"How much longer...?" Tenshi asked, with a puffy face.
"Impatient, I see. Is that very Angel-like?" Maruchi said, trying to get Tenshi to be quiet.
"Huh? You don't know a thing about Angels, do you?" Tenshi asked, as she questioned, to herself, why Maruchi would think it's not Angel-like.
"Just shut up and walk." Maruchi said, with a sigh. "If you'd pay attention, you can see the castle isn't far." Maruchi continued, pointing out the castle.
"Oh..." Tenshi said, quietly.
"There's a hole here, why?" Peni asked, as she looked at a square hole on a bunch if bricks, in front of the castle.
"Some old traps from an old group of mischievous skeletons, I'd assume, probably from the previous king." Maruchi said, as she looked down the hole.
"What are we doing here?" Kumetsu asked, spinning in a circle with her arms out.
"This is how we're gonna get out, I've never met the king, but... I know someone who has. Or rather, I knew someone..." Maruchi said, making a nasty face as she thought of Boris.
"Sounds fine to me, this place creeps me out..." Tenshi said, staying close to Peni.
"Cool, but I don't give a shit." Maruchi said, walking closer to the stairs. "I'm leaving here, you can either stay here or come with me and I'll continue helping you." Maruchi continued, as she walked up the stairs.
"Alright, let's follow her." Peni said, as she began to catch up to Maruchi, with Tenshi and Kumetsu behind her.
Maruchi opened the doors to the castle, and she looked around for a moment before she walked inside, followed by the others. "This place... seems a bit dead... even for this Zombie filled world." Maruchi said, as she walked around.
"Maybe no one's here..." Tenshi said, still staying close to Peni.
"Ugh! Would you stop staying so close to her? I don't know why but it pisses me off." Maruchi shouted, as she walked up to Tenshi.
"Wh-What?" Tenshi asked, not sure what Maruchi's talking about.
"You heard me! You're all up on Peni's dick, just move away from her." Maruchi said, becoming more annoyed.
"Dick...? What's a dick?" Tenshi asked, as she tilted her head.
Maruchi's face grew angry. "Quit playing dumb!" Maruchi said as she grabbed Tenshi by the neck and help her up to a wall with her good arm.
"S-Stop..." Tenshi said, with wide eyes. "You're h-hurting m-me..." Tenshi said, as she started to cry from fear. Peni watched intensely, ready to stop it if it gets too out of hand, Kumetsu was dancing in the background.
"How do you not know what a dick is? You may be an Angel but you're still a female pepper, I know how lustful you get!" Maruchi yelled, starring at Tenshi as Tenshi struggled.
"L-Lust is a s-sin..." Tenshi muttered, as she tried to hold in her tears.
"You're telling me that you don't even ma-" Maruchi shouted, as she tightened her grip on Tenshi's neck, allowing Tenshi to get barely any oxygen, as she got cut off by Peni.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Peni shouted, though there wasn't much emotion in the shout, it was just her talking loudly. Maruchi dropped Tenshi, and Tenshi fell on her butt as she gasped for air and cried. "We aren't here to fight or argue, we'll find this king and be out of here." Peni said, trying to get through to Maruchi.
Tenshi got up and ran to Peni, as she cried. "Why w-was she so... m-mean to me?" Tenshi said, as she cried and sniffled, and stood in front of Peni.
"Hey, it's okay now. I won't let her hurt yoy again, I promise." Peni said, as she hugged Tenshi, trying to calm her down.
"I really am... a monster..." Maruchi said, under her breath, as she looked at both of her hands, facing away from the others. 'Yes, you are a monster. Let the monster be free, become one with the monster.' Hannah's voice echoed, throughout Maruchi's head. "Just shut up! I don't want to hurt anyone!" Maruchi screamed, startling the others, even Kumetsu was frightened.
Maruchi turned to look at Peni who starred at her strangely. "Maruchi...?" Peni asked, thinking something is clearly wrong.
"Why... are you looking at me like that...?" Maruchi asked, as she started to hyperventilate.
"Is there something wrong with you?" Peni asked, not realizing that was a bad choice of words.
"Why w-would you think something's... wrong with me?" Maruchi said, beginning to panic. 'Look what you did, they all think you're weird now, they must all hate you, you've treated them so poorly.' Hannah's voice echoed, again. "No... th-that's not... true..." Maruchi muttered, starting to shake.
Suddenly, Maruchi's eyes widened, as she felt something touch her. Maruchi realized that Tenshi had begun to hug her.
"What are... you...?" Maruchi asked, surprised by the sudden hug.
"No one deserves the amount of stress you're going through... I pray that you'll be free from your demons one day..." Tenshi said, as she still shed tears.
Maruchi smiled a little, and slowly pushed Tenshi off of her. "Sorry... for holding you like that..." Maruchi said, messing with her own hair.
Tenshi smiled. "It's okay, I already forgave you. I knew you weren't that kind of person." Tenshi said, as her smile grew bigger.
"But seriously, you don't know what a dick is?" Maruchi asked, looking confused at Tenshi.
"No... I really don't, I'm sorry." Tenshi said, looking down.
"I'm bored!!!" Kumetsu yelled, interrupting their conversation.
"Let's go find the king." Peni said, as she tried to decide which door to go through.
"Well, let's try the only door that's open. Come on, everyone." Maruchi said, as she walked to the door on the left that was wide open.
"There's so many doors..." Kumetsu said, looking dizzy.
"Yeah, we've checked... too many to count..." Tenshi said, feeling exhausted.
"Half of them were already open." Peni said, adding to the conversation.
"I think there's talking behind this big door." Maruchi said, listening through the door.
"Oooh! Let's open it!" Kumetsu said, as she jumped over everyone, causing them all to fall through the door.
"Ooww..." Tenshi said, as she picked herself up.
"Kumetsu, can you stop being so reckless..." Peni said, as she stood up.
"Whoops! Haha!" Kumetsu said, with a laugh.
"Great, now there's a hole in the door, how're we gonna pay for that?" Maruchi said, looking at the door with the others.
"Don't worry, it's not a huge deal." A man's voice said, from the other side of the room. Everyone's attention immediately turned to where the voice came from. They all two people, the first was a male figure that wore a red tuxedo with a matching red top hat, and he had on a skeleton mask, covering his face. The second was a girl, clearly another female pepper, her hair was blue, her right eye was also blue, but her left eye was red, she wore a black shirt with a lime, plaid skirt. She looked bothered.
"You must be the king." Peni said, as she got on one knee and kneeled.
"Ah, there's no need for the formalities. But yes, I'm King Samuel." King Samuel said, sitting in his throne.
"Hey, Peni." Tenshi whispered, trying to get Peni's attention.
"Yes?" Peni whispered back.
"Should we try to get that girl to join us, she's a female pepper, right?" Tenshi asked, as she continued whispering.
"Good idea." Peni said, as she began to walk a little closer.
"Samuel, I'd rather no interruptions..." The girl said, looking annoyed with the intrusion.
"I apologize, but this is a very interesting group, I'm quite curious. Our negotiations will continue, don't worry." King Samuel said, to the girl, adking her to wait.
"King Samuel, we wish to leave Halloween." Peni said, as she stood at the bottom of the throne's stairs, with the others behind her.
"Well, where would you like to go?" King Samuel asked, curious of which planet they'd choose.
"Anywhere that is inhabited by people, nowhere specific." Peni responded, answering his question.
"Interesting... Well you're going to have to give me something in return." King Samuel said, wondering what they can offer.
"We could... offer entertainment?" Maruchi said, wondering if that'd work.
King Samuel put his glove covered hand up. "No, I was entertained not long ago as payment." King Samuel said, beginning to think.
"Then... what should we do?" Tenshi asked, hoping it isn't hard.
"I want you to bring me the Pink Diamond Skull, it's located south of the castle, should be straight forward." King Samuel said, telling them what he wants.
"We don't really have a choice here." Peni said, while looking at the others. "We'll do it." Peni said, looking back at King Samuel.
"Excellent! And I'm sure you'll find something of value to your interesting group there as well." King Samuel said, adjusting his hat.
Tenshi walked up to the girl in the lime skirt. "Would you help us? We need more of our kind..." Tenshi said, feeling a little intimated.
"What's in it for me?" The girl asked, wondering what she'll get out of helping them.
"What's your name?" Peni said, joining Tenshi in talking to the girl.
"Omuk." Omuk said, looking annoyed.
"Well, Omuk, what do you want?" Peni asked, hoping it'd be easy enough.
"Money, at least a few hundred dollars." Omuk said, almost instantly.
"Well, I'm sure we can get some." Peni said, realizing that wouldn't be hard.
"No, up front, I want to see it now." Omuk snapped.
"Well... we don't have it now..." Tenshi said, hoping Omuk would understand.
"Then bye." Omuk said, as she turned around to talk to King Samuel. "As I was saying... You know where Kumo is?" Omuk said, asking King Samuel a question.
"Hey!" Tenshi said, raising her voice.
"Just let it go, Tenshi. This girl's clearly trouble." Peni said, as she took Tenshi's hand and began walking down the stairs.
"Huh? Uh... O-Okay..." Tenshi said, getting flustered.
"Come on, let's get that Skull thing." Peni said, as she opened the broken door, the others followed.
"He technically said it's straight south, but all I see is this cave..." Maruchi said, as they all look at a cave in the short distance.
"Yeah, maybe it's in there." Peni said, as they grow closer.
"A cave? Does this place get any creepier...?" Tenshi said, staying close behind Peni.
"You're close to her again." Maruchi said, looking at Tenshi.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Tenshi said, moving away from Peni.
"No, I'm not upset. I just wanna know why." Maruchi said, trying to have Tenshi stop worring.
"Oh..." Tenshi said, pausing to think. "Well... I feel a bit more comfy around her... I guess..." Tenshi said, as she blushed and looked away.
"You alright? Your face is red." Maruchi said, concerned about Tenshi.
Kumetsu gasped. "You liiiiike Peniiii, huhhh?" Kumetsu said, touching Tenshi's wings.
"No!" Tenshi said, quicky, denying it. "Wait, what?" Tenshi asked, being genuinely confused about what she means.
"You knowww! You like Peni. Like, you always wanna be around herrr, and you're flustered but happy when you somehow touch! That kinda stuff." Kumetsu said, walking backwards as she talks to Tenshi.
"I see, so it makes you happy to touch me. Does that include holding my hand?" Peni asked, as everyone stopped to talk.
"Uh... well, I d-don't really-" Tenshi said, struggling to speak, as Peni cut her off by grabbing her hand.
"Well? Are you happy?" Peni asked, being genuinely curious.
Tenshi's face got extremely red. "Uhm... Uhhh..." Tenshi muttered, trying to make words. "...Yes, I... I am..." Tenshi said, softly and quietly.
Peni smiled slightly. "Cute." Peni said, before she turned around and continued walking, as the others followed.
"Huh?" Tenshi said, in surprise, as she followed Peni, still holding her hand.
"Looks like we're at the cave." Maruchi said, as they looked into the dark tunnel.
"Wait... hold on..." Tenshi said, trying to get them to listen.
"Alright, let's go." Peni said, as she began walking into the cave.
"But-" Tenshi said, as a bat flying out of the cave cut her off. "Ahhh!" Tenshi screamed, as it scared her.
Peni pulled Tenshi closer to her. "Don't worry, I'm here. I won't let any bats hurt you." Peni said, trying to reassure Tenshi that she'll be fine.
"You're... really close..." Tenshi said, starting to breath a little heavier.
Maruchi smiled a little as she stood next to Kumetsu. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" Kumetsu chanted, moving her arms up and down.
"Huh? K-Kiss?!" Tenshi said, growing flustered. Peni chuckled, and puckered her lips. "Wait, I'm not ready!" Tenshi said, as she closed her eyes. Tenshi felt Peni's lips touch her forehead, and she heard a smooch. "Huh?" Tenshi said, as she opened her eyes to see Peni get off of her toes.
"Boooo!" Kumetsu shouted, with a pouty face.
"Are you still scared?" Peni asked, hoping Tenshi's okay now. Tenshi shook her head left and right. "Good, now let's go." Peni said, as they continued into the cave, with the others following.
"Hey, there's a staircase!!!" Kumetsu shouted, as she was jumping in the cave, ahead of the others.
"You seem calmer now." Peni said, as the three grew closer to Kumetsu, who's now spinning.
"I think... I'm more used to it now. I'm able to genuinely enjoy it, it's honestly really nice and comforting." Tenshi said, smiling at Peni.
"That's good." Peni said, as they stopped in front of Kumetsu.
"Think it's in there?" Maruchi asked.
"Only one way to find out, though there's a lot of spider webs surrounding the door down there." Peni said, as she was about to begin walking down the staircase.
"I thought that might happen, so I brought a stick that we can wrap them around." Maruchi said, pulling out a stick that's about as long as her arm.
"Oh, good idea." Tenshi said, as they watched Maruchi go clean off the webs.
"I'm glad she's gotten more friendly towards us, and it's all thanks to you, Tenshi, you did an amazing job." Peni said, praising Tenshi.
Tenshi's face lit up with joy. "I'm just trying to be nice to everyone, but thank you!" Tenshi said, feeling super happy.
"Well, that's something that deserves praise." Peni said, furthering her point to praise Tenshi.
"I guess you're right." Tenshi said, smiling at Peni.
"It's all gone but it was weird... I didn't see any spiders in the webs, and they're a bit thicker, I think." Maruchi said, throwing the stick to the side. "That's pretty much useless now, it's completely covered." Maruchi said, feeling a bit upset that her plan didn't completely work.
"We'll figure it out, let's go through the door." Peni said, as she, Tenshi, and Kumetsu went down the stairs.
Maruchi opened the door that was previously covered by webs. "Looks like an old... something..." Maruchi said, failing to find a good word.
"It's just a bunch of old bricks, webs, and chests..." Peni said, as Tenshi stayed close to her, a little worried about what they might find in this room.
"It's probably in one of the chests, I'd assume. The Skull thing, I mean." Maruchi said, walking farther into the room.
"Just stay close to me, you'll be okay, Tenshi." Peni said, looking around to see where to start searching.
"Okay." Tenshi said, trying to not be scared.
"Are you finally back?!" A girl's voice shouted, from the stairs above the little area they were in.
"Someone's in here?" Peni said, getting on her guard.
"Hey... You aren't him..." The girl said, as she looked down the stairs to see Peni, Tenshi, Kumetsu, and Maruchi.
"None of us are a him..." Maruchi said, sounding a little confused.
"Wait! You guys must be raiders! I gotta protect our base, you won't steal our stuff, raiders!" The girl said, as she jumped down the staircase.
"Be careful, we don't-" Peni said, but she cut herself off as she saw Kumetsu running up to fight the girl.
"Kumetsu! You can't even attack!" Peni yelled, trying to get Kumetsu to come back.
"Hahaha!" Kumetsu laughed, as she ran to the girl, and as soon she got close to the girl, she ran into something and fell.
"Huh?" Maruchi said, as she just watched Kumetsu run into seemingly nothing.
"Raiders, leave!" The girl shouted, as she tried to look intimidating. The girl wore a red hoodie, and shorts that were hidden under the hoodie, her feet were bare and skin was almost gray-ish, but more blue-ish than Peni's, the girl's eyes were both red, and her blue hair was messy and un-washed.
"Raiders?" Maruchi asked, herself. "Well... Yeah, kinda..." Maruchi said, quietly to herself.
"Ahah! I knew it!" The girl said, pointing at Maruchi. Kumetsu got up and backed away looking confused.
"You heard that?" Maruchi asked, thinking she talked quietly.
"Mhm!" The girl mumbled. "Master reppep said. 'Tetsu, I need you to protect our base while I'm gone.' So I gotta protect it, understand?" Tetsu said, explaining her reason for protecting the base.
"I see..." Peni said, not really understanding much of that. 'I guess her name is Tetsu...' Peni thought, feeling glad she got a little information out of that.