章節 101: Penacony...Again
*I'm still alive, fuckers :)) not dyin anytime soon (but I did have work n stuff n got busy so chapters on the low for a while. Gonna see how I handle it moving forward, but I WILL KEEP THIS GOING -not dropping my baby)
So yeah, enjoy. Peace out and Deus vult*
Mark, fresh out of the shower, made sure to dress up and join the others in the parlor car. Wasting time wasn't on his list, since Himeko had made it clear to him that they had a schedule to follow and a place to go to. Thus, he met up with everyone, watching them chat away as he entered the room. March cast a glance at him, grinning from ear to ear.
"Wowee, it seems that Miss Himeko is quite the good hairstylist," she chuckled, to which Stelle joined in on the fun.
"You finally stopped looking like a hobo."
Mark rolled his eyes, scoffing softly.
"Says the raccoon that sleeps in a cardboard box. Maybe once we're done with this silly adventure at the university, I will toss you inside the room and wait until you finish cleaning up."
She crossed her arms, giving him a threatening look.
"You wouldn't dare do that, Mark."
A tiny smirk plastered itself on his lips as he mused.
"Try me."
Dan Heng shook his head, while Himeko chuckled and looked over them both.
"Come on, you two. It's time for us to depart. We'll have enough time to talk about Stelle's room. For now, just get ready."
Mark sat himself down, running a hand through his now neatly trimmed hair, feeling at the prickling sides where Himeko cut it shorter. As if unable to hold it, Stelle rubbed her palm there too, the allure of the spiky head too much for normal people to resist. He sighed, simply allowing whatever to happen at that point.
The familiar countdown began, and soon they were once again ready for the jump. The familiar memories clouded Mark's mind, and before he knew it, both he and Stelle at his side were asleep, coming to a brush up with the incoming chaos, the song of the monkeys.
"Ba, na, na, na~"
The sound was enough to get his body going, and unlike Stelle, Mark woke up at once, ready to throw down should it be needed.
"Whoa, careful. We've arrived," said March, now trying to wake up Stelle. She was asleep like a log, so without a choice, the cheerful girl tossed the glove off and began lightly slapping Stelle's face.
"Bana?" said Stelle, opening her eyes in a confused haze. Mark bit his tongue, the word bringing back headaches.
"Wakey wakey, we've arrived."
With a shake of her head, she got up to her feet, focusing instead on their departure. Everyone walked off, going to the hotel to check in.
"Feels good to be shareholders," said Mark, arms behind his head. The others exchanged glances, breaking out into laughter.
"At this point I think we no longer have any excuse to be surprised. I don't think anyone told you about it since you were stuck within that cube, and yet you're aware of it," said Welt, smiling a little as his cane tapped against the ground.
"Well, I did hear the things spoken around me while I was stuck there. I simply couldn't react. It was a bit like a strange dream," mumbled Mark, cracking his fingers ever so slightly, pushing on them one by one.
His mind was already at work from the moment he set foot in the area. Memories of past trailers and leaks came to him, yet some important details still remained shrouded in the fog of forgetfulness. Welt and Himeko had gone ahead in the game, but now they were all checking in at once. He shrugged, hoping that the little difference wouldn't play out a huge role.
At the hotel lobby, they learned about 'Pom-Pom' having checked in a few days back, to which Dan Heng was quick to play along with Boothill's supposed charade, his little way of meddling within Penacony.
"Yeah, Pom-Pom sure is a little busy at times, you know?" chuckled Mark with the group as they walked to their rooms.
"Well, I think that it's Boothill checking in under Pom-Pom's name," added Dan Heng, his arms crossed as his thoughts were steering right into the subject.
"I see. That sure sounds... interesting, to say the least," added Welt, and Dan Heng went on to further clarify it.
"When we worked together last time in Penacony, he used Pom-Pom's identity then, too. He's the only one I can think of who would do that."
"Boothill? What is he doing here?" asked March, already worried a little about her university experience.
"I don't know. Galaxy Rangers always work alone, but I don't think Boothill would do anything that is detrimental to the Express."
Mark chuckled, shaking his head slightly.
"He hates the IPC, too. Comrade in arms, that's for sure."
"Well now," said Himeko, "I wonder what exactly fuels your hatred for them."
Mark mulled his words over, but then spoke them as sincerely as possible, his tone taking a grim undertone.
"Their plan seems clear, in a way. Preservation done wrong, or so I see it. Just trying to capitalize on the universal market by reinforcing their credits and bullshit. That's how they gain a monopoly over things and thus can increase their influence. In my eyes, the top dogs in there are just money-hungry fuckers who give no shits about human lives."
His voice turned into a low growl, his fists clenched to the point the veins in his palms were bulging out. The tension in the air was as palpable as his hatred.
"They killed billions at this point, all because of some stupid debts, like the thing with Belobog. They stopped caring, only to show up there for money once communication had been restored. I don't blame Topaz for that, but I do blame the higher-ups. At least she does try to make things work."
Stelle lightly tapped him on the shoulder, and he slowly relaxed, realizing just how tense his body had become from speaking those few lines.
"I see," said Himeko, gently patting his back. "You sure seem to have a good heart in that chest of yours, Mark. Just make sure to not let that hate cloud your judgment, alright?"
He sighed, nodding along.
"Fine, fine, enough babying me around. Let's just all go mind our business, alright?"
He gazed at both Himeko and Welt, smiling a little at the context. She had once been his student, at least another version of her, and now both were attending some conference. It was a beautiful reminder of a past that wasn't meant to be.
"You two take care, ok? Don't put anyone to sleep with too much technicality," he joked, earning himself a pair of amused smiles.
"I'll keep that in mind, Mark," said Welt, fixing his glasses.
"I'll make sure to bore you back on the Express when this is done," said Himeko, teasing him back. The others were watching the scene play out, with Stelle and March exchanging knowing glances, like they were sensing something in there, subtle as it was.
Meanwhile, Welt and Mark did exchange glances, silently aware of what the scene felt like. For them both aware of the past, such moments were akin to luxury, even if Mark hadn't lived a difficult life like Welt.
"I guess we split up now, then?" asked March, and the answer was a nod from everyone.
"We'll meet up in the dream, then. See y'all in the Moment of Sol," said Mark, heading off to his room without a worry.
The whole situation didn't bother him much, at least not in the starting stages. Stelle would have to deal with the funny things, such as the Bloodhound family members and the supposed new friend they were to meet. Mark's memories were clearer for once, probably due to all the trailers he saw—and leaks.
And so, he was able to relax in the bathtub, enjoying the feeling, albeit nudged in the side by a hint of anxiety, lingering from his past experiences in the dream world. It had been more of a nightmare for him, and the image of the woman he loved simply turning to flames before his very eyes left scars, subtle as they were—lacking pain on the surface.
Slowly but steadily, he sank into his own fatigue and need for sleep, seeking the dream world. The security system's audio was there, ensuring a safe 'trip,' and yet hell itself had been unleashed. Like a victim strapped to a steel chair, forced to watch psychological horrors on a screen in a dark room, so was he forced to witness the damned monkey video play out before his very eyes.
Still, rebellion was deeply engrained in his being, and the flames of his will flared up in an all-consuming storm, engulfing the images themselves until he woke up inside the dream, with Stelle by his side. She was holding on to her own head, looking as confused as a drunkard tossed out in the street.
"You good, Stelle?" he asked calmly, crossing his arms. She shook her head, meeting his gaze in a haze.
"Did I just witness something strange? Have you seen it, Mark?"
She wasn't in much distress, yet the confusion caused by the unexpected elements did throw her in for a loop.
"I have, yes. Something's off, but I don't know what, exactly. It simply has to do with monkeys, like that one."
His eyes shot forward, staring at the solitary monkey, a tiny creature with goofy eyes, a cowlick on the top of its head, and a pair of oversized glasses threatening to jump off its face. They both approached it, looking down at the little creature. It instantly began singing and making weird 'bana' noises, which they couldn't understand.
Swiftly, like the ever-creeping feeling of solitude, his mind was fogged up, the images of bananas and those damn monkeys clogging up his mind. In a flash, he snapped himself away as his inner being took over, burning any mental intrusion to ashes. Stelle was mumbling the banana gibberish, attracting more monkeys around. Without thinking much, Mark gave Stelle a flick on her forehead, making sure to snap her out of it.
"OUCH!" she jumped, rubbing the sore spot while glaring at him, until realization struck. "What was that?"
Mark's words were left waiting as another voice called out, the person somewhat familiar to him, at least in name and image.
"By the Great Lan above!" shouted the figure, standing above them on the ledge. "A most terrifying close call that was. But fear not! The darkest hour of the night may be upon us, but this majestic skyscraper shall now welcome the start of an epic hunt!"
Dressed in a strange outfit, with a mix between streetwear and some odd sense of fashion, she looked down, making her declarations loudly with a boldness few possessed.
Spray cans in hand, pulled from only she knows where, her entrance was made in stride with a rap moment while Mark and Stelle were staring at her, confusion etched on her face while he was amused, preparing his own little thingy, just in case.
The Dazzling Ninja, AKA Rappa. The last verse marked her introduction, her leap from the building above to their level ending with the can of paint hitting her right on top of the head, ruining her poise. Mark sighed, taking on his own thoughts, throwing a glance Stelle's way before trying to get in on the vibe.
"Can't rap for shit, I got no bars
I left my heat back there, to sink
In my mind, deep underneath
Found my passion for the craft.
Got my sword slinging along,
Cleaving evil for my toll.
Price to pay comes out in blood
So let's go get the job done."
Stelle stared at them both like they were crazy. She wasn't sure if Rappa simply acted like that for some reason, but Mark's random mood swings did worry her a little.
"You're rapping now, Mark? Seriously? Just... I don't even want to know," she announced, crossing her arms together while looking away. Rappa, however, gave him a run over to quickly get an idea about him.
"I see. You have decent skills and seem to be versed in the ways of ninjutsu. However, we have greater issues at hand, especially since those fiendlings have gathered here."
She stared at the monkeys, who were circling around Stelle and Mark, chanting their weird bana song over and over, bringing about the same euphoric mist that sought to cloud his mind. It burned to a crisp, yet Stelle seemed to be affected. Before he could do it, Rappa sprung into action, striking a pose.
"Dazzling Palm: Righteous Chop!"
She looked dead serious as her palm flew Stelle's way, hitting with a loud bam. Mark's finger flick looked like child's play in comparison. At once, her senses were cut off, slowly returning as her mind was cleared from the monkey's influence. Thinking nothing much of it, Mark just turned his attention to the tiny creatures. In a flash, they were gone, running away at the sight of his glare.
"Hm, you're more than adept in the arts of striking fear in the heart of your foe. Well done," she said with a tiny smile, patting his shoulder.
Stelle, now a little more in the realm of the living, tried to understand once more what was going on.
"Mark, what's going on now?"
He sighed, tossing a glance at Rappa, as if waiting for her explanation. Still, she didn't speak much of it, instead focusing on her own mission.
"Come, follow me. The fiends have scattered for now, but the hunt is far from over."
She moved ahead, going to the edge of the building, looking at a weird monkey-shaped thing that seemed to be made up of liquid. Stelle let out a sigh, chuckling a little to herself as she finally gave the situation a second thought. Singing ninjas, Mark rapping, monkeys around singing about bananas. It was all a funny dream she was having, or so she told herself.
Meanwhile, they had walked closer to the edge, staring at the strange object.
"You can return to a safe location after touching this object. 'Pinecany' truly is filled with boundless mysteries."
She turned to face the duo, half of which was in a self-induced state of amusement, and the other was simply chill and unphased as usual.
"Since fate saw fit to bring us together, may I know your names before we part ways?"
Stelle, joining in on the fun, answered without thinking much.
"I'm Ninja Stelle, and this right here is Ninja Mark, my comrade in this mission."
He sighed, smiling despite himself. Rappa nodded, trying to commit the names to mind.
"Strong names for strong people. Well met, Baseball Bat Ninja and Ninja Shirushi."
"Ninja Shirushi?" asked Mark, raising a brow at the name. Rappa nodded, smiling.
"Well met indeed, Dazzling Ninja," replied Stelle, still riding that high that came with embracing the crazy nature of life.
"Forgive me for speaking out of turn, Baseball Bat Ninja. But for your safety, you and your companions should leave this land of dreams as soon as possible."
Mark's mind was in a haze again, but he could answer one thing firmly, so he spoke up.
"Don't worry, Dazzling Ninja. No damn foe too strong should be around here, at least for now. The strong ones do show themselves."
Rappa's tone took on a bit more of an urgent nuance to it, one mixed with worry for them.
"Ninja Shirushi, while I do appreciate your prowess, this is no laughing matter. The Ninja Hero's archenemy has their eyes set on the land. The emotionless, soulless, and merciless Evil Ninja Osaru."
Mark was unimpressed, yet he did flinch from the headache. The bit of information was important, if not for the present moment, for the future.
"No worries, Rappa," he said calmly, his expression hardening a little. "I won't let harm come upon the innocent, nor upon the ones I care for."
He eased at once, putting on his casual demeanor anew, the earlier moment forgotten like a breeze.
"See ya around."
Rappa, having her own business to handle, instantly jumped into the monkey-shaped dream bubble, making herself unseen.
"On we go too, Stelle. Come on," said Mark, leaping the same way the ninja had done, and Stelle, having no other choice, followed along.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票