Oblivion – Chapter One: The Calm

"Hey, it's Tino here. You remember me, right? Of course, you do. I know it's been a while. They were telling me something about a cancellation, but look I'm standing right here now. Although somehow I'm still 12 years old, I'm not too sure why that is, but oh well. I think delving into that matter can cause the universe to collapse in on itself, at least my universe anyway. But enough about that, it's time to discuss this fresh weekend. Today, me and the guys are gonna check out the new arcade games that they are debuting at Funville, then on Saturday we are going to the science museum for their new astronomy exhibit, and on Sunday it's the 10th Annual Beach Party. Cool weekend? You better believe it."

"Hey, T, let's get a move on. If we don't hurry Funville is gonna be swarmed. You know how it gets when they introduce new games," Carver said from behind Tino.

"Yeah I know but Tish isn't here yet we gotta wait for her."

"She's probably off somewhere talking about Shakespeare with someone or something else that is completely boring. Why can't she hurry up?" Lor said impatiently.

"Check it out, speak of the devil," Tino said pointing up ahead to Tish.

Tish came jogging towards them and apologized for being late, "Sorry guys. Someone saw me carrying my dulcimer for band practice and they asked me to play them something. I couldn't resist impressing them."

"Fine, fine. Apology accepted, now let's get to Funville. We're falling behind schedule. If we fall to far behind we won't get to cram in all of the new games," Carver complained.

"I hate to tell you this then, but I need to stop at Strings 'N Things. The nut on my dulcimer is cracked so I want to get it replaced."

The others let out a collective moan.

"Are you kidding me? We really don't have time for this. We need to get to Funville as soon as possible!" Carver said loudly.

"Sorry, Tish, I agree with Carver. How about we go to Funville now and just meet up with you with there?" Lor offered.

"I guess. If you guys are that impatient, then fine."

"We are that impatient. So it's settled. C'mon T, let's get a move on."

"Actually, I'm gonna go with Tish so I'll meet you there too," Tino answered.

"What? I thought you were all stoked for the new games. What happened?" Carver asked.

Tino scratched his head for a second. "Ummm, I just remembered something, that's all. It just happens to involve the mall. So, um, yeah I'll see you later at Funville. Let's go Tish."

Tino quickly grabbed Tish by the wrist and led her off for the mall leaving Carver and Lor wondering what was going on.

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"Okay, okay, Tino you can let go of my wrist now. What's going on here? If you are in so much of a rush why didn't you just go with Carver and Lor?" Tish asked

"Sorry about your wrist, but I'm not in a rush. Well not too much of a rush. I just wanted to get away from Carver and Lor quick." Tino responded

"Why? What does it matter?"

"Uhhh, no matter. You know, I, uhhh, just didn't want to get us all held up is all. Like I said it's not important."

"Tino, that's the worst answer you could have given me. There must be some reason you left in such a hurry."

"I thought I just said it's not important. I said it's not important, so it's not important. It's not important at all……… not important. So let's get to that mall!"

Tino walked off while Tish stood there momentarily scratching her head.

"Wait, Tino. What is it that you need at the mall?"

"Nothing. C'mon let's keep moving."

Tish hurried a bit and caught up to Tino.

"Nothing? You really aren't making sense. Just give me a straight answer. Why are you going to the mall with me?"

Tino could tell Tish was looking at him so he made a note of it to keep looking straight ahead.

"Look, I, uhhhh, just have some business at the mall. It's nothing big deal."

"If it's not a big deal then why don't you just tell me what it is?" Tish demanded growing more frustrated.

Tino kept looking ahead.

"Can't I just accompany you to the mall in peace? I have something to do there. Let's just leave it at that."

Tish grabbed Tino by the arm surprising him.

"Tino Tonitini, you listen to me, you are going to give me a good answer, right here, right now. And if you give me one more answer like you've been giving me so help me I'll… I'll… well I don't know what I'll do but it'll be something bad."

Tino still looked away.

"Why did she have to call me by my full name?" he thought.

"I'm not letting go till you answer me."

Tino sighed.

"Fine, fine. I'll tell you. The new Captain Dreadnaught comic came out today and I wanted to go to the comic store to buy it."

"That's it? That's what you were keeping secret?"

"Yeah, that's it."

"Why? We all know you like Captain Dreadnaught. I don't see the point in being so secretive about it."

"I guess, but you guys are always giving me a hard time about it so I try not to bring it up too much. Especially Lor and Carver those two are brutal sometimes."

"Oh, I'm not that bad?" Tish asked.

"Not as bad as those two. You understand what it's like to have a hobby of yours being mocked. I mean we're always cracking jokes about Shakespeare or the dulcimer or your art or your poetry or your…" Tino trailed off seeing Tish's eyes narrowing.

"Right, I think I'll stop there. Anyway, you get my point. Now you know, so let's just get to the mall so we can get to Funville."

"Just one more thing. The only reason you wanted to go to the mall with me was for the Captain Dreadnaught? That's the only reason? Nothing else?" Tish asked.

"Yep, that's it. No other reason."

"Are you sure? You're absolutely positive?"

"I said yes already."

"Okay. Good."

Tish started walking again and now Tino was left behind scratching his head.

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Lor and Carver finally got their turn on one of the new games at Funville, Galactic Warriors V. Like they had thought the place was swamped with kids looking to empty their pockets of quarters.

"Just take a look at this place. By the time Tino and Tish get here the lines are gonna be out the door. They probably won't get in any game time today. I knew they shouldn't have gone to the mall. At least I can sorta understand Tish not coming here right away. I mean she always has to be different and you know how she gets so wrapped up in that dulcimer of hers. She just can't put it off for one moment to come have fun. Now Tino on the other hand, what was with him? I just don't understand why he would choose to go to the mall which really cuts into his gaming time. Plus not only that, but what reason does he have to go to the mall? I can't come up with any type of explanation that makes sense. I mean there are the usual conspiracy theories but nothing solid. Maybe Tino is trying to hide something from us, and maybe… Tish is on it! Yeah, that could be it. We have to face facts those two aren't like us. I hate to say it but they're the nerds of our group. They're probably coming up with some huge diabolical scheme that they figure we won't find out about because we don't have their brains. Well, won't they be surprised when I burst their bubble? They can try and put one past Carver DesCartes but uh-uh, no siree, it will not happen. I'm sharp as a tack when it comes to these things. Why I remember a time-"

"Carver, shut up! I can't concentrate with you talking constantly. I'm trying to set a high score here. Just be quiet while I'm playing."

"Okay, okay. No need to be so bossy. You know I thought you had gotten past that stage. I guess not though. You know people respond better when you're kinder. A please and a thank you can go a long way. Next time when someone is doing something that is bothering you, try saying please. I can almost guarantee they will be more willing to stop whatever it is that they are doing that is annoying you. Manners are a very good thing to learn you know. It's like-"

"Please shut up!" Lor yelled.

Carver stayed silent this time.

"Thank you!" Lor yelled again.

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Tino and Tish arrived at the mall and then split up to go to their respective stores. They agreed to meet out front of the mall once they were finished with their business. Tino hurriedly rushed to the comic store eager to pick up his copy of the new Captain Dreadnaught. The store had very few customers which Tino was thankful for. That way he was in and out, no waiting around for people who had no idea why they were there. Tino quickly found the new Captain Dreadnaught and slapped it on the counter. The clerk looked down at it.

"Ahh, the new Captain Dreadnaught issue, that's a good choice. Have you seen the new comic from the creator of Dreadnaught?"

"No, I haven't. Is it any good?" Tino asked.

"It's pretty good. I think I have a copy of the first issue around here somewhere I'm not sure exactly where it is though," the clerk said rummaging through a bunch of comics all over one side of the counter and in boxes behind the counter.

"Well, just describe it to me then if you can't find it."

"Oh okay. Well it's an all female super hero group and there are four all together. If I recall the names are Torrent, Kary, Tiva, and the leader is Rena. Together they are the Four Female Friends or F3 for short."

Tino stared at the clerk for a second.

"That's the worst set of names I've ever heard. Who came up with this nonsense? I could write better names than that. Anybody could write better names than that. Are you sure this is made by the same guy who makes Captain Dreadnaught? Because Dreadnaught had great names. I mean Captain Dreadnaught alone is an amazing name. It just oozes coolness and c'mon how are you gonna argue with that name? You aren't, that's all there is to it. Captain Dreadnaught forever!"

Now the clerk stared at Tino.

"Ooookay. Well, they all have an interesting back story. Some deep stuff, I tell ya. Really makes you think and see things in a new light. I personally love stuff like that."

Tino scoffed a bit.

"Sure whatever. I'm sure it's nothing next to Dreadnaught's back story. That was a piece of work. I mean nothing could compare to that masterpiece. Now that was deep and thought provoking. Plus, I'm sure the back stories of these 'super heroes' is nothing more than ripping off of Captain Dreadnaught."

"Well, it is made by the same guy so I really wouldn't call it ripping off. But you haven't even read F3 yet, so how would you know?"

Tino scoffed again.

"I'll tell you how. Because Captain Dreadnaught is, simply put, the biggest comic of the past decade, no, the biggest comic ever. Everyone just tries to copy it to cash in on the same success."

The clerk rolled his eyes which Tino thankfully didn't notice.

"Well to each his own, I guess."

Tino didn't respond to that comment.

"I'll just ring this up for you here. All right that comes to 2 dollars."

Tino reached into his pocket and pulled out two wrinkled bills and handed them over to the clerk. Tino received his comic and turned to be on his way. However, he froze in his tracks. There facing him was a poster that had caught his gaze. The poster consisted of four women standing in a row all grinning and looking ready to hand out some justice. One woman was highlighted more than the others and here eyes looked to be in direct focus of Tino. And in one instant Tino swore that he saw her wink at him.

Unable to turn around Tino called to the clerk behind him, "Hey that poster there. W-who is that?"

The clerk smiled a little, "Why that's the Four Female Friends, you know, the 'worst named super heroes'."

"It's magnificent," Tino whispered to himself.

Tino broke his trance long enough to move back to the counter. "Hey, uhhh, you don't happen to, I don't know, have a copy of that Four Female Friends comic would ya? You know just so I can see how b-bad it is."

The clerk continued to smile.

"You know I just happened to find that first issue I was talking about earlier. You want to buy this? I thought they were just ripping off Captain Dreadnaught."

"W-well, I just want to buy it for kicks, you know. N-nothing serious."

"Heh, all right. I'll sell it to you. That'll be 2 dollars."

Tino began to go through his pockets for more money. As he searched, Tino turned around a little bit and the poster caught his eye again. He was mesmerized, he couldn't take his eyes off the beautiful lead woman. Tino snapped back around to the counter real fast.

"And that poster. I want to buy that poster."

The clerk laughed now.

"Sure no problem. I have a few back here. I'll just add it to your total."

Tino quickly threw the money up on to the counter and took his comic and poster and was gone.

The clerk couldn't help but laugh.

"Heh, gets them every time. No one can resist."

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Tish tapped her foot impatiently waiting for Tino.

"Where is he? How long does it take to buy a comic? Honestly, this is getting ridiculous."

Right then Tino came running up behind Tish.

"Hey Tish! Tish! Sorry I took so long. I ran into an… unexpected delay."

"All right fine. But let's hurry as it is I don't think our game time is going to be that good. We'll be lucky to get even one new game in."

"Yeah about that. I'm actually gonna go home."

"What! Are you serious? We've been looking forward to this for a month now."

"Yeah I know but I forgot that I had to help my mom, uhhh, cut the rug and vacuum the lawn. No wait, I mean, ummm, yeah. Later days!"

And before Tish could get another word in Tino was off.

Tino clutched his comics and his poster close. His eyes had changed, but exactly how was a mystery.

End of Chapter One

Hey, I'm finally back with a new story that will more likely than not be subjected to my terrible work ethic. It's been almost four months since I wrote something completely new and fresh so forgive me if these first few chapters are a bit poor. I still need to work off the rust. Hopefully, you readers will stick it out. This could be an interesting trip. Anyway read and review and I'll see you next chapter.