Mirror, Mirror (A Semi-Sequel To 'Pikachu Problems')
2: Topsy Turvy
Flute awoke with a groan. As soon as she opened her eyes she
got the feeling that something was very wrong. Maybe it was the scent
of dried blood in the air, or the faint screams that could be heard
off in the distance. Or maybe it was the fact she had awakened in the
room of an S&M queen.
The walls were jet black, as was the ceiling, floor, and even
the sheets on the bed. Chains of various lengths hung from the ceiling,
and many were crusted with a dried brownish-red substance that Flute
tried not to think to hard about. A wicked-looking cat o' nine tails
hung on the wall opposite the bed, mounted as though it was the sword
of a retired warrior. All in all, Flute felt very out of place in her
little pink pajamas.
Soon, out of morbid curiosity, she got up and scooted across
the bare stone floor over to the closet, then opened it. The entire
thing was filled with tight, revealing black leather outfits and black
stiletto high heels. She ran back to the bed and dived under the
covers, hoping that this was only a bad dream. Her hopes were
unfortunately dashed when someone entered the room a few moments later.
Bass awoke in different place far away from Flute's
predicament. He was laying in the middle of what appeared to be
a throne room. Everywhere he looked was... White. White marble columns
lined the walls; the floor was white marble flecked with gold, even
the cushions on the golden throne where white. It was almost blinding,
especially considering how brightly the sun illuminated the room. Bass
had the sinking feeling that he had screwed up somehow.
Suddenly someone burst into the room. He was a tall solidly
built man, darkly tanned. He had light green hair and eyes, and wore a
full suit of golden armor. Bass could not shake the feeling that he
knew him from somewhere.
"Your highness, I heard..." the man started, then he got a look
at Bass and his eyes widened, "Your highness! What has happened to
you?!"
Bass sighed inwardly. He could already feel a headache coming
on. That's a real a problem when you have two heads.
Flute cowered beneath the covers expecting the worst, but
whoever it was that had just entered the room made no indication that
they were going to bother her.
"Maybe it's not as bad as it looks." Flute thought to herself,
"Maybe this is all a big joke Hamel is playing on me..."
Then she thought for a moment.
"And then maybe pigs will start flying! Even Hamel wouldn't
go this far! At least I don't think he would... Whatever is out there
is going to hurt me, so I'll just stay here thankyouverymuch!" she
though, and with all the faith of a child afraid of things that go
bump in the night, she continued to hide under the covers.
Her illusion of security was shattered a few moments later when
the person who had entered the room pulled back the covers.
He stared at her, she stared at him. He looked almost exactly
like Hamel. His face was the same shape, his eyes and hair the same
color as Hamel's, his bangs even fell in the exact same way. But it
was obviously not Hamel, unless he had decided to trade in his horn for
a pair of black feathered wings. Also, he dressed differently. He wore
a white bodysuit with black armor covering his chest and shoulders,
along with black boots.
The not-Hamel recovered before Flute did. "You aren't from
this world are you?" he whispered.
Flute didn't respond.
He grasped her gently by the shoulder and gave her a little
shake, which helped her snap out of it enough to be coherent.
"I asked if you were from another world..." he prompted softly.
"I-I think so." she mumbled.
"I thought so. There was a surge of strange magical energy
just a little while ago, and now you're here." the Hamel look-alike
said, then added "You look just like Flute-chan..."
Flute jerked in shock, "That's my name!" she stammered, then
added, "Who are you?"
"Hamel." he answered simply.
Flute had to fight the sudden urge to faint. 'Hamel' noticed
how pale she was and reached out to steady her, and support her if she
fell over.
"I have to get you out of here, it's no telling what the others
will do to you once they find out you aren't our Flute." he said as
he gently lifted her into his arms, "I'll take you to Hameln. They'll
help you there."
"Hameln?" she peeped, "Aren't we there already?"
"No," he asked, "What makes you think that?"
"I thought a terrible place like this could only exist in
Hameln." Flute murmured quietly, almost to herself.
"Your version of Hameln must be very different from here..."
Hamel said gently, "This is actually one of the nicest rooms here in
Sforzend."
"Sforzend?" Flute squeaked, staring at Hamel in shock.
The dark angel nodded his head and whispered, "I'm sorry..."
That was the last thing Flute heard for a while, as her mind
retreated from confusion and into the dark welcoming arms of
unconsciousness.
At times like this Bass was glad he was a mazoku, and that he
had absolutely no qualms about lying his face off.
"Good knight!" he called, doing his best to sound relieved,
"Thank god I've found you! Something dreadful has happened to my
father!"
"Prince Lute?" the man said quizzically.
Bass was a little taken aback by the question, but compensated
nicely, "Yes, but I am afraid that I am not the man you think I am.
You see, I am from another dimension..."
Just as Bass was about to continue his story, another man
burst into the room. This man was much smaller than the first one, and
much more slenderly built, but he carried himself with an air of
higher authority than the other one did. The new arrival had a slightly
messy head of black hair, and dark violet eyes. He wore no armor, but
wore the white robes of one who was versed in the magic arts. In his
left hand he held a weapon; a spiked ball attached to a heavy chain.
The second man called to the first, "Drum? What is it? I
thought I heard you call out?"
'Drum' turned to the new arrival and grinned like a man that
has just been let off the hook. "Vocal-sama! Am I ever glad to see you!
You see," Drum pointed at Bass, "This man claims to be Lute-sama, but
from another dimension."
"You mean the one who is passed out on the floor?" 'Vocal'
said slightly sardonically as he pointed to Bass.
"Yeah! That's him." Drum said happily, missing the sarcasm.
Vocal sighed deeply. Bass, who had passed out the moment that
he realized exactly who these people were, said nothing. The whole
situation had been too much for even Lute to handle, so he had passed
out too.
To Be Continued... (
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