The rain began to pour on the ground as a lightning bolt sailed through the sky. Nicolae was just closing up shop at "Back Alley Bargains". As he began to stroll home in the rain he noticed a fallen civilian. He immediately ran over to the fallen man...as he picked him up the man spoke about a great villain. Nicolae heard a loud bang come from the ally way. Noticing that the man was in pain and had a staggering breath, he helped the man to his feet, and led him inside the “Back Alley Bargains.” He helped him sit down, and then walked back outside. He surveyed the area for any clues to who, or what, the villain could be.
He then ran over to the alleyway and found a trail of blood. He followed it, until he heard footsteps. Nicolae jumped behind a trashcan, and saw a man who was walking and shaking. HE didn’t look suspicious besides the way he looked. Dressed like an average person. Nicolae didn’t think that aspect over. He jumped behind the person, and punched him. The man fell with a thud. Nicolae flipped the person over and shook them by their shoulders.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!” He screamed. He threw the person on the ground. “Are you the villain the man talked about?” He said darkly. The person on the ground didn’t move. “Answer me!” He screamed as he shook him harder. It was only then did Nicolae notice a large cut on the person’s neck, and wiped the blood away. He felt for a pulse.
He’s still here! Nicolae thought. He picked the person up and draped their left arm over his shoulder and leaned him onto his back. Nicolae ran back out of the ally and began to run towards a hospital. He glanced back towards his shop, and then continued to run. It began to pour. The blood dripping from the person’s neck ran down to Nicolae’s shirt. Who is this….
A swift kick to the hospital door flew them open and Nicolae ran inside. The man on Nicolae’s shoulder and the blood flowing on his shirt immediately caught the doctor’s attention. Four rushed over and took the man from Nicolae’s shoulder. One doctor held the man, another held his head, and a third examined the wound on the man’s neck.
The fourth doctor began shooting questions at Nicolae. “Where did you find this man? Did you see what happened? Was he with anyone?”
“I-I found him in an ally. He fell down and I saw the cut on his neck and- Nicolae remembered the man who spoke of the evil.
“And?” The doctor said nervously.
Nicolae decided not to mention him. “And, he just didn’t move.”
The other doctors spoke up. “His injuries are server. We have to rush him to a room.” A doctor came over with a stretcher, and the mysterious person was loaded on and rushed away. The one doctor motioned for Nicolae to sit. He did, and the other doctor ran through the doors to the ER to catch up with the other doctors.
Hours passed….
It was about 1 in the morning when a different doctor came out.
“Nicolae?” She asked.
Nicolae turned his head.
“Your friend will see you now.”
Who is this person? Nicolae thought. And friend…. What?
“I thought I would just let you know that we haven’t been able to get a word out of him.”
The doctor led Nicolae through the ER doors, and down the west hall to a room on the right.
Room 513? Nicolae thought.
He stepped into the room, and saw the mysterious person. He was young, maybe in his teen years, but had dark circles under his eyes. He had light brown hair and his eyes were closed. His chest slowly rose and fell with his breathing. A once white scarf, now stained with his blood, was wrapped around his neck. Nicolae approached him with a look of worry, and yet crude disappointment.
The person, feeling Nicolae’s presence, slowly opened his eyes, revealing how deep blue they were. His vision of Nicolae was blurred and soon came into view. He saw Nicolae’s face and blinked a few times.
“Why did you hurt that man?” Nicolae asked with a dissatisfied tone.
“Wha, who,” The man said with pain in his voice. “Who are you… talking about?”
Nicolae gritted his teeth. “The one you hurt by my shop!”
“I didn’t hurt him… He hurt… me.”
Nicolae’s eyes grew big. “But, you were the one who was run-
“The one who was running. I know, I know. I was running from him. That man, um..uh,” The man stopped talking, trying to remember the name. “I- I can’t remember the name…” The heart rate machine began to slow. The man groaned. Nicolae began to back away as doctors rushed in. The man grabbed Nicolae’s sleeve and brought him close.
“Find the one who did this to me.” His brilliant blue eyes glinted from the hospital lights. Tears began to flow. “Don’t leave. Please!” The man begged.
“But how did you, what’s your name? ” Nicolae asked desperately.
“I-I’m….” The man drifted off. Two doctors pulled the mans arm off of Nicolae and began to lead him away.
“No… NO! TELL ME!” He fought back and the last thing he saw was the line on the heart rate machine stop. The doctors pushed Nicolae out the door, and closed it behind him.
“WHO!?” Nicolae screamed. He pounded his fists on the door. “LET ME IN!” He drew the attention of the others in the hallway. His fists slid down the door, and hung on his sides. Who is he…. His head leaned against the door. Sit and mope, or find who did this? Nicolae thought.
He rushed back to the Back Ally Bargains to find the place a wreck.
“NO!” Nicolae screamed. Cushins, chairs and tables were thrown around like garbage. A few orbs that were stashed away were still rolling around. Nicolae looked in a few crates he had stashed under the floorboards of his shop. They were empty.
My- my power-ups…. All…gone… He looked behind him to see the orbs stopped rolling. They were still rolling…. He cant be far behind…
Hopping to find the theft, he ran outside. Strange purple goo in the shape of footprints led the way to Village Greens. Must have stepped on an orb and popped it. He ran in the direction of the foot prints. They led to the null crystal. Nicolae touched the crystal and was transported to the null chamber. He looked at all the different ways, but the goo led to the crystal that transported you to the Zen Gardens.
Without hesitation, Nicolae ran to the crystal and touched it. He was transported to the Gardens. He rushed through the many cherry blossom trees and past the Kokeshi Dolls. On the way, the purple foot prints suddenly stopped. Little did Nicolae know, was that he was ahead of his target. He heard foot steps, and ducked behind a cherry blossom tree. He noticed a person, who had mysterious bright green eyes and was wearing a trench coat, was in a sort of panic, and, as he ran, one of his shoes had purple goo underneath it. Nicolae waited until the person stopped, then, slowly as ever, crept behind the person and kicked him to the ground.
The green-eyed man was about to get up to see who had attacked him, but was forced back down when Nicolae had his foot on the man’s back to keep him down. Nicolae punched him in the back of the head. The green-eyed man grabbed Nicolae’s hand, and threw him off. Nicolae made for a punch, but the man dogged him, and planted Nicolae on the ground, wrenching his arm back. Nicolae screamed in pain.
“Why were you following me!” The green-eyed man shouted in a low, but loud voice. “I was the one who WARNED you!”
Nicolae kicked the man in the stomach and quickly got up. As the man began to stand, Nicolae punched him, giving the man a black eye. The man fell backwards. Nicolae pinned his shoulders down.
“You wrecked my shop, and hurt an innocent person!” Nicolae shouted. He grabbed the green-eyed man by his neck and was choking him. Desperate for air, the man grabbed Nicolae’s hand and tried to pull him off. His face began to lose it’s color. From what little breath the man had, he managed to force out the few words that would save his life.
“I had to, he was working for the evil one.”
Out of shock, Nicolae let go. The green-eyed man began to cough and take in air as if it would be the last time he would breath.
“What are you talking about?” Nicolae shouted.
After a few more coughs, the man spoke with a raspy voice. “I had to hurt him. After I saw you bring him to the hospital, I knew I was on my own. He works for the villain. I was hoping I would get your help, but I blanked out before I could do anything.”
Nicolae stood in shock. He helped the wrong person. Remembering his merchandise, he turned his attention back towards the man.
“Give me my power-ups back!” He shouted.
“I cant. I used them to upgrade my rings to try and defeat the villain.” The man said with a now normal voice.
“You didn’t kill it?!” Nicolae shouted
“No, I didn’t because it was to strong.”
“I don’t kid around! You can’t hurt people with rings!” Nicolae shouted. He raised his fist about to make another blow.
“No no no!” The man shouted. “The villain isn’t a person!”
Nicolae lowered his fist.
“Its in the Shrine of the Doll!”
“Look, that stupid white Kokeshi Doll might be evil,” Nicolae began. “But it’s not worth using my power-ups over!”
“Not that!” The man stood up and stared at Nicolae with his piercing green eyes. “Have you ever even thought that the white doll might be GUARDING something?”
“How do I know your telling the truth?” Nicolae asked. “I don’t even know your name?”
“I’m telling the truth, because my name is Garret, and that monster did this to me!” He ripped off his trench coat revealing dozens of scars and bite marks covering his arms and legs.
Nicolae shivered at the sight of the wounds. He gathered himself.
“Whatever it is, don’t you think it would come out and attack people... like it did to you?” Nicolae said annoyed yet nervous.
“No you idiot! It wont come out because some people are strong enough, combined, to kill it.”
Nicolae stood thinking of what this villain could look like. He pictured a monster that was four stories high, black and red, fangs, and claws stained red with blood of its victims and bright yellow eyes. He shivered at the thought, glancing towards his blood stained shirt that he had yet to change.
“And that man who you saved, is our only lead.”
Nicolae drew in his breath at the remembrance of the person in the hospital. The blood, the voice….. the almost flat line on the machine.
“WE HAVE TO GET TO HIM FAST!” Nicolae shouted. He ran towards the Null Crystal. Garret stood for a second, wondering weather he should follow Nicolae, or stay. He caught up with him.
“Whats goin-
“HE MIGHT BE DEAD AFTER WHAT YOU DID TO HIM!” Nicolae shouted.
They reached the Null crystal and transported to the Village Greens. They ran to Barton town and to the hospital. After bursting through the door and ignoring all the doctors’ commands to stop running, the reached the west wing.
“Door on the right, room 513.” Nicolae thought. He kept running. “Room 513!” He flung open the doors to find a doctor waiting. Is face was lined with sorrow.
“I am sorry for your loss.” He said. He walked out of the room with Nicolae and Garret’s eyes following him. After forcing themselves to break away from the doctor, they ran to the bedside of the man with the blood-coated scarf. His face was pale and the scarf had a lot more blood on it then last time. His face seemed to still have some life in it. His hair was dropped.
“Gone….” Garret said. “And good riddance.” He said under his breath.
“YOU MORON YOU KILLED HIM!” Nicolae put Garret into a headlock and chocked him again. Garret pulled him off.
“Do you want another life taken?!” He shouted.
Nicolae sighed, and turned towards the person.
“Besides, he was working for the villain.” Garret said disappointingly.
“He was still a person. Just a kid…” Nicolae had his head down and a tear strolled down his face. “Did you even know his name?” He asked while starting to shake.
Garret slowly shook his head. Nicolae didn’t see, but he didn’t have to look to know.
“Painful death.” Nicolae began as more tears streamed down his face. He left them slide down. “An unknown life. He will lie, forever, in a nameless grave.” He touched his shoulder where the bloodstain was, now watered down by the rain.
Garret stepped up to him and handed him four rings.
“These are four of the rarest rings.” One ring had a large check on it like the diagnose ring, but was bright red and had silver streaks on it. Another looked like Defibrillate, but was bright purple. The third looked like Mantis, but had five spikes, and was green. The last looked like fire rain, but with a bigger blue flame.
“I used the power-ups on them, but since this guy is dead, we don’t need them. We’ll have to find another way to defeat the villain.” Garret said sadly.
Nicolae didn’t move. Garret slid the rings into Nicolae’s hand. “Keep them.”
Nicolae slowly drew back the blanket that covered the man, revealing that his shirt was also stained with blood. He placed the rings with the designs towards the center in the shape of a circle on the man’s chest. Nicolae and Garret turned their backs to the man.
“What now?” Nicolae asked.
“Life goes on.” Garret said.
Bring him to hell on your way, Garret. Nicolae spoke silently.
They began to walk out the doors to room 513, when a strange buzzing sound caught Garret’s attention. He turned around, and gasped.
“Nicolae! Turn around!”
“Make me.” Nicolae said quietly.
Garret groaned, and in a hurry, grabbed Nicolae’s shoulders and turned him around. Both their eyes grew large. The rings that once lay on the un-known man’s chest now floated above him and spun rapidly. Blue electric sparks shot out of them.
“DUCK!” shouted Garret. He dragged Nicolae with him as a blue and silver lightning bolt shot at them. They covered their heads.
“WHAT THE HELL IS WITH THOSE RINGS!?” Nicolae screamed.
Garret shouted back. “I KNEW THEY WERE RARE BUT NEVER DID I KNOW THIS WOULD HAPPEN!”
The lightning was hitting everything in the hospital room! But instead of setting things on fire, the lightning just disappeared. But Garret and Nicolae didn’t notice this.
All of a sudden, a lightning bolt hit the man-with-no-name. Then, it stopped. All was still. All was silent…..
Nicolae and Garret slowly got up to see that that the rings stopped spinning, and lowered themselves back onto the man’s chest. The most amazing thing happened.
Life came back into the man’s face. His cheeks became a blushed color. He moaned a little, and tightened his eyes. He sighed. His eyes slowly opened as before. He averted his attention to Nicolae and Garret.
Garret stepped back, so as not to be seen. The man only saw Nicolae.
“Huh?” He said weakly. “Wha-what.. happened?”
Nicolae held back a single tear. “You were gone for a while, but now your back.”
The man closed his eyes. Then, Garret stepped in. “Alright, I want answers, and I want them now.” He said angrily.
The man opened his eyes, and shook in fear. “K-keep away from me.” He said nervously.
Nicolae pushed Garret out of the way. “Whats your problem!?” He shouted.
“You ask that to much.” Garret said, trying to move Nicolae to get to the man-with-no-name.
Nicolae pushed Garret back. “Back off. This kid just died because of you.”
“He’s the lead to the-
“The lead to the meh meh meh blah SHUT UP! You killed him.”
The man looked around Nicolae wondering what he meant by “he died”.
Nicolae glanced over his shoulder, and sighed. He turned around to face the man.
“So, you know Garret?” Nicolae asked.
“Yeah, he hurt me, then I ran away to the ally…. I don’t remember what happened after that.”
Nicolae glanced towards Garret.
“I had to. He was working for the Villain.” He moved Nicolae. Garret looked the man straight in the eyes. “Who is the villain?” He asked.
“I-I don’t really remember.” The man stuttered.
Garret sneered. He didn’t divert his attention. “He’s lying.” He said to Nicolae.
Nicolae grabbed Garret by his shirt collar, and made Garret face him. After swatting his hand away, Nicolae turned to the man.
“What’s your name.” Nicolae asked.
“Chris Marmor.” He said, shrinking down in his hospital bed.
“No need to be afraid…. Of me at least.” He glanced towards Garret. “Him however…”
“Talk with the villain, think he’s innocent. Talk to the man who’s trying to save everyone’s butt, and almost get killed…. Three times.” Garret spat.
“But what I do need to know,” Nicolae turned back to Chris. “Is your connection with this evil villain that Garret was telling me about.”
Chris eased up a bit. “Well, I remember that me and my friends were in the Zen Gardens, and we were going to kill the evil Kokeshi Doll in the Shrine. Once we killed it, we were about to leave when we heard something in the leaves rustle. We got our rings ready, and then a giant Kokeshi doll, that was red and black, came out of the bush and started to attack us.”
“What’s your connection then?” Garret asked, intrigued by the story.
“Well, everyone got away except me…. The Kokeshi Doll would let me go, as long as I would be its ‘servant’.”
“What did the Kokeshi doll make you do?” Nicolae asked.
“Well, it made me work my butt off for rings. It didn’t tell me what it was going to do with them, but I snuck around it one night, and it looked like it was taking their energy…. By eating the rings.”
“That’s where I found these rings.” Garret said as he went to grab the rings. As he touched them, they disintegrated and Garret quickly backed his hand away. He brushed the dust off of Chris’s blanket. “No matter. They weren’t strong enough even with the upgrades.”
Nicolae scowled at the reminder of his stolen upgrades… now just dust on the floor. “Well, anyway, we have to find a way to kill that Kokeshi doll.”
Nicolae turned towards Garret. “And you’re helping us.”
Garret crossed his arms and leaned against the closed doors. “And why should I help you?” He asked.
Nicolae stepped up to him. “Because, you stole my power ups, you hurt Chris, and you were after the monster before either of us. Need I say more?”
Garret growled and mumbled under his breath, “No….”
“Good.” Nicolae turned to Chris. “Where is the doll again?”
“Umm, its in the Doll shrine… It will be mad at me now. I’m supposed to be back before dark or it will hurt me.”
Nicolae gave him a look of reassurance. “Don’t worry. We’ll make sure it won’t hurt.” He looked out the window. “By tomorrow, it won’t even exist.” He glanced back at Chris. “I would offer you to come with us, but your to badly hurt.”
“But we can’t just leave him here.” Garret spoke up. “The doctors think he’s dead.”
“Your right.” Nicolae said. “But what’s better: the doctors seeing he’s been taken, possibly by another doctor? Or seeing he’s alive after they know he’s dead?”
“You do have a point.” Garret said. “Come on kid, were leaving.”
“If everyone thinks I’m dead, then what will happen if we go out the front doors?” Chris asked as he moved his blanket to the edge of the bed.
Nicolae directed his gaze back to the window. He walked over and flung it open and dragged over a chair that was by a desk. “Come on.”
“What?”
“You wanted another way out? Here it is. Now move it.”
Garret helped Chris out of his hospital bed. He went first. Then Chris and Nicolae.
After closing the window, Nicolae thought over the plan. “We should drop him off at my shop first.” Nicolae said to Garret.
“What?” Chris asked.
“You’re still to injured.” Garret said looking at Chris. “And anyway, it’s still to dangerous. You gave us the location. That was helpful enough.”
Chris looked upset, but was still to weak to argue. The hospital was a short distance away from the “Back Ally Bargains”. Once there, after Nicolae straightened up a bit, he gave Chris a place to rest and a blanket.
After the door to the shop was closed and locked, Nicolae and Garret ran to the Village Greens, the to Null Crystal. Once in the chamber, they discussed the plan.
“I grabbed some of my strongest rings before leaving.” He handed Garret a Dervish, Guns Guns Guns, Slash, Fire Rain and Improbability Sphere ring. Nicolae had Shark Attack, Hack, Mantis, Fire Rain and Iron Will rings.
They nodded to each other, then touched the crystal leading to the Zen Gardens. Running as fast as they could down the rock paths, their feet upturning the rocks and showing their mud covered sides. Trying to avoid Cherry Fluffs and the occasional Kokeshi Doll, to reach the goal, The Shrine of the Doll. Once there, they both entered the Shrine, not suppressed to see it empty, on account of it being so late at night.
Shortly after they entered, the gates behind them closed. A rustling in the bush quickly caught Nicolae and Garrets attention. Four Kokeshi dolls sprung out of the bush with their razor sharp fans. After a few attacks of Dervish and Fire Rain left parts of wooden Kokeshi doll scattered.
For the next ten minuets, Garret and Nicolae fought the simple Kokeshi dolls, the energy rising with each new wave of dolls. All of a sudden, the energy lowered tremendously.
“Don’t waist your energy on the white doll.” Garret began. “Kill it, get it over with, then prepare for-
A large shadow began to cast over them. A loud thumping gave a big hint to Nicolae and Garret, saying that the white doll was not going to come.
A Kokeshi doll, that was about ten feet tall, black and red, with snow-white eyes, came out of the bush, and starred them down.
“ATTACK!” Garret shouted. He quickly used all the power he had stored up and used the level three attack of Hot Foot, while Nicolae did the same with Dervish, causing a large temporary tornado. The Kokeshi doll sent out a shriek that made the birds fly away, and the Cherry Blossom fluffs run away in terror. The Kokeshi doll grabbed a fan from behind its back, and threw it at Nicolae who jumped onto it, and used the fan to spring up to the Kokeshi dolls’ right arm. He used his Mantis ring to summon the sword, and dug it into the Kokeshi doll’s arm. The doll screamed again. Nicolae used it to climb up onto the doll’s head.
“Look out!” Garret shouted as he shot at the doll using his Guns Guns Guns ring.
“Catch!” Nicolae shouted. He tossed Garret his Shark Attack ring. Garret equipped it, and summoned three sand sharks to bite the Kokeshi doll, quickly hacking away at it after with his Slash ring.
Nicolae used his Iron Will ring to power him and Garret up. Now knowing that Nicolae was on its head, the Kokeshi doll rapidly shook its head trying to fling Nicolae off, and succeeded. Nicolae landed on the top of a cherry blossom tree.
“You ok?!” Garret shouted.
“Yah, just bruised.” Nicolae jumped down and joined Garret. They both used their Fire Rain ring. Garrets was at attack level three, Nicolae’s at attack level two. Garret summoned his Slash sword and Nicolae his Mantis ring and slashed away at the Kokeshi Doll. In suck immense pain, the doll fall backwards screaming, and landed with a loud thud.
Nicolae and garret both hopped onto its chest, watching the doll struggle to get up. They looked at each other, summoning their remaining strength, and took their swords, raised them above their heads, taking one last look at the doll, and trusted the swords into the doll’s chest.
The Kokeshi doll screamed so loud, it could be heard from the Zen Gardens, to the Farm. From the Village Greens, to Bassken Lake. After a minuet, Garret and Nicolae pulled their swords out from the Kokeshi dolls’ chest. They looked at the doll’s face, which still had the same look of pure terror on it, as it did when it had it’s chest stabbed. The swords disappeared because they were not being used.
“Well, it’s dead.” Garret said.
The air seemed filled with the scent of blood.
“What do we do know?” Nicolae asked?
“You ask that a lot.” Garret said. “I don’t-
A rumbling came from the doll, and it collapsed and turned into dust, Nicolae and Garret sinking into the dust. After making sense of what had happened, they sifted their way out of the doll’s remains.
They starred at the pile of dust that began to blow away in the wind, and returned to the Null Crystal.
EPILOGUE
At Barton Town, Garret returned home…. Wherever that was.
Nicolae returned to his shop and found Chris asleep. He watched over him that night, and Chris soon returned home. After being questioned by his parents about the scar on his neck (he threw the scarf away) he replied simply that he got into some mischief with a Kokeshi Doll. (He didn’t say what kind it was.)
Written by Darkness Dragons Revenge
He then ran over to the alleyway and found a trail of blood. He followed it, until he heard footsteps. Nicolae jumped behind a trashcan, and saw a man who was walking and shaking. HE didn’t look suspicious besides the way he looked. Dressed like an average person. Nicolae didn’t think that aspect over. He jumped behind the person, and punched him. The man fell with a thud. Nicolae flipped the person over and shook them by their shoulders.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!” He screamed. He threw the person on the ground. “Are you the villain the man talked about?” He said darkly. The person on the ground didn’t move. “Answer me!” He screamed as he shook him harder. It was only then did Nicolae notice a large cut on the person’s neck, and wiped the blood away. He felt for a pulse.
He’s still here! Nicolae thought. He picked the person up and draped their left arm over his shoulder and leaned him onto his back. Nicolae ran back out of the ally and began to run towards a hospital. He glanced back towards his shop, and then continued to run. It began to pour. The blood dripping from the person’s neck ran down to Nicolae’s shirt. Who is this….
A swift kick to the hospital door flew them open and Nicolae ran inside. The man on Nicolae’s shoulder and the blood flowing on his shirt immediately caught the doctor’s attention. Four rushed over and took the man from Nicolae’s shoulder. One doctor held the man, another held his head, and a third examined the wound on the man’s neck.
The fourth doctor began shooting questions at Nicolae. “Where did you find this man? Did you see what happened? Was he with anyone?”
“I-I found him in an ally. He fell down and I saw the cut on his neck and- Nicolae remembered the man who spoke of the evil.
“And?” The doctor said nervously.
Nicolae decided not to mention him. “And, he just didn’t move.”
The other doctors spoke up. “His injuries are server. We have to rush him to a room.” A doctor came over with a stretcher, and the mysterious person was loaded on and rushed away. The one doctor motioned for Nicolae to sit. He did, and the other doctor ran through the doors to the ER to catch up with the other doctors.
Hours passed….
It was about 1 in the morning when a different doctor came out.
“Nicolae?” She asked.
Nicolae turned his head.
“Your friend will see you now.”
Who is this person? Nicolae thought. And friend…. What?
“I thought I would just let you know that we haven’t been able to get a word out of him.”
The doctor led Nicolae through the ER doors, and down the west hall to a room on the right.
Room 513? Nicolae thought.
He stepped into the room, and saw the mysterious person. He was young, maybe in his teen years, but had dark circles under his eyes. He had light brown hair and his eyes were closed. His chest slowly rose and fell with his breathing. A once white scarf, now stained with his blood, was wrapped around his neck. Nicolae approached him with a look of worry, and yet crude disappointment.
The person, feeling Nicolae’s presence, slowly opened his eyes, revealing how deep blue they were. His vision of Nicolae was blurred and soon came into view. He saw Nicolae’s face and blinked a few times.
“Why did you hurt that man?” Nicolae asked with a dissatisfied tone.
“Wha, who,” The man said with pain in his voice. “Who are you… talking about?”
Nicolae gritted his teeth. “The one you hurt by my shop!”
“I didn’t hurt him… He hurt… me.”
Nicolae’s eyes grew big. “But, you were the one who was run-
“The one who was running. I know, I know. I was running from him. That man, um..uh,” The man stopped talking, trying to remember the name. “I- I can’t remember the name…” The heart rate machine began to slow. The man groaned. Nicolae began to back away as doctors rushed in. The man grabbed Nicolae’s sleeve and brought him close.
“Find the one who did this to me.” His brilliant blue eyes glinted from the hospital lights. Tears began to flow. “Don’t leave. Please!” The man begged.
“But how did you, what’s your name? ” Nicolae asked desperately.
“I-I’m….” The man drifted off. Two doctors pulled the mans arm off of Nicolae and began to lead him away.
“No… NO! TELL ME!” He fought back and the last thing he saw was the line on the heart rate machine stop. The doctors pushed Nicolae out the door, and closed it behind him.
“WHO!?” Nicolae screamed. He pounded his fists on the door. “LET ME IN!” He drew the attention of the others in the hallway. His fists slid down the door, and hung on his sides. Who is he…. His head leaned against the door. Sit and mope, or find who did this? Nicolae thought.
He rushed back to the Back Ally Bargains to find the place a wreck.
“NO!” Nicolae screamed. Cushins, chairs and tables were thrown around like garbage. A few orbs that were stashed away were still rolling around. Nicolae looked in a few crates he had stashed under the floorboards of his shop. They were empty.
My- my power-ups…. All…gone… He looked behind him to see the orbs stopped rolling. They were still rolling…. He cant be far behind…
Hopping to find the theft, he ran outside. Strange purple goo in the shape of footprints led the way to Village Greens. Must have stepped on an orb and popped it. He ran in the direction of the foot prints. They led to the null crystal. Nicolae touched the crystal and was transported to the null chamber. He looked at all the different ways, but the goo led to the crystal that transported you to the Zen Gardens.
Without hesitation, Nicolae ran to the crystal and touched it. He was transported to the Gardens. He rushed through the many cherry blossom trees and past the Kokeshi Dolls. On the way, the purple foot prints suddenly stopped. Little did Nicolae know, was that he was ahead of his target. He heard foot steps, and ducked behind a cherry blossom tree. He noticed a person, who had mysterious bright green eyes and was wearing a trench coat, was in a sort of panic, and, as he ran, one of his shoes had purple goo underneath it. Nicolae waited until the person stopped, then, slowly as ever, crept behind the person and kicked him to the ground.
The green-eyed man was about to get up to see who had attacked him, but was forced back down when Nicolae had his foot on the man’s back to keep him down. Nicolae punched him in the back of the head. The green-eyed man grabbed Nicolae’s hand, and threw him off. Nicolae made for a punch, but the man dogged him, and planted Nicolae on the ground, wrenching his arm back. Nicolae screamed in pain.
“Why were you following me!” The green-eyed man shouted in a low, but loud voice. “I was the one who WARNED you!”
Nicolae kicked the man in the stomach and quickly got up. As the man began to stand, Nicolae punched him, giving the man a black eye. The man fell backwards. Nicolae pinned his shoulders down.
“You wrecked my shop, and hurt an innocent person!” Nicolae shouted. He grabbed the green-eyed man by his neck and was choking him. Desperate for air, the man grabbed Nicolae’s hand and tried to pull him off. His face began to lose it’s color. From what little breath the man had, he managed to force out the few words that would save his life.
“I had to, he was working for the evil one.”
Out of shock, Nicolae let go. The green-eyed man began to cough and take in air as if it would be the last time he would breath.
“What are you talking about?” Nicolae shouted.
After a few more coughs, the man spoke with a raspy voice. “I had to hurt him. After I saw you bring him to the hospital, I knew I was on my own. He works for the villain. I was hoping I would get your help, but I blanked out before I could do anything.”
Nicolae stood in shock. He helped the wrong person. Remembering his merchandise, he turned his attention back towards the man.
“Give me my power-ups back!” He shouted.
“I cant. I used them to upgrade my rings to try and defeat the villain.” The man said with a now normal voice.
“You didn’t kill it?!” Nicolae shouted
“No, I didn’t because it was to strong.”
“I don’t kid around! You can’t hurt people with rings!” Nicolae shouted. He raised his fist about to make another blow.
“No no no!” The man shouted. “The villain isn’t a person!”
Nicolae lowered his fist.
“Its in the Shrine of the Doll!”
“Look, that stupid white Kokeshi Doll might be evil,” Nicolae began. “But it’s not worth using my power-ups over!”
“Not that!” The man stood up and stared at Nicolae with his piercing green eyes. “Have you ever even thought that the white doll might be GUARDING something?”
“How do I know your telling the truth?” Nicolae asked. “I don’t even know your name?”
“I’m telling the truth, because my name is Garret, and that monster did this to me!” He ripped off his trench coat revealing dozens of scars and bite marks covering his arms and legs.
Nicolae shivered at the sight of the wounds. He gathered himself.
“Whatever it is, don’t you think it would come out and attack people... like it did to you?” Nicolae said annoyed yet nervous.
“No you idiot! It wont come out because some people are strong enough, combined, to kill it.”
Nicolae stood thinking of what this villain could look like. He pictured a monster that was four stories high, black and red, fangs, and claws stained red with blood of its victims and bright yellow eyes. He shivered at the thought, glancing towards his blood stained shirt that he had yet to change.
“And that man who you saved, is our only lead.”
Nicolae drew in his breath at the remembrance of the person in the hospital. The blood, the voice….. the almost flat line on the machine.
“WE HAVE TO GET TO HIM FAST!” Nicolae shouted. He ran towards the Null Crystal. Garret stood for a second, wondering weather he should follow Nicolae, or stay. He caught up with him.
“Whats goin-
“HE MIGHT BE DEAD AFTER WHAT YOU DID TO HIM!” Nicolae shouted.
They reached the Null crystal and transported to the Village Greens. They ran to Barton town and to the hospital. After bursting through the door and ignoring all the doctors’ commands to stop running, the reached the west wing.
“Door on the right, room 513.” Nicolae thought. He kept running. “Room 513!” He flung open the doors to find a doctor waiting. Is face was lined with sorrow.
“I am sorry for your loss.” He said. He walked out of the room with Nicolae and Garret’s eyes following him. After forcing themselves to break away from the doctor, they ran to the bedside of the man with the blood-coated scarf. His face was pale and the scarf had a lot more blood on it then last time. His face seemed to still have some life in it. His hair was dropped.
“Gone….” Garret said. “And good riddance.” He said under his breath.
“YOU MORON YOU KILLED HIM!” Nicolae put Garret into a headlock and chocked him again. Garret pulled him off.
“Do you want another life taken?!” He shouted.
Nicolae sighed, and turned towards the person.
“Besides, he was working for the villain.” Garret said disappointingly.
“He was still a person. Just a kid…” Nicolae had his head down and a tear strolled down his face. “Did you even know his name?” He asked while starting to shake.
Garret slowly shook his head. Nicolae didn’t see, but he didn’t have to look to know.
“Painful death.” Nicolae began as more tears streamed down his face. He left them slide down. “An unknown life. He will lie, forever, in a nameless grave.” He touched his shoulder where the bloodstain was, now watered down by the rain.
Garret stepped up to him and handed him four rings.
“These are four of the rarest rings.” One ring had a large check on it like the diagnose ring, but was bright red and had silver streaks on it. Another looked like Defibrillate, but was bright purple. The third looked like Mantis, but had five spikes, and was green. The last looked like fire rain, but with a bigger blue flame.
“I used the power-ups on them, but since this guy is dead, we don’t need them. We’ll have to find another way to defeat the villain.” Garret said sadly.
Nicolae didn’t move. Garret slid the rings into Nicolae’s hand. “Keep them.”
Nicolae slowly drew back the blanket that covered the man, revealing that his shirt was also stained with blood. He placed the rings with the designs towards the center in the shape of a circle on the man’s chest. Nicolae and Garret turned their backs to the man.
“What now?” Nicolae asked.
“Life goes on.” Garret said.
Bring him to hell on your way, Garret. Nicolae spoke silently.
They began to walk out the doors to room 513, when a strange buzzing sound caught Garret’s attention. He turned around, and gasped.
“Nicolae! Turn around!”
“Make me.” Nicolae said quietly.
Garret groaned, and in a hurry, grabbed Nicolae’s shoulders and turned him around. Both their eyes grew large. The rings that once lay on the un-known man’s chest now floated above him and spun rapidly. Blue electric sparks shot out of them.
“DUCK!” shouted Garret. He dragged Nicolae with him as a blue and silver lightning bolt shot at them. They covered their heads.
“WHAT THE HELL IS WITH THOSE RINGS!?” Nicolae screamed.
Garret shouted back. “I KNEW THEY WERE RARE BUT NEVER DID I KNOW THIS WOULD HAPPEN!”
The lightning was hitting everything in the hospital room! But instead of setting things on fire, the lightning just disappeared. But Garret and Nicolae didn’t notice this.
All of a sudden, a lightning bolt hit the man-with-no-name. Then, it stopped. All was still. All was silent…..
Nicolae and Garret slowly got up to see that that the rings stopped spinning, and lowered themselves back onto the man’s chest. The most amazing thing happened.
Life came back into the man’s face. His cheeks became a blushed color. He moaned a little, and tightened his eyes. He sighed. His eyes slowly opened as before. He averted his attention to Nicolae and Garret.
Garret stepped back, so as not to be seen. The man only saw Nicolae.
“Huh?” He said weakly. “Wha-what.. happened?”
Nicolae held back a single tear. “You were gone for a while, but now your back.”
The man closed his eyes. Then, Garret stepped in. “Alright, I want answers, and I want them now.” He said angrily.
The man opened his eyes, and shook in fear. “K-keep away from me.” He said nervously.
Nicolae pushed Garret out of the way. “Whats your problem!?” He shouted.
“You ask that to much.” Garret said, trying to move Nicolae to get to the man-with-no-name.
Nicolae pushed Garret back. “Back off. This kid just died because of you.”
“He’s the lead to the-
“The lead to the meh meh meh blah SHUT UP! You killed him.”
The man looked around Nicolae wondering what he meant by “he died”.
Nicolae glanced over his shoulder, and sighed. He turned around to face the man.
“So, you know Garret?” Nicolae asked.
“Yeah, he hurt me, then I ran away to the ally…. I don’t remember what happened after that.”
Nicolae glanced towards Garret.
“I had to. He was working for the Villain.” He moved Nicolae. Garret looked the man straight in the eyes. “Who is the villain?” He asked.
“I-I don’t really remember.” The man stuttered.
Garret sneered. He didn’t divert his attention. “He’s lying.” He said to Nicolae.
Nicolae grabbed Garret by his shirt collar, and made Garret face him. After swatting his hand away, Nicolae turned to the man.
“What’s your name.” Nicolae asked.
“Chris Marmor.” He said, shrinking down in his hospital bed.
“No need to be afraid…. Of me at least.” He glanced towards Garret. “Him however…”
“Talk with the villain, think he’s innocent. Talk to the man who’s trying to save everyone’s butt, and almost get killed…. Three times.” Garret spat.
“But what I do need to know,” Nicolae turned back to Chris. “Is your connection with this evil villain that Garret was telling me about.”
Chris eased up a bit. “Well, I remember that me and my friends were in the Zen Gardens, and we were going to kill the evil Kokeshi Doll in the Shrine. Once we killed it, we were about to leave when we heard something in the leaves rustle. We got our rings ready, and then a giant Kokeshi doll, that was red and black, came out of the bush and started to attack us.”
“What’s your connection then?” Garret asked, intrigued by the story.
“Well, everyone got away except me…. The Kokeshi Doll would let me go, as long as I would be its ‘servant’.”
“What did the Kokeshi doll make you do?” Nicolae asked.
“Well, it made me work my butt off for rings. It didn’t tell me what it was going to do with them, but I snuck around it one night, and it looked like it was taking their energy…. By eating the rings.”
“That’s where I found these rings.” Garret said as he went to grab the rings. As he touched them, they disintegrated and Garret quickly backed his hand away. He brushed the dust off of Chris’s blanket. “No matter. They weren’t strong enough even with the upgrades.”
Nicolae scowled at the reminder of his stolen upgrades… now just dust on the floor. “Well, anyway, we have to find a way to kill that Kokeshi doll.”
Nicolae turned towards Garret. “And you’re helping us.”
Garret crossed his arms and leaned against the closed doors. “And why should I help you?” He asked.
Nicolae stepped up to him. “Because, you stole my power ups, you hurt Chris, and you were after the monster before either of us. Need I say more?”
Garret growled and mumbled under his breath, “No….”
“Good.” Nicolae turned to Chris. “Where is the doll again?”
“Umm, its in the Doll shrine… It will be mad at me now. I’m supposed to be back before dark or it will hurt me.”
Nicolae gave him a look of reassurance. “Don’t worry. We’ll make sure it won’t hurt.” He looked out the window. “By tomorrow, it won’t even exist.” He glanced back at Chris. “I would offer you to come with us, but your to badly hurt.”
“But we can’t just leave him here.” Garret spoke up. “The doctors think he’s dead.”
“Your right.” Nicolae said. “But what’s better: the doctors seeing he’s been taken, possibly by another doctor? Or seeing he’s alive after they know he’s dead?”
“You do have a point.” Garret said. “Come on kid, were leaving.”
“If everyone thinks I’m dead, then what will happen if we go out the front doors?” Chris asked as he moved his blanket to the edge of the bed.
Nicolae directed his gaze back to the window. He walked over and flung it open and dragged over a chair that was by a desk. “Come on.”
“What?”
“You wanted another way out? Here it is. Now move it.”
Garret helped Chris out of his hospital bed. He went first. Then Chris and Nicolae.
After closing the window, Nicolae thought over the plan. “We should drop him off at my shop first.” Nicolae said to Garret.
“What?” Chris asked.
“You’re still to injured.” Garret said looking at Chris. “And anyway, it’s still to dangerous. You gave us the location. That was helpful enough.”
Chris looked upset, but was still to weak to argue. The hospital was a short distance away from the “Back Ally Bargains”. Once there, after Nicolae straightened up a bit, he gave Chris a place to rest and a blanket.
After the door to the shop was closed and locked, Nicolae and Garret ran to the Village Greens, the to Null Crystal. Once in the chamber, they discussed the plan.
“I grabbed some of my strongest rings before leaving.” He handed Garret a Dervish, Guns Guns Guns, Slash, Fire Rain and Improbability Sphere ring. Nicolae had Shark Attack, Hack, Mantis, Fire Rain and Iron Will rings.
They nodded to each other, then touched the crystal leading to the Zen Gardens. Running as fast as they could down the rock paths, their feet upturning the rocks and showing their mud covered sides. Trying to avoid Cherry Fluffs and the occasional Kokeshi Doll, to reach the goal, The Shrine of the Doll. Once there, they both entered the Shrine, not suppressed to see it empty, on account of it being so late at night.
Shortly after they entered, the gates behind them closed. A rustling in the bush quickly caught Nicolae and Garrets attention. Four Kokeshi dolls sprung out of the bush with their razor sharp fans. After a few attacks of Dervish and Fire Rain left parts of wooden Kokeshi doll scattered.
For the next ten minuets, Garret and Nicolae fought the simple Kokeshi dolls, the energy rising with each new wave of dolls. All of a sudden, the energy lowered tremendously.
“Don’t waist your energy on the white doll.” Garret began. “Kill it, get it over with, then prepare for-
A large shadow began to cast over them. A loud thumping gave a big hint to Nicolae and Garret, saying that the white doll was not going to come.
A Kokeshi doll, that was about ten feet tall, black and red, with snow-white eyes, came out of the bush, and starred them down.
“ATTACK!” Garret shouted. He quickly used all the power he had stored up and used the level three attack of Hot Foot, while Nicolae did the same with Dervish, causing a large temporary tornado. The Kokeshi doll sent out a shriek that made the birds fly away, and the Cherry Blossom fluffs run away in terror. The Kokeshi doll grabbed a fan from behind its back, and threw it at Nicolae who jumped onto it, and used the fan to spring up to the Kokeshi dolls’ right arm. He used his Mantis ring to summon the sword, and dug it into the Kokeshi doll’s arm. The doll screamed again. Nicolae used it to climb up onto the doll’s head.
“Look out!” Garret shouted as he shot at the doll using his Guns Guns Guns ring.
“Catch!” Nicolae shouted. He tossed Garret his Shark Attack ring. Garret equipped it, and summoned three sand sharks to bite the Kokeshi doll, quickly hacking away at it after with his Slash ring.
Nicolae used his Iron Will ring to power him and Garret up. Now knowing that Nicolae was on its head, the Kokeshi doll rapidly shook its head trying to fling Nicolae off, and succeeded. Nicolae landed on the top of a cherry blossom tree.
“You ok?!” Garret shouted.
“Yah, just bruised.” Nicolae jumped down and joined Garret. They both used their Fire Rain ring. Garrets was at attack level three, Nicolae’s at attack level two. Garret summoned his Slash sword and Nicolae his Mantis ring and slashed away at the Kokeshi Doll. In suck immense pain, the doll fall backwards screaming, and landed with a loud thud.
Nicolae and garret both hopped onto its chest, watching the doll struggle to get up. They looked at each other, summoning their remaining strength, and took their swords, raised them above their heads, taking one last look at the doll, and trusted the swords into the doll’s chest.
The Kokeshi doll screamed so loud, it could be heard from the Zen Gardens, to the Farm. From the Village Greens, to Bassken Lake. After a minuet, Garret and Nicolae pulled their swords out from the Kokeshi dolls’ chest. They looked at the doll’s face, which still had the same look of pure terror on it, as it did when it had it’s chest stabbed. The swords disappeared because they were not being used.
“Well, it’s dead.” Garret said.
The air seemed filled with the scent of blood.
“What do we do know?” Nicolae asked?
“You ask that a lot.” Garret said. “I don’t-
A rumbling came from the doll, and it collapsed and turned into dust, Nicolae and Garret sinking into the dust. After making sense of what had happened, they sifted their way out of the doll’s remains.
They starred at the pile of dust that began to blow away in the wind, and returned to the Null Crystal.
EPILOGUE
At Barton Town, Garret returned home…. Wherever that was.
Nicolae returned to his shop and found Chris asleep. He watched over him that night, and Chris soon returned home. After being questioned by his parents about the scar on his neck (he threw the scarf away) he replied simply that he got into some mischief with a Kokeshi Doll. (He didn’t say what kind it was.)
Written by Darkness Dragons Revenge
