Vanity of the Silver Crow

The Queens Palace

Near the continent of Irwin

Southern Hemisphere

Linkutoko

Over a month ago

I do not think this is a safe idea, said Lady Redbush, as the queen was looking over war documents.

Oh, and you think keeping that psychopath Freja Poulsen here on this planet is an even safer idea? asked the queen.

Well...she is under impenetrable lock and key, so she won’t escape anytime soon.

The queen sighed. Listen. People like her know every trick in the book on how to escape. It’s pretty common. You say she likes blood right?

Well...yes.

Then knowing her, she can use some sort of blood trickery to escape and cause havoc here in Linku.

This is true.

"And we are near the continent of animals. I especially do not want her here murdering the animals."

Don’t forget all of the birds.

Upon saying this, a flock of seagulls landed near the queen. She began to pet them.

Oh believe me, she wouldn’t hurt them. She wouldn’t hurt all of them.

A maid entered the throne room. She was about to speak, but was surprised by the appearance of the seagulls.

My queen, she said with a bow. I see that your animals wanted to see you.

The queen smiled. Oh don’t worry about them. She sat up and walked past the seagulls that were able to create a lane for her, as she approached the maid. What’s going on?

We...we’re ready for transport.

The queen looked over at Lady Redbush. See? We’re ready for transport and no one is even dead yet.

Uhhh, three butlers have serious injuries, said the maid.

Lady Redbush raised an eyebrow. You were saying, my queen?

The queen gave a sigh. See? No deaths.

People with serious injuries are near deaths door, said Lady Redbush.

Yeah, but they are still living, breathing creatures.

My queen, you do not know how dangerous Freja is, said the maid.

Yeah, and I don’t know how dangerous Yukikyo is, but she’s gone.

The queen was about to leave, but then a soldier who was guarding the door, came up to her, and said, my queen, Yukikyo is no Freja Poulsen. I shall accompany you.

The queen looked as though she did not need any help, but did not mind the extra protection. She vaguely knew about this Nordic five group from Lady Redbush, the most dedicated historical person in the entire planet. Studying from her was exactly like studying from a textbook. The queen, taking into account the way things worked in Linkutoko, studied hard for three days straight. Her people in her kingdom though she would crack open her brain, since from studying for three days straight, never slept for three days slept and as such, did not have the energy to do anything. Her eyes were more than bloodshot when she came out of the study room, not knowing where things were in her castle. Once, during her sleepless zombie state, she ordered the release of a couple of prisoners because she believed that they would both benefit towards getting jobs and helping increase the tourist intake for humans. All true in theory sense but they were the two wrong criminals who were released. These two were the most violent criminals ever in the planet and whose prison was in deep space. As the queen slept, both sides of the planet searched and searched until both prisoners were killed, led by Lady Redbush and other soldiers from both sides of the planet, but not before fifty-thousand of the planet’s inhabitants were killed. Even though the queen was blamed for this, she was pardoned due to the fact that this was one of the first times in a long time where both sides were aligned over a common goal. After the queen’s good rest and found out what happened, she apologized for her mistake, declined every single interview regarding the situation, and gave a medal of valor to Lady Redbush. The queen also acknowledged those who helped Redbush capture and kill those men and gave a prayer to those who were deceased. Things looked to be in the up and up, as they say for the entire planet.

Within months, the feud was re-fired on the grill.

The reason?

The queen and her people were heading towards the main problem in the form of Freja.

They headed down an elevator which went as far underground as the planet’s inner core, the only place that can contain Freja.

The queen and her people were already accustomed to this sort of blazing heat. However, when faced with someone who can otherwise survive the grueling heat and leave dead bodies within her wake, this was something that was considered a wake-up call.

Freja saw them approach and licked her lips. The smell of blood was overwhelming among the room.

Hello there queen, said Freja. Are you ready for dinner?

She ended the sentence with a laugh so vile, it was sure to make anyone shiver with fear. As the queen leaned in closer, she saw that Freja was chained from her ankles all the way to her neck. Even though the chains looked to hold the psychotic Freja in place, the queen knew to keep her distance. Just because they can hold her tight, the queen said to a visitor one day, doesn’t mean she can really be held. When the visitor asked what that meant, the queen simply said: just you wait and see.

As a dare, some maids and soldiers released only one piece of chain that was guarding Freja when she was asleep. Granted that this was one of the strongest metals in Linkutoko, so the visitor, thinking that she was safe, decided that it would be the smartest thing in the world to poke at Freja’s head.

Needless to say, that was the last time anyone saw the visitor.

The queen looked over at Freja.

Listen psycho, I don’t know what your game is, but knowing you, I’m guessing that you were bored that there was no violence for you to entertain yourself with, so you re-fired up the grill and made the entire planet fight again! shouted the queen.

All those lives lost because you were bored with peace, said Lady Redbush.

Freja simply laughed. I know. It was so funny.

She thinks killing innocents is merely a game, just like a serial killer, thought the queen. And yet, we have to do all we can to protect her from experiencing death. This is such a confusing chore.

The queen turned towards what looked like a metallic chair.

Everything is complete here? she asked.

The scientists nodded.

Good, said the queen, examining the chair. She always wondered what it would be like to travel back to Earth and see the changes that unfolded from the time that she left. Of course, time was totally different here in Linkutoko. In comparison to the time frame of Earth, days in Linkutoko ran thirty-seven hours and only six months. The queen, being human, took two months to get used to the new timeframe that Linku presented itself with. Also, this particular contraption to get to Earth was only used for those criminals who were too dangerous for the public at large and were sent here, kind of like a death sentence. Around ninety-five percent of those could not survive the heat of the blazing core, which was hotter than the sun itself.

The queen knew that Freja would survive and come out of it unscathed.

As careful as they possible could, the majority of the scientists placed Freja in the chair and placed her with more chains. As the queen observed what was happening, she began to think about how life would change dramatically once Freja was sent to Earth. Even though there were secret ways that she could come back, she made a direct order that all of those secret sanctuaries be destroyed. She then made a speech to the entire southern hemisphere that they wouldn’t be going back to Earth and to start their new lives here in Linku. When the humans, who also lived with the linkuins asked why this decision was made, the queen explained, in a concise metaphor, that since Linkutoko was placed above Earth, they should be above their past and never look back.

Or in a better way, never look down.

That increased the queen’s popularity by tenfold.

The queen was once just like them, wondering if there was a way to head back to Earth and at the same time, wondering if this new planet can provide her with the happiness that she had on Earth. Once she became queen in an otherwise hostile world, she knew that she truly belonged here.

In Linkutoko.

She wasn’t going to return, no matter what.

Once Freja was completely secure, the queen gave a soft knock on her head.

Listen. I have a job for you, she began. It started out as a lie and the queen, for the sake of everyone, hoped that Freja would believe it. She just thought of this story right at the moment, while also taking with Lady Redbush a few weeks ago concerning the historical aspect of the Nordic five group. I want you to go protect Anni while you are in Earth.

Freja looked at the queen, her people, then gave a laugh.

Ha! You think I would believe your fairy tale? she said. If I know better, you’re sending me off because you fear me.

Lady Redbush was about to unleashed her sword upon Freja’s head, when the queen stopped her.

No. I am not afraid of you, said the queen. There are people here who know of your weakness. You must be protected. Believe me when I say that Earth is plenty safer than Linku.

Freja didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to say anything at all. Her silence made it absolutely clear: she wasn’t buying it.

She showed this by trying to break through the chains.

Lady Redbush took out her sword and had it by the ready, right in front of the queen. The queen and the soldier who joined her, held her back.

Admit it! You just want to get rid of me! shouted Freja. This is no protection mission. You’re just upset because of my destruction.

The queen was silent. Freja continued.

Queen, there was never peace to begin within Linku. You weren’t here when this world was created.

I didn’t have to be there to know how desolate and power hungry every single person in this planet was at the time of building society, said the queen. Earth’s beginning was a lot like your beginning.

I know, said Freja. The big difference is your Great Flood. We never had something so big to give our planet another chance. Tuomas couldn’t control the violence any longer, so he just...let it rage on.

And you claim to be the person who wants to, dare I say, ‘continue that legacy’?

Hey, don’t blame if I simply love the sight and feel of blood.

Man, you’re sick, said one of the maids.

No. I’m merely a deranged cutie pie, said Freja as she laughed again.

The queen shook her head. It was a waste of time to even speak to her. It was a waste of time to not send her through the mantle of the planet and as such, through to Earth. The queen didn’t care at all where Freja ended up, as long as she was out of her hair. However, the queen hoped that Freja would run into Anni sooner than later. If they were able to meet quickly, then there wouldn’t be any bloodshed.

She also knew of a few other people who wouldn’t mind taking care of Freja.

If they were brazen enough to do so.

Once there were buttons pressed, there looked to be some sort of huge protective glass that surrounded Freja. The queen stepped back as the seat turned, facing some sort of tunnel. Freja was mouthing some words towards everyone, but the glass was soundproof.

Thank goodness for the soundproof glass, muttered the queen.

She gave another hand signal and pointed at a nervous looking scientist, who immediately put on solar block goggles. Everyone else did the same.

The cave opened as flames erupted out of the cave.

The queen took one look at the teleportation area and knew that Hell existed. If she focused enough on the cave entrance, she could hear the screams of those souls.

She was frightened and hoped that this would be done quickly enough.

Unfortunately, all she had to do was wait ten seconds.

Not fast enough.

Just pull the lever! shouted the queen.

The scientist, who was instructed to wait ten seconds for the chair itself to power up, shook his head. The queen, furiously, marched over to the area and pushed the scientist away. The brave soldier who ventured with the queen tried to stop her, but the lever was already pulled.

There was a white light that emitted from the chair itself. Everyone looked away, for fear of getting themselves blind, for the light was as bright as anything they could’ve witnessed. After a couple of seconds, the light was gone.

The cave was closed.

Freja was gone.

Even though the area was cooled off, there was still a hot mist in the air.

Queen, you should be pleased, said the soldier. She’s finally gone.

The queen didn’t look like she breathed a sigh of relief.

My queen, said one of the scientists. What is the matter?

She turned around to look at all of them, looking at her.

I’m fine, said the queen. I’m just worried.

About? asked Lady Redbush.

Everyone in Japan. That’s new flesh for her to tear up.

Lady Redbush looked downcast, as though this was a mistake that she has done as well. The a maid spoke up.

Wait a minute. Isn’t Sir Nyles stationed in Japan?

Yes, in Tokyo, said the soldier.

What? Why Tokyo?

Because that is where Anni was last seen.

They all looked at each other. Within a few minutes of silence, the queen spoke.

Miss Redbush, said the queen. Lady Redbush stepped forward and saluted the queen. She knew what came next would be something that she would have to obey, no matter how absurd the order seemed.

Yes my queen.

I want updates on Japan every day, no matter if nothing happened or if there was only a concert. Understand?

Yes, my queen, said Lady Redbush and bowed.

The rest of her people left the area and headed back onto the palace. The queen looked back at the area where Freja once sat and shook her head.

I think I did a boo-boo.

Odaiba Island

South of Tokyo

Japan

Is it ready yet?

Almost.

Hurry it up. I have to get back to Tokyo in a few hours. I must deliver this to our informant.

Are you sure this will work?

Oh don’t worry. Numerous teens hangout at the one-oh-nine mall. All we need is just one teen.

Well, what about your riddle? Do you think Katherine figured it out?

The person who looked to be in a rush, Lisle DePaul, was speaking to someone who looked to be helping others build what looked like a rocket.

I know she did, he says. But you first. You don’t seem nervous upon seeing your ‘friend’ Natasha.

The other person, Sayumi, upon hearing Natasha’s name, looked in disgust at Lisle.

Oh I’m not nervous, she said. I simply can’t wait until I get my hands on her. She was the one who had a chance to save my brother, but I don’t think being a good Samaritan fits in her vocabulary.

Lisle looked concerned. How did your brother escape? Weren’t you keeping watch over him?

Sayumi took a deep breath and began to cry. No doubt thinking of that time when her brother slipped away from her.

He was with us in the park, while on a nice vacation in Russia. He was four years old, old enough to walk. We weren’t sure what happened next, but we thought for a second that he was kidnapped, since there was someone who zipped past us. A female.

Was it someone that you knew?

No of course not. I was the first one to get up and chase the assailant. I ran so fast, but the person ran faster. Then the person went to a group of girls, spoke to them and went inside some sort of abandoned building, on the verge of collapse. I couldn’t go near them; they looked the type that could rob you within minutes. So I hid and saw one of them place the child inside the abandoned building. I didn’t know what kind of game they were playing, but once I was able to get myself together and not hide anymore, I was about to run to the spot, where there was a fire that was set deliberately by one of the groupie girls, towards the building.

Oh, said Lisle. And did you see who set the fire?

Yes. It was Natasha. I know the face of that glasses wearing freak anywhere. I know it was her.

Lisle looked a little shocked, but shook his head and focused on the building of the makeshift rocket. Oh don’t worry. I’m sure you will have your fun with her soon.

No fun, said Sayumi. It’s called revenge.

Yes, that too.

What about your blue-haired friend?

Lisle was about to speak, when there seemed to be a look of fear among the workers. Looking up, they noticed someone up in the rafters whose skin was as black as the night sky. Sayumi began to speak in Japanese to the workers to continue their work, while the person in the rafters was able to jump down safely right next to Lisle.

You get to see me leave, said Lisle. You know your assignment?

The person nodded and took off her hood. She was as monstrous as ever. No one knew what exactly happened to her, or what came from her transformation, but she considered herself to be a new improvement upon her old self.

Well Bianca, said Lisle. Once my setup is in place, you will have control. This plan was half baked by you as well, so I believe you should have total control.

Excellent, she said, closing her hands together and putting about a smile that could otherwise tell the tale of her plans. I will not fail you Lisle.

Oh don’t worry. I know you will not.

And you? After planting the seed, what shall you do?

Lisle looked around the otherwise underground venue where his rocket was being filled with an otherwise unknown pink substance. He took out something from his pocket, which looked like a small syringe. He placed it inside a glasses case.

I’m going to find her sister, said Lisle. And then, destroy the world.

How? asked Bianca.

He showed her the Linkutoko article explaining the arrival of one Freja Poulsen on his tablet.

Denmark?! said Bianca, taking the tablet away from him. She began to skim through the article. But, I don’t understand. Why was she sent here?

Does it matter? asked Lisle.

Well no, but... She looked over at the article again. It says that the queen sent her here because of the, ‘lack of security’ that the planet presented itself and as a result, that is why she is sent here.

Lisle gave a chuckle as he was about to head out towards the nearest ferry. Bianca followed him.

I figured that whatever the queen said in the article is only a mere cover-up for what really happened, said Lisle, slowly taking the table away from Bianca. My guess is that there was some sort of scandal involving Freja and the queen. Since the queen didn’t want to take any part of the scandal, she sent her problem here to deal with.

Bianca scratched her head. It worries me that she is here. I heard that she is completely unstable.

Oh? asked Lisle, surprised. And you are not?

Well, when I am completely awakened then...who knows what I am capable of.

So, what’s the big deal? She’s here. And so is the Duke.

The Duke?

Yes. It seems she has solved my riddle.

Of course she has solved your riddle. She’ll do whatever it takes to get her hands on you.

Lisle waved the syringe in her face and patted her on the shoulder.

If I am able to find her sister, then I have the greatest hostage ever in history.

That’s if you find her, corrected Bianca.

Lisle smiled and entered the boat.

If not, said Lisle, feeling his pocket, then we’ll kill her.

What about the Duke? And Freja?

Lisle laughed. Oh no worries about both of them. Sayumi knows Freja’s weakness. Once that is exploited, then the Duke shall fall like a domino.

And Katherine?

Lisle looked down on the floor, deep in thought of a plan just in case he ran into her. As the boat was about to leave, he called out.

No more games. I’ll get rid of the one person she cherishes the most.

"Where will you be stricken again, as you continue in your rebellion? The whole head is sick and the whole heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head there is nothing sound in it. Only bruises, welts and raw wounds, not pressed out or bandaged, nor softened with oil."

Isaiah 1:5-6

"O GOD, Who didst distinguish Thy holy Virgin and Martyr Catherine by the gift of great wisdom and virtue, and a victorious combat with the enemies of the Faith; grant us, we beseech Thee, through her intercession, constancy in the Faith and the wisdom of the Saints, that we may devote all the powers of our mind and heart to Thy service. Through Christ our Lord. Amen"

Prayer in Honor of St. Catherine of Alexandria

"Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind."

C.S. Lewis

Chapter One

I usually have dreams.

I usually have dreams that involve something regarding the future, either good or bad.

The majority of the time, I would get completely scared and freaked out and awaken with complete night terrors. Natasha would be the one who calms me down. Lately, there are times when I have completely recovered from them, as in they leave my mind as quickly as they became something of my greatest fears.

I was glad to have someone like Natasha with me.

Unfortunately, with some of the dreams I have -which are involved with the future of some sort-, have frightened me with things that have seemed totally real within my dreams. The one thing that has stayed with my mind that I have experienced that has made me really break down in tears was when I dreamt about Natasha getting killed from some...thing that I have completely forgotten right away.

All I remember about that dream was that it took place in Japan. Which is why I get shaky every time from every single step I take in this country.

Wonderful.

But something that I have dreamt has been in my mind all day.

And now things have been rather hectic in my mind.

Thanks to this now latest dream:

I felt myself in some sort of grassy field. There looked to be some sort of army in front of me, looking like those knights with their swords and shields. Another person, a female with orange hair and some sort of green outfit, appeared to my right, riding on a horse. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see what it was exactly I was riding on, but this unknown female raised her sword. The army that was in front of us did the same. Another girl, who looked to be no older than eight years old, appeared to my left. She had a white hat, with a blue schoolgirl outfit, patted me on my shoulder and gave me a smile. I smiled back and as I did so, I felt myself moving. I felt really reassured with these two people that were with me. They made me feel really warm and comfortable. The orange haired female knight reminded me of Natasha for some reason. I knew that it wasn’t her, but probably by her presence alone, she was a definite keepsake of reminding myself about Natasha.

For some reason, I wasn’t able to look directly below me, but as I kept looking forward, the grassy field gave way to some sort of forest. I was able to see more of the army; scratch that, it felt like the army of the world was all ahead of me.

And we were approaching the forest.

I didn’t know what to expect from the forest, but the forest opened up and out came an enormous seven-headed dragon, with someone on top of it. I couldn’t see the person all too clearly, but of course whoever that person was, was miniscule compared to the dragon.

What in God’s name? What in the world is going on with me? I thought.

Whoever was controlling me was actually driving straight towards the dragon, which looked to be the size of a mountain. I didn’t know what was going on, but in that instant, I saw the dragon release a huge pillar of fire...

I woke up to find my room completely empty. Not as in stolen goods or as if I was robbed, but with no one inside.

Just little old me.

The covers of the bed -that was situated on the floor- were whished around, as though Natasha was in a hurry to get up. I didn’t see any trace of Anni at all. Not even a strand of her hair.

I guess they were in really such a hurry.

I got up and managed to almost crawl towards the bathroom. The jetlag from traveling eleven hours was still killing me from the inside. There are times that I just wanted to sleep and not worry about the world that I was so accustomed to living in, but I had no choice. I was put on this planet to try and solve these problems and why there were so many people trying to kill me.

I was also put on this planet to try and find a way out of it.

I also had a headache as I looked at the bathroom mirror and kept having the same thoughts of what happened a couple of months ago.

And the craziness that one Lisle DePaul has inflicted in my life

I still remember what happened afterwards:

I screamed.

I screamed.

And I screamed.

I crushed the phone beneath my feet.

Lisle said that I was going to become even angrier.

The words on the phone, which was still crushed and crippled of loose buttons, were now in my mind:

The country of Ireland was destroyed beyond recognition by two nuclear bombs. It was so destroyed that water from the Atlantic Ocean filled in the black gaping hole that Ireland left behind. The United Kingdom also felt the impact as the western portion of it was broken and destroyed.

I was angry. I wanted to gut Lisle. The majority of my...

...sorry...

All of the rest of my family lived in Ireland.

And it was no guess that he knew I was Irish just because of my last name.

I screamed. I threw things around that were metallic and not caring at all what I hit. I screamed, tears running down my face, not knowing what do to. I kept screaming and screaming until I felt the loving arms of Natasha hold on to me. She kissed my forehead, which made me calm down. Anni, went over and hugged me.

Lisle declared war.

He destroyed my homeland, literally.

He bombed the country to nothingness.

And he was always my target.

I really do not know why he completely obliterated Ireland, just to get me angry at him. I don’t know why he would really go beyond this sort of insanity in order to get me upset.

Did he think that something like this...this craziness of sorts that he has developed...that I was just going to just sit idly by and let it happen?

Unfortunately it did. But did he think that I wasn’t going to get angry because of it?

Not bloody likely.

He is pretty smart for doing that and not getting caught, I thought. ‘Cause if he was caught, then I wouldn’t get the pleasure of killing him myself.

My name is Katherine Christine McAndrews and for the entire eleven hour flight I took to get from San Francisco to here in Tokyo, Japan, has been filled with my best friend Natasha Nikulina either trying to interrupt me while I was trying to sleep or just showing off her playing card skills. I actually thought that she, being as religious as she claimed she was, would probably not be so good at doing magic tricks. There were so many that she showed me and did that I was really amazed at her skills and her religious knowledge.

No matter what, I always appreciated Natasha for just being there with me no matter how much problems I was in. I could never be worried about her, no matter how many shenanigans she was in. However, the person I was remotely worried about, besides Natasha against her rich girl rival and myself going against a really obsessed stalker was sitting behind us.

Lucky for her and not lucky for me, she was actually getting some well relieved shut-eye.

Anni Laaksonen Tovari was my seneschal/bodyguard. The dream with what seemed like a seven headed dragon was somehow related to her, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I kept thinking of her and what she told me over the flight, saying that my dead best friend, Rebecca Stalwart represented the country of Sweden -which didn’t make sense to me since she was only eight percent Swedish- and that she was the only one of the so-called Nordic five to be half-human and half-linkuin. All of those years that she and I became friends, I was still a little upset over the fact that she has kept that secret from me, her very best friend. Of course, there was no way I could even ask her. She died right on my birthday during an Anime convention in Chicago.

After she told me all of what she told me, she fell asleep. Since that conversation, I’ve always had this dream that some sort of seven-headed dragon was attacking me and there was some female knight with a mix of red-orange hair trying to protect me with some sort of round shield as I saw the dragon trying to be beaten by what looked like a huge army.

If that was something of the future, then I needed to hit the brakes on that one.

All of that information whirled around my mind as I looked at myself in the mirror and reached for a cup in the bathroom.

The cup contained the Moon earrings, which I couldn’t help but think that by Muchiko Kisaragi, -one of those causalities that could’ve been either a good thing or a bad thing from the way you look at it-, giving me these earrings in the first place, this whole madness followed and swallowed up my life.

And yet, I felt sort of happy to have them since they have saved my life many times than I could count.

I think.

As I placed them on my ears, very slowly, I still couldn’t help but feel rather nervous. I almost lost them and that would’ve been the end of almost everything I held dear. Natasha said that she didn’t want me to wear them anymore, saying that they were useless, or something like that. I didn’t feel any change among my own personality ever since I put them on before that fateful day at the anime convention in my birthday, so I didn’t know why Natasha was worried. Still, I couldn’t help to sometimes hear Muchiko’s voice in my head every time something insane were to happen to me.

Was she really infused inside the earrings?

That was a question I really didn’t want to know the answer to.

I straightened my hair, washed my face and, since I had a feeling that Natasha was going to be busy shopping around the famed one-oh-nine building that was mostly reserved for teenagers, then that was where I was headed. I didn’t know where Anni would go, but I’m sure that she can be safe alone. Weirdly enough, even though Anni was the one who needed to be protected, I was more worried about Natasha. She can also take care of herself, but there will be times that Natasha will go on full teen mode and then she will panic.

It was never safe to leave her alone somewhere, especially at a mall.

I took the essentials: phone, some money -I had a lot thanks to Anni and her disappearing ways- and the keys as I had on my favorite red dress and light blue jacket, all given to me by my dead cousin Samantha.

That’s always nice: to receive some awesome gifts from a dead family member.

Ever since she gave me the red dress, I felt like it has some sort of really awesome attachment towards me and my body. It has protected me from blizzard temperatures and the extreme heat without being some sort of a nuisance of being a long dress that I would constantly trip over. Also, it never got dirty from either the ground or my sweat, which was also strange. None of my friends could figure out what kind of material was used to make the dress. Come to think of it, I never thought of Samantha as being a dress maker, so it was strange of her to make a dress for me like this out of the blue.

Nevertheless, it was an awesome gift.

I made sure that I had things in the proper order in my pockets, checked constantly around our small apartment that nothing was missing and locked the door.

The Japanese breeze welcomed me around the very well teenage city of Shibuya. The one-oh-nine mall wasn’t that far off from my position, considering it around thirty minutes of travel time. I began to stretch and loosen my muscles as I saw the street that looked ahead to my position. I always thought that the city was really crowded in itself and I wasn’t wrong on that account. There was going to be a whole lot of people that I was going to be bumping onto as I was going to be running in a few seconds.

It’s something I love to do and if there were going to be people who were going to trying to stop be, then I would have to treat them as obstacles.

Oh well. Since they are in my way between me and my sister, then they shall be treated as such.

I jumped over two kids, jumped over an old woman and decided to break open the speed when I reached the street that housed the mall. It looked a little like they were attempting to block my path, of course unintentionally. I didn’t mind that at all if it was intentional or not, just the fact that this new country that I have been in for only a few days has not seen my speed. I never was good at bragging about my speed and I didn’t want to, but sometimes I had no choice but to tell everyone about me. I didn’t want any enemies or anyone to be jealous of my talents. I just wanted all things to be well within me and whoever I was running against.

Even if I had to blow right past the person in a race.

So I leaped through other people as I saw the giant mall right over the horizon. I was still in that non-map phase and I was impressed by the way I was able to locate the mall in the first place. It was something of a very lucky shot that I took.

I guess I was always lucky.

As I was running, I realized that there was a huge crowd of people on the sidewalk. I thought there was something going on, but it was only a few seconds that I reached the area that four corners of the street were used as a huge crosswalk. I looked on in amazement as the crossing began as I noticed the people weren’t bumping into each other at all. I couldn’t wait anymore as I went down into the street to try and cross as quickly as possible.

I wanted to try and find some sort of quicker way to cross the street, but as I turned towards my right -and ignoring those who were staring at me to my left- I saw some people who looked sort of really creepy looking: those types who were with suits and were watching me cross the street with those creepy eyes, watching my every move.

Wonderful. I guess he was waiting for me around here.

I reached the opening doors of the mall and there was already a scream of terror.

Along with gunshots.

I ran in while there were others running out.

Others as in a huge assortment of teenagers.

I guess there were others inside waiting for me.

Since Natasha doesn’t want to answer her phone and not even look both ways in a mall where there was going to be trouble right away, I was now afraid that they were holding her hostage somewhere.

I could consider her my weakness if something happened to her. Of course I had to be stronger than that.

I am a princess after all.

I began to scout around the place when I heard other bust through the doorway of the mall. The mall was a really huge area, consisting of many teenage items and stuff. I hid behind a wall that was part of a store called Royal Party and looked ahead as there were other teens hiding around the stores.

They were holding a schoolgirl hostage, looking like older teens of some sort. Another guy in a suit came out.

Katherine, we know you are here, he said. I noticed that people who were brave enough to stay in the mall were also coming out, either trying to hide me from all of this or were just trying to be stupid. Come out now! Or this girl gets it!

I took a quick peek at the area. I didn’t see any sort of gun pointed at the schoolgirl. I thought there was something odd about the way the guy was holding her. I kept looking around to see if I saw Natasha around. Even though there were many teenagers with their hair colored like it was an everyday thing, there was no Natasha anywhere. I was a little surprised that she didn’t come from where she was and tried to stop what was going on. As an older sister, she was becoming a little bit lazy in her job. What if I was hurt or something?

Come out Katherine, or this entire mall will be destroyed! the man said, in clear precise English. In that tone of voice, it was clear that he was going to do it. I don’t know how, but he was going to do it.

Hold your fire! I shouted, to no one in particular as I slowly went through the crowd, also noticing that the crowd made space for me to walk past them and some of them taking out phones and taking pictures of me. Apparently, they either knew who I was or they were sort of impressed that my hair wasn’t any sort of wig, or at least I was the person who was going to save them from this random threat.

As I kept walking, I saw someone from behind the scene with two huge pink shopping bags. The red hair was clearly unmistakable. I was trying to make a silent gesture with my hand and some silent facial feature towards her. I know that she can see me. She made no attempt to come through and save me. Natasha saw me and ran off through the door.

I gave a silent thought of shaking my head and saved a speech that I was going to give Natasha when I was going to get back home.

If I was able to come back alive from this. I have a birthday next month and I would like to be alive by then.

The crowd fell silent as I came through in this guys’ line of sight. The man who called me out laughed as he saw me.

So, you’re the one who defeated the great Yukikyo, he said.

Apparently, he was wrong. I wasn’t the one who killed her. I save that honor for my dead cousin Samantha, who sacrificed her life with the one weapon that made Yukikyo extremely strong and remotely powerful. Still, from that portion alone, he already gave me a hint as to who he was.

I guess Lisle loves to brag about me, I said. Let her go! As a matter of fact, let all of these people go. If it’s me you want, then here I am.

Surrender the earrings, or by my hand, this entire country will be torn apart, he said.

Your hand, I said. I couldn’t help but laugh. You claim to have dominion over this whole society, but haven’t even considered any consequences towards your actions. I can make sure that you can feel the consequences first hand, if you do not surrender the girl unharmed. I don’t know why, but I felt as though I was really upset. I wasn’t sure what it was, or why I felt like this, but something clicked in my brain, the angry portion of me, and I made it welcome towards my thoughts that were always care-free and innocent.

I was about to advance, but the schoolgirl flinched in pain.

Okay, okay, I said. Calm down. Just drop what you have there, alright?

One of them pointed a gun at me.

Surrender or we will pluck them out from your cold dead body, he said. He seemed as though he would succeed.

I put my hands up slowly, until I felt some sort of crack in the air behind me. I didn’t need to turn around to know who that was, but I was a little glad I didn’t since Anni appeared right in front of me. She was wearing jeans and a black shirt, which had a picture of a family of white-looking hippo cartoon characters. It also promoted something called Naantali, which I didn’t know if that was a name or a place. It looked really cute on her, like it fit her perfectly.

Katherine, do you know how happy I was by myself? she asked. Do you know that I found a place that made me seem happy? And yet, I hear from Natasha that you are in trouble? Can’t you in one day not find yourself into trouble?

Ummm, Anni? I said, pointing behind her.

I thought you were an expert in taking care of yourself.

Anni, can you turn around?

Listen, I thought you were a filled up intelligent princess.

Huh? But I am.

So what is this I hear you are always in trouble?

Huh? Not all of the time.

The Japanese person yelled. Hey! Don’t you see that I have a hostage here? Will you surrender your earrings?

Anni turned around. Can’t you hush up for one second? I’m trying to talk to my friend here.

I stood there, a little surprised and a little shocked as to how Anni completely ignored the current hostage situation. She turned back to me. If you were Queen and in Linku, and you were to wander somewhere alone, I’m pretty sure there will be people to take advantage of you.

Huh? I asked. You saying I can’t fight on my own? You sound like Natasha.

Unlike Natasha, I’m not saying you should give up the earrings. I’m just saying you should take care of yourself a bit better and not look for trouble just for me and others to look for you.

I gave a slow point at my finger behind her, to at least tell her that there was something going on away from her field of vision.

Uhhh, Anni? I asked, a little afraid.

Oh no, no worries, she said, as calmly as ever, like we were in a park or something and that all was calm. She didn’t even bother turning around. You still haven’t answered my question. Will you take better care of yourself and look past your surroundings?

Ummm, of course. But did you just see how Natasha abandoned me? She was here shopping, turned around, saw what happened, and just left me here, I said.

Well, she did, in order for her to contact me, said Anni.

So you were okay with that?

There was a gunshot heard behind her as I saw one of the men looking really discouraged at the way Anni was pretty much ignoring him. Anni gave a sigh and turned around. If I were to blink, I saw that Anni was rubbing some sort of metallic item on her left hand. No doubt that she was rubbing something to give it a huge electric push.

Hey sir, she called out, no doubt trying to be nice in a situation where being nice didn’t have to mean anything. I didn’t know why she said it that tone for; trying to be fancy, but it sort of frightened the guy behind the girl. Anything I can help you with?

The Japanese man looked really upset, as though he really expect her to say something like that. Yes, he said, in really nice perfect English. I guess he was the only one of his crew who knew really good English. Tell your friend to surrender her earrings.

Anni reached inside her pocket and took out something else that was identically shiny than the other thing she was holding. Ummm, may I ask you a question?

No! You answer my question! he shouted.

It is imperative that you answer my question, said Anni. And I can assure you that I will ask my friend of whatever you want her to do.

Something that he was holding from the girl’s back seemed like it was pushed forward. I know this because she gave a little squeak. I looked around to see the rest of the crowd in silence, not moving, not even trying to breathe or saying a word. Whatever the person had behind her, they didn’t want to be involved with it. I didn’t know whether they were all aware of what was going on, or the simple fact that they didn’t trust either me or the people on the other side and that one of us was a secret suicide bomber. I understood their silence, but I didn’t mind some assistance.

Perhaps they knew of my heroics from before and decided not to do anything.

Perhaps Lisle warned them all and told them that the mall was going to explode no matter what was going to happen.

Either way you slice it, they were staying quiet.

The Japanese man shouted, what do you want?!

How fast are you? asked Anni.

The Japanese man laughed, as did his friends. What a silly question. I am as fast as you am sure. You think you can take me down?

Wanna bet?

Sur-

There was a hole within the skull of the man as he fell down, as did someone else as well fall down in a blink of an eye.

Hmph. I guess you two aren’t as fast as I thought, said Anni, as the Japanese friends all ran off. The crowd hurried towards the injured schoolgirl. Anni blew at her hands and turned to smile at me.

You alright? she asked.

I was a little surprised to see her smile. You were just joking with me? I asked. All of what you said to me was all a little joke?

Of course, she said. I’m not that mean. Except for the first part. I was at a nice coffee shop with moomin dolls.

Moomin dolls? I asked, staring at her shirt and probably guessing to myself that she got the shirt from this coffee shop that I now wanted to visit.

They were so cute looking.

Never mind, she said.

So, what the heck was with you guys? You just leave me alone in my room?

You sleep too much. Natasha wanted to trying to wake you up so you guys can go shopping, but she failed and left alone. I was already on my way out to scout the city.

Oh okay. Anything you found?

No nothing. Except for this scene.

Yeah.

Who were those guys?

Probably friends of Lisle. They were following me as I was crossing the street.

Anni and I saw the schoolgirl carried away on a stretcher. We watched and waited until the police and the crowd dispersed, until I told Anni to search the floor of the mall and some parts of each trash can to see if the weapon they used against the schoolgirl was around.

Nothing.

Probably taken for evidence, said Anni.

Dang, I said. I wonder what Lisle is planning now. It isn’t like him to be this quiet when we are around. He would usually come around and blow something up.

Does he know that we are even here? asked Anni.

I motioned to the situation that already happened. I think he knows that we are here. Probable place for us, teenagers of course, I said. I think his Japanese friends were designed as scouts. Like scout ants. Only more idiotic.

Then we have to track them down and follow them, said Anni.

No, I said. Let them go. I searched through my phone. I saw Natasha texted me that she was home and that I need to help her with her bags.

Anni, I said. It seems that little rich girl needs help with her bags.

Anni gave a sigh. You go. I’ll go see if I can track them down.

Seneschal, please be careful.

Anni gave a smile. You know I will be always, my princess.

She resisted the urge to give me a bow, then went into another area of the mall and disappeared.

I gave the empty space a nod and ran off. As I ran towards the outside of the door, I couldn’t help but notice my phone beginning to vibrate like crazy. I kept running towards the makeshift house and as I was running, I took a glance from my phone.

Once again, as my stalker proves, getting my phone was really an easy task. I have to learn how to hack through the Japanese cell phone system.

And it was a simple one-liner:

Katherine, I know you are here. Meet me in Yoyogi park. Alone, if you dare.

Lisle. Bastard, I muttered to myself as I was close to our makeshift home.

Chapter Two

I opened the door and ignored the traditional step of leaving my shoes on the outside of the doorway and sat right on a chair in wait for Natasha to come out of her room. I was a little bit shaky from the nervousness that appeared in the teenage mall, but I was a lot nervous because of Lisle’s message on my phone. For some reason, I wasn’t at all surprised that Lisle would have my number out of the blue: he always had that habit of hacking my phone. I was also a bit worried that Natasha might disagree with me on what I was going to tell her. The whole world has seen what he has done over the destruction of Ireland. The entire core of my friends, which consisted of around seven people -I think-, knew of my extreme hatred of Lisle. Some of my friends think that it was a huge problem to have this much hatred on somebody just because he almost succeeded in trying to rape me.

Yes, that’s right. Instead of giving me a baby, he gave me a bomb. I had the help of a British doctor to remove the bomb from my stomach, but ever since then, it has been back and forth between him and me. You would think that Lisle, in trying to kill me wouldn’t be so much of a fault of my own in trying to kill him. Then the explosion of Ireland occurred and just like that, he was the most wanted person in my life and in the entire world. Weird thing was that, if the madness of Linkutoko is any indication, then there was probably no way that I was going to try and get this guy. He might as well be protected by some sort of