Journey

[madimpossibledreamer]

I'm hyped for Halloween.

Main Points:
Ace Attorney AU
Chapter Summary: Prince Apollo gets ready for his journey...potentially with a few surprises.
Word Count: 953
Rating: K
Note: Apollo Justice spoilers.  Probably spoilers for the rest of the series, too.

 

            “Guten morgen, mein Prinz.  Time to wake up, if you still wish to go on this journey.”  Apollo slowly opened his eyes, unwilling to leave the comfort of his warm cocoon of blankets…only to see familiar blue eyes waiting past his bed.  The yelp probably woke the entire castle, but they were used to this by now.

            Clay runs in, bleary eyed and stumbling.  “Are you all right, Prince Apollo?”  He notices the intruder and instantly all alarm leeches out.  “S’ry Kristoph,” he mumbles and stumbles back out.

            Apollo is tempted to yell at his friend and servant to get back here, but he doesn’t want to show weakness in front of the Undying One, and he can see why the mistake was made.

            The devil grinning at him, now, could have been mistaken for a frivolous brother of the sorcerer.  The blond hair was perhaps a touch more golden, but it was styled in the same unicorn’s twist over the shoulder.  The skin was bronzed, not pale.  The grin was new, too-Kristoph rarely found an excuse to smile this much, and certainly not with the reckless abandon the demon was displaying.  The human guise was modeled after Kristoph, but the sorcerer’s eyes were a much colder blue that almost appeared black.  Still, it was disconcerting.  Especially with the courtly robes-in purple and black, but just as stately…

            “Stop wearing that,” the Prince snaps, covering his vulnerability with irritability.  “Looking like Kristoph to gain my sympathy won’t work, you know.”

            Hurt and anger flash across the smiling face, but then Apollo’s vision blurs.

            “How’s this, mein Prinz?” The Undying One was now kneeling before the bed.  A black leather jerkin, pants, and boots were set off by a purple shirt.  There’s also a black leather collar clasped at the neck with metal rings and bone-like protrusions from the leather.  His hair was short, now, but the same face hadn’t disappeared.  Still, Apollo thought he could keep the two of them straight at this point.

            “No, still not acceptable.”  Perhaps it’s not intelligent to be provoking a devil like this, but he doesn’t exactly care right now.  He’s tired and irritable.

            The grin wavers and dies, leaving a much scarier version behind.  The demon form had scared him, true, but this version scares him more.

            “Still up to your old tricks, I see.”  Kristoph’s unamused voice drifts across, and just like in childhood it startles Apollo and immediately makes him wonder what he’s done wrong.

            Okay, the glare is more terrifying, but it’s not aimed at him.  The Sorcerer of the House of the Sun seems entirely unimpressed by the glare, which is a feat in of itself.  Not for the first time, the Prince is glad that Kristoph is on their side, rather than that of their enemies.  “Very nostalgic, ja?”

            “Still oh-so-childish, but then, what can one expect from a devil?”  The Sorcerer then turns to Apollo, completely ignoring the Undying One.  “It, as was stated earlier, is sworn to the House of the Sun.  It can’t hurt you or lead you astray.  One of my great achievements serving your grandfather was binding this devil to service for the Gramarye.  This kingdom can’t remain undefended while you go on your little trip.  While the appearance is unfortunate, it is useful.  The two of you are to travel in secret, if possible—as you know your kingdom has many enemies—but should you be discovered, I have no doubt even a devil bound can protect you as well as I.”

            Sorcerer Kristoph brings out a long bundle wrapped in cloth, and suddenly Apollo can feel the intense awareness at the foot of his bed.  He turns his gaze to the Tainted One, whose blue-eyed gaze suddenly looks…hungry?  Wistful?

            Kristoph smiles, and it’s not a nice smile.  “Ah, yes, I see I have your attention.  This is indeed your weapon, your song of lightning.  It has been quite a while since the two of you have been reunited, has it not?”

            Blue eyes flash and suddenly look bitter.  “Of course it has, for who would trust a devil with any weapon at all?”

            “Since you have use protecting the Prince of the House of the Sun, you are given that privilege, but know that you cannot break the magic that binds you.”  To Apollo’s surprise, the devil rolls his eyes.  “As to you, my Prince…be aware.  Remember the tales you have been told.  It cannot act against you, but devils are forever tricksters.  It will try to earn your trust, your sympathy.  Trust it to protect you physically, for it can do nothing else, but guard your heart against its wiles.”

            It’s probably good timing to say that, because Apollo’s caught in the middle of watching the thing’s face as it takes the sword, unbridled joy like a child’s.  The Prince reminds himself that despite the fact that the thing looks human, it most certainly is anything but.  He’s seen its true face, after all.

            “Ja, ja.”  The Tainted Soul looks bored again.  “Are we leaving soon, or are you going to give more speeches?”

            Kristoph is about to respond, but the noble speaks instead.  “Well, for one thing, I have to get dressed.  And no,” he continues, glaring, “…You are not staying.”

            He can’t read the expression on the devil’s human guise this time.  “Such modesty will only get you killed on the road, mein Prinz.  But ja, for now.”  He tucks the sword into a sash that appears, the ensemble suddenly somehow now appearing complete, bows, and leaves the room.  Kristoph’s icy gaze follows the devil before turning back to Apollo and softening a little.  Apollo yawns and gets out of bed.