Well here you go guys the second chapter to this story that many of you are eagerly awaiting for updates so here it is to quench your hunger! Enjoy the second chapter!
The adults disappear out back and I spot them in our backyard sitting at the back takes a seat first followed by Mom and Zuikaku on either side of him. The three have their backs to me as I slowly and quietly open the door and poke my head out, keeping low so that if any of them were to look back I could duck my head inside. The three of them for a while talk about random things ranging from Montanas jobs as the new Admiral, how his wife Eugen was doing, and lots of things that must've happened before I was born. I was beginning to grow bored and was about to head back in when Montana's tone became more serious.
"We've been receiving reports that a startling number of ships and fleetgirls have been destroyed or seriously crippled as they've passed through Ironbottom." Montana said in a very low voice which perked my interest.
"Is the Admiral concerned?" Mom asked as she leaned back a little.
"Yes the Admiral is very concerned as well as numerous other bases in the area. The last time I visited Pearl, I passed through Ironbottom, and the place just felt off." Montana said folding his hands.
"Off? How so?" Zuikaku asked as she got up and moved to a chair.
"Arie what are you doing?" Mobile asked suddenly making me jump. "You were supposed to help take care of dinner."
"SHHH!" I hiss motioning for him to get down as I point outside. "I'm listening to them and you made me miss something important!" I say as Mobile kneels down next to me.
Mom was speaking now and I cursed Mobile slightly for missing something that could have been very important. "Whats the most recent report thats come in?"
"A U.S destroyer escort named the Brister passed through the area about two weeks ago. On board was a crew of 60 and the ships fleetgirl Brister. From what the report said, they had detected a ship in distress on their routine patrol and stopped to help, but that was the last transmission received." Montana said getting up and sitting in a chair next to Zuikaku as Mom sat at the table still.
"Well what happened?"
"We don't know, a survey team went to the area the following morning and found debris littering the surface There was no sign of the ship or the crew and Brister was listed as a loss but what brings concern to us is that the survey team did find a body." Montana said grimly. "I was called to the last meeting where they exhumed the body and the autopsy was a bit disturbing.
"Was the body one of the crew members?" Zuikaku asked rubbing Montanas back.
"No, it was the Bristers fleetgirl. Her name was Brister and from what we could tell at first glance as the ship had exploded as her body was cover in burns, by what we don't know but that wasn't the disturbing part." Montana rested his chin on his hand.
Mobile and I leaned our heads closer out the door to try and hear what he was saying as we barely heard anything about these reports only the Admiral could hear. I couldn't help but feel excited at the prospect of a mystery.
"Well what was the disturbing part and why did you decide to tell us this?" Mom asked getting up and brushing out her skirt.
"Brister's body showed signs that she was already dead before the ship exploded."
"What do you mean?"
"Her neck was crushed and her body seemed to have been thrown against a wall with enough force that it snapped multiple ribs as well as fractured her skull. The poor girl never stood a chance." Montana gets up and paces a little bit before looking at Mom. "The reason I'm telling you this is that I've only known one person who could do that much damage, but it's impossible."
"It may be, but we don't know for sure." Mom said getting up and turning towards the backdoor as me and Mobile duck our heads back in and quickly disappear around the corner.
A few seconds later the three of them enter. "I'll make sure this won't affect you or Arie, Shoukaku, I gave Absol my word that I would look out for the both of you." Montana was saying as he went to the front hall.
"I know, and you have become a part of this family and I'm sure Absol would be proud of you." Mom says sweetly as me and Mobile hurry to the living room and flop on the couch a moment before she enters. "Mobile, you're fathers leaving."
"Alright Aunt Shoukaku." He says getting up from the couch.
Mobile looked at me and I nodded a silent agreement running between us. "I'll see you tomorrow Arie." He says as I give him a hug.
"I'll see you tomorrow as well, and tomorrow we'll train even harder to build up those physical muscles." I say giving him a light punch on the shoulder.
Mobile smiled before he joined his father in putting on his shoes. He turned and gave us one last wave before the two of them walked out into the night. Zuikaku stayed for a little while more talking about random things before she to had to go. She gave me a hug and pat my head before giving Mom a hug and leaving. Mom went to the living room and sat down on the couch picking up a book she had been reading as I flopped myself onto a chair and began to run through the information I had heard.
"So something has been terrorising the sea by Savo...that sounds interesting, I could use an adventure right now." I thought as I drummed my fingers on the chairs arm.
For ages now, I've wanted to go on an adventure or to become a hero like Montana and my father were. I've heard stories of the deeds those two have done and even when I was younger all I could dream about was being the hero those two were. Facing a fleet of Abyssals many times their own and winning it almost single handedly.
"Mommy, can I ever be a hero like papa?" I remembered asking Mom once when I was younger.
She had been brushing my hair and she paused and smiled as she tickled my sides. "I'm sure that one day you'll be one of the greatest heroes there was just like your papa." She had smiled and picked me up.
"But how can I be a hero if there is nothing to be heroic for, I mean for the past few years the sea and the war with the Abyssals have been to a crawl that its pretty much like peace time." I grumble to myself as I look over at Mom and felt a pang of guilt.
She has been raising me all on her own since I was born. Montana helped when he could, but he had his own son, so for the most part its only been her. Dad hadn't been around at all and I really had the feeling that he may have died, though I don't know as nobody ever told me anything about what happened to him.
As I was contemplating my thoughts I looked back at Mom and saw that she was gone from the couch. I leaned my head to look into the kitchen, but I still didn't see her.
"Mom?" I called as I got up and began to wander the house. "Mom where'd you go?"
I looked in most of the rooms and didn't see or hear her anywhere. I was starting to worry a little when I heard a noise coming from above and noticed the attic door was opened. Peaking my head into the attic I spotted Mom sitting in front of a chest holding something. "Mom?" I asked curiously as I came closer.
She jumped a little. "Oh, Arie I didn't hear you come in." She said as she held what looked like a pure black cape.
I joined her and sat down next to her. "What's that and that trunk?" I asked as I looked into the trunk.
The trunk was filled with pictures as well as numerous other small objects. I spotted a picture poking out of an album and picked it up. It was a picture of Mom and a man who was a little taller than her. The man looked almost exactly like Uncle Montana. He was looking away from the camera while Mom had her arms wrapped around him and was smiling. The mans face was red and he had black spikey hair as well as eyes that looked like ice.
"Is this dad?" I asked showing Mom the picture.
Mom took the picture and smiled. "Yes this is your father. This was taken after our second date. He was so embarrassed for the whole thing cause you see him being bashful was something he wasn't used to."
"Really? Why's that?" I asked.
"Well he was a rather….interesting sort of character with quite a different personality than you might think, but deep down he was a good man. I was happy to spend my time with him." She smiled hugging the cape a little tighter. She noticed me looking and held it out to me.
"This was your fathers. He wore it almost everywhere that he went and it was what was a trademark for him." She smiled sadly as I took the cape into my arms realizing that this was more of a hooded cloak than a cape. "Well if you want you can try it on though it may be a little big for you."
I smile and stand up unfolding the cloak. It's bottom was torn, giving it a ragged look as I slipped my arms into the sleeves and pulled it on. The cloak seemed to actually fit me quite well as I twirl around in front of her the cloak billowing out at the bottom. I laugh and pull the hood up and head over to the mirror and examine myself. The cloak was very form fitting to me and if I was honest seemed to work really well with my current outfit.
"So hows it look on me Mom?" I asked as I turned around to face her.
Mom is smiling as she stands up and wraps me in a hug. "It really fits you quite well, Arie." She says closing the trunk. "I think your father would have wanted you to have it, if you want, you can wear it and keep it."
My eyes light up. "Really!? Are you sure!?" I asked excitedly.
Mom smiled and laughed. "Of course, but make sure you take care of it ok?"
"I will!" I say happily as I bound outside still wearing the cloak feeling the cloak billow behind me.
I couldn't help but laugh happily at this new cloak the Dad had owned was now mine. I ran all the way to the docks feeling the wind blowing on my face and making the cloak billow even more. I felt warm and safe in the cloak as well as a feeling of power. I pulled the hood down and let my hair glitter in the half moonlight. I smiled as I felt the wind blow through my hair when I heard a laugh from behind me that caused me to jump.
"Sorry, about that Arie." Montana said as he came up behind me with a smile on his face. "Just surprised to see you here and all as well as wearing that." He motioned to the cloak I was wearing.
"Ummm, yea...it was my dads." I stammered now extremely embarrassed.
"I know, he always wore that everywhere." Montana said as he sat down on a bench at the edge of the docks. I notice that he has a sword strapped to his side.
Montana catches my eye looking at his sword and he smiles unhooking it from his side. "This is my sword, I always took it to battle and it's proved to be very useful tool. Here, you can hold it if you want." He holds it out to me and I hesitantly step forward before taking it into my hands.
The sheath was ornately decorated with designs of gold as well as silver linings. The sheath itself was made of a pure white colored wood that was very smooth to the touch. The hilt was wrapped in white, blue, and gold ribbon tied together in a brilliant weave that made the sword even more beautiful.
"Well, aren't you going to unsheath it?" Montana asked with a light chuckle and smile.
I gulped and nodded pulling the blade from the sheath and I felt my breath catch in my throat. I stared in amazement at the beauty of this blade. It shone brilliantly in the moonlight, its pure white blade seemingly blinding. I tested the feel of his sword and felt that it seemed to be perfectly balanced.
Montana took my hand gently and took the blade from my hand. "Beautiful isn't it." My stunned expression gave him his answer. "Your father had one exactly like mine except his was black, though I do believe you have it in your room." He smiles and gets up.
I shake my head to bring myself out from being stunned. "Why do you have your sword and are out here at this time of night?" I asked.
"Well, since I don't really fight anymore, I still need to practice to keep my mind and body sharp, so I come out here every other night when it's nice out to practice as your father and I used to do that a lot." He sheathed the blade and started to walk towards a building with me in tow.
"Was he a good sword fighter?" I asked curious as I barely ever heard anything about his fights or how he fought. Mom usually told me about him when he was with her. I felt that hearing this stuff from Uncle Montana would give dad in a new light.
"He was very very skilled, as skilled as me and believe me I can hold my own." Montana laughed as he opened the door to the building and turned on the lights revealing a dojo style setting with plastic targets and dummies set up. "We sparred with each other numerous times in this very building and our duels almost always ended in a draw."
"Really? Well, who had the most victories? I mean one of you had to have won a duel at least once you couldn't have had a draw every time." I said plopping down on the ground with the cloak making a nice cushion for me.
Montana suddenly got a sad look on his face as if he was remembering something awful but that look quickly vanished. "Well I would say I have the most as we had one more duel and I won remarkably to my surprise.." He laughed as he took off his coat and set up a practice target, unsheathing his sword.
Montana began to practice as I watched with fascination as I could see his skills come to forward and I knew it would take a lot to match him. He moved with such grace and precision that I saw cuts appearing on the dummy in rapid succession, quicker than my eyes could keep track. I watched in awe as he moved and slashed and jabbed his way around each target that he I guess had already set up from his previous session. Within a few minutes all the targets had been dismembered or destroyed. Montana sheathed his sword and let out a small breath as I applauded. He smiled and sat down next to me.
"Your father drilled me very hard every time we sparred and what you saw here was the fruits of our labor." He sighed and ruffled my hair. "Come on, since your here I may as well teach you some small basics before you formally start practicing with Mobile."
"You sure?" I asked hesitantly as I stood up.
"Yes because if what your mother says is true and that you don't like getting up in the morning then better take advantage of every chance you get." Montana laughs picking up a wooden sword and tossing it to me.
"It's hard to get up in the morning!" I say my face bright red as Montana chuckled setting up a target.
"Don't worry I understand, I have difficulty at times getting up plus Mobile also refuses to get up in the morning and it takes a bit to wake him. Now show me your stance as that is the first thing you need." Montana leaned on his sheathed sword.
I gulped and gripped the wood sword with both hands. I stood facing him as Montana circled around me. "Raise your arms a little more, keep your legs a little more apart." He said as he began to critique me. After a few minutes when he felt he was satisfied, I was beginning to feel my arms getting tired. "Now, hold it."
"Hold it!?" I sort of shout as Montana gives me a look.
"Yes you are to hold it, as you are to build up the strength to keep your blade held up as if you are going to want to learn how to sword fight then I am going to drill you like your father did to me. Understand?" He said going over to the side and picking up another wood sword. "Turn your blade to block."
I comply and turn my blade to a 45 degree angle. "Tighten up your leg muscles and try not to stumble back." He said as I gripped the wood sword tighter. "And as fair warning as what your father taught me, I treat any practice or sparring as though it is a real duel and I am going for the kill, do you understand?"
I nod. "Good, now you are to block my strike without faltering back as that is what we will work on first." He suddenly charged me and brought his wood sword down onto mine.
The force of the blow was like getting slammed by a freight train. The vibrations reverberated around me and I couldn't help but stumble back as that amount of power was astonishing. Montana stood over me the wood sword at my chin. "You would be dead by now." His persona had changed almost in a instant from the kind man to that of a hardened warrior.
"Stand, up and ready yourself again." He said walking back a few feet as I struggled up and got back into a position again. "Here I come." He said and struck again.
For the next half hour we repeated the same process with Montana whittling my strength with each strike. Sweat began to cake my face as I pushed myself back up again and again. After the posible 20th time of getting knocked down, Montana offered me his hand and helped me up. "You have a lot to learn," He said dusting me off.
My arms were killing me to the point I could barely lift them. "We will continue to practice blocking my strike until you do not falter when our blades meet. Once you perfect that, then we will move to more things." He said helping me out the door. "And don't worry Mobile will recieve the same training as you so don't think I'll play favorites."
I was so tired that I was having a hard time walking in which Montana picked up on and picked me up onto his back. "Come on let's get you home."
"Uncle Montana?" I asked my eyes heavy. "Will I ever become a hero like dad?"
He laughed. "You're like your father in so many ways, so I'm sure that your chance and time will arise and you will be a hero and warrior just like him."
"Good…"I sigh as my eyes begin to close.
Just before I fell asleep I thought I heard a voice softly on the wind that almost seemed to be haunting that I thought I may already be dreaming. It just kept saying "Ironbottom...return...to Ironbottom."
So things are happening back at Savo with ominous meanings and Arie has begun her training with Montana. How will she do? With ABsols cloak she may be stronger mentaly. ANyways you guys seem to be eagerly awaiting the next chpter for the story which makes me happy as you guys seem to love Arie as well even though real age shes only four but her body and maturity is that of a 16-17 year old.
Please be sure to follow fav and like the this story as well as comment on it as it helps out a lot! I'll see you all next chapter!