I thank jezko1, ilovecartoonsgirl, Sakura Hyuga, Takuz, PAVeY14 for reviewing and for the encouragement!
Sakura Hyuga: Spoiler(Does it even count as one?) It's gonna be an OC and well, the typical perfect, loving brother that the younger always admire, yet also envy - He's nice to a certain degree. :DDDD
Takuz: I am so sorry for the typo! (Gonna change that after this) And the tie thing, it's gonna be explained in this chapter. Speculations of Yamamoto, yeah... he's involved and knows about the mafia - Hitman Version! There's probably (Once I reach that point) going to be a mini background story to each of the guardians. The curse is not what you think it is (And no, I can't read minds like Reborn - I wish though - so I'm going to hope what I'm thinking is not what you're thinking.)
PAVeY14: I have something planned for the curse and it's... well, there's a different reason to the curse now (I think). It'll be uncovered later on since I can't reveal everything in the beginning now can I? Gotta have plot twists, y'know. Oh, and thank you for the height humor :D
(I'm just responding to things that I can make a decent response to other than a simple word of gratitude so yeah, I'm sorry if I didn't reply to you)
I apologize ahead of time for any grammar mistakes and character OCCness if it were to occur.
Again, AU. GEN Fic. No pairings.
Disclaimer: I do not own KHR
Summary: Sky, Storm, Lightning, Rain, Sun, Mist, and Cloud, these were known as the seven Knights - or Elements - of the Sky in legends and myths that once appeared out of nowhere and rescued the world from disaster and guide it to an era of change. Or so it was dictated in children's books. Nowadays, there are people who have rainbow colored flames that goes by the same names as the weathers.
Once upon a time, there were seven knights that brave the world when all was lost. Plants withered under the encroaching darkness, animals and humans alike were dying of despair and chaos. It was then that these knights appeared.
No one knew the origin of the seven knights, but it was speculated that, their birth was blessed by the Elemental celestials that created their world.
Mist was created by Indigo from gathering of mists, misdirecting everyone in its wake.
Cloud was transformed by Violet from a drifting cloud, forever aloof yet never completely astray.
Rain came to be by a gathering of rain by Blue, washing away the enemy with each passing step.
Lightning and Sun were born by Green and Yellow, respectively, by absorbing a bolt of lightning and a gather of the sun rays, bring to light the true meaning to 'liveliness' .
Storm was a relentless hurricane picked up and tamed by Red, destroying all that block his path.
Sky was the only one different from his brothers. He was originally a human to begin with, chosen by Orange because his heart was as vast as the open sky. But despite being so different, his brothers looked up to him as the leader.
Together, they have many titles to go by, but the most common and fitting were the Elements of the Sky and the Knights of the Sky; though, they never understood why the seven in question never voiced acknowledgement of the honor.
These knights ripped the blanket of darkness away and lead the rest of the world into a brighter place. And to better prevent similar danger from happening, these knights passed on the knowledge of how to draw out the elemental energy that everything thing was born with. It's in every living creature, and every nonliving thing.
It has been said that those who could draw out the elemental energy, like the knights did, were the ones who lead the world during times of changes.
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"If you have all read and learn this from a children's book, then I want you all to dump it in the trash. Now." Lal viciously struck down and literally jabbed a thumb at the trash bin by the door behind her. Tsuna couldn't believe that the infant actually prepared one for the occasion. "Because that's nothing but a fairy tale and I don't tolerate fairy tales in this course."
The class of elementary students, plus a few people around Tsuna's age (He lamented that even though he was one of the oldest, Tsuna was basically the shortest in his approximate age group. Just why?), were too exhausted from the five plus mile run (And that was Lal being lenient on the first day!) at the start of class to even grant a proper response. But most did managed to look appalled to be told that their favorite knight's story that their parents often told during bedtime was a fraud. Tsuna wouldn't blame them because he's surprised too - though he had grew out of those stories, it was still one of his favorites.
"This," Lal puts on a ring and raised her hand next to her face. The moment she does, the sapphire gem embedded on the ring was suddenly engulfed by a brilliant shower of blue flames. "Is real the thing. Understand?"
... No.
Tsuna does not understand because that's literally not possible in reality and - ohmygodherhandisonfire! He did not understand why the flame was so blue (Weren't fire supposed to be red-orange?!), and he definitely did not understand why it wasn'tburning her hand away like fire should.
But Tsuna did not want to raise his hand, because he would be on the receiving end of those deadly glares that could practically kill.
So Lal continued to expound working theory behind it.
Apparently, the knights were just regular human beings who were able to miraculously access their respective Elements - seven in total - and saved some megalomania from the unoriginal plot of 'I'm-going-conquer-the-world-because-I'm-above-everyone-else'. (It really does put a damp on people's spirit when Lal gave the abridged version.) And the Elements were really just flames of life that sustains all that lives and breathes and just exists. It's comparable to the stories about Aura (unknown to most, it was derived from flames).
That flame, when suddenly churning the body's core, meant that someone desperately wanted to keep on living. That is truly the moment of miracle when flames suddenly brighten with the resolve to live and just flare. In that physical manifestation, it was no longer an Element, but Dying Will Flames.
(Those who could draw out their Dying Will Flames, or just Flames for short, were just barely one percent of the world; hence why the school population was so little.)
Fundamentally, the flame in everyone is the flame of life, but each person is born to a different type of Elements. And each of the seven flames have different properties to them, which could indirectly affect someone's personality. (There are also rare cases where some are more with multiple Elements as well; but that was like finding a needle in a haystack). And to draw out that flame requires a certain amount of resolve - caries from person to person - because it acts as a channel to connect with their Elements.
The flames were labeled after the weathers, in respect to the omnipresent Elements that all but govern the natural state of the world, for the different colors and types that some people could ignite (some colors rarer than others). But they wouldn't dare to use too much, because that would equate to using up his or her own life before it could replenish itself - the person would have to be both suicidal and idiotic to do that.
Researchers, as of late, began to wonder if Flames were the manifestation of a person's resolve as much as the flames that kept them alive; hence, Dying Will. Because you can't just casually toss your life force around like a toy, that is both naive and dangerous.
These types of information are kept within the circle of people who knew the truth. The rest of the world had their speculations as to how the world was created and structured.
Lal scanned at each and everyone of the new batch of students before she continued onto the lesson of the day. "Your ties are all made of special materials so once you ignite your flames - as I can see some of you have done without proper guidance... " - some kids duck their heads down to hide from Lal's menacing glares - "the material will react with the Elemental energy that your Flames emits, thereby changing into its proper color. This course is to get you started in igniting and have some control over your flames. Once you got that down, you'll be send off to your respective Element teachers and advance to the next Flame Control level."
"How long does it usually take?" One of the students near Tsuna's age raised his hand and question.
"Depends on your innate talent and resolve." Lal answered. "Some can ignite it in an instant, like some of the brats who's tie changed colors already, while others need more time; but the average recorded is more or less two weeks. Then again, you wouldn't even be here if we didn't think you can manifest your Flames. Now, let's get started."
And in less than ten seconds of after Lal instructing everyone on focusing on what their resolves were and giving them each a dull color ring (because you can't draw out flames without a medium of some sort and rings were the easiest that act as one), the room started to lit up into a rainbow of colors - minus orange - one by one. Though it is to be expected that the kids can ignite rather quickly. Their resolves were more pure and honest, and they have a growing mind that can adjust more quickly to changing environments. That, and the fact that most of these kids were born with parents who could use flames so they already had some experience with it.
Those whose biological family members could wield Flames were known as the Gifted, because it's almost a guarantee that they could ignite their flames early on in their childhood (and when they do, they were to be enrolled into UT to learn proper control and continue their studies there). And those who were once civilians but were discovered to have flames by accidental ignitions (the school would know because they have eyes and ears everywhere - and no, they were not stalkers) were known as first generations - or Ungifted, for most students used to jeer at those who can't wield their flames. (Though they prove to have potential through their tenacity.)
Lal's attention was then drawn to the older kids whose faces were screwed in concentration, or other wise known as the first generations. There were some sparks in the rings, but they disappeared as quick as they came.
One in particular, by the name of Sawada Tsunayoshi, wasn't able to do anything at all. Well, she expected as such, he was already in middle school when Ultima Thule came to accept him when most students came when they were way younger. She may be known as an effective (read: sadistic) teacher, but this part of flame control is entirely up to the student - well... unless she wanted to put him through a life and death situation...
... Nah.
It wasn't worth her time when she has other students to deal with, like those conceited brats at the Expert degree. Just because they have mastery over their flames does not mean they can run off and do whatever they want! (Most of them were supposed to be assistants in the afternoon sessions!) If she ever sees them on campus (because she has each and every one of their faces memorized), Lal was going to use them for target practice at gun point.
Tsuna, meanwhile, had a feeling he had just escaped certain death - which disrupted his flow of concentration again. (He was getting distracted by all those pretty flames that should be beyond reason - at least, in the logic of normal people.)
As Tsuna stared up at the white ceiling of his room, thinking back to what he had learned, he really hope that he could make some progress with flames. Or else, he would be forever a gray tie and that was literally like labeling himself as the subject of contempt - and that would bring him back to being No-good Tsuna.
And the thought of being about to wield fire sounded very cool in Tsuna's opinion.
"Resolve..." He mumbled, staring at the hand that once had a ring on it (he wasn't allowed to take it home since Beginners don't have control so they might cause an accident if they were recklessly drawing out their flames). "What exactly is my resolve?"
Does he even have one to begin with?
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Clang Clang CLAAANNG! went the cymbals from the speakers somewhere in his room, and Tsuna tried very hard to stuff his head under the covers and his pillow. But no matter what, his ears were still ringing and probably bleeding a bit by now.
"Whose bright idea is to have those things as alarms anyways?!" Tsuna complained as he ripped the bed covers off and stomped towards the bathroom to prepare for the day.
One day, he was going to get those sound-proof earmuffs that he saw on the TV commercials. That way, he could get more sleep.
Once he got everything prepared, he locked his room with a swipe of his student ID. Albeit he has a lock and key system to his door at the moment, he was told that they would reinstall it with a security system that would be able to recognize flame signatures like what everyone at school has once they can lit their flames at will - it was better and far more convenient than having to take out an ID to swipe every single time.
When Tsuna arrive to class, eyes were yet again directed at him. He reflexively ducked his head down and walked across the room to get to the window seat he was at two days prior.
"I heard from my little brother, he couldn't get a single spark going."
"Well, he was a civilian before. Those Ungifted rats learn at a snail's pace."
"Shush, he'll hear you."
"So? The Ungifted needs to learn that they've zero talent compared to the rest of the academy."
Tsuna's ears burned when the whispers stabbed at him without restraint, and before he could sit down, a foot stamped forcibly on his chair.
Tsuna followed at limb and up to meet the face of a navy blue hair teen with streaks of yellow. He has the same tie as Yamamoto's but he was definitely not as nice like the latter.
"I don't think you deserve this seat." The unknown teen smiled down pleasantly, though the underlying threat in his tone was not without notice. "A gray tie like you would just ruin Takeshi's image as the holder of the purest Rain Flames."
Tsuna shrunk into himself and hie'd when the teen took him by the collar and lit the ring on his hand, engulfing it entirely.
"Word of advice, useless people like you should just go home."
Tsuna closed his eyes, expecting to be burned alive and -
"Hey, that isn't a very nice thing to say."
- was saved by none other than the person who Tsuna was told not to associate with.
Goody.
"T-Takeshi!"
"Let go of him." There was that sharpness again. The brunet offhanded noticed that slim cloth-bag that was slung across his shoulder. It was bear the length of a katana and the thought of Yamamoto bringing a weapon to school send chills down Tsuna's spine.
... Not that he hasn't noticed the weapons that other people carry around the hall yesterday.
"It isn't his fault that I wanted to hangout with him, is it?"
"But he's a -"
"Gray tie, I know," Yamamoto moved to personally stop the hand that was about to land a solid punch of the brunet. The flames on that fist was promptly nullified by forcibly by Yamamoto. "But he's not going to stay one forever, or he wouldn't be here. You and everyone else know why the academy takes civilians in."
Tsuna briefly wondered what they were talking about. Weren't they all civilians? Just those who have these supernatural powers?
"Tch." The attacker relented and walked away, though not before pointing at the brunet. "Just because you got Takeshi's protection doesn't meant anything, got it gray tie? Weaklings like you are just trying to take advantage of Takeshi because of how he is!"
Tsuna felt offended for being accused of using people as a shield. He would never do that - not that he had the opportunity to ever use someone anyways. There was a slight churning of heat in his chest just at the thought of using people for his own benefits. He could take insults to the face because he knew that they held some truth in them, but being accused of something like this? That was a slander to his name!
The heat started to hum an agreement to his train of thoughts, but it quickly subsided after Yamamoto gave a pat of his shoulder.
"Yo, sorry about Albert." The popular teen grinned sheepishly and almost exasperatedly. "People here tend to be... very narrow-minded."
N-not a problem..." Tsuna mumbled. and at more disdainful looks shot in his direction, Tsuna sighed. "But... may-maybe you shouldn't talk to me anymore."
"Eh?" Maybe it was his imagination or was that hurt flashing across his eyes?
"I'm Dame-Tsuna," The brunet started while keeping his head down. "They're right in what they say about me. I'll only bring you more trouble by being near you."
Tsuna didn't feel like attending class anymore so he left the classroom. Ultima Thule may not be bias towards its students but that doesn't mean a thing to the social hierarchy.
This was a school for prodigies of both the gifted and ungifted. But Tsuna neither had the talent nor the tenacity that could compete with the geniuses of the world. In this academy, being born with talents meant something different. It wasn't that you're exceptional in an area of study or anything - but it was an added bonus if you are.
It was their Flames and the ability to use them at will.
Tsuna knew for sure that it was near impossible for him to reach the level of the students here in UT. But he didn't want to quit... he didn't want to see the disappointing eyes that his parents would use to look at him every time that he let them down.
He has been enough of a disappointment as it is.
Info dump, 'nuff said. And a bit insight into the lore! (Though, the children's story version is never accurate.)
Yeah... I'm not really good at those bullying (I'm trying to understand why some people are narrowed-minded like that tbh) or any of those emotional/internal conflict stuff but... uh, I'm going to try. Practice makes perfect right? Right.
Recently, I been feeling like my brain (head, skull, whatever) is being squeezed into a small container. If that's a headache, then I now officially experienced one. If not, then I have no idea what is going on and it's not letting me concentrate on my studies or on writing. (Sleep relieves it though, but I don't think I would want to sleep 24/7 just to avoid it)
