The Dragon Corps: One shot.
This is just gonna be a short chapter about Garet and Zell's days in the training school and how they managed to piss their instructor off to no end. I may decide to do one from Sheila's POV and definitely one from Kusaka's. Clear his history up more than I have in the story. Enjoy and review.
Another day of boredom and drill awaited anyone unfortunate enough to be stuck in the same room as the famed Instructor of Pokke Village. The man strolled calmly into the room, a confident expression upon his face that was used for striking fear into the hearts of any new recruits, and old ones alike. He wore a complete suit of Black Belt Armour, complete with a Black Belt Sword and Shield. He had an air of a master, a first grade hunter. He ran his eyes over the group assembled before him. Each pupil wore the standard training garb of the Training School, a Blue Kimono, with a white sash tied around their waist that exposed the top portion of their chests.
Zell ran his fingers through his blonde hair, carefully avoiding the spiked area at the front which took him forever to get right. Eyeing Garet, the two put their plan into motion. Garet, eyeing the others carefully, removed a small pebble and weighted it in his hand. His brown hair hung just above his eyes as he examined the small pebble. The two were muscular young men who had a slight mischievous side.
Zell watched the instructor's entrance for about the hundredth time since coming to the Training School. The Instructor would line the students up like soldiers ready to charge and then examine them the same way a butcher would examine a piece of meat, all the way his slightly aged face wouldn't change at all. Easing the piece of elastic out of his pocket, Zell awaited the small pebble that Garet would soon place in his hand. Placing the nice, round pebble onto the string, Zell pulled the elastic band back and fired!
Gasps of astonishment rose and then the laughter, which echoed throughout the room weren't far from following the gasps. The instructor clutched the ribs on his right-hand side, eyes darting from one student to another. He now wore an expression that could equal just about any monsters. Zell simply laughed with the others, clutching his sides from the effort! "HA. He's too easy!" He added through laughter.
Garet added his own laugh. "Tell me about it. That bound to be the 4th time this week!"
Slipping away from the crowd, tears of joy streaming down their cheeks, Zell and Garet walked down the deserted hallway towards the armoury. An asortement of monster skulls and hides hung on the walls, all hunted by the Instructor himself, or so he claimed. The laughter could still be heard down the corridor. Arriving at the door to the armoury, Zell removed two pieces of thin metal from his pocket and proceeded to pick the lock. A hunters dream lay before them behind the now open door. Weapons, armour and equipment in abundance!
"You do know he'll shout at you again, Zell. Garet are you there to?" The voice belonged to a girl. "He may not be as leniant this time. You know how he gets."
The two boys gave a jump and had to stop themselves from running. Heaving a sigh of relieve, Zell spoke in a near whisper. "Sheila, you're lookin' beautiful as always. Question," He waited for her nod before continuing. "Know that celebration festival next week? Wanna go with me. Can't get initiated as a hunter on my own can I? What ya say?"
"...Okay. I'll go with you. But just as friends! And you need to behave yourself! I still remember the last time you asked me out." So did everybody else.
"Aw, c'mon, Sheila honey. I only pinched your bottom once, okay, maybe twice. But I'll behave!" He adopted the most innocent face he could muster, but inside, he was celebrating already. I get to go with Sheila. Ha, sock it to ya, Garet!
She didn't stay long after that and neither did Zell or Garet. Once hoisting their weapons and easing them into their holsters and adjusting their armour, Zell spoke, excitement taking hold. "We've already slayed the Yian Kut-Ku in the arena more times than I care to count. I think it's time we paid the Snowy Mountains a proper visit. And I don't mean waiting for the okay from Mr. "A real hunter follows protocol. The only thing that takes priority over it is training!" either". Garet laughed at the imitation, it sounded pretty spot on.
Peeking his head 'round the door frame, Garet gave the okay with a brief wave of his hand. The hall was empty save for them and the two darted away without a backward glance. "Where are those two!? I'm gonna skin 'em alive!" Roared the instructor and by the sound of him he wasn't pleased.
Bidding farewell to the old merchant who ferried them to the mountains, Zell and Garet walked towards the slope that would lead them to the base camp near the foot of the mountains. They would have no problem blending in, especially with the Mafumofu Mail that would allow them to blend in with the surroundings as though they were snowmen.
The two were excited and found themselves running towards the mountain, ignoring the supply box at the base camp without so much as a glance for what it might contain. Their first foolish mistake.
Striking their way past a few Giaprey took little or no effort, but why was there so many? A problem for another day in Zell's eyes, only the hunt mattered now. Carving the small Giaprey at his feet, Zell looked towards the lake. The sun shone brightly in the horizon, small birds flying on smaller wings giving the sky voice with their song. It truly was a stunning sight. The sun made the lake glisten, the only thing disturbing the clear water were jumping fish.
"Wish I could take Sheila here," Muttered Zell, more to himself than to Garet who stood beside him.
"Why don't you just tell her how you feel? C'mon, man, gotta be better than this." Garet slapped him on the back, a confident smile on his face, right hand resting upon the hilt of his Bone Katana Shark. "Now, are we gonna stay here, or get hunting? I don't wanna go back to the Training School without something to show for it. A Giadrome's head or even a Khezu, don't tell me you don't like the sound of that!"
That was their second mistake. Zell rose quickly and the two darted ahead into the Icy Caves of the mountain. The Mafumofu mail resisted the cold well and the thin layer of leather armour they both wore beneath would hopefully add a little defensive strength. Hopefully.
The place was eerily quiet. Not even a shriek from a Giaprey or the prancing of an Anteka filled the air, only the howl of the wind blowing through the icy cold cavern. Walking cautiously, they weren't that stupid, they emerged into the back cavern, and nearly falling over one another as a medium-sized creature darted out ahead of them and onto the summit.
"Did you see that?" Steam rose from Zell's mouth as his breathing increased, heart pounding in his chest. "C'mon, let's go!"
Garet shook his head and smiled his confident smile. "Imagine the weapons those claws could make!"
"Imagine the armour!" Replied Zell, easing the Bone Slasher into both hands. "Okay, I've got a plan. I can't move very well with this thing drew, so I'll need you to slash it up a bit and lead it back here. You okay with that?"
Garet replied with a swift nod, Bone Katana Shark leaving its sheath just as quickly as the Giadrome darted past them.
Garet burst from the cavern at a dead run, blade trailing in the snow behind him as he closed in on the Giadrome. Skidding to a sudden halt, he examined the summit carefully. "One...two...three, Uh, Zell, we got a big problem!"
"What ya mean? How big a problem,"
"Oh, the Instructor is here with six guild members!" He said sarcastically. "Three Giadrome, that's what the problem is! Get your ass out here now!"
"Oh, shit!" Zell placed the Bone Slasher in a backward grip, blade trailing behind him as he ran towards Garet, feet trudging slowly through thick snow. The Giadrome moved like things half their size. They did live here after all.
Garet sidestepped the first lunge and rolled safely to the right to avoid the second. The third however, knocked the wind from him as he was sent skidding a good six feet across the snow, coming to a slow halt due to the snow. His Mafumofu suit was ripped, showing clearly where the claws met fabric, but his leather armour saved him mostly.
Zell monstrous roar filled his ears as his Bone Slasher glanced across the left side of the Giadrome who was about to jump and lunge! Lifting his sword again, Garet moved quickly, turning in a sweeping arc with his Bona Katana Shark, catching the first Giadrome in the neck. Blood sprayed, soaking him, the snow and Zell.
The other two Giadrome shrieked a shriek that would call more of the pack. Not good. The Giadrome on the far right, jumped and extended claws, pinning Zell to the ground, the only thing between him and it was the Bone Slasher. "Garet, focus on the other one! Stop gawking and go!"
Garet nodded, although reluctantly and headed towards the other reptile, katana at the ready. Zell, you better not die on me. Why did he agree to this in the first place? Bone met claw.
"What do you mean their gone!?" The instructor's voice filled the entire room, even leaving an echo behind. "They can't have just up and vanished!"
"But, Instructor-"The young messenger who wore the Guild Outfit was shaking. "Sir, they were seen leaving the village on a merchant transport heading past the Snowy Mountains. They aren't here, sir."
"Think I hadn't noticed!?" He turned those angry features that made him look like a monster towards his pupils. "One of you had to have seen them. I. Will. Find. Out. Who." Turning, he punched the closest wall and muttered a curse. "If they come back, I'll kill them myself."
Sheila stood with her face calm. She wasn't about to land Zell or Garet in hot water. Besides, she'd land herself in it if she said anything to the Instructor. But she had to do something. Sneaking away from the group - she was definitely spending too much time with Zell - she headed towards the one man who would help. Kusaka.
Zell struggled to hold the Giadrome off; its powerful claws applying pressure on his sword and in turn, his chest. NO, I won't die here! The thought drove him on and he slowly pushed with all his might. I only need one opening, one chance. C'mon, arms, don't give up on me now. There!
Moving his left arm away put all the strain on his right, but he managed it somehow, by bringing his knee up a bit. Reaching frantically for the carving knife at his waist, he pulled it free and plunged it straight into the reptile's mouth. It was the only move he could do. He knew he was going to regret this. His arm moved further in as he pushed the blade deeper until he could fell the sharp point of the Giadrome's teeth against his arm. Quickly, he ripped the blade out the monster's neck, cutting it deeply. It wouldn't move now and would die from blood lose. But it had cut a gash into his arm, but it was shallow at best, but that didn't stop it bleeding.
Looking around quickly, he took in precious gasps of cold mountain air. Where was Garet? "Garet, answer me!" He looked up the far slope and the blood drained from his cheeks as Garet lay on the snow, Giadrome looming large above him. "Garet," He shouted, his legs working him further towards his friend without him even needing to think about it.
While Zell called his name, Garet ran up the slope after his fleeing target. He plunged headlong up the slope and came face-to-face with the Giadrome, its claw raised for an attack. Throwing himself as much as he could, Garet reached the floor with a thud, a massive surge of pain coursing through his face!
Blood marred his fingers and stained the snow pink as he felt his wounded cheek. His life flashed before his eyes as the Giadrome readied another lunge. Wasn't a bad life, I guess. Ellie, I'm sorry.
"Dream on!" Zell threw himself at Garet, knocking him to the side. He raised his Bone Slasher to defend, but only stopped one claw. The other glanced across his face, blood dripping down his left cheek just as Garet's had done seconds before.
Rage engulfed Garet. Moving quickly and without thought, he removed his carving knife, leaped into the air and penetrated the monsters skull with a mighty downward pierce. He gripped the knife tightly, refusing to let it go until he was lowered by the monster falling lifeless.
"Zell, Zell!?"
Zell's left hand covered his left cheek as he spoke, he sounded in pain. "You wanted something to show for this hunt?" He began, removing his hand to reveal a blood soaked face and a long, nasty-looking cut that spanned the entirety of his left cheek. He smiled as he glanced up at Garet's own cheek. "Well, I reckon these will scar up pretty nicely. But damn does it hurt like a bitch. I think you owe me a pint when we get back."
"And here I was worrying about you!" Garet shook his head in exasperation. "And all you can say is that I owe you a pint!?" His shoulders quivered as he began to laugh. "I like the sound of that, man. C'mon, let's go. I bet the Instructor will throw another hissy fit."
"Put me down for 100 Zeni on three to one odds. I won't be surprised if he hides us himself and hangs us out to dry. Don't suppose you got anything to kill the pain? Didn't think so." The two rose and left the Snowy Mountains behind, but not before stopping to carve up the three Giadrome they had killed between them. Better than any old Yian Kut-Ku.
"Have you any idea how stupid you two are!? Look at the state of ya. My armour, ruined, my weapons, blunt. Have you anything to say? No, don't bother!" Anger wasn't a strong enough word to describe the Instructor at this particular moment.
Zell stood scratching the back of his head, a large white plaster stuck on his left cheek. For once, he didn't laugh or joke, not did he have a snide comment. "Sorry, sir. But-"
"Don't punish them, sir, please." Zell watched as Sheila approached with a muscular, raven-haired young man. Sheila was the one who spoke though.
The muscular man regarded both Zell and Garet before speaking. "Yeah, they were only tryin' to prove themselves, sir. We were no different, once." His voice strangely calm and reassuring.
The Instructor glanced at the raven-haired youth intently and then allowed his features to smooth over. "...Kusaka. If they had have done this in the training arena and I might have been lenient, but the real thing? They could have been killed and we wouldn't even know until somebody found their frozen bodies. They were reckless." He looked at Zell and Garet both before shaking his head in disapproval. "Such talent..." He murmured.
"Sure, their reckless, but we all start like that. It won't happen again, will it boys?"
Both answered in unison with a very loud "Yes, sir!" And for once, they meant it.
"There you go," replied the raven-haired youth again. "I'll talk to them, so don't worry."
"Humph! Very well, Kusaka, I leave them in your care. Train them well and teach them some manners" The Instructor returned the small prebble to Zell and done something he'd never done before, he smiled! The old fool knew all along! Zell was never so happy to see anyone leave in his entire life. He stuck out his tongue before a hand smacked his right jaw. "Hey! What's the big deal? That hurt, ya know!"
Sheila provided the slap and then turned away as if nothing had happened. "Thanks." Sheila spoke softly and then turned and hugged both Zell and Garet fiercely! "Thank goodness you're alright. But, your cheek-"
"Which one? Both hurt like hell." Zell replied casually. "Don't worry about it. It'll be a reminder about my first successful hunt. Ain't that right, Garet?"
"You bet it is!" Garet turned to look at the man who helped them. "The Instructor said your name was Kusaka, right? I'm Garet, this is Zell and this is Sheila. Thanks for the help."
Kusaka simply sighed and then laughed, more to himself than anybody. "Yeah, well, don't let it happen again. Old Gray Hairs won't take kindly to it. Starting tomorrow, you're under my tutelage, which means you follow my rules. Here they are: Enjoy yourself, train hard, and eat well and above all. Avoid death. Looks bad on my report if I say my pupils are making the rounds through a wyverns innards. Catch my drift? Good to know. See ya tomorrow!"
The boys simply looked at one another and grinned. "We hit the jackpot!" Zell kissed Sheila gently on the cheek, turning her face a bright shade of red. There, were even! "Thanks for bringing him, Sheila! You really are the best!" The three walked away, ready for tomorrows training.
I hope you liked my one shot about Zell and Garet's first real hunt. I'll also write one about Kusaka, but it'll take a while. Tell me what you thought about it, and how I can improve it. Thanks for reading!