He didn't expect the black book to burn that easily.
That's not to say it was a piece of cake. Kiyo still had his blood spilled at the end of the battle, after all. He knew going into this that Brago was an immensely strong opponent. That's something he's known since the beginning, as any look at Kiyo's medical records to see the three days he spent hospitalized would reveal. Since he could never imagine any other mamodo taking down Brago, he knew that, sooner or later, Zatch would have to be the one to take him down if he were to be the one standing at the end of the battle.
Perhaps he should have seen the fact that it was the red book that glowed golden as everyone poured their souls into it as a sign that it was Zatch's sealed destiny to become king.
He wondered what was going through Zatch's head during the final battle in those few moments in between spells cast that he had consciousness
There were those three words he spoke.
I'm happy... Kiyo.
Those words were so... typical of Zatch. He was always the more simpleminded of the two. He didn't even really have a thought process. His emotions were his guide and his actions were based off of whatever he was feeling, not what he was thinking.
But those words meant something.
Zatch knew just how powerful Brago was, so... why was he taking a timeout to tell Kiyo he was happy, out of all the emotions that he could have been going through at that moment?
He knew what was to come right after this battle. Even though he didn't want it to happen so soon, there was nothing they could do to prevent the inevitability. They already said their goodbyes.
This whole battle was sent from hell. A lot of shit had happened to them, to say the very least.
But... it wasn't all that bad. For every bastard that crossed their path, for every heart pounding battle that was an adrenaline rush to avenge fallen comrades after saying tearful farewells... there was a laugh to be found. A smile. Joy in its simplest form.
Zatch was well aware that this was going to be one of the last things he'll ever get to say to Kiyo. One of the last times that Kiyo will ever hear his voice. With that voice, he just wanted to let Kiyo know that, throughout this whole thing.... he was happy. Despite the all of the tragedy faced, if he ever got the chance, he'd do it all over, if only that meant he could serve as Kiyo's partner again.
And those moments of pure bliss and happiness were what made the whole damn thing worth it.
Characters: Sherry Belmont and Koko (Sherry-centric)
Word Count: 854
Summary: [Pre-series] Sherry may be suffering through the toughest moments of her life, but Koko's always there to provide moral support.
--
"Never before have I seen a good-for-nothing child like you, Sherry!"
"I don't know why a child like you was ever born!!!"
The harsh words of her mother haunted the back of Sherry's mind. Although she strove to find her own happiness, nothing could get her to forget the daily pains she endured from her mother's high expectations of her to be perfect. The same words that drove Sherry to attempt suicide and claim her own life at such a young age. Sherry wasn't even a person in her mother's eyes. She was just pedestal to display her prodigious family name... and she couldn't even do that right with how she failed to even come close to her mother's expectations every single time. A broken pedestal was what she was.
Sherry entered her room and changed into her nightgown. Despite the fact that she had just eaten dinner, her stomach growled. Ever since her tenth birthday not too long ago where everything went wrong, she was treated as someone who was subhuman. She wasn't allowed to eat dinner at the dinner table and she had to be satisfied with getting a light dinner that barely consisted of anything substantial She was forced to watch everyone else eat at the grand table as she sat on the cold flooring.
Pulling the covers over her, Sherry couldn't sleep. There was no comfort for her to be found in dreams. She had no dreams. There were only nightmares that clawed at every sense she had to frighten her into waking up in the middle of the night startled with a panicked expression on her face. Her life was already a living nightmare anyways, so it was no different from being asleep.
Turning over, Sherry noticed something on her bed from the corner of her eye. She sat up and brought it close to her. It was a stuffed bear that was crude and ragged. It was put together with cheap fabric and one of its black buttoned eyes was falling off with it just being barely connected by one loose thread. When she was a girl that had riches galore, one could wonder why a girl of her status would see any value in such a tattered thing. It lacked any sort of monetary value. What it did have, though, was a whole bunch of sentimental value.
It was a gift from her dear friend Koko. Although Koko was in poverty and she struggled getting by with getting the money needed to provide shelter for herself, she put aside some of her own hard owned money to buy some fabric and sewing supplies. After the events of Sherry's tenth birthday, her parents had even further disapproved of how her best friend was some poor girl trash. When they were able to see each other, it had to be done in secrecy. As a way to help bring her out of her pain, Koko gave her the stuffed bear.
The bear had stitching that was sloppily put together, but Sherry treasured it so much. It was funny how an inanimate bear understood her more than her own mother did. When she hugged it, it reminded her that Koko was someone that would always be by her side no matter how hard the goings got. When she felt like her whole world was already over and she threw herself off of the bridge, Koko saved her. Those life changing words that Koko told her that day shined with a true light that would outshine any of those harsh words her mother told her. She couldn't give up now. Not when she owed Koko her life.
As the moonlight came in through her window, Sherry focused her attention on it. Both her and Koko were both going through their personal sufferings right now. But... as long as they were looking at the same moon and let time do its thing, everything would be okay.
The moonlight in her room brought light to a particular detail on Sherry's bureau. Her eyes were brought to the box containing the rings Koko made for her. One ring was meant for warding off darkness during the day and the other was for the night. She had gotten those as a gift from Koko on her tenth birthday. Seeing as to how that was the day everything went wrong for Sherry as her world was plunged into darkness once more, it's as if Koko gave them to her then because she somehow knew that Sherry would be needing them.
Sherry got up out of her bed and approached her bureau. She took the rings out of the box and put them on-- one adorning her left hand and the other adorning her right. She got back in bed, pulled over the covers, cuddled with the bear, and found relief in knowing that her rings would protect her.
Maybe for just once, she could sleep peacefully. Thanks to Koko's motivation, she wouldn't give up on her dream to find true happiness. Despite their suffering now, if they kept on continuing, they'd escape from the dark tunnel.
Characters: Zatch and Kiyo with appearances by others
Word Count: 1132
Summary: Directly after the events of the Faudo incident, Kiyo finally gets home for some long needed rest. However, Zatch feels uneasy about the whole thing.
Still injured from the intense fight at Faudo's control room, Kiyo limped home with Megumi and Sunbeam holding onto his arms to provide him support. Zatch, Tia, and Ponygon followed along. While Zatch was injured, thanks to his more durable body, his injuries were less severe than Kiyo's. Tia desperately wanted Megumi to cast another Saifogeo to bring his health back up, but Megumi was all out of heart energy after that battle.
Suzy had wanted to follow him home, even though she was left completely bewildered and confused after what just happened. Kiyo told her to just go home with her parents. He assured her that he would be in school to see her after spring break. As for the rest of the human partners and the very few mamodo left that survived the whole fiasco, Apollo was set to arrive shortly to pick them up and bring them back to their homelands.
After a bit of walking, Kiyo and the others arrived at the front of his house. "Thank you, Sunbeam and Megumi." They let go of him and Kiyo was able to stand up by himself.
Sunbeam glanced down at Ponygon then looked back at Kiyo. "It's finally over."
Megumi chimed in, "You can say that again."
Kiyo replied, "You guys can head back to your own homes now. I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say that we're exhausted."
With that, Sunbeam, Megumi, and Tia waved their farewells as Zatch waved goodbye back at them. Ponygon, staying at the Takamine residence, trotted into his little shed.
As Kiyo placed his hand on the doorknob to his front door, his mother caught up with him. As one of the evacuees, she wasn't quite sure what exactly what was going on. "Kiyo, what is up with those injuries? What happened to you!?"
"It's nothing, mom." Kiyo really needed to work on his ability to tell lies. He'd come up with a better excuse to tell her later. Even after his mother interrogated him about his injuries after his first encounter with Sherry and Brago, Kiyo could never quite find a way to explain the battle to her. He ignored his mother's concerned words as he entered the house and went up to his room with Zatch right behind him. He was just glad that he was able to prevent Faudo from bringing any harm to her.
The red book was placed on Kiyo's desk where it was always kept. Kiyo then took off his shirt. Taking a good look at it, he saw that it was all ragged, cut up, and covered in stains from his own blood. After that Zakeruga that managed to land a hit on him, the backing of the shirt was practically nonexistent. He tossed it aside with the intent to get rid of it later on and then lazily replaced what he was wearing with one of his white t-shirts. He sat down on his bed and Zatch came by his side.
Kiyo glanced over at the corner of his room where he had his research pictures of Faudo still decorating the wall. He'd have to take those down later since there was no need for them anymore. "Well, I'm glad that's finally over with. You fought well, Zatch. After all of that, I need to catch up on my sleep." He yawned. "We'll talk about this more after I wake up, ok?" He pulled his sheets over himself and dozed off.
Even though Zatch needed his sleep as well, there was something preventing him from doing that. He was happy to finally be reunited with Volcan 300 after all of the chaos that occurred during Faudo incident, but... there was something going on in the back of his mind. With Kiyo asleep, Volcan was the only one he had to share all of his thoughts with about what just happened.
He took a good look at Kiyo. The two of them had been through a lot over the past few days, but together, they were able to persevere through it all. Despite how they came out on top... there were a countless amount of things that Zatch wished he would never have to go through again. His friends' books were getting burned left and right and there were many tearful farewells, but there was one moment in particular that absolutely terrified Zatch and it happened not that long after Faudo's revival.
Their fight against Riou.
Kiyo was just sleeping... right? He promised him that he would wake up! Kiyo's not a liar... right? Then again... Kiyo promised during that fight that he would be fine. Kiyo must have had a really twisted and warped definition of the word fine if that's a word he used to describe the state he was in after that battle. Zatch put the entirety of his trust in him like he always did, but when he finally turned around and saw a body so heavily damaged that it barely resembled Kiyo...
What if Kiyo wouldn't wake up again?
Zatch tensed up and went on full on panic mode at that thought of that. Dropping Volcan on the floor, he couldn't help himself. He yanked the covers off of Kiyo and crawled up on top of him. His head was thrown onto Kiyo's chest. Zatch tried to calm himself down so he could properly listen to his senses. That's when he heard it.
A heartbeat.
Kiyo was still alive. Although it was silly to believe in the first place that his heart would stop beating again just like that, Zatch didn't want to go through that kind of heartbreak at the thought of losing Kiyo ever again. To say that he was beyond relieved isn't enough. Taking his two hands, he tightly clutched them around Kiyo's shirt. With his face down against Kiyo's chest, muffled sobbing murmured throughout the room.
All of Zatch's ruckus accidentally woke Kiyo up. He could tell the t-shirt he just changed into was getting soaked. "Nng... Zatch, I told you. I need my rest."
Zatch couldn't even bring himself to look at Kiyo. Instead, the grasp on his clothes became even tighter and he buried his face down even more while he continued to sob and choke on his words.
"K-Ki...yo..."
Looking at Zatch, Kiyo smiled in understanding. He leaned back to put his head back on his pillow and allowed for Zatch to continue crying. With one hand, he placed his hand on Zatch's head while with the other, he pulled his sheets back on over the two of them. While Zatch was able to calm down, he didn't loosen his hold on Kiyo in the slightest.
Together, they fell asleep peacefully-- letting all of their bad memories cast away.
Summary: Kiyo has some last nagging thoughts before going off to France to fight in the final battle that will end it all.
--
It was hard to believe that tomorrow would be the day that this whole battle from hell would truly come to an end. Even more than just simply beveling it, it was hard to accept that fact. The whole battle for king was all Kiyo had gotten accustomed to over these past few years. It made Kiyo's life before he met Zatch seem so distant as if it was in a completely different lifetime. Not that he looked back at his life before he met Zatch with fond memories, anyways. After they met, his life became a matter of always keeping that book on hand in case it was needed, protecting said book no matter what the cost, taking down whatever bastards crossed their path, and striving forward. And now here they were in the final standing as one of the last two mamodo candidates qualified for the throne. In just a few short hours, they would be in France to finish this whole thing for good.
Just thinking about the whole thing prevented Kiyo from sleeping. He was used to a lack of sleep. If he wanted to accomplish something, he'd stay up for as long as he possibly could until he reached his goal. Now their goal of making Zatch into a kind king he had always dreamed of being was right in their reach.
While Zatch was sound asleep, Kiyo groggily got out of bed and walked towards his desk, making sure to not disturb Zatch in his sleep. It was odd how the room he was in was the very same room where he had first found out what was going on with this twisted battle. Soon, he would be facing off against the exact same people that gave him that explanation. He stared out his window and found companionship with the full moon that was out. It felt as if the moon was the only thing boundless enough to deal with the burden of all of the heavy thoughts Kiyo was going through.
His bag was already packed for France. There were no preparations to be made, but Kiyo wasn't quite sure what he was still doing up instead of at least trying to get some sleep. By some whim, he took out his red spell book from one of the bag.
Looking back at the past few years, it was just battles, battles, and more battles. When they weren't battling, they were training for battle. Thankfully, things had quieted down over the past three months. With it ensured that there was only one other mamodo left to settle things with, there were no battles to partake part in. After their intense ten month training period for the fight with Clear, since Brago wasn't a threat to the future of the mamodo world, there was just no need for any additional training.
Kiyo hadn't even cast a single spell since Clear's defeat. Although, he wouldn't deny that the temptation was there. Folgore was able to find closure over Kanchome's book burning, just like the iron man he was. Kiyo was relieved to see Folgore get back to being his old self, but his antics still irritated Kiyo. That was just a constant that would never change. Not just Folgore, either, but Dr. Riddles also made frequent visits from America to the Takamine residence with Big Boing with seemingly no purpose other than to tease the boy genius. It's a miracle Kiyo was able to withhold the urge to blow up their faces (and his house along with them in the process) with his anger by casting Zaker.
Still holding the book in his hand, Kiyo began to flip through its pages and began to read them using the moonlight as his light source. It wasn't exactly reading, per se. While it was true that during the Faudo crisis Kiyo had learned to read the demonic characters, the words written in the spell books were a special case. Even using his Answer Talker ability, Kiyo couldn't quite exactly read the lettering. Instead, the meaning of what was written there was conveyed directly to his heart.
Going through each of the pages, Kiyo was reminded of how Zatch got stronger with each battle they went through together. Each new spell written into the book meant that Zatch had unlocked a new part of his maximum potential. He looked at the page with their first spell: Zaker. That was sure something the first time he had accidentally activated the spell while trying to kick Zatch out and instead ended up blowing up his room. To think that Kiyo saw that as something powerful back then. Before even knowing anything about the whole battle for mamodo king, Kiyo knew that Zatch was hiding a greater power. With that thought, though, he was expecting more like a oh-this-could-maybe-cause-some-damage-to-a-city kind of greater power. The power that was oh-let's-just-destroy-the-guy-that-wants-to-annihilate-two-whole-worlds-with-a-giant-ass-electrical-dragon-that's-bigger-than-the-freaking-planet that was contained in Shin Beruwan Baou Zakeruga was something that was completely unthinkable back then.
Satisfied with his trip down memory lane, Kiyo packed the red book back in the bag he took it out of. He turned his attention towards his middle school diploma hanging on his wall, which he had just gotten the other day. He was reminded of that realization that hit him hard during his graduation: just how soon it would be until him and Zatch would have to part ways. Forever.
Kiyo got out of his chair and on his way back to his bed, he focused on Zatch. Although he certainly was a ridiculously obnoxious kid when he was awake, when he was sleeping, he was actually pretty peaceful. Even if that included the drool coming out from his mouth and soaking the pillow underneath. Pulling his sheets over him, Kiyo thought about how it was uncertain what the results of the upcoming battle would be.
There was one thing that he was certain of, though.
He was really going to miss this kid.
--
The little sleep he got was cut short when he got startled by a kid jumping on top of him who was somehow always energetic the first thing in the morning. Thanks to Kiyo's night owl tendencies, Zatch was always the first of the two to wake up. Once Zatch got up, it didn't take him that long to do the task of waking up Kiyo.
"Kiyo! Kiyo! Wake up! Have you forgotten what today is!?"
Well, today's the last day I'm ever going to get a wake up call like that again.
Kiyo scratched his right shoulder and dragged himself out of bed. He walked over to the other side of his room and the small luggage that Kiyo was bringing with him was slung on his back. Since he wasn't planning on staying for long, he packed light. The most important thing packed was, of course, his red book. After business with Sherry and Brago would be finished, he figured his bag might as well be completely empty. No matter what the outcome of the battle would be, that book was something that wasn't making the return trip with him.
Meanwhile, Zatch was already ready with a small backpack on his back that contained a few snacks for the flight. There was no need for him to pack anything else. It's not like he'd be coming back home after this trip.
Kiyo checked the time. It wouldn't be much longer until it would be the arranged time for him to meet up with Apollo at the airport for their private jet flight to France.
With their time together ever shortening, there was still one last nagging thought running around in Kiyo's mind. It wasn't a thought about the upcoming battle, but it was a thought that dated back to the very day he had found out about the battle for king in the first place.
"Hey, Zatch. Can I ask you something before we go?"
"Of course, Kiyo! What is it?" He wondered what Kiyo could be asking him at a time like this.
Kiyo gave a confused look at Zatch. He wondered how he could possibly word what he was trying to say. He started, "Have I... gotten close?"
Zatch didn't understand what Kiyo was asking from him and tilted his head in confusion. "What do you mean, Kiyo?"
"Well..." This was going to be embarrassing talking to Zatch about this topic just like this. He turned towards his window and awkwardly pointed at it. "The day we first met, you crashed right through that window over there."
Zatch paid full attention to Kiyo as he continued," Before that, I was just so bitter. I thought that life was a giant bore and that everyone else was stupid, so I pushed them away. But then... you came in. You changed that. Because of you, I've learned how to truly live. You gave me something that's just too big to give back."
Zatch still gave no response and just stared at Kiyo innocently. Kiyo scratched the back of his head and concluded, "So... what I'm trying to say is that... fighting alongside you through all of these battles ... have I gotten close to paying back what I owe you?"
Despite the embarrassment, it was something that Kiyo felt he had to ask Zatch. Before they parted ways forever, he just had to know if he had at least given Zatch back a fraction of what he owed for all of the things little Zatch did that helped him so much over the past few years they spent together.
Zatch looked at Kiyo's concerned face and just smiled. Kiyo was smart. He was a genius, actually. He was always the one to be asking the intelligent and thought provoking questions. But that... just had to be the stupidest question Zatch had ever heard Kiyo ask.
"Kiyo, we've made it this far and we did it together. You know I wouldn't still be here after all of this time if it wasn't for you!" Zatch closed his eyes so that the focus of his face was just his big damn smile. "Besides, friends always have each other's backs no matter what. And we're friends, aren't we?"
Disbelief spread across Kiyo's face. While it should have been a given that Zatch would give an answer like that since it was just like him... the words this kid could say still never ceased to amaze him. He couldn't believe that he could ever truly pay back Zatch, but knowing that Zatch felt like he wasn't even owed anything was enough to make Kiyo take his sleeve to wipe away a few of his tears that had started forming from just being overcome with emotion. Even though he always had a way with words, he couldn't even begin to find the words to properly thanks Zatch for just everything.
With one hand on the doorknob and his other hand ruffling Zatch's blond hair, they were ready for departure.
Characters/Shippings: Zatch x Tia fluff with appearances by Kiyo and Megumi
Word Count: 1771
Summary: [Pre-Faudo] Our book owners are busy. Again. Typical, right? That doesn't mean we can't have fun on our own!
--
Pictures scattered about a desk were being analyzed under a magnifying glass. Not just any pictures-- they were pictures of a certain structure that had appeared in the human world not long ago.
Kiyo gave a frustrated sigh and brought his hands to his forehead. "Augh, what does all mean!? Just going off of what Coral Q told us, that still isn't telling us much..."
Meanwhile, a certain blond mamodo was sitting on his book owner's bed. Time kept going, and going, and going until he eventually got fed up.
"Kiyooo--!"
Oh boy. Here we go.
The boy continued, "Kiyo, I'm bored!"
"I see that, Zatch."
Zatch hopped off the bed and clung onto Kiyo's leg. "Why don't you plaaaay with me, Kiyo!?" He started sobbing. His tears got Kiyo's pants wet.
"Not today, Zatch. I'm busy. Why don't you go play with Ponygon or something?"
"Ponygon's not here!" Zatch continued to whine, "He's off with Sunbeam today so they can bond as a team! Why can't we bond as a team, Kiyo!?"
Kiyo got up out of his chair. He took both of his hands to remove Zatch from his leg and put him in front of him. "Look, Zatch, I know you really want to play with me. I just don't have the time right now."
Zatch was disappointed. "You always say that!"
Kiyo's eyes narrowed. Zatch could tell he was being serious. "Zatch," he began to lecture, "It's the truth. I really need the time to study this demonic structure! We need to make you king, right? We don't know what bad news this thing could be, so I need to research it to make sure we're prepared for anything. Ok?"
Zatch knew he was right. He whimpered in a defeated tone, "Ok..."
"Even if Ponygon's not here, I'm sure you can find something to do. Why don't you head outside?"
Zatch did as he was told. Someway or another, he'd find something to do.
--
Pictures were being taken one after the other with everyone looking on. Not just any pictures-- they were pictures being taken for a new promotion.
Megumi gave a sigh of relief. Whew. It was finally break time. "Time to get some refreshments!"
Meanwhile, a certain pink haired mamodo was off to the side. She kept kicking the same rock again, and again, and again until eventually she got fed up.
"Megumi!"
Oh boy. Here we go.
The girl continued, "Megumi, how much longer is this going to take!?"
"About an hour and a half, Tia," she said while sipping some pink lemonade.
"An hour and a half!?" That's what she said an hour and a half ago! "Will there ever be something for me to do around here?"
"Tia, I know you're bored, but I have to do this. I can't let my fans down, can I?"
Tia sighed. She knew she was right. "Yeah, yeah... but still, what am I supposed to be doing while you're being busy?'
"There's a lot you can do around here. Why don't you go take a look around?"
Tia did as she was told. Someway or another, she'd find something to do.
--
Zatch dragged his feet along the sidewalk with his hands behind his head. He frowned and looked up at the sky.
"Ponygon's with Sunbeam, Kiyo's too busy to play with me... Aw, there's just got to be something to do!" He groaned. Finding something to do would be harder than he had thought.
That's when he noticed her.
"Tia!" He called out.
"Zatch?"
Tia crossed the street and walked over to where Zatch was.
"Tia, it's a good thing you're here! Aside from Volcan, no one else wanted to play with me..."
"You too, huh?" Tia pouted. "Megumi's life as a pop idol is hard work. She's always busy!"
"Well, now that we're here, what do we do?"
"Hmm..." Tia pondered. "Megumi gave me some money to do some shopping with, so maybe we can do some shopping for some clothes?'
"Bleh!" Zatch stuck his tongue out. Clothes shopping wasn't exactly his idea of fun. He thought of alternative ideas until it hit him. "Oh! I know! Naomi told me she was going to the zoo today, so that leaves the park free! You want to go?"
"Sure! That sounds great!"
The duo scurried off hand in hand.
--
When the two mamodo arrived, the first thing they did was go on the slide. Tia dashed ahead of Zatch and got there first. Zatch insisted that they went down at the same time. Tia let him have his wish... to an extent. With Zatch in front, the two children went down the slide at the same time. When they landed, Zatch fell flat on the ground with his face buried in the dirt and Tia sat right on top of him. She got off of him only to get back up to the top of the slide before Zatch could get up. He only narrowly got out of the way of getting hit when she was coming down.
The swings provided an alternative to getting fun without physically harming Zatch... or so he thought Pumping their legs, they began to swing. Zatch laughed in joy as flew high into the sky while Tia wasn't really going anywhere. She grunted in frustration.
"What's wrong, Tia?"
"I can't get this stupid swing to go anywhere!"
"You mean you can't swing? Haha, it's easy!" In an effort to try to help her, he got out of his swing, and pushed hers. "Now just time the movements of your legs and you'll get it!" Tia tried to do as she was told while Zatch stood behind her. She ended up accidentally kicking Zatch right in his stomach with the back of her book. He toppled over on the ground in pain while hugging his belly. He decided that that was enough swinging for one day.
Sandbox time. Zatch and Tia worked together on creating a grand sand castle. Zatch didn't really care what it looked like, but Tia was critical in making sure it was perfect. Appearance was always highly important to her. While she did throw sand at Zatch sometimes in disagreement, in the end, they had fun and they were able to create a marvelous castle fit for a king and a queen.
Maybe one day, at the end of the battle, that could be their castle with Zatch as the king and Tia as his queen.
--
Darkness started to fall. Tia looked at her watch and realized just how late it was. She was enjoying her time with Zatch so much that the whole day just flew by. "Zatch, it's getting late. We should head back, but... it's so dark out."
"I know what we can do!" He exclaimed. "I have my own hideout not too far from here. We can stay in it overnight and head back when the sun comes out in the morning."
"Won't our book owners get worried, though!?"
"It's ok! I've done it before. Kiyo was really angry, but when isn't Kiyo angry at something? He was relieved anyways to see that I was alright."
Tia hesitated, but she agreed, "Oh alright."
Zatch lead the way until they arrived at his hideout. It wasn't exactly what she had in mind. "Zatch... this is a cardboard box."
"It's got plenty inside, though! Here, let me show you!' The two entered his little hideout.
"You've got a pillow in here?" Tia grabbed at it.
"Tia, that's my only pillow!"
"Oh come on, Zatch, you know that the lady has to be the one to get the pillow!"
"Well, maybe we could share the pillow? Like friends!"
"What!?" Tia blushed at the idea of sleeping on the same pillow as Zatch. "No way!"
"But Tia!"
No response.
Zatch clenched his hands and gave big puppy dog eyes.
Tia gave in. "Alright, Zatch, we can share it."
"Hooray!"
Tia placed the pillow down on the cardboard flooring. She plopped her head down on it first, followed by Zatch. They were facing each other.
Shortly afterwards, Zatch was the one to fall asleep first. Tia was left staring at him while trying to fall asleep. He was so adorable when he was sleeping and they were so close to each other that Tia couldn't help but blush. Still, it brought her relief that Zatch, the boy that brought so much hope into her life, was right beside her. That sense of comfort allowed her to fall asleep peacefully.
--
A magnifying glass was put to rest on the desk. Kiyo had completed the research he was doing for the day. "Well, I'm making some progress piece by piece... but this whole thing is still such a big mystery." He hadn't found any major breakthroughs like he wanted.
The doorbell rang. Kiyo went downstairs to answer it.
"Kiyo!"
"Mr. Sunbeam?"
Sunbeam was returning Ponygon for the day. Ponygon was busy licking Sunbeam's face and Sunbeam took him and put him on the ground. He was sad to have to say goodbye to his book owner for now after spending the whole day with him.
"Ponygon had a lot of fun today! He's sure a handful, but he's goodhearted."
"Thanks for taking good care of him for the day."
"I'll catch you later, Kiyo. It's been a long day, so I need to return to my apartment to get some sleep."
"Later!"
Ponygon walked into his shed and Kiyo went back into the house. That's when it hit him. Strange. Zatch still wasn't back yet.
The phone rang. Kiyo picked it up.
"Kiyo?"
He recognized the voice. "Megumi? What's up?"
"Kiyo, have you seen Tia? She hasn't returned from playing yet and I'm getting worried."
"Tia too, huh? Zatch hasn't returned yet either. Wherever they are, let's just hope that they're together."
"I'll be right over!"
Megumi arrived at Kiyo's house and together they went to the park to search for them. The two called out Tia's and Zatch's names into the night.
Kiyo thought about where Zatch could be. He remembered that the last time he was out this late, he found him in a cardboard box nearby. "Megumi, I think I might know where they are." Kiyo motioned with his hand and Megumi followed.
The two opened up the cardboard box and found their two mamodo sound asleep next to each other. "Well, would you look at that," Megumi softly said and smiled. Kiyo smiled back at her as they let their mamodo sleep for just a bit longer.
Characters: Zatch Bell, Kiyo Takamine, Hana Takamine
Word Count: 904
Summary: Based off of the events of chapter 320. Zatch has heartfelt moments with Kiyo's mother in the hours before Kiyo's graduation.
--
A certain green gym bag was plopped down on the floor. Today would be the day. It was Kiyo's last day of middle school. He couldn't say no this time, could he?
The graduating student came down the stairs from his room and slung on his blazer. He sat down by the front door and fiddled around with his shoes to get them properly on his feet.
An eccentric blond boy came over to him with a smile on his face. "Unu, Kiyo, are you ready yet? Let's hurry and go to school!"
Kiyo had already prepared an answer for him. It was just another day with Zatch pestering him to allow him to go to school with him. No matter how many times the answer was no, Zatch kept on insisting the same thing. He began, "Zatch, you're coming a bit later. You're going with my mom to the gymnasium at 10 o'clock. You can't come until then!!"
Zatch, as always, was shocked at the idea that Kiyo wouldn't bring him to school with him. He whined and tried to convince him to change his mind. "Nuuu~~ Isn't it okay!? Today's your last day of middle school, isn't it!? I'll be quiet so... Oh!!"
Kiyo got up. He put his hands on his hips and sternly stated, "No way. Today I absolutely won't allow it."
"But Kiyoooo--!"
The only response Zatch got was the door slamming on his way out.
Hearing Zatch's whining, Kiyo's mother emerged from the other room. "Something wrong, Zatch?"
He pouted, "Even though it's Kiyo's last day of middle school, he won't take me with him!"
"That's because today is his graduation, Zatch."
He was unsatisfied with the answer he got. "What does that have to do with anything?" Zatch had heard Kiyo talk about his graduation before when they made the agreement with Sherry and Brago to postpone their battle. Although he knew that that was the reason why they waited three months to have their concluding battle, Zatch wasn't really sure on what it meant. After all, he had never been to a graduation before.
Hana gave a sincere smile to the boy. "It means that today's his day to be proud of all he's done in middle school. Come on, I'll show you some old pictures."
Zatch glanced back at the gym bag he had placed on the floor. He could easily just ignore Kiyo's wishes and follow him to school irregardless of how Kiyo would yell at him, but he abstained. Maybe it'd be for the best to just go with what Kiyo's mother was saying. "Oh, alright."
The two walked over to the other room. Hana moved around other objects to try to find the photo album. While looking for it, thoughts came to her how hard it was to believe that today her son was really going to graduate middle school. Things were rough for him in the beginning. He frequently came home beaten up and refused to talk to her about any of it. He was trapped in his own bitterness to the point where he stopped going to school altogether and Hana felt hopeless to do anything to try to help him. That's when, in a moment of desperation, she sent a letter to her husband in England about the broken state their son was in.
Her train of thought was cut short when she found the book she was looking for. "Ah, here it is." She placed the book on the table and Zatch eagerly looked on.
He grabbed at the pages and flipped through them. All of the pages were adorned by photos from a few years back to when Kiyo was still in elementary school.
"Are these... really pictures of Kiyo!?" To him, Kiyo was someone who was really, really tall that he had to look way up in order to make eye contact with. He was someone who he could just crawl all over and put himself on his shoulders. To see Kiyo being not that taller than Zatch's height was a foreign concept to him.
Hana chuckled. "He certainly has grown." She was referring to just how tall he's gotten, but she knew he's grown up in more ways than one. Over these past few years, she's seen him discover more about his true self and watched him mature.
Zatch continued to flip through the album until he reached the last page. "Is this... Kiyo's elementary school graduation?" He looked at pictures taken outside of his old school. In all of them, Kiyo was proudly displaying his diploma while being surrounded by all of his friends. Most of all, in every single picture, Kiyo was wearing a great big smile.
"Yes, Zatch. That's what his elementary school graduation was like." Hana took the photo album and examined the photos for herself. She adored those precious moments when her son was truly happy. When Kiyo had started middle school, she was terrified and believed that her son's smile was lost forever.
That all changed when she took on a boy with golden eyes and a golden personality to match as her second son. She knew how much of a help to him he was. She knew that he was the light that acted as Kiyo's savior during his darkest moments. Giving a heartfelt smile at him, all that could be on her mind was:
Summary: Kiyo finds a certain something from years back that makes him reflect on how far he was able to come because of Zatch.
--
The days had quieted down at the Takamine residence since Zatch had left all of those years ago. Kiyo Takamine was now just months away from his high school graduation. Although he wasn't engaged in battles anymore and he wasn't throwing his life on the line to protect a certain red spell book, Kiyo still felt like his life could never quite go back to being "normal" after he met Zatch.
Under his mother's orders, Kiyo was helping out in cleaning the house by going through the closet to see what he wouldn't need. A variety of his belongings were put off to the side such as clothes he had long since outgrown and books he hadn't read since elementary school. He'd figure out some way to get rid of them.
While going through the items on the top shelf, Kiyo found a large folded up piece of cloth. He couldn't recall storing something like that up there. "Just what could this be...?" He took it down and unfolded it just to see what it was. There were some words scribbled onto it by a certain six year old.
Operation Hero of Justice.
Kiyo was left speechless. "I... forgot I even still had this." Thoughts began to come to his mind about the day Zatch made it.
"Let's start Operation Hero of Justice! This school is probably filled with bullies, right? You can save all of the other students from the bullies and make lots of friends!"
"... Heh," Kiyo chuckled to himself. "You always knew I was meant to be a hero, didn't you? I really don't know what you saw in me because all I did was had my back turned to everyone. Somehow, you just knew who I was really meant to be."
Certainly, there had been many times when the two of them stood alongside each other to be the heroes that saved the day. They started out small by just taking down some school bully and stopping a local bank robbery. That was enough for Kiyo to be viewed as a hero in the eyes of his classmates. They didn't stop there, however, and continued to preform heroic feat after heroic feat-- from saving a concert, to saving hostages from a castle in England, to preventing Faudo from destroying everything in its path. It all lead up to the moment where the two of them became the brilliant golden light that protected both of their worlds from facing absolute destruction in the final battle against Clear. Operation Hero of Justice had certainly gone a long, long way-- further than Zatch had ever originally intended for it to go.
He took the banner and pinned it to his bedroom wall. It was put in an organized corner where he kept the rest of his precious memories of Zatch, including that one letter he received from him after they parted ways.
Kiyo stared out of his window-- the very same window that Zatch came crashing through that fateful day, and smiled. "Wherever you are, I hope I became the hero that you expected me to become. And I hope you're proud of me for that."
Summary: After Princess Twilight Sparkle's coronation, Scootaloo feels down on herself about how she still can't fly. Rainbow Dash is there to pick her up.
--
Princess Twilight. Princess Twilight. Princess Twilight. It was all anyone who was anyone in Ponyville was talking about. The news claimed the front page of every newspaper around.
Scootaloo put down the newspaper she was reading and let out a deep sigh. Twilight. Twilight! Of all ponies, even she beat her in being the first to fly! Whatever little hope there was left for her ever being able to keep her hooves off the ground by herself just might as well be completely crushed at this point. "Ugh, this is all so hopeless!" She vented in frustration.
"Something wrong, champ?"
Scootaloo turned her attentions to the voice she heard. "Oh, Rainbow Dash! It's you. It's just..."
"Just?"
"It's about Princess Twilight."
Rainbow Dash squealed. "I know! Isn't it just awesome that she was able to become a princess!? I mean, I know Twilight was always great and all, but now she's a princess!"
Scootaloo whimpered, "Yeah, it's great that she was able to become a princess and all, but I'm not talking about that. I'm talking more about the whole alicorn thing. She wasn't even born with wings, but despite that, she's able to fly on her own and I still can't do that!" Tears started to form in her eyes.
"Oh," Dash lowered her voice, "It's that kind of thing. Listen here." Dash put one of her wings around Scootaloo. Being comforted, Scootaloo looked up at Rainbow Dash. Dash began, "Look. Twilight was able to become an alicorn princess because she achieved the destiny she was meant to achieve. We all have a destiny, like how I'm destined to become a member of the Wonderbolts!"
"But... what does that have anything to do with me?"
"You have a destiny to fulfill, too, kid." Dash pointed at Scootaloo's blank flank. "You just have to find out what that is for yourself. In the mean time, don't worry about it. You'll find out what that is soon enough."
"You really think that!?"
"I know that."
Scootaloo embraced Rainbow Dash for a hug. Step by step at a time, she'd get there.
My Kokoro Took Me Places Where it Shouldn't Have Gone
Fandom: Nyan~ Neko Sugar Girls
Characters: Hitoshi-san
Word Count: 223
Summary: You just had to kill her, didn't you?
--
Denial.
I couldn't be in denial, could I? Could what Koneko-chan said really be true?
I couldn't have fucking killed Raku-chan.
Bokutachi-san... damn you. Your suave movements captured my kokoro right away. Your charming voice, your gleaming eyes, your devlish smile, the way you were able to persuade me... You made yourself completely irresistible and I just had to fall in love with you.
Raku-chan was innocence. A golden light. A child eating mochi on a summer's day. She was a real trooper and put her best foot forward in any situation. She went face to face with death with the neko demon and she was able to go against all odds and overcome it.
Then I...
I see the truth now. I was the one that showed her how cruel reality could really be. How even the most innocent of children, who deserve what they want more than anyone else, can't always get what they want.
I fucking killed her.
Those last words she said to me. She called me one of the best tomodachis she could ever ask for. A tomodachi. I killed her, and she called me a tomodachi. What kind of shitty excuse for a tomodachi I make.
Raku-chan, wherever you are, I hope you're having kawaii fun times.
Summary: There was just something about Zatch's eyes that always got to him.
--
The fateful day they met, his eyes were the first thing he noticed about him. Ok, that's a lie. The first thing he noticed was "Hey, that kid's naked," but his eyes were definitely the second thing he noticed about him.
What was most brilliant about his eyes was their deep golden color. After they met, Kiyo did admit that his whole life did feel a bit more golden. His golden eyes brought forth that undying optimism that Zatch always carried with him. Through all the hell that he had to go through, he fought through it and painted the whole world around him with a golden hue.
It wasn't just their color, but their shape, too. They were big and round and took up a considerable amount of his face. After all, Zatch was just a kid and his eyes did portray how childish he really was.
When he got fierce, though, he got fierce. Those same goofy, childish eyes completely shattered and became tools to strike fear into his opponents. They didn't just strike fear, they were able to completely paralyze an opponent with fear just by glaring at them.
That fierce, golden light that never flickered out was what carried him to the end of the battle.
Summary: He's a genius, but the one thing he's never been able to figure out is where her undying faith in him came from.
--
Yeah, she's a klutz, and yeah, she always does mess everything up. She's done some pretty unbelievable things such as spending the entirety of a trip in England thinking she was in Hong Kong. Not to mention, she has no sense of direction and she's always getting lost. It really seems like she can't find anything. There is one thing she was able to find, though, and it's something even the boy genius had difficulty finding... and that was faith in him.
He had always had a heart of justice. He wanted to stand up for himself and be a hero. His bitterness is what prevented that and caused him to lie to himself. Thanks to the jealousy of his so called 'friends', he couldn't even find any faith in himself. That didn't stop her. When everyone else shut him out, she was the only one that let him in. The biggest bully known in the school? Ha, she knew that things would always be ok as long as he was around!
There was something certainly off about him leading up to that one spring break. She was the only one to pick up on it. He had to go off on some dangerous journey. Again. A giant demonic structure had appeared and him and Zatch had to do something about it. Somehow. How could he even fight against something so massive? He knew Zatch and him had always come out on top and that they could get through anything together, but this was something of a colossal scale. He tried his hardest to put up a positive front, but how could he not be uneasy about this whole thing?
So... ensure that he'd come back safely, she made him a good luck charm. It was more than just a good luck charm, really. It was a promise. A promise that he'd still make it through. A promise that he could still be around to tutor her, just like he always did. It was a representative of her unwavering faith in him.
Summary: What if Zatch really wasn't able to find a way back into the human world in time? Kiyo writes down his thoughts just in case he gets there too late.
--
You'd never break a promise, would you? In all of those years that we were together, you never broke a single promise you made to me or anyone else. You promised we'd meet again so we can show our pride in growing up.
Judging from how we still haven't been reunited... I guess there really is no way for us to meet again. Even using all of your knowledge of the mamodo world as king and my Answer Talker ability, it looks like we haven't found the answer we want.
Still, you are the kind of guy that'd see his promises through to the end. This goes for me as well. After all, I promised on it, too.
The truth is... I'm getting old, Zatch. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be alive for. I'm not sure how long your lifespan is, but if you're the king of the mamodo world for the next 1000 years, surely you'll live to be at least that long, right?
I still have faith in you. During the battle, no matter what, we never gave up on each other. Why should it be any different now, even though it's been decades since we parted? We're still connected through our hearts and we're forever linked together as partners, aren't we?
I'm not sure how exactly I plan on you getting this. There's no way for me to send a letter to the mamodo world, but... you'll come back here somehow, right? I know you'll end up getting this in some way if I leave it for you in the human world. Maybe I'll cover this in the scent of yellowtail. You still love those, don't you? You used to eat them like there was no tomorrow!
I've grown up. By the time you get this, I'm sure you have, too. Heck, I'm sure you've already grown up a lot long before I even wrote this. Despite all of the passing years... the time we spent together still remains as the best years of my life. You changed me, Zatch. You helped me realize who I really was inside. I've made countless friends because of you, even after the battle ended. You're still my best friend, though, even now. I wouldn't even have all of these friends if it wasn't for you!
Besides, who else would stand up for the one stuck up genius in the school that even the teachers didn't want there? You put all of your faith into me the very morning we met even though all I did was be a jerk to you and purposefully mislead you.
Your little back showed so much courage to me that day. I'm sure you're making an excellent king with that very same back that protected me, only now you're protecting over all of the people of your world-- even if it's not such a little back anymore.
Popping in for the 25 days of fic. Probably will be the only one I actually get done but it's something and that's better than nothing.
Fandom: Zatch Bell / Konjiki no Gash Bell
Characters: Zatch and Kiyo friendship
Word count: 948
Summary: Zatch thinks about what he really wants to ask Santa for Christmas.
--
Shoppers rushed by picking up last minute Christmas gifts for their loved ones at the Mochinoki Department Store. Christmas lights dazzled in a rainbow of colors. Catchy jingles filled the air to get everyone into the holiday spirit.
Zatch was easily enamored by the whole thing. He skipped along wanting to grab at anything that caught his attention. He wore a big smile on his face as he listened to all of the bustling of people about him. He even tried to hum along to the Christmas music playing, although he wasn't very accurate at it as all of these holiday songs were brand new to him.
Kiyo followed closely behind him, making sure to not lose his eye on him. It reminded him how despite all of the tough battles they've been through and how mature Zatch sounds when he's standing up for others and what he believes in, in the end, he really is just a kid. Christmas stopped being a magical experience for Kiyo long ago. With his intellect, he quickly caught onto the whole Santa business. Still, through Zatch, he was able to remember what it was like to truly see the holidays through a child's eyes.
The two stopped in front of a poster with big and red font. It was an advertisement for a chance for kids to meet Santa right there in the Mochinoki Department Store.
"Kiyo!! Is this the Santa you told me about? The one that'll give me whatever I want!? Is it really him!?"
"... Yes, Zatch," Kiyo resisted the urge to tell him that it's just a guy in a suit, even after all of the times he told him that about Praying Mantis Joe. Perhaps seeing Zatch being so merry reignited the spirit of the holiday inside of him that he could've sworn died off long ago. "But he'll only give you want you want if you're a good boy."
"Ohh can we go and see him, Kiyo!? Please!? Pleeease!?"
"Let's see. The ad says this starts in a few minutes and we still have some time. Alright, I guess that's settled, then!"
Zatch grinned and he immediately ran for the second floor. Kiyo didn't even have the time to call out to him and he struggled keeping up, especially with how many people were there in the way.
Shortly after, Zatch arrived at his destination. There were a few kids already lined up to meet Santa. He eagerly joined them in anticipation. Santa took his seat and the first child got their chance to talk with him.
Kiyo met up with Zatch and huffed. He glanced over at the man in the Santa suit. Was that... his homeroom teacher!? He blinked twice and rubbed his eyes to try to forget about it.
"Now, Zatch, I still have some more shopping I need to do. I'll be right over there. Meet up with me when you're done, ok?"
"Alright!"
Zatch continued to wait in line. He could feel the excitement build up inside of him. Kid after kid got their turns until it was finally his turn. He climbed up onto Santa's lap.
"Now, little boy, what's your name?"
"I'm Zatch! Zatch Bell, to be exact."
"Zatch, what would you like for Christmas?"
Zatch froze at the question. Despite how eager he was to talk to Santa, he didn't actually think about what he wanted. It was just like him, always acting before thinking.
He began to rattle off things that came to the top of his head, "I want a Praying Mantis Joe action figure, a new box of crayons, an endless supply of delicious yellowtail, and, and..!" He lost his train of thought, unsatisfied with the answer he was giving. While it was true those were all very nice things to have, it seemed like a waste to be asking Santa for these things. After all, Kiyo said he only comes once a year. He wanted to make sure it counted and he looked into his heart for what he truly wanted.
His eyes glanced over at Kiyo, who was still busy shopping. Kiyo. That's when it hit him. He thought about all of the tough battles they've been through together. All of the times Kiyo got hurt because he wasn't able to protect him. Not just Kiyo, either, but all of his friends, especially those who are uninvolved in this whole battle and didn't want to fight in the first place.
He continued, "... And what I wish for the most is to become stronger. So that way I can protect everyone. So that no one will have to fight ever again!" That's right. Zatch had promised to too many people to count that he'd become a kind king, for their sake. For everyone's sake. Breaking promises is one thing Zatch would never do.
Santa chuckled. "Ho ho ho! That's an interesting wish you have there. Santa will have to see what he can do for you."
Zatch gave Santa a hug and thanked him before getting off his lap. Now satisfied, he rushed off to meet with Kiyo.
"Kiyo!"
"Oh, Zatch. There you are! I'm done picking out what I need and now I just need to go and pay for all of this. Did you tell Santa what you want?"
Zatch smiled. He knew Santa wouldn't let him down and that his biggest wish would come true. "Yep!"
"Great! Now, let's get going."
Kiyo walked off and Zatch followed alongside him. He knew within his heart that he'd become stronger. He had to become stronger. He knew that in the end, it'd be him standing alongside Kiyo at the end of the battle.
Requested by Derpy. Sorry I said I'd finish this a month ago but I never got around to it until now.
Fandom: Pokémon
Universe: Gameverse
Characters/Shippings: Red x Leaf- BurningLeafShipping
Word count: 608
Summary: Mr. mountain man decides it's finally time to come back down to reality. Of course, Leaf is there to greet him as soon as he gets there. She wouldn't miss it for the world.
---
Route 28 was as lonely as always. That was to be expected. It was a dangerous route and the Pokémon League Reception Gate would only let those qualified pass. Moderation there was strict and was of Kanto's finest unlike the other guards scattered about the region that were always half-asleep and could be easily bribed with lemonade or tea. Leaf didn't need to worry about any of that, though. She was clearly qualified as she had beaten the Pokémon League numerous times in the past and even played a role in saving all of Kanto from a villainous take over.
Still, as brave a girl as she was, she did have her worries. She adjusted her hat with one hand and fiddled with her Pokégear with the other while she sat down on a set of steps. It's not like she needed to worry about them being dirty, after all, they were seldom used. What she worried about was something of greater concern to her than getting some dirt on her skirt.
"That idiot! He's always being so reckless with himself and it's like he doesn't even care..." Red had been visiting Mt. Silver more frequently and his visits lasted more often. Leaf never even got a reason as to why aside from "training." That was just like him, she supposed. He was always one to just rush off and do what he wanted without saying many words-- if any.
A Ponyta galloped by with a dash. Its flames instantly reminded her of him in every way. They burned brightly the way his eyes did whenever he was about to do something he was passionate about. It reminded her how lucky they both thought they were when they first met each other all of those years ago. How bizarre yet great it was for them to find someone that was so alike to them in many ways in that same little town they called Pallet. While she clutched her Pokégear, she sighed. Today was finally supposed to be the day he came down from that mountain after he had called her the night prior. Red hadn't answered any of her own calls to him since and twice she considered marching right up that mountain to get him herself. Still, she waited.
Her patience paid off. A handful of minutes later, the figure of a certain spiky haired brunette dressed in red attire appeared in front of her.
Leaf stood up. She wanted to yell and scream and punch him and make it hurt. That idiot. She could see the goosebumps on his skin. He was at Mt. fucking Silver dressed like that! He just had to rush off into the mountains again without telling anyone and he didn't even bring that winter jacket she told him to wear the last time after he got down and--
All of her anger dispersed as soon as she heard his voice.
"Hey."
That's right. As much as she tried, she couldn't stay mad at him because she loved him. Of course, he still was a giant idiot, but he was the giant idiot that she loved. She loved how brave and determined he was and it showed through the fire in his eyes. That fire that inspired her to do so many things and that fire that kept the both of them going.
She leaped into his arms as silent tears rolled down her face and he welcomed her with a tender embrace. His skin was cold to the touch, but her body heat warmed him right up. Maybe, for just this once, she could be his fire.
