Anciel & The Akuma

Chapter 9: Tale As Old As Time

Evillustrator decided to give another try at dinner with Marc, so he asked him out in a more gentleman-like manner. Of course, Marc said yes this time. They spent the entire day, planning and preparing for the evening. Chat Blanc and the Bubbler assisted Evillustrator, while Lady WiFi, Timebreaker, and Silencer help Marc get ready. In Marc's room, Silencer was with Marc, while the girls were picking out the right outfit.

"Silencer, can I ask you something?" Marc asked out of the blue.

Silencer smiled as he replied through his hand, "Sure, what?"

"How come we never heard of this castle or you guys before?"

Silencer sighed, they had yet told Marc about the truth about the castle. He figured now might the best time. He hesitantly told Marc about Evillustrator's past, how they were all once normal human, and Master Fu's curse.

"The curse, you see," Silencer added. "Will allow Nath to remain an Akuma until the pen stops glowing or he has learned to put others' needs before his own. But if he doesn't, he will forever remain what Master Fu sees in him, a monster. As for us, we will turn into statues."

So that's why he was so protective of that pen, Marc thought.

"So now, you are all trying to break the curse," the dark-haired boy concluded.

Silencer nodded, but before he could say anything else, Lady WiFi and Timebreaker burst into the room. With huge grins, they showed Marc the outfit they choose. They grew more excited when Marc, too, beamed widely, astonished at the outfit. Meanwhile, Bubbler was busy getting Evillustrator ready, while Chat Blanc was giving him a description of the ideal dinner date.

"... and he walked down the staircase, looking magnificent." The white cat Akuma. "Then you follow the cue, take his hand, give it a small peck. He will then say, 'you look...'"

He turned to see his Master's new look, only to be stunned by the sight. Evillustrator's red hair was in three braids with blue bows holding them in place. In short, he looked horrendous. At least his white shirt with ruffles, indigo pants, and blue and gold blazer looked fine.

"...Stupid," an unamused Evillustrator finished for his friend.

Chat Blanc winced, "Actually, I was going to say 'Purr-digious'."

"Perhaps, if I take these down," Bubbler suggested to himself, referring to the braids at the side.

A few hours of tugging and trying to manage Evillustrator's hair, they finally resulted in his hair, swept back with hair spray and a little gold glitter for a little something extra. Right on cue, Lady WiFi entered the room to announce that Marc was ready. Evillustrator waited for the young boy at the bottom of the stairs. When he finally got to see Marc, he was astonished.

Marc was wearing a white shirt underneath a red coat and black pants. The red coat had a train with small multicolored designs. His dark hair was tied into a messy ponytail. He was also had short black gloves and black shoes on. Evillustrator took on his hand and guided him down the stairs.

"You look... amazing," Evillustrator commented, leading him to the dining room.

Marc just blushed, "Thank you."

They sat down in front of the long table full of appetizing meals, such as mashed potatoes, chicken, some grey stuff. Chat Blanc decided to sing the song 'Be Our Guest' to them again, much to the displeasure of Bubbler. As they ate, Evillustrator and Marc talked about their work in the castle and what to do for their comic book. Then as Lady Wi-Fi took over on the entertainment, Marc took the chance to get Evillustrator to dance. He took Evillustrator's hands, and lead him to the ballroom, which was just in the next room.

Lady WiFi began her song, "Tale as old as time, tune as old as song, bittersweet and strange, finding you can change, learning you were wrong."

While she sang, the couple danced the waltz. It felt slightly awkward at first, but soon they got the hang of it. Evillustrator leads Marc, as the latter glided along the dance floor. When the song ended, they pulled away, blushing slightly. Then Evillustrator decided to surprise Marc. He took him to his room in the West Wing, where they sat down at a rather large and beautifully-decorated balcony. He then presents the mirror to the young boy, explaining to him how it works, and gave him a chance to see whatever he wishes.

Marc thought for a moment, and then said, "I wish to see my sister."

The mirror glowed as it showed Marc an image of Marinette in their home. She had her head on her sewing table. When she lifted her head, she looked pale and red-eyed, as if she had been crying the entire night. It was clear that she was missing her brother terribly. Marc gasped as the vision finally stopped. Marc's green eyes began to fill with tears, making Evillustrator concern.

"M-my sister," Marc chocked on his tears. "She's up-upset."

Nathaniel thought for a moment, then he said, "Go to her, she needs you."

"But what about my promise," Marc protested, dumbfounded. "I can't just leave you-"

Nathaniel interrupted, "Yes you can. You are no longer my prisoner."

Marc looked at Evillustrator and smiled, before dashing to his room to get change. The other Akumas were talking about how well the night went when they saw Marc running out of the castle. They were worried about what had happened and went to Evillustrator's room, where they found him gazing out of the window. He was watching Marc riding on Tikki.

"What happened," Chat Blanc asked. "Did you had another fight?"

"No, I just let him go," the red-haired Akuma explained.

The other Akumas gasped in shock, Evillustrator just ignored them. Once Marc disappeared out of sight, he sighed.

"I let him go, because I'm in love with him," Evillustrator muttered, looking away.