could, with Queen of Glitches' help, continuing - "Fuck you in a million ways."
"Now, I am not dirty minded enough to think of a million ways…"
Monika rolled her eyes annoyed and QoG punched Atum while focused on the game, but Atum grabbed its fist before it even landed the punch, with Terence saying: "No need for rage outbursts.."
She made Petra heavy barrage him to the end of the platform. She, however, could feel Atum's grip on her own arm, it almost felt like his stand was gripping her soul.
"S-Stop that.." - Monika tried to mask her fear with anger but Terence commented - "Ah, I feel it.. The fear. Now then, ready to lose your last life?" - Atum let go of Queen of Glitches.
I looked into Monika's eyes and walked towards the table to sign it and said: "Monika, you're not losing to this asshole."
"Ah ah ahhhh!" - He said, I turned to him as he continued - "I have nearly won this match, Miss Gushiken, but it's not done yet. However, if she gives up now, it means she loses."
"If she loses, I will save her ass as well, no problem." - I said, crossing my arms.
Monika looked into my eyes, saying: "Natsuki.."
"What's it gonna be then, Monika? Continue the game or quit?"
"I.. I will continue." - She said, feeling more fear than before.
"Not so sure about protecting Natsuki anymore? And I expected so much more.."
"Let's just do this.."
Vector starts shooting light arrows towards Petra while keeping her at a distance. Petra tried to jump over him and attack him but Vector did a neutral sig, making a short laser beam above him. It hit Petra, she lost half of her health by now.
"SHIT- HOW DID HE NOT LOSE A SINGLE LIFE?!" - Monika thought to herself.
Vector immediately dropped his bow and backed away, then a weapon drop landed on the platform. He picked the weapon drop and got his Rocket Lance again.
"There's no way people defeat opponents with 3 lives.. In a situation like mine." - Monika continued her train of thought while Petra barraged him to the edge, and Vector jumped off the edge, mockingly jumping, holding onto the wall.
Petra hit him off the edge but Vector slid down, dodging, using his neutral sig again, hitting her from below, making the final knockout, with Terence saying: "You shouldn't play like a noob here.."
"I- …. I'm sorry, Natsuki." - Monika said, looking at the game over screen.
"You're sorry? I don't think that can make up for the poor excuse for a match I had.. Was that really all you got?"
"She doesn't play much anymore because she is too busy spying on everyone's lives, especially mine." - I said, with my arms still crossed.
"I couldn't care less! If you were planning to waste my time on a match like this, Monika, you shouldn't even have tried."
Monika looked up at Terence, she seemed emotionless, but said: "I am aware of what's going to happen now. But I trust Natsuki to save not only her father but me."
Terence stared into Monika's eyes and said: "As I thought.. You admitted defeat within your heart and to all of us." - Atum appeared behind Monika while he continued - "And that defeat comes with a price. You will no longer be able to protect Natsuki." - Atum then grabbed Monika and dragged her soul out of her, her body falling to the floor and his stand putting Monika's soul into her doll.
*Back to Natsuki's POV*
I looked at the scene and a chill ran down my spine but I managed to keep my composure. I looked at Monika's doll and then at my dad's. Terence then said: "Quite disappointing. I was hoping for a better match.."
I turned to Terence and said: "I'll do that for you alright.. I'll save them and you'll complete your part of the deal."
"Do you think you have what it takes?"
"….Before I answer your question and sign the paper, I'd like to say one thing."
"Yes?"
"I felt like something was off about you from the moment I got here to make it through Cameo's trial, or my final test, as you may say.. And it got stronger when you brought me through that portal. And now I know exactly why. I was right about keeping my guard up around you." - I said, looking up at him.
"...." - Terence rested his chin on his palm and chuckled - "Oh, Natsuki… I was right about you being unique."
I grew annoyed, replying: "Just so you know.. I might seem cocky by saying this, but I will beat the shit out of you in that stupid game. You've met your match."
"By all means, do not hold back. Because you haven't seen all of me." - He said, smiling.
"Bold of you to think I ever would.." - I grabbed the pen and smiled, signing the paper, sitting next to him, seeing Monika's body next to me, continuing - "Let's get this over with, shall we?"
"I am confident enough to keep playing as Vector. What about you, dear?"
"I'll be playing as Hattori."
The match started, same thing, 3 lives, no time limit.
Hattori and Vector were set on the platform. The weapon drop landed on the platform and Hattori grabbed it, getting her spear, after that another one dropped and Vector went after it, getting his rocket lance.
Hattori attacked him from above with a heavy sig, Vector got hit and used a down sig where he turned into a jet and threw bombs under him. I smiled and made Hattori jump above him before the attack, then Vector did a neutral sig to attack above him.
"Heh.. Alright, game on, D'Arby.." - I said, as Hattori and hit him with light attacks to give more damage but Vector dashed away.
I grew silent and Hattori hit him with a heavy side sig, so did Vector at the same time, Vector then countered with more light attacks. Hattori jumped over Vector and did a heavy down sig.
Vector lost his first life.
I then paused the game and looked over at him, saying: "How does it feel to have someone on your level play against you and beat your ass…?"
He glanced at me and replied: "The feeling..? It feels.. Exhilarating." - He chuckled - "It is as I expected.. You are more than a worthy opponent. Playing against you is the most fun I've ever had.."
"…Fun, huh?"
"I rushed the game while playing against her. She was boring me, and it was clear she stood no chance."
"She made a fool of herself to try and protect me."
"That's all she was. At that point, I realized that's all she could do. It would've been an insult for me to play against her.. But just because I, right now, am in a tight spot.. Doesn't mean anything."
"We'll see about that." - I glared at him.
"Don't be so confident. You haven't seen anything yet." - Terence affirmed, taking his controller again, along with me.
"So, what's next? A heavy side sig? Or perhaps a barrage of light attacks?" - He asked me.
I remained silent and Hattori gave him a neutral sig, throwing Vector up, but he dodged before I had even done so, with him saying: "Third option.. Got it. Now.. A down sig? Perhaps a neutral?" - He kept asking, with Vector dropping his rocket lance.
Hattori threw him off the platform with a heavy side sig while I said: "Stop trying.."
"Hm hm hm.. What's wrong? Try landing a hit. Maybe light attacks this time? Or a side sig..?"
I took the weapon and changed from the spear to a sword, making a no gravity move and then a ground pound.
Terence got taken by surprise and Vector got hit. He smiled at the fact that I was unpredictable for a second while another weapon drop appeared.
As soon as Vector grabbed the weapon drop which gave him his bow, Hattori started making light attacks, but he dodged them while I said: "Shut. UP!"
"Heheheh.. I told you. You haven't seen all of me. Now the real pain begins." - Terence said while Vector prepared the bow. Hattori stood still - "Now what, are you going to fall off the edge? Maybe use a side sig to attack me forward? Falling off sounds like a plan.."
"Just go on with your attacks, mister." - I said, annoyed.
"After you, lady..~"
"…You seem to be close to be halfway to losing your second life."
Vector started shooting light arrows while he said: "That doesn't matter now.. So, a ground pound this time? Maybe light attacks barrage?"
Hattori jumped above gum and made a heavy down sig, to try and send him flying, but Vector did his neutral sig just as Hattori got above him. She countered with a down sig to hit him but she got hit. She did a ground pound as soon as he hit her, while I said: "Fuck you."
"Isn't it strange how the game's course changed so drastically..?" - Terence commented, as Vector dodged the ground pound. I remained calm as he continued - "Your skills at this game are great.. But that's as far as you can go."
Atum appeared besides him and glared at me, I glanced at it and said: "If you're trying to distract me, it's not going to work." - A weapon drop lamded on the platform and Hattori changed to her spear. She then made a heavy up sig,he got hit and was close to losing his second life - "I haven't come this far just to lose my chanced to a video game match."
"So you think I am trying to irritate or distract you?"
"Seems like it." - RTTC glared at Terence and his stand.
"Go ahead then.. Stay a blissful imbecile." - I looked over at him as he thought to himself - "This foolish girl.. She thinks I would rely on cheap tricks as a last resort..? She has no idea what she is up against. My stand, Atum, can do more than just steal souls.."
I read his thoughts and a slight smile formed on my face as I used telepathy, replying: "I had a hunch that would be the case. You're able to read my movements, you have been able to since the start.. But will you use that advantage to cheat?"
Terence immediately paused the game and shouted: "W-WHAT?!" - I giggled softly and turned to him as he backed away from the table as he continued - "What did you just say?! Was that you?!"
"I said I had a hunch that would be the case.. You're able to read my movements by maybe.. reading my soul or something. But if you're willing to use that advantage to cheat, I can make it fair by also cheating." - I smirked while looking up at him.
"You read my mind just now.. Were you able to do so… From the beginning?!" - He said, sweating.
"I'm half vampire, a hybrid, dumbass."
"Is that so… Well, in that case… No, I am not going to cheat. I was using my stand's ability to play, like I agreed to. It's not cheating at all."
"The way you said "My stand can do more than just stealing souls" seemed sus.."
"Well, you actually guessed my stand's ability.. My stand's ability is fairly similar to yours. Atum can also read souls."
"My stand doesn't have the ability to read minds, I do. My stand's ability is to turn any object into a cupcake and vice versa."
"Reading minds and reading souls is also different. You could tell what I was thinking and hear my thoughts.. I can't do that with my stand. What I can do.. Is reveal the truth."
"So what will you ask next? If I'm going to give up? Easy answer: No. Even if I lose this match, I will never give up on my father, because even if I lose the match, I know I tried my very best."
"If you lose the match, you will admit defeat."
I crossed my arms and replied: "Will I?"
Terence chuckled menacingly: "Your father.. He said the same.." - I looked over at my dad's soul as he continued - "In fact, he refused to admit defeat. He was just as stubborn. But despite his stubbornness, he admitted defeat, deep down. He may have been a vampire…." - He then took my dad's doll - "But he still had a human soul. No matter the tough exterior, we are all vulnerable inside."
He then handed his doll to me, I held it gently while he said: "Here. You can play with him a bit, before you lose."
The doll looked at me and my dad said: "Nat..Su..Ki.."
"D-Dad.."
"Y-You can't win… Against.. Him… Not with… Skill.. Alone.."
"Then what?!" - I said, trying to remain calm.
"You… Must… Beat his… Ability…"
Terence then said: "I must congratulate you. You have been dedicated to this game more than I have. But I am already adapting. And your skill won't help you now.." - I looked at him and he continued - "Shall we continue now? Or do you have anything to add?"
I put my dad's doll next to Monika's and said: "Actually.. I do have something to add.."
"Hmm?"
"I'm thinking of wagering someone else's soul along with mine.." - I smiled.
"Ohhh.. Raising the bet, are we? I'm all ears."
"I'll be wagering Seth's soul.. Most known as Killer.Chr. My nemesis. I mean, what do I have to lose, right?" - I smirked, crossing my arms.
"WHA—" - Monika suddenly spoke.
"SILENCE, PUPPET." - Terence shouted at Monika's doll and then looked at me nervously.
"What on Earth.. What are you.. thinking, Natsuki?!" - Dadsuki also spoke.
"What the hell is this!? You got my dolls to talk consciously and have them react?!"
"I couldn't care less if Killer.Chr's soul gets trapped in a doll, it would be one less problem I would have to deal with."
"But.. But wasn't he gone?" - My dad asked.
"That bastard trapped me in the void when the game did a hard reset.." - Monika told my dad.
"When will you stop with your delusions, Natsuki?!" - My dad looked at me.
"Damn you.. Their souls are resurfacing… How dare she.." - Terence thought to himself.
"I know damn well he can't die, I've seen it enough times to know that's true." - The closet of dolls stopped shaking and Terence started sweating more as I continued - "So.. Terence T D'Arby.. May I raise the bet?"
"...….So you knew, huh?" - He turned to me - "I suppose you deserve to know the full truth. Your nemesis is very much alive. In fact, he personally met me and ordered me to hunt your father down." - I looked up at him, my eyes started glowng in a bright shade of red as he continued - "He is quite the mysterious entity.. I quite like him. We even fonded as friends. I could see that Killer.Chr was more than a person.."
Monika mumbled and looked up at Terence as he said: "You keep quiet, Monika. Once this is done, I will do your hair and make you a tea party.." - He then turned to me - "So, you wish to wager his soul.. The person who hired me?"
"Since he isn't here to complain.. I wouldn't mind if he was trapped. And you will do Monika's hair if you make it out of this game alive.." - I said, glaring at him.
"Well, you bet his soul and I don't back up from the game.. I'm sure he won't hold a grudge against me, even if he did, as a doll, he won't do much.. Too bad, I don't have any idea of what he looks like."
I signed the paper writing down that his soul will also be placed into the bet, saying: "Oh but I do.."
"I didn't get to make a doll.. But I have an idea.." - I looked at him as he paused and then said - "I will put BOTH of your souls in one puppet!"
"OH THAT IS A TERRIBLE IDEA—" - I backed away slightly.
"AHAHAHAHA! TOO LATE! YOU'VE ALREADY SIGNED!"
"GOD DAMN IT.."
"Your suffering is his only goal.. And you want him concealed in a puppet. I am sure I will satisfy both sides this way.. At least partially. Now I'm even more excited.. I won't let you land a single hit on me.."
I facepalmed and sighed, saying: "Yeah, whatever you say, puppet master.. Let's do this."
Hattori had a single life, just like Vector.
I grabbed my controller and Terence resumed the game. Hattori got ready to attack as RTTC stood behind me, glaring at him. Vector (using his bow) did a side sig on Hattori. She jumped over him and mixed light with heavy attacks. Terence was silent now and didn't ask questions. His stand, however, had his eyes on me. Hattori then did a quick ground pound on Vector and Terence spoke: "Shall we end this quickly?"
Vector dodged.
"Y e s" was my soul's reply as I remained silent.
Vector then shot light arrow attacks at Hattori from a distance. Hattori jumped over them and hit him from above with a heavy down sig. Vector did another neutral sig before her and it hit, while Terence said: "Hm.. Do you prefer it when I'm quiet and not asking questions?" - He grinned at me.
As a reply, RTTC grabbed the controller with me as he chuckled. I said: "Well, you're asking questions now, aren't you?" - RTTC then made Hattori repetitively attack Vector with light attacks at a higher speed, with Vector countering with a down sig. Hattori then did a no gravity before she hit him with a ground pound.
"You're persistent, but you have no chance of winning. Skill won't save you now.."
I then started using telepathy to talk to him, from that moment on: "So what will you do if I try to attack again? A neutral sig? Maybe a heavy attack?"
"Huh..?"
A weapon drop landed on the platform and Hattori grabbed it, switching to her spear, as he replied, thinking: "And how will you attack? Light attack? Heavy side sig?"
"I'm the one asking questions now, Terence."
"N o" was my soul's reply as Atum read it.
"Side sig?"
"N o"
Vector started shooting light arrows and Hattori dodged as he continued: "Ground pound?"
"N o"
Hattori did a no gravity and hit him with a heavy up sig. Vector dodged and jumped off the edge, however, Hattori went idle as I looked at the monitor, and he spoke: "You're only prolonging your suffering.I already took two of your lives."
"It doesn't matter if I'm at a tight spot and you can read my mind.. I will put you in your place." - RTTC glared at Terence and I started reading his thoughts again.
"What's next, side sig?" - He thought, knowing I could read his mind.
"Fuck around and find out.."
He started reading my soul again, thinking: "Ground pound?"
"N o"
"N o"
"No gravity?"
"Y e s"
Hattori then did a no gravity and hit him from above, as I talked through telepathy: "How about you, Terence? Heavy side sig? Light attacks? I'm also adapting to your style of gaming.."
"Kuh.. I'm the one questioning.. You may read my thoughts, but you won't read my moves!"
"Hm.. Are you sure you're in charge here? The roles can always switch.. And I could always open my mouth and use my voice to ask you stuff instead.. But you don't want my "annoying" commentary, do you now?" - Vector dodged to the side and then attacked Hattori with a side sig as she landed but Hattori countered as I continued - "We are at the same level of health and we have the same exact skills.. You can just read my moves, but I can move past that."
"To make it easier for you, my next move will be a neutral sig."
Hattori stood still and waited for him to do his attack, I saw the side sig he did and jumped over Vector. Atum then put a headset on Terence's ears with music to not be able to hear me, as I saw that, I smirked, using telepathy: "Well then.. Getting tired of my voice already? What will you do? Light attacks barrage? Maybe dodging everything?"
"No." - He then started getting angry, doing a light attacks barrage and says - "Yes.. No! Y.."
I smiled, Hattori gave him a heavy side sig which quickly sent him to the edge.
"GUH-"
"Heheheh.." - I chuckled softly as I noticed he was close to losing his last life, while I had more health than him.
"Guess I won't join him after all!"
"Shut your mouth.. AND ANSWER MY QUESTIONS!" - He tries reading my soul. Without giving him time to react, I made Hattori gave him a light attack and then a ground pound.
He quickly countered with a down sig, and I dodged, while he said: "You won't.. I can play on my own too.." - He growled, sweating profusely.
"You seem a little too reliant on your stand.. I think that's a good idea."
Vector then started jumping around the platform while thinking: "Sh-Shut your mouth..!"
"Make me." - I replied, using telepathy, but smiling and giving him a glance.
"I meant your mind.."
Vector made light attacks as I glanced at Terence but RTTC made Hattori jump over them and attack him from behind towards the edge with a heavy sig.
"Coward." - I used telepathy - "What, are you getting scared now? You seemed so confident a minute ago! I mean.. I could just let you win no problem, since you can read my soul after all. But I'm really not in the mood to deal with your "boss" or whatever. So.. Your next move, what is it?"
"Your next move.. Will it be a ground pound?"
Hattori jumped around the platform and Vector stayed idle while I talked to him through telepathy.
"...." - Terence grew silent.
"N o"
"A side sig? Light attacks?"
"N O"
I smiled and Hattori continued to jump around the platform as I talked to him through telepathy: "Jeez, is dodging all you can do now? You're in the brink of losing your last life and I thought you'd be more pumped up like you said you would.. Are you scared of an eighteen year old? Pathetic."
"Fear is an unknown concept to me.. Besides, I am already in a higher position. Now shut your trap and let me examine your soul."
"Now, why should I let you do that? As I said, you're too reliant on your stand to give you a slight advantage and you seem to only want to dodge my attacks because you want your demise to be delayed.. How are you in a higher position? Enlighten me."
"Are you going to attack or not?!"
"N o"
I smiled, continuing to use telepathy: "Can't you keep a conversation going? Jeez.. I've met people who do way better at social gatherings and they're introverts.."
"Are you planning something?"
"N o n o n o n o"
"It seems you're suspicious of me even when all I wanna do is have a good talk, are you okay dude?"
Terence suddenly slammed the table and shouted: "YOU'RE JUST MESSING WITH ME, AREN'T YOU?!"
"Y e s"
"D-Damn you.."
I giggled and asked: "What are you gonna do? Try and read my soul for clues? Hm.. Let's see where that leads ya."
"You know you can't win.. You didn't manage to land a single hit on me!"
"Wrong! You have less health than me even though we are both at a single life! I hit you a couple times, you can't lie."
Hattori then gave Vector a heavy side sig, but he dodged.
"DODGING AGAIN?!"
"YES YES YES YES! GRUAHHH- SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" - Hattori dashed to the middle of the platform and Atum made Vector move as Terence furiously spammed light arrow attacks, shouting - "I DON'T NEED TO READ YOUR FUCKING SOUL.. I'M A MASTER AT VIDEO GAMES, I CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE NOW."
Hattori dodged every single light attack and then made a smoke screen around herself and hit him off the platform, Vector dodged. Hattori tried to hit him again after he dodged but he dodged that too. Terence started roaring like a maniac and I said: "It seems you're not, since you're gonna lose to a FUCKING KID."
"Sh-Shut.. Shut up.." - You could see that he was about to lose his shit.
Hattori then hit Vector with light attacks repeatedly as RTTC spammed the button to attack with even more speed then before. Vector jumped off the edge before getting hit. I smiled and made Hattori make a ground pound to force him off the edge. He got hit, and Terence finally lost his last life.
"S-Stop it- I-" - Terence tried to speak but saw the game over screen and then screamed in rage, smashing the controller.
I put the controller back on the table and smiled with pride: "Told ya I'd win.. A deal is a deal.."
"YOU- YOU CHEATED! IT DOESN'T- IT DOESN'T…. Count..?" - He shouted while Monika's and Dadsuki's souls came out of the puppets. I smiled at the sight - "Well, they're free.. So that means.."
RTTC grabbed Terence by the collar and the instrumental to the song "Rotten to the Core" started playing as I asked: "I'll ask politely since you're a butler.. May I beat the shit out of you outside of the game too?"
"NO! I DIDN'T.. I DIDN'T ADMIT DEFEAT– I NEVER LOSE– THIS… Couldn't… be…" - He replied, as Monika's soul entered her body and Dadsuki's soul traveled up.
My eyes started glowing red as I started giggling more: "You have been officially defeated, Terence T D'Arby.. And your boss will know what's coming to him."
"P-PLEASE SPARE MY LIFE!" - Terence started crying out.
"Oh for fuck's sake.."
"I RETURNED DADSUKI'S AND MONIKA'S SOUL LIKE PROMISED– YOU'LL FORGIVE ME.. RIGHT? RIGHT?!"
"SURE, BUT YOU WERE HIRED BY MY FUCKING NEMESIS. BEATING THE SHIT OUT OF YOU WILL BE A WARM UP FOR WHEN I MEET HIM AGAIN."
"N O"
"EEEEP–"
RTTC then cracked its knuckles and Terence shouted: "WAIT, YOU'RE NOT THINKING OF DOING THE "BAKA BAKA" THING, ARE YOU?"
"Y E S"
Terence then made a high pitched scream of terror and RTTC punched him repeatedly shouting it's battle cry: "BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKAAAA!" - RTTC dealt its last punch and donuted him.
Terence's beat up body flew through the "sky" and made a crack, revealing the island to be a camouflaged room. I jumped in the air and RTTC punched the crack open with all it's strength. Monika got conscious and the other souls trapped in the closet flew to the afterlife, freed. Monika got up and grabbed her bag, flying through the hole with me in her arms.
"MONIKA, TO THE DESTROYED VILLAGE, QUICK!"
Monika teleported us to the destroyed village, a thick fog surrounded the area.
I stood on my own and squinted, as the fog cleared up just enough for us to see our surroundings, I realized there were old buildings, but it looked nothing like the destroyed village.
"Where are we.." - I asked Monika.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone