They were in the middle of a desolated courtyard, abandoned for countless ages. Broken down marble pillars of grey and brown surrounded the area. Around them were many broken chairs scattered haphazardly, all smashed to pieces. Keisuke Shirosawa stood at one end of an old table, which was made up of a hardwood he couldn't identify. At the other side of the table stood the robed figure who brought him into this place, the enigmatic boy known as the Healer, and the Page of Cups, "Why am I here?" Keisuke asked again. The effeminate boy took a step forward then leaned towards him. "You are here because you are summoned by our King, Knight of Cups." Keisuke rubbed his temples in exasperation. "For the umpteenth time, I'm the Knight of WANDS, not Cups. Stop addressing me as the Knight of Cups. That's Tetsuya, not me." *Tetsuya,* he reflected fondly. *I wonder what they're doing right now?* The Healer blinked as if genuinely surprised. "But you are a Knight... aren't you?" "Yes, I am the Knight of Wands," Keisuke repeated cautiously. *Were they baiting me?* "Of Cups," the Healer insisted. "You are one of the Royal Court of Cups." "How come?" Keisuke demanded. WE, OF THE CUPS, HAVE NEED OF A KNIGHT. It wasn't a voice, but a sort of feeling so strong to be physically felt. For Keisuke, it was more like a speeding baseball that impacted his forehead, which sent him reeling. Stumbling forward, Keisuke managed not to trip himself and fall flat on the solid rock-like floor as the Voice continued to batter his will. "Who is there?" He managed to rasp out as his eyes scanned the ruined courtyard. He noted the Page of Cups kneeling beside him. YOUR KING, THE LORD OF SUSTENANCE, MASTER OF ABUNDANCE AND LONGEVITY. "What do you want?" OUR KNIGHT MUST JOIN OUR RANKS, TO COMPLETE MY ROYAL COURT ONCE MORE. "I am not the Knight of Cups! You have made a mistake!" THE OTHER IS UNFIT. YOU, HOWEVER, HAVE BEEN RECENTLY ORPHANED, AND THUS HAVE NO ALLEGIANCE TO SPEAK OF. "Explain yourself!" THE KING OF WANDS IS DEAD. THE QUEEN OF WANDS IS DEAD. THE PAGE OF WANDS IS DEAD. THE ACE OF WANDS IS DEAD. YOU ARE ALL THAT REMAINED OF THE ROYAL COURT OF WANDS. "What makes you think I will serve you, whoever you are?" YOU HAVE NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER, FOR YOU WILL NOT LEAVE THIS PLACE ALIVE. "How will you stop me from walking out of this accursed place?" Keisuke demanded. YOU WILL NEED MY PAGE OF CUPS TO CONTINUE YOUR EXISTENCE. "What?" The Healer quietly produced a small vial. "I was not being truthful to you before, Knight. I did not heal you completely. Without this other medicine, the potion you have imbibed will become incurable poison in less than an hour, and your body will cease to function. Once you are dead, the Ace of Cups will simply pick your memories like an opened book. Once we acquired the information we need, we will fulfill our wishes." He paused. "I am sorry, but we have no other recourse if our wish will be granted." "Your wish?" Keisuke dreaded the answer, but he still asked the question. The Healer's face was unreadable as he replied. "The Royal Court of Cups will be the ones to occupy the Tower Reversed, and protect the Shackles of the Tower from those who seek to tap the full powers of the Arcana. This is our wish, the desire of those seeking restitution for defeat in the hands of the Trumps for all these years." EITHER WAY, YOU WILL HAVE SERVED US WELL. Keisuke grimaced. CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY. * * * * * * Arcana an Improfanfic started by Scott Schimmel Chapter 41 Substitute Components written by Signus Megido * * * * * * Well, now this is familiar, Will mused. I guess some things just don't change. The Shinjuku Police Department was currently interrogating him for some yet unspecified reason. Right now he was seated in a small room in Shinjuku's Owari Station, with a spotlight directed at his face. "Mister William Forrester... or should that be Mister Williard Milliner?" The policeman interrogating him, a short pudgy man with eyes perpetually squinting, asked. "Forrester," Will replied. "I am Will Forrester." "Why did you change your name from Willard Milliner?" "And why not?" Will asked in return. "It's not unique for some men to adopt their wives' names instead of the other way around. I am no different from them." "Is it true then, that as Willard Milliner, you had an extensive criminal record?..." "...Look, I don't understand where this 'questioning' is going, but I don't like the sound of what you are implying." Will frowned. "Milliner is a name I left behind in the past, and I have no intention of letting you dredge that up again, for whatever purpose you intend." "We just wanted to clear a few things up," the policeman replied, sounding quite apologetic. "Anyway, we only wish to solve this current investigation, and we would like to know your whereabouts in the past month." "And what does this have to do with solving your investigation?" The red- haired man demanded. "I won't be answering any more questions until I talk to my lawyer." "I'm afraid our system doesn't not work that way, Mister Forrester. Please answer the questions." Will glanced at the wide mirror on the wall, where he was sure that the other policemen were watching from the other side. "I know my rights here. I want my phone call." "Please cooperate with us, Mister Forrester, and we will see what we can do." *Maki, you devious little psycho bitch,* Will inwardly growled. *You're really asking for it, aren't you? When I'm out of here, I'll show you what I can really do to you, you little whore. That first time was nothing compared to what I have planned just for you, my beautiful razor-tongued fox...* * * * * * * "He twitched," Sergeant Nakamura commented as they watched from the other side of the one-way mirror partition. Unseen by him, his partner twitched in turn. "Is this a good idea?" Sergeant Sagara asked. "You're willing to stake this investigation based on a girl's testimony? A girl that, if I may add, you have no information on either?" "Her name's Atsuko Chuyama," Nakamura absently replied. "She's a high school student studying in Shoshin High. She is very shy, and a bit antisocial. She has very few friends. Her likes are comic books and video games. She can usually be found at arcade centers or comic shops." "...I stand corrected," Sagara said, shaking his head in wonder. "I forgot again how dedicated you could be when filling all the bases in an investigation. But still, what was her motive? Why did she approach you of all people?" "I don't know yet," Nakamura admitted, "But one way or the other, I'll get to the bottom of all this weirdness that's been going on. And my gut tells me that Mister Forrester here knows more than he's letting on." "Or he could be the biggest red herring we've got to date," Sagara added. "Say he admits to running over that Shirosawa kid. What then? It'll just be written off as a hit and run accident. That's how I see it, anyway." "His history says otherwise," said Nakamura. "'Milliner' was a well known criminal overseas, with a reputation of being hard to catch because of his numerous friends in high places." "I still say we're going nowhere in this," Sagara grumbled. "And if what you say is true about his influential friends, we'll be in a lot of hot water from upstairs for this gaffe." Nakamura studied his partner's face for a while, but said nothing. * * * * * * "It must be love, love, love..." The androgynous man hummed, his hands smoothening the teen's rough hair. He smiled as his master pampered him. It felt good to belong, to be loved and cared for. He felt happier in his arms than anything else in the world. His master will never betray him, and will never leave him. He won't be alone and unloved ever again. "What am I going to do with you, my little toy?" His master lovingly asked. "Whatever you wish, my master," he replied. The older man sighed. "I'm bored. Surely there must be something interesting to do." As if on cue, Hotaru Komatane stepped out from the shadows beyond the bed. He was startled by her sudden appearance. She looked haggard, as if she had journeyed into the barren wilderness for forty days, with only her clothes and nothing else. If it weren't for her everpresent hair ribbon, he would've barely recognized her. Her head was at an odd angle, with her right arm crossed over her chest and her hand ending in a fist, while the index and middle fingers were pointed at her left shoulder. For some reason he dimly recognized the posture, but he couldn't place it at all. She looked down at the sight before her. He thought he would see shock, anger and disgust at what she was seeing, but he could only see emptiness, but not the emptiness of resignation, but simply a blank featureless void of apathy. "High Priestess," Hotaru spoke in a voice definitely not her own. It was too deep, to low, and too masculine. "I have come." "Announcing your intentions, now?" The older man casually spoke in reply. "That's a new one, even for you. Care for some refreshments? Or maybe you wish for a brief... repast? This one, here," he emphasized by yanking the younger man's head upwards by the hair, "Can be quite entertaining." Hotaru didn't even spare the young man a glance. "Your excesses must be curbed. I am to reap the corrupt fruit of debauchery." The High Priestess sighed, casually brushing back his long hair. "Won't you reconsider? You too will benefit as much as well as the rest of Us." Hotaru was unrelenting. "Tower realized the Shackles for a reason, High Priestess." "I know," High Priestess said, his features darkening. "So will you take another one of mine again?" An ghostly image appeared above Hotaru. It was the figure in the cloak of shadows, skeletal hands wielding the dark scythe that reaps souls. Hotaru, in turn, turned over her hand, revealing the card between her fingers. Death. "Very well," High Priestess said. "You take this Fool." Then Joker felt his beloved's hand around his neck, the slender fingers effortlessly crushing his throat, as the same moment as Death swung down his scythe towards him. * * * * * * Ishido awoke with a start. "A dream..." he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow as he sat up on the bed. "Just a dream." "Hmm...?" The other occupant of the bed stirred awake. "What's wrong, Ishido-chan?" Ishido froze at the sound of that voice. "Hotaru...?" He slowly turned towards the girl lying beside him. "Is something the matter?" Hotaru smiled up at him, her eyes quizzical. "It's nothing, Hotaru," His voice trailed off. "You... me... you..." She giggled at his stuttering, and pushed back the covers. "Silly you. Come back here, Ishido-chan." "Hotaru, we shouldn't be doing this..." "What are you talking about? We've been together for a long time now..." She frowned. "And why do you insist on calling be by her name, anyway?" Ishido blinked. Then he realized whose room he was in. "My Queen..." Hotaru's features melted, revealing Maki Kurayami, her face contorted in anger. "So you did cheat on me, Joker." Ishido backed away. "You dare cheat on the Queen of Pentacles?" Maki quickly made several arcane gestures with her hands. "Suffer." Pain lanced out in Ishido's body. He could feel his limbs slowly being ripped apart, one joint at a time. Then the sweet, merciful light of the Firefly engulfed him. * * * * * * Ishido awoke with a start. "A dream..." he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow as he sat up on the seat beside Hotaru's bed. "Just a dream." "Hmm...?" The sole occupant of the bed stirred awake. "What's wrong, Ishido-kun?" Ishido froze at the sound of that voice. "Hotaru...?" He slowly turned towards the girl lying on the bed. He pinched himself on the arm several times to make sure he wasn't dreaming this time. "Is something the matter?" Hotaru smiled up at him, her eyes quizzical. "It's nothing, Firefly," he quickly replied, putting on his usual mask of nonchalance. "I was having bad dreams, that's all." Hotaru looked around. "I'm home..." "I brought you home," Ishido explained. "Your mother wasn't home, so I just came in and put you to bed." He left out the details exactly how he forced the locks. Hopefully no one would put two and two together. "You're so sweet," Hotaru blushed. "You could've killed me, but you didn't. I knew you were a nice person, deep inside." Ishido frowned. He was wondering that same thing himself. "Firefly, you don't know me at all." Hotaru peered at him closely. "You don't look too good. Maybe you should be the one here in bed while I fuss over you." "Look, I'm not fussing over you," Ishido said indignantly. "And you should get some more rest. You never know what Death may have done to you." "I'm perfectly fine," Hotaru argued. "Look, I'm getting up right now, and it's you who should be resting." "I can't do that, not now," Ishido argued back. "You, however, have to keep up your strength. You needed the rest more that I do." "So, should we rest together then?" Both Hotaru and Ishido blushed at the same moment after she suggested it. "Um, er, what I mean to say is..." Hotaru squeaked. *You have no idea how I wish...* Ishido shook his head. "Look, please don't argue. It's all right if I sit her and watch over you, really." "If you say so..." Hotaru blinked as she watched Ishido stand up and moved the chair at the other end of the room. "What are you doing?" "Picking a good spot to watch over you," Ishido replied. "Um, then why are you way over there?" Hotaru asked. "It's for your own protection, Firefly." Hotaru blinked again, uncomprehending. "Mou..." "Now that's settled," Ishido said, sitting back down, "Are you feeling better now, Firefly?" "I'm going to get bored lying here, you know," Hotaru remarked. "Well, you can ask me any question regarding the Arcana, and I can try to answer as best as I can," Ishido offered. Hotaru thought it over. "Very well then... Tell me about the Queen of Pentacles, or this girl named Maki..." "Kurayami," Ishido finished. "Maki Kurayami." Somehow, Joker wasn't surprised at Magician's question. * * * * * * Tetsuya Koishikawa spotted the blonde teen he was waiting for leaving the gates of Hataraku High. "Natsu-chan!" Natsu Forrester grimaced as she saw the blue-haired playboy waiting for her. "Oh, it's my stalker." Tetsuya's face fell. "You're so cruel, Natsu-chan." Natsu couldn't help but giggle. "Here we go again." "Please give me a chance..." Tetsuya's aquamarine eyes pleaded. "A chance to what? Stroll in the park? Walk in the beach? Can't you think up of anything more original than that?" Tetsuya pouted. "Meanie." Natsu giggled some more. "You were so wide open... Thanks, Tetsuya." "For what?" He asked, confused. "For being a good sport and cheering me up," Natsu said as she smiled at him. He brightened at her smile. "Really? So you'll go out with me?" "Umm..." Natsu acted as if she was considering it. "...No. Sorry." Tetsuya snapped his fingers. "Shoot... Anyway, where's Hotaru?" "Oh... She'll be coming shortly." Natsu turned to leave. "Wait!" Natsu turned back. "What?" "Where are you going?" Tetsuya asked. "I'm going home." "But aren't you supposed to walk home with Hotaru?" "She can take care of herself," Natsu replied. "As for me, I..." She sighed. "I wanted to be alone for a while." "You sound more like you wanted to avoid us, Natsu-chan," he observed. "Is it because of all that have happened?" "No, it's not that..." Natsu fell silent. How could I tell them what I know? "Natsu, what's bothering you, really?" Tetsuya asked as he slowly approached her. Suddenly, he staggered and fell to the ground at Natsu's feet. "Tetsuya?" Tetsuya clutched at his head. "Pain..." he groaned. Natsu knelt down, her hands reaching towards him. "What's wrong, Tetsuya?" "So much pain..." Natsu could only stare as a glowing light shaped like a card slowly floated out of Tetsuya's chest, and floated up and away. Then there was a flash, and the glowing card was gone. "Tetsuya-kun!" A new voice called out. Natsu looked up and saw Hanako staring back at them in shock. "Hanako..." "What are you doing, Natsu-chan?" Hanako asked, not believing her eyes. "Look, it's not what you think," Natsu quickly replied. "We were just talking, then suddenly Tetsuya had a seizure, or something. Please, believe me." Hanako looked into Natsu's pleading eyes. She finally nodded. "Yes, I do believe you." "The Tower... Reversed... in danger..." Tetsuya managed to groan. Natsu came to a decision. "We must take him into the Tower Reversed." Hanako nodded, reaching out to help her. Slowly, the two girls managed to carry the former Knight of Cups back into the school. * * * * * * For Keisuke, the exchange took an instant. One moment he was in the middle of sizing up the Page of Cups as he thought of a plan to fight his way out, then the next moment there was nothingness. The feeling of emptiness was so brief he barely noticed it, but the rush of power so alien and yet so familiar that followed in the wake of nothingness was undeniable. THE EXCHANGE IS DONE. "No..." Keisuke gasped in realization. "I didn't..." "The heart never lies," The Page of Cups explained. "Perhaps a part of you have accepted your new mantle, which served as a catalyst to turn the rest of yourself towards us." Keisuke fell silent, resignation slowly filling his heart. "..." The Healer patted his back in a gesture of assureance. "You may rue your decision now, but all this will pass. You have no need to feel regret, for the future of our Court is assured." "The Court... Of Cups..." Keisuke mumbled. "The others will arrive soon," the Healer elaborated as he handed Keisuke the vial of medicine to cure him. "You must best be prepared in your new role." WELCOME HOME, KNIGHT OF CUPS. * * * * * * The Hermit shook his head sadly as he watched the scene unfold. "Hopeless, this is hopeless..." The waters rippled. * * * * * * And somewhere else, The World smiled. * * * * * * "I am..." ____________________ Author's Skribulous: ... All this too will pass. This is where I'd be bitching and whining about how my week sucked, school sucked, family sucked, and my life sucked. Guess what? I won't bother. It seems to be the normal state of my reality, so I don't need to spell it out ad nauseum. This does not mean that I've accepted my depressing condition. Oh no, not by a long shot. I've just watched Hyde's "Evergreen" music video, and now I can't get the image of Hyde as the High Priestess out of my mind. :p As usual, events aren't arranged in chronological order. Everything happened in the same day, though, and within a few hours of each other. The formatting changes were intentional. Thanks go to Illyria for the extension and to Erin Ellis for prereading and keeping my spirits up with positive words and assurances. Erin, you don't know just how much helpful you've been. Arigato. And for everyone else, enjoy. -Signus Megido http://hello.to/maramala October 26, 2001