If you're reading this chapter and had just begun to read Worlds Apart, I feel obligated to inform you that this is actually the second draft of the story. The original chapter was written around the summer of 2004 and needed much editing. A lot of time and effort has gone into the writing of this story, and to be honest, Worlds Apart is actually my favorite project to work on. As time went on, I began to reread the old chapters. Yes, it's hard to read something with so many grammar errors in it, ne? XD; Basically, I'll stop ranting to present you with the newly beta-ed version of Worlds Apart.
Chiharu. Jan 2006
Shaman King is copyrighted to Takei, Shounen Jump, TV Tokyo, 4KIDs entertainment, etc.
Worlds Apart
by: Chiharu
When Matisse Matilda was young, her mother told her stories during the night. It was to somewhat help her fall asleep, but also to inform her of the truth.
After all, she was a Justice Fairy. She held the key in her hand, the thin line between heaven and hell. She was obligated to make fatal decisions.
One word, and a beginning soul could be terming for two final destinations.
And every night, her mother would tell of the same story, hoping to ease her own mistake. One of which he had done in her final days of being a justice fairy, before she had Matilda. One she was not very proud of.
He was an Angel sent down to Earth, easing human pain. She was an apprentice from Hell, doing the exact opposite. They met on the mortal world, not knowing each other; falling in love.
For a vase moment in time, they forgot their duties and spent every single moment together. It wasn't until Judgment Day that both of them realized something: they were sent to destroy each other. Being banned from Heaven and Hell didn't bother them because they were in love. That was, until the worst was bestowed upon them. She was pregnant. Whenever in a case like this, the child was more or less sent to the mortal realm, which was perfect in their case. But both of their restricted side wanted to punish them. So She had twins. Upon that, Mattilda Avern was sent to do the job, defining the future for the twins. It was supposed to be her last case before she resided from her job, so she was not too pleased when interfered with such a complicated case. So she did exact what the other Judgment Fairies advised her to do: she ordered for one of the twins to levitate to Heaven while the other was sent to Hell. Both were apart from their parents, who had been punished to remain in the mortal realm apart, forever. Meaning that their family would never reunite again. It wasn't till the Judgment Day that Matisse Avern realized she had done a horrible thing. For the scene before her was unbearable to anyone. Fairies, angels and demons alike. The rain poured all around like the drumbeats of a million fingers tapping against the ground. A soft clandestine kiss from Angel to Demon. A whisper of desperation. "What is love?" The faded young demon girl smiled. "Love is everything you can't do without. Love is heaven, love is hell. We are in love." The young angel softened sadly, watching his beloved cradle her babies in her arm one last time. "We'll be together again." He promised her. But before Again happens, two lovers will be separated. Before Again, a prophecy shall rewrite itself. Before Again, twins shall be torn apart from their mother. One to heaven, one to hell. But before Again, she named the twins "Hao" and "Yoh".
Macchi smiled to the world, her hair wavering the soft breeze of autumn. "Yes! License of Adventure, here I come!" It was her fourteenth birthday, when every Judgment Fairy got their official license to the world.
"Come on, Mari!" The red-hair girl dragged her blonde friend along and through the door to the Central Building. "I can't wait for my first assignment! My first chance to get out to the world, get out of the fairy realm!" She swilled around in her skirt, reaching her arms to the sky. "To adventure!"
Marion giggled. "Get the assignment first, celebrate later."
"Come on." They took their final stop at the last counter, where a young woman greeted them.
"I'm here for my assignment!" Macchi chipped happily.
"Name?" The green haired girl smiled at them.
"Matisse Matilda." The redhead grinned widely.
Tao Jun typed a case of codes into her computer, until she looked up. "Section three, paragraph two. Phrase thirteen: The Asakura Case."
"Eh?" The girls gave her a confused look.
That was, until realization hit her. A sad story, one she had not heard from her mother in seven years. One she listened every night before falling asleep.
"You mean..."
"The Asakura Case." Jun nodded. "You are assigned a partner to this case."
"What do you mean?" Macchi cast her a worried look. "Aren't they supposed to be-" Of all those years, she had always thought of the Asakura Case as an old, pre-historical document. It didn't occur to her that it only happened fifteen years ago.
"The two subjects in the case, Asakura Hao and Yoh, are turning sixteen in two months." Tao Jun read off her computer as she printed the paperwork out. "You are assigned a partner to the case, and to evaluate the older twin before-"
"Their second Judgment Day." Mari said slowly.
"Right." Jun nodded. "I know you've been briefed about this already, but the Second Judgment is vitally important to both subjects in the case. It shall determine the place where they stand."
"I see." Macchi frowned slightly.
"Alright." The young women handed her a nameplate. "Good luck, Miss Matilda. Your first stop is the underworld, Asakura Hao. Your decision will determine the rest of their life. Choose wisely."
Macchi gulped. "I'm ready."
Next stop, Hell.
Free talk
Originally, I hadn't planned for the story to complicate itself like so. Dx When I first wrote this, I didn't know what to make of it. The idea was still fresh in my mind, and the plot bunnies were still dancing around in my head. It was unplanned really, like one of those things that just hit you. You don't plan for them, so I didn't plan for this.
I thought so then, and I still think of this as a great way to unravel my inner, probably hidden or nonexsistent, creativity. xD