Tiger and Bunny 20

I...I'm not at all sure why I have to keep constantly reloading these. If there's a problem with 'em, I'd really like them to tell me.




Also I have a plurk now, so feel free to friend me there and stuff.

(Side text- As the days pile up, this duo only gets stronger!)

#20: All lay loads on a willing horse.

002
(Side text- What is happening in the corner of the city lit up by a festive Christmas mood?!)
Dude: Hurry up and hand that box over!
Make it snappy, young sir!

003
{Five hours earlier...}
Agnes: The heroes will grant the wishes of the people through presents of happiness.
Not a bad plan, right?
Barnaby: Well...
I guess so.
Agnes: Tiger...
Is this “Not the work of a hero” to you?
Kotetsu: I haven't said anything yet.

004
Agnes: This is one way to help people too!!
Now,
From here you'll be making your choice!
Amazing isn't it?
Kotetsu: Huh.
Agnes: We only JUST opened submissions, and this is the response.
Kotetsu: “A date with Barnaby.”
“Going for a drive with Barnaby”.
“Going to an all you can eat cake place with Barnaby.”
...Geez!
All of these are from Barnaby's fans!
Barnaby: There are some for you too, Kotetsu.
“I'd like to experience a day as Wild Tiger.”
Kotetsu: That's just because they wanna hang out with you!
Agnes: Oh, right.
The ones not related to Barnaby are here.
Kotetsu: Aren't the number of requests a little different here...
Hmm, Lessie...
“I want to be the wind.”

005
Koetsu: Why not leave this Sky High then?!
Barnaby: I want you to protect the cursed Tea set.
“I want to be restricted.”
Agnes: What did you just say?
Kotetsu: “I want to be restricted” right?
Agnes: Before that!!
Did you say something about a curse?
Barnaby: You mean the “Cursed Tea Set” then?
Agnes: Isn't that one a nice find?

006
{One hour later at the requestor's apartment..}
???: Here you go.
Kotetsu: Ah,
Uh, don't worry about us.
Barnaby: Sorry to cut to the chase Mr. Rudolph,
But can you tell us about the cursed Tea set?

007
Rudolph: The cursed tea set is...
Was something received from the master.
Barnaby: Master?
Rudolph: The master's lineage was of an ancient and honorable orgin, and it was they who supported the expansion of Sternbild.
I am a butler who has served the master's family for 60 years.
And that heirloom has been given to those in countless ages to take care of.
Barnaby: And now you're in the possession of something so important...
Rudolph: It was given to me as a retirement gift.
Kotetsu: Wow, they gave you a retirement gift that was cursed...
Barnaby: Kotetsu-san.
Rudolph: I was put in charge of..
This thing.

008
Rudolph: I protect this Tea set...
So that the curse doesn't claim more victims.
Kotetsu: Victims?
Rudolph: It's said those who drink from the Tea set are visited by horrible misfortune.
(Sfx- Bubuhh bloorsh)
Kotetsu: Hey!!
Rudolph: You needn't worry.
That cup does not belong to the master.

009
Rudolph: The real one...
Is here.
Kotetsu: Huh.
Barnaby: These look amazing.
Rudolph: You understand?
Barnaby: Yes, a bit.

010
Rudolph: Promise me then...
That you won't allow anyone to steal this Tea set.
Barnaby: B--
But of course.
Kotetsu: By the way, who exactly are we supposed to be protecting these from?

011
Rudolph: How the hell would I know that?!
Both: ….Huh?
Barnaby: Seems like the staff,
already went home.
Kotetsu: And not a thing has happened either.

012
Kotetsu: Is this tea set really so valuable,
That we have to guard it so closely?
Barnaby: It certainly is well made.
Koetsu: Well, I doubt anyone would think a treasure would be in a shoddy apartment like this.
Rudolph: I can hear you.
Barnaby: Is that Assam?
Rudolph: You know about it?
Barnaby: And you even changed the cup to suit the color of the tea. Incredible.
Kotetesu: That's a thing?

013
Barnaby: Tea time is when the porcelain is white and the tea is red.
It's this contrast that's most enjoyable.
Kotetsu: Oooh.
Rudolph: You've had an excellent upbringing.
Young sir.
Barnaby: Huh?
Rudolph: The young master was about your age too, young sir.
Barnaby: Is that so...
Rudolph: I have cookies that go well with the tea.
Let me bring them out.
Kotetsu: Seems like he's interested in you.
Bunny?
Barnaby: Ah,
Sorry.

014
Barnaby: It's been some time...
Since someone called me young sir.
It's just...
Rudolph(?): Uughh.
Barnaby: Rudolph-san!
Rudolph: Uuugh...

015
Kotetsu: You okay, gramps?
Rudolph: I just lost my footing for a bit.
Barnaby: Have you been sleeping properly? You've got horrible bags under your eyes.
Rudolph: I've been having nothing but bad dreams...
That the Tea set will be stolen.
Rudolph: The real reason why this thing is cursed...
Is that the Bon china for this tea set is human..

016
Kotetsu: Bo-bon...
Barnaby: Bon China...
It's a type of porcelain.
A long time ago to get the white porcelain color they'd use cow bones, hence the name.
Kotetsu: Wait, are you saying...?!
Rudolph: Yes..
Those tea accessories would be replaced by the bones of enemies as clans fought one another.
As proof that they fought battles that risked their lives, they'd come back with the bones of their enemies and use them to create these.
Now you understand where the curse's power comes from right?
I'm overcome with the feeling that someone somewhere is targeting me and I can't stay calm.
I just can't help being so anxious...

017
???: It's only a tree that remains.
(Sfx- Cough cough)
???: I am here too, Master.
And I always will be.
That is...
???: You know what it is.
Rudolph,
I want you to have this.
Rudolph: But I can't....
???: Please...

018
???: I don't want anyone to have this.
Rudolph: Nothing but awful memories plague me...
nowadays...
Kotetsu: I get your feelings...
But is there any real reason to protect that thing?

019
Kotetsu: I'm sure your boss didn't want this..
Who's there?!

020
Rudolph: Ah...
Th--
They've finally come....
Hiiii..
Barnaby: Rudolph-san!!
Please wait!!
Kotetsu: What the hell is going on here?!
As if a hero would be done in...
because he's afraid of monsters!!

021
Barnaby: Please calm down,
Rudolph-san!!
(Sfx- Hah hah hah)

022
Rudolph: Master...
I won't give this to anyone...

023
Rudolph: Guh!!
Dude: That hurts, Geezer!
Rudolph: Do not touch the box!!
Other dude: Huh?
What are you yammerin' about old man?
Rudolph: I will...
Never allow anyone to steal this!
Dude: Are you....
Beggin' us to steal that from you then?
Rudolph: S--
Stop!!
Dude: Damn it,
You're annoying old man!

024
Barnaby: Pardon my intrusion,
But everything is perfectly fine now, so please take your leave.
Dudes: Y--
Yessir!
Rudolph: Now run along!
Run away!!
Kotetsu: There's no need to run.
No one is going to steal...
That Tea set.

025
Rudolph: What are you saying?
You saw that suspicious person's shadow earlier didn't you?
Kotetsu: That shadow we saw...
Was just the landlady of the apartment.
She just wanted to get a peek at Barnaby...
You've worried her half to death with what happened after that.
You got an unhealthy obession with that Tea set. To the point that you locked yourself in the house,
And treat anyone who gets close as a burglar.
When in fact, no one even knew that Tea set was in the house.
Rudolph: Don't lie to me!
Kotetsu: I don't really get this whole matter of a curse or whatever,
But there's no need to be scared.
You wanted to feel safe, and that's why you sent us that letter, right?
So...
Rudolph: Enough! I don't have anything to say to you!

026
Rudolph:
Rudolph: Hurry up and hand that box over!
Make it snappy, young sir!
I have to at least protect that Tea cup...
The days I treasured with the master....
Are all in the past, but they're what I live for!!

027

028
Rudolph: Promise me then...
That you won't allow anyone to steal this Tea set.
Kotetsu: He..
Hey...
Rudolph: Wh...
What are you...

029

030
Rudolph: Ah..
Ahh..
Aaaaaahhh
Aaah!!
Rudolph: Why...would you do a thing...
Barnaby: I was keeping my promise.
With this...
No one will be able to steal it.
Rudolph: You bastard!!

031
Barnaby: One cannot continue to live in the past...
We have to live in the here and now.
Kotetsu: Bunny.

032
Agnes: You broke the Tea set that you were supposed to protect?!
And I had just arranged for three special programs to air...
I'd rather it be Tiger to mess this up, but to think it was you?! I can't believe it!
Barnaby: This was entirely my fault.
Agnes: Luckily Mr. Rudolph said that he didn't want to make this a big deal!
Tiger: After doing something like that,
You might just be cursed y'know?
Barnaby: I needn't worry.
I'm a realist after all.

033
Kotetsu: Well, considering how tiny the pieces that thing was after you broke it, I'm pretty sure even the curse got busted up good too.
Barnaby: It'd be nice if that happened.
Landlady: Rudolph?
Do you have just a moment?
The key was...
Sweet dreams.
(Bottom text- The gain from losing that cup is peace of mind he had forgotten....)
TIGER AND BUNNY #20............END.
(Bottom text- Next issue Rock Bison and Tiger are...?!)