Sym-bionic Titan: Pain is universal

Author's Note: This story is categorized as a spiritual story, but no praise or rejection of religion will take place. As for the Mutraddi…I'll see what I can do.

This story was partially inspired from what happened to my sister when she was 7. Her best friend was killed in a bus accident and she found out in her Catholic school.

Chapter.2

Unexpected grief

Monday morning came around; cold wind blew in from the west that signaled the beginning of autumn. Homeroom was the usual; kids threw paper balls or talked to one another. Only the three Galalunians stood out by not throwing anything around, though Lance was tempted to if one hit him in the head.

At the other end of homeroom, Amelia was talking to her friends. Like Michael, they were as different as they could be: Lucila Sanchez was a Filipino American who can bust balls as captain of the soccer team but has a sweet attitude that's reminiscent of Pucca, Juan Alfaro was Latino like Amelia but his family's from El Salvador while Amelia's from Colombia. Juan was her smart-alec friend who aspired to be a writer. Mary was the metal head who aspired to be in the anime field and draw like no one's business; and Keisha the African American who lives in a similar neighborhood as Amelia but on the other side of the Sherman city district, she aspired to be a journalist in order to cover stories not necessarily looked at by other media groups. They may have been different, but shared one thing common: to work as hard as they can to achieve their dreams and not let anything stand in the way.

Back to the moment; they talked about what they did over the weekend, or what they didn't do.

"So what happened to you do on the weekend," Juan asked Amelia.

Amelia shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know…I mean…Michael and I made plans for Saturday, but he never called, text, or IM back. I tried calling his house but…"

"What sort of plans," her friends asked now curious.

"Just…plans."

"Come on tell us," Lucila urged by grabbing and shaking her left arm with nearly Olympian strength. Amelia sighed, she knew they wouldn't let up until she said something, "A date," she mumbled.

"What," Keisha said.

"A date," she mumbled again.

Mary took off her headphones in frustration, "Come on! Just fucking tell us!"

"A fucking date," she exclaimed and a third of the class heard.

Her friends were surprised, "Whoa! A date?"

"It's just a casual thing. Its not like I want it official or anything," Amelia defended herself.

"You sure…I mean, Michael is pretty cute."

"Keisha," she groaned.

"And you guys have known each other since middle school."

"Dude you're not helping," she got annoyed with Lucila.

"Also, one date ain't gonna hurt you," Juan bluntly said.

Amelia rolled her eyes, "Duh, it's not like I don't know already. But like I said, I can't get in touch with him."

"Why," Mary asked as she listened to Cannibal Corpse.

"I don't know," Amelia rubbed her neck.

Her friends were now perplexed, "Para el fin de semana...nada," Juan asked to the now surreal situation.

"Nada."

Just then the school's broadcast system sounded with the principal on, 'Attention students. Over the weekend, one of our beloved students Michael Johnson has passed away due to a car accident. His older brother Daniel Johnson was also in the car accident and suffered injuries,' the students in homeroom were shocked. They knew Michael and especially Dan. They were aspiring film students who made off beat student films. Even the jocks and cheerleaders had respect for them, 'I would like all of you to give a moment of silence for Michael and his family,' the students did so. It was the first time the Galalunians saw the students showing respect for the dead, 'Thank you, you may now resume homeroom,' the broadcast ended.

The students slowly took in the news; when homeroom ended most of the students went on with their social lives. Except for Michael's friends who grieved for most of the day, even at lunch where they usually ate indoors ate outdoors in honor of their fallen comrade.

(Somewhere in downtown)

The Mutraddi walked about. It took on human form; it looked like an 18 year old young man with black hair, grey eyes, and pale skin. He attracted some female attention, but he paid no heed. He remembered the car crash from the week before, but something happened to him. He was to immediately search and destroy the Princess and those protecting her; however, instead he was observing human behavior. Especially with how humans die; how can creatures that resemble the Galalunians anatomically die so easily he thought. When the accident occured, he saw how people rushed to save the victims. He sensed the Galalunians, he could've killed them right there, but he was fixated on the crash. He saw the blood, the pain written on the victims' faces, the dead man, the wrecked cars, the smell of gasoline. He was fascinated and repulsed all at once. He continued to walk...

(Sixth Period: Gym)

Again, the class had swimming. This week marked the last of the month long course of swimming. The class swam freely, the teacher issued free time. Amelia swam as she pleased, but Michael's death distracted her and she choked a few times from the water. After 30 minutes of swimming, she got out of the pool and rested on the bench. She dried herself with her towel and tried to comprehend her friend's death. She and her other friends couldn't believe it.

As she tried to clear her head, Lance walked up to her, "Are you okay?"

Amelia looked at him, "Why," but could care less about his presence.

"Because, I saw you choking out in the pool," pointed to the pool to emphasis his point, "You should go see the nurse."

Amelia loosened up a bit, "Thanks for your concern, but I'm fine…really," but didn't want to talk to anyone. Least of all to strangers.

Lance just shrugged his shoulders, "All right. If you say so," he then headed back to his 'brother' and 'sister.' Amelia watched him leave and heard the coach's whistle, "All right! Class time is over! Head for the showers and don't leave anything in the lockers! See you tomorrow!"

After rinsing herself, she got dressed and headed out the door. As she waited at the school's entrance for her mom, she was approached by Juan, "How are you holding up," he asked as he placed his left hand on her right shoulder.

Amelia calmed herself, "Well, I tried to not...let the news affect me during school."

"Compartmentalization," he asked.

"Yep," she nodded, "And you?"

Juan rubbed his neck, "Well…the same thing really; and it's been the same for the rest of our crew."

"It's just…surreal! I almost can't believe it," she said while trying to fight back tears, "I…talked to him one minute…and in the next…he was gone. Just like that," she hand gestures to emphasize her state of shock.

Juan was silent, he couldn't say anything. He wanted to cry, but not in front of the entire student body. He instead hugged her and she returned it; no words were needed to be exchanged. Both knew how the other felt.

Amelia let loose some tears, but her voice remained calm, "Thank you." A car horn sounded from the street. It was Amelia's mom, "Got to go," she grabbed her stuff and walked away.

"We'll talk later," Juan yelled at her.

"Yeah," she yelled back as she got in the car and rode off. The trip back to her apartment was quiet and somber. Her mom sensed something was up, but didn't want to press the issue. She would let her daughter come to her if anything was up. Before going home her mom had something do, "Amelia, I have to pick up your dad's prescription at Rite Aid."

"Okay...but can I stay in the car," she asked.

"Sure," her mom complied. They made their way to Rite Aid and parked on the street. Her mom rushed to the store leaving Amelia in the car. Unbeknownst to her, this was the same street her friend Michael was killed. After a few minutes, she got out to get some fresh air; she closed the door a teenager in a black hoodie brushed her side, "My apologies," he said.

"It's okay," she brushed it off and rested herself on the car door. She tried to calm herself down, but then suddenly she started crying. Her mom came back with her husband's prescription and her Kotex. She noticed her daughter crying and started to worry, "Mija what's wrong," but Amelia kept on crying, "It's okay, tell me," she gently urged her to tell what bothered her. Amelia struggled to voice out, but eventually did, "Mooom, M-M-Michael," she breathed in hoarsely and continued to cry, "He d-d-died!"

Amelia's mom was shocked and she hugged her daughter to comfort her, "I don't want to believe it mom," Amelia continued to cry on her mom's shoulder, "Shhh, there there," she hugged her daughter tighter and rubbed her back and head, "Let it all out," and Amelia did. She continued to cry until a day's worth of tears was finally drained out of her. Three minutes, they were able to drive home with Amelia mentally and physically drained.

(At Michael's home)

A week passed since the accident. Michael's family hosted the open coffin procession at their home, which was only for family and close friends of Michael. They were gonna bury him the next day. Amelia, Juan, Lucila, and Keisha were there along with their parents. They took their seats at the backyard and talked amongst themselves until service began. A few minutes passed and Daniel rolled up his whellchair to Michael's friends.

"Hi guys, glad you could make it," he said full of uneasy composure.

"No problem," they said in unison, "I still can't believe this is for real," Juan said as he held his emotions in check.

"How are your parents," Lucila asked, "Well...dad's trying to not to cry and mom has done nothing but crying or locking herself in her room," "Sorry I asked," Lucy regretted her asking, "Don't worry. You're just concerned."

"How about you," Amelia asked, "Well...the doctors said I have to wear this cast for four weeks. So in three weeks, this thing is coming off...hopefully," he said trying to lighten the mood. It worked but only for a moment.

"Excuse me guys...gotta use the restroom," she got up and walked toward the house. After a few minutes, she was done and made her way back to her friends. Barely a minute passed when the priest arrived to deliver the sermon and start Mass.

After Mass, Michael's friends left with their parents. The ride back home was somber for all of them. No music was played in the car, no talking, everyone was left to their thoughts and memories of their dear friend.

(11pm)

The Mutraddi decided to stay at a downtown homeless shelter. While inside, he saw the lowest level of humanity; drug abusers, the mentally ill, the runaways, the abused, the losers of the free economic game of roulette, the homosexuals who had nowhere to go, and himself...a Mutraddi with a neglected purpose. His stay there was only temporary, but he knew he couldn't stay; he was bound to die by the Galalunians' hands or Modula if he sends another Mutraddi to finish the job. Why was he still alive he thought; he doesn't know or even wonder why Modula kept him alive for this long.

(Back on Galalunia)

"So...the Mutraddi you sent is still alive. You're lucky that I haven't killed you, but I do want to know what this Mutraddi is capable of," he asked the scientist who sent the Mutraddi in the first place, "You will," he said observing the data from Earth, "It's near its mature adult stage to carry out your plan sir."

"Excellent. If this one succeeds, I'll promote you...if not well...you know full well consequences of failure," Modula said in a disqustingly calm demeanor.

"Yes sir," the scientist said, stoic in the face of his inevitability. Lying and covering up 'valuable information' from Modula was dangerous, but this kind of Mutraddi, created by his surperiors was too precious to be taken lightly. He went back to observing the Mutraddi.

(Earth: The Galalunians' home)

Saturday morning came, but to the Galalunians, it was another week of no activity. How can Modula not sent another Mutraddi when the one they saw disappered in the midst of the car crash? What was he planning? As Lance and Ilana ate their breakfast, Octus washed the dishes until he figured what kind of Mutraddi Modula had sent. It wasn't good news at all.

"Lance, Ilana, the Mutraddi Modula sent was an experimental Mutraddi."

Lance and Ilana were shocked, "What," "That's why I couldn't figure it out for the past week. This Mutraddi is an artificial machine with unknown capabilities. And what's worse, its still alive."

"Alive? How can that be if Modula hadn't have it self-destruct yet," Lance asked more confused with this new development.

"Unknown. But we must keep our guard up when heading for the city center. Its 89.76% possible that the Mutraddi's still there," Octus said as he washed the pans.

Lance and Ilana headed outside after breakfast. Since the weather was getting colder, both wore their jackets. They headed for the market for more food so Lance drove. On the way they were talking, "I can't believe that Mutraddi's alive somewhere," Lance said.

"Neither can I. But something's bothering me," Ilana sounded unsure and worried, "What is it," Lance asked.

"If the Mutraddi survived, why hasn't it searched for us," Lance stopped at a red light, "Got me there. And the fact that it's not destroyed by Modula makes this more weird."

The light turned green and they drove off, "Lance...whatever happens, we can't kill innocent bystanders. Even if we confront the Mutraddi."

Lance was surprised by what she said, he gripped the steering wheel and turned stern, "But if if comes to that, we may have no choice. Do you understand," he went into corporal mode. His duty was to protect the Princess and as a soldier of war, sacrifices were to be made. But he wondered if he can take a human's life when called for? Especially with the people injured and killed indirectly by the Mutraddi. He remembered Michael's grieving friends.

Ilana was quiet, but nodded which signified that she understood. She looked out the window and saw children with their moms, people walked past each other, police cars driving past them, and construction cranes repairing damage caused by the Titan and the Mutraddi. They arrived at the market, parked their car and went inside. They shopped for produce, various cuts of meat, milk, and bread. After shopping, they headed for the cashier to pay for their food. As they left, one of Michael's friends, Juan walked passed them with his mom. They didn't notice each other. As Lance put the groceries in the trunk, Ilana was in the car waiting. She noticed a flock of birds flying overhead in a circular pattern.

Lance noticed her spaced out expression, "Are you all right Ilana," he asked concerned. She snapped back into reality, "Huh? Oh yeah yeah don't worry," she politely brushed off his concerns and reassured Lance, "If you say so," he started the car and drove off. The birds overhead broke the circular pattern and flew in the opposite direction of the market. A few minutes later, Juan came out with mom carrying groceries back to their car.

Well, thus ends another chapter. The spiritual side of the story will probably be shown in chapter 4 and 5. Chapter 3 will lead up to that and chapters 6 and 7 will be about...I don't know. It will work itself out somehow.