Chapter Text
-Hey, intern, we're closing up here. - Nazo warned, about to shut the door of the secretary's office.
-I'm coming, wait! - Tomouki came running to the exit, grabbing the door handle and heading out. It was already evening outside.
-Another five minutes and you would have spent your day off locked in the lab. - Nazo hissed, looking up.
Tomouki laughed nervously. - Yeah, tomorrow of all days...
Nazo expected an apology, but it didn't come.
-You're going to that monkey amusement park with your girlfriend, right? - he said almost jokingly. Almost.
-No, what, she's not- did you hear us talking...?
-I thought it was only fair to warn you that I'm going there too, mostly to study the monkeys in the park. On my own business. - Nazo hissed. - So don't make a scene if you see me.
-Me? A scene? When did I ever-
-See you next monday. - he turned to go on his way. - Don’t miss the magic monkey show. It will surprise you.
He had changed his tone slightly for the last sentence, a little more benevolent than usual.
Tomouki nodded and waved confusedly, heading towards the bus stop. He sighed. - What did I do wrong now?
1 ✦ そうNice to Meet You, Good to See Youきっと!
-Natsumi! I'm here! - Kakeru exclaimed, entering the living room. The girl was there waiting for him, visibly excited.
-Welcome, Kakeru! - she greeted him, her hands clasped in joy. - Today is a special day!
Kakeru noticed the TV was on and its stand was decorated with new plushies and DVDs. He hadn’t visited in a while.
Suddenly the tv was shut off, leaving the room in silence. - Uh, really? Are we celebrating something?
Two Piposaru appeared, throwing confetti. - Today, it's been three months since Specter last ran away! - Natsumi announced with a raised fist.
-Huh? - Kakeru stopped for a moment to process what he had just heard. It was too much at once. - Three months? You mean this whole summer! - he sighed. - Summer vacations are ending…
-All this summer... Specter stayed with us - Natsumi explained dreamily. - He's been helping us with the housework, shopping, watching movies with us... he even eats everything I cook for him...
Kakeru jumped at that last sentence. Eating what Natsumi cooks. True horror. - Stayed?! He wasn’t just hanging out like he always does?! What do you mean? Isn't he at the park? Why are you talking about it like that...?
A shady figure getting up from the sofa glimpsed and sneezed.
-You're telling me you didn't notice for 3 months straight... - Natsumi mumbled. - That Specter has been living with us all this time?!
-He lives with you now?! - Kakeru exclaimed, frightened, turning towards the creature.
The devil turned his head to look at Kakeru and waved, getting dangerously close. - Hi!
Kakeru jumped and let out a scream. Specter was in front of him, smiling, blue light helmet, t-shirt with the number 23 printed on it and red shorts. The monkey tilted his head to the side, about to ask what was wrong, with a rather innocent and angelic face.
-You and the professor... you kept Specter in the house all summer…? - Kakeru babbled shakily, looking at the white monkey, closer than he had ever been in a long time.
-Well, yes, he lost a lot of fur, the summer shedding was really annoying... - Natsumi replied thoughtfully. - But he always helped clean up!
-Shedding...? - Kakeru stopped for a moment to imagine Specter losing tons of white fur all over the lab, not knowing if to chuckle or be horrified. - But but but! How can he stay put like that? And you keep him inside? He sleeps in this house?! Aren't you afraid he'll make a mess? Sabotage the lab again? Planning something while you sleep? Don't-
-Ohh, come on! - Natsumi shushed him, arms folded. - You're always complaining! And I thought you were going to congratulate him and celebrate with us! Charu even baked a cake...
-A cake? - Kakeru chirped, smiling a little. He quickly changed demeanor. - Sorry Natsumi, it's just… it was so sudden for me. You're right. Three months, an entire summer... that's a lot of time. Maybe this is it.
-You're saying that only because you want a piece of cake. - Natsumi replied coldly. Charu walked in there with two slices of cake in a tray in her hands.
-Yes! I mean no! - Kakeru blurted out confusedly, ruffling his hair. - It's just... you know we have a complicated relationship, Specter and I.
-We'll take care of that right away. Spe! Come here - Natsumi called. The little monkey was about to take his own small plate of chocolate cake, stopping to come the moment he was named.
Specter and Kakeru were face to face again.
-Come on, make up right now. - Natsumi mumbled casually. - Spe, apologize.
-Huh? Just like that? - Kakeru grimaced as he looked at Specter, his smiling face and huge, single twinkling eye. He was still thinking about who he had faced in the past.
Specter glanced away from a moment, slightly nervous. - I’m really sorry for everything… from the time travel incident to the nano cannon thing… - he looked down then smiled again, trying to ramp up some confidence. - I want to make up with everybody and use my powers for good from now on!
That creature was… different. He was holding out his hand to the human, waiting.
Kakeru gave a quick glance at Natsumi, then huffed.
-Specter, we're gonna have to work a lot on this treaty, you know? Especially if you really want to stay here with us. - Kakeru said calmly. - If you ran away again, I’d never forgive you-
-Of course we’re gonna work on it, I’m really sorry this time! And I have no more reasons to run away now! - Specter replied determinedly, without lowering his hand, pouting a little and then smiling radiantly again. Kakeru decided to finally reciprocate the handshake. - Can I have the cake now? - the albino asked, turning to Natsumi. Kakeru rolled his eyes in disbelief. Surely that was an act.
The girl was already eating. - Go ahead.
The two of them took their plates and started eating, while Specter went back to sit on the couch with Charu watching him. Some TV show was ongoing in the background.
-So… how did you do it? - Kakeru asked softly, scared and curious.
-Oh, it’s a long story, I’ll tell you tomorrow- Right! I didn't invite you here just for this announcement. - Natsumi explained, chewing. The other one swallowed nervously. - You know about the solar eclipse tomorrow, right?
Kakeru had a brief mental disconnection. - Ah! The solar eclipse! Is that tomorrow…?
-Tomorrow morning. - Natsumi explained. - Around 9 a.m. I was thinking of doing a final group outing downtown before summer vacations end and we go see the eclipse all together. I invited everyone to join us!
-So that would be… who?
-Me, you, Specter, Charu of course, Hiroki, Haruka, Sayaka, Satoru and Hikaru. Grandpa is busy in the lab and so are the other adults. It’ll be just us kids! - Natsumi babbled with her arms folded, already done with her cake slice. - Actually, I was gonna do a group announcement at home here, but they were all busy at different hours, so… I’m saving some cake for later.
-Hiroki…? - Kakeru whispered nervously, as he was taking another bite. - And- and Haruka?! Wow, you’re really serious about this-
-It’ll be fine, Specter will eventually get used to all of us. - Natsumi said a little more optimistically. - What happened with you and Hiroki, by the way? Do you have something to tell me?
She was a little disappointed, but tried to appear more worried than mad. Kakeru put his hand behind his head and laughed nervously.
-Haha, it’s just you know, I… Maybe I should- Can we talk about this later, privately? - he smiled, twitching. Natsumi raised an eyebrow. - A-anyway, do the others know? - Kakeru asked, pointing to Specter.
-They know he's being nice now, but they don't visit the lab nearly as often as YOU do! - Natsumi blurted out. - He has already apologized to the others-
-All right, I get it! - Kakeru raised his hands. - It's just that he's been so good and diligent that I never noticed him… he’s been quite silent…
-Exactly! He’s become such a good boy... - Natsumi exclaimed, on the verge of tears, proud. Specter wiped his chocolate-stained face with a handkerchief and thanked Charu for the cake, smiling at her.
-So… Tomorrow we'll watch the eclipse together downtown. - Kakeru said thoughtfully, putting his plate down. The girl did the same.
-So you're in? - Natsumi asked.
-Of course, I thought it was implied. - Kakeru replied, shrugging.
Specter's eye began to sparkle, hands folded. - We’ll finally be all together as friends!
-Slow down. - Kakeru braked, embarrassed.
The albino was a bit stunned, but he smiled again optimistically. - Ah, right, it will take some time to… Hey, Kakeru, you like GetchuMan, right? - Specter asked the boy face-to-face.
Kakeru began to break out in a cold sweat, feeling a trap coming.
-Well… I’m a fan of GetchuMan Thunder, yes-
-Oh no. - Natsumi quivered.
-Ahh! We can watch it together then! I have all the DVDs of Fairy, but I’ve never seen Thunder! - Specter exclaimed, making the boxset float with his powers. - The entire first series, and then Return, Super, Dream Saga, I only miss the Musicals and the Pretty Catcher live action-
-Natsumi... - Kakeru hissed, desperate for help.
-It's normal. - Natsumi replied coldly, but then she smiled. - It was my childhood anime, but I didn’t think he would have enjoyed it that much. - she cleared her throat. - Specter and I go every now and then to buy DVDs of his favorite TV series and movies. Ever since he started to take an interest in human culture there has been a marked improvement in his behaviour.
-I had an interest already! Did you forget my prestigious Specter TV? - Specter muttered, pretending to be offended and pouting, the boxset falling behind him. He put his indexes against each other and pouted. - I just… learnt a few things from the source materials I was… trying to imitate…
-So you had a realization... - Kakeru said, a little heartened. He whispered to Natsumi. - How long has he been hanging out here? What happened to turn him like this?
-I’ll tell you and the others the whole story tomorrow! - Natsumi whispered back, with a tiny smile.
Specter grimaced, feeling a bit mocked. - So, Kakeru? Don't you want to watch something? - he insisted. - Maybe after Thunder you can try GetchuMan Fairy-
-I think we’ll have to wait for another time, since Hiroki is coming soon - Natsumi smiled patiently, putting a hand on his shoulder. Specter pouted, while Kakeru tried to not appear relieved. Then he realized.
-Hiroki?! - Kakeru shouted. - Well, then, I have a really big- uh, appointment. I really gotta go now. Real busy. See you tomorrow! Bye!
-Hey! You better be there! - Natsumi shouted as the boy ran away. She sighed and took her phone out. - I better send him a message with all the details, or he’ll forget for real…
Specter looked down and sighed. - I don’t think he wants to watch GetchuMan Fairy with me…
It was a beautiful sunny morning outside, though for about a minute it would soon be darkened. By now it was a short time before fall and even less before school would start again, but for that day everyone was outside with their eyes to the sky and sunglasses ready, in defiance of all homework and work. It was an unspoken special permission.
-What happened to the others? Where are they? Why aren’t they responding to phone calls? In five minutes, the eclipse is gonna start! I thought you told them we would meet all here - Kakeru said nervously, looking at the time on his clamshell phone. He put on his sunglasses along with the others. Except for Charu, who didn't need them.
-I don’t know… that’s really strange. They all agreed to come, I swear. But it looks like there’s no network, suddenly…? - Natsumi replied. - Sayaka did warn me beforehand and Hikaru is always late, but the others have no reason… Hiroki is always on time…!
The albino looked around worried, then he smiled, seeing Kakeru’s cell phone. - Oh! I like your model! - he chirped. - Mine is a little less advanced...
-You have a cell phone...? - mumbled Kakeru in confusion. He turned to Natsumi. - You gave him a cell phone...?!
-Of course, just in case he gets lost, he can call me. - she replied carelessly, still trying to make calls. - I also assigned him gadgets, though he only really needs the net, considering his powers.
-What? - Kakeru blurted out.
-Some monkeys escape from the park without any destructive intentions, but still doing some damages. - Charu explained calmly. - They are very curious creatures of the outside world. Some actually live in the city already.
-This way I can contribute too! - Specter said summoning the net.
-No, hey, put that down, these things are delicate! - Kakeru exclaimed.
-Fear I'll catch you? - the albino teased with a smirk.
-Kakeru, Spe has already caught his own kin without any problems. - Natsumi muttered. She bent down towards the white monkey - Now, put it away.
The albino obeyed, making the net disappear. Kakeru turned around and lowered his sunglasses. - Is that one of those city-living Piposaru?
A Piposaru in gray armor walked through the crowd. And others followed, separate and undisturbed. After all, all the humans had their eyes on the sky, not caring what was happening on the ground or that Specter was among them.
-They surely look odd… - Kakeru blurted out.
-I’ve never seen Piposaru dressed like that... - Specter mumbled. In fact, the Piposaru weren't wearing their typical shorts or any casual wear but a tailor made military uniform and armor.
-What's that up there? - Kakeru pointed. Close to the sun rose a huge hovercraft in the sky.
A voice echoed throughout the center, the advertising screens on the skyscrapers and buildings lit up with a new image.
-Good morning, humans! - he greeted. The one at the screen dangerously looked like Specter, shown above knees and upright, wearing a red cape, red leggings and a red helmet. He was taller, noticeably slimmer and the bangs covering his right eye were shorter too. - I am Specter, leader of a new world!
-What! That’s impossible! Specter is here with us! - Natsumi exclaimed. The smaller albino next to them was paralyzed in confusion.
The moon began to obscure the sun.
-Who's that then? What's going on? - Kakeru shouted.
Specter whimpered. - I don’t know! I swear!
Soon, in total darkness, people began to stare fearfully at the figure on the screens and some began to scream.
Someone grabbed Specter by the wrist and started dragging him. - Natsumi! Sis-! - he shouted without being able to free himself and getting lost in the darkness.
-Specter! - shouted Natsumi in his direction without finding him. Other people began to crowd in on them and push them away, separating them more and more.
-This eclipse will mark the beginning of a new era and the end for you humans! - continued the other Specter on the screens, the only light in the entire area. He raised his hand near his mouth. - Soon, a new civilization will be born! - The strange Specter concluded with a loud laugh, closing the transmission while slowly the sun began to shine again.
From the hovercraft, monkeys and mecha began to descend, hitting the glass of the skyscrapers and drilling the concrete of the streets with their falls.
Charu was left alone, people running left and right, screaming in fear. Kakeru, Natsumi and Specter were gone. She called their names in vain.
The remaining civilians began to flee, dragging her into the crowd.
-Let go of me! - Specter snapped, dragged down to a blind alley by the mysterious armed Piposaru. - You leave me no choice-
A violent electric shock hit the monkeys, exhausting them. The albino was finally free from their grasp. - Sorry... - he whispered shyly. He took the net in his hand and caught them both. - Got ya! - he posed. - I did good, eh- uh....
He was completely alone.
-Hello...? - he whimpered. He reached for his cell phone in his pocket, trying to call Natsumi. - Huh?! No signal? No way! What now…
He sat down on the floor with his back against the wall. He thought back for a moment. Many things had happened at once. The eclipse, the strange clone, the invasion of armed monkeys, that hovercraft.
For once he was sure he had nothing to do with it.
They were probably gonna blame him anyway. He put on his hoodie hoping to at least attract less attention.
The albino got up and pushed his way out of the alley, noticing how far it was now from downtown and close to another shopping street. The monkeys had started attacking stores, chasing away passer-bys and destroying the display windows, armed with stun clubs similar to the ones Kakeru and the others have.
No humans were actively attacked, all running away on sight of these strange soldiers, too many to be fought back unharmed.
What would Kakeru have done in his place? He’d run into this mess and start catching monkeys to no end, surely. The other kids too.
To think that just a few months before he would have enjoyed the spectacle made him sick.
He wasn't going to stand there and watch any longer.
-There’s a monster in the jewelry store! - a pink haired girl screamed, tripping and falling on her knees, a purple haired girl near helping her get up and run. - It’s attacking a kid that has one of these weird gadgets! Somebody help!
-A kid with gadgets?! - Specter jumped. - What do you mean?
-Why are you here? Run! - the purple haired girl shouted.
Specter shaked his head, and a group of Piposaru soldiers quickly caught up.
-Scram! This is Lord Specter’s territory now! And we’ll do as he pleases! - one of them at the center announced. - Anyone opposing him will be punished-
-What? I’m right here. - The real Specter blurted out, sweating a little. The two girls near looked confused and then ran away.
The albino got serious. - You’re serving a fake! The real Specter has long stopped all world domination plans!
-Uh? - the Piposaru soldiers looked at each other. - This kid is hysteric…
-Maybe he just doesn’t know? - another one proposed.
-Look at what he’s wearing, he’s just not that smart. - one giggled in the back.
Specter growled, raising his fists, his face red in anger. - What did you say?!
The soldiers tried to hold their laughter. - Aw, look! He’s angry with us now!
-Come on, kid, just run away like the others. We got stuff to do - an impatient one groaned.
-That’s it! - Specter exclaimed, holding out a star shaped toy. - You’re all going down now!
-Oh look, he’s got a toy- before the Piposaru could even finish his sentence, dozens of blasts of energy rained down on them, making them all jump and yell.
Specter then made a gesture, crossing his arms and then swiping his hands to the opposite sides, one hand holding the Star Yeller and the other generating an energy blast. - And… gotcha! - he announced, all the Piposaru warping away as a pink circle formed on the ground below them.
A few people stopped for a second to look at the spectacle and then ran away again.
-Wow! That’s so cool! It actually worked! - the albino said excitedly, smiling radiantly. Then he put on a smug look - I could actually become a professional ape catcher… Maybe even better than Kakeru… and Hikaru… and Sayaka… - He stopped to think for a moment. - Wait!
He dashed down the street and entered the nearly destroyed jewelry store.
A couple of people were on the ground, the shop windows in pieces, armed monkeys in the front line and a monstrous anthropomorphic lemur, taking a young boy by his jacket. - Wait, I think we got one of them here… - the tall creature growled.
-Stop right there! - Specter exclaimed.
The figure suddenly let go of the boy, making him fall loudly. He slowly turned around. - Who are you supposed to be?...uh? What-
The albino took off his hoodie and striked a pose showing off his Star Yeller, crossing his arms. - I’m Specter! The real one! And I’m no longer an enemy to humanity!
-Huh? - the tall guy and the other monkeys looked confused. Then his expression changed to immense disgust.
Specter pointed his finger. - Humans and Piposaru alike just wanted to witness the eclipse and enjoy the rest of the day, not see the end of the world! Destroying the city and terrorizing people like this, that’s unforgivable!
All the Piposaru soldiers burst out laughing, except the lemur, who was visibly rolling his eyes and sighing heavily. - Oh, we have the expert here in terrorizing people and destroying cities. I'm Pipotron J. - he introduced himself. He finally chuckled after looking at his shoes. - Or are you a cosplayer trying to trick us? I gotta say, the helmet looks real, but it would never have a blue light-
-I’m- I’m working on properly apologizing to everyone- Specter stuttered. - Give up right now and amend your actions! Whatever you’re planning isn’t worth it!
-He’s so smaaaalll! - some Piposaru kept repeating.
-The real Lord Specter doesn’t speak like that. - another one commented with hatred. - Everyone knows that.
-I think you’re the fake Specter here! - a Piposaru laughed.
The people trapped nearby walked away slowly trying to escape, both humans and normal Piposaru. The blue haired kid got up on his hands, looking back.
The albino started fuming as he hadn’t in months. - I'm the real Specter… don't you dare make fun of me...! - he whined - I still have my powers! - he began to rail, raising up the Star Yeller, holding it firmly.
Jei was confused again. - Huh? Is that a toy-
Specter charged all that electrical energy and brought it forward, causing a shower of energy blasts, even bigger than the one before. - Take that! - he shouted. Jei jumped away, while a bunch of Piposaru soldiers got hit and then warped. The energy blasts hit a wall, piercing it and knocking the remaining enemy monkeys near unconscious.
Jei turned back. - You weren’t kidding, runt.
Specter panted, the toy gadget firmly in his hand. - Who are you people? What do you want?
-You met some of my Pipotron brothers before. That should help you. - Jei murmured. - We could use another Specter. Why don't you join us?
Specter gripped his Star Yeller tighter. - What? I'm done with this world domination stuff! Isn't it enough to use a double of me? How many Specters do you want?!
Jei sighed. - Well, I was told to try. I'm afraid we'll have to get rid of you all, eventually. - He gritted his teeth in exhaustion and snapped his fingers. - Unfortunately you’re not my target for now. Goodbye.
Specter was confused. - Huh? What do you mean-
Immediately after, Jei had already vanished, giving way to a small blue mecha piloted by a Piposaru. The albino raised his toy gadget again. - Wow, you’re stubborn! Spark-
-Stop! - a familiar voice shouted. The boy stood up in pain among the unconscious Piposaru. It was Hiroki. - Or you'll destroy the whole store!
Specter stepped back. - Ah! You're right... but- but then-
-Try something less destructive! - the other one blurted out, getting up with the help of his huge sword-like stun club.
-Uh... Hiroki...? - Specter mumbled, confused to find him there. The monkey's mecha started firing and the albino ducked to dodge the shots and then jumped away.
-Move! - Hiroki said, hitting the steel behemoth, pushing it away.
-I’ve never used this outside the training area! - Specter whined, jumping and attacking with his own stun club, charged with electrical energy to catch the robot in the act.
Bang. It was in pieces. The monkey pilot flew out in a daze.
The albino got the normal net out. - Gotcha!
The two captured all the remaining monkeys. The people left in the store looked in admiration, but also puzzled and scared. Two blonde Piposaru got their cellphones out to take a few photos and recordings.
-Oof. I knew this eclipse was bad luck. - Hiroki mumbled. - Couldn’t come to see it since they were destroying the store…
-Hiroki! Long time no see! What are you doing here? - Specter asked energetically.
-What am I doing here? It's my parents' jewelry store. - Hiroki muttered. - What are you doing here? I saw you on the billboards outside earlier! You looked slightly different, though…
-Only slightly...? That’s not me! - Specter growled, frowning a little. - Some Piposaru soldiers dragged me here and separated me from Natsumi, Charu, and Kakeru! - He exclaimed, worried. - And I have no idea where everyone else is…
-Eh...? - Hiroki was stunned. - How strange. To think we were all supposed to meet up today for you.
-I’m sorry… I don’t know what’s going on… - Specter looked around, embarrassed by all the staring. Then he saw the damage he had unintentionally done. - Sorry! I'll fix it as soon as I can when all of this is over! I promise! For real this time! I didn’t mean to do any damage! But I really gotta go now! - he said hurriedly as he bent down repeatedly and rushed out of the dilapidated store. - Take care!
-Where’s Kakeru and the others? - Hiroki muttered to himself. - Hey, where are you going! Wait!
Haruka rolled her eyes. - No way… That again? Specter... I remember him… - she took her phone out, looking for Kakeru's number. - How... no signal! They cut the network!?
-I should have been at the STUDIO BY NOW! - Sayaka shouted with all her might in a crescendo, kneeing a Piposaru soldier that dared to put himself in front of her and smacking others on the sides. More than necessary. - Again, again and again! How many times has he escaped! I missed the eclipse, the meetup and now my studio recording…! HE JUST DOESN’T KNOW WHEN TO QUIT! - she yelled, catching a couple of Piposaru soldiers, and then beating one down with her pink stun club. - Nooo, I swear I got good this time! I promise! - she imitated him in a high-pitched voice, stopping for a moment to clasp her hands, then going back to punch down another Piposaru soldier nearby, cracking the road for the impact. - You RAT! I swear I’m gonna KILL YOU THIS TIME!
The creature looked at the spectacle from afar, unharmed, moving away his bangs covering his right eye.
-You ran away? How disappointing... - he said in a soave tone on his cellphone. - Looks like I'll have to take care of him even sooner…
-Don't you dare. - Jei muttered back. - We've been clear. You need to stay in your place for now. Orders are-
-But it's so boring! - he chirped. - Besides, I'm already taking care of the main kid there. Today’s gonna be fun!
-What? Hey! - the call was shut abruptly. Jei almost threw away the phone, but refrained.
-Is someone in their flop phase? - a small voice asked.
-Shut up, Crack.
The one on the other side of the call smirked, enjoying the chaos.