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> Link to Part 1
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> Adventures in Parodyverse - The Pink Empire Part 2
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> Yuki cursed to herself as she checked her watch. Her cybernetic body’s on-board computer had an internal clock too, but habit from the days before she was a cyborg caused her to keep checking her watch anyhow when she felt pressed for time. Six hideouts of Akiko’s were a waste of time. ÂÂ
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> She always checked with optical camouflage on, trying not to have to fight her way into every single building. The camo battery was running low, and she doubted it had the energy to check all of the rest. She hoped she’d be lucky with the next one.
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> The next stop had two more guards outside than the others, she noticed as she rode past on her bike. That was unusual - either Akiko was there or the kids, and either way it was a jackpot. She parked her bike around the corner and switched on the camo as she headed into the alley.
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> Getting inside took a little clever planning. Basically she had to hang around outside the door, dangerously close to the guards, until one of them went inside for some reason. Then she slipped in through the open door. Also convenient was that the guard headed upstairs to converse with more guards upstairs. It was like following a trail of bread crumbs.
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> While the guards were chatting she took a risk and slipped into an interior room with a sliding wood and paper Japanese style door. She slid the door closed and turned around...
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> ...and was shocked to see Maggie and Griffin sitting calmly on cushions on the floor. They were in a quite nice room with a television and video and board games, and a private bathroom. She also noticed that the two of them were staring right at her.
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> “I guess the camo’s run out,â€Â Yuki whispered with a smile. “Good thing I found you two.â€Â She kneeled and hugged them both tightly, trying not to let herself come to tears. They weren’t out yet.
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> She slid the door part-way open and looked outside. She remembered there were four guards armed with bladed weapons and another four in front of the building. Maybe more hidden around the building she couldn’t see.
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> Yuki urged Maggie and Griffin to move to a corner of the room, and then she threw open the sliding door. The four guards stared at her as she charged them. They began yelling as they were fighting, and Yuki became concerned - sound would travel far with the thin partitions decorating that place.
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> Just as she guessed, the four guards from outside showed up. Along with another ten. And she could hear a car pulling up outside as well. Fuming, she pulled out her Lair Legion comm-card, planning to call in Hatman and CSFB!, and see how well they deal with that. As she held the comm-card, the mob of guards wrestled her to the ground.
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> Over the din she heard the sound of female voice, one that was usually gentle so it strained to be heard over the noise, call out something in Japanese. Yuki couldn’t be sure but she thought the voice ordered the guards to stop. She felt the guards move away from her and she heard shuffling noises.
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> When Yuki rose, the Psychic Samurai stood over her looking unhappy. The now twenty-six guards were crowded along the sides of the room, bowing submissively to the new arrival.
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> Chiaki ordered them all outside in Japanese. She still sounded angry, too. The guards all shuffled out obediently. “I trust you found them,â€Â she asked in English, aiming that question at Yuki. There was a little heartbreak in her voice.
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> Yuki thought about saying ‘No thanks to you’...but Chiaki did go to the trouble to leave her apartment and prevent a slaughter. “Yeah,â€Â she said. “I found ‘em. I’m taking them back to Visionary. Don’t try to stop me.â€Â
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> “Take them,â€Â Chiaki said. “I must speak with Akiko.â€Â
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> One of the last guards to leave turned and protested in Japanese, begging Chiaki not to force him to face the wrath of Akiko. Yuki recognized the Japanese words in Chiaki’s reply for ‘Shut up!’ and ‘Get out!’ The guard ran outside quickly, fearing Chiaki’s wrath as much as Akiko’s.
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> “I am going to come back for Akiko,â€Â Yuki noted.
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> Since Yuki expected some sort of protest from Chiaki, she was surprised by the Samurai’s actual response. She simply sighed, looked down sadly, and said, “I know.â€Â
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> The two separated at that point, Yuki taking the two kids to head back to Visionary...and Chiaki headed to visit Akiko.
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> ---
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> “Do you think I’m strange?â€Â Liu Xi suddenly piped up as she was keeping Visionary company. “Or scary?â€Â
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> “Why would I?â€Â Visionary asked.
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> She shrugged shyly and almost whispered, “Because I have killed. Because I am young and powerful.â€Â
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> “You’re more mature than some of the Legionnaires,â€Â he noted. “Tricky comes to mind. Maybe you’re a little...antisocial, but you’re not scary. You spend a lot of time alone, and when you do that people start to respect it and...you um, get what you wish for I guess.â€Â
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> “Oh.â€Â Liu Xi sighed. “I suppose I don’t feel like I fit with anyone, so I keep to myself.â€Â
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> “But you talk to everyone,â€Â Visionary pointed out. “You’re very friendly.â€Â
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> “Even so I’m still nervous talking to most people. Except you and Jay, and Yuki and Lara.â€Â
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> “You’re the only person I’m not nervous talking to,â€Â Vizh suddenly blurted out. “I mean...mostly. Maybe it’s because you’re um...not threatening. And you’re not sexy. I mean, you’re not the type I think is...you’re beautiful, really, but--â€Â
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> “I get it.â€Â Liu Xi interrupted him. “Though you’re not proving your point about not being nervous.â€Â
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> “Well, when I talk to Hallie or even Yuki it’s much worse,â€Â he replied honestly.
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> “That’s because you really like Hallie,â€Â Liu Xi said. “Yuki though...I’m not sure.â€Â She looked at Visionary’s face, staring at him until he suddenly looked away. “Oh, you fantasize about her.â€Â
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> “I do not!â€Â he denied. “Okay, maybe I do a little. Okay, maybe a lot, especially when she’s dressed in leather--â€Â
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> “You’re drooling,â€Â Liu Xi interrupted him.
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> “Sorry.â€Â Visionary quickly reached for a tissue.
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> The door opened suddenly and Maggie and Griffin came running in. They hugged Visionary tightly. He looked up to see Yuki leaning against the doorway, smiling.
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> “Thanks, Yuki,â€Â he said softly as he hugged his kids.
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> “No problem. I promised, didn’t I?â€Â Yuki stood up straight again. “I have some unfinished business to take care of. See you both later.â€Â
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> With that, Yuki was gone, leaving Visionary to hug his kids.
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> “I think I’ll do some reading,â€Â Liu Xi excused herself with.
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> “No, no.â€Â Visionary called after her. “I don’t want anyone to go yet. I...I want to--â€Â
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> Liu Xi looked into his eyes and saw a little bit of loneliness reflected back. “Okay,â€Â she said before he finished that sentence. “I’ll stay.â€Â
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> ---
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> Chiaki Bushido entered the home of Akiko Masamune without being asked a single question. Her guards simply bowed to Chiaki politely and allowed her to pass. It was not because she carried a sword - rather, it was a sign of respect from one almost family member to another.
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> It was also a sign of the respect that Akiko had for her former number one associate. While everyone who had allowed Chiaki to pass would have bowed humbly in Akiko’s presence and waited for some kind of order, Chiaki simply stepped through the door opened by an attendant, and bowed slightly to Akiko...who promptly returned the favor.
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> “I must speak with you,â€Â Chiaki said. That sort of phrasing would have also meant the end of the conversation for anyone other than Chiaki. It sounded like a politely worded order.
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> Akiko was having tea at the moment. She poured a second cup, and waved the attendant outside. The attendant quickly slipped out and shut the door. Chiaki knelt on a cushion across from Akiko and took the tea in her strong yet delicate hands.
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> “Thank you for the tea,â€Â Chiaki said, careful to keep to her manners even with anger boiling within her. It was a matter of honor and reputation not to be known as someone who lost her patience or temper easily.
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> “What do you wish to talk to me about, little sister?â€Â Akiko asked as she sipped her tea. While she wasn’t related to Chiaki, it was a sign of friendship that she called the younger Samurai ‘little sister’.
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> “You have betrayed me,â€Â Chiaki replied steadily, still keeping her anger in check. She felt a little satisfied that Akiko’s smile disappeared.
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> “I usually execute those who insult me so,â€Â Akiko noted. “It’s a good thing we’re friends.â€Â She put down her tea and said coldly, “After our years working together you should understand the difference between business and personal matters by now.â€Â
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> Chiaki’s polite facade crumbled suddenly. She held her teacup in the air for a second or two, her hand shaking. She slammed the cup into the table, shattering it and splashing tea on Akiko’s kimono. “It is you who should know the difference!â€Â
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> “Little sister, I’ve never seen you behave in such a manner!â€Â Akiko protested.
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> “Yuki Shiro of the Lair Legion will be waiting outside by now to arrest you, Akiko,â€Â Chiaki scolded her at great risk. Before Akiko could ask for protection Chiaki cleared that up right away. “And I’m not inclined to stop her! Do you have any idea what you’ve done?â€Â
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> Akiko looked nervous and frightened for just a moment. And then she turned to anger, as she always did when backed into a corner. “How could you do this to me? How could you, after I gave you everything. After I gave you friendship? It’s you who betrayed me!â€Â
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> “You gave me nothing!â€Â Chiaki yelled suddenly, her voice straining, as she rose on her knees. She expected the guards to come running with all that noise, but they didn’t. “I worked hard for everything I earned.â€Â Her voice softened and saddened as she added, “I thought the friendship and respect you showed me was earned too.â€Â
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> “Things have changed, little sister. Things have changed since the Parody War. The climate in this business has changed, it’s turned more serious. I have to keep pace or criminal organizations of lower caliber will take everything.â€Â
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> “No!â€Â Chiaki yelled. “No,â€Â she repeated more softly, shaking her head sadly. “It’s not the climate that has changed, Akiko. It’s you. Your heart has turned cold and corrupted. I...I don’t know you anymore.â€Â
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> Akiko began to look hurt.
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> Chiaki then stood fully and turned around. “I’m going to send Yuki in now,â€Â she said very calmly and purposefully. “If you still care about me you’ll cooperate, and you won’t shame me further.â€Â
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> Akiko’s voice wavered as she asked, “Who’s going to run my organization?â€Â
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> “Your family will be safe.â€Â Chiaki turned to glare at Akiko. “It used to be a family, remember? I wish you would remember that.â€Â
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> “I really have betrayed you, my little sister,â€Â Akiko whispered sadly. She lowered her head, and clasped her hands in her lap. “I’m sorry.â€Â She remained in that pose as Yuki entered and gently pulled her to her feet. Two police officers entered immediately after and took Akiko into custody. As they escorted her out, she began sniffing like she was crying, and she ignored that some of her hair fell out of careful arrangement.
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> Chiaki looked drained, and broken hearted. She wouldn’t look up, and her eyes were damp with tears.
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> “For what it’s worth,â€Â Yuki said, returning to the room after Akiko was gone, “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.â€Â
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> “Thank you,â€Â Chiaki whispered sadly. She turned to leave, still looking away from Yuki.
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> “What will you do about Akiko’s organization?â€Â Yuki asked. She noted that Chiaki froze, and bristled at the question. “You are running it now, aren’t you?â€Â Yuki prodded again.
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> Chiaki replied purposefully, “I will head this family with the love, honor, and respect it deserves until Akiko returns. There are people...families...who depend on me.â€Â She looked at Yuki wearily, unsure if the Legionnaire was going to scold her.
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> Yuki simply stared at her, expressionless, for a minute or two. Then she smiled. “Good luck,â€Â she said quietly. “I know you’ll do a good job.â€Â
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> TO BE CONTINUED?
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> -- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2007 by Jason Froikin, and may not beÂÂ
> --  reprinted without permission. ÂÂ
> -- Yuki Shiro designed by Jason Froikin, based on designs by Masamune Shirow
> -- Liu Xi Xian and the Psychic Samurai are original design by Jason Froikin
> -- Lara Night is an original creation by Jason Froikin
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