Chapter 1 - Unexpected
Disclaimer: C'mon, It doesn't take a genius to figure out that I don't own Jet Set Radio (don't we all wish we did?). All characters and places are © Sega except my OCs. Go figure :P.
Panther POV
I could feel the eyes burning into the back of my neck, glaring fiercely. The seats Cube had booked for us just so happened to be in the midst of a group of elderly travellers, who were constantly scrutinising me and Bass. I knew that they could hear the loud music escaping from my headphones, and the fact that the sound was amplified twice over didn't help the situation. To make matters worse, Bass just couldn't sit still- he would spend a minute impatiently tapping his foot, before switching to drumming his fingers on the padded armrest. I was unable to stop myself watching this pattern from the corner of my eye, and it was seriously bugging me.
Eventually, I was unable to bear it any longer, and sharply elbowed my companion, receiving a muttered obscenity and an evil glance. However, I was relieved to find that Bass refrained from moving again, and I settled back in my seat, knocking the volume on my radio up a few notches- this earned a few titters from the party behind me, and I rolled my eyes. I was going to kill Cube when we reached Tokyo-to. For the old ladies, for making Bass get on a plane, for killing my silver skates all those years ago, for- well, lets just say that me and Cube had a lot to settle.
Not that we weren't friends- no, me and Cube were real close. Actually, all four of us from Grind City were. You didn't just make a rudie team with anyone- you had to have some connection, some understanding. We had that, me, Cube, Bass and Combo. We left on good terms, and we never stopped speaking- which was why we were on our way to Cube and Combo's new home right now. As a matter of fact, I had always wanted to go to Tokyo-to. If it hadn't have been for Bass, I would have left with Cube and Combo. But Bass was my brother, and I couldn't just leave him behind. He was way too young back then, only nine years old. The only reason he was even a rudie was because all our family were gone, and I couldn't take him to some strange place on a whim at that age, he wouldn't be able to take it. And so, that was how we ended up here, me and a now thirteen year old Bass.
Through my headphones, I could just hear the chime-like tune that signified an announcement, and spotted the seatbelt light above me glow fluorescent green. I sighed in relief- we were landing. I could finally escape the portable old ladies' home and grind a couple of rails... I spotted Bass' relieved expression out of the corner of my eye, and knew he was dreaming of skating too. I tapped him on the shoulder and he jumped, slightly startled. I grinned, pointing at the misshapen bags at our feet.
"Race when we get out of here, bro?" I asked, laughing as he grinned and nodded his brunette head excitedly. I took hold of my only luggage for the journey- a drawstring bag containing essentials and, of course, my skates. Bass had even less luggage than me, and it was already in his arms. Bass himself was practically already out of his seat, now tapping his foot again. This time, I couldn't bring it upon myself to stop him- I was getting slightly impatient too. I could see the bright sunlight district of Shibuya-cho not far below, and I was unable to hide my excitement at being there any longer.
The hostess announced our arrival, and us two siblings were out of our seats in a split second, tearing down the aisle and diving out of the door. People screeched and dived out of our path, causing me to giggle. Here, I didn't even have to wear skates to make a scene. I spotted a bench up ahead and kicked off my shoes, perching on the edge of the red wood to strap my feet into the blue, black and silver skates. Beside me, my brother was hastily attaching his own, trying to catch up with me. I was already out of my seat and dashing out of the airport by the time his skates were attached, the sun filling my vision. I pointed to the billboard approximately two minutes away.
"First one there claims... Eternal bragging rights!" I sped back up with an exhilarated laugh, knowing my win was guaranteed. My brother was good- I would know, I'd taught him- but there was no way he could catch up with me when I was already ahead. Of course, I was right- I reached the billboard first, satisfied and smug. I had to give it to Bass, he wasn't far behind at all. Of course, Bass didn't see it this way. He just glared at me, chanting, "Cheater," under his breath. I rolled my eyes, pulling my sulking brother away from the bright neon sign.
It was then that I heard the noise. It was only small, and I wouldn't have heard it if the song on my radio hadn't have been in the process of changing. It sounded like a clatter, the sound of something falling, followed by a small, suppressed groan. I glanced at Bass suspiciously, but he just shrugged, looking genuinely confused. I knew I had heard something, so I wasn't about to let it go and walk away. I spotted some alleyways between the brightly coloured houses, and concluded that it must have come from one of those. Bass was giving me a funny look, and I glared back, even though I knew he was being perfectly rational. My search came up with nothing, until I turned away and caught sight of something moving in an alley across the way...
? POV
The sunlight was too bright, even just the thin strip that was shining down on me. I reached up to touch my face, hissing in pain as my fingers brushed the open wound, sending fresh blood trickling out from it. I couldn't move, my leg trapped beneath me at an awkward angle. I attempted to dislodge it with my arms, but with my legs sheathed in skates, it was near impossible to lift my leg with the little strength I had left. As I moved my arm, I noticed another cut, this one longer and deeper. I cursed, noticing that the blood had soaked into my woollen jumper.
I hated living like this. I felt trapped in my own body, a puppet for those who thought they were bigger than me. And there was no-one I felt more trapped by than her. No matter what I did, she just wouldn't leave. At times, I was even tempted to try throwing myself off one of the buildings in the skyscraper district- but I knew she wouldn't allow that. And even so, whenever I got hurt, she always seemed to be perfect- I'd be leaving the world with an unguarded psycho. I couldn't do that... It just wasn't moral.
Just as I was about to give in, about to resign to the fact that I would have to let her take control, I heard the scrape of skates against concrete, and the sound of voices moving closer. I cursed lightly, realising they must have heard my earlier attempt to get up. No, no, don't come closer... These idiots were going to find me. Didn't they know what they were doing? There was no way I would choose her over outside help, but at the same time I desperately didn't want any. It would only bring them trouble.
The raven-haired girl at the front could see me by now, I could tell by her expression, taking in the cuts and scratches. The boy beside her was openly gaping, and I wished they would both stop staring. I could hear her in the back of my mind. She was giving me the choice, taunting me with freedom- but only because she knew that either way would be good for her. Bitch, I thought spitefully. I could almost feel her smiling as the two rudies walked forward, blocking the sunlight from the alley.
"Are you okay?" The girl asked, kneeling down so she could inspect the damage closer. I didn't answer, turning my head away slightly. She ignored this, turning to her companion. "Her leg looks broken, Bass. We should probably take her to the garage... One of Cube's team mates might be able to help." I frowned, quite nervous now. If they took me to a gang of skaters, I was in serious danger of being found out. She was fast, and I didn't think anyone had ever seen her, but if they had, we were both in trouble. I knew the two skaters wouldn't just walk away now, so I would just have to hope and pray until we got there.
Between them, the two lifted me, seemingly ignorant of the fact that I hadn't given them permission- actually, I hadn't spoken a single word since they had found me. In a strange, slow precession, we began to move towards one of the many exits out of Shibuya Terminal. The girl kept glancing at me out of the corner of her eye, as if she had some undying question she wanted to ask. Just get it over with already, I thought. She finally answered my unspoken prayer, thank goodness.
"So... What's your name?" I sighed. Many had asked that, and it was one question I had major trouble with. Which name to tell her? She would undoubtedly meet both of us at some point. I sighed, hoping that Velocity would give me some space this time, deciding to give her my original name, the one I actually classed as my own.
"It's Echo." The girl nodded, not asking another question after that. Suddenly, the landscape began to change, the road fading off into chequered blue-and-white flooring. Music floated out from ahead, and I could make out a large group of people milling around a sort of open room filled with old furniture and large speakers.
The girl next to me seemed to spot someone she recognised, and called out, "Cube!". The entire group seemed to turn, first smiling, then frowning.
"Uhm, Cube? I thought you said there were gonna be two of them, yo..."
Cube POV
I turned as I heard my name called out, the voice sounding familiar. I spotted Panther and Bass at the Shibuya Terminal entrance, and I smiled and waved, pleased to see my old team mates. I didn't notice the third figure right away, though I probably should have- her hair was a brazen shade of pink, standing out clearly next to the dark hair of the two siblings. The thing that stood out most of all on the girl were the deep cuts all over her body, and the dark expression on her face.
"Uhm, Cube? I thought you said there were gonna be two of them, yo..." I could hear Yoyo behind me, but I didn't answer him. He knew what I'd said. The three skaters had manoeuvred around the railings and across the passage connecting the central garage to the exits, and came to a halt before the GGs.
"Hey, sorry about this, Cube, but we found her in Shibuya, and we couldn't just leave her there," Panther smiled apologetically, "I hope you don't mind. She says she's called Echo." Cube nodded, and a rudie wearing a tall hat and baggy pants stepped forwards, inspecting the damage on the girl.
"She's pretty badly hurt, she's gonna have to stay here for a while," He gestured for Panther and Bass to hand her over, and he began to take her towards the shade. "Yoyo, go get me some bandages and stuff." The green haired teen shot off towards one of the old, discarded shelves, and began rummaging through it. I looked back to my two old team mates, and grinned slightly, letting out a laugh.
"Is it just me, or does stuff like this happen whenever you two are around?" Panther smiled, laughing with me.
"I guess it does," She agreed, looking around the garage, "But where's Combo?" I smiled, knowing she was wondering how she could possibly miss our tall friend, even amongst all these skaters.
"He's out tagging with a couple of our other members, he'll be back soon." I said, and she nodded.
"So..."
Echo POV
"Done." Corn finished tying the last bandage around my arm, moving back to admire his work. "You're gonna have to stay on the sofa for a while, we don't have any beds or anything." I nodded slightly, but didn't speak. It never seemed to take long for people to realise that I wasn't going to be sociable, and this time wasn't any different- it was only about a minute before Corn skated off. I sighed, trying to get comfortable on the battered red sofa. What was I going to do? Should I stay, or should I just let Velocity take over and get out of here before it got worse?
"So, what happened to you, yo?" I blinked in surprise at the voice that came from nearby, and I spotted the source on the other sofa. It was that kid with the weird glasses who had been helping Corn with my injuries before. I just sighed.
"It's a long story." The skater still stayed were he was.
"I got time," He said, but I shook my head, giving him an apologetic smile. I knew he meant well, but it really was for the best. I'd be kicked out of here, injuries or not, if they all knew- and although that didn't really bother me, I didn't want people hating me for something that wasn't even my own fault.
"That's ok, yo," The boy grinned, standing up and holding out his hand to me. "I'm Yoyo." Cautiously, I reached out and shook his hand. He laughed, "No, yo, I'm taking you downstairs to meet everyone." He pulled me up, supporting me around the shoulders.
"I don't know..." I said. I didn't really want more people as acquaintances. Every person I met was just someone else to protect from Velocity.
I had been so deep in my thoughts that I hadn't noticed that Yoyo had already led me down the stairs and to the group of rudies chatting in the sunlight. I let out a resigned sigh. I was going to have some serious problems very soon... But it was to late now. I greeted all the people I was directed to, trying to keep a smile plastered on my face. It was such a shame- they all seemed nice, the sort of people I used to hang out with... The sort of people I had once had to betray, and would soon have to again.
And so, that was how I ended up sat on the floor, as a girl who said her name was Rhyth searched for some clothes for me. My own were completely beyond repair, and she had insisted on choosing some for me. It turned out that the girls of the "GGs" (as I had found out the gang was called) all shared one of the old wardrobes, and inside was a wide array of old rudie clothes and tattered skates. My own skates were currently beside Rhyth, as she was determined to make me an outfit that "matched me". I didn't really mind, she seemed really excited to have someone to dress. It made me smile to see someone get so happy over something so simple.
I eventually ended up wearing a white tube top and a pleated black skirt, held up by a pair of chequered suspenders. Rhyth found me some black-and-white stockings and a pair of black fingerless gloves, and I had my own white and silver skates on. I began to get a little apprehensive when she began to talk about doing something with my hair, but luckily, Corn came to my rescue, declaring that I had to go back to my sofa. I quietly thanked him as he led me away from the blue haired rudie, and he laughed.
"She means well, Echo," He said as we clattered up the stairs. I grinned.
"I know, I know, I just don't want people messing with my hair." I fell back onto the sofa, carefully swinging my legs over the arm. The sky was darkening above me, and I could bee some of the skaters below settling into the comfier areas of the garage to crash. Cube, Combo, Panther and Bass were sat by the pinball machine, probably catching up, and Jazz was sat nearby, asleep against the wall. Yoyo was throwing a ball to a small grey-and-white dog, and Rhyth was sat on the dog's kennel, patting the dog whenever it came near her. Most of the other rudies weren't in my line of vision- they were probably in the shade.
As I closed my eyes, listening to the music still coming from the speakers, it suddenly hit me that I hadn't heard anything from Velocity since I had arrived at the garage. That was strange- she usually never left me alone for a second. It felt strangely quiet in my mind without her overbearing presence watching over me. I shook the thoughts out of my head, content to be alone and peaceful even just for a short while. I heard footsteps on the stairs, and craned my neck to see who it was. It was Yoyo.
"Hey, Echo. I'm crashin' on the other sofa, hope you don't mind, yo." I nodded and smiled, and he sat down, flicking on the TV. I had to admit that out of all of them, I minded Yoyo's company the least. I think it was because... Because he reminded me of Tempo... I tried not to think about that too much. I just really hoped that Velocity would behave herself tonight. Yeah, right...
A/N: Reviews, pretty please? Not that I won't update if you don't review... But I might be inspired to update quicker. It would just make my day if you did. Ciao!
