Chapter 6: Looking Fear in the Face
Away from the crowd; A young lady was busy eating when she has another headache and can see Cassandra's memories inside of her head again! Later on; she was walking home from the banquet, but she was overwhelmed of memories inside of her head, such as Cassandra and Androcles--even Turan--all mixed together in her brain incoherently. And Tamamo Mae took two asprin for her headache, she begins to talk to herself once again: "I loves this person with all my heart, to the point where it’s trying to blind me from all of their faults. And I'm scared and upset about my partner’s lack of reciprocation. It’s turning me angry and vengeful. This relationship is starting to take it’s toll on me. I'm afraid of the vulnerability that goes along with loving someone. I figure I'll be the one to get my heart broken and when that happens; I predict a breakdown." There was an indoor banquet that had unbelieveable amounts of food: Submarine sandwiches, mini hotdogs in BBQ sauce, salt & vinegar potato chips, and nacho chips. There was tuna salad and chicken salad with a sign above that says, "I KNOW WHAT YOU PEOPLE ARE THINKING--IS THIS CHICKEN OR IS THIS FISH?" Then, there was Buffalo chicken wings, which had a sign above as well that reads: "DON'T EAT BUFFALO? TRY BUFFALO WINGS!" People were talking and laughing, the host was mingling as she bounced from one crowd to another. A man noticed a familiar young lady sitting alone and stopped the host to ask, "Who is that?" The host perk up and spoke in that Southern bell accent of hers, "Oh, that's Tamamo Mae Shimo! Ain't she a beau?" She turned away to talk with a couple.
The Iemons confronts them: "Tamamo Mae, so you somehow become stronger. Not surprising....But you will be demolished." Osode said. They try to restrain Tamamo Mae but she fights back. Tamiya and Osode Iemon are defeated. They glared up at her: "Impossible! How can you do that?!" said Tamiya. "Sorry, you may have got me but I have a secret weapon--Actually more than one." The Iemons were shocked, they looked away before chuckling insanely. They looked up; sneering at Tamamo Mae, "Y'know, I woul've gone away with it too...If it weren't for you meddling girl." They said. Tamamo Mae smirks back at them, "Hmph, like I never heard that before." She scoffed. Tamamo Mae looked up to see an obese woman with aging lines and she looked very strange. "Onibaba." Tamamo Mae said, giving her a glare. While Tamamo Mae cringed away, but she noticed she wasn't dying and looked to see Kintaro and the others were defending her. Calypso was touched by this, The Iemons couldn't believe it: "Impossible!" They shouted. "Nothing is impossible when you got friends like us!" exclaimed Kintaro. "We're not going to let you get away with this, Tamamo Mae is our friend and she stays with us." Sayohime said. "Yes, Tamamo Mae is our friend, she is the reason to help us all!" Usodori said. This is, the grand finale to stop Onibaba once and for all. How can this be? What's going on? What is happening? Let's go back, back to the beginning, shall we?
Earlier before.....
After dealing with not having an alcohol for awhile; Tamamo Mae continues to struggle with her alcoholism. She's at a bar, becoming drunk, while Usodori watches on in dismay. After leaving the bar, they end up in a car crash caused by Tamamo Mae's alcohol problems. Following the accident, but luckily; Usodori is going to be fine. Just fine. Tamamo Mae is seen grief-stricken and depressed over what she has caused, and cannot seem to get over her alcoholism. Tamamo Mae turned around, "No...You!" She gasped. She was about to attack however Kintaro held up his hands, motioning the others who had their powers and weapons ready to stand down, saying to Tamamo Mae: "Easy, easy. We just want to talk to you....Can we take this more privately?" He asked. "NO!" cried Tamamo Mae. Her powers forced everyone back and she took off running. Kintaro was not going to let her escape. Never again. "Please! I swear, we will never hurt you!" He begged, coaxing her. Tamamo Mae backs away in horror, she then stumbles as she hallucinates of people jeering and laughing. Tamamo Mae fainted and woke up with panic attacks. Tamamo Mae was overcome with worry, anxiety, and she wonders what's wrong with her. However things got darker when Nana begins to go on a lucid state. Tamamo Mae turning away from everyone who called her name, Tamamo Mae turned and stare at him but she begins crying and was on the ground. She blamed herself for being a jerk in the past and how much hurt she put Usodori through. Kintaro looks at her and encouraged, "It's never too late." They comfort her and Tamamo Mae found the strength to make herself better.
The next day in Hyperborea; it was the coldest time of year where everyone is bundled up in coats, mittens, and boots. But somewhere warm is an indoor banquet that had unbelievable amounts of food: Submarine sandwiches, mini hotdogs in BBQ sauce, salt & vinegar potato chips, and nacho chips. There was tuna salad and chicken salad with a sign above that says, "I KNOW WHAT YOU PEOPLE ARE THINKING--IS THIS CHICKEN OR IS THIS FISH?" Then, there was Buffalo chicken wings, which had a sign above as well that reads: "DON'T EAT BUFFALO? TRY BUFFALO WINGS!" People were talking and laughing, the host was mingling as she bounced from one crowd to another. A man noticed a familiar young lady sitting alone and stopped the host to ask, "Who is that?" The host perk up and spoke in that Southern bell accent of hers, "Oh, that's Tamamo Mae Shimo! Ain't she a beau?" She turned away to talk with a couple. Away from the crowd; Tamamo Mae was busy eating when she has another headache and can see Cassandra's memories inside of her head again: The applause faded but some were still clapping. Everyone turned to see who but they frowned or glared at that person. Jack and Trygve looked at Ector and his other friends angrily. "Oh, look at this! Ain't it touching?" mocked Ector, pretending to cry but was smirking. "I love celebrations, I really do." Cassandra’s eyes bulged in horror. "Our great heroes are honored at long last but you won't be honored when I play...This!" A large TV image plays of someone entering a movie cinema. Cassandra couldn’t believe it, "It can't be!" She gasped. Next was gunshots, people screaming. It shows images of Cassandra’s friends and other people being shot at. "Oh my..." Mimir gasped. "Oh no...!" Trygve cursed. Everyone was horrified by these images however Ector and his friends laughed. They was in hysterics of this. They thought this was all so funny? How dare they…Cassandra’s body tremble but felt a rough hand on her back, "Bitch, are you gonna cry--" Ector said. Cassandra turned to him fiercely with her telekinesis. Ector flew back into a column. "Ohhh!" The crowd gasped. "Uh oh." Lleu said softly. "Cass." Samson muttered.
Jack was furious at Ector, he ran over at him and cried, "You will pay for that!!!!!!" "Jack!" Bellerphon cried. Too late, Ector pulled out a gun and fired at Jack. Jack fell to the ground, "Nooooo! Jack..." Cassandra screamed. She rushed over to him. Cassandra felt hot tears running down her face, she turned to Ector. Her veins pulsed with anger. A turning point where her powers are activating. She looked up and spread out her arms, where her powers bend the lights from above. Everyone looked up in horror. "Oh crap..." Hanuman thought. Proteus forced the doors opened and shouted, "Everyone out NOW!!!!" Immediately; the crowd rushes out. Borvo and Juniper look back, they were concerned about their friend. "Cass!" They both cried, Zaden seized them both and said, "Come on, let's go!" Borvo and Juniper tried to struggle but Zaden pulled them away. In the abandoned party, Cassandra and Ector were the only ones in there, Ector tried to attack her but Cassandra flexed her hand, telekinetically choking him by the throat. She threw him backwards and he landed there. Cassandra uses her powers to cause a fire. The others peeked inside, what they saw was hell. The whole place was scorched of fire. But the doors closed automatically. Fire, fire was all around. Tears pooling and cascading down Cassandra's eyes as she was filled with rage. She faced the person that had destroyed her, murdered her school peers at the dance. Now, it was getting personal. No more Miss Sweet, she was pissed! She wanted to kill him however she realized something, this wasn't sure about this and lets him live. Later, Cassandra stalks away from the now destroyed party in anguish over what happened. She found Trygve, who looked concern for her. How dare Ector did that to her, how cruel he was. Well, he won’t come around here anymore. Just then, someone followed her and came up to her, putting a hand on her. Cassandra whirled around, gasping. "Cass, it's me!" Jack said with a small smile. Cassandra let out a sigh and embraced him. "Jack, you're all right." She said. Cassandra buried her face, there was heaving of sobs. Jack hugged her back, "I'm sorry that happened." He said, patting her back tenderly.
Cassandra sniffed. "Oh, Jack! It was awful. He was so mean to me..." She blubbered. Jack could only pat her back, soothing her: "It's OK, Cass. It's OK.." But he looked up and his eyes widened with terror. "LOOK OUT, CASS!" He cried. Too late, she is being held hostage by Ector's. Ector looked over and gouged her heart out. "Noooooooooooooo!!!!!!" cried Jack and Trygve. Ector and his friends were cackling with glee but they wouldn't laugh for long. Cassandra rise, her eyes were hollow and black with red pupils. She had blood coming from the whole in her chest. Her appearance was different: There were short ram horns, her hair became red like mahogany, her clothes matched her hair and her face was pinkish white. Jack couldn't believe this, Cassandra. She was rising as some sort of undead being who was slaughtering the Ector's friends in order to get her heart back. And she did kill them all, she butchered them. She beheaded them, and then she made their limbs go numb so she can split them apart in a grisly way. Jack and Trygve were shocked by this. They couldn't believe that someone like her would such things. Finally, Cassandra faced Ector Absalom, who was holding her heart so Heart less Cassandra put up a pretty good fight. She broke his legs and the heart went up, Cassandra caught in her hand and placed it back in her chest. The hole in her chest closed up and she turned back to normal. Jack and Trygve could only stare at her in amazement. Who was this girl? Whoever she was, she was nothing out of the ordinary.
A deranged Ector who was smiling like a Cheshire as he held a knife. His hair was a mess and was bleeding from his hands. He panted and heaved, "I will not stop until I kill you, Cassandra." yelled Ector. Jack grabbed Cassandra, helping her up and shouted, "Run, you guys!" They ran, however Ector chased after them. He was still clutching the knife as he waved it. Laughing maniacally. Cassandra, Jack, and Trygve did not stopped. But they did, they found themselves at a cliff. Ector laughed more malicious, "End of the line, you damn ass." He exclaimed. Cassandra held her friends close, she glared at Ector, who lunged at them. "DIE!!!" He cried. "No!" She exclaimed. Cassandra telekinetically seized him by the throat and pulls him toward her but she did it too far. Cassandra, Jack, and Trygve watched as Ector fell down to his death. Cassandra couldn’t believe what she had done. "I killed him...I....AAAAHHHH!" She screamed hysterically, waving her hands frantically. Jack took her hands and speaking to her, "Cass, Cass." When Cassandra didn’t answered; Jack slapped her. Cassandra stopped screaming, she slowly placed a hand on her cheek where she had been slapped. Cassandra looked at him, "Jack..." She whispered. Jack sighed, "Sorry. Are you OK?" He asked. Cassandra feebly shake her head. "I don't know, I can't live like…" She admitted. She went to the ledge and spread her arms out. She was about to take a step until Trygve reached for her. "Cass, nooo!" He cried. Jack and Trygve seized her, Cassandra struggled against them as she tried to push him away. "Let go of me! Let go! Lemme--" She ranted. "Don't even try, I am not letting go no matter what you say." Jack said. After many struggles; Cassandra gives up and embraces her friends. "Oh, you guys." She sobbed and begin crying until she fell asleep. Jack carried her, she felt light weighted in his arms.
In the meantime; Tristan ran inside the abandoned place, calling out: "Mel!" He heard someone called back to him, "Go away!" However he ran in as he was shocked to see what Melisande is doing: Her ankle chained a rock and a Wendigo was chained there beside her. There was explosives of dynamite on the rock being prepared. "What are you doing?" asked Tristan, eyes filled with fear. "Making a statement." replied Melisande. "Mel, whatever you think your doing, please don't do it." said Tristan calmly. Melisande looked away from him, "Please, go away." She said darkly. "Let me help you, Mel." Tristan coaxed, walking over to her carefully. Melisande begin to weep, "Why can't you people leave me alone?" She demanded through her sobs. Tristan hold back his own tears, "I'm sorry, I didn't know you went through so much pain." He said. Melisande gave him a glare as she telepathically choke holds of him. Tristan chokes and gasps for air. "Look at what you made me do, Tristan!" Melisande sobbed. "Don't kill me, Melisande!" rasped Tristan. "Why not? Haven't I been through enough?!" exclaimed Melisande, tears were splashing out from her eyes. Tristan had never seen such painful rage in a girl like her, Melisande let him go so he can breathe as she begin to cry again but she tells Tristan in her grief, "I--I--I killed my family....Did you know that? I hate myself for it, I really do, it's all my fault!" Tristan walked slowly to her, "I know the real truth, you were blackmailed! He was going after your family! It's OK, you don't have to hide from me. I can help you, nobody will hurt you but I can't help you if you close yourself in. Open your heart, I want to be your friend." Tristan said. Melisande considered this, she was touched by the fact that he came to find her. That was sweet. Nobody has ever done that for her. Not at all. Melisande nodded, "OK. Get me out of here." She said. And Tristan did, he found the key in Melisande's pocket and freed her. They were about to leave but Melisande stopped him, "There's something I need to do." She replied. Melisande used her powers and light the match to burn away of the place she hate. Then, she and Tristan ran before the place was about to blow. Melisande felt better, thanks to Tristan but it looked like she was going to need a lot more help then she ever did and she found her first friend in Tristan.
In the medical center, Cassandra was resting as Jack and Brother 10 watch her from the window. She looked peaceful sleeping as they felt bad at what happened. But Jack noticed someone is next to her, Paul Absalom and his son Rocky, the good brother of Ector. “What is he doing here?” He asked Mimir, who approached behind him. "He came to visit her. Wanting to apologize but he's asleep I guess." Paul was beside Cassandra, who was still asleep. He begins to talk to her, "Cassandra, I'm sorry. I wish I did something a long time ago but I didn't. I feel bad for the actions and troubles my sons have caused. I really am sorry about all this." He felt the tears in his eyes. He took Cassandra’s hand but she opened her eyes and her eyes turned red. Paul looked horrified, he backs away as Cassandra used her powers to choke him. He screamed in terror, "NOOOO, NOT ME!" He woke up, it was all a nightmare but he couldn’t stop screaming. Rock looked at his father, taking both his shoulders, "Dad?!" He asked. His father was still exclaiming, "NOT ME! PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! PLEASE, HAVE MERCY!" "Dad!" Rocky said, shaking him and hugging him. "MERCY!" Paul cried, "PLEASE!" Rocky started crying, "It's OK, Dad. I’m here.” He soothed. Paul begin to sob, the only thing that his son could do was comfort him. “It’s OK, Dad. It’s OK. I’m here. It’s OK.” He said it all over again. It looks like Paul Absalom was going to be traumatized from this, never again will he do this. Never will he ever. Back in reality; the hostess was beside Tamamo Mae with a concern look on her face. "TM, babe, you OK?" She asked. Composing herself; Tamamo Mae responds, "Yeah, I'm OK." The host nods, "OK, you look like you're pale as a ghost in a deserted mansion! Eat, sweet thang! You need your heart pumping." She said.
Later on; Tamamo Mae was walking home from the banquet, but she was overwhelmed of memories inside of her head, such as Cassandra and Androcles--even Turan--all mixed together in her brain: “All right, you bastards!” A gruff, tough guy barged in wearing a tank shirt that showed his muscular arms and wore military jeans with boots. “Which one of you sons of a guns trashed my boys?!” He growled, “I don’t have time for games, nobody messes with me and gets away with it scot free! Personally, I don’t think your powers are fake.” ranted the tough guy. “Wow! Someone who doesn’t believe….A hero defending humanity from monstrosity.” the first out of the duo said. The second one scoffs a little. “Yeah, you think your hot shit don’t cha? Well, you know what I think! If you had powers, then kill me right now!” challenged the tough guy. “You mean it? OK, as you wish.” said the guy, pointing a gun at him with his mind. The tough guy recoiled in fear. The other three looked on. Gasping in horror at this. “Hey, bro. Take it easy, I was kidding. I joke…C’mon.” The tough guy said, weakly. The first one attacked the tough guy with a telekinetic force, throwing him over his crew. “Aah!” The others cried, they saw the tough guy’s body landed on the ground. “My bad. no I wasn’t.” sneered the first. The throws on the ground as he crushes his leg slowly. “Do you know who I am? My name is Androcles Stelios. Like my powers, bud? Mind over matter. I don't need my strength to deal with low life scum like you.” said the guy. The tough guy begs for mercy but Androcles doesn't and he torture him to the point of being crippled. Androcles and his comrade, Yvain Aste--They both have telekinesis. Their other companions are Hijiro and Maud, who are sidekicks even though they are not telekinetic.
Cassandra was walking but didn't see where she was going. She was reading research on a group rivaled with Silver Branch--They were called Bronze Branch. She has never heard of these people. However, she crashed into someone--or two rather--But when she looked up, Androcles and Yvain glared down at her. "You....!" Androcles growled. "....Casandra Endymion." finished Yvain. Cassandra gasped, "What the--No, it can't be!" She knew who they were! "Yeah, Big Bad from Bronze Branch! What's the matter, scared?" taunted Androcles. "I'm not scared of you, not both of you." replied Cassandra, she turned around and walked away proud. "Hey Cass, wanna see something really scary?" called Androcles. Cassandra laughed with no humor in her voice, "Like hell." She hollered back. "You know a place called Decimus Manor? I heard it's pretty haunted there." said Androcles. Cassandra turned to him, "What makes you think I'd go there?" She snapped. Androcles smirked, "You really do like a challenge don't you? I heard there's ten little kids there. But be careful, there's three monsters living there." He said. "Ooh, I think I'm going to wet my pants." mocked Cassandra, turning away but Androcles was still persistent. "Why don't you find it? It's on 10th Indian Street." He called out. Cassandra smirk at him, "10th Indian Street? I'll see what I can fine." She said with sarcasm. Just then, Cassandra encounters with Thalatte who also dared her to go in there. Cassandra refuses but Thalatte gives her a card with Thalatte's number on it. She was in her room as she thought about it so she decided to go there. Cass found the house on 10th Indian Street. Thalatte was there with her and asked her, "Are you sure you want to go in there? It looks pretty scary." "I've seen a lot of scary stuff. What do you think I am? Afraid?" Cassandra said. "Are you really going to be that brave?" Thalatte asked. "Going once.....going twice...." challenged Cassandra. "All right! Fine, fine, fine! You rescue her, she's saved and your souls are mine!" Thalatte said. Cassandra nodded as she jumped in but Thalatte mocked her, "Oooh, almost forgot. You'll die from all those bastards in that haunted place--What a twist that'll be huh?!" She called.
Entering inside; Cassandra looked in one of the room to see ten little boys having dinner but it ends up badly as she watched in horror as one of them choked to death as nine kids watch in horror. The nine kids couldn't sleep of what they saw but they finally went to sleep and one of them was found with their throat torn open. The eight couldn't stay in each of the rooms however one of them didn't believe there was something wrong here and decided to sleep but he never came out of his room. Seven waited, while they wait; they cut up some fruits and vegetables. One of them cut his hands by accident and bled to death. Now there were six of them as they were trying to probe a beehive. But one of them got stung by a lot of bees and he drowned into the river for he couldn't swim. Five left as they got lost in the woods but one of them caught by a hermit as he was never seen again. Now, four went by the sea as a whale came and swallowed one of them. Three went to another forest which was forbidden and was mauled by a bear. Two were lost and no place to go, they were dehydrated and try to find water. One of them died from lack of thirst and one was left. But in his devastation; the last threw himself off a cliff, and then there were none. Cassandra was so scared, she couldn't believe this was happening and decided to search more; trying her best to be brave. But she learns of other creatures known as Pretas. Pretas are these horrifying monsters who have humane sharp teeth and eyes like glass. They are demonic looking creatures of unsymmetrical jaws all jagged and looking more like an angular fish on land. Three monsters reside; the names of them are Bael, Asmodeus, and Decarabia. The three of them are Pretas as they begin to chant a song at Cassandra over and over again: "Great green globs of greasy, grimy gopher guts, Mutilated monkey meat. Dirty little birdie feet. Great green globs of greasy, grimy gopher guts, And me without my spoon..." Cassandra was terrified as she tried to leave but to her shock; they were chasing after her. They sprinted at her, Cassandra tried running faster as they kept chanted, "Great green globs of greasy, grimy gopher guts, Mutilated monkey meat. Dirty little birdie feet. Great green globs of greasy, grimy gopher guts, And me without my spoon..." Cassandra was running so much that she tripped and fell, she landed on the floor hard. Just then, she turn around as the three Pretas advanced on her while singing, "This poor girl, she was fun. She went and saw there was none. With bodies hitting the floor, one by one, this poor girl will die with them some." However Cassandra uses her mind powers, pushing them away. Cassandra reached for the door and opened it as she rushed out where a shocked Thalatte was waiting. "No way in hell you're still kidding, nobody could have survived that!" She exclaimed. Cassandra was panting, in between, she gasps out: "Just....did!" Then she leaned over and demanded, "Don't! Tell! ANYBODY!!! GOT IT?!" Thalatte nodded and Cassandra left.
Androcles, Yvain, Hijiro, and Maud sneaked into the house of the witch Acrasia Ruggwain. "Hello? Acrasia? Anybody home?" Androcles called out. As they walked around the house; the four of them saw potions, spell books, fairy dust packages, mermaid hex jars, and white witch healing kits. Just then, there was a rumble as Androcles and Yvain could sense that someone was coming. They quickly hide as they could hear the squeaky door opened. The footsteps coming into the house, "Whoooo is in my house?" A voice called out. Androcles and the others tensed but the footsteps wandered through the living room, the dining room, the kitchen, the hallway, left and right, by the fire place, in the attic, and all the other chairs. "Oh man, oh man, oh man! I think I'm gonna wet my pants." Hijiro muttered. "Calm down, as long as we're quiet that witch won't find us." instructed Yvain quietly. But then, the footsteps slowly walked into the room towards their hiding spot. "Spoke too soon, huh." Maud remarked. "Shh!" hushed Androcles. The footsteps came closer and closer. Hijiro and Maud were so shaken with fear, their hearts pounding like metal hitting steel. "Whooo is in my house?" The voice called out, it made Hijiro and Maud shiver. The door opened and a face with gleaming white teeth peered out, "AH-HA!" She cried. Hijiro and Maud screamed but Androcles and Yvain used their telekinetic powers to force the woman away as they tries to escape but the front door slammed on them.
There stood a woman with wild, untidy hair and wore a unique style with her black clothing. She wore dark makeup along with the messy hair and weird clothes. "Oh! Uh, hi? Nice look for ya." Androcles said with anxiousness. A knife slammed through the wall next to the four of them as the woman cried out, "SILENCE!!!" "OK, my bad! Shutting up now." Androcles said quickly. The four of them looked at the woman who glared at the gang as she said, "You dare break into my house!?" "Sorry, we were given a key by your landlord, he was worried about you. He said you were gone for two whole weeks at least." Yvain explained. The witch softened, she ran her fingers through that wild hair of hers and sighed, "Ugh! Made Jimmy worried about me, that nagging fool must be wondering I'm not paying my rent. Doesn't he know I'm witchy and have a contract." She muttered to no one in particular. "What?" asked Yvain. The witch stamped her foot angrily, "I said, QUIET!!!!" She exclaimed. Yvain jumped, as well as the others by her shrilled and scary voice. The witch sighed again, "What do you want?" She snipped. "Your help." explained Androcles, "We came to work for you." The witch looked at him dully, "Sorry, can't help you with that." She said emotionlessly. She walked away as a disbelief Androcles and his friends were shocked by this. Androcles walked over to the witch and asked, "Why not?" "Two words, I'm. Retired. Besides, why would they send you four? You don't like a mage. Don't like a witcher or even anyone that knows my name..." She slammed her cooking pan hard, startling Androcles and announced, "Acrasia Ruggwain--The Witch of Summer Plague!!!!" When Yvain mentions about Xian being kidnapped; Acrasia sniggered and decided to help them out as she claims, "I know where the boy is." But she has tasks for the four of them!
Androcles and Yvain had to create a team. Androcles is unsure but obeys to this as well as the other three and they go to Spring Plague. A young beauty who has white blonde hair and a curvaceous, buxom figure. Her hair was short as it framed her face. Lizina Bellefontaine is wheeling her luggage, she has nowhere to go. She was once part of a group known as False Indigo. After she failed to eliminate any Pretas; she was reprudiated. So she was alone....Or was she? "Lizzie!" A voice called out from afar. Lizina turned around in surprise to see a mousy boy with goggles on his helmet he wore. This was Turms Feboldson. "Turms? What are you doing here?" asked Lizina. "I left False Indigo. They were too busy celebrating your departure." He said, "So I told them off and left." "Oh, Turms. You didn't have to do that." Lizina sighed. "No, I want to. Those guys were a bunch of jerks! Wherever you go, I follow." Turms said. Lizina was moved by this as so the two friends walked together but Turns said he had to do something first. He turned his back and pulled out the tracking device, let it drop to the floor and crushed it with his foot. "Screw you." He muttered. And then he followed Lizina to a new journey. A few hours later; Lizina was sniffling as she tried to wipe her tears from her eyes. She had Turms draped around her and Lizina was escorting her unconscious friend. Earlier before, they have been attacked by False Indigo. They have been harassed and beaten up. Turms took the beaten, he couldn't bare Lizina to get hurt. But Lizina was so upset by those jerks that hurt her and her friend. "Why?" thought Lizina while crying, "Why do they hate us so much?"Just then, there was a growling sound and Lizina look up to see Pretas in her way. She knew that this was it, this was it for her and Turms.
Lizina doesn't have any fighting skills at all, only healing powers. False Indigo puts her down for that, saying that someone with healing powers isn't worthy enough. She believed it, Lizina has no purpose in fighting no longer. She closed her eyes, bidding farewell for she was too good for this sinful earth. However, she is shocked when she heard the Pretas letting out a blood curdling scream of pain and she opened her eyes. She saw that they were being speared by some people, these people were none other than Androcles, Yvain, Hijiro, Maud, and all of the others. They were fighting these monsters with their powers and skills. This was too much to believe! Too much to process. Finally, once the heroes are done taking care of the monsters; Androcles noticed Lizina, "Hey. You OK?" He called out. Lizina nodded, but then when Androcles looked to see Turms around Lizina and asked, "Your friend OK?" Lizina shook her head, "My friend--He's been hurt!" She managed to say through her tears. Nikita step forward, "Let me take a look at him." She said. Lizina looked at her with a worried look, "Who are you?" She asked. "Don't worry, you can trust me." replied Nikita. So, Nikita took a look at Turms's wounds and right on the spot, she healed Turms. When Turms awoke, he was glad to see Lizina. "Lizzie! I'm so glad to see that you're OK." Turms said. He and Lizina embraced, it seems these two friends were like brother and sister. Lizina glanced at Nikita with a smile on her face, "Thank you." She said. Nikita looked all snooty, "Yes well....My regards I give you." She replied and sauntered away.
Lizina looked at her with a confuse look and she glance at Androcles & the gang, "Was it something that I said?" She asked. Androcles shrugged, "Beats me!" He said. "Oh don't fret. She's always like that around the 'pretty ones'." assured Esfandyar. Maud glared at him, "And what am I? Chopped liver?" She asked. Esfandyar looked embarrassed, "You are--Are--Um--Uh!" He was lost for words but Bennu helped him out, "A sister?" He said. Esfnadyar brightened up, "A sister...Yes, you are like a sister." He said cleverly. Lizina was troubled by this as she said, "Funny. She doesn't see me that way." Now Esfandyar was red faced then before, "That's because...She doesn't know much about you just yet." He said. Lizina smiled, "Good answer." She replied, she and the others laughed. But Lizina was shocked at herself. She never laugh like this in awhile. Ever since she joined False Indigo, she never felt happy and was always miserable. But after leaving False Indigo, she felt happy. She found people that were kind, considerate, nice, and not a mean bone in their body. Something that False Indigo was not. She and the rest of these people were looking around in places after they found an abandoned part of a building. While looking about, Lizina discovered something inside the abandoned place.
"Hey, look what I found!" called Lizina. She pulled out for the others to see, Androcles squint at it. "A princess wand?" He asked. "Cute." Lizina said. "Oooh, let me see!" Maud squealed, she reached for it. "Maud, wait!" Yvain said, but Lizina handed to Maud and she took it to look at the you, "Oh, I remember these when I was a kid! This is so cool." exclaimed Maud.
"Press the button, maybe it plays music." Lizina said. Maud was bouncing up and down, "OK, I feel like a kid again!" She said happily. Maud pressed the button but instead of any tingling music of sparkles, there was instead a creepy laugh. And then it stopped. Maud's mood changed to a frightful look. "What was that?" Yvain asked. "That wasn't any music." said Bennu. "Sounded like a creepy laugh." Esfandyar said. "Ack, that can't be good." Hijiro said with a grimace. Just then, there was a horribly, blood curdling scream: "AAAHHH!" Maud was the one screaming and she dropped the toy. Androcles came over to her, "What, what?" He asked. Maud pointed the toy wand, "There's something underneath the foil." She said while trembling in fear. "Let me see." Androcles said, he reached over to the toy and lifted the foil. He and the others were startled to see what it was. "Oh man, that looks demonic! A girl hurting herself." He said. "That is disturbing." Yvain remarked. "You don't see that every day." Esfandyar replied. Bennu was disgusted, "Who would want to put that in a child's toy?" He asked. "Who is this girl?" Lizina asked. "Who cares! She looks possessed!" Nikita said. Androcles shake his head in dismay, "Ugh, put it away!" He said. Maud threw it down, "Now I'm scared." She said. Maud looked upset, Lizina put an arm around her and looked at her sympathetically, "Sorry Maud." She said. Maud nodded sadly, "It's OK." She said.
While South in Autumn Plague--where the fastest thief is there. His name is Esfandyar Crane as well as Lady Green Muse, Nikita Absinthe. The prison door creaked opened, footsteps echoed against the floor in the hallways. The guards appeared at the cell of Esfandyar Crane. "Wake up you thief!" One of the guards announced, "Your trial and execution awaits for you!" No response. "Hey, you thief! Didn't you hear me?" The guard said. Still no answer so they got the keys out and opened the door only to find the jail cell empty. They noticed that the bars of the cell were slightly bent and they were angry: "Why that lousy--DAMN YOU GENTLEMAN THIEF!!!!" One of the guards shouted, "YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS YOU GALLANT, STICKY FINGERED BASTARD!!!!!" Esfandyar was moving at such great speed swiftly and got on top of a building. He saw cars driving by, they were police and their lights were flashing. Esfandyar smiled, "Speed is everything--Especially when you escape from trial and death." He said to himself and whisked away into the night. The next morning; Androcles, Yvain, Hijiro, and Maud walking in a land of orange leaf trees--They were in the land of Autumn Plague. "Well, I can see why it's called Autumn Plague." said Hijiro brightly. Androcles sighed, "So, where's Speedy?" He asked. "Who knows, he moves pretty fast." answered Yvain. "Boy! That sucks, you think you guys can catch him?" Maud asked. While walking along the path; Androcles and Yvain stop to sense something's coming closer and closer. Going left and right, so Yvain concentrated, he could have sworn someone fast at the speed of light was coming. Closer and closer. And when it did; the duo used their powers to stop them in their tracks.
They could see a man in a dark blue mask and matching clothing. There he was, the Gentleman Thief himself! "So, you're Esfandyar Crane." Androcles notified. Esfandyar smiled, "In the flesh!" He said, "So what's a couple of newcomers doing in a place like this?" He asked. "Just--You have dead or alive posters with your face on them." remarked Androcles. "Well, I'm not completely surpised. A thief gallantly has great speed and smarts. I'm quite the unique guy, aren't I?" bragged Esfandyar. "Yeah, you make a pretty good crew member." said Androcles. "Like hell." said a woman's voice. All of the others turned to see a gorgeous young lady in a kelly green dress that glitters and her hair was in an elegant bun. This was Esfandyar's sidekick name Nikita Absinthe, who helps him on his master thief missions as she is a sorceress with great powers, healing abilities, and invincibility spells. "Ah, Nikita. You are interrupting a man's business." said Esfandyar. Nikita backs down, as her lips pouted but her mouth looked like a rosebud. "YOU!!!!" A big voice said, "Have you come to slay the terror of Deathless Koschei?" There he was, Bennu Nordmann! The Warm Skinned Samurai! "You want him? Go through me first!" said Bennu. "Hold it!" Androcles explained, "We don't want to fight you Bennu Nordmann. We only want to recruit you." "Not quite, I'll take you all on if I have to." Bennu said, snubbing them. Androcles and the others have no other choice but to take down this guy. So they fought the samurai however Yvain went out of his mind by telekinetically shoving him into a tree! Shocked; he rushed over to see if he's OK. "Crap. Crap. Crap!" He panted as he looked over the unconscious Bennu. "Aww man, Yvain! Why did you have to go and do that?" demanded Androcles panicky. "I didn't mean to do it that hard!" protested Yvain. "If he's dead, we're going to be in big trouble and it's all your fault!" Hijiro remarked. "Leave him alone, it was an accident!" Maud argued. While everyone squabbled amongst themselves; Bennu had a smile on his face and punched Yvain in the stomach, Yvain fell over as he was shocked over what just happened. Then, Bennu let out a deep laugh that startled everyone, he was laughing heartily. He rise up with a grin on his face, "Ah, great power. I am satisfy with the outcome of the battle. I give you my best wishes, good man." He said. Yvain looked up at him and rasped out, "I guess we're even." He was rasping because that punched took the wind out of him. "Indeed, I assumed you are not here to slay Koschei?" Bennu said. "Not really but hey, if you want us to come with you. I mean, we don't have to fight him for you." Androcles suggested. Bennu nodded, "Fair enough." He replied.
She was still in her red ninja disguise as she kept looking quiet and masculine. But when she got inside; the fewer lights from above flicked on, and there they were—Weiss Castillo. They looked intimidating, look like some sort of fire-like rage ready to burst. The leader, with dark brown hair and mature looking, like his late 20’s. He spoke with a stoic quiet voice, “So, you’re the buyer. We need to talk.” Turan seemed shocked, but nodded. The leader, Charlemagne 'Charles' Blut, walked around circling Turan. It was a lie. We saw on the news that those explosives were used to attempt murder. No more games, we want answers.” This was getting out of hand, Turan tried to back away but was blocked. “Nowhere to run, Sorry.” said the gentleman guy. Turan was ready to fight back but the junior high looking guy name Roland Wilde restrained her and pinned her down, he smirked arrogantly. “Heh, you messed with the wrong crowd, pal.” He snickered. The others were staring down at her. Turan felt a pulse of panic, trauma of her past came back, from that night. She tried to wrangle away but Roland used his shoe to press down harder. Emilia felt like she was choking, she resist the urge to blow her cover. “Uh-uh. I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Roland warned. He glared down at Turan, she felt anger inside her. Stress, the same she felt the night she was attacked. That was it, the limit was broke. No turning back now! Never again, she would have to suffer, never! Turan clenched her fist as Roland grabbed her shirt, “You got some nerve messin’ with…” but he stopped and blushed. He accidentally grasped something round and orb like. “—the hell?” He muttered. Then, it came down on him as he face became a cherry red. "Holy--Boss, this is no dude." Roland said. Charles looks at him, "What?" he asked. "It's a girl!" exclaimed Roland. "WHAT?!" The boys of Weiss Castillo exclaimed. Turan freed herself away from Roland’s grasp, she revealed her true identity which had a Cheshire grin on her face. “'s the matter boys? Did you know I was a girl?" She said. Weiss Castillo, who were sneering and glaring, were now terrified by this. "No, hey! Hey! Come on, sugar--" said one of them, Pinabel. "DONT CALL ME SUGAR!" Turan screeched. She punches, kicks, upper cut hit, and knee to groin on each of the guys; who were terrified to fight back.
While battling with the Wendigos; Turan gets attacked from above by one of them who scratched her back. It also caused her top to be torn to shreds almost and it falls off. Humiliated, Turan covers herself and looks around but saw her male teammates looking away with red faces. Turan's symbiotic powers save the day as it made a top for her to cover her breasts. She let out a big sigh of relief, then glared at the others: "Nobody saw that, right?" She demanded. Scared out of their wits by her ticked over tone of voice; the men laughed nervously as they said: "No, we didn't!" Turan breathed a little, "Good." She admitted and walks away however the gang grimaced and shuddered. Later on; Turan was getting her wounds stitched up when Norna noticed something on her back. "What is that?" asked Norna, her fingers brushed against her back. Turan jerked away, "What? What is what?" She said with confusion. "Those!" Norna said, she plucked out a hair-like strand from her back. Turan winced when she did that and glares at her, however Norna is shocked by what she was seeing. "This doesn't feel like hair, feels slimey and soft--even squishy..." muttered Norna. "Hair squishy? Very funny, hair is so not squishy. I mean, who has squishy hair." Turan said. Norna analyzed them as she was shocked to find out that the red plume was not human at all. Things got weirder when Turan was scratching a rash-looking wound, it looked like a red painted ink design on her back. "What the hell is that?" She muttered. Turan ran her hand down there, the blood red plumes are stuck to her back, "What. the. hell." muttered Turan. She suddenly felt cramps in the lower part of her stomach. Then, she felt the pain in the sides of her ribs. Turan was hurting so much that she cried out, "HELP! NORNA, GUYS, ANYBODY!!!" And she passed out. Turan woke up as she was topless but covered while the doctor examines her. Norna was the only one with her, she talked to her when the doctor left the room for a moment. "I never been through pain like that." Turan remarked. "Um, I have. With a corset, it hurts so bad." Norna said. "Ha. Very funny." Turan replied. Norna gave her a sideways look, "Try wearing one and it won't be so funny." She said. But then saw something on Turan's back, "WHAT IS THAT?" She shouted in hysterics. "Huh?" Turan said, she jumped at the sound of Norna's voice. "It looks like a Venus flytrap." Norna said. Turan was terrified when she heard that, "Oh my back?" She asked. "On your back!" Norna confirmed. Turan let out a groan, "OH GREAT! JUST GREAT, THAT'S WHAT I'M EXPECTING ON A WEDNESDAY!!!" She hollered.
Norna thought of something for a moment, "Hold on!" She said. Turan looked at her, "What?" She asked. "Slashed at the back, it sounds like...Like you're bitten on a full moon by a werewolf!" Norna said. Turan looked at her friend for a moment, she then laughed anxiously. "I know, crazy huh?" Norna remarked. "Well thank you for taking my nightmare so fricking seriously!" Turan cried, almost shouting. Norna leaned over and told her that the red plumes she plucked at and told her that it wasn't human: "Something went wrong, Turan. When you were attacked, something went wrong." Norna whispered. Turan is terrified, Norna continued to talk to her: "You're changing, Turan. Everything about you is changing, what's happening to you?" She asked. "I don't know, am I dying?" Turan said back with a panic in her voice. "I don't know." said Norna. After the doctor's visit; Turan and Norna are confronted by Wendigos as Turan decides to face them. She had a weird blood-thirsty look in her eyes as she said to them, "Be afraid, be very afraid." She butchered them all as Norna looked at her, then the blood was on Turan. But the most eccentric trick, the blood was absorbed into her skin and Turan let out a spasm of pleasure escape her lips. She immediately covered her mouth as Norna glanced at her in disbelief, "You attack those bastards, their blood splattered all of you, the blood gets absorbed into you, and you let out this spasm like you're--" She started to say but she was cut off. "Uh-uh! Don't you dare finish that sentence!" Turan scolded at her. Norna held up her hands, "Just saying." She said. Turan shrugged, "I guess. I feel rather satisfied with the thirst, I'm no longer dehydrated." She said. Norna gave her a weird look, "Dehydrated?" She inquired. "Yeah, strange isn't it?" Turan asked. "Very." agreed Norna. When they got back, it all seems well but then it got worse than before. There was something that shocked to Turan's team. "AUGHHH!" cried Turan. Norna and the others entered her room, "What's wrong?" Norna said but the gang were shocked when a red, giant Venus flytrap was trapping her in as Norna groaned, "It hurts, it hurts...Help me, please...help me..." The Venus flytrap embodiment turn into a cocoon and closed her up. It was so shocking, "Oh man." Tucker said. "TURAN!!!" Norna cried. But it was no use, she was lost...or was she? The others were about to give up their leader for loss when the cocoon begin to squirm and then someone breaks out of its prison. "What the--?" Tucker started to say but it was Turan, alive, and she looked different! She had burgundy hair, light skin complexion, and she looks better than she didn't before. Turan looked at her new self, "What is this?" She wondered. Then, Turan let out a chuckle with excitement, "I don't know what's going on but I'm starting to like it." She said. "Uh-oh." Asura said. "I don't like where she's going with that lecherous, vehement look on her face." finished Nehza.
The memories ends and Tamamo Mae took two aspirin for her headache and she begins to talk herself again: "The entertainment world chastising our idolization of celebrities as perfect! Everybody knows that this world is fake. A lot of people in this industry. It’s so fake, the whole thing. ‘Look at how perfect I am!’ Nobody looks like that. It’s all fake and it’s really hurting a lot of girls' and women’s self images. Where are all the normal people? I loves this person with all my heart, to the point where it’s trying to blind me from all of their faults. And I'm scared and upset about my partner’s lack of reciprocation. It’s turning me angry and vengeful. This relationship is starting to take it’s toll on me. I'm afraid of the vulnerability that goes along with loving someone. I figure I'll be the one to get my heart broken and when that happens; I predict a breakdown. I would give up my whole life just to be with them, and they are taking over my life. I would likely be in this pain without complaining until I am torn away from you. I want to feel this pain and that’s why I close my eyes and slowly moves to some other place. I think that there’s no way to mend my soul and that fear is too hard to handle.My heart is broken, I already faced so much of pain. This pain delivers from sadness or from myself, I can’t handle that much suffering any more but still, I can’t manage to go back in my past life. I can’t hold on to this situation anymore and needs a change, I need someone to release me from net of fears and agony. I want to put you on a pedestal and take away any sadness you might have endured."
Just then, Tamamo Mae went to the park to maybe relax however she is knocked out from behind and woke up in a dark room of a mansion. The Iemons confronts her: "Tamamo Mae, you somehow survived. Not surprising....But you will be demolished." Osode said. They try to restrain Tamamo Mae but she fights back. Tamiya and Osode Iemon are defeated. They glared up at her: "Impossible! How can you do that?!" said Tamiya. "Sorry, you may have got me but I have a secret weapon--Actually more than one." The Iemons were shocked, they looked away before chuckling insanely. They looked up; sneering at Tamamo Mae, "Y'know, I woul've gone away with it too...If it weren't for you meddling girl." They said. Tamamo Mae smirks back at them, "Hmph, like I never heard that before." She scoffed. "Maybe you have." A voice said. Horrified; Tamamo Mae looked up to see an obese woman with aging lines and she looked very strange. "Onibaba." Tamamo Mae said, giving her a glare. "My dear, sweet, lovely girl...I knew you would come." gushed Okiku. Tamamo Mae looked annoyed, rolling her eyes: "Oh my god, really?" She snapped. Okiku looked clueless, "What?" She said. "Is that how you're going to treat me after all this time?" Tamamo replied in a snippy tone. Okiku sighed, "They were both not going to matter. You just can't keep yourself like this and it's time to move on from this traumatic experience." She said sweetly. Tamamo Mae threw her hands up like she had it, "You are so sappy! Talking to me! First you yell at me and now you're going to tell me how great I am? Really? Well, you suck! Big time!" She argued. "I was only trying to protect you!" exclaimed Okiku. "Protect me? I. LOVED. THEM BOTH!!!!" Tamamo argued. Okiku looked at her in the eye and replied something that made Tamamo Mae stunt: "I wanted to cure you!" Tamamo Mae giggled, "Cure me? CURE ME?! You think my epicene orientation is a disease? You make me sick!" She screeched. "Don't say that!" Okiku scolded. "You can't tell me what to do! You are not my mother and I disown you as my second mother!" Tamamo Mae said. Okiku slapped Tamamo Mae and she was on the ground. Then, she picked up the ax--The same one she used to kill Orihime and Hikoboshi! And she said, "After I'm done with you sweet child, your mother will be out of commissioned...FOR GOOD!" She raised the ax up; Tamamo Mae cringed away, but she noticed she wasn't dying and looked to see Kintaro and the others were defending her.
Tamamo Mae was touched by this, The Iemons couldn't believe it: "Impossible!" Tamiya shouted. "Nothing is impossible when you got friends like us!" exclaimed Kintaro. "We're not going to let you get away with this, Tamamo Mae is our friend and she stays with us." Sayohime said. "Yes, Tamamo Mae is our friend, she is the reason to help us all!" Usodori said. Okiku looked at Kintaro and his friends, "TM, who are these fugitives?" She asked. Tamamo Mae looked at her, "Fugitives? Are you trying to be funny?" She demanded. "They're not your friends." Okiku replied. "Yes they are! And they are going to be MY FRIENDS!!!" exclaimed Tamamo Mae. "You know, friendships never last forever!" Okiku said. Tamamo Mae nodded, "Yeah, you taught me that!" She said. Kintaro looked at Okiku with a glare and then a smirk appeared on his face, "Tell us Tamamo Mae, how do you know this Onibaba?" He said. Tamamo Mae scoffed, "Know her? She's part of the family! Really, I can't believe she's a relative. Ain't that right...Aunt Okiku?" Everyone looked shocked; except for Kintaro, Sayohime, Tamamo Mae, Okiku, Osode, and Tamiya: "AUNT?!" They said in unison. Kintaro smiled, "Bingo, I knew why you and her seemed to know each other." He explained. Tsuna looked at him with a surprise look, "And Tamiya and Osode Iemon...Are they?" He started to ask. Tamamo Mae nodded, "My aunt and uncle." She replied. Kincho thought for a moment and said, "Then, that means....Osode and Okiku are your mother's sisters." Tamamo Mae nodded, "Yup, you guys are good." She remarked. "And Usodori--is my cousin here. And my Aunt Tsunade asked me to protect her and I gladly accept." Tamamo Mae continued, gesturing to a shy Usodori.
Okiku laughed a little, "My dear vixen, you can't be serious of going with them!" She said. Tamamo Mae looked at her dully, "Why do you care?" She snapped. "Because I'm your aunt and we love you!" Okiku said. "You don't love her, you just want to plague her with manipulation and lies." Oinari replied. Onibaba glared at her, "GO SCREW YOURSELF, YOUING MAN!!!" She shouted Tamamo Mae lashed back, "SHUT UP, AUNT OKIKU!!!" Okiku looked hurt, "TM, sweetie, they're freaks!" She claimed. Tamamo Mae shrugged while saying: "Well, you know what? So am I! And we'll always be freaks and we'll never be like other people and you're a freak because of the stuff you put me, my mother, and Usodori, even her mother through!" Okiku gritted her teeth in frustration, "Well now, what happened to my sweet girl? Huh? Where is she?" She said. Tamamo Mae said back, "She's gone! Gone, and never coming back." Okiku was once again clueless about that, "What? You're still here!" She said. Tamamo Mae shook her head, "Yes, I'm here but I've changed a lot. I'm the happiest girl and livin' it up without caring about you or anybody else. I used to engaged in promiscuous behavior but not anymore! I feel so happy and has fun so I don't want someone to make me irritated. This time I won’t let it get to me so easily. I'm invincible so take your shot because I will block it and when you shoot me; I’ll have nothing to lose to. Whoever is criticizing me, just keep going. I'm stronger than you, Onibaba. Danger awaits for me but the game is not over. Don’t test the champion, don't even try."
Okiku looked at her speechless but Tamamo Mae continues, "Clearly, I'm done with this relationship…though I’m sure there are less expensive ways of taking out my frustrations. I'm aiming higher, a free spirit, and you three are more practical, grounded, and trying to tie me down. You are just very hard to please and in this family, it ccan be a problem. This needs to end because I'm tired of always being the one to deal with this bull crap. I feel so much release with ending of this relationship with you three as my 'relatives'. Finally, I don't care! Even if the world ends and we are the only ones left on earth...If that were happen which I doubt it will...I still don’t want to be with you. Take all your bullshit because I don’t want drama in my life, I don't need it and also here's another thing....You once told me when you were being a jerk at the time, you told me I was a nobody...A freak...A loner...Well guess what? I am a nobody, I am a nobody part of a great team! I. AM. A. GREAT WATCH CYPHER!!!!!" She shouted. Panting softly, Tamamo Mae looked at Okiku, Osode, and Tamiya as they looked like they were defeated. "Get out." Okiku said quietly. Gladly; Tamamo Mae finally left with the others following behind her. Things were going to change, for good. Not just saying it but actually doing something. The agents of Great Watch forgave her and Tamamo Mae was welcomed back with open arms. She also rekindled with Oinari and Konohana. As annoying as it was; Tamamo Mae decided to go this international, nonprofit, mutual aid fellowship that helps people who struggle with substance abuse and are dipsomaniacs. If Tamamo Mae was going to clean up her act, she might as well as start off to this place. While there; a lead man of this asked for anyone to step forward and speak out. There was one who surprised Tamamo Mae.
"Hello, my name is Usodori....I'm a Dipsomaniac Doe." said Usodori. Once the other people in the room greeted her by her name; Usodori begins her story: "I was a teen drinker. You see, when I was in my younger teens; I was upset about my abusive father and the divorce that gave much release. However, I struggle to gain the acceptance of others and they mistreat me while also humiliate me. I was hurt, alone, and had a hatred towards the world that couldn't love me as I am. So, I started drinking and made a fool of myself. I also berated those who I thought were my friends and to others that cared and I lost touch with them. My mom knew what was going on and helped me. I denied it but then, I came to the conclusion of my problem after I accidentally shot someone...They were OK, but they were hurt and I felt so bad because of my intoxication caused me to hurt someone. And I got help and recover. Bounce back. I felt so much better. I realize that I have to count my blessings and I have my life ahead of me. There's so much I want to do so I never touched another bottle again." Touched, overwhelmed with this; Tamamo Mae stood up. Usodori looked shocked to see her and she couldn't believe this. "Tamamo Mae!" Usodori said tearfully. Tamamo Mae smiled back, for the first time she was content as she said to her cousin, "Hello, Usodori. Thank you, thank you for sharing with me." Then spoke up to the crowd, "Hello, my name is Tamamo Mae. I'm a Dipsomaniac Doe." That night; Kintaro was working late, when he picked up the phone and dialed a number. "Hey, Cassandra Endymion? This is Kintaro Sakata." He said. Silence, then he said with a grin: "Good, I'm doing well. Uh, listen...Can you tell me about these world crossing mission?"
