Chapter Text
Episode Twelve
“Winds of Change”
(1)
Continuing his false pretence that the next leg of their exciting journey was a new experience, Yoh quietly delighted in Ren’s reluctant suggestion they try to hitchhike along Route 285 to their next destination - the neighbouring mountainous town of “Bailey”. This travel option seemed questionable to the others, especially Hao, but when it transpired to be ridiculously successful when Ren’s attempt to mirror the bandit’s “big thumb” oversoul practically summoned a ride out of thin air, Hao realised he had done himself a favour by keeping his doubts about the warrior shaman’s strange decision making to himself.
As the group enjoyed the breath-taking lush landscapes during their road journey, Yoh noted how his surroundings were much more picturesque and pleasant this time compared to the vast desolate and unforgiving desert. Another reminder that this new adventure was a whole lot different to his last. His eyes drifted towards Hao sitting opposite him in the pickup cargo hold, and he waited for a moment as he expected his twin to return his nostalgic and happy gaze. But as the moment passed, Yoh sighed. He watched how his big brother continued to absentmindedly stare off into the distant mountains with a faint pleasant smile on his face. Then Yoh caught him letting out a soft laugh. Yoh smiled a bit. It seemed Hao was in a world of his own, but at least he looked happy.
“What else can you see?”
“It’s so beautiful, Zeke. It’s a shame you’re not here with us to see it for yourself.”
“I told you, you’re so lucky. Your world is wonderful. Remember that.”
“I know. Thank you. I’m… so glad we can talk like this.”
“I’ll always be here for you.”
“Are we really going to watch a show?” came the delighted voice of the small human in their party. Manta shuffled forward in his tightly squeezed spot between Lyserg and HoroHoro to try and get a better look at the twins.
Yoh laughed happily.
“It looks that way! If we make it to the Lodge on time, that is.” chuckled Yoh.
“Let me see that thing again.” huffed Ren as he reached across Jeanne and snatched the leaflet from Yoh’s fingers. He began to examine the flyer very closely. “It just seems too much like another overly convenient coincidence to me.”
“I agree.” said Lyserg, “What are the chances a lead like this would fall into our laps?”
“You mean just like your sus “client”, Lyserg?” chimed in HoroHoro.
“Client?” muttered Hao, turning his head towards Lyserg sitting to his right.
“I don’t wish to discuss my client any further,” awkwardly explained Lyserg, “I’ve already broken my code as a professional private investigator by revealing my client’s personal information, and - as you so kindly highlighted back at the diner Ren - you are all strangers. So - perhaps I have been a bit too trusting with my words. I will proceed with caution from now on.”
Hao felt a pang in his chest at Lyserg’s words.
“What? What did Ren say?! Did he tell him about - !”
“Don’t panic. I’m sure he wouldn’t be that careless. He might be an asshole, but he’s not that stupid.”
“Yeah... yeah you’re probably right.”
“We’re not strangers - Lyserg!” delightfully said Yoh. “We’re your friends!”
Lyserg’s gaze drifted from Ren’s cross expression to Yoh’s smiling face. Recognising the genuine warmth radiating from him, Lyserg smiled.
“It’s good to have friends.” cheerfully sighed Lyserg.
Jeanne beamed a friendly smile at the English shaman too, she then landed her sight briefly on Hao beside him. Realising Jeanne was looking right at him, Hao hastily looked away from her once more. Jeanne sighed. She then turned to Yoh’s smiling face by her side.
“Yoh?” she muttered, “Is Hao okay?”
“Um…” awkwardly mumbled Yoh in reply. He looked back over at his brother sitting opposite him at the end of the truck. Observing Hao’s relaxed posture once more as he continued to happily watch the world pass them by, Yoh smiled.
“Yeah… Yeah, I think so.”
(2)
Finding themselves with front row seats to the “self-proclaimed-funny-man-from-New-York” stand-up comedy show “The Winds of Laughter – Live” – the twins took a moment to absorb their new and surprising circumstances once again. The outdoor seating area nestled in the natural wooded grounds of the “Two Bridges Lodge” was flanked by impressive outdoor crafted wood décor – and just behind them sat a sizeable fishing lake. Surrounding the comfortable Lodge grounds stretched dense trees – and beyond the lake the views of the mountain peaks made their spontaneous over-night destination feel like a vacation spot.
Ren was particularly impressed with the luxurious cabin options. He immediately took full advantage of their circumstances and ensured he and Jeanne had the best available private lodgings for the evening. The lesser wealthy travellers in the group were also relieved to discover there was a “forest adventurer” Hostel available – and they were in luck. A shared cabin with 6 bunks was free to book for the night.
“I’m so excited to see Chocolove! How about you, Nii-chan? Do you remember the time when – ” Yoh cut off his excitable words when he turned his attention to his twin at his side. He could see clearly Hao wasn’t listening and he was staring off into space once again.
Before Yoh could say anything about Hao’s unusual behaviour, he looked back towards the Lodge and noticed Ren and the others making their way towards them. Yoh sighed. It was starting to get to him how little opportunity he and his brother had time alone, and it was becoming harder and harder to remember what was okay to talk about and what was not. And who with.
In fact, the only time Yoh felt like he could truly be himself was with Hao. And Hao wasn’t acting like himself at all. And it was starting to worry him.
Then for apparently no reason, Hao quietly chuckled to himself. This immediately caught Yoh’s attention as odd. Why was Hao acting so weird? The show hadn’t even started yet, and he was already laughing!
One by one, Yoh’s friends began to fill the front row on either side of the twins. And once again, Yoh had to keep his mouth shut and wait for another chance to talk to Hao alone.
The early evening had begun to roll in and the ambient lighting was turned down around the stage area – signalling the show was about to begin. Yoh fixated his gaze on the singular mic stand in front of him and he held his breath. Any minute now – he was finally going to see another friendly familiar face.
Any minute now…
“Hm,” mumbled Yoh.
As the minutes passed, a quiet murmur from the rest of the guests in the audience began to slowly rise.
Hao looked behind him at the small crowd of humans and pulled a face. Why were they being so loud? It was only a short delay – why all the negativity?
“I’ll uh… I’ll go and check he’s okay.” declared Yoh as he jumped to his feet and headed towards the main Lodge building.
“Alright.” muttered Hao, watching him go.
As Yoh left his side, Hao turned to his right and examined the others aligned beside him. He noticed Lyserg leaning forward and looking in his direction. They gave one another a polite awkward smile.
Lyserg leaned back in his seat and cleared his throat. He then turned to Ren by his side,
“Ren,” he whispered, “I’ve noticed that you and Hao don’t seem to get along all that well. Why is that?”
Ren smirked in response. He crossed his arms and let out an annoyed sigh.
“He’s…”
Tao Ren felt a cold chill run down his neck. He then noticed Jeanne’s big red angry eyes looking straight at him from the other side of Lyserg.
“He’s… just a bit annoying.” huffed Ren.
“Oh.”
Hao watched as Ren and Lyserg simultaneously looked over at him. He blinked when he saw their mutual distasteful expressions. As the violet and green-haired pair both seem to look away from him in a suspiciously mirrored way, Hao’s mind became frantic.
“What was that weird look? Do they know what I really am? What we all are? And this world… do they know it was all me? That I’m the one that trapped them here? Have they figured it out?! God dammit! I wish I could just tell them!! But… they will never…”
“It’s okay, Hao. Everything will be okay. I promise. Remember, you have the power the see the truth. And you’ll see, you have nothing to be afraid of.”
“You mean… try to see into their minds? I… I don’t think I can do it.”
“I know you can do it. You want to know the truth, don’t you? It’s the only way to know for sure.”
“Okay. Okay, I’ll try…”
(3)
Yoh hastily made his way up the guest services front steps – but was startled when he made full-body contact with a guest making their way out of the reception doors. Losing his footing, Yoh stumbled a bit before standing up straight and locking his frantic and embarrassed gaze on the human his clumsiness had almost sent flying to the floor.
“I’m so sorry!” cried Yoh, “I – I wasn’t watching where I was going!”
“That’s quite alright,” chuckled the taller one of the two, “You seem to be in a hurry. Is everything okay?”
“Oh – I’m just looking for my friend.” politely replied Yoh. “Are – are you going to the show too?”
“No – no,” replied the traveller, “I’m actually leaving. It’s a shame, though. I quite enjoy watching entertainment.”
The short awkward exchange was interrupted by the rumbling vibration of a cell phone. The man pulled out his phone and bowed his head politely at Yoh.
“If you would excuse me, I have to take this. I hope you enjoy your stay.” said the traveller with a sweet pleasant smile as he began to make his way down the steps.
Yoh nodded in response and then quickly bolted inside the Lodge.
Realising he had no idea where to look, Yoh walked aimlessly around the open indoor reception space. He considered approaching a staff member for assistance, but then, he overheard a familiar voice talking loudly from a nearby side room.
“ – and another thing – why did we cancel a night in Las Vagas for this place? There’s hardly a soul here! We’re in the middle of nowhere!”
Yoh approached a closed door and pressed his ear against it.
“ – you’re saying it’s a money issue, but we’ve already lost all the proceeds from that show! So that argument makes no sense!”
Yoh quietly and slowly began to open the door. As he peered inside, a delighted smile spread across his face.
“ – you don’t get it! The last few gigs were a wash out – I hardly got any laughs – people keep demanding their money back…! No! Of course I didn’t give them their money back! But the jokes on you! You’re gonna keep losing money if you cancel the big shows and force me to work in these conditions! Please – Mr. K – I’m just not funny anymore! Don’t make me do it!”
“Chocolove…?” cautiously called Yoh.
The frantic comedian spun around on the spot and almost dropped his cellphone when he saw his very good friend smiling happily at him in the door way.
“Holy sh—!!” yelled Chocolove McDonnell. “Mr. K, I’m gonna hav’ to call ya back!!”
(4)
“What are you – how did you – what the heck, Yoh! You’re here! I can’t believe my eyes! And – hah! That’s seriously not a joke!”
“It’s great to see you too, Chocolove!”
“You don’t think it’s weird?” laughed the comedian shaman, “I was losing my mind over it for days!”
Yoh blinked.
“Chocolove…? What are you talking about?” curiously asked Yoh, confused.
“My eyesight Yoh! I can’t explain it… in fact, I’m not even sure where to start!”
Yoh felt that all too familiar wave of confusion at Chocolove’s words. But he was quicker on the up take this time. There was no doubt about it, Chocolove was from another world too!
“And Pascual… he’s nowhere to be seen – not to mention The Spirit of – ”
“Um, Chocolove?” interrupted Yoh, “Don’t you have a show to do?”
The comedian shaman paused, then he threw his head back dramatically.
“Aw man, the gig! My greedy good-for-nothing agent insisted I do the show or he’s gonna drop me from his cliental!” loudly whined Chocolove.
The small adorable apparition of Chocolove’s jaguar spirit appeared by his side and looked on sadly at its master as he almost crumbled onto the floor. Chocolove lifted his head and locked his desperate eyes on Yoh.
“What am I gonna do, Yoh? You’ve got no idea how hard it’s been! I’ve tried to make the best of it, but trying to make people laugh is a lot harder when you’ve got no idea what’s going on! I think that we might be in another world! At least… it feels like that…”
Yoh sighed deeply. He then placed both his hands on Chocolove’s shoulders and locked his determined eyes upon him.
“Chocolove, I know you can do this. You’ve got friends in the audience! We came all this way to see you! And I promise, we can figure out all this confusing “other world” stuff after the show – together. Okay?” Yoh then beamed his signature toothy grin at his friend.
Chocolove blinked, stunned by Yoh’s easy-going attitude. But then, a determined smile spread across his face.
“Alright. I’ll do it. With you guys in the audience, what could possibly go wrong?”
****
Finding his way back to his seat, Yoh flopped down beside his big brother and beamed a delighted smile at him. A small grin appeared on Hao’s face in response. Without so much as a word shared between them, Hao knew exactly what his little brother’s happy expression meant. Not only that, he could feel every ounce of Yoh’s joy spilling out and flowing over him like an invisible wave.
And in that moment, Hao remembered why they were there in the first place.
“It’s great to see Yoh so happy.”
“Of course. And you can share in his joy even more, now that you’ve opened your mind to it.”
“Yeah. You’re right. It feels nice to know for sure that Yoh is Yoh, inside and out, no matter what.”
“It’s a shame the same can’t be said about the others. Keeping their true feelings to themselves.”
Hao jumped a little as a musical intro began to play. Bringing himself back to the present moment, he leaned forward slightly and peered at the face of the one sitting on the other side of Yoh. Ren glanced to his left and saw Hao looking in his direction. In that moment, Hao flinched a bit as he found himself being barraged by a series of overlapping emotions,
Anger, disgust, suspicion, anguish and…
Fear.
Tao Ren was afraid.
“But… at least you know you can trust Yoh.”
Hao allowed his gaze to fall on Yoh sitting between him and the Chinese shaman once again, who was happily transfixed on the stage in front of them awaiting Chocolove’s imminent arrival.
“I trust you too, Zeke. You’re a good friend.”
(5)
“Ladies and Gentlemen, your “Two Bridges Lodge and Forest Resort” evening entertainment is about to begin. Please welcome to the stage - all the way from New York City - Joco McDonnell!”
A ripple of half-enthusiastic applause echoed from the small audience which was immediately trumped by an over-enthusiastic young teen in the front row - who leapt to his feet and clapped his hands erratically.
“Woo! Go Joco!!” happily yelled Yoh.
Hao covered his face and smiled broadly beneath his hand in response to his little brother’s over-the-top display of unwavering support.
As Chocolove took to the stage and picked up the microphone, he glued his eyes on Yoh standing directly in front of him and grinned.
“Ha ha, thank you. Thank you. It’s great to be here in Bailey. It looks like I have some friends in the audience tonight, I - ” Chocolove cut off his words as he watched the identical one sitting by Yoh’s side lift his head from behind his palm and fixate his dark brown eyes upon him.
Chocolove’s breath momentarily escaped him. He then looked at Yoh - stunned to see him smiling sheepishly back at him as he sat back down beside his twin brother. Yoh shrugged his shoulders a little and held his breath, hoping that his friend would quickly catch on that Yoh was very aware of their “other worldly” circumstances, after all.
“Uh…” mumbled Chocolove. His eyes did a quick sweep of the front row. He immediately noticed his old teammates, and then Manta - but as his eyes fell on the detective shaman and a very alternative looking Jeanne - the penny finally dropped.
This really was another world!
How else would these guys be sitting calmly together? At his very own comedy show, of all places?
Chocolove cleared his throat and attempted to act like a true professional.
“So - uh. Looks like we have some very interesting characters with us tonight. Are you guys going to a comic-con or something?”
The group on the front row all observed one another in response to Chocolove’s light hearted comment. Manta in particular delighted in the observation of his colourful and outlandish looking friends.
“Who are you supposed to be?” asked Chocolove, looking directly at Hao.
When Hao did not respond and seemed to look straight through him, the comedian on the stage took a step closer to him.
“What’s your name, buddy?” pressed Chocolove.
“Hao, I think he’s talking to us.”
Yoh gave Hao a gentle little nudge. Blinking, Hao brought himself back to earth and stared blankly at the shaman looking straight at him.
“What?” he muttered.
“Can you tell us your name?” asked Chocolove once more.
“Um… Hao?”
“Just yell out your name, that’s how. It’s not that difficult, my friend.”
Hao chuckled slightly at the silly joke made at the English pronunciation of his name. He glanced over at Yoh - and seeing the innocent and delightful expression on his twin’s face - he decided to play along. He looked back at the performer on the stage waiting for his answer.
“My name is Hao.”
“Oh my bad!” laughed the comedian, “I can hear an accent there. Where are you from?”
“Japan.”
“Wow - all the way from Asia! What brings you to Colorado - Hao?”
Hao chuckled again. He sat up straight in his seat and focused on the impromptu conversation.
“It’s a long story.” Hao replied, truthfully. He then looked over at HoroHoro and Manta by his side, who both seemed to share in Yoh’s delight at the unfolding and unexpected conversation happening in front of them.
“Well, try me. This is a comedy show, don’t be shy. It’s good for material.” joked Chocolove. He then waited with genuine anticipation for a response from the one who looked just like The Shaman King sitting on the front row.
“You want the entire story?” softly chuckled Hao.
Hao looked around at Yoh and the others once more. He then glanced behind him at the faces of the humans sitting in the crowd. Then, suddenly, an overwhelming strange sense of confidence flowed through every inch of him. As he looked back at Chocolove, a devilish smirk appeared on his face,
“I was once a force with enough power to dominate the world and have attempted to become God more than once. Though this time around I find myself in different and unexpected circumstances that somehow led me here with my twin brother and our growing number of ludicrous and outrageous friends, some of which would rather I not be here at all but - here I am!”
The comedian shaman was stunned. A moment of hushed silence fell over the crowd. But then, the silent air was broken by the sound of three people shrieking with laughter. Chocolove watched with amazement as Yoh, Manta and HoroHoro’s hysteria spread to the others - as Jeanne and Lyserg quickly joined in. Even the non-shaman members of the audience began to chuckle at the outlandish and strange words of the long-haired one sitting on the front row.
As the audience’s joyful and loud laughter calmed in anticipation for another joke, Tao Ren crossed his arms once more and huffed - for he was not amused in the slightest.
“Well - it’s not very often I have someone who aspires to be God in the audience.” chuckled Chocolove.
“Actually you have several!” yelled HoroHoro.
The audience erupted once more. Chocolove smiled as a wave of new found confidence came over him.
“You’re a colourful lot aren’t you?” continued the comedian as he observed his front row audience members, “You don’t look all that “powerful” to me - a knock off group of the “Power Rangers” maybe?”
“That’s exactly what they are!!” screeched Jeanne as she joyfully kicked her legs in front of her and giggled happily. Her hard faced partner did not appreciate the joke made at his expense.
Noticing his old leader’s sour expression, Chocolove grinned.
“I don’t remember there being a purple “Power Ranger” - maybe you could be the “power sword”? Your face looks almost as sharp as your hair!”
The whole audience erupted once again. The twins in particular fell apart at the joke as they mirrored one another’s hysterical laughter perfectly in sync.
As the joyful noise of the crowd continued to build, so did Ren’s anger - and unfortunately… so did his hair.
Furious to find himself becoming a punch line, Ren got to his feet to leave.
“Oh don’t stand up too quickly you might poke someone’s eye out! Can we get a medic in the audience please?!” yelled Chocolove, jokingly feigning concern and looking around the outdoor space.
The joy and laughter of the audience continued as the pointy haired one made his exit. Yoh shared a glance with Jeanne and then Hao, who both looked back at him with an equal degree of concern.
“No… please… come back… don’t leave. Oh no. A stand-up comedian told a few jokes at a show and it hurt my sensitive wittle feewings.” joked Chocolove as he watched his old leader stomp away from the crowd.
Deciding to take one for the team and face the music, Yoh got to his feet and hastily followed after his friend, leaving the others behind to enjoy the show in his absence.
As Yoh left his side once again - and the focus of the comedian on the stage was now firmly on continuing his pre-prepared routine - Hao sighed pleasantly and allowed his gaze to drift back to the sky. A soft smile appeared on his face and he chuckled to himself once more, despite the fact he was not listening to a single word of the comedy act happening right in front of his eyes.
(6)
Tao Ren made his way along the wooden bridge across the front mouth of the fishing waters. He stopped and angrily looked over to the main grounds, watching the ridiculous charade of a performance from a distance. He let out an annoyed sigh as he heard the quiet distant rumbling of laughter echo out from over the water. His excellent hearing easily picked out the recognisable chortle of the ice shaman above all the others, which made him grimace once more.
How could he be surrounded by faces he knew so well, but feel so distant from them? Even Jeanne seemed to accept their ridiculous circumstances better than he ever could. Was there something she could see that he just couldn’t? Bason was not himself either, he could sense it. What was he missing? Why did it feel like he was all alone in this place?
Asakura Yoh could tell Ren did not want any company - judging by the way he never looked back despite being fully aware he was being followed. But that did not stop Yoh trying to catch up to him all the same. As he reached the bridge’s edge, Yoh hesitated. He followed Ren’s gaze and looked over at the crowd beyond the lake. He smiled a bit when his eyes fell on the others and then the animated comedian on the stage. He then slowly looked back at the angry face of the one standing above him on the bridge’s incline.
Yoh took in a steady slow inhale and began to climb the bridge to join his inter-dimensional friend. As he reached his side, he noticed a sense of calm return to his soul.
Then suddenly, it dawned on him,
Ren was feeling the exact same way his brother felt the first night they truly found each other.
“This whole thing is a circus.” angrily spat Ren. Yoh almost jumped at his words as Ren unexpectedly broke the silence first.
Yoh remained silent and waited for a moment, giving Ren a chance to speak his mind.
“That’s not Chocolove,” he went on, there was an unusual hint of genuine pain in his voice, “He’s another mindless clown. Just like Horokue, Lyserg and you.”
Yoh looked up and observed the darkening sky above them. He then sighed deeply. He knew he had to proceed with caution with his words, but he wanted more than anything to ease Ren’s mind.
“Actually Ren,” began Yoh, gently. “I think… he might be your Chocolove.”
Yoh’s words came down on Ren like an invisible force. Ren gripped the bridge’s rail in front of him with both hands, squeezing it tightly, as though to release his internal pressure without screaming.
“What?!” he breathed forcefully, the single syllable laced with anger and confusion.
Yoh swallowed nervously and sighed,
“Yeah,” he continued, “He was having a meltdown backstage, he has memories of another world and… I think he said he’s missing a Spirit Ally too. He’s been struggling on his own for a little while…” Yoh smiled softly, he leaned across the bridge’s side to try and get a look at Ren’s face, “He’s going to be so glad to see you, Ren.”
Ren huffed and screwed up his nose in response to Yoh’s explanation. Purposely trying to avoid Yoh’s kind eyes, he lifted his head and looked back across the water towards the loud and obnoxious performance. A silence grew between them as Yoh waited for Ren to find his words.
“But… if he…” slowly began Ren, his hardened demeanour softening slightly, “If he’s from my world then - why is he so…?”
Yoh looked back towards the stage too, amused to see how Chocolove was now entertaining his audience with silly props and visual gags, a sight both he and the warrior shaman were much more familiar with. Yoh smiled when his hearing captured the delightful sound of his friends laughing.
“Funny?” completed Yoh with a grin.
“No.” snapped Ren, “Why is he so… carefree?”
Yoh sighed, he could see that Ren had been struggling with their unusual situation too. His mind fell back on his brother and their mutual struggle to understand this world. He wondered if perhaps now would be the right time to try and explain things in a way that Yoh only knew to be true in his heart.
“Perhaps…” Yoh began, being extremely careful as he tried to navigate his thoughts out loud, “He can clearly see that my brother is not the same Hao from the world you remember.”
Ren finally turned towards the samurai shaman and locked his gaze on him, curious to hear more.
“They are the same person but… they came from completely different worlds - they followed completely different paths.” Yoh paused, before looking back towards the sky, “I know that to you, I am different because… I followed another path too.”
Ren froze for a moment as he absorbed Yoh’s words. He then stood up straight and relaxed his shoulders, dropping his arms to his sides. He decided to watch the world go by as well and gazed at the sky above them, allowing Yoh’s calming aura to take a hold of him, something he had not allowed himself to do for quite some time.
The pair continued to watch the show from a distance in silence for a while. Just as it looked as though the performance was starting to come to an end, Ren turned towards the one stood beside him,
“You’re actually… not all that different from my Yoh.” he said softly.
“I’m not?”
“No.” admitted Ren, “And… if Hao spent a lifetime by your side, then… I am not surprised he is different. Because… I am different, because of you.”
A delighted smile began to spread across Yoh’s face and his eyes glazed over in response to Ren’s uncharacteristically kind words,
“Ren…” he breathed, smiling.
A gentle smile appeared on the lips of the warrior shaman, but then his brow furrowed. He looked back towards the one on the stage in the distance.
“And if he really is my Chocolove, then - I will be getting him back for that remark he made.” angrily scoffed Ren, crossing his arms.
Yoh laughed awkwardly.
“He’s a stand-up comedian, Ren. Making jokes is his job.”
“Hm.” he mumbled disapprovingly, “Well, we might be in another world, but - I’m still his leader and I expect to be treated with respect!”
A look of genuine surprise appeared on Yoh’s face.
“You were on the same team in your world? That’s awesome!” cheerfully laughed Yoh. However, when he observed Ren’s stunned expression, he froze. Had he gone and put his foot in it all over again?
But after a moment, Ren sighed and smiled once more.
“You know - I’m going to need you to explain exactly what happened in your “other” world sometime, Yoh. I can’t keep up with all this nonsense.” chuckled Ren.
Yoh let out a relieved sigh and grinned.
“Hah… yeah. I think that’s probably a good idea.” chuckled Yoh, “Hao believes if we find the Village, it’ll all work out. And maybe we can put things right again.”
“At least that’s something I can get behind.” agreed Ren.
Realising Ren’s shift in attitude towards his brother, Yoh mustered up the courage to ask,
“Does this mean that you’re gonna… cut my big brother some slack?”
Ren hesitated for a moment, but when he saw the hopeful and innocent expression on his friend’s face, he sighed with a defeated smile.
“If it will please you, Yoh, then… I am prepared to try. But… I’m not making any promises.”
Yoh practically jumped up and down on the spot with delight.
“That’s good enough for me! You’re the best, Ren!” happily cheered Yoh as he threw his arms around him and squeezed him happily. Momentarily stunned by Yoh’s overzealous response, Ren froze for a moment, but then he shoved the over-friendly shaman away from him with some force, almost knocking him over the side of the bridge as he did so. Yoh didn’t seem to mind though as he beamed an unwavering and delighted grin at him.
“You’re a lot more “touchy-feely” in this world.” hurriedly said Ren with a hint of embarrassment, “Another side effect of you having a happier start in life, I suppose.”
Yoh scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly,
“Ha ha… yeah, I am happy. I am even happier now we’re all together again!” cheered Yoh. He looked back across the lake towards the audience who were now leaving their seats. Yoh’s eyes fell on the back profile of his twin who was still in the exact same place he left him, “Hao thinks I haven’t noticed but… I know that’s what he’s been up to all along. He’s been doing all this for me.”
“Jeanne said something about that.” replied Ren, “Oyamada said it too. He really was the one who brought us all together, I can see that now.”
“Yeah, that’s just who he is. Always thinking about others.” nodded Yoh with a pleasant happy smile, “I knew you would see the real him one day. It’s going to mean the world to him to know you’ve come around!”
Ren laughed a bit.
“Well, baby steps, Yoh. We’re not going to be “friends” any time soon.”
Yoh smiled.
“Heh, I guess some things never change, eh?”
(7)
“I really love your hat, Lyserg!”
“Why, thank you Manta! It belongs to my father.” happily replied the detective shaman as he placed his forest-green plaid cap upon his bunker’s bedpost. “I had always admired it as a child. He gave it to me as a going away gift before I left for Japan.”
“Your Dad sounds so cool. You’re like Sherlock and Watson!” chuckled HoroHoro as he flopped down on his bottom bunk for the night and kicked off his sneakers.
Lyserg laughed in response.
“Yeah… you’re not the first to make that comparison.” he replied with an innocent smile.
Just then, the boys turned towards the open cabin door as the sound of excitable footsteps could be heard heading towards them. Unfortunately for Manta, he did not have time to dodge the shaman who came bowling into the room, almost knocking him flat.
“S- sorry Manta!” excitably stammered Yoh as he grabbed his pint-sized friend before he hit the wooden planked floor. “Have you seen Hao?”
Before Manta could answer, Yoh’s eyes quickly fell on his twin in the corner of the room. Yoh paused briefly, confused to see him resting on the bottom bed of their shared bunker. Yoh hastily made his way over to him.
“Nii-chan – going to bed already?” he laughed, perching himself on the edge of his brother’s bunk and purposefully bouncing him on the thin mattress. “Let’s go for a walk! This place is beautiful!”
Hao sighed deeply in response. He attempted to pull his thin blanket free from beneath his brother’s weight as he turned away from him.
“No thank you, Yoh.” quietly replied Hao.
Yoh lifted his head and looked around the room at the others. HoroHoro met his concerned gaze from the bunker directly opposite. Lyserg and Manta shared a worried glance with one another before looking back at the twins.
Yoh leaned over his brother to try and get a closer look at his face.
“Hao? Are you okay?” he whispered, gently. “I… I’d really like to go look at the stars with you.”
“I’m exhausted, Yoh.” firmly replied Hao. “No.”
Yoh froze and a strange sense of dread came over him. He could tell immediately that something was wrong.
Sensing Yoh’s spike of anxiety, Hao turned slightly towards him and met his worried eyes.
“We’ll talk tomorrow, okay?” gently said Hao, forcing a smile for his little brother. Yoh breathed a sigh of relief to see Hao’s kind smile. Unable to hide his disappointment, Yoh hesitated. But then he nodded, defeated.
“Okay, sure. You get some rest.”
Yoh stood up slowly from his brother’s bedside and made his way across the room to join the others. A sense of awkwardness came over the cabin as the boys all shared a look of concern for Hao’s odd behaviour. Just then, another loud and excited presence burst into the room.
“Guys!” delightfully yelled Chocolove, “I think that was my best ever show!”
“Keep your voice down!” hissed HoroHoro, nodding his head towards the one trying to sleep on the opposite side of the room.
“What? Oh - !” gasped Chocolove as his eyes fell on Hao. He paused for a moment as he absorbed the situation. “It’s a… little early for bed, ain’t it?”
“The show was great, Joco.” interjected Lyserg, changing the subject. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Lyserg Diethel.”
Chocolove blinked as he observed Lyserg outstretching his hand towards him. As he shook his hand, Chocolove’s eyes drifted towards the one trying to sleep once more and then he looked desperately at Yoh, who returned his confused gaze with an awkward smile. The comedian then returned the English shaman’s friendly expression.
“Chocolove. It’s great to meet you too.” he mumbled, awkwardly.
“You were hilarious!” happily added Manta, “I loved that joke about the banana. Hi, I’m Manta!”
“Yeah dude, you’re so funny!” laughed HoroHoro. “Is it true you’re also a shaman?”
Chocolove felt like he was playing catch up as his friends took turns dropping bomb shell after bomb shell. He locked eyes with Yoh once more, hopeful he may be able to help him make sense of what was going on.
“Guys,” began Yoh, “Take it easy on Chocolove. He’s…”
“Let me guess,” interrupted HoroHoro, “He’s from another world too?”
Yoh laughed a bit at HoroHoro’s easy going acceptance of the situation.
An awkward silence came over the room. Then Chocolove crossed his arms and sighed with a big smile.
“You know, this is actually great. It means I’m not crazy after all, I was certain I was losing my mind!” laughed the comedian shaman. He then looked around the room and observed the number of beds. “Room for one more?”
“Of course,” giggled Yoh. “It’s why we came here, we were hoping you’d come with us.”
“Where are you travelling to?”
“The Patch Village.” replied Lyserg.
Chocolove was stunned, but then his eyes fell on the gadget he had spotted during the show.
“I guess that explains that.” chuckled Chocolove, as he gestured to the orange pager strapped to Yoh’s left forearm. Yoh lifted his arm and demonstrated to his friend how his pager would not respond to his button pressing.
“Communication with the Great Spirits has stopped in our world, Chocolove. The Shaman Fight never happened. We’re trying to figure out why all this is happening.” awkwardly explained Yoh.
“I see, I see,” nodded Chocolove, bringing his hand to his chin as he curiously observed Yoh’s blank pager screen.
“This is so interesting,” mused Lyserg, “I never thought this could be a possibility. To meet shaman from other worlds. It’s got to be the work of the Great Spirits.”
“It’s super confusing. Hao calls it a “time dynamic shift”. He’s much better at understanding all this stuff than I am…” muttered Yoh as his eyes drifted to his sleeping twin behind him.
“Time dynamic shift - more like “time dynamite shift” - my head’s ready to explode from all this!” loudly joked Chocolove as he pulled out his flip phone from his leather jacket pocket. “Man, just wait until I tell my agent about this! He’s gonna lose his head when I tell him I’m cancelling the rest of the tour to come with you guys!”
“Uh - Chocolove - are you sure you want to do that?” awkwardly muttered Yoh as Chocolove hit the speed dial button and happily brought his phone to his ear. But after a moment, a quizzical look appeared on his face.
“Hm, number not recognised? That’s weird.” he muttered as he looked at his miniature phone screen and then tried once more to make the call. When the call failed to dial out a second time, Chocolove closed his phone in his palm and sighed. “He must’ve blocked my number. Oh well, suits me!” he chuckled awkwardly.
“That’s strange. Why would he do that?” asked Manta, worriedly.
“Oh who cares! The guy’s a loser. I’ve never met him, but - he sounds like a total weirdo.” laughed the comedian shaman.
“You’ve… never met your own manager?” curiously asked Lyserg. “How is that possible?”
“Beats me. When I “woke up” in this world, I was already on tour - at first I thought it was some kind of miracle, I’d always dreamed of being a professional stand-up! But then after a while, I realised something wasn’t right… my buddy Pascual Abaj was gone.”
“Is he your Spirit Ally?” worriedly asked Yoh, attempting to hide the sudden onset of intense dread he was feeling in his chest. It was beginning to dawn on him that something very strange was going on.
“One of them, I’m two spirits down! Good thing I still have Mic, or I would have completely lost it!”
Before the boys could start asking Chocolove more and more questions, they were interrupted by a gentle knock on the cabin door. All eyes turned to the serious expression of the warrior shaman standing in the doorway.
“McDonnell. A word?” demanded Ren, gesturing with his head for his friend to follow him outside.
Chocolove stood up straight when he saw his old leader and nodded, hastily making his way towards the door.
Yoh quickly glanced over at his silent and still big brother behind him and then he hurriedly turned back towards his two friends heading out the door.
“Hey, Chocolove? Can I borrow your phone?”
(8)
“Are you really my Chocolove?”
“I have no idea how I’m supposed to answer that.” chuckled the comedian shaman, “But I’ll be yours if you’re on the market - Ren. Not sure how Jeanne would feel about being a “throuple” though…”
Ren’s face flushed bright red in response to the embarrassing joke about his love life.
“This is not a joke!” angrily snapped Ren, “This is serious! Yoh said you’re from another world. I’m just trying to make sense of exactly where you’re from.”
Chocolove crossed his arms and observed the one in front of him very closely. Then a cheeky knowing smile appeared on his face. He did not need an explanation, it was plain to see the shaman standing before him was the exact same Ren he knew and remembered.
“First of all,” he began with a grin, “Shouldn’t I be the one asking all the questions? Like maybe address the elephant in the room?”
Ren watched as Chocolove gestured towards the cabin behind them. He then looked back at the comedian in front of him quizzically.
“You need to be a bit more specific.” scoffed Ren, rolling his eyes.
“Lyserg?” pressed Chocolove.
“We don’t talk about Lyserg.”
“Hm, that almost sounded like a funky jingle or something.”
“McDonnell!” loudly retorted the warrior shaman. He then screwed his eyes tightly closed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He took in a slow deep breath before continuing, “Fine. Let’s try it this way. What was the name of my team in the Fight?”
Chocolove let out a defeated sigh.
“Team “The Ren”… unfortunately.” he muttered with a childish sulk.
“And who was on my team?”
“Do I get a prize for winning this quiz?”
“Just answer the damn question!” snapped Ren.
“You. Obviously.” chuckled Chocolove. “HoroHoro and… well - yours truly.”
A slight smile appeared on Ren’s face in response to Chocolove’s correct answer.
“So tell me, if you really are my Chocolove then - why on earth is your first question about Lyserg and not about Hao?!”
Chocolove blinked in response to Ren’s firm question and angry tone.
“Oh, because - he already told me what his deal is.” he candidly replied, shrugging his shoulders.
Ren’s brow furrowed.
“What?” he seethed.
“Did you not watch the show?”
“That’s all it took for you to believe him?!” yelled Ren, astonished.
Chocolove laughed a bit.
“Ren, seriously, have you seen the guy? Does he look like the “King of the universe” to you?”
Ren hesitated. His eyes drifted back towards the woodland cabin behind them. He then sighed deeply.
“I can accept he’s not the King. And that he’s “different”.” he replied, eventually, “But there’s just… something about him. I know he’s hiding something.”
Chocolove paused. He watched as an unusual conflicted expression flickered across his old leader’s face. He then lifted his hand and placed it on Ren’s shoulder reassuringly.
“Do you think that maybe it’s just a “you” problem? And you’re just struggling with the fact that he’s… you know… Hao?”
Ren froze. His mind fell back on Yoh’s happy and hopeful smile from earlier that evening. He then sighed deeply once more.
“I’m… really glad that you’re here, Chocolove.” muttered Ren, looking away from the comedian’s intense gaze as he spoke.
Chocolove beamed a happy smile at his good friend.
“Aw. You too, Boss! Is there room in your cabin for one more?”
Ren snarled angrily as he forcefully threw the comedian’s arm away from his shoulder.
“Get off me!” he snapped. He began to march himself away from the cabin and head back to his own private accommodation for the night. “Also, I won’t forget that comment you made during your stupid little “routine”!”
Chocolove’s face dropped as he watched his disgruntled leader disappear into the night.
“Aw, c’mon Ren! It was just a joke!”
Envisioning the many painful ways his old leader could take out his revenge upon him, Chocolove slumped himself back into the forest Hostel to rejoin his friends. He immediately sensed the uneasy atmosphere as Yoh locked his concerned eyes upon him as he stepped into the room.
Feeling somewhat defeated after failing to get through to the girls several times, the samurai shaman silently and solemnly handed the cell phone back to his friend.
Seeing the sorrowful look on Yoh’s face, Chocolove realised he still had some work to do that evening.
(9)
“Zeke?”
As the singular syllable rang out all around him, Hao observed the way his own voice sounded alien to him. The subdued gentle vibration seemed to echo and reverberate through the blackness, as though it were playing a serene enchanted melody.
He tried hard to open his eyes, fighting against the overwhelming desire to sleep, but the physical sensations of his own body were muted and numb. It was easy before. Now he had to fight. He had to fight to get through to the other side.
Something was weighing him down, pulling him far, far down. Drawing his soul into a never-ending blissful void.
He wanted to see.
He wanted to feel.
He wanted to exist.
“Zeke!”
“I’m here.”
A familiar wave washed over him, that comforting pull, that warm and pleasurable overflow consuming every part of his being.
He felt the sensation of his body returning, manifesting and becoming whole again.
“Zeke?” he called a third time.
“Hao.” replied a gentle voice.
Hao sighed softly. He finally opened his eyes.
His chest became tight as he took in a sharp inhale.
What he saw was…
Absolutely breathtaking.
A vast infinite cosmos - stretching as far as the eye could see. Contrasting exploding colours. Clusters of extraordinary stars and galaxies littered the endless space.
He looked down to his bare feet expectantly.
He saw nothing but blankness.
No mirror.
No reflection.
Hao lifted his hands in front of him to observe himself. He was still the same. Same body, same tracksuit, same person.
But something had dramatically changed.
He slowly turned around.
And froze.
What he saw was not a mirror. Not a reflection or an illusion. Not a familiar voice in his head.
He saw an identical smile. An identical face. Red armour. Golden stars. A pair of onyx-coloured eyes.
A real person sitting comfortably and casually on the blank endless floor in front of him.
That real person let out a gentle playful laugh.
“Looking for me?” softly chuckled the calming and friendly voice of Asakura Zeke.
Hao watched in disbelief as his identical mirrored self moved freely for the very first time in front of his eyes. Zeke opened his gloved hands wide in front of him, beckoning Hao to come to him.
The moment Hao saw Zeke’s welcoming arms, every molecule within him became electric and alive.
A flame ignited within his soul.
A familiar physical ache he remembered experiencing another time in his short existence began to throb deep inside his chest.
An inescapable force was drawing them together.
He ignored his inner instinct telling him to run away.
A relieved smile appeared on Hao’s lips.
His face wavered.
There was nothing…
Nobody…
Who could save him now.
Because Hao did not want to be saved.
He reached out towards those gentle hands.
As their fingers touched, he felt his legs succumb beneath him, and he collapsed.
He was embraced, accepted, unconditionally… all at once.
Zeke’s touch was nuclear. Like fire.
Had fate played a hand in bringing them together? It was as though their two halved souls were meant to be together.
Hao allowed himself to sink into this feeling. This all-encompassing addictive trance.
Unseen by the one in his arms, a demonic smirk appeared on Zeke’s lips.
“You’re back.” he whispered.
“Yes.” Hao softly replied.
“I’m glad.”
“Me too.”
The safety and security he felt in Zeke’s embrace overwhelmed him.
But before long, his frantic and anxious mind returned to the confusing and troubling events on the outside illusionary world.
“It’s awful out there, Zeke.” wearily began Hao.
“I know.” he sympathetically replied.
“I tried. I tried to listen to you, but it’s just… so hard.”
A sorrowful silence grew as the identical pair held one another for a while.
“Everything will be okay.” Zeke soothed gently, his voice soft and reassuring. “I’m here.”
Hao let out a deep pleasant sigh in response. But then, his sickening paranoia set in once more.
“What am I going to do?” Hao whispered, shakily. “They already think I’m a monster. They are already afraid of me. What if they all learn the truth?”
Zeke sighed deeply in response. He slowly lowered his head, allowing his soft long hair to droop across the body of the one laid across him.
“What if something happens to Yoh?” sadly went on Hao, “It’ll be all my fault. I can’t bear it. I did this to us both. I trapped us here.”
Zeke slowly brought one gloved hand to the side of Hao’s face and gently tilted his head to meet his eyes. Hao froze once again as he looked into the intense bottomless dark gaze of the one holding him.
“Would you like to forget the outside world for a while?”
“Yes.”
Zeke smiled.
“Close your eyes.” he commanded.
Hao’s eyelids instantly obeyed.
“This is how it should be.”
Hao could feel his mind slipping away. He sighed pleasantly, allowing the darkness to consume him, to take him away.
“You can stay with me. Be with me. For as long as you want.”
“What… what about when I wake up…?” Hao replied, barely audibly, forcing each syllable out as he struggled to recall the right words to speak.
A devilish evil grin appeared on Zeke’s face once more.
“If you ever want to escape your world and come back to me, I know what you must do...”
Zeke slowly lowered his head closer to his powerless victim and brought his lips to Hao’s ear. His soft warm breath sent a tantalising wave throughout Hao’s body as he began to surrender to Zeke’s all consuming hypnotic power and overpowering control,
“…just look in a mirror. It’s a doorway back to me.”
Hao’s eyes shot open at Zeke’s words.
“What? Is that what - ”
“HAO!”
The ear-piercing shrill of an outside voice penetrated the calm and silent atmosphere, shattering the air and the ground beneath them.
The fabric of their duality mind world began to break apart all around them.
Fearful and alarmed, Hao wrapped his arms tightly around the one holding onto him.
“No! I don’t want to go back yet! I don’t want to leave you!” he yelled desperately, screwing his eyes tightly closed.
The reality of his existence began to flood back into his mind.
Asakura Hao could feel his soul being ripped away from Asakura Zeke’s vice grip.
“WAKE UP HAO!”
“We can be together whenever you want. I’m right here. I’ll always be right here.”
A blurred monstrous vision began to appear in front of Hao’s eyes. A rancid smell overwhelmed his senses. A hot wet breath tickled his face.
His eyes focused some more. A pair of glowing red eyes. Thousands of long thin spiny teeth.
A low rumbling snarl.
“Hao!!” screamed Yoh’s voice once more.
The vicious hell-born monster opened its jaws, ready to feast on its defenceless victim. Hao felt the weight on top of him being ripped away, but the softness and comfort beneath him prevented his limbs from moving, like there was another invisible force holding him there, paralysing him in his bed.
The elegant illuminated dousing wire oversoul vanquished the oni intruder with ease, shattering its gruesome form into hundreds of tiny pieces. Its wielder quickly retracted his weapon back into his armed device.
“Woah! That was amazing, Lyserg! That was a close one!” came the over excited and relieved voice of the ice shaman.
Yoh leapt to Hao’s side.
“Nii-chan?! Are you okay?! Say something!”
Hearing his little brother’s cries, Hao tried to open his eyes once more. He could make out the blurred sight of a pair of desperate brown and golden irises gazing down at him. Glistening tears appeared on his younger twin’s face as he frantically examined Hao’s features.
The face above him began to mould into someone else.
Another identical face. A pair of circular red earrings. Longer darker hair.
Those sparkling innocent brown eyes Hao loved so dearly became blackened.
Hao smiled.
He slowly lifted his hand and affectionately placed his fingers against his little brother’s cheek.
Yoh gripped Hao’s hand in both of his and breathed a short sigh of relief to see his big brother smiling warmly at him.
“….Zeke.” Hao breathed, shakily.
Yoh’s eyes became white. That sense of intense dread instantly returned and painfully gripped his heart.
“What?”
The English shaman kept his eyes on every move made by the twins. HoroHoro and Manta flanked each side of him, watching on worriedly at their friend’s strange delirious behaviour. Chocolove took it upon himself to examine the surrounding forest for any more ominous lurking dangers in the night.
“Hao…” sadly sighed Manta. He didn’t need to be a shaman to see that something was very wrong.
Lyserg glanced down to his side when he heard his human friend’s sorrowful tone. When he looked back at him, Manta froze.
Why did Lyserg look so…
…livid?
Yoh gently placed a hand to the side of Hao’s face. He watched in horror as his twin’s eyes seemed to flicker rapidly beneath his eye lids. His lips began to move along to words that he was not saying aloud.
“Hao, are you still dreaming?”
“Hao, come back to me…”
A flicker of pain appeared on Hao’s face. Every inch of his body began to ache. The sensation felt unnatural and strange. His soul was longing for something. Something he needed.
Yoh felt a lump appear in his throat. He knew something was wrong with Hao, he could sense it. Hao had tried to tell him that something was wrong with this world. Had he been sick all this time? Desperate for help, Yoh turned to his friends behind him.
That’s when Yoh felt an intense force snatching him away from Hao’s side.
Yoh stumbled and fell back. He hit the wooden cabin floor hard.
He heard a loud thundering crash. The sound of wood splintering. His friends screaming in horror.
When Yoh sat up, his eyes widened when he saw the enormous gaping hole in the side of the cabin wall.
And his delirious twin brother was missing from his bed.
Yoh’s eyes followed the glowing illuminated wire that was suspended in the air. His breath left his lungs when he laid eyes on his good friend standing beside him with his arm outstretched.
Lyserg Diethel retracted his weapon once more.
“Lyserg?! What the hell?!” angrily screamed HoroHoro.
Lyserg did not respond. He immediately leapt through the giant hole in the wall he had created and disappeared into the forest woodland to continue his onslaught.
“Hao!!!”
Finding Hao recoiling in pain within the forest shrubbery and the wood debris on the ground, Lyserg did not hesitate to launch himself towards his target. Not holding back, he unleashed his glowing green dousing oversoul once again - attacking Hao with full force - launching him deeper into the darkness.
Thrown against the blunt force of a giant oak, the sudden onset of overwhelming physical pain grounded Hao into the events happening all around him.
Reality began to rush in.
He knew he was under attack.
And by who.
Hao shakily tried to get to his feet. He lifted his head in time to see Lyserg’s airborne weapon flying straight towards him. His instincts kicked in as he skilfully dodged the incoming missile. Lyserg’s precise razor-sharp powerful crystal sliced through the oak trunk directly behind him, bringing the enormous acre crashing down to the ground with a thundering crack.
“Why aren’t you fighting back?!” angrily snarled the desperate voice of Lyserg Diethel.
Hao frantically ran through the dark woods. Bleeding, in pain and unable to think clearly, a sense of impending dread began to consume his mind. Losing his footing on the uneven forest floor, he stumbled to his knees. As he desperately scrambled back to his feet, he reached his hand inside his tracksuit pocket and wrapped his fingers tightly around the stolen metal jewellery concealed there. Without hesitation, he pulled out the silver starred earring pair and observed them in his palm.
But nothing happened.
Unable to see his reflection in the darkness, Hao turned around just in time to see Lyserg’s glowing oversoul zig zagging around the forest’s natural labyrinth coming towards him. Hitting its target successfully, Hao was violently forced backwards once again - knocking his means of escape from his fingers.
Lyserg’s electrifying dousing wire weapon began to lasso around Hao’s middle, tightly binding his arms to his sides. Hao fell to his knees. He screamed out in agony and terror as the unforgiving oversoul imprisoning him brutally shredded his clothes and began to slice into his flesh.
Hao took in one desperate sharp inhale.
“Yoh!!!”
An oversized heavenly “White Swan” pearlescent blade came down from the dense forest above and forcibly made contact with Lyserg’s deadly oversoul, shattering it instantly and releasing his twin from its immense tight hold.
Before Yoh could go to Hao’s side, he was confronted by his brother’s attacker as Lyserg’s putrid and twisted expression emerged from the darkness.
“Lyserg - stop! You’re confused. If you would just calm down, we can explain everything!” desperately pleaded Yoh, his winged oversoul spread out at his sides, shielding his injured brother behind him and deliberately creating a barrier to protect him from further harm.
“You don’t know what you’re doing, Yoh!” angrily snapped Lyserg. “He’s got you under some sort of twisted spell! Let me handle this!”
Lyserg began to replace his broken dousing wire cartilage. He then looked towards the injured one writhing in pain and bleeding on the ground. Hao agonisingly lifted his head and looked on at the heart wrenching scene unfolding in front of him.
Yoh’s elegant glowing oversoul softly illuminated the forest floor. Hao’s eyes could make out the glint of something shining from within the shadows on the ground.
“You deserve to suffer you evil bastard!” desperately screamed Lyserg.
Hao shot his eyes back towards his attacker.
“I’ll never forgive you for what you’ve done! Was killing my mother and father and then all of my friends not enough for you?! And now this?! What kind of sick joke is this?! What have you done to me?! To Yoh?! To all of us?!”
The words hit Hao harder than any oversoul weapon ever could. The pain he could hear in Lyserg’s voice married the invisible spillage of suffering and despair he could sense emanating from Lyserg’s own mind.
“Lyserg…” choked out Hao, “I… I’m…”
Hao looked back at his brother’s beautiful winged oversoul, but was alarmed to see several glowing red wisps beginning to form and litter the space behind his little brother.
Then it dawned on him.
It was him.
He was the danger.
Fear, paranoia, doubt, anxiety, sadness, shame…
…guilt.
He was the cause of it all.
And now he was inviting danger into this world, just by existing in it.
“Come back to me, Hao…”
Hao reached for his escape, wincing in pain as he did so. As he held the mirrored stars tightly in his fist, he looked up once more at his younger twin standing above him.
“I’m sorry, Yoh.” softly cried Hao.
Yoh turned around at the sound of his brother’s desperate and sad voice behind him. The twins locked eyes briefly and shared a silent and unspoken exchange. They both knew they had held back the whole truth from the others, and these were the consequences that they now must face.
“Hao…” sadly sighed Yoh, his voice breaking.
“They’re right to be afraid of me. I’m… too dangerous to exist in this world.”
Yoh shook his head firmly in response.
“You’re not dangerous, Hao!” cried Yoh. “He just doesn’t understand!”
Yoh then turned back to Lyserg and continued to desperately try and reason with him.
Asakura Hao mentally summoned his Spirit Ally. His illuminated golden sprite instantly appeared above him, bathing him in its radiant bright yellow light.
Asakura Zeke took in a slow deep inhale.
“Everything will be okay now, Hao. All is how it should be. I will take care of this. Just rest.”
The red glowing wisps began to dissipate and fade away.
Zeke spread his fingers across his naked chest. His skin began to give off a soft glow as he healed his injuries.
Keeping his head lowered to the ground, Zeke took a moment to absorb this new immense and comfortable feeling within his adopted body. Unseen by his fake twin and the green-haired amateur in front of him, a delighted smirk appeared on his face.
Yes. Things were going to be a lot easier now. Hao had welcomed him in, willingly.
He wasn’t going to have to hold him back anymore.
They were becoming one and the same.
And now the illusion wanted it, needed it…
…just as much as he did.
“Well then,” quietly muttered Asakura Zeke, “It seems that the little rugrat has finally grown up.”
Zeke slowly lifted his head and locked his confident gaze on the one who had dared to harm his illusionary self.
“Stay out of this Yoh! You’re the one who doesn’t understand! He can do what ever the hell he wants!” continued Lyserg.
Zeke grinned.
It was quite poetic, really.
Such a delightful shame that the roles would be reversed this time.
A sad pathetic grieving child in his old world.
Sad pathetic grieving parents in this one.
“Are you quite finished with your little temper tantrum, Lyserg?” taunted Zeke as he slowly got to his feet, securing the mirrored silver jewellery in his hands into his earlobes as he did so.
Lyserg focused on the one now standing behind Yoh. A confused expression appeared on his face when he saw the dazzling yellow sprite by his side.
“I won’t let this continue,” went on Yoh, “There’s no reason for us to fight each other.”
Lyserg sighed angrily in response.
“I didn’t want to fight you, Yoh. But you’re giving me no choice!”
Lyserg lifted his hand above his head.
“Spirit of Fire - come to me!” screamed Lyserg.
When nothing happened, Zeke let out an amused chortle.
“I haven’t introduced you to my Spirit Ally yet, have I Lyserg?” delightfully mused Zeke as he silently commanded his yellow golden spirit to change forms. The Spirit of Omnyodo instantly obeyed and moulded into the slimline red fire demon.
Recognising the strange and striking difference in the fire spirit’s appearance, Lyserg’s expression momentarily wavered. But then he screwed up his face angrily once more.
“I don’t need my Elemental Spirit to fight you!” angrily screamed Lyserg. “Morphine - fly!”
As Lyserg launched his airborne weapon towards Yoh, his dousing wire was subdued in a flash by a lightning fast melee strike from his right. Thrown off its course, Lyserg’s crystal missed its target, crashing into a neighbouring tree.
“Hey Lyserg?! Why don’t you pick on someone from your own universe?!”
Two more glowing radiant oversouls appeared by Yoh’s side. Lyserg blinked, astonished and enraged, to see his two very good friends standing in defence of the twins.
“It’s great to see ya, Lyserg!” continued Chocolove, “Sorta.”
“Diethel. That’s enough.” firmly demanded Tao Ren.
“Not you too!” desperately cried Lyserg. “The King is manipulating you! All of you! Move out of my way - I’m going to put an end to this once and for all!”
“If he really were the King, do you honestly think you’d stand a chance like this?” retorted Ren, sarcastically. “You’re a Warrior, Lyserg - not an idiot!”
The scene was interrupted again by the arrival of the ice shaman. Lyserg watched in disbelief as HoroHoro quickly made his way to Zeke’s side.
“Hao, are you alright man?!” worriedly asked the Ainu shaman. “You were in bad shape before Lyserg blasted you through a wall!”
Zeke chuckled slightly in response. He tugged at his ragged tracksuit and attempted to pull his badly torn sleeve over his shoulder with little success.
Watching on in disbelief as the fire and ice shaman pair casually conversed in front of him, Lyserg slowly lowered his weapon.
This was not making sense to him.
This was not making sense!
“How could you be his friend?!” desperately cried Lyserg as tears began to form in his eyes. “Hao killed my parents! How could you - ?”
“”Without difficult questions, there are no difficult answers.”” replied Ren, firmly, quoting Lyserg’s family motto word for word.
Stunned, Lyserg’s eyes widened at Ren’s words.
A strange wave of desperate confusion overwhelmed him.
“How…? How - how do you know about that?! I never told you about that!”
“You did, sweetie.” came another gentle voice.
Lyserg spun around, alarmed to see Jeanne and Manta standing side by side behind him. Observing the X Law leader’s familiar kind expression for a moment, a sense of calm began to return to his mind. Then, his eyes drifted to the shorter one standing beside her.
Manta took a hesitant step towards the detective shaman and held out the clothing item he was holding in both of his hands towards him.
“I… I heard what you said about your Mom and Dad.” began Manta, shakily. “So I - I ran back and grabbed this. Here.”
Lyserg slowly and hesitantly accepted the forest green plaid hat from Manta. As he gazed at it in his hands, more and more questions began to swirl around his mind.
“How is this possible?” he painfully whispered, “My father’s cap was destroyed when he…”
“This isn’t our world, Lyserg.” bluntly said Ren as he diminished his blazing Kwan Dao oversoul. “And some facts about this place are a whole lot different. And… a whole lot happier, too.”
As he listened to Ren’s words, Lyserg slowly turned back around to see Yoh had also dissolved his radiant armoured oversoul and was standing by his brother’s side. The twins watched on in a reflected mirrored way at the scene as they allowed Lyserg’s real friends to explain their strange circumstances.
Lyserg looked back at the hat in his hands as the painful tears he was holding back slowly became tears of joy.
“My father is… alive?”
Jeanne tentatively approached Lyserg’s side. She placed a reassuring hand to his back and smiled warmly at him.
“Hi Lyserg.” she said softly. “I am delighted to see you.”
“Jeanne… I don’t… I don’t understand.” wept Lyserg as the kind hearted maiden wrapped her arms around him. Jeanne began to do her best to calmly and sensitively explain their unusual other worldly circumstances.
Yoh now turned to his twin by his side. Zeke watched as those unfamiliar kind brown eyes seemed to glaze over as they made eye contact. Without saying a word, Yoh reached for his brother’s hand and interlocked their fingers as he began to lead Zeke towards Lyserg.
Zeke noticed how more natural his fake twin’s touch felt to him now. He quietly considered it as a welcomed side effect of his almost successful completed merge with the illusion’s real other half.
Chocolove turned to Ren stood beside him as he too dissolved his golden jaguar bonded form. He beamed a smile at his old leader.
“Phew! Well, it wouldn’t be a real adventure with you guys without some sort of confusing dramatic disaster. Just like old times, eh Boss?” chuckled Chocolove.
“Do you ever take anything seriously?” spat Ren.
Chocolove grinned.
“Well, uh. The cabin is in serious bad shape - I think that’s gonna cost some serious cash.” laughed the comedian shaman.
Ren huffed and rolled his eyes in response.
“What about that oni?” came the voice of the Ainu shaman as he approached his cross-dimensional friends. “I thought I’d seen the last of those guys back in Japan. Why are they showing up here too?”
Ren paused for a moment, then his eyes drifted towards the reconciliation scene unfolding in front of them.
“The quicker we get to the Village, the better. I have got a lot of questions for those damn Patch.”
The twins slowly approached the old X Law pair. Jeanne stepped back slightly from her friend to allow them to talk.
Lyserg lifted his head and observed the twin’s matching attire and interlocked hands. His eyes examined the yellow and black badly damaged tracksuit belonging to the one he had violently assaulted.
“Lyserg…” gently began Yoh, “We are not the same people you know from your world.”
Lyserg hesitated for a moment before responding. He slowly placed his father’s hat upon his head and sighed deeply.
“I can see that now.” he muttered softly.
Lyserg slowly lifted his gaze and locked eyes with the identical face of The Shaman King.
“I’m sorry… Hao.” he whispered, sadly.
Asakura Zeke smiled in response.
He had to hold back the overwhelming urge to laugh out loud.
“It’s okay, Lyserg.” gently replied Zeke. “I am glad that we can move past this, and perhaps one day we could even be friends.”
Lyserg hesitated. But when he looked to the hopeful expression on Yoh’s face, he nodded his head.
“Yes.” he muttered in reply.
Yoh shifted awkwardly on his feet. He looked around at the serious and worried faces of all his friends. His mind fell back on earlier troubling events. Then, he looked back at Lyserg’s sorrowful expression.
“Hey, um. Lyserg? Do you not… remember anything from the last day or so?”
Lyserg blinked.
“What do you mean?“
“We were travelling together, we met in Denver? You’ve been working for a “client” to seek out the Patch Village?” pressed Yoh.
Lyserg sadly shook his head.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” replied the detective shaman.
Yoh and Zeke exchanged a glance with one another.
Yoh was beginning to get the picture that something, or someone, was behind all this mess. He looked on worriedly at his big brother’s face as he recalled his earlier strange behaviour. He smiled a bit, reassured and relieved to see how his twin seemed more like his normal self again.
But that deep sense of dread he could feel in his heart that something was very wrong remained.
Zeke secretly attempted to hear his fake twin’s racing mind, but unfortunately his power was still juvenile and underused. Instead, Zeke was barraged by the overwhelming anxiety and uncertainty emanating out of the illusion standing beside him.
“Don’t worry Yoh.” began Zeke, forcing a reassuring smile for his little brother. “Everything will be okay. We just need to get to the Village as soon as possible. And…
…I think it’s time I stop pretending I don’t know the way, don’t you?”
End of Episode 12