The café was relatively quiet. All staff were busy with their jobs, doing all that needed to be done up until closing time. The only person who wasn’t working, was Mint (As usual.) The ex-monarch himself, though irritable, was quite an asset today with his abilities. Akasaka, had skilfully riled him up earlier so that his work ethic would improve as well as the speed— Sneaky.
Come closing time, the area was spotless and the workers were limp. Fatigued from a hard day’s work even if it was a little easier this time around. As everyone readied themselves to finally return home, the alien lord found himself settled on a chair, enjoying some green tea. In spite of his evil mind and tactics, he took pride and care in managing his health. His senses however suddenly piqued in the midst of the staff’s goodbyes. Something was coming. A rip in space— Familiar. Icy blue sharpened as his body tensed on guard. Would his people actually have been angry enough to locate him for a trial? Or rather execution. What he’d done was indeed beyond betrayal straight into unforgivable. He could never return nor did he want to.
Finally, the presence was made clear... though rather small now that it was here. The entrance was crowded with nattering young girls but that soon fell silent the moment those doors swung open. There, stood a young boy. Pallor as white as snow. Hair a dark chestnut but pupils like icicles in the sea of aqua that was his eyes. His outfit looked all too familiar— the onlookers could only stare in awe...and dread.
“It can’t be...another...Alien..?” Ichigo thought to herself out loud. The appearance of this child urged bad memories.
The boy only smirked, pride in his stance as he strode past the crowd.
“Greetings mongrels. Hurry up and show me to my mother.”
Lettuce stuttered, just as confused as the rest though Zakuro stood strong with her guard up. The young Alien’s expression changed to one that the original party knew all too well. A return of trauma. Though Berri and Tasuku had no clue, they sensed the danger regardless. The child spoke roughly.
“Don’t play dumb. You know what I look like. I can see the fear in your eyes so there’s no way you don’t know who I came from.”
Callously, he held up a hand that appeared to freeze the crew in their tracks.
“So hurry up and take me to her.. or I’ll kill you all right here.”
As if on cue, Akasaka and Shirogane ran in. Baffled yet anxious. They were just tying up some loose ends in the lab when this had happened. The blonde gasped.
He was cut short by another figure making their way onto the scene. Unyielding with their direct body language, jet black hair following as they walked.
“State your name and your purpose. This base is already mine.”
Shirogane thought to interject but held back. After all, only an alien would know how to appease another alien, even if they did look like a twelve year old.
As if morphing into a Christmas tree, the child lit up. Contrary to how similarly they resembled the young adult, his eyes would never sparkle like that. As if the sun has risen on his person, the boy mused with a smile.
Only to be met with a sharp glare and his throat seized. Deep Blue callously lifted the other’s small body as he choked him. Gasps of horror surrounded them, freezing a few other members further... but not Ichigo. Just as she was about to intervene, feet ready to sprint, her boss stopped her in her tracks.
“No Ichigo! It’s too dangerous. If you come too close, he might do something terrible to the kid.”
Shaken by that realisation, the redhead reluctantly and gradually retreated. Breath trembling as she witnessed the small being losing strength by the minute at the hands of his declared parent. Blue continued.
“Prove that you are truly my child. If you should fail, I’ll make you disappear.”
The atmosphere was permeated with dread and they were all helpless. One move with such a heartless person, and they could be watching the death of a small child before their eyes. His choking sounds grew more feeble. The assailant continued.
“I don’t want nor have I ever wanted children. So, I find your existence hard to believe even if you do resemble me.”
Despite the imminent danger, the young alien boy did not appear distressed nor did he fear for his life. All he needed was air, however, he was determined to let his voice be heard.
“I....I..f....it...s...b..y...you...r ha..nd...I don...t...mind...d...yin..g..”
A few moments passed wherein the boy’s muscles started to give out and eye contact with his assaulter was sturdy. The crowd themselves perplexed and even more horrified by the ‘proof’ this child thought to present to someone as ruthless as the one who nearly destroyed the Earth.
There, his small body was released and so collapsed on the freshly swept floor beneath him. Like a swarm, everyone other than his assailant surrounded him.
They checked him thoroughly, asking if he was alright as he coughed violently. Shirogane himself was fuming as Keiichiro stared in utter disbelief at the ex monarch. ‘How could he..’
Deep Blue himself remained unfazed, staring down at the others like they were a bunch of diseased rats. Ryou couldn’t take it any longer.
“What the hell is wrong with you?! We thought we were actually making progress despite taking you in after you nearly eviscerated Tokyo! Are you a demon?! DOING THAT TO A HELPLESS CHILD!”
“Am I supposed to be indebted to you for not killing me? I didn’t need this. Besides, you yourselves are only keeping me caged for surveillance purposes. I barely have any of my power so I have no choice.”
But there, his tone grew harsher.
“Do you think I want to be **stuck** here, **working under those who ruined my plans**?? Don’t make me laugh. I told you. You should have killed me when you had the chance. It isn’t my fault that your petty moral values got in the way.”
The rest of the cast felt cheated. The sting of his words setting in. They knew they couldn’t trust him, but they were only just getting used to each other. It *had* been a year or so since. And for Keiichiro, the animosity only grew on the inside— but he couldn’t act rashly.
Finally, the child had recovered yet a snarky comment left him.
“Haaah. Humans are so gullible and breakable. If my Mother had nearly eradicated you all from existence, why is it that you’re all so shocked? Pitiful.”
Another blow to the surrounding members. Ichigo was feeling as though her resolve was breaking. Those awful feelings from the final battle were returning and it just kept getting worse.
“Listen up, boy. Your pathetic line didn’t save you from asphyxiation. Instead, it was your unyielding determination to get me to listen. There was no fear and I still don’t see anything I can decipher as a lie. However, I do not accept you as my child yet.”
Regardless, the boy hung onto every word. Blue continued.
“I will have to question you further. Until I figure out what to do with you, you will be my servant. Understand.”
Without any hesitation. “Yes, Deep Blue-sama. Your word is my gospel.” The boy then bowed, a grin decorating his pale features.
The other only scrutinised as the cast collected themselves, still trying to piece together what was even happening.
“Good boy. Well then, I will be retiring to my room. Come.” And with that he left, leaving the others like a pile of discarded dominos. Shirogane was busy trying to compose himself from the fierce hatred incoming. Whereas Akasaka was pensive, deeper in thought about what move to make next. There was an issue that was currently being seen to, but with this exchange, how could he ever stand to be in the same room with this employee again?
This moment had really made him question his morals and how far he’d be willing to go for the greater good.
