12. The Sevestar Prince Darker Version

Chapter 28

The next day in Oceablue City, the sun bathes the streets in a warm glow as Ash and Alice make their way to the designated spot where they'll meet Reisa. They can hear the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore, a reminder of the city's coastal charm. As they arrive, they spot Reisa, her vibrant energy palpable even from a distance. She waves enthusiastically, signaling for them to join her where she's already setting up her guitar.

Gathering their courage, Ash and Alice decide to confront the rumors and accusations swirling around Ash, accusations that paint him as the culprit behind his mother's untimely death. With determination in their eyes, they choose a song that echoes their defiance against societal judgment and prejudice. Alice, with her gentle voice, begins to strum the chords on her guitar, setting the melodic tone for their performance.

"There's a face that we wear
In the cold light of day -
It's society's mask,
It's society's way,
And the truth is
That it's all a facade!"

As Ash steps forward, a transformation takes place. Using his powers of illusion, he changes his outfit into one reminiscent of a detective, a visual metaphor for his quest to uncover the truth and clear his name. Alice, in solidarity, dons attire inspired by the 18th century, symbolizing a journey through time to unravel the mysteries hidden beneath the surface.

"There's a face that we hide
Till the nighttime appears,
And what's hiding inside,
Behind all of our fears,
Is our true self,
Locked inside the facade!"

Their voices blend harmoniously, weaving a narrative of resilience and inner strength. As they sing, a crowd begins to gather, drawn in by the passion and emotion infused into every word. Masked figures, representing the judgmental gaze of society, start to walk past them, their presence serving as a poignant reminder of the challenges they face.

(Duet) "Every day
People, in their own sweet way,
Like to add a coat of paint,
And be what they ain't!" (Ash) "That's how our little -"
(Duet) "Game is played,
Livin' like a masquerade
Actin' a bizarre charade -
While playing the saint!"

Then the shadow figures fade away, their masks slipping off, revealing ordinary faces beneath, as Ash continues to sing. "But there's one thing I know,
And I know it for sure:
This disease that we've got
Has got no ready cure!
And I'm certain
Life is terribly hard -
When your life's a facade!"

As Ash's voice resonates, the scene shifts seamlessly into a shadowy town. Within this mysterious setting, shadowy figures wearing masks go about their daily activities - washing clothes by the river, engaging in lively bargaining at market stalls, and working diligently in shadowy workshops. Each figure represents a facet of the masks people wear in society, concealing their true selves.

Alice sings, her voice weaving through the air with ethereal grace, "Look around you!
I have found
You cannot tell, by lookin' at the surface,
What is lurkin' there beneath it!"
Alice points at one person and sings, "See that face!
Now, I'm prepared to bet you,
What you see's not what you get -
'Cause man's a master of deceit !"

Ash and Alice run around the town and sing, "So, what is the sinister secret?
The lie he will tell you is true? -"

Ash opens the door from the inside building with Pikachu sitting on his hair and sings, "It's that each man you meet
In the street
Isn't one man but two!"

As the melodious notes fill the space, the shadowy town begins to dissolve, giving way to a grand castle bathed in moonlight. Within its opulent halls, shadowy figures adorned in extravagant attire and glittering jewels glide past, their masks now transformed into symbols of nobility and grandeur.