The town was so silent that a pin drop could be heard. Everyone near the square was utterly shocked at this turn of events. 'Did that just happen?' they thought collectively, still trying to comprehend what had occurred.
Linn stood there, fist outstretched, as the nobleman known as James Rhodonite, the 3rd, lay unconscious a few feet away. Linn was shaking the feeling out of his fist.
''I guess his jaw wasn't that strong,'' Linn stated. Everybody stared at him in shock.
''What?'' Linn asked, cocking his head to one side. The three soldiers rushed to the nobleman's side.
''Captain,'' one of the soldiers called out to Domon. ''He's out cold! He's not responding!''
''What do we do, Captain?' 'Another soldier said.
Domon was silent.
''CAPTAIN!'' The pudgy soldier called out.
''Huh? Oh, sorry,'' Domon said. ''I was just thinking how soft babies' cheeks are.''
''Captain, this is serious!'' The first soldier said. ''What do we do?!''
''Calm down. I will take care of this. Take him into the chariot!'' Domon ordered.
''Yes, sir!'' The second and pudgy soldier said as they picked up the unconscious James and brought him into the royal chariot.
''Now what, sir?'' the first soldier said as the other two returned.
''Stand by for further orders!'' Domon said. The three soldiers saluted. Domon approached Linn.
''Boy,'' Domon addressed Linn. ''Do you have any idea what you just did?''
''Punched the scum out of a scumbag?" Linn asked.
''Yes, that is correct.'' Domon deadpanned.
''CAPTAIN?! YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO ADMIT THAT!'' the three soldiers comically screamed at him. Domon ignored them.
''But by doing so, you have invoked the wrath of the empire.''
''From what I see, the empire seems to enjoy tormenting innocent people,'' Linn said. ''And that doesn't sit well with me.''
Domon sighed heavily. ''I know what you saw wasn't the best example…''Domon said. ''But the empire is doing what is best for the people.''
''Do you honestly believe that?'' Linn asked.
''What do you mean?'' Domon asked.
Linn begins explaining ''you see, I kinda have a good/evil radar where I can tell someone good or evil from their aura.'' Linn pointed to the chariot ''That guy I punched radiated with evil energy. It was so bad it made me sick.'' Linn told Domon, ''But I don't get that same feeling from you. That's why I don't understand why someone like you is working for an evil man like him.'''
Domon sighed again ''I'm a soldier of the empire. I must serve the king and his people however he wishes.''
''But you're not a bad guy!'' Linn shouted, ''Why would you work for bad people? I don't understand!.''
Domon closed his eyes. An image of a woman and two kids flashed in his mind. He opened his eyes and looked at Linn somberly.
''Regardless of how I feel about the empire…''Domon said. ''This is my job. You are just a child, so I don't expect you to understand.'' Domon got into a battle stance. ''be that as it may, it doesn't change the fact that you attacked a noble. The empire is not going to take this lightly. Forget bringing you in; I may have no choice but to kill you. That is the consequence of your action.''
''Master!'' Tomodachi spoke up ''I'm sensing hostility from him!''
''Linn…'' Yuzu said, worried.
Linn was sweating with a hardened look on his face.
''Tomo, Yuzu, get the kids out of here,'' Linn ordered.
''Master?'' Tomo asked.
''What about you?'' Yuzu asked, concerned.
''It looks like this guy is not going to let me off the hook,'' Linn said. ''I've got no choice but to fight!'' Linn got into a fighting stance.
''But!'' Yuzu said, still worried.
Linn turned to Yuzu and smiled ''Don't worry, I'll be fine, but you guys need to get out of the way.''
''But I can't just…'' Yuzu begins saying before she is grabbed by the hand of Makoto. ''Makoto-kun?!''
Makoto looked up at Yuzu ''it's ok, Yuzu-San, Linn-San can handle this. We would only get in the way.''
''But…'' Yuzu said, still hesitating.
''He's right, Yuzu; we still have an injured girl here,'' Tomo said, indicating to the child he was holding.
Yuzu looked at Maggie with worry and then turned her gaze to Linn.
''Ok! Linn, be careful!'' Makoto took Yuzu's hand and dragged her away.
''You got this master!'' Tomo said, carrying Maggie away.
Linn smiled back and then turned his attention to Domon.
''Thank you for waiting'' Linn said.
Domon raised his eyebrows ''Don't think I will go easy on you because you're a child. Are you sure you want to do this?''
Linn smirked ''I should be asking you that.''
''Fair enough,'' Domon said. ''What is your name, boy?"
''Linn Tsukiyomi, the hero!'' Linn proclaimed. ''And you are?''
''Domon Tirion, guard captain of the empire.'' Domon introduced himself.
Domon charged at Linn with breakneck speed and punched Linn in the stomach. Linn was pushed back a few feet and was clutching his abdomen. Domon continued the assault with left and right jabs. Linn dodged the attacks and straight-punched Domon in the face. Domon stumbled back a bit. He quickly recovered to deliver a roundhouse kick, hitting Linn square in the neck and sending him flying a few feet backward.
Linn sat up, holding his neck. 'He's strong!' Linn thought, 'So this is the power of the empire?'
Domon stepped up to Linn ''Now, do you understand Linn Tsukiyomi, the hero?'' Domon said, ''There might still be a chance of smoothing things out with the empire if you give up now.''
Linn got up and smirked ''Sorry, but giving up is not in my vocabulary. Linn got back into a fighting stance. ''Now, let's keep going!''
Domon was silent.
''Hello anybody there?'' Linn asked.
Domon didn't respond.
''HEY!'' Linn yelled.
''Huh? Oh, sorry',' Domon said ''I was just wondering why dog is god spelled backward.'' Linn sweatdropped.
Linn shook his head ''Anyway, Let's keep going!'' Linn charged at Domon. Domon nodded and charged at Linn. Two were trading blows every time. Domon strikes Linn in the jaw. Linn punched Domon in the stomach. Domon kicking Linn in the knees. Linn straight punched Domon in the chest. The crowd stared in awe at the battle before them.
'He is more skilled than I thought,' Domon thought. 'If this keeps, I'll-' Domon's thought was interrupted by Linn delivering a powerful uppercut to Domon's chin, sending him flying a few feet away and landing on his back. Domon lay there motionless.
'I knew it…'Domon thought.
Linn was breathing heavily, with bruises all over his body, as he stared at Domon's motionless form, hoping that he would stay down. The crowd was once again stunned into silence, watching to see if anything else would happen. The soldiers were panicking as they watched their captain go down.
''Captain…. '' one of the soldiers said.
Domon didn't respond.
''Captain!'' another soldier said louder.
Domon was silent.
''CAPTAIN!'' the pudgy soldier yelled.
Domon was still silent as the soldiers rushed to the captain.
''It can't be…''soldier one said ''the captain was defeated by this boy?''
''That can't be true!'' Soldier Two said,'' The captain's one of the strongest people in the empire.''
''But the captain not moving!'' pudgy soldier number 3 said, crying, ''What do we do?!''
''I don't know!'' Soldier 2 also cried. The two continue to cry. Soldier One bonked soldiers 2 and 3 on the head.
''Stop crying!'' soldier 1 said. ''We are soldiers of the empire! The captain wouldn't want us to feel sorry for him. The captain is probably looking down at us in heaven and thinking, 'What a bunch of wimps crying over my death. Did I really train these soldiers?' We are better than that! We need to be strong for the captain.''
''But you're crying too!'' they both said. Soldier 1 was crying.
''Shut up!'' the soldier said, wiping his tears. Everybody else just sweatdropped at the scene.
"We know what we need to do," Soldier One said. We need to avenge the captain. And to do that, we need to take out the boy."Soldiers 2 and 3 nodded; they turned to Linn and glared. Linn noticed this and got into a fighting stance.
''FOR THE CAPTAIN!'' the three soldiers yelled as they rushed towards Linn.
''STOP!" a voice called out.
The three soldiers stopped and turned around to find Domon standing there.
''CAPTAIN YOU'RE ALIVE!!'' the three soldiers shouted, crying comical tears. Domon sweatdropped.
"Obviously…" Domon sighed. "Now stand down. I will handle this." Domon walked past the soldiers and stood in front of Linn. Linn looked up at Domon, still in his fighting stance. Domon looked down at Linn and then bowed.
''I surrender'' Domon stated. Everybody gasps in shock.
''What…?'' Linn said, confused.
''I said I surrender'' Domon repeated ''I give up, you win.''
The soldiers rushed to the captain.
''Captain?! You can't be serious?!'' soldier one said.
''Surely you have more in the tank.'' Soldier 2 said as Soldier 3 nodded.
''No, this is it,'' Domon said. ''I know when I've been bested. Continuing would result in another defeat.''
''But what about Mr. Rhodonite and the king?'' soldier 1 asked. ''They are not just going to take this lying down.''
''I will handle it,'' Domon said. ''Get back to the chariot. We are leaving.''
''YES, SIR!'' the soldiers responded as they went to the chariot. Domon turned his attention to Linn.
''Linn Tsukiyomi, the hero, you are indeed no ordinary boy,'' Domon said, ''but I must warn you again that the empire will not let this slide. They will come after you. Are you willing to fight the entire empire?''
Linn pondered this and said, ''I have no interest in the empire. I'm not sure if the empire is good or bad. Because if there are bad people in this empire like that guy, I won't hesitate to fight back, but if there are good people like you, I wouldn't know what to do. All I care about is finding my friends and if the empire thinks they can stop me from doing that. That got another thing coming.''
Domon closed his eyes and ingested Linn's words as an image of the same woman and two kids flashed in his mind. He smiled.
''Very well,'' Domon said,'' victory is yours, but next time we meet, I won't be as lenient.''
Domon walked to the chariot, got in, and drove away. The empire vanished. Linn sighed in relief. The crowd stared at him. Linn looked at the crowd and blinked.
''Uh…'' Linn said, unsure of what to do. The crowd stared at him and cheered loudly as they gathered around Linn to congratulate him.
''That was amazing!''
''He fought against the empire and won!''
''He's so cool!''
''I wish I had a child like him!''
"Marry me!''
The crowd continued to cheer and congratulate him. Linn blushed bashfully as he rubbed the back of his neck. Tomodachi and Yuzu ran up to him, hugged, licked, and kissed him.
''You did it, master!'' Tomodachi said.
''I'm so glad you're ok!'' Yuzu said, Tearing up.
''Ha ha, cut it out, you guys,'' Linn said, chuckling.
The mayor walks up to Linn and pats his shoulder.
''Good job, young man, you helped the village in its time of need. Is there any way I could thank you?''
"No need to thank me, mister. This is all in a day's work for Linn Tsukiyomi the he—" Linn was interrupted as Yuzu suddenly grabbed Linn by the ear and dragged him away. Tomo looked surprised and followed them. The mayor and the crowd looked confused.
000
Yuzu dragged Linn into an alleyway and released his ear. Linn massaged his ear and gazed at Yuzu in surprise. Yuzu assumed her scolding posture.
''Don't look at me like that, mister!'' Yuzu said angrily ''you know what you did!''
Linn blinks as Tomo joins them. ''uh, refresh my memory?''
Yuzu sighed ''I thought the plan was to recuse Finesse-San and the others and then pay Finesse-San's amount.''
''Oh'' Linn said ''It was.''
''What happened-''
'' I changed my mind?''
''Linn,'' Yuzu deadpanned.
''I'm sorry!'' Linn said, bowing apologetically ''But I couldn't let that jerk get away with doing those things. One thing led to another, and I was fighting suddenly.''
''Besides,'' Tomodachi piped up. ''The master was victorious, and they left. I feel like there should be no problem now.''
''Oh yes, no problem,'' Yuzu said sarcastically, ''Except for the fact that we now have the ENTIRE EMPIRE ON US!'' Yuzu shouted angrily. Linn and Tomo held their ears, ringing from the shout.
''Hey now its ok,'' Linn reassured ''l'll handle it somehow.''
''But…'' Yuzu said, concerned.
''If you have an issue with Master Linn's decision, you can always leave,'' Tomo deadpanned.
''Tomo!'' Linn scolded.
Tomodachi shrugged ''I'm just saying…''
Yuzu touched her hip and scoffed ''I never said I would leave. I'm just worried that this is going to come back to haunt us.''
''You sure?'' Linn asked.
Yuzu smiled ''Yes, I'm worried about what the empire is going to do about this, but I'm not going to let you handle this alone.''
''Thanks, Yuzu'' Linn said
''You're welcome,'' Yuzu replied. ''Now, let's return to the orphanage and see how everyone's doing.'' The trio went to the orphanage.
000
The trio arrived at the orphanage and entered the dining room to find Maggie sitting in a chair, Makoto beside her, and Finesse bandaging Maggie's wounded leg.
''Is she ok?'' Yuzu asked.
Finesse finished warping the Band-Aid and addressed Yuzu. ''She'll be fine; she just needs to rest and lay off her leg for a while.''
''Thank goodness…'' Yuzu sighed in relief.
''You hear that, Maggie-chan? You'll be better in no time!'' Makoto cheered, putting his fists Together.
''Y-yea…'' Maggie said, blushing. Just then, the Justice Warriors boys walked into the dining room.
''Hey Maggie,' Bill said ''I'm glad to see you're ok.''
Maggie hmphed ''Yeah, no thanks to you, you jerks!''
The boys were taken aback by her attitude.
''W-what the heck?!'' Bill stammered ''We come to check on you, and that's how you treat us?!''
"Like how you came to 'check on me' when I got shot and left for dead?!" Maggie said, tearing up. ''I thought you guys were my friends, but you abandoned me!"
Clark and George look down in shame, but Bill remains adamant.
.
"We were going to come back and rescue you, we just…."Bill trailed off.
"Ran off like a bunch of cowards…" Maggie said, ''At least Makoto-kun came to my rescue. He was more of a man than you three."
At that, Bill was angry and got in Maggie's face.
"How dare you?! I'm way more of a man than Makoto is! And how can you take his side over us?! He's the enemy, remember?! I'm sure he was the one who made the empire do those things to us.''
"That's not true!" Makoto piped up, " I had nothing to do with that!"
"Yeah, right, you liar! Like how you had nothing to do with our parents' murder!" Bill said.
"He didn't have anything to do with your parents' murder!" Linn chimed in. "That was all the empire's fault. Makoto's parents died too, you know."
Bill turned to Linn and said, "Who the heck are you?!"
"Linn Tsukiyomi, the hero!" Linn proclaimed, "Which reminds me that I needed to talk to you guys about what it means to be a hero."
Bill raised his eyebrows. "What are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying, how can you call yourselves justice warriors when all you do is bully people, make excuses for why you do it, and not even help your comrade in their time of need? A real justice warrior would stand up for what's right and never give up what you guys do. It isn't being a justice warrior at all. That is the exact opposite; it's villainous!" Linn finished his speech, and everybody had different reactions. Yuzu smiled. Tomo nodded in approval. Finesse and Makoto clapped. Clark, George, and even Maggie looked down on in shame. Bill was absolutely furious.
"You don't know what you're talking about!" Bill said, ''We are the good guys here, not the bad guys! Right guys?"
Nobody responded.
"Guys, come on…." Bill said sadly.
Clark adjusted his glasses." I'm sorry, Bill, but now that I think about it, he's right. We haven't really done anything heroic."
"We did many bad things and claimed it was for justice." George said, "But what we were really doing was bullying."
''At first, I thought what we were doing was right and that Makoto Kun was our sworn enemy," Maggie said, " but despite everything I did to him, he still came to my rescue." Maggie looked at Makoto. Makoto locked eyes with Maggie and smiled. Maggie quickly broke contact, turned sideways, and blushed shyly. 'And now that I no longer see him as an enemy, he's actually kinda cute…' she thought.
Bill stands there, mouth agape, not believing what is going on.
"Guys, Are you kidding me?" Bill asked. "You guys are just going to give up on our goal of avenging our parents? Of being justice warriors?"
"If it means having to continue doing bad things and bullying Makoto Kun, then yes, I quit being a justice warrior,'' Maggie said.
"Me too," Clark said.
"Me three,'' George said.
Bill looked shocked and angry. ''Traitors! All of you!'' he pointed to Linn. ''This is all your fault!''
''Hey now, don't blame me,'' Linn said. ''I was just telling the truth about how I saw it.''
''Liar! I bet you planned this alongside Makoto. This was your evil plan all along.''
Linn had a tick mark on his forehead and got in Bill's face." Who are you calling evil?! You brat?!''
Bill had a tick mark on his forehead. "You! You hero wannabe loser!"
"What did you say?!"
"You want a piece of me?!"
*Bonk* *bonk*
The two stopped arguing and held their heads in pain. A comical bump appeared on both of their heads as Yuzu bonked them with her ladle.
"Knock it off, you two!" Yuzu yelled sternly, "This is no way to behave!"
"He started it!" They both said, pointing at each other. Yuzu smacks her ladle on the ground hard. The two boys gulped in fear.
"I don't care who started it; I'm ending it," Yuzu said. "Now, Linn, you're the older one here. You need to be more mature about these types of things."
"But he insulted my heroness…" Linn tried to explain. Yuzu sent him a fearsome glare that made Linn shiver.
"Are you talking back to me, mister?" Yuzu glared darkly.
"No, ma'am!" Linn responded quickly.
"Good," Yuzu said. She turned to Bill. "As for you, Bill-Kun, what Linn said is true; you and your friends have done nothing but bully people. Which reminds me, you still need to be punished for bullying Makoto earlier."
"What?! That is not fair!" You can't do that, you old ha- ow!" Bill stopped as Yuzu smacked him in the head with her ladle.
"That's too bad, it's happening," Yuzu said. She turned her attention to Clark and George. "That goes for you two as well."
George was going to protest, but Clark laid a hand on his shoulder and shook his head.
"Now that settles it, let's go, you three,'' Yuzu said as she started walking.
"This doesn't settle anything!" Bill growled, "What authority do you have to punish us?!''
''Let's go, Bill-kun,'' Yuzu said as she was still walking.
"But!"
"Yes, your butt, my ladle, the usual room, let's. go." Yuzu threatened as she walked out of the dining room, George and Clark following her.
Bill turned to Finesse. "Miss Finesse, you're not going to let her do this to us, are you?"
Finesse bowed her head apologetically. "Sorry, Bill-kun, but if I get involved, she'll spank me too."
"WHAT?!" Bill comically screamed.
"William Yoshikawa, if I have to call you one more time…" Yuzu's voice rang out.
"Alright, alright, I'm coming..." Bill sighed as he begrudgingly walked toward the dinner hall's entrance. He stopped at the entrance and glared at Linn and Makoto.
"This isn't over! I'll get revenge for this on both of you! Do you hear me?! On my honor as a justice warrior, I'll have my revenge-ow!'' Bill was interrupted when Yuzu grabbed him by the ear and dragged him away.
Everyone stares at the entrance. Next thing you know, screams can be heard from one of the rooms. Everyone takes on comical fearful expressions as cries of 'I'm sorry,'' no please,' and 'Daddy no!' can be heard. After a few seconds, Yuzu returns to the dining hall, dusting her hands off.
''Punishment complete'' Yuzu said. Everyone just stared at her. ''What?'' Yuzu said, cocking her head to one side.
'Scary…' everyone thought.
Yuzu approached Maggie ''Are you sure you're ok, Maggie Chan?'' Yuzu asked, worried,
Maggie blinked ''Oh! Yes, I'm fine.'' Maggie replied.
''That's good,'' Yuzu sighed in relief. ''I didn't wanna feel bad for hurting you more when I dish out your punishment.''
Maggie froze, eyes whited out. ''…eh?''
Yuzu put her hands on her hips. ''don't 'eh' me, young lady. If I recall correctly, you were also part of that little scene earlier. Don't think you can escape punishment because you got a boo-boo.''
''But…'' Maggie pleaded before stopping as Yuzu looked at her. ''Yes ma, am.''
''That's better,'' Yuzu said before feeling a tug on her arm. She looked down to find Makoto.
''Wait, Yuzu-chan, can't you let this one slide?'' Makoto asked.
''Makoto?'' Linn said, surprised. Everyone else also had surprised expressions.
''But why Makoto-kun?'' Yuzu asked.
Makoto looked down. ''I know what the justice warriors did was bad, but I kinda understand why they did it. I never blamed them for bullying me. I mean, my parents did kill their parents, so I see why they are angry with me. But I know that they are good kids and don't know what to do. I always thought my parents were good people. I didn't realize they were doing horrible things to other people. So that's why…'' Makoto looked up with determination ''I want to be a hero and make up for their mistakes, and if that means having to take all the bullying, then I will. So please forgive the justice warriors!''
Everyone stood in awe of Makoto's speech. Linn walked to Makoto and patted his head.
''Well said Makoto'' Linn said ''but…''
''But what?'' Makoto said, confused.
Tomodachi said, " It's great that you want to be a hero and forgive the justice warriors, but it doesn't change the fact that they were bullying you in the first place.''
''But,'' Makoto said.
''He's right, Makoto-kun,'' Yuzu said. ''I do feel sorry for them, but bullying others is not the way to go. I can't let naughty children get away with doing those things. They need to be punished.''
Makoto looked down. Then, he felt a hand grab his hand. He turned to find Maggie smiling at him.
''It's okay, Makoto-kun,'' Maggie said. I appreciate you trying to help me, but they're right. We did do some bad things to you.'' Maggie recalled the bad things the justice warriors did to Makoto and started to cry. ''I'm sorry Makoto-kun! I hope you can forgive me!''
Maggie continues to cry. Makoto hugs her.
''It's ok I already do'' Makoto said, smiling.
''Thank you'' Maggie said.
''Your welcome'' Makoto said.
The two break the hug as Maggie limps over to Yuzu.
''Ok I'm ready'' Maggie said. Yuzu nods as they both walk out of the dining hall.
000
nighttime
Linn, Tomo, and Yuzu gathered in the dining hall to plan their next move when Finesse walked in.
''So, have you guys figured out what you are going to do next?'' Finesse asked.
''I don't know,'' Linn said in a thinking pose. ''I guess we'll just go to the next village.''
''That seems to be our only option,'' Tomodachi said.
''Right,'' Linn said. ''Yuzu, what's the next village from here?''
''Lets see…'' Yuzu said, reaching into her backpack. She grabbed the map and placed it on the table.
''It looks like the closest village is Boulderer south of here.''
Finesse looked at the map. ''Isn't that the closest village from here?'' She pointed to a village northwest of Honsen village.
''Oh ah, we don't want to go there,'' Yuzu said nervously.
Linn raised an eyebrow ''Why not?''
''W-why?'' Yuzu said, sweating profusely. ''Because there are monsters out there, and the village is abandoned and other bad stuff.''
''But'' Linn said.
Yuzu slammed her hands on the table, startling the occupants.
''So we agree we are going to Boulderer, right?!'' Yuzu said with a crazed look. Everyone sweatdropped.
''Uh, sure, Yuzu, wherever you want to go,'' Linn said, slightly scared.
''Good!'' Yuzu said, picking up the map and placing it in her backpack. ''We'll go first thing in the morning.''
Yuzu turned to Finesse ''Finesse-san. Is it alright if we stay here for the night?''
Finesse smiled. ''of course, dear, I have plenty of rooms.''
''Ok…'' Yuzu yawns, getting up ''I'm going to go to bed. I suggest you two do the same,'' she addressed Linn and Tomo.
''That sounds like a good idea…'' Linn said. Tomo stopped him as he was getting up.
''Hold on, master, may I have a word?'' Tomo said.
Linn raised an eyebrow, ''sure Tomo what up?''
''I mean alone,'' Tomo said, looking at Yuzu and Finesse.
Yuzu looked offended ''What? I'm not allowed in the conversation?''
''It's not you,'' Tomo explained. ''I just need to discuss a personnel matter with my master.''
''But'' Yuzu said, saddened.
''Hey, it's fine,'' Linn reassured. ''You go to bed; we'll stay here for a while.''
''Oh alright…'' Yuzu said as she and Finesse were walking out of the dining hall. Yuzu stopped at the entrance.
''Just make sure you don't stay up too late,'' Yuzu said.
''We won't'' Linn replied.
''And no late-night snacking!''
''Ok''
And make sure you brush your teeth and get into your PJs.''
''We will.''
''And-
''Would you go already?!'' Tomodachi snapped, annoyed.
''Ok ok geez!'' Yuzu pouted ''Goodnight'' Yuzu walked out of the dinner hall.
Linn waved goodbye and turned to Tomo. ''so what do you want to talk about-'' Linn stopped as Tomo put a finger up. He walked to the dinner hall entrance, made a fist, and brought it down on the other side of the entrance.
''Owie!'' A voice was heard, much to Linn's surprise, as the owner of the voice appeared. It was Yuzu rubbing her head.
''You think I can't smell you from here?'' Tomo deadpanned.
Yuzu giggled nervously. 'I just forgot something, that's all,' Tomo glared darkly. Yuzu flinched.
''Ok, ok, I'm going really this time!'' Yuzu said, running from the entrance for real this time. Tomo sighed and sat back down.
''So now, what do you want to talk about?'' Linn asked again.
''It's about Yuzu master,'' Tomo said '' Are you sure we can trust her?''
'What do you mean?'' Linn asked.
''I've meant to tell you this for a while, but my senses have been going off since we started traveling with her. She is not being truthful with us. Her reaction to the village map has only aroused my suspicions of her.''
''I don't see anything wrong with her,'' Linn said. ''sure, she hasn't told us much about her. But I don't sense any malicious intent from her.''
''I don't either, but at the same time, I can't help having this bad feeling…'' Tomo said, Concerned.
Linn patted Tomo's head ''easy boy. I understand your concern, but Yuzu has been a big help on our journey. She hasn't given me a reason to doubt her yet, so I'm not going to.''
''If you say so, master,'' Tomo said.
''Is that all you wanted to talk about?'' Linn asked.
''Yes,'' Tomo said, ''I just wanted to bring up some concerns I had.''
''Ok, then I think you're worrying over nothing. Now come on, let's go to bed.'' Linn said
''As you wish, Master,'' Tomodachi said.
The two stood up, left the dining hall, and went to bed.
000
Morning
Linn Tomodachi and Yuzu were seen off at the entrance by Finesse, Makoto, and the mayor.
''Do you three have everything?'' Finesse asked.
''Yes!'' The trio answered.
The mayor approached Linn ''Thank you again for coming to our aid. I didn't think anyone was brave or foolish enough to oppose the empire, but you proved me wrong.''
''You welcome, sir,'' Linn bowed, ''Are you sure you don't need me to stay just in case the empire returns?''
''We'll be fine, Linn-kun,'' Finesse assured. ''We should be able to smooth things out with the empire if we pay them the amount. I'm more worried about you and what the empire will do.''
''Don't worry,'' Linn said, ''I'll take whatever the empire dishes out.''
Makoto walks to the group ''Yuzu-chan, you'll revisit us, won't you?''
Yuzu smiled and held Makoto's hands ''Of course I will, sweetie, count on it!''
Makoto blushed and smiled. He turned his attention to Linn. ''And Linn-san, you'll find your friends and become a great hero.''
Linn smiled and patted Makoto's head ''thanks, Makoto, I'm sure you'll be a great hero too.''
''Yeah, I'll be the bestest hero ever.'' Makoto cheered.
''You can't be the bestest hero ever,'' Linn said.
Makoto was taken aback ''w-why not?''
Linn smirked ''Because I'm going to be the bestest hero ever!''
''Nuh-uh, I'm going to be the bestest hero.'' Makoto pouted.
''No, I am!''
''No, I am!''
''I didn't realize becoming a hero was a competition,'' Tomodachi deadpanned.
''Oh, hush you.'' Yuzu scolded Tomo ''let them have their fun.''
''I guess this makes us hero rivals''! Makoto declared.
''I guess so!'' Linn stated.
''Hero rivals? Next, they will tell me they have a school for heroes too,'' Tomodachi deadpanned again.
Yuzu turned to Tomo and put her hands on her hips. ''Must you be cynical about everything?'' Yuzu asked. Tomo replied with an eh and shrugged his shoulders.
''Ok, Makoto, it's a deal. Let's see who can become the best hero,'' Linn put his hand out.
''Ok!'' Makoto grabbed his hand. The two shook hands. Everyone smiled.
''Ok, Linn, this has been fun, but we have to get going,'' Yuzu said.
''Right'' Linn said ''Let's go!''
The others waved goodbye. The gang waved back as they walked out of the village. As they walked, Yuzu approached Linn.
''So, Linn, what were you and Tomo-chan discussing last night?'' Yuzu asked.
''Oh, nothing much, just guy stuff,'' Linn explained.
Yuzu stopped walking and gave Linn a look. ''Linn, what did I tell you about lying to me?''
Linn was taken aback. ''w-what? I'm not lying, I swear,'' Linn said, sweating.
''Linn, I told you before I can tell when you're lying to me,'' Yuzu said. She observed Linn. ''From your posture and lack of eye contact, I'm going to go on a limb here and say it was about me.''
Linn's sweat drops. 'She's sharp..' Linn thought.
''So what were you guys saying about me?'' Yuzu asked.
''Well…'' Linn hesitated.
''We were discussing how tiny you are,'' Tomo said nonchalantly.
''Tomo?!'' Linn said, shocked.
''Don't you remember, master?'' Tomo smirked ''about how we agree that she's the same size as a baby pinky or how if we had a height contest between her and an ant, the ant would win. And don't get me started on her cup-size-'' Linn put his hands on Tomo's mouth.
The two looked at Yuzu as she was shaking violently. A red aura engulfed her.
''You two…'' Yuzu said in her demonic voice. With an angry tick on her forehead, she pulls out her ladle and charges at the boys. Linn shrieked as he grabbed Tomo and ran.
''GET BACK HERE!!'' Yuzu yells angrily ''YOU TWO ARE SO GROUNDED!!'' A comical chase occurs as Yuzu swings her ladle, and Linn and Tomodachi run away.
000
Meanwhile, in a white royal chariot 10 miles from Honsen village. James Rhodonite, the 3rd, Having previously been knocked out by Linn, wakes up.
"Ow, where am I?" James said. He looked around and noticed that he was in his chariot.
''What's going on?'' James pondered.
''Oh, you're finally awake?'' a voice said.
James was startled and turned to the voice to find Domon sitting on the opposite side.
''Domon?'' James questioned.
''I was beginning to wonder if you would ever wake up. I had your funeral planned and everything'' Domon deadpanned.
"THAT'S NOT FUNNY!" James yelled, an angry tick mark on his head. He shook his head. "What happened anyway?" he asked, trying to recall what led to his current situation. He then remembered.
''That's right! '' James said, with a shocked expression,'' the village, the amount… James expression darkened ''that boy…''
''Oh? So you do remember, great…'' Domon said sarcastically.
James got up and looked at the driver. ''hey you, turn this chariot around! We need to go back to Honsen village immediately!''
''There is no need'' Domon said.
James glared at Domon, pulled his gun out, and pointed at Domon.
''And why not?'' he said with his twisted expression, ''They disrespected and assaulted me. A noble of the empire. They need to be taught a lesson.''
Domon just stared at James and sighed. ''That would be a waste of time because, one, I checked the village roster, and Linn Tsukiyomi was not on that list, so it's safe to assume that he is just a traveler and is not from that village. If we go back now, he'll be long gone. Two...''
he got up, pulled out a small bag, and handed it to James. ''the woman had already paid the amount while you were unconscious, so we got what we came for. Anything further than that would be going against the king's orders.'' Domon got in James's face, ''And you wouldn't want to go against the king, would you?''
James gulped at the thought of going against the king.
''Fine…'' James sighed; he put his gun down and sat down.
James opens the bag to find coins in it. ''Geez, if that woman had the amount already, she should've just paid up instead of us having to go through all that trouble.''
''It is what it is,'' Domon said, sitting down and looking out the window. He recalled Linn's words, ''But you're not a bad guy!'' Linn shouted, ''Why would you work for bad people? I don't understand!.'' I have no interest in the empire. I don't know if the empire is good or bad. Because if there are bad people in this empire like that guy, I won't hesitate to fight back, but if there are good people like you, I wouldn't know what to do. All I care about is finding my friends and if the empire thinks they can stop me from doing that. That got another thing coming.''
Domon then thought of the same woman and two kids. 'Linn Tsukiyomi, I guess we both had our reasons for fighting. I truly hope we meet again.' Domon smiled as he continued to look out the window. The comical scene of Linn and Tomodachi still being chased by Yuzu occurs.