DISCLAIMER: I do not own Black Rock Shooter nor any concepts related to Black Rock Shooter. All rights, permissions, and characters are reserved and owned by Huke, Ryo and Ordet.
In a world of black and white, a hero is born…
Let us return to the beginning! These are the chronicles of Black Rock Shooter!
Black Rock Shooter Chronicles, Act Two: Realism
Opposing forces exist in all worlds, even this one. Black and white. Good and evil. If only it were so easy to distinguish friend from foe.
We are a mirror of reality, yet our reflection of it is flawed and tragic. One day the mirror will crack, and we will be no more. The legend; our legend speaks of the coming of the one, born under a blue star, that will bring our world to an end. There are those who believe and those who fight against it. In the end though, nothing is really what it seems. In a world of black and white such as this, it is all the more difficult to define justice.
We have no goals. We have no hopes. We walk this empty land wherever their thoughts and dreams take us. We just keep on walking.
We just keep on fighting.
"Mato, be sure to sleep early!" Resounded a woman's voice from somewhere below.
"Yes mum!" Came Mato's startled reply. She had been checking her bangs in the mirror to make sure they were alright. For some reason, Mato had become especially paranoid about her appearance, with school beginning the next day and everything. Not that there were any boys to impress. After all, Ryoushi Middle School was an all-girls school.
"Finally, the day has come." Mato thought to herself happily. It felt like she was taking another big step in life. Mato proceeded to do a final check on the things in her bag, sent a few text messages to some old friends and washed up before finally turning in.
It was about an hour before Mato finally drifted off into a blissful, undisturbed sleep.
Spire Isle. A lonely, massive protrusion of stone that jutted out in the middle of a vast ocean. Clouds were scattered across the gray sky. Not a sound was heard anywhere save for the crashing of waves against the rocks; and the clash of steel within.
In the recesses of a massive hall, marked with checker-board walls, Black Rock Shooter and Black Gold Saw fought. A great clang resounded as their blades met at high velocity, both fighting to kill each other, though only one of the two held a true reason for it.
The two traded blows, again and again, suspended mid-air as if in graceful dance, until they ultimately succumbed to gravity. With a back-flip, Black Rock Shooter soared through the air and came to land on what remained of a great stone pillar. Black Gold Saw mimicked this action, though she had achieved higher ground.
With a blue fire over her left eye, Black Rock Shooter stared down her foe silently. There was no hatred in her eyes, but it was there in her heart. She gripped the handle of her blade tightly. She wanted revenge.
Black Gold Saw, on the other hand, was unreadable. Her eyes glowed like hot coals, but they bore no resentment towards her younger and clearly less experienced opponent. Yet, if one sought to fight, Black Gold Saw could not refuse. If she had to kill the young girl, she would do it.
Moments passed between them, marred only by the howling wind that echoed off the walls of the cavernous hall. Without warning, and with astonishing speed, they flew at each other in order to resume their violent serenade, both waltzing to the rhythm of their blades as they clashed repeatedly.
Black Rock Shooter parried and struck, all the while trying hard to push away the rage in her mind that distracted her, that dulled her moves and her instincts. However, this was not to be. Before she realized it, Black Gold Saw had taken advantage of this weakness and with a massive swing, Black Rock Shooter found herself on the receiving end of a death blow, which she had barely managed to block with her katana. The force of it all was so great that Black Rock Shooter found herself careening towards the ground below.
The wind was knocked out of her due to the impact as she crashed into the floor, which gave way and crumbled, creating an opening through which Black Rock Shooter fell. She could not make head or tail of the situation and merely felt the rush of wind and the deafening roar of the structure as it fell to pieces around her. She could not feel the touch of cold steel in her hand either. Where had her katana fallen to?
It was seconds later when Black Rock Shooter regained consciousness. She was lying face down against the cracked flooring, and pain like she had never felt before coursed through every inch of her body. She registered her katana lying a distance in front of her, though no sooner had she done that, she sensed a killing aura from above. Looking up through the clouds of dust that still billowed around her from the building's wreckage; she made out a shadowy figure, which quickly became clear in her eyes. Black Gold Saw was coming in for the final blow.
Purely out of survival instinct, and ignoring the protest of her screaming body, Black Rock Shooter dodged Black Gold Saw's blade as it impaled itself into the ground where, moments ago, Black Rock Shooter's legs had been. She ran for dear life, making a wild grab for her katana on the ground simultaneously, as she escaped her opponent. She had to find somewhere to hide, to rest. Perhaps the dust would make it more difficult for her opponent to find her. This was however, a naïve thought on her part.
It happened in the blink of an eye. Black Rock Shooter saw the wall in front of her sliced into numerous pieces. Heard the crash as Black Gold Saw came through it, her great blade flying. Felt the great blade pierce her. Did not feel the pain. Realized that everything, sound and sensation, began to fade. Then through it all, just before her world faded to black and the rest of the masonry buried her, Black Rock Shooter heard the whispered voice of her killer.
"Not bad. Not bad at all."
Then there was nothing.
It was mere seconds from seven a.m.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
A quiet beeping issued from the pale blue hand phone that was perched, quite precariously, on the ledge of Mato's bed frame. It was decorated with a strap that bore a tiny blue star. The beeping went on as a small hand reached out from underneath the bed covers and made a grab for the phone, before pulling it underneath the sheets. A series of tiny clicks later and the beeping stopped.
Mato was staring blankly into the screen of her hand phone, which was marked by a wallpaper of white, flecked with blue stars of varying opacity. It read the date and the time to her.
"It's really come hasn't it?" Mato found herself thinking sleepily. In a split second, a powerful sensation came over her. She allowed a quiet chuckle to escape her lips before gathering all her energy into her tiny frame. With a loud cry, Mato burst out of her blanket, arms outstretched, ready to take on the challenges of the world.
Mato had set her alarm to ring extra early this morning, for she had things she wanted to do before going to her new school. With an inexplicable satisfaction, Mato slid open her window and took a look at the scenery outside that unfolded before her eyes. Resting on the window sill, she took a deep breath of clean, cool morning air.
The rest of the town splayed out before her, with scenic mountains in the distance as a backdrop. The air was often cool here, for the town itself nestled snugly in a valley, surrounded by land of higher altitude. It was spring and sakura petals blossomed here and there all over the place. She peered into the distance and wondered if her school was there.
A mild breeze blew into her face and Mato allowed herself to indulge in another breath of fresh air before proceeding to slide her window close. There were so many things to do! She made for the door, though not before gazing at her school uniform which was hung in front of her cupboard. With a giggle, Mato shut the door to her room and made her way downstairs to the kitchen.
She slid a piece of bread into the toaster first, before heading to brush her teeth. She made sure to clean in all the right places. Had to make a good impression with sparkling teeth today! Out of the corner of her eye, Mato spotted her mother walk into the washroom.
"Oh, you're up early today, Mato." Came her mother's unmistakably playful voice.
"I woke up before the alarm went off." Mato smiled and answered sheepishly, her mouth full of toothpaste and her toothbrush obstructing her speech. Her mother walked out of the washroom.
"Now, if only you could keep that up..." Came her mother's muffled reply from the adjacent kitchen. Mato could only grin guiltily. There was no way that was going to happen.
With a ring, the toast popped out of the toaster, just as Mato walked back into the kitchen.
"Just in time." She thought proudly. This pride was short-lived though, for Mato immediately made a grab for the toast as she settled down into a chair at the dining table.
"Ow, it's hot, it's hot!" Mato winced in pain as she bounced the piece of toast from hand to hand before it finally landed and settled down on the plate in front of her. Upon making sure that it was safe, Mato proceeded to butter her toast. She found herself thinking a silly thought and wondering what would have happened if the toast already had butter on it when it landed.
"Mato?" her mother called from her spot at the stove. She was had just finished preparing some eggs in the frying pan and was proceeding to tip them onto a plate of bacon and vegetables.
"Hm?" Mato replied, looking up from her toast.
"When you finish, go wake up Hiro." She requested.
"Eh? I don't want to…" Mato whined. Hiro was always such a bother to wake up. He could be so annoying when he wanted to be. She took a bite out of her toast.
"He never listens to me when I try to get him up…" She protested with her mouth full.
"Elder sister..?" Her mother emphasized, before placing a plate of bacon and eggs down in front of Mato in an attempt to placate her. Mato could only agree, though disgruntled.
"Thanks mum!" Mato voiced out after she had finished her breakfast, before proceeding to carry out the dreaded task of waking up her brother. She made her way back up the staircase to the third floor where her own room as well as her brother's were.
She quietly opened her brother's door without knocking, and shouted as loudly as she could.
"It's morning! School starts today! Wake up!"
She waited several seconds for a response and upon receiving none proceeded to walk out of her brother's room. She knew it wouldn't work.
"Well, it's not my fault if you miss class." Mato continued as she began to close the door. Still no response from Hiro.
"You've been warned!" She gave a final warning, before sticking out her tongue and shutting the door. Well, it wasn't as bad as she thought.
Unbeknownst to Mato though, Hiro did wake up. However, upon checking his clock and wondering why his sister had to call on him so early, he proceeded back into dreamland.
Moments later, Mato was already in the final stages of dressing up. She looked into her mirror with great concentration as she carefully tied her hair into a small ponytail at the side of her head, before stepping back to survey herself for the umpteenth time. Finally satisfied, she gave a quick nod of approval to her own reflection before proceeding to grab her bag from her desk, followed by her phone. She flicked it open and saw that it was only seven thirty. There was more than enough time to pay a visit to that place.
Mato made for the door, though not before pausing to check her hair one final time.
"Right!" She cried to herself as soon as she had finished, before proceeding out of her door and down two flights of stairs.
After putting on her shoes and checking to see if they were a good fit, Mato prepared to leave home for her new school. She couldn't wait!
"Oh, are you off already?" Came her mother's voice from somewhere behind her. Mato turned to see her mother coming down the stairs to see her off.
"Yes, there's somewhere I want to go to first." Mato explained.
"I see. Well, sorry I can't make it to the opening ceremony today." Her mother apologized.
"Don't worry, it doesn't matter." Mato replied cheerfully, grabbing her bag off the floor at the same time.
She then proceeded to give her mother a playful salute and said.
"Well then, see you later!"
Mato then turned, opened the front door, and walked out into the world beyond her doorstep.
Black Rock Shooter was deep in reflection. Thoughts and memories floated in and out of her consciousness. She remembered waking up for the first time in her life, clueless about the world around her, and seeing the faces of the two people whom she would eventually develop an attachment to. She remembered how the moon always intrigued her. She remembered them dying. Black Gold Saw's words; what happened after…
It had been days after their fight when Black Rock Shooter woke up, staring into the starless sky. There had been no moon that night. It was then that she realized something strange. Why was the sky so inexplicably…? Bright?
"Finally decided to wake up, didn't you." Floated a familiar voice. Black Rock Shooter registered it, but did not respond for quite some time. However, after a while, she realized that she could not be dead. She felt the sensation of earth beneath her. Felt the cold, cutting wind. Felt uncomfortable with the new-found bright sky above. Most of all however, she realized why the voice was familiar.
With energy she did not know she possessed, Black Rock Shooter recovered swiftly from her lying position on the ground and immediately adopted a defensive stance, for in front of her, stood Black Gold Saw. Black Rock Shooter surveyed the scene. Her katana was behind Black Gold Saw, along with her foe's own weapon. Would she be able to take her on with her fists alone?
"I suggest you don't try." Black Gold Saw stated plainly. "Though, I myself am not exactly sure just how strong you've gotten after your miraculous survival."
Black Rock Shooter did not back down. The opportunity to kill Black Gold Saw could be right there. Her heart was screaming for her to take the chance. The characteristic blue fire sprung into life over her eye. It was now or never.
Without warning, her legs gave way and she collapsed into crouching position. She coughed and blood splattered onto the ground in front of her. She gasped. Her blood wasn't black. It was…
"Yeah, your blood's red." Black Gold Saw said, completing her thoughts for her. Black Rock Shooter did not understand. What was this… "Red"?
Black Gold Saw merely stood there and watched in mild curiosity. She did not make any advance or assault, but merely observed. It was only after a while did Black Rock Shooter register this. The flame over her eye died. She needed answers.
"I'm sorry I had to kill your… Companions." Black Gold Saw spoke softly, and Black Rock Shooter merely took her words in as she continued to stare in horror at the puddle of "red" in front of her.
Black Gold Saw walked over to a large rock and sat on it, her arms folded across her chest. They were still on Spire Isle, as Black Rock Shooter could hear the waves all around them. Somehow, she had survived the fight. What had happened?
"Apparently you've got a lot more potential left untapped. You were protected, and healed, by that same blue fire that resides in your eye." Black Gold Saw replied nonchalantly. She continued.
"I had to kill your companions because I had no choice. In this world, if you do not fulfill the destiny met out to you, you disappear. Simple as that. Your companions would have disappeared anyway if I had not killed them, for it was already dictated that they would be killed by me. If that did not come to pass at the right time, they would have disappeared, which is far worse a fate than you would believe. Furthermore, you disappear too once you truly complete your destiny anyway."
Black Rock Shooter did not reply. Did she expect her to believe? She knew so little. Her sisters had never really explained the rules of the game. Had never explained why they had to fight. Had never explained why destiny was so important. Did the answers lie now with Black Gold Saw? Had she not promised her sisters to kill the very one whom could answer those questions right now?
"Sigh… You're really stubborn. I know you have every cause not to believe me, but believe it or not, I'm on your side. I have seen, Black Rock Shooter. I have seen "reality". I know what the Dead Master hopes to achieve. I know many things. I think you should know them too." Black Gold Saw explained. She had left the forbidden fruit for the taking.
Black Rock Shooter, slowly but surely, recovered and proceeded to stand up and face Black Gold Saw, though she now did not take her for an enemy. That could wait. First, answers.
Black Gold Saw smiled at seeing the younger girl finally compose herself. She began her story.
"This is going to be long so I'm going to ask you to bear with me. Let's just say that you, Black Rock Shooter, are the result of eons worth of destinies bound together by fate. Everything; the fighting, your companions dying, me killing you. They have all been written in stone since who knows when. Dread Seer is not the only one who can see these things. There are many. Most of them should be gone by now. They have, after all, probably fulfilled their destiny too. It is their destiny to dictate yours. Once they do so, their roles are no more. Can you see how this world is coming to an end already? However, this is all part of a grand scheme. A massive scheme which I have not fully understood yet. What I do know however, is that Dead Master must be stopped. You, Black Rock Shooter, the one born under the blue star, are the only one capable of killing her."
Black Gold Saw paused to allow the words to sink in. She continued.
"I have seen, by chance, what I have come to know of as "reality". Dead Master, Dread Seer, Blood Princess and many others whom, you may come to conflict with, all know of it. Think of it as another world. Which is why I always refer this place we are bound to as "our world". For there is another world. A world which reflects the actions we take here, though not exactly. Our fates are bound by a mere whim to those who inhabit "reality". I do not know why nor how this happened. What I do know though, is that Dead Master intends to unite both worlds into one where she reigns supreme. It's already taking place. See how the sky is now bright? See the colour in your blood?"
Black Rock Shooter merely gazed at her blood on the ground when Black Gold Saw said this.
"However, the world which Dead Master ultimately wishes to create will be like this one and our kind shall be bound to fight and live in conflict for eternity. On the other hand, if you defeat Dead Master, you will bring forth unity of both worlds as well, though in an entirely different sense. As for how it is different or why it is different, once again, I do not know. However, I believe that a better fate awaits us all in the new world you will ultimately create, regardless of whether it leads to our destruction or not. That part leaves much room for interpretation. We cannot live without "reality" but it can do so without us. Dead Master intends to make this world into the only "reality". I will not have that. I have seen "reality" for what it is. A world with colour and life. This world, has none of it. I cannot allow Dead Master to destroy "reality". There are many others who fight, even now, for that same cause. None of us, however, can truly end it all. Only you can."
Black Rock Shooter listened intently. It seemed as if doors to which she had no keys were opening themselves one by one. Everything became clear. Everything seemed to explain themselves. Black Gold Saw's words were difficult to believe, yet she saw truth in them. Black Rock Shooter could not forgive the woman in front of her for killing her sisters. However, she decided that she would forget.
In that instant, blue fire engulfed her entire body. She felt herself strengthening. Black Gold Saw's face was overcome with astonishment as Black Rock Shooter rose up into the air, radiating blue light that lit up the entirety of Spire Isle. There was a blinding flash and when it settled, Black Rock Shooter was once again lying flat on the ground, staring up into the sky. However, it was strange. She now knew the sky was "orange". She knew about "reality" and all that it encompassed. Knew all about Dead Master and why they were mortal enemies. Knew of every prophecy that had been made about her or in her name. The sudden flood of knowledge was so overwhelming that she found herself unable to get up for quite some time. She also knew that Black Gold Saw was no more. That she had fulfilled her own part in this by giving Black Rock Shooter power that she alone could not have acquired.
Black Rock Shooter sat up. She looked at what she held in her right hand. The Rock Cannon. In her left hand she held her old katana, now re-christened the Black Blade. Then, she lost consciousness, for fatigue and mental exhaustion ultimately set in.
Black Rock Shooter opened her eyes. She stood atop what was left of an old metal structure that resembled a broken bridge. She held the Rock Cannon in her left hand; her new found weapon which would aid her in destroying Dead Master.
Black Rock Shooter gazed into the distance. This world now had a "day" to compliment it's "night". Slowly but surely, the gap between "reality" and their own world was closing. She could already see the changes in herself. Feel it in her veins through which red blood now flowed. See it in the bright sky that opened itself before her, inviting her to take the next step forward.
Forward to her ultimate destiny.
As the second act draws to a close, the play has begun. The gap between their world and ours begins to close…
Please review this FanFic! Arigato!
(P.S. If you are confused feel free to review and state your questions. Everything will be answered in due time of course but obviously i'll be willing to answer some trivial questions)