Chapter Text
Episode 04: A U-Turn to the Zodiac (十二宮へのUターン)
Karakasa Kozō, said Trizarious, you had the one named Star Aries where you wanted her, yet you failed to dispose of her. Why is this?
“You see, Your Darkness,” Karakasa replied as Orphius teleported next to him, “there was another that rescued her and some civilians that were in the area.”
“Another has awakened?” questioned Orphius. “Unacceptable; I will go with you to deal with them as well as make sure that Parthénos and Bliznetsy don’t awaken their warriors as well.”
“Understood, Master Orphius.”
At Leslie’s RV…
“So, Leslie, how’s tricks?” asked Grizelda. “Something major happen?”
“Nothing too important,” replied Leslie, “I was just in the area on the way to my late grandparents’ home in Bluestone; how about you?”
“I’ve been on a road trip, and just happened to end up here of all places, thanks to these two here,” Grizelda responded, gesturing to Stacey and Mandy. “Stacey, Mandy, I’d like you to meet my best friend since we were little: Leslie Moonchild. Leslie, Stacey, and Mandy.”
“Nice to, like, meet you both,” replied Leslie, shaking the twins’ hands. Later that night, while Leslie and the others slept, Hitsujiza contacted Leslie in her dreams.
Pray tell, fair Moonchild, you fared rather poorly against that yōkai; is there something you wish to tell me?
“Yeah,” admitted the mouse girl. “You see, back when I was young, kids made fun of my hippie background and mannerisms. I took the teasing in stride until a comment from one child about my father crossed a line. So, I hurt them, I hurt them good. I was suspended from school for three days; after that, I vowed to myself that I’d never lay a hand on another person."
… Of all the Earthlings I could have bonded with as my champion; this is the one I chose?
“What’s that supposed to mean, man?”
I mean no offense, but the situation is most dire, young Moonchild; we know not when or where he will strike, but Emperor Trizarious will rise to conquer all he sees fit, and there will be a time to fight. The world may end, so we do as we must to ensure that it doesn't.
“But--,”
I know but fighting in self-defense or to protect loved ones will not violate your moral code; you just need that one push to realize this.
«¡Buenos días!»
Plates of pancakes, bacon, tortillas de huevos, and avena along with several glasses of orange juice decorated the table.
“Okay, I didn’t know what you liked,” said Alicia while flitting about, “so I just made everything and hoped for the best. Espero que te guste.”
“It sure is good looking,” said Grizelda as she and the others sat down to eat, “but I have several questions, two of which are: Who are you and where did you come from?”
“Oh, perdóneme, where are my manners? My name is Alicia Correa, former maid to the Northwest family; now… rich, homeless and… alone.”
As Alicia reflected on what she said, tears started to form in her eyes. Grizelda, feeling sorry for the hybrid, made the first move to console her.
“Don’t worry, Alicia,” said the jackalope, “from now on, you’ll have us.”
As the quartet comforted their new friend, Karakasa Kozō, along with Orphius, teleported into the outskirts of Gravity Falls.
“Let us go through this once more, Karakasa,” said Orphius, “You are to destroy Star Aries and whomever else stands in your way, understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Remember: failure is not an option.”
Karakasa proceeded to continue his rampage on the citizens of Gravity Falls as Leslie and the others were out on a nature walk.
“Isn’t this nice?” asked Leslie “Just the four of us, outside with nothing to worry about.”
“You sure about that?” asked Grizelda as she noticed the chaos down below.
“Oh, no,” groaned Leslie as she realized what it meant; she turned to Alicia, who gave her a knowing nod in response. As they prepared to transform, Grizelda, Mandy and Stacey huddled together.
“You think those two sheilas need our help?” asked Mandy.
“Probably not, but let’s see if they can manage it themselves,” replied Grizelda. Good luck, you guys; you’re going to need it.
As Grizelda and the others raced off towards Gravity Falls, Star Leo and Star Aries were busy fighting off kosenjōbi and Karakasa Kozō, respectfully.
“Well, that's the last of these hot heads,” said Star Leo as she cleared the last of the kosenjōbi. “How are things on your end?”
“Not good; I want to beat this guy, but –”
Star Aries caught a glimpse of what she shouldn’t have: Grizelda, Mandy and Stacey headed in their direction. As the Star Guardian motioned to stop them from approaching, Karakasa took the opportunity to attack the group with energy fireballs from his singular eye, which exploded around the girls, kicking up dust, rocks, and other detritus, causing them to fall unconscious. Seeing this angered Star Aries to the point of rushing towards the monster and delivering a palm strike to Karakasa’s back hard enough to cause him to crackle with cyan electricity before dropping to the ground and exploding.
Impresionante, thought Star Leo, this Moonchild chick has got what it takes to be the leader; though, why’d it take her until…
“Let’s get these guys to my RV,” Star Aries called out. As she and Star Leo headed back, Orphius surveyed the situation from afar.
“Lord Trizarious will be most displeased with the outcome, most displeased indeed. I have to say, though, Star Aries is an intriguing specimen.”
With that, Orphius teleported away to parts unknown to prepare for the next confrontation.
つづく