Friday, August 4, 2006

   CHAPTER

Author’s Note

ImperialGuardian: Once again, I claim nothing but the skits, the Wonder Chef’s departing phrase (you shall see), and plotline (minus actual game events). By the way, we actually won’t hear from Amy, Mina, or Darien today, but don’t panic. They’ll be around later!

Raye: YOU MADE THEM WAIT FOUR CHAPTERS TO HEAR ABOUT THAT STUPID CRYSTAL!!!!

ImperialGuardian: I can’t help that I’m dramatic like that. Besides, we needed to get further along before I ruined the fun!

Raye: You call having a crystal ATTACHED to YOUR body FUN?!!

ImperialGuardian: Touchy, touchy. I’m just trying to do my job.

(Raye summons her fire)

ImperialGuardian: NOT THE BLOUSES! I JUST BOUGHT THOSE!

Raye: BURN! BURN!!!

---

---

LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING
Chapter 8: A Little Side-Quest, Part I

Serena and the others stood outside the church, gawking at the mere height of it.

“Amazing,” Serena whispered.

“What? Have you never seen a church before?” a voice shouted to Serena. The group turned to see a blond boy with a bowl cut and giant nerdy glasses. You know, the black ones that are thick and square?

“Yes, just never one like this.”

“Obviously you’re a country bumpkin,” the boy replied. Obviously, her school uniform didn’t ring a bell to the boy. Serena stuck her tongue at him.

“I have more sense than you ever will!” Serena replied, as the group sweat dropped.

“Hey! I recognize those clothes!” Genis cried, indicating the boy’s strange white attire.

“Aren’t those the standard uniform for the private academy that accepted Genis?” Raine asked. The boy looked to them.

“Wow Genis, really?” Lloyd asked, as the poor silver-haired boy blushed.

“HIM?” the nerd boy proclaimed. “There’s no way that HE got accepted into OUR school!”

“I bet Genis is way smarter than you!” Lloyd shouted.

“No way? That shrimp?” the boy demanded. “How about we duel?”

“Duel?” Serena exclaimed, her mind wandering to guns and a standoff similar to that American Western she had seen the other day. Genis fell in her mind, as she shivered.

“Yes. I’ll meet you upstairs in the last classroom when you’re ready!” the boy said, as he marched into the school.

“Lloyd!” Genis said. “What did you do THAT for?”

“Come on Genis. I wasn’t going to let him insult you!”

“All right,” Raine said, as the two stopped. “Settle down. It’s a good diversion. Since we’re going to do so, it would be wise if everyone took the exam.”

Serena sighed in relief, but then jumped up in fear.

“EXAM?” she cried.

“Yes. Now let’s go find a spare room to practice.”

“Oh man! I’m so going to flunk this!” Serena sobbed as they walked in. The group was giving her strange looks.

“You don’t do well in school?” Genis asked.

“Should we be surprised?” Raine asked. Serena pouted.

“Please Miss Raine. Don’t make me do this!” she whined, grabbing Raine’s shoulder. The older woman was shocked.

“It’ll do you some good to see some of our history.”

“Oh man! You’re so mean!” Serena replied.

“I’m a teacher you know.”

“You certainly don’t act your age,” Lloyd noted.

“You’re just saying that because you’re worried too,” Serena said, as Lloyd jumped back.

“How did you?” he demanded.

“I think Serena can see who will have just as much trouble as she does with school work!” Colette chirped. Serena laughed.

“Brilliant deduction my dear Colette!” Serena replied. Her attention, upon entering the school, however, was suddenly drawn to a strange object. “Hey, what’s this?”

She ran to it, and looked around it. It was like an upside-down birdcage with extremely large paintballs in it. A puff of smoke appeared. Serena jumped back, holding her broach defensively, as a person came out of the smoke, the object gone. He wore chef’s attire, as he danced a little and wielded a giant fork. (A/N: Yes, ladies and gentleman, a giant FORK.)

“Hello! I am the mysterious gourmet the Wonder Chef! Today I will teach you how to make the tantalizing dish known as an Omelet!”

“What? But I’m a terrible cook!” Serena said, shocked.

“Learned how to make an omelet.”

“That voice again,” Serena thought. “And why do I suddenly know how to make an omelet! CREEPY!”

“This dish requires two ingredients: a type of rice and eggs,” the chef who called himself the Wonder Chef proclaimed, as he tossed food into Serena’s hands.

“Received Rice and Eggs.”

“Fare Thee Well!” the Wonder Chef cried, as he raised his fork, the smoke rising again as he and the strange object that had drawn Serena to him were gone.

“What in the name of the Moon,” Serena whispered.

“Hooray! We got another recipe!” Lloyd cheered.

“Way to go Serena!” Colette said. Serena was thoroughly confused.

“What was that?” Serena demanded. “And why do I suddenly know how to cook omelets?”

“That was the Wonder Chef and he teaches us recipes so that we can eat well, and regain strength on our journey,” Raine explained.

“Although even with the Wonder Chef around Raine is a terrible cook,” Genis whispered. Raine proceeded to smack him on the head. “OW!”

“Don’t worry Raine. I’m not that great a cook either.”

“You aren’t that good at anything, are you?” Genis asked, as he was smacked again. “OW! What was that for?”

“Apologize immediately.”

“No, it’s all right,” Serena replied. “Actually, my past self was much different than I am now. I guess it’s strange to be reborn with only a few skills from my past life.”

“Even so, you seem to have a good grip on reality Serena. That’s a very positive trait for someone who can lack grace and intelligence at times,” Kratos said, as the whole group stopped.

“Did we just hear that?” Lloyd asked. “He’s never said anything that close nice to anyone but me!”

“Come, we must find a spare room,” Kratos said quickly, as Serena watched the older man climb the stairs.

“He’s a man of many secrets, isn’t he?” Serena mused. “I wonder who you really are Kratos…”

---

Lita wasn’t sure when she had started walking around Welgaia again. Yet this time, she felt drawn somewhere, like when the others were in danger. It was a vibe that Raye was best with, yet she herself had it from time to time. It was like a tug at her chest. As she drew closer, the tug grew stronger. It didn’t hurt, but it was like someone had grabbed the front of her dress and was pulling her along.

She found herself walking along more purposefully to a door. She was just about to open it when Yuan, the evil blue-haired man, stopped her.

“Sorry, but this area is off limits to you.”

“What’s in there?” Lita demanded. He looked surprised. This had been her first encounter with him since she had first realized she was there.

“Forgive me, but even I don’t know what’s in there. Yet I am not permitted to let you enter this room.”

Lita scowled, as Yuan sighed. The two stood there for quite some time, as Yuan guarded the door and Lita felt the tug wanting to drag her in. She wanted to push him out of the way and force her way through, but she had been, for the most part, on the good side of Lord Yggdrasill. She didn’t want to get on his nerves, and since he ran the place, it was probably his decision to keep her out of there. But why? What was in there that made her feel needed? She knew her friends were at home. There was no way the Sailor Scouts were here—or were they? Ending the standoff, she turned abruptly, and walked away. Yuan watched her leave, and took a deep sigh. He had avoided another major situation, one he was sure Yggdrasill wanted to put off as long as possible…

---

Raye stood quietly as Rini and Hotaru stared at the crystal. She sighed.

“It’s no use hiding it now,” Raye sighed. “Did Trista ever come back?”

“I’m right here Raye,” a voice said from behind her. They turned to see the guardian of time behind them. She looked upset.

“Trista!” Rini cried, running to hug her. Granted, she was only tall enough to hug Trista’s leg, but nonetheless Trista smiled and patted her head.

“We have much to talk about,” Trista said. “Starting with that crystal, Raye.”

“It won’t come off,” Raye admitted silently. “I tried to do so at first.”

“I know you tried. That’s why you were unconscious the whole time, correct?” Trista asked, as Raye nodded. “Well, gather the others. This is important, and I intend to fill you all in. And Raye?”

“Yes?”

“We’ll get you back to normal,” Trista said.

“Normal? What do you mean Momma?” Hotaru asked.

“I’ll explain everything shortly. Just get the others.”

“Right!” Rini said, running off.

“She’s a bundle of energy,” Raye thought sadly…

---

Look at me! I can twirl a cane! WHEE!
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