If the summary seemed familiar to you, then you read the other version to this story. Oh yeah, I'm rewriting "Truth Behind the Darkness" yet again. Sorry everyone, it just got off track. And after a while I got fed up with it. But this time I can assure no more rewrites! I've had this ready for a while, but was too nervous to post it since I've already rewritten this story before. But let's say there was a "voice" that told me I should go through with uploading it.
It's been a while since I've been on this archive, and I see there's a lot of new fanfics up. It'll take me some time to read them, but a few have already caught my interest. *sighs* Things have been... hectic, and I'm still trying to deal with it all. So I won't be on as much as I'd like, but I will be working on my fanfics.
Disclaimer: I don't own Blue Dragon.
"I... Those children.." Bright aura flared around Zola as she cried out, "I will protect them!"
Kluke, who was watching on, gave a small smile. Despite her tears she found hope in her friend's words. "Zola.."
Nene, however, found this amusing. With his lips twitched in a smirk, he called upon his shadow. "It seems you're finally serious, now I shall become serious as well!" A vicious roar echoed throughout the empty room as Chimera took his form. Chimera and Killer Bat glared at each other, awaiting the command of their respective users.
On the other side of the room, four bodies lay motionless. Kluke was currently shaking one of them. "Shu! Wake up! If you don't Zola will.. All of us will.. Please, open your eyes.." She laid her head on his chest, sobbing. "I can't do it. I'm useless!"
"You're so kind..." Kluke opened her eyes, remembering a previous talk with Zola.
"Not at all!" she had replied.
"There's no need to argue. That kindness of yours will become your strength."
Kluke shook her head. "Kindness can't become strength."
A soft voice spoke in her mind. "Are you sure?" Kluke sat up, looking around for the speaker.
"Hornet Assassin!" Killer Bat's attack was cancelled by Chimera's flame. Chimera proceeded to slam his fist into the other shadow's stomach, then shoved him into the wall. Zola was thrown back onto the floor.
Nene never lost his smirk as he slowly approached her. "How terrible you must feel; losing to a coward like me." Zola raised her sword, as if that would keep him away. Nene held his palms out. "Prepare yourself."
"Stop it!" Kluke cried, stepping in front of her fallen friend and throwing her arms out. "Stop hurting everyone!"
"Kluke!" Zola called out, not wanting any harm to come to the girl.
"Some guts you have," Nene mocked. "but it's impossible. All of you will die." Chimera placed his hands close together. A purple ball of energy gathered between them. He raised his arms, waiting for the order to unleash his attack.
"Don't.." Kluke continued. No hesitation in her voice, determination shining in her eyes.
"Vanish!" Nene commanded, his shadow releasing the stored energy.
A bright light covered Kluke, as it faded a giant, pink phoenix hovered above her. Zola gasped at the summoning of the shadow. The phoenix's wings covered her user, moments before Chimera's attack hit them. A birds screech sounded as everything turned white.
Eyelids flew open, revealing icy blue eyes gleaming with shock. Zola jerked up into a sitting position, her surroundings were unfamiliar. She looked around, it appeared she was in a room, but not one that seemed unfriendly. The room looked like one that belonged in someone's house; someone's bedroom. One thought struck her: where was she? Another came up as she realized she was alone. Where are the kids?
She swung her legs over the edge of the bed she was on. Pain coursed through her body at the movement, she pushed it down, finding her comrades was more important. Zola exited the room, finding herself in a hallway. Two other doors were there, closer to the end of the hall, the other toward the staircase.
The back room appeared to be another bedroom, no one was in there. The second room was a bathroom. Zola practically jumped down the stairs, her concern for her comrades increasing. As she reached the bottom she examined the room, she sighed with relief as she found the kids, all unconscious.
Kluke and Bouquet were laid out on the two couches, covered with blankets. Shu, Jiro, and Marumaro were sprawled out on the floor, sheets covered them as well. Each one had bandages on their wounds. Zola calmed herself, wherever they were, they were out of harms way.. For now. She decided to seek out the owners of the house, and to thank them for helping her companions. The running of water caught her attention, she followed it and found herself in the kitchen. There was a middle-aged woman cooking.
"I don't mean to intrude.." she started, trying to gain the woman's attention. As the woman turned, Zola felt her breath stop, her throat thicken.
The woman smiled. "It's no problem at all. I'm just glad you're awake, Zola."
She stepped back, partially leaning against the wall. "O-Okaasan?"
Her face changed to one of concern. "Are you alright? Would you like to sit down?"
Zola didn't hear her as she continued to stare in shock. The last person she ever expected to see was her mother, much less wake up in her house. Wait.. That means.. This is my house! That room she woke up in, it was her old bedroom!
Her mother sadly smiled. "I know you must be surprised, I know I was when you were brought here, especially in such horrible condition."
"Brought here?" Zola asked once she found her voice.
"Yes, a few village kids found you and your friends unconscious just outside the village." Her mother explained. "One of the older folks recognized you as my daughter and brought you all here." Tears found their way to her eyes. "I was so happy to see you, yet so worried to see you so hurt."
"Okaasan." Zola cleared her throat, not used to the term. "Don't worry, I'm fine. It's the children who you should be worried about."
She nodded. "Yes, but you are my child. I'll always be worried about you." Zola sighed, sitting down in a kitchen chair. Her mother decided to change the subject. "I've made enough food for your friends, should they wake up soon. It should be ready in about fifteen minutes." Zola nodded. "I'm sorry, I know you must be confused."
"I just need to get used to being back here, it's been so long."
"Indeed."
It was silent for about five minutes before a voice was heard. "Wha..? Zola?"
Her mother smiled. "It seems one of your friends has finally risen."
"In here, Shu." Zola called, identifying the voice as his.
Seconds later the young boy stumbled in. "Zola, where are we? What happened with Nene?"
"Calm down Shu, I'm not entirely sure on what happened myself. Let's wait until everyone wakes up, maybe then we'll figure it out."
He nodded. "Okay."
"You're good with kids, then again why am I surprised?" Her mother laughed, turning to Shu. "How are you feeling?"
Shu scratched his head. "I'm feeling fine, Miss.. uh.."
"Call me Mariko."
"Mariko-san, then." Shu said, smiling. He turned to his mentor. "Zola, do you know her?"
"Yes," Zola braced herself for his reaction. "She's my mother."
"What?" Shu gaped. "But- I mean, you- Who- What?"
Mariko laughed at his sputtering, Zola lightly smiled. "I'll explain when everyone wakes, alright?" Shu nodded, still unable to form words. He sat at the table as well, fidgiting as the atmosphere felt awkward to him. He always tried not to look foolish in front of Zola, the person he considered his teacher. Now he was dealing with her mother, least to say he felt uncomfortable.
One by one the other started to rise, joining them in the kitchen. When asked about Mariko, Zola responded with, "She's the woman who found and took care of us." as she didn't want to constantly repeat the same explanation. Soon everyone sat in the kitchen, all except one.
Shu stomped his foot. "Why hasn't Kluke woken up yet?"
Zola looked at him. "Easy Shu, she summoned her shadow, as well as got us out of Grand Kingdom territory. That requires a lot of power, it's only natural she's still unconscious."
That seemed to calm him. "Yeah, I guess so."
"Are you all hungry?" Mariko asked, setting out plates of food to each person at the table. They nodded, Shu and Marumaro attacked their plates once they received it. "I'll put a plate aside for your friend when she wakes up."
"Thank you, Okaasan." Zola said, waiting for the others to comment.
Everyone, besides Shu, froze in the middle of their meal. "What?"
Zola sighed. "This is my mother." Their eyes switched back and forth between Mariko and Zola, finding the resemblence. Mariko had long silver hair, and pale blue eyes. she looked like an older version of Zola.
Bouquet stared in awe. "You guys look so alike. How did we not figure it out?"
Jiro scoffed. "It's not surprising that you didn't."
"You didn't either, so shut it!" Shu spat back at him.
"Shu, Jiro, that's enough." Zola said in a reprimanding tone. The two boys didn't say anything from that point, but they did occasionally send glares at each other.
Mariko laughed. "It feels nice having the house full of children again, I feel younger."
"What do you mean full of children?" Shu asked. "I thought Zola was an only child."
"Oh no," she answered. "She has a younger sister."
All the children shot her a look saying, "Anything else you wanna tell us?"
Zola sighed, she didn't need all this tension. Certainly not during their current predicament. Her sister hadn't even come to mind, at all. Zola felt a slight pang of guilt, that should have been one of the first things on her mind. Although, her companions were injured, so it's understandable.
"I can't believe we're actually meeting Zola's family, maro." Marumaro said. He suddenly got a dreamy look on his face. "A younger sister, maro.." Bouquet punched him, knocking any innapropriate thoughts out of the Devee's mind.
"Where is she?" Zola asked quietly. Everyone else grew quiet as well, finally realizing how difficult it must be for Zola at the moment.
Mariko shrugged. "She's been gone all day, but she always does that. I'm not quite sure when she'll be home."
"She doesn't tell you?" Zola asked, feeling as though her sister was causing unnecessary worry for their mother.
She smiled, knowing what her daughter was thinking. "She always tells me if she leaves the village, if not then I know she's around here somewhere. I do worry about her, just as much as I worry about you."
"Why would she leave?" Bouquet asked. "Is she some kind of traveler?"
"No, but sometimes it's necessary."
"I wish we could meet her." Shu said, leaning back in his chair.
"You will, it's nearly dark." Mariko pointed out. "Now, if you'll excuse me since I am rather old, I'm going to finish these dishes and then head up to bed."
Bouquet stood. "Oh, don't worry about it. I'll take care of it."
"Oh, dear. I couldn't."
"Really, it's no trouble. After all you helped us, and fed us. It's the least I can do."
Mariko smiled. "Thank you, you're so sweet." Bouquet blushed and started to gather the dishes. Mariko turned to her daughter. "It's so nice to have you back home, Zola. I'll see you all in the morning." She slowly made her way upstairs.
Shu smiled. "Your mom's really nice, Zola." He frowned as a thought came to him. "Why have you never mentioned them?"
"I didn't think it was important." Zola stood. "I'm going to check on, Kluke." As Zola left the room, it left the other Shadow Users to remember how easily they were defeated by Nene.
"We didn't stand a chance, maro." Marumaro whined, setting his head on the table.
Shu clenched his fists. "He laughed the whole time, we were nothing but flies to him!" He stood so abruptly, his chair fell over. The others looked at him in shock. "I need to take a walk." She marched out of the room, soon the sound of a door opening and closing was heard. Marumaro walked into the room they woke up in, wanting to check up on Kluke as well. Bouquet slowly did the dishes, her thoughts occupied with their defeat. Jiro sat in his chair, his arms folded. A scowl permanant on his face as he remembered Nene dodging their attacks with ease.
He sighed. Why were we so easily defeated? Surely Zola wouldn't have taken us to a battle we had no chance of winning. That just proves how strong Nene is. Jiro rose from his chair. I need to train even harder if I'm going to defeat that monster! Without a word, he walked out the door in search of his rival.
Zola sighed, rubbing at her temples. Kluke didn't show any signs of waking up, she was in a coma. All the strain of using that much power overworked her system. The confrontation with Nene did a number on the children, both physically and mentally. Zola feared that they may feel the need to quit the journey.
"Zola?" She turned to Marumaro. "Do you not like being back here, maro?"
She blinked. "It's not that, Marumaro. It's just that with everything going on, I didn't expect waking up back home."
"Hmm, will Kluke be okay, maro?"
After a moment of hesitaion, she responded. "To be honest, it's possible she may never wake up."
"Maro?"
"Using all that power overworked her," she explained. "If she will wake up, there's no way to determine how long it will be until she does."
The Devee frowned, glancing at his unconscious friend. He knew everyone was upset, Nene had done a major amount of damage to them. He's so strong, maro. It's possible that we'll never beat him, maro.
Shu wandered around the village, not paying much attention to his surroundings. The only thing on his mind was his best friend, she was hurt, and in a coma. He knew Zola had tried to make light of the situation, but he wasn't that oblivious. Kluke, you have to wake up. You saved us from Nene, we need you; I need you. He kicked a stone in his path, sighing.
His thoughts moved on to Zola. She must be having a hard time right now. With this defeat hanging over us, and out of the blue she's back home. It doesn't seem like she's been here for a while. Shu clenched his fist. With a grunt, his fist collided with the tree he was near. "Man, why did everything turn out so terrible?"
"Because you're weak."
Shu whirled around, already knowing who was behind him. "Shut it, Jiro. I don't need your remarks."
Jiro crossed his arms, ignoring his sentence. "You're pathetic, did you really believe you could stand up to Nene?"
"Stop picking on me."
"How mature." Jiro rolled his eyes. "If only you were stronger, then Kluke wouldn't be in a coma."
"I said, shut up!" Shu pulled his fist back, ready to strike at the other boy. Jiro simply stepped aside, sticking his foot out for the dark-haired boy to trip over.
"Get the point, you act on impulse and as result your attacks are ineffective."
"Don't talk down to me when you didn't do any better!" Jiro's eyes widened in shock. Shu jumped to his feet and continued his assault. Jiro caught the hands that threatened to grab him, the two boys tried to overpower the other. Shu tossed them aside, breaking the hold, then delievered a punch that sent Jiro to the ground. He knelt down and grabbed his white collar. "If we trained harder, Kluke wouldn't be stuck in that bed."
"If you weren't so busy feeling sorry for yourself, we could train." Jiro closed his eyes, smirking. "That's what I came to say."
"What's the point?" Shu punched him once more. "He's too strong."
Jiro glared at him. "Maybe you lost, but I haven't." Not giving Shu the chance to say anymore, Jiro punched his stomach, forcing him off. "I'm still alive. As long as I am, I'll never give up until Nene is defeated. I will have my revenge!" He stood. "People like you, who give up so easily, make me sick!"
Shu got to his feet as well. "You-"
"You both make me sick." A voice intervened. Shu and Jiro looked to the side, finding a girl their age. She had brown hair, held back by red-rimmed goggles. One hand was on her hip, the other dangled at her side. A scowl was on her face, and her crimson eyes burned with a mixture of negative emotions. "Fighting like stupid children, no wonder you lost to Nene."
"Who are you to call us children?" Shu demanded. "You're one, too."
"Who I am is none of your business." she spat. "However, you are the ones intruding in my village. It'd be in your best interest to clear your names."
"We're not intruders, we just ended up here."
Jiro stepped forward. "Besides, if you won't tell us your name, we won't, either."
Her eyes narrowed. "Then prepare to die."
To be continued...