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“Ida I have an idea for you.”
Tezuka shuffled through some papers on his desk while balancing a cigarette in his mouth. Ida had been with Tezuka Park for nearly 3 years and her popularity hadn’t waned. When Tezuka invited her to his office it was usually to present her with new songs or a new twist on her ‘Princess Songbird’ character. This time however something seemed a bit off and it worried her.
"Ah, there it is!” Tezuka pulled out a folder and pushed it towards her. Ida flipped open the folder and read the name.
“Maybelle Rainey, sounds familiar.”
“No surprise, you probably know her by her name Mama May.”
Ida never paid much attention to current events or the way of the world. Someone like Mama Maybelle however was impossible to not at least hear about in passing.
“She’s that Hen Beastling fighting for Beastling rights, or rather was…”
Ida trailed off, fidgeting uncomfortably. Mama May was a polarizing figure. For decades she fought for the rights of all Beastling’s to be treated equally to humans. She popped up frequently in newspapers and radio broadcasts. Some beastlings saw her as a hero, others thought she was making too much noise. Most humans however were terrified and that fear eventually grew into hatred.
“Killed by Knights of the Ministry for murdering humans. It was everywhere.” Tezuka responded while taking a drag of his cigarette. “Anyway, I want to make a film about her.”
Ida’s eyes darted up. Films were a very important part of the Tezuka brand. Tezuka the First started with just a humble comic strip but it soon grew into an empire of recognizable characters and engrossing stories. Now his grandson has been able to make moving pictures of his cartoons and even living people and have them shared all over the stalk. What surprised Ida though was the film being about a Beastiling instead of using them as background characters or villains.
“I think you’ll be perfect for the role. Something that will shake people and get them to maybe see the world from their perspective.”
Ida sat speechless. She wanted to jump up and down and hug Tezuka for the offer but her body was frozen in shock. Eventually her beak formed into a smile and she nodded.
“I’d be honored to play her.”
“Fantastic!” Tezuka clapped. “That folder is filled with information and my research team is working on gathering newspaper clippings and radio recordings about her. You’ll continue your work as Princess Songbird of course but I want you to start brushing up on Maybelle. Filming won’t begin until next year but I want to present you as the lead at this year’s Anniversary Gala.”
Ida extended her hand to Tezuka, shaking it proudly and repeating over and over how she wouldn’t let him down. She swiftly left the office and immediately buried her beak into the folder to learn about the role of a lifetime.
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A month and a half after being offered the role, a tragedy shook the entire stalk to its core. A group of beastling’s who were self-proclaimed followers of Mama May launched a terrorist attack in a densely populated city near the top of the stalk. Many lives were lost and it was the only talked about topic across the stalk for months.
Ida still wasn’t deeply informed of current events but made an effort to learn about this attack as a way to connect deeper with her character. What she learned is that this would change her life more than she could have predicted. Vitriol against Beastlings was at an all time high, with many beastling performers being harassed and even assaulted at the park. Ida even noticed less and less people standing to watch her sing, while the few that would just heckled her.
She tried to speak with Tezuka herself about the obvious change in climate but he became frequently unavailable. As weeks passed she noticed she was, along with many other beastlings given less and less opportunity to perform. She was also no longer receiving research packages to help her delve deeper into her character. Nothing would make her happier than to storm into Tezuka’s office and demand an answer but she thought back to how her previous life once was. She didn’t want to risk anything by rocking the boat so she continued her work the best she could.
Months passed and eventually the week of the Gala came. Ida had now gotten to the point of doing her own research into Maybelle which proved difficult as anyone showing interest in her was deemed a ‘problem.’ The night before the Gala, and for the first time in nearly half a year Ida met with Tezuka who visited her in her living quarters.
“Mr. Tezuka!” Ida jumped when he stepped inside. He smiled softly to her while moving to sit down.
“How have you been Ida?” He asked with genuine concern.
Ida had practiced for months the exact words she would spit at him but for whatever reason the only thing that came out was;
“Fine, just doing my best! Oh, I’ve tried learning more about Maybelle but it’s been tough to get any information. Has your research team uncovered anything new?”
Ida saw it in Tezuka’s face, even if he tried to keep a smile. Something had happened and Ida was beginning to understand why she hadn’t talked to Tezuka in so long.
“It’s been canceled, hasn’t it.” Ida sighed. “I should’ve known with everything that happened...”
“The film? No no it’s still happening it’s just…”
Tezuka trailed off into silence which hung in the room. After what felt like an eternity Tezuka stood and turned his back to leave but stopped in the doorway.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at the Gala, Ida.”
Without another word he walked, closing the door behind him. Ida didn’t know what to think. She was certain the film had been canceled and hearing otherwise should be great news, yet she still felt uneasy. She knew worrying about it would only make her feel worse so she pushed it to the back of her mind for now and hoped for answers tomorrow night.
The next night Ida arrived at the Gala in a sparkling blue dress with her jet black hair done in a high ponytail. This was not her first Anniversary Gala and she was used to the interviews and photo ops but tonight was different. When she arrived there was little fanfare and most of the reporters gave her the cold shoulder. She even saw Leslie Night, the woman who helped her get work at the park to begin with but she ignored Ida just like the others. Ida kept her smile and shuffled inside, finding her seat which was at a table back in the corner instead of towards the front like previous years.
The event started with people from different sectors of the park reporting on sales numbers and new projects planned. Normal fair but Ida noticed that less and less events and attractions involving Beastlings were announced. After presenting the highest donating platinum members for this year Tezuka himself finally stepped on stage.
Tezuka’s speech was normally the final speech before the festivities began and it would summarize most of what the others were talking about along with surprises for next year.
“One more thing, there’s a special project I’ve been working on that I’m ready to officially announce to the public. A new Film tackling a subject we’ve yet to attempt at Tezuka Studios.”
A hush fell across the crowd. The Tezuka family dabbled in all types of entertainment, but a feature film was a stalk wide event that came once every few years. Ida couldn’t help but give a smile knowing that the Maybelle biography would be announced and all her uneasiness could finally be put to rest.
“The film will be controversial, especially with current events in mind, but the figure I’m making the film about is both polarizing and fascinating. That person is Mama May.”
The hush grew to whispers and mumblings throughout the many tables. Tezuka raised his hand to silence the crowd.
“This has been a project in my mind for some time, and while I do not condone the actions of those monsters a few months ago I believe this is still an important story to be told. Now we are still a ways out from filming but I wanted to introduce the woman we’ve hand picked for the part.”
Ida straightened up her dress and glanced down at the spotless silverware to double check her appearance. She wondered why Tezuka wouldn’t have given a heads up to being revealed as the main actress, even if it was a poorly kept secret with those in the know, but she was ready either way.
“That woman is Bebette Noir!”
Tezuka clapped as a woman in a silk gown with curled black hair walked onto the stage. The room erupted in applause as Ida sat speechless. Bebette was a model from higher up the stalk who was popular but hadn’t done any acting. What perplexed Ida even more was that she wasn’t a beastling.
“When I first met Bebette and discussed the role, I knew she would be the only person in the entire stalk who could present Maybelle’s story correctly. Why don’t you show us that level of dedication, Bebette?”
Bebette, smiling to the crowd, reached into her clutch and pulled out a fake beak fastening it to her face. The crowd laughed and applauded along with Tezuka. Ida however, couldn’t take it. During the applause she slipped away from her seat and out the door as Tezuka went on and on about Bebette’s talent.
Outside the hall Ida was prepared to run to her dressing room until she was stopped by none other than Tezuka himself. She looked at him bewildered as she could still hear his voice in the Hall.
“Ida I’m so sorry, I tried to tell you yesterday but couldn’t muster the words.”
“I thought I was perfect Mr. Tezuka?” Ida asked, holding back tears. “Why tell me all those things just to give it to her!?”
“It’s a turbulent time, especially for Beastlings. While the project is still important I don’t think you would continue to be a good fit, especially with your…background.”
“My background?”
“We know about your parents, Ida. Your real parents. Two glintshard junkies. If word spreads it could be really harmful for the company, I’m sure you understand.”
Ida stood in silence waiting for Tezuka to laugh. To admit it’s all been a joke and everyone in that Hall was in on it, but the moment never came. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a shiny card with the words ‘Tezuka Park Platinum Member’ engraved on it.
“I’m sure you’re familiar with our Platinum Membership, Ida..” Tezuka said, handing it to her. “This will let you into Tezuka Park and any of our smaller attractions all over the stalk. Unlike the other Platinum cards however, you don’t have to renew it every year, this one is permanent. Consider it a gift for this unfortunate change of plans.”
“Why would I need this? I work here.”
Tezuka sighed. “That’s the other thing, looking at our annual budget we’ve had to restructure most of the work for Beastlings and we just don’t have any room for your musical attraction. You’ll be paid for the remainder of the year and 6 months after but we won’t have any work for-”
Ida snatched the card, mumbling a ‘thank you’ under her breath, speed walking past Tezuka to her apartment in the park. When she arrived she saw the notice about vacating the premises within the week along with the final pay Tezuka had promised. She packed up her few belongings in the bag, along with stuffing the Leos into her pocket and left the park without a second thought. She walked from the park all the way back to Megashine City and found herself wandering aimlessly into Sweet Street, a place she hadn’t visited or thought about in years.
She walked around until she found someone standing on a street corner smoking a cigarette and tossing a bag of stones in his hand.
“Nice dress, pretty birdy, come over here and I’ll teach you to fly.”
Ignoring the man’s grotesque remark, Ida dug into her bag pulling out a handful of Leos.
“How many Glintshards can I get with this?”
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After yelling, the guards surrounding Gretty began feeling strange. Against their own will their bodies started floating, dropping their weapons and screaming.
“Now retrieve…” Gretty spoke.
The guards who were floating then rushed quickly towards Gretty before stopping inches away from her body. Her hands which were still outstretched closed into fists and she raised them into the air.
“She’s using Seasonal Arts, I thought she was clipped?” One of the Guards yelled, flailing in the air.
“Reject!”
Once she yelled the floating soldiers went flying into the air with incredible speeds. The force at which Gretty flung them caused them to not only hit the ceiling but break through it and be thrown in different directions. Tezuka watched on stage as Gretty turned to the other guards who were still fighting and flung them all over the Hall in a similar fashion. The other Beastlings soon realized that Gretty still had her abilities and seeing her make easy work out all of the soldiers gave them a second wind.
Gretty wasn’t just flinging these soldiers around to fight, she was also moving, retrieving and repelling things all over the room to try and locate Josie. No matter where she looked, Josie was nowhere to be seen. As her search continued Gretty noticed something disturbing. Tezuka wasn’t demanding more soldiers. When she turned to look back at the stage he was missing, leaving the Platinum Donors up there alone and frightened for their lives. She scanned the room now looking for both Tezuka and Josie and noticed that the color on the walls was beginning to sink to the ground like wet paint. Gretty stopped for a moment to try and piece together what was happening but by time she did it was too late.
The colors began bubbling from all directions and shot out, rocketing towards all the beastlings. The colors spun into sharp tendrils that stabbed into each of them like spears. One by one the beastlings fell as the color wrapped itself around them, pinning them to walls and to the ground. As the colors tightened she heard the familiar voice of Tezuka. Gretty, now bound by the paint herself, followed the laughter to find Tezuka’s head having popped up from the sea of colors that now spread like a lake amongst the banquet hall.
“You’re all mindless savages, cattle meant to be tamed. I’ll put each and everyone of you down right here and now-”
With a ‘PLUNK!’ something slammed against Tezuka’s head. Both he and Gretty turned to see the bone of a turkey leg had fallen to the ground. The source of the attack was Josie standing by the dining carts in the back of the hall, devouring everything in sight. She turned, still gnawing into another turkey leg and smiling. As she chewed, Kinto formed around Josie’s ankles, wrists and neck. However it was no longer a faint wisp of clouds like before. After a meal like this Josie had returned to her full strength and Kinto reflected it with thick, swirling clouds.
“So you must be Tezuka.” Josie replied between bites. “I owe you a punch to the face.”
Tezuka tightened his grip on Gretty before tossing her body against a wall and forming back into a humanoid shape. He slowly walked towards Josie who hadn't averted her gaze even while filling up on food.
“And you’re the girl causing me all this trouble tonight. You should be rotting away in Cobalt Hall.”
“Yeah, change of plans.” Josie replied. “Besides, if I’m busy rotting away, how am I gonna’ kick your ass?”
A pool of color formed at Josie’s feet, unbeknownst to her. Tezuka grinned devilishly, raising his hand and the color shot up and surrounded Josie like a cocoon leaving only her head free.
“Do you know how much I paid for that Gawain?” Tezuka sneered.
“Don’t know!” Josie groaned, struggling in her bindings. “But you may want a refund.”
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Peg’s hand gripped around the reflecting orb as she watched Josie be entangled in the sea of colors, unable to break free. She wanted to reach in there and save Josie herself but she knew she was useless just watching from the sidelines.
“How are you doing this?” Peg asked, not moving her gaze from the orb.
“You come all this way and know so little?” The Tezuka in the room with her asked before giving a hearty laugh.
He raised his hand and the colors on the walls began swirling and turning to the point that Peg grew nauseous. Tezuka lowered his hand and the colors on the walls returned to their original style.
“This entire park is covered in Ink, my ink.” Tezuka explained. “I may not have a truly omnipotent eye but I can be anywhere and everywhere at any given time and I can twist the colors of this world however I see fit.”
He slowly walked towards Peg, leaning down and resting his hand on her shoulder.
“Now how about we watch as I pop your little friend’s head so you can get a sneak preview of what will be happening to you.”
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Josie struggled against the gripping colors but nothing she did was enough to break it. It was worse than the sap because she could barely move an inch. She eventually stopped fighting it, glancing over at Gretty who was unconscious against the wall and smiled.
“Gretty is the only reason I made it this far. She fed me that gross crap you call food but now that I had a real meal…”
She tightened her fists within the color containment and then yelled out for Kinto. Moments later steam seeped out from the colors and soon Josie was enveloped in a thick cloud of spiraling smoke. The colors exploded away from Josie, sending the ink in all directions. The clouds dissipated and Tezuka watched as Josie was completely free. For the first time since the derby Josie was at full power and ready to see what that meant when it came to her cloud companion. She cracked her neck and knuckles before pointing at Tezuka who stood there shocked.
“Now,” Josie said with a wide grin. “About punching you in the face...”
To Be Continued
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As everyone has likely heard, one of the Manga greats Akira Toriyama passed away on March 1st, 2024.
One of my biggest inspirations for 'SPROUT!' is Dragonball and frankly without that series I would never have become as interested into anime and Manga as I am now. Which in turn would never lead me down the path of creating my own Shounen Style Web/Light Novel series.
There will never be enough words to explain how much Akira Toriyama has impacted not just my life but my creativity as a whole but as I edited this week's chapter I couldn't help but smile upon seeing all of his creative DNA that shows through out this story.
So this chapter is dedicated to the man fueled my childhood creativity and the creativity of millions of artists all over.
Thank You Akira Toriyama, and may you Rest in Peace!
-E.B. Yates