Unexpected Ending

WIP

Common Stages story for Shangri-La

## Unexpected Ending I

Carlisle, Raymond and Goldman came to the restaurant. Goldman sat respectfully on the chair. Raymond stroked his beard and talked. Carlisle bent over the table, looking lazy.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Raymond, it's been half an hour. What's the point you're trying to make?

**[Immortal] Raymond**: Lord Carlisle, I...

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Stop! I told you not to call me lord in front of others.

Raymond looked at Carlisle innocently. Goldman had never opened his eyes since he sat down.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: You could be my grandpa. Don't call me lord. Or they would think that I'm older than you.

**[Immortal] Raymond**: But you are.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Look at me. How handsome I am. And look at you. You're an old man.

**[Immortal] Raymond**: (Coughing...)

**[Immortal] Raymond**: My lord, I'm the chief of my clan. I have to look the part.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: I know. I'm loved by all the girls in the world. I feel you.

**[Immortal] Raymond**: If I remember correctly, the No. 1 on the Girls' Dream List in *Spirit Monthly* is Goldman

**[Dragon] Goldman**: (Goldman opened one eye.) Right.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: (Carlisle was so annoyed he ground his teeth.) Right.

**[Immortal] Raymond**: Goldman accomplished so much so young. Come on. Let's get on with the dinner.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: I've had enough. I'm off. Call me if there's new development.

**[Dragon] Goldman**: Raymond, I know why you invited me here. our clan will consider this matter. I'll let you know. Farewell.

**[Immortal] Raymond**: (Raymond sat alone at the table and sighed.)

## Unexpected Ending II

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Peachoo, wait! I can explain...

**[Flower] Peachoo**: you drank my Peach Wine without permission. It's okay if you drank one bottle. But you had a little sip from every bottle! Why?!

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: I thought you wouldn't notice if every bottle was missing just a little.

**[Flower] Peachoo**: You can't open the bottle during the fermentation. You have ruined the entire batch!

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: I didn't know... We can still turn them into Peach Vinegar. How about that?

**[Flower] Peachoo**: Leave me alone. I don't want to speak to you anymore.

**[Fox] Roxy**: Welcome to our restaurant...

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: A bottle of Peach Wine.

**[Flower] Peachoo**: Wine, wine wine. All you do is drink wine. Roxy, I'd like one Diamond Heart.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: How about Fruit Mousse, Peachoo? You've always wanted to have that. It's on me today.

**[Flower] Peachoo**: No! Diamond Heart it is!

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Alright. Alright...

**[Fox] Roxy**: Coming right up.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Peachoo, I just looked it up. You really can turn the wine into vinegar...

**[Flower] Peachoo**: I'm not interested in vinegar! I'm famous for my wine, not vinegar...

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: I mean, it wouldn't be wasted...

**[Flower] Peachoo**: Shut up!!!

Peachoo was turning berserk. Carlisle paid the bill and took Peachoo away.

**[Fox] Roxy**: How can he be an Immortal? He's practically a child. Poor Peachoo.

## Unexpected Ending III

Peachoo's Peach Wine turned into Peach Vinegar. Moonbell liked the taste of the vinegar and decided to buy them all.

**[Fox] Roxy**: Peachoo, don't be sad. Your vinegar is very nice.

**[Flower] Peachoo**: Thanks, Roxy.

> Where's Carlisle? Haven't seen him for a while.

**[Flower] Peachoo**: He's over there being drunk.

Carlisle was indeed under the peach blossom tree. Empty wine bottles scattered around him. He sat there drinking, without a care in the world.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: (He heard our noise.) Here comes the beauty!

> (Option 1) ...

> (Option 2) *Lord Carlisle.*

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Oh, the boss of Yokai Kitchen. Welcome to my humble...

Carlisle tried to stand up, but he was tripped on a botle. He nearly fell on the ground.

> *Lord Carlisle, Peachoo made her Peach Wine for you, right?*

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: So you have a problem too. You're just like the old man said.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Boss, I used to know a guy just like you, sensitive, blunt and rude.

> *Your friend?*

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: A drinking buddy. Does that count as a friend?

> *Of course it does.*

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Hahaha... Right. Come drink with me next time.

## Unexpected Ending IV

**[Kylin] Windle**: (Bowed) Lord Carlisle.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: You're too humble. We're the same level.

**[Kylin] Windle**: My lord isi talking about the empty titles of Yokai Council. Everyone in Spirit Realm knows who you are. Compared to you, I'm nobody.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Stop making fun of me. I'm just an old guy everyone goes out of their way to avoid.

**[Kylin] Windle**: You're an Immortal. You created 13 Spirit Realms so all Yokais could live.

**[Kylin] Windle**: Kylins never forget that.

Carlisle's seemingly permanent smile faded from his face. He began to appreciate the young Kylin King on a wheelchair for the first time.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: You are a worthy king.

**[Fox] Roxy**: Hello. Welcome to our restaurant.

**[Kylin] Windle**: After you, my lord.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Kylin was one a divine beast. They live in divine places. I can see why you want to open a new realm for your clan.

**[Kylin] Windle**: To be honest, I have drawn up a plan. (He handed Carlisle a scroll.) Would you please have a look and give us some advice? The Kylin Clan will be forever grateful.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Why are you so sure I'm willing to help you?

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: My reputation is in tatters. Some would go as far as to say that I'm responsible for the terible situation Yokais find themselves in.

**[Kylin] Windle**: My lord was born even before the world. You were there when God created humans and Yokais.

**[Kylin] Windle**: To you, I think, there is no difference between a human and a Yokai.

**[Kylin] Windle**: I believe you have mercy on all beings. So you wouldn't ignore our plead for help.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: You have a way of words. (Accepted the scroll) I will have a look.

**[Kylin] Windle**: Thank you, my lord.

The Kylin King and Carlisle left the restaurant. Moonbell was acting strangely.

> *What's wrong, Moonbell?*

**[Cat] Moonbell**: Nothing... Boss, do you know? Carlisle is an Immortal. He is the one and only Carlisle since before the world was created.

> *Yes. I've heard of that.*

**[Cat] Moonbell**: He knows everything about the past and he can see the future... He was respected by all beings and then hated by all beings. Do you think that he ever regretted anything?

> *What would he regret about?*

**[Cat] Moonbell**: Nothing.

## Unexpected Ending V

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Hello! Are you here to drink with me?

**[Cat] Moonbell**: Your Peach Wine is not strong enough. Why don't you drink mine?

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: White Wine? I didn't know it still exists. I haven't seen it for more than 3,000 years.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: (Had a big gulp) That hit the spot!

**[Cat] Moonbell**: Carlisle, you do know everytihng there is to know.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Pretty much.

> *Haha...*

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Come. Have a taste of my Peach Wine.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Let me tell you, my Peach Wine is specially made. One part peach blossom, three parts sticky rice, five partrs spring water. Can you guess what the other part is?

> *It smells nice. But it's not the smell of peach. what is it?*

**[Cat] Moonbell**: Orchid.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Whoa. How do you know that?

**[Cat] Moonbell**: It's not like a secret or anything. That's the traditional way of making Peach Wine.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Really? Oh by the way, your Peach Wine reminded me of an old friend.

**[Cat] Moonbell**: You're too old. You're remembering it wrong.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Maybe.

## Unexpected Ending VI

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Hey little kitten, why are you alone this time?

**[Cat] Moonbell**: Don't call me kitten. My name is Moonbell.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Name and age mean nothing to you, right?

**[Cat] Moonbell**: You see me through, don't you?

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: You could say that. But I'm not interested in your secrets. What do you want from me? Name your business. Is it about the half scroll of The Demonography of Spirit Realm?

**[Cat] Moonbell**: That's nothing but a book about gossip. You can keep it.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: What is it then?

**[Cat] Moonbell**: If you could travel back in time, would you make the same choices?

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: ...

In the time of Chaos, God created the world. Then Lady Gaia created humans and Yokai with clay dolls...

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Why does Lady Gaia make the clay dolls like herself? They are all bald and ugly.

**Lady Gaia**: Why are you here? Why aren't you with them?

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Queen West is a cry baby. Knox only cares about eating. I don't know where that Dragon is. Probably rolling in the mud somewhere. I don't like them. I like you.

**Lady Gaia**: OK.

From then on, Lady Gaia had a sidekick who speaks all languages and knows about everything.

## Unexpected Ending VII

I didn't know back then Gods would die too.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Now the Gods are all dead. What would you do?

**[Immortal] Knox**: Just hanging around, you know. Looking after her descendants. Not get bullied by the humans.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Are you going to the Yokai world?

**[Immortal] Knox**: Yes.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Just don't start any trouble.

**[Immortal] Knox**: Stop talking.

The sidekicks from the time fo chaos had become Immortals. In the beginning, they weren't as noble as they are today. They were just like ordinary folks.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Luke! Let's drink!

**[Immortal] Knox**: Here comes the freeloader again.

**Luke**: The last time you were here, you drank all of our whitewine. That was for the ceremony!

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: This time, I've brought my own Peach Wine. It's made with the peach blossoms from Queen West's garden.

**[Immortal] Knox**: Have you tasted it?

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Not yet. I want us to taste it together.

**Luke**: You know humans are fragile, right?

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Oh by the way, I've drawn the pictures you requested. Here you are.

**[Immortal] Knox**: (Luke took the book, ripped the book in half, and tossed one half back to Carlisle.) Half is enough for me. You can keep the other half. What do you say?

**Luke**: Yeah, that's enough. The pictures depict the laws of the universe, especially the second half. We don't want it to fall into the wrong hands.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Right. That's... inconsiderate of me. (He placed the second half of the book into his bag.) Shall we give it a name?

**Luke**: How about *The Demonography of Spirit Realm*?

According to the history, Carlisle was found by humans on the beach of the East Sea and brought to the king. Carlisle spoke human language and knew all there was to know. The king ordered him to draw all he knew about everything.

## Unexpected Ending VIII

Eternity is just a blink of an eye for the Immortals. But to humans and Yokais, time changed everything. After the first great war between humans and Yokais...

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: The rise and fall of their worlds are destined. Why do you care so much?

**[Immortal] Knox**: I don't care what they want. But Luke and Susan died because of them. They need to pay!

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: We've seen everything since the beginning of the world. Why do you still care?

**[Immortal] Knox**: Enough talking. Just get on with it.

**[Immortal] Knox**: But you will regret it if you choose not to kill me today. Some day I will break out from Arctic Prison.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Now it's just us.

**[Immortal] Knox**: Carlisle, you are too soft. You're always helping others. You think they would be grateful?

**[Immortal] Knox**: No one would be grateful to you. You'll see. They would betray and hate you!

After the Immortals disappeared, the humans and Yokais enjoyed a brief moment of peace before the second great war broke out...

Knox's words turned into a prophacy. The Demonography of Spirit Realm created by Carlisle became a guidebook for humans to hunt Yokais. Yokais began to hate Carlisle.

To humans, Carlisle is just a freak.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Raymond, all I ever wanted is for everyone to live peacefully together. Have I done something wrong?

**[Immortal] Raymond**: Now it is the critical moment of life and death for Yokais. We are the descendants of Lady Gaia. We plead you to protect us...

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: I've contacted Queen West. We'll open a path way to Spirit Realm. Yokais don't have to share a world with humans anymore.

**[Immortal] Raymond**: Thank you, my lord.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: But I still don't know if I did the right thing or not. Was that a wise decision?

The Immortals led the Yokais into Spirit Realm. Yokais felt grateful to Carlisle but they never did get over what happened before.

## Unexpected Ending IX

**[Cat] Moonbell**: So if you could travel back in time, would you make the same choices?

**[Cat] Moonbell**: Do you regret what you did? If you killed Knox, or you didn't give the book to human, or you stopped Lady Gaia from creating humans...

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: I know, right? I was an Immortal. Now I'm a drunk, living alone in the woods.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: If Knox found out, he would laugh at me.

**[Cat] Moonbell**: ...

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: I've lived for so long. I tried to be good. But nothing I did turned out to be good.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: It doesn't work like that...

**[Cat] Moonbell**: So are you wrong or right?

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: I don't know.

**[Cat] Moonbell**: What?!

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: I said I don't know. If I knew, I wouldn't be here drinking. If you figured it out in the future, let me know.

**[Cat] Moonbell**: ...

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: But I think I can say this. If I could travel back in time, I would make the same choices.

**[Cat] Moonbell**: I know you would. Hahaha.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: You're not drinking that? Can I have it?

**[Cat] Moonbell**: Right. Just take it. Drink to your death.

## Unexpected Ending X

**[Fox] Roxy**: Ah! Moonbell! Finally! Where have you been?

**[Cat] Moonbell**: I...

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Foxy Roxy! Come drink with me!

**[Flower] Peachoo**: It serves you right.

**[Fox] Roxy**: Hey Peachoo! Everyone loved your Peach Vinegar! Boss asked me to buy more from you!

**[Flower] Peachoo**: Really? Great!

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: See? I told you. You're the best. Let me treat you to some Fruit Mousse today!

**[Flower] Peachoo**: I'm still going to make Peach Wine. Don't mess up my plan this time.

**[Immortal] Carlisle**: Right. I'll beat anyone for you if they try anything cheeky.

**[Flower] Peachoo**: Only you would do that.

The almighty Immortal laughed like an idiot.

> *Moonbell?*

**[Cat] Moonbell**: Boss, thank you.

> *Huh?*

**[Cat] Moonbell**: I want you to remember. No matter what happens in the future, I will not harm you or betray you.

**[Fox] Roxy**: What are you mumbling about, Moonbell?

**[Cat] Moonbell**: Nothing.

**[Fox] Roxy**: Emm... Boss? Can we go to Northern Dunes after this?

> *Why not.*

**[Fox] Roxy**: Thank you, Boss! You're the best!

**[Cat] Moonbell**: Let go, you stupid Fox!

Story CG

## Notes and Trivia

* In the original text, Luke and Susan's names are 姬子辛 *Jī Zixīn* and 有苏 *Yǒu Sū* respectively.
* There is an error in chapter 7's translation; as the character indicates, the one who took the scroll and ripped it in half was Knox, not Luke.
* The original name of the Demonography of Spirit Realm is 白泽精怪图 *Bái Zé jīngguài tú* , which is said to be a real text that's lost to time and now exists only in fragments. Due to this difference in name, the conversation revolving its naming thus changed, with Luke saying something along the lines of "since Lord Carlisle wrote this, then how about [...]".
* There appears to be some connotation mismatch between the original and translation on the line "We've seen everything since the beginning of the world. Why do you still care?". The original is "开天辟地至今，你我已经在这世上看过不知多少生死，你还看不破吗？", and seems to be less callous than the translation.