I'd like to thank Miwa, Lerche, Orlean, Zack, and C. Casta�eda
all for commenting on the first chapter. They gave me the
encouragment I needed to get this chapter done. Now I can
move on to the next chapter of Kumiko. :)
Emi-chan: What, you aren't going to work on Chapter 3 right away!? But
I need to show the world my powers of cute...
Junko: Trust me, the world is better off with out that....
Emi-chan: You just say that because your merchandise sales lag behind
mine...*biiiiiiii*
***
***
"Ohohohohohoho!!!" rang through the air, scattering the
birds and other assorted wildlife who still loitered around the
once-
abandoned factory. The laughter continued on ceaselessly, never
stopping for breath, overpowering the sounds of the river and the
hasty flight of animals. It was a horrible, bone-chilling sound
that
no human in her right mind could ever produce.
Naga: Feh...The narrator obviously can't understand the sophistication
and
supremem confidence behind such a laugh. OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOH!!!
Readers: Ack...Not two of them!!!!
Ecchi Readers: But they're both wearing black leather....
Readers:........
Abruptly, the laughter died out, followed by a sound like a
sack of potatoes being tossed out a third story window, that is if
such a bag would curse like a sailor after hitting the ground.
Junko: Besides we all know Potatoe sacks curse like Army grunts, not
Sailors.
Emi:......
The factory had been a failed experiment of Yama
Automotive to build a totally environmentally sound plant;
constructing cars wholly made of recycled parts, and powered by
the mighty river that flowed past. A failure because, while the
plant worked nearly to perfection, no one would buy the cars it
built. The exterior was worn, scattered with vines and the nests
various animals. Inside however, it shone with the gleam of new
automated machinery, which had been working twenty four hours
a day for the past five days, but now lay silent, their finally
labors
completed.
Switch labors and finally place so it reads like,,,
their labors finally completed.
Machinery: And we didn't even get a coffee break while working!!
The factory had two huge steel doors where the proud yet
unwanted autos had spilled forth to be distributed to dealerships
all
over the world. It had been over twenty years since this colossal
portal had last been breached, but as the laughter started up once
more, these gates began to ponderously slide open.
Homer: Maybe if the horns played La Caccuraca or something like that
than the cars would of sold.
Herb:.....
The threshold was nearly five stories tall, yet it nearly
wasn't enough for the figure which stood beyond it, proud and
gleaming like a modern colossus. As the light beyond the doorway
fell upon it, tearing away shadow like wrapping paper, it revealed a
boxy but still imposing humanoid body whose mighty forearms
were larger than even the roomiest American auto. Its huge glassy
eyes regarded the torn up and overgrown road that lay before it
with casual disinterest.
Announcer: Yes, with the mecha-rover X you no longer need to worry
about the messy congesation of city streets. Instead you can easily
rampage a path thorugh the road with titanium arms and laser which can
punch a hole through reinforced steel!!!
A small, much more organic-looking form rested upon its
immense shoulder, the latter large enough to park a compact car.
This figure wore a minimalist black leather outfit that clung to her
obviously female form, with roughly the same amount of material
used for the black mask she wore. Oddly, she worn a dirty white
lab coat over this.
Lady Moirana: Well, the leather is expensive to clean....
"Go, my steel colossus!" shouted the woman who called
herself Lady Moirana. "Go forth and destroy the city!
Ohohohohohoho!!"
Brain: Is she gone yet Pinky?
Pinky: No Brain, she's still laughing
Brain: Ugh...the horrible sound of that laughter is more than enough
to drive anyone insane...Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?
Pinky: I think so Brain, but where would we find a talor to make those
outfits for mice our size.
Brain: Sometimes you disturb me Pinky...
Junko nearly cried in joy after reaching the place that she
had long searched for, the mecca that she had only heard of
through hushed whispers on the playground. Confronted directly,
no one was willing to admit the rumors were true and expose their
guilty secret, but by piecing together scattered clues and casual
gossip, Junko had managed to uncover its location.
Junko: And when that didn't work I just looked in the Yellow pages!
The building was oddly unremarkable for such a haven of
hidden lusts. The brick exterior was crumbled and worn, only
marked by a flickering neon sign, which hung over a darkened
interior where faint and compelling sounds emerged. With a deep
breath to stir up her courage, Junko went inside.
Junko: The others can have the glitzy look of modern Tokyo arcades,
but the real stylins in these run down joints!!!
*Now this is a real arcade,* Junko thought with joyful
satisfaction as her eyes roamed all over dimly lit room, disturbed
only by sudden flashes of multi-colored lights from the many
games there. The place only had arcade games; none of that
packachino or UFO-catcher crap here. Interior walls had been
dispensed with; the ceiling was supported by simple concrete
pillars. There wasn't even a place to eat; two old vending
machines by the far wall were the only source of nutrition and they
hadn't been restocked since before Junko was born. However, it
was upstairs that she discovered what she had truly been searching
for.
Emi: Which is?
Junko: Wack-a-mole!!!!!
Emi:......
Upstairs was nearly identical to downstairs, only it was
even dimmer and didn't have the vending machines taking up
valuable game space. Here the larger arcade games ruled, like mad
crush 'em up 4-way derby and mecha action with real vibrations.
Junko regarded these with disdain; in her opinion they weren't true
arcade games.
Junko: Not like that electronic version of table tennis I enjoy
playing!
Bart: Oh that...We call that Pong.
Homer: Yeah, we played that when we were kids!
Also among this behemoths were the smaller, older games
who squatted in darkened corners gathering dust, their electronic
pleas like the cries of beggars in a crowded market. Like an
explorer approaching the ruins of a fabled lost civilization,
Junko's
eyes opened wide to behold the wonders all around her. Unlike
most, she reveled in the simple beep, rudimentary graphics, and
mindless destruction that was the hallmark of the primitive arcade
game.
Emi: But I have all of those games on home. We installed them on a
computer and use Mame to play them.
Junko: It's still not the same! And arcade game isn't an arcade game
unless you have a busted joystick and smoke floating around you!
Emi:.....
There was one in particular she had been searching for half
her life. The concept of it was a magical bear who needed to
collect magical crystals for a mighty spell, and who could also
make use of a handy steam roller on enemies if he picked up one of
the special crystals. The control was a trackball so the bear could
whiz around the screen at surprising speed, fast enough to freeze
comical expressions on the other animals as he squashed them flat.
Emi: Wai! Kuma-chan!!!!
Junko: .........
It had been one of the first arcade games Junko had ever
played, suggested by her father because it seemed cute at a casual
glance. He came to regret his hasty suggestion as his young
daughter became obsessed with the game, using the terrifying
power that little girls possess over their fathers to make him bring
her to it again and again.
Junko: Too bad I only used that power for arcade games, and more
meanigful stuff like a new car or a new DVD player.
Emi: Aww, I'll just lend you my second car and DVD player than!
Junko:.......
Then one day Junko marched gleefully into the place, only
to be confronted by a shiny new arcade game in place of her
favorite one. Her father tried to placate her storm of tears with
the
console version, but it simply wasn't the same.
Junko: No way a cruddy Famicom pad can compete with a track ball...
Emi: Well maybe if you hooked a Nezumi up to it than you can use it
that way.
Junko: You mean a Mouse?
Emi: No, Nezumi...Much cuter...
Junko:.......
It had taken agreeing to spend all Sunday with Emi to keep
most of her Saturday free in order to achieve this, but it was worth
it. Her long week of trials was finally about to be rewarded as she
reached forward to drop yen in the slot.
Sadly, her homework suffered as she spent the rest of the day trying
for the super secret reverse world levels....
Junko: Homework, who cares about that. I want the high score Baby!!!
Junko's cry of pure rage echoed throughout the now-silent
arcade.
Emi: Kowaii.....
Junko: let that be a lesson, never get between a girl and her game!
"What have I done?" Michiko asked herself as she hung her
head in her hands. Reports of a giant robot terrorizing the city
lay
scattered on her desk.
Ryuji: At least it isn't Godzilla this time...
Michiko: No, that was last week...And that was your fault...
Ryuji: Gomen...I slept through his feeding!
"There, there, dear. It's not your fault," Ryuji attempted to
comfort his distressed wife. "Who knows? Maybe this is all just
an odd coincidence. It could have nothing to do with us."
Michiko: But Ryuji, how many other companies are trying to take over
the world using Giant Robots.
Ryuji: Well there is Mishima Heavy Industries, Daitokuji Finaincal
Group, Sunrise, Shinonhara heavy Industries....
Michiko looked up at him with sudden hope in her eyes,
which lasted all over ten milliseconds before she sadly shook her
head. "I think two female nut cases, both with the capability of
building giant robots, in one city is a bit too much to hope for.
Besides, Dr. Yokozaki mentioned something about taking the robot
for a test run in her last call. I thought she meant pulling out a
few
trees or something. I didn't think that even she was crazy enough
to try and topple buildings!"
Lady Moirana: but terroizing a city is much more fun...And it's great
stress relief.
"What's the number of her phone?" Ryuji asked hopefully.
"Perhaps we can reason with her and prevent further damage."
Moirana: Dial 1 800 MadD Doc - the number to call your local mad
scientist when you call collect!!
Michiko pointed to the phone on her desk, which he
suddenly realized had been dialing over and over for some time
now. "I've tried calling her since the first report came in. She's
not
answering. The only upside to this is she's so obviously insane
that
even if she implicated us, no one would believe her. Let's face it,
I've failed horribly."
Ryujii: I wouldn't say that...We can use our construction company to
rebuild the buildings, which means more money for us. And we can jack
up the insurance premiums...Plus it's just cool watching a robot
rampage!!
Ryuji began to knead his wife's shoulders, massaging out
the knots of tension he could feel gathering there. "No, your idea
was sound. If anyone goofed up, it was me for suggesting Dr.
Yokozaki in the first place. I should have realized that she was
much too unstable for this project.
Ryuji: But her chest...So servicy...*drool*
Michiko: Ryuji no Baka!!
"So our little experiment failed. In a week, it'll all be
behind us. Then we'll just come up with a better way for Emi-chan
to become queen of the world."
Michiko: I say we go with the Minmei plan, just imagine the CD
sales...
Ryuji: Aww, but I wanted to use the giant hypnotisim ray. R&D have
been working on it for weeks!!
"Sugoi! A giant robot!!" Emi exclaimed loudly, doing a
little dance of excitement as she watched the gleaming metal
automaton march into the city, wrecking anything in its path.
Junko: Your a mecha fan?
Emi: Of course...I have a full collection of Gekiganger decals, the
whole anime series, and I have the offical Gekiganger 3 sourcebook
Junko: Emi....
Emi: And don't call me Emi, call me Daicoji Gai!!
"Is everything all right, Emi-san?" Yoji asked as he slowly
ascended the stairs to the roof. Emi had been acting strangely ever
since meeting that... girl Junko, and as one of her sworn
protectors,
he was worried for the incredibly cute and perfect girl who he did
his best to serve. Only to be squashed flat as the girl in question
raced down the stairs at high speed, not even acknowledging him
as she ran over his face.
Yoji: Sugoi...Emi-san used me as a door mat...I shall never was my
face again.
A quick stop off to her room to pick up Usagi-kun and a
pink megaphone, Emi sprinted down the long hallway and was out
the door in pursuit of the enormous shiny thing, still vocalizing
her
excitement to the world.
Emi: Now let's begin the Emi-san rap...~/Giant Robot, Giant robot,
rampaging down the street/~
Megaphone- ~/Giant Robot, Giant Robot, rampaging down the street/~
Junko ran to one of the windows, snapping back the black
shade. She was forced to shield her eyes from the sudden influx of
natural light as she ignored the complaints of the other patrons.
The window looked as if it hadn't been opened for a decade or two,
but the young girl managed to shove it open aided by the strength
of her rage
Gamers: but the light...it burns!!!!
Digiko: Baka...Mecha Beam nyo!!!
Sticking out her head, and hardly noticing the heavy wind
that tousled her short hair, Junko quickly scanned the city for the
source of the evil thing which would deny a sweet girl like herself
the right to a game she had been waiting half her life to play
again.
She almost passed right over it, as if her brain simply refused to
believe that there could be a giant robot trashing everything in
sight, and had edited out of her memory.
Hmm...Last sentence seems to run on a bit too long (HA....{C&C'er
dances a short victory dance before Junko smashes him into a wall}).
At the least your missing a been in the final fragment, or an it....
So rephrase to
and had been edited out of her memory. (or) and had edited it out of
her memory.
*That's got to be it,* Junko thought with a frown. In
anime, it was always the big shiny robots that caused all the
trouble before the other shiny robot, piloted by the hero, would fly
in to save the day. She hadn't thought that they had huge robots in
real life, but then she was pretty sure that it wasn't some sort of
hallucination either. Her theory was proven as the ground heaved
when the giant took another step.
Manager: Actually that's just our heater kicking in....always tends to
shake the place quite a bit...
Junko:......
Junko pouted. She wanted get her revenge at that metal
monster for being denied the one joyful outlet for her anger, but
she knew there was nothing an ordinary little girl like her could do
against a huge machine like that. As she considered her options,
Junko absently scratched at her right arm, feeling a sudden itch,
only to blink in surprise when her fingers struck metal. The
armband that her uncle had given her; she had gotten so used
wearing it night and day that she had almost forgotten all about it.
Junko: And I almost succeded too if it wasn't for that rampaging Giant
Robot!!!
"Heh, heh, heh," Junko slowly laughed to herself with an
evil glint in her eye. She wasn't sure if her magical girl form was
powerful enough to destroy the robot entirely, but smashing it up a
bit would allow her some much needed venting. Now if she only
knew how to transform. She had tried many times to activate the
armband after the incident on Monday, but with no success. She
knew there had to be some trick to it, but even her uncle didn't
know what it was.
Junko: Maybe if I try 'Parrallel Parrallel, turn me into a Super
Saijian' again.I just might work this time...
Junko pouted once more. It just wasn't fair; here she had
the means to get her desired revenge, and incidentally save the city
from destruction, but she didn't know to use it. Unlike in anime,
she didn't have a fuzzy animal companion to explain all the ins and
outs of her new abilities, not that Junko would ever admit to
watching that kind of show.
Emi: Sure....
Junko: I don't...My uncle watches them though and always goes on about
the steretypes seen in them though. Plus he also builds many model
kits...
The only thing that was different between her one
successful transformation and all those failures was anger. She
had been truly mad at her uncle when he had so calmly informed
her that she'd be wearing the armband for a long time to come. But
that couldn't be it since she was at least as furious now, if not
more
so. She threw a punch in the direction of the distant automaton,
but still nothing happened.
Junko: Damn it, I want amazing almost destructive power and I want
them now!!!
Emi:.....
*If I have to be mad to make this stupid thing work, why
isn't it working?!* Junko thought, seething at the armband almost
as much as the metal beast that had stolen her moment of glory.
Armband: I'm sorry, but your magical girl armband has been
disconnected. Please insert a quarter or dial in your calling card
number to acces your transformation powers. Thank you.
*I am unable to function in the presence of other sentient
life forms who do not share similar DNA patterns to the current
host,* a calm male voice replied in her head, sounding like
someone around her father's age.
Junko: Wow, it has built in safeguards that prevent me from revealing
my secret idenity.
Armband: Not only that I can also surf the web, remeber phone dates,
and even preform online Omiai's!!
Junko:...
*I am the artificial intelligence which operates the power
enhancement device you are currently wearing. I exist in order to
maintain its functionality under every possible scenario, and as a
guide to its current host,* the voice explained with a slight note
of
pride in its voice.
Armband: Unfortunetly I run on WinCE, so all of my advice is flawed at
best. Except when I recommend Microsoft producst for purchase.
"You mean you're the armband?" Junko asked in surprise.
"Then why didn't you say anything before now?"
Junko: I mean we could of made some small talk, discussed sports, and
talked about our love intrests.
Armband: I....I have...no love intrests.
Junko: ..So you weren't looking at my day planner with longing eyes
than...
Armband: Well...it is a sexy day planner...
*Because up until this point I was unaware you required
my services. I am connected to your senses, but I am only able to
read those thoughts which you send to me. You see, while I may
sound sentient, in fact I am just a extremely complex program and
thusly more limited than I appear. While my vocal patterns may
sound like that of a thinking being, they were simply copied by the
very man who constructed the power enhancement device that you
refer to as an 'armband.' You see, he was a genius inventor who
fell in love with your ancestor and built me as a present...*
Director:Queue wavy flashback effects!!!
Producer: But we wasted all of our effects budget on the Giant Robot
this episode...
Director:.....
"Shut up already. Mou," Junko said in irritation, shaking
her head as if trying to rid herself of the dry, boring voice
droning
on and on about things she didn't care anything about. "Just tell
me what I need to do to transform."
Junko: And than tell me how many licks I need to make it to the centre
of a Tootsie pop!!
*Certainly,* the AI replied, not sounding the least bit
insulted by the interruption of its monologue. *Simply find
someplace private and indicate your willingness to transform; the
latter is normally done via a deep negative emotion such as fear or
anger.*
Armband: Or I can disable the Anti-H function, thus allowing you to
transform...
Junko: Save the service for Kumiko Armband!
Kumiko:......
"Can't I just tell you?" Junko thought with a small frown as
she headed for the stairs. It sounded silly and unnecessarily
complicated to her.
Junko: Plus I don't get to say the cool magical transformation phrases
either!!
*I'm afraid not,* the AI explained, sounding a bit
apologetic. *It's not part of my programming to receive the
command that way, though I suppose I could change it, but that
would take some time. While I was left with a certain ability to
reprogram, it's tricky to avoid...*
Junko: Are you always this boring...
Armband: No, not really...I've been told I play a great MacBeth and a
great Romeo when we have the electroni Stratford fest...
Junko: Wow, high class bad jokes...Will the wonders never cease...
"Shut up!" Junko yelled, not caring how the others in the
arcade stared at her. As she ducked into the washroom, Junko
didn't think she would have any problem getting angry.
Armband: *fool, little does she know this is my true plan to get back
at all magical girls. Power to the sidekicks* OHOHOHOHOHOHOH!!!
Junko: I can hear you laughing ya know
Armband: Damn it!!!
"Ohohohoho!!" Lady Moirana continued to laugh, only
stopping occasionally for breath, as her beautiful creation wrecked
the foul city all around them, slowly making its way in the
direction of city hall. She no longer cared about getting revenge
on all the petty injustices people had made against her, or even
proving her genius to the doubtful world; it was fun to smash
things. She was having a blast.
Moirana: And unlike King of the Monsters I don't have to pay to
continue!!!
Suddenly, her magnificent work jerked to a halt, nearly
throwing her of its enormous shoulder once again. "Why did you
stop?!" she growled at it from behind her black leather mask.
Luckily, she had remembered to cut a mouth hole this time.
Moriana: it only took three tries for me to remember!!!
The robot's large yellow eyes remained indifferent as they
continued to stare straight ahead, but a gauntlet fist pointed in
the
direction of the ground. Lady Moirana blinked and looked where
it was indicating, only to see a little blonde girl standing close
to
the feet of the giant robot, staring up at her.
Moirana: Oh...Well, if you want to ride the Giant Robot you have to
wait your turn. I'll be done in twenty minutes and then there are 10
other kids ahead of you so...
Strange, someone must have tampered with her robot to
make sure it didn't hurt people. There had be a saboteur lurking
around her secret lair. Lady Moirana made a mental note to
increase security, but there was really nothing she could do about
it
now. She hadn't noticed the problem before because everyone else
had fled in terror. With the use of binoculars, Lady Moirana could
tell that not only was this girl unafraid, she was actually smiling.
Moirana: Kids these days...Back in my day when we saw a Giant Robot
rampaging we fled in terror, we didn't stay around to watch the
carnage and smile!!
"You there!" Lady Moirana shouted, using the audio
systems of her magnificent automaton to magnify her voice.
"Move out of the way! I'm trying to destroy this city!"
Moirana: And I need to due it before my favorite soap starts!!
Emi whipped out her pink megaphone and replied, "Wai!
Is this cool robot yours, obasan?"
Babbit: This is white bat babbit reporting. This weeks picture of
Emi-chan is Emi-chan holding a microphone.
Sana: Hey...your only supposed to do that with me you bat.
Babbit: ack...
"I'm only twenty eight! That's not old!" Lady Moirana
shouted back in irritation, but felt pleased to hear her creation
praised after the long hours that she had put into building it;
going
whole days without sleep or nourishment, living only on the
thoughts of glory as she would smash this wicked city to bits. "I
am the Lady Moirana, Dark Mistress of Robotics. And yes, it is
mine. Now go away!"
Emi: Or...
Moirana: Or else I shall taunt you a second time!
Emi: Err, but you haven't taunted me yet...
Moirana: Well bugger...
"Does mecha-chan have a name? Such a big cool robot
should have a big cool name!" Emi said with her arms spread out
to indicate its bigness, either not understanding or not caring that
the woman wanted her to go away.
Emi: But it's so cute and shiny...Emi-chan want one for herself!!!
"Yes, it does!" Lady Moirana declared, not feeling quite as
eager to continue her rampage through the city at the moment.
There was no way even the SSDF could stop her wonderful
invention so she had ample time in which to answer the questions
of a fan. "This glorious machine, which I and I alone have
designed and built, is none other than the paragon of robotics,
Nayodantor X!"
Emi: Nayodantor X....Why the X?
Moirana: Cause the X is cool!!!
Emi:.....
"Sugoi...," Emi said slowly, sounding very much impressed
as she looked up at the shiny metal behemoth with even wider eyes
than usual. "It's so huge and shiny and neat! I bet its got all
kinds
of cool special powers and stuff, right?"
Emi: And I bet it came with air conditioning and cruise control? And i
t has to have a CD Stereo system with Harmon Kardon speakers!!
"Well, of course," Lady Moirana replied hauntly. "I mean,
anyone can just build a giant robot. Only a genius like myself
could manage to include so many special features into one amazing
package! Ohohohoho!!"
B-ko: Genius? Ya just stole one of my failed robot designs and built
it yourself...
Moriana: Quiet....I need this...
"Do you really want to know?" Lady Moirana asked with a
wide smile. It seemed like her whole life had been spent in toil of
revolutionary inventions that everyone put down as too dangerous
or impossible, but that's exactly what a genius did; risk the
dangerous, brave the impossible! And finally, she had found
someone who could appreciate all of her hard work and dedication,
even if it was a little girl.
Moriana: And I can reveal all of my super secret, very important world
domination plans to her knowing full well the hero will use them to
stop my schemes!!
Emi nodded with a cute grin, which was filled with such
innocence and childish joy that Lady Moirana had to resist the
sudden urge to squash her flat. Instead, she straightened out her
lab coat, cleared her throat, and explained in a scholarly tone:
Suddenly the background turns all flowery, Moirana shrank down to a
chibi size.
Chibi Moirana: Welcome to Giant Mecha talk! Today we're gonna learn
all about Nayodantor X!!
Chibi Emi: Wai!!!
"Nayodantor X is, of course, equipped with all the
standards for giant robots such as eye beams, self-propelled fists,
and an energy sword. It also possesses and extremely advanced AI
with the ability to determine just the right places to strike a
building in order to collapse or the weak points of any enemy
vehicle. Its legs are capable of leaping over tall buildings in a
single bound and are also capable of causing minor earthquakes,
especially when landing from such a leap. The outer casing is
impervious to all weapons known to man, including firearms,
lasers, bombs, and even nuclear devices. Though the use of
satilities, it can be commanded from any place on the planet. It is
simply the most perfect robot... no, the single most important
invention in the entire history of humankind! Ohohohohohoho!!!!"
Chibi-Emi: that's good, but can it bake a cake?
Chibi Moirana: Eh?
Chibi-Emi: A cake...Cause cakes are cute, especially chocolate ones!
"And it's also really cute!" Emi added enthusiastically, but
then frowned. "Well, it would be if you weren't wearing such an
ugly outfit."
Naga: Feh, only a person with a sense of style and the self confidence
to rule the world can appreciate the style and sense of an outfit like
this. OHOHOHOHOHOHOH!!!
Emi:.........
"Ugly?!" Lady Moirana repeated, gritting her teeth in rage.
She had stayed up all night sewing this costume together; her
fingers were covered in band-aids from the effort, especially when
she had accidentally stitched it to her hand. Black leather was the
perfect material; it looked cool and caught the attention of others.
Not to mention her design was made to perfectly accentuate her
beautiful form. The little underdeveloped brat was just jealous.
Emi: I am not!!!
Moriana: Than why do you have a staff of tailors working on the same
outfit behind you!
Emi:.......
Emi nodded seriously. "Everyone knows that a cute outfit
is made with nice light colors and pretty frills. The only woman
who would wear an outfit like that is an old maid who is desperate
to catch a husband, at least that's what my mommy says."
Naga: OHOHOHOHOHOH..How naive...
Junko: Right, enough...Naga-san, I think we saw Lina around here. She
mentioned something about a REALLY big treasure.
Naga: Ahh...You''re so naive if you think you can find a treasure
without me Lina, OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOH!!!!
Lady Moirana stuttered in anger, so it was several minutes
before she was able to speak coherently. When she did, her voice
rang out without the need of amplification. "Robot, crush her!!"
Nayodantor: Danger, Danger, Emi-chan!!!
Nayodantor X bleeped and buzzed a few times, but made
no move to carry out its creator's commands.
"I don't care about your prime directive!" Lady Moirana
shouted back at it. "Just follow my orders or reprogram you with a
chainsaw!"
Moirana: Stupid Asimov science fiction ruining a perfectly good
killing machine...
The mighty robot shrugged its massive shoulders, at least
as best as it was unable with its limited mobility, released an
electronic sigh, and raised up one great fist in order to crush the
small girl who still looked up at it with wide, innocent eyes.
Emi: Sugoi...It's wearing Nike's for Robots!!!
Moirana: It's gonna crush you and you say that?
Emi: But it's cute!!!!
Atusko loitered in a nearby alley as she kept a close eye on
Emi, not at all impressed by the giant robot that cast its shadow
over everything in sight. The thing looked so unbalanced that she
was surprised it was able to stand at all. With a few well-placed
kicks, she could have sent it tumbling to the ground, but it wasn't
her responsibility. Besides, it would be too much like showing off,
which was against what being a ninja was all about.
Atusko: Unless it's the Ninja games!!! Than we can show of to our
hearts contents!!!
Junko: Is it on TV?
Atusko: Of course...Live on Cable every year
Junko: Ohh...What channel?
Atusko: That...is a secret!
Even as a giant metallic hand rose up to crush Emi, Atsuko
still made no move to leave her spot. She was sure that one of her
parents or her grandfather would rescue the little brat from her own
stupidity. They never made any attempt to hide how much they
loved that blonde pain in the butt, or how much they wished that
Atsuko was more like her. As Emi continued to stand under the
rapidly descending fist, however, she became less and less certain,
and perhaps even a bit worried.
Atsuko: But if she was crushed I would be the star. ME!!!!!
Junko: Oh no, I'm the star here Ninja girl!!!!
Atsuko: Oh yeah, little miss Goku rip off...
Junko: Err..that's it!!!
Atsuko blurred as she snatched up Emi, carrying her a
block away to safety while protecting her from harm with her own
body. Calling on her training, She willed herself to stop shaking
and her breath to return to a normal rate. It wasn't easy; that was
the first time she had ever come so close to failing her duty.
Atsuko: Always did terrible at the last mintue saves in class
anyway...
"Oneechan!" Emi exclaimed in joy, hugging the older girl
tightly, and with no sign she was aware of how close to death she
had just been. Atsuko wasn't surprised; she thought that Emi
would greet a shark with a cheerful smile.
Emi: Bleah...Sharks are ugly...Now a Giant Octopus on the other hand,
now they are cute!!!
*Is this some kind of loyalty test?* Atsuko wondered as she
did her best to ignore Emi's sickeningly cute affection. She had
made no secret about how she felt about the girl she was sworn to
protect, but her pride as a ninja would never let her ignore her
duty, no matter what her personal feelings may be. In the end,
though, she was sure it had to be something else. Even if they
wanted to conduct such a test, her elders would never risk Emi.
Atsuko: And besides, the Mathmatics Ninja team is on vacation on Fiji
and they're the only ones with giant robots
"And where did that stupid robot come from... anyway?"
Atsuko started to think out loud, turning back to stare at the metal
giant.
Emi: I dunno no...But where in big trouble...
Atsuko: I can't handle a robot...Which means we need...we need....
Emi: Gamera!!!
Atsuko: Gamera will protect us, he's the guardian of all children!
Choir: Gam-era! Gam-era!
Now she could see why no one else had tried to save Emi;
because someone already had. A strange-looking little girl with
fiery hair and golden skin had caught the huge fist in mid-air. She
wore stylized armor with a short white skirt, along with long red
boots and gloves. Atsuko didn't know which to be more envious
of; the girl's enormous strength or her ability to fly. She blinked
in
surprise as with a mighty heave, the magical girl knocked the robot
backwards, sending it crashing to the ground.
Atsuko: Or the fact her hair is still in perfect condition after
fighting such a monster. If I could get some tips than I'll never have
to worry about my hair during a fight again!!
"Who's that?" Emi asked as she stared up at the girl floating
in the air, "She's so... so... so cute!"
Junko: Oh heavens no...
Author: Oh yes...it's the main plot after all...
Junko: I despise you...
Author: Be that as it may, I still own the subsidary rights to all the
characters. So if you don't want to end up in a Ramen commerical...
"Heheheh, that'll teach you never to get between a girl and
her video game again, big and ugly!" Junko taunted gleefully after
landing the metal monster on its backside, wiping her gloved hands
with a smug grin.
Armband: This is over a video game?
Junko: Well it was a game I really wanted to play!
Armband: And the city being destroyed means nothing to you?
Junko: Cities can be rebuilt, arcade time is percious!!
Seeing Emi there had been a bit of surprise. Junko had
almost expected the girl to transform into a magical girl herself
and
steal away Junko's moment of glory. Instead, Junko had been
forced to come to her rescue. Emi might be pushy, annoying, and
disgustingly cute, but she wasn't really a bad person. She might
not be perfect, but she was the only friend Junko had, and she
wasn't about to let some crazy woman hurt her.
Junko: That's my job!!!!
Emi:........
*You should avoid becoming too confident,* the armband's
AI lectured her. *Overconfidence by underestimating one's
opponent often leads to carelessness.*
Armband: You should also use the strafe function to avoid incoming
enemy fire. Hold down the alt key...
Junko: The Alt key?
Armband: Sorry, I was also built to help the Inventor play a better
game of Quake.
"Shut up!" Junko told it for the nth time. Ever since she
had enabled the thing's programming, it had been making inane
comments every five minutes, spoiling her good mood. Even
worse, there didn't seem to be any way to turn it back off again.
"With my super strength and flying powers, what do I--"
Armband: Nyahh...Told you!!!
Junko's words were cut off as, distracted by the AI's words,
she was caught unawares by a large metal fist that backhanded her
right into the pavement. Nayodantor X beeped in satisfaction
before trying to locate its mistress.
Junko: I'd like to use one of my Lifelines Regis...
Emi, Atsuko:....
Crawling unsteadily out of the impact crater, Junko
clutched her head in an effort to keep the world from spinning.
She tried not to think that if it wasn't for the incredibly high
endurance given to her by the armband, she'd be a human pancake
right now. Instead, she only had a few bumps and a massive
headache. Her outfit seemed completely unscathed, however,
without even a spec of dust to mar its pristine appearance.
Armband: After all the only thing that matters is how cute you look.
Junko: But I have a splitting headache this big!!!
Armband: but you still look cute for your fans...
Junko:......
*I tried to tell you,* the AI informed her with the tone of a
teacher dealing with a hopeless student.
Armband: I wish it was that good...
Junko: Shut up or else I'll let the comp nerds turn you into a Mac.
Armband: I'll be good...
"It's your fault for distracting me--," Junko started to say,
but cut herself off and looked around quickly, expecting more
metal hands accelerating towards her. Luckily, the robot seemed
to be ignoring her now as it picked something up and placed it on
its shoulder.
Junko: Cool...That means I can attack it from behind!! MWAHAHAHAHAH!!!
Armband: Aren't you supposed to be the hero.
Junko: Silence...Now tell me how to do the Kame Hame....
Nayoko rubbed her head in mild puzzlement as she sat
upon the ruins of what once had been an office building. She
glanced around as she rummaged through her lab coat pockets in
search of a cigarette.
Emi: But Nayoko-san, the truth is your just a number to Big Tobacco!!!
Nayoko: But I really need a Smoke!!!
*Where the heck am I?* she wondered. The last thing she
remembered was putting the finishing touches on N34512-X at the
factory in the forest. Then she had probably blacked out from lack
of sleep, but that didn't explain why she was wherever she was, or
why she was dressed in a skimpy black leather outfit. Nayoko
didn't have a high sense of modesty, but she preferred the smooth
touch of silk to the clingy feel of leather.
Moriana: Leather!
Nayako: Silk!
Moriana: Leather!
Nayako: Silk!
Naga: Why not have both!!! OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOH!!!
*Damn, my pockets are empty.* Nayoko stood to get a
better view of her surroundings. Through shattered windows she
could see the city, though it looked like a bomb had hit it. Luck
was with her though as she also spotted a cigarette machine,
smashed open to spill out its carcinogenic bounty.
Nayako: But they're all Imported brands!!!!
"What the hell?" Nayoko shouted, looking around to find
she was now on the shoulder of N34512-X, her prototype robot,
though it seemed that someone else had added a few stylistic
finishing touches which she disapproved of. She might get most of
her ideas from anime, but she didn't want it to look like a mecha
straight out of one.
Nayoko: After all my genius far surpasses Anime!!!!
Washu: Does not!
Nayoko: Does to!
Wahsu: Does not!
Nayoko: Does to, Does to, Does to!!!
Nayoko realized that someone must have found out about
her project and had kidnapped her along with her creation.
Someone with perverted tastes to dress her up in black leather; not
that she minded, but would have much rather been an active
participant. Besides, it was a waste of effort to build a robot,
only
to let it loose to mindlessly trash the city; and her slight concern
had nothing to do with what her father might think, at least that's
what she told herself.
Nayako: Father would be most upset yes, most upset. No Father, please
don't...Father, FATHER!!! *insert Psycho music*
"Grrr, I don't know who you are, old lady, but you're going
to pay for that!" Junko shouted between clenched teeth, trying to
ignore her pounding headache.
Junko: Dang it, my head hurts...
Armband: Just hurry up and beat her, and I'll release some pleasing
endorphins.
Junko: Okay *wham* Ahh......
*What did they use to make her face?* Nayoko thought in
awe, barely noticing the words it spoke. *It resembles metal, but
it
moves just like real skin. It even looks as if a vein is pumping on
her forehead. To create such a believable simulation of anger... I
simply must attempt to build one myself. But how to go about it?
Hmm...*
Nayoko: Of course I'd change the hieght and chest porpotions...And I
give them a laugh, yes, a wonderfull laugh....
Junko felt her anger increase into unknown levels as this
woman, who seemed to have gone out of her way to ruin her life
that day, was now completely ignoring her. *Hey... you, armband.
Do you have any weapons strong enough to wreck that tin can?*
Armband: What do I look like, a swiss army knife?
Junko: Just shut up and give me a can opener will ya!
*Against steel automatons?* The AI mused out loud.
*Well, there is one... but it is a bit experimental. My creator
never
actually tested it and none of my previous hosts had reason to risk
using it... so I would advise against employing it now. I'm sure
that we can come to a peaceful resolution to this situation.*
Junko: But I want to smash it!!!!!
Armband: Now now, play nice or else no pudding for dessert...
Junko: Mou!!
*After all that I've been through?* Junko replied with a
shake of her head. *No, she took my game away from me, so now
I'm going to take her toy away from her. How does this ultimate
weapon work?*
Armband: Well first you pull the pin, and than you count to three,
three being the number you count to....
With a evil grin, Junko cupped her hands before her, aimed
for the torso of the metal monster, and shouted on the top of her
amplified lungs, "Mega-blast!"
Junko: Cool...I have a fireball move! Does that mean I have a
Shoryuken style attck...
Armband:......
Junko wasn't able to tell right away what effect her attack
had as it hurled her backwards, to knock her painfully into the side
of a building, leaving a little girl-shaped depression behind.
Junko: Wow...bitchin...
Armband: ......Something tells me I shouldn't have taught her that...
Lady Moirana shook her head to clear it, stifling a groan of
pain. Her head ached so much that it was difficult to think, while
he body was covered with bruises. She silently vowed that her
next mighty tool of vengeance would have a comfortable place to
sit.
Moirana: Something with nice leather seating, and a love seat so I can
have a beauty nap while rampaging.
Looking around to find where her current creation had
gotten to, she gasped in surprise to see its head at her feet, and
some distance away, what was left of its body.
"Who did this to you, my precious darling?" Lady Moirana
asked she stroked the huge forehead while pressing her body
against its cold steel. "Tell me so I know who I must punish!"
Moirana: But that means I have to spend money on whips, and I'm
running low on funds this month.
Kumiko: I can lend you some of mine!! That is once I finish with
Ken...
Ken:.....
What remained of Nayodantor X beeped feebly as its
reserve power started to dry up.
"I see. So it was that little blonde girl from before. I knew
there was something suspicious about her when she called a young
and devastatingly attractive woman like myself old," Lady
Moirana stated firmly. "She must have had some powerful secret
weapon that even my genius hadn't accounted for. No matter, my
next robotic triumph will be ten times greater. Then I really will
stomp her flat! Ohohohohohohoho!!"
Author: Yes, yes...Slowly my plot twists and turns, making life hell
for everyone!!!
Ryujii: How dare you do that to our Daughter!!!
Michiko: Yes, how dare you..
Author: Err...Help....
> "So why didn't you tell me?" Michiko coyly asked her
husband as they watched the news broadcast, where the giant
beserk robot had been defeated by what looked to be a golden little
girl. The media had dubbed her 'Hime Star-chan', mysterious
princess from another planet.
Media: We tried to use Nurse Angel, Wedding Gold, and Sailor Whatever,
but copywrite laws prevented us...
Ryuji blinked in surprise. He was still a bit stunned by the
a girl that looked to be about their daughter's age taking on a
robot
that was about fifty times her size. "Tell you what, dear?"
Michiko: That it wasn't delivery, it was Dejorno!!!
"This 'Hime Star-chan' is obviously an android to be able to
do all that," Michiko pointed out. "So why don't you admit that
you thought my plan was a little flaky and had one of our scientists
build this android just in case. You can confess now, I'm not
mad."
Michiko: No, I'm not...and the fact I'm waving around our brand new
1000 mega watt mallet is not a sign I'm about to crush you.
"Oh come now, IMI is the only company in Japan with the
resources to build such an advanced machine. If we didn't build it,
where did it come from?"
Ryujii: Taiwan?
Michiko:....
Ryujii: Oh come on, you know how they like to make bootlegg goods.
Maybe the got into the robot business as well.
Ryuji shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe she really is a star
princess."
"That's not funny, dear."
Michiko: Anyway, on to other business...Any status on Project Across?
Ryujii: Yes, and I have operative Excel here to explain how that's
going.
Excel: yes, the lovely and beautifull Excel is here to cameo in this
C&C and make a bad joke, a create even more excel fans so that Across
can reach it's goal of a better world, all for Ilpalatzo-sama. Hail
Ilpalatzo, Hail...
"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Emi insisted quickly, smiling widely as
she stared up at her 'big sister,' her eyes slightly red.
Emi: Even though I missed the big special effects scene!!
"Then you can let go of me now," Atusko pointed out in a
flat tone. The little girl still clutched her tightly in a special
bear
hug that the older girl wished her grandfather had never taught
their mutual charge.
Emi: But it's a special wrestling hold, just for me!!!
Atsuko:.....
(Next part too serious to make zany pokes at, but does serve to
devlope the story...Which is really good...:)
"I'm home!" Junko announced as she came through the
door and started to take off her shoes.
Kozo immediately rushed over to the door, locked it, pulled
down the shade, picked up his niece, and ran up into the attic.
Junko: Okay, I admit it...I finished off all of the Pocky...I'm really
sorry though!!
"Is something wrong?" Junko asked sarcastically as her
uncle moved a heavy box over the trap door. The man was
shaking badly as he frantically glanced around in every direction,
as if one loud noise would be enough to give him a heart attack.
Junko wasn't worried that he was going to try some sick lolita
thing on her, not when she had her armband of power.
Armband: And reuse an anime sight gag? Never I say!!!
Junko looked down at her socks, suddenly feeling ashamed
of herself. She had been treating the whole thing like another
video game, not considering the real world consequences. "I guess
you're mad at me."
Kozo: Yes...But some panty shots in your uniform would cheer me up!!!
Junko: ECCHI!!
"Mad?" Kozo parroted once again. "Of course not, I'm still
too worried sick and scared half to death to be mad. That armband
is only supposed to be used in the most extreme emergency. Not
to battle the forces of evil like a character in a magical girl
anime!"
Junko: Than why give it to me?
Kozo: Point....
"Well... that robot was smashing up the whole city and
somebody had to stop it!" Junko shouted back, her short fuse
becoming lit once again. Sure, her motives hadn't been exactly
pure, but she knew the result had been good. "You should be
thanking me! If I hadn't been there, your precious Emi would have
been hurt!"
"... Emi-chan was there?" Kozo asked in surprise. "The
news didn't say anything about that."
Junko: Yes, I saved her and got a real big headache...
Kozo: but Emi is all right, isn't she?
Junko:.....
Junko crossed her arms with a smug smile of victory. "If I
hadn't used my new powers, her and probably a lot of other people
would have gotten injured. Besides, I only got hit because I was
careless. I'm sure I'll do a lot better next time."
Armband: After I implment the magical girl training regime 2.01...
Junko: aww, but I don't want to get up at 5 in the morning!!!
"Next time?" Kozo asked with a confused blink.
Junko nodded, smiling. "That old lady with bad taste isn't
going to be satisfied with her one failed attempt. I'm sure she's
got
a whole bunch of robots stashed somewhere and someone is going
to have to stop them, keeping the city safe from danger and all
that."
Junko: And I'll get into all sorts of misadventures fighting them,
getting some help from unknown friends, having a rival appear, and
finally facing the lady in a dramatic battle to the finish.
Kozo: Sounds like an anime really...
Junko: yes, it does doesn't it?
Of course, Junko wanted to do it for the thrills of actually
living one of her video games instead of just playing one; the wind
whipping through her hair as she glided along like a bird, the rush
of mass destruction, and if the city happened to be saved in the
process, so much the better
Armband: Just try to limit property damage this time...
Junko: Aww...You're no fun anymore...
.
"Surely the military or someone else...," Kozo argued,
sounding weak even to his own ears.
"Oh, I'm sure the SSDF's special giant robot squad just got
held up in traffic today," Junko said sarcastically, knowing she had
won this verbal battle. "Besides, I thought you'd be thrilled now
that you have two cute underage girls to drool over."
SSDF...Shouldn't that be JSDF?
Kozo: They where held up in traffic...Which was good for them cause
they tend to go through tonnes of tanks when ever a Giant Robot
appears.
"I told you it's not like that!" Kozo insisted immediately,
then hung his head in embarrassment. "Actually, I've already
started a small Hime Star-chan collection from the various press
reports."
Kozo: And I ordered the deluxe action figure, with poseable arms!!
"Hime Star-chan?" Junko asked in confusion.
"Don't you know? It's the name the press are all calling
your alter ego. It's soo cute!" Kozo enthused like a little boy.
Junko: What, they aren't calling me the Golden Devil, or the Glowing
Mauler?
armband: Those are Villian names you know...
Junko: Well, guess I'll have to be a villian!!!
Junko frowned; both at the name and her uncle's shameless
display. "I think it stinks. Why couldn't they have picked a cool-
sounding name like Blaze or Phoenix?"
Media: Cause we like Cute, that's why!!!
"That's not important right now," Kozo told her, adopting a
more serious tone. "If you really are determined to become a
magical girl, there are some things which you must do. You'll
have to be careful to keep your secret identity and only use your
powers for good, and not for selfish gain. I just happen to be a
bit
of an expert on the subject and I..."
Kozo: And for a small fee, and a piece of the T-shirt market, I can
guide you on the proper path for the good and profit of all.
Junko: But the T-shirt money is the sweatist market of them all!!!
Junko sat and nodded occasionally to her uncle's droning,
not paying it the least attention. Instead, she was wondering when
that crazy woman would attack again. During math class might be
nice, but hopefully not too soon. She wanted to get in a little
training first, to avoid some of the problems she had today.
Junko: And that laugh was just too annoying to deal with. I need to
get some ear plugs.
Emi knew of only one place where her ninja guardians
couldn't follow. There was a small Buddhist shrine in the
basement, something left by the house's previous owners that her
parents had chosen to leave undisturbed. Emi, forever curious, had
stumbled open this room years ago, when she had been younger
and more foolish.
Atsuko: Which, of course, was a week ago...
Emi: Meanie!!
It was an almost claustrophobic room, made to look even
smaller by the low ceiling, large columns that lined the walls, and
a
shrine which dominated the room. It had been musty with dust and
incense burned away long ago. Water had also seeped in, making
the air feel slightly cold and damp. It also had rotted away one of
the pillars, which had fell over to bonk Emi on the head as she
passed.
Emi: Sniff...Now I'm the victim of a sight gag...World, what did I do
to you!!!
"Yes, Emi-san?" Yoji replied, appearing on his knees
before her. He was still dressed in his school uniform; not that he
hadn't had the chance to change, since for a ninja this took less
than a second, but because Emi had once off-handedly remarked
that it looked cute on him.
Second sentance is a run on, might want to fiddle with it a bit...
"Can you carry those two bags for me, please?" Emi asked,
batting her eyelashes at the boy. It was not a technique she had
used before, but it was something her mother always did whenever
she wanted something from her father.
Yoji: Does that mean...Does that mean...
Atsuko: Baka!!!
"Hai!" Yoji quickly replied. He bowed to her and gently
took a bag in either hand, being especially careful not to wrinkle
his clothes. "Where would you like me to take them?"
"Just follow me," Emi told him with a wide smile. "I've got
a fun, fun game for just the two of us!"
Yoji: Twister, Yahtzee, Monopoly, or Who wants to be a Millionaire? I
have them all Emi-sama!!
*... just the two of us?* Yoji thought in stunned
amazement, only to realize that Emi was half way down the hall
already. Violently shaking his head to clear it of unnecessary
thoughts, Yoji quickly caught up.
Yoji: Must think clean thoughts...this is a family fanfic...Must
think...Must think...
"First, you need to turn around because it's a surprise!" Emi
told him gleefully, smiling one of her cutest smiles for him. He
had it well documented all the various smiles that Emi was capable
of and examples of their uses... in order to serve her better, of
course.
Yoji: Yes...all those phots are for Ninja training only...Just for
training...Hahahahahahah!!
"O... okay," Yoji managed to stutter out as he turned to
faced the closed oak double doors, carved with symbols too dark to
be made out in the dim light cast by the room's small windows.
"Now I need you to take off your uniform and push it over
to me without looking," Emi instructed, her audience failing to
notice how her cheerful tone had begun to waver.
Yoji: Who ha, this is gonna be a lemon after all!!!
Atsuko: ECCHI!!!
"Please, Yoji-kun," Emi begged him. "Didn't you say
before that you'd do anything I asked?"
Yoji: Yes mistress...
Emi: ...it's not like that...
Yoji: You can tell me....Honest...it's our destiny after all...
Emi: BAKA!!
Yoji nodded. He remembered the moment well, even
thought they had only been five at the time. He'd been resentful of
the way his sister was always watching out for Emi, leaving him
with nothing to do. So he had made this pledge to her, that he
would do anything Emi asked for. Only this was the last request
he'd been expecting.
Yoji: Yeah, I thought she'd just want me to fetch Soda's and
chips...None of this high concept Ninja stuff!!!
"Ninja quick change!" Yoji exclaimed, spinning quickly
around to reappear in his black ninja outfit, with his school
clothes
lying at his feet. With renewed confidence, he tossed these over
his shoulder without glancing back, knowing that they would land
right before Emi.
Yoji: I just need to get rid of the flowery transofrmation music and
pastel colors when I change...
"Good, Yoji-kun!" Emi enthused, and then added. "Just
give me a minute to get ready."
Yoji listened with renewed nervousness to the rustle of
cloth, doing his best not to think of the implications of that.
*No,
it couldn't be... that, could it? Here we are in a dark place where
no one else would go, but she still wouldn't... not Emi-san.*
Yoji's mind: But you want it, you know you want it...
Yoji: Please, this is a family C&C...
Kumiko: Not any more Ninja-boy! OHOHOHOHOHOH!!!
"Okay, you can turn around now!" Emi told him gleefully.
Yoji slowly turned around, looking up almost fearfully,
only to see Emi now dressed in his school uniform, complete with
a matching cap to hide her golden hair. He suddenly wished that
he hadn't forgotten the camcorder upstairs.
Kero-chan: Emi-chan pic of the day, Emi in a Boy's school uniform!!
"So, what do you think?" Emi asked as she tucked down
the bill of the hat and began to pace around the room with an
exaggerated boyish walk, her shoulders slumped with her hands in
her pockets.
Emi: You see, I want to become a Prince, just like the Prince who
saved me...
Yoji: Okay...no more anime for you missy...
"Me?" Yoji asked, blinking several times.
Emi nodded as she took out a new dress from the bag that
was identical to the one she had worn, though looked a bit bigger
in size. "This is for you. I've even got a blonde wig to go with
it!"
Yoji: But...But...
Ureshi: Come on, playing Dress up is fun. Just look at my Photo album
and see how much fun I had!!!
"Yep!" Emi confirmed with a giggle. "Now quickly put
this on. We're going to play a little joke on your family today.
You'll go out on the city dressed as me and they'll follow you
because you'll think you're me! It's going to be so much fun that I
can hardly wait!"
Emi: Now I'll be grading you on poise, posture, and cuteness so be
sure to due a good job!!!
"But who will protect you then?"
"Remember, I'll no longer be Emi, daughter the wealthy
Ishiyama family. I'll just be a normal boy that no one would
bother. Besides, I'll still have Usagi-kun to protect me!"
Emi: And if that doesn't work I'll use the Ishiyama Tazer Pepper
spray, perfect for quelling riots and always adds flavor to a steak!!!
"Emi-san, I don't think this is a good idea..."
Emi sniffed as if near tears. "Does that mean you won't do
it? When you promised to do anything for me, was that just a lie?"
Emi: And people said watching Shoujo anime was a waste of time...The
fools!!!
"Of course not!" Yoji shouted back immediately. "I just
think..." Looking into Emi's wide blue eyes so close to tears, her
lips trembling with suppressed despair, he simply couldn't say no.
"I think we should hurry before the others catch on."
Yoji: Sense of dread increasing....But must be kawaii for
Emi-chan...Must be...
"Wai! Now hurry up and get dressed. We both need to be
gone before it gets dark out."
*I really don't think I'm cut out to be a ninja,* Yoji thought
with a frown as he slipped on the cute dress. *And Atsuko will
never let me hear the end of this when she finds out.*
Atsuko: I won't say a word....Why bother when a picture can say a
thousand!!
Kozo sat before his big screen TV in search of solace from
concern over his niece in the numbness of mindless entertainment.
It was some moments before he realized that he hadn't even turned
the TV on yet. He couldn't help it, there were just too many things
to worry about.
Kozo: Increased martial bliss and job happiness are doom to a
purevayor of mind numbing intoxicants like me!!
First of all, there was the deal that the aliens of his planet
had with the Japanese government. They would be allowed to
stay, and occasionally be done favors like getting Junko enrolled in
that exclusive private school, in exchange for aid in their races
more advanced areas, like medicine. This was all under the
condition that the aliens all kept a low profile. 'Hime Star-chan'
blew that, but hopefully the government wouldn't make the
connection.
Kozo: Or else we'll be forced to buy them off with high technoloy, a
system that can produce life like 2 sprites in video games!
Junko: You mean like a Super Famicom?
Kozo:....
Even if Junko could somehow keep her alternate identity a
secret from everyone, she was still much too nonchalant about the
great power she possessed. She knocked out a giant robot with one
blast; one small slip-up there could have meant the deaths of
innocent people. Not to mention that Junko herself was taking an
enormous risk, even with the protection the armband gave her.
Kozo: And my insurance premiums are bound to go up now thanks to an
active magical girl!!
The ringing of the doorbell distracted Kozo from his
troubled thoughts, though this only caused him to worry more. It
could be the government, who having made the connection after
all, were ready to deport him or worse, or someone from the
mayor's office with a bill for the damages the fight had cost. He
knew that even if IMI's construction wing gave the city a cut rate,
the level of devastation would still be costly to repair.
Kozo: We should be an underground geo-front, just like Gendo
suggested. That way nothing would get destroyed!
Kozo peered through around the window shade, only to
sigh in relief to see it was just a boy at the door. Probably
trying to
sell something. Buoyed up by his ease, Kozo smiled as he opened
the door and said, "Hello there, what can I do for you?"
Kozo: I'm sorry, but I'm all out of Emi-chan glossy's...But come back
in a week and I'll have some Star Hime-chan ones..
Kid: but I need my Kawaii fix now!!!
"Hello. Is Junko at home, sir?" asked a familiar-sounding
voice. The 'boy' took off his cap and shook out her golden curls,
revealing even to someone who wasn't a raving fanboy of hers that
it was Emi Ishiyama.
Kozo: Oh no, she's really a he...
Emi:......
Emi peered up at Junko's uncle curiously as he stood there,
staring at her with is mouth hanging open, like a strange statue.
He
looked vaguely familiar, one of her parent's employees she
guessed, though didn't know what his job was. "Is this the right
house? Does Junko Kitaue live here?"
Kozo: Yes, but let's forget about her and have along discussion about
you...Which I'll post online for thousands of other nerds to read!
Not yet able to speak, Kozo nevertheless managed a nod.
"May I see her?"
With an extreme effort of will, Kozo not only managed to
nod, but to step back inside and indicate that Emi could enter.
Kozo: Hi, Kozo's brain isn't here right now...it's offline due to
sever overload. Please check back in a day if you wish to talk to him
or if you need money, feel free to look through his wallet.
"Thank you, sir!" Emi told him with a small curtsey as she
ran past him, in search of her best friend.
After several minutes had passed, when his brain began
working again, Kozo's first though was: *I've got to find my
camcorder!*
Kozo: Now will I use Digital 8 or my web cam!!!
*So what else can you do, Akito?* Junko asked the
armband, trying to get into the habit of thinking her conversations
with it. She didn't wanting people thinking that she was the kind
of magical girl who heard voices.
Akito; But you do hear voices...
Junko: Details, Details...
She had named it Akito simply for convenience sake; it still
annoyed her, but she had to call it _something_, and that was just
the first name that had popped in her head.
Akito: I preferred Death Armband Destructive Sensei, but Junko said I
couldn't have a cooler name than her so Akito it is.
*I provide a variety of services. A list of them would be
quite exhaustive. I also have limited abilities to acquire new
functions. So whatever you may need me to do, I already possess
or could learn,* Akito replied almost smugly.
Junko: Cool...So let's add a million yen to my bank account...
Akito:.....
Junko rolled on new her bed to stare up at her new ceiling.
It was pink. She hated it already. *So... do you have any other
special attacks like the mega-blast? All decent video game
characters have at least three specials and one super, if not more.*
Junko: And Taunts...Can't forget the taunts...OYAJII!!!
Akito:....
*I'm not sure what you mean by 'special attacks' exactly, I
was designed specifically as a defensive measure,* Akito told her
with a trace of confusion. *However, many hosts have added to
my abilities, altering my primary function to more of a household
tool.*
Akito: I can cook, clean, and do dishes. But I won't do windows!!!
*She?* Junko thought as she sat up, blinking sleep from
her eyes, only to see Emi standing in her doorway, dressed in a
boy's school uniform of all things.
Akito: So cute...
Junko: Now don't you start!!
"Ju-chan!!" Emi wailed as she dropped her bag and leapt
across the room, securing Junko into a super-glomp that squeezed
the breath right out of her and knocked them both to the floor.
*Correction, intruder is hostile, though its attack is too
weak to harm current host. No action required,* Akito said dryly.
Akito: attack's name is commonly referred to as a glomp, used when one
person wants to get close to another...
Junko:.......
Feeling like her ribs were about to break, Junko had a few
scathing thoughts about Akito's diagnosis of the current situation,
but her mind froze when her ears were filled with the sounds of
Emi's heavy sobs. Miss congeniality was actually crying? Maybe
nearly getting flattened by that giant robot had effected her after
all.
Emi: Not really...The girl in leather was really scary though!!!
"Hey, what's wrong, Emi... chan?" Junko asked, not really
sure how to comfort someone. No one had ever come to her with
their problems before, and she had never had any real need of
consolation when she was growing up. People asking what's
wrong usually just annoyed her.
Junko: and besides, the horoscopes offer better advice than most
people.
Emi sniffed cutely as she managed to halt her flow of tears,
wiping the last of them away from her now red-rimmed eyes.
"Everyone is being mean to me! Ever since that magical girl
appeared, everyone has been going on and on about how cute she
is, and not noticing me if I walk right by them!"
Emi: And my marketing department won't return my phone calls either!!!
Noticing the bag that Emi had dropped for the first time,
Junko suddenly developed a sinking feeling in the pit of her
stomach as she asked, "So where do you plan on staying?"
"With you, of course!" Emi replied with almost her normal
level of cheerfulness. "In my time of need, where else can I turn
but to my best friend Ju-chan?"
Junko: Oh no...
Kozo: Oh yes...
Emi: It's Three's Company, the Kawaii version!!!
Cool chapter, can't wait for more Amma!!!
Ja ne!!
Richard Beaubien
----------------------------
MULTI~!!!!!
Vist my fanfic homepage at http://www.fanfic.net/~beaubird/