The Black Light Operation
By: Atomic Kokoro
Zed sets out on his father's trail, his friends close by his side. He learns more about his father and himself. However, the mystery turns into a great adventure when they are trapped in Calm, hunted by Relic Hunters, and forced to race time before the dual moons collide and the wind is lost forever.
Before You Read
Last chapter, nothing really happened. Mikki saved Ever's life using Slugna and then he went unconscious and now they're going to Noa's house.
Also in the last chapter, I MADE A MISTAKE! Ever isn't eight-years-old, he's actually seven. Everyone else is fifteen still (save for Mikki, who I believe is fourteen). I wanted him to be young, eight years younger, to be exact, and I did some math wrong and I got the age wrong. I suck as math, so don't be surprised.
Fun fact: Did you know Noa's last name is Boarie? Watch the subbed version of episode 2; the part when Zed has his really messed up dream about Noa, his mom, and the Tuskain that attacked him.
Also, here's something I noticed about Zed: When he started living with Mikki and Dumas (before they were kicked out of Dumas' house and moved into Mikki's), he chose to sleep outside. Why? At the beginning of the whole series, the first time you see Zed, he's by a bench and a tree. Why? When they move into Mikki's house, he always sleeps on the bench. Why?
I believe Zed didn't have a roof over his head when he lived in Calm. He was always outside; never in a house. And when he did live in a house, he never used a bed. Am I the only one who finds that strange?
Another fact is that Zed is part Seeker, part Other World; his Dad was a Seeker and his Mom was from Calm. SO, Zed isn't Templarian nor full-Other Worlder. He is also half-Seeker. Yep.
And one last and final fact is that, out of everyone who helps out/works in Mikki's bakery, Mikki is the only full Shard Caster human Templarian. Pinot and her friends aren't Shard Caster, Zed is Seeker/Calm, and Roya is Tuskain. Even though they aren't considered their actually race, their blood is still different.
Enough facts. On with the story.
…
Chapter 4
Perfectly Torn Picture
As usual, the air smelled of the spices and hot chicken soup. The woman stirred the boiling soup in the pot. "Almost ready," she said out loud, not to anyone but herself. She spent a few more minutes cooking and watching the food when there was a knock on the door.
She looked over her shoulder, her short black hair falling behind her neck, and tilted her head to the side. "I wonder who that could be." She smiled slightly and set the stove on low before walking to the door and opening it. "Hel-" She stopped short at the sight before her. Five teenagers and a young boy. One of the teenagers was- "...Noa..."
Noa smiled and embraced his mom in a great hug. "Mom, it's been so long."
She didn't respond; she was in shock.
…
Zed quietly laid the still unconscious Mikki on Noa's couch.
"Thank you for letting us in on such short notice, Mrs. Boarie," Roya said as Noa's mother set some food and drinks on the table for the guests. Ever and Evan both went for the cookies on the tray and a glass of apple juice.
"Don't worry about it," Mrs. Boarie replied, smiling. "I'm just glad Noa is okay." She turned to Zed, who was staring out the window, looking distant. "I knew you weren't as terrible as they said you were. I knew you didn't take Noa."
Zed scoffed but his gaze never left the outdoors. "It's not like I could if I wanted to."
Mrs. Boarie smiled sadly and sipped some tea. "I also know you didn't kill your mother either."
Roya tensed instantly despite that Zed remained silent. Everyone watched Zed for a moment, but only Noa could see the clenched fist around the red cloth of his old coat. "Mom..." Zed began, at first sounding distant but soon hardened his voice again. "Mom is fine."
"That's good," Mrs. Boarie smiled, setting her cup down.
After a moment of silence, Zed sighed in impatience. "How long did it take for me to wake up after summoning Amil Gaoul?"
Roya shrugged. "A night," she replied. "Which means Mikki will be out all night...for as much as we know."
Evan swallowed the rest of his cookie and frowned. "You still haven't explained everything yet. Noa's mom probably wants to know what's been going on lately, too. Who's Amil Gaoul and Salgura or whatever? And what's with the strange marks?"
Noa sighed and folded his arms. Then he explained everything. When he finished explaining everything, everyone (not a Shard Caster) was staring at him in shock. "I know it sounds crazy," he said, biting his lip. "but it's true."
Mrs. Boarie opened her mouth to reply to the story when Mikki hiccuped. Everyone looked at the unconscious boy for a moment. Zed, sitting the closest, noted the pained expression and clenched fist. "Hey, I think we should try to wake him up." Zed reached for a glass of water before looking at Mrs. Boarie. "I'll clean it up; I promise." Then he whipped around and splashed the cup of water into Mikki's face.
Mikki gasped and woke up instantly. He leaned up, gaping from the cold water. He examined his surroundings, looking as though he was going to cry. Zed immediately put the cup down (whilst desperately not laughing), grabbed a napkin, and handed it to Mikki. However, Mikki didn't respond; just stared at his shins.
Zed frowned and sat down beside him, dropping the napkin on Mikki's lap. "Did you have a dream?"
Mikki remained still and silent for a moment then reached for the napkin to wipe off his face. "No," he replied. Then he looked over his shoulder and smiled at Zed. "Just taken by surprise by the water, that's all. I'm fine."
However, Zed didn't seem convinced.
"Where are we gonna stay for the night?" Roya asked as Mikki asked questions to Evan about what had happened.
"Me and Mikki can stay down the street at the hotel," Zed said, pointed behind him where the hotel was.
Noa nodded. "You can use our spare room upstairs, then, Roya," Noa added. "If that's okay with Mom."
"Of course!" Mrs. Boarie exclaimed, standing up. "All of you can stay here if you want. But some of you will have to sleep on the couch."
Evan stood up and Ever followed suit. "Actually, Mrs, me and Ever gotta get home before we cut passed curfew. Thanks for the grub."
Mrs. Boarie smiled and welcomed them as everyone said goodbye to the leaving teens. It wasn't long before only Zed, Noa, Mikki, Roya, and Mrs. Boarie were left in the house. Mrs. Boarie showed Roya to the spare room shortly after, leaving the three boys to themselves.
Zed had a very strong urge to ask Mikki what was wrong, but Noa was first to speak. "I'm glad to be home," he said, collapsing on the chair across the room. "I'm glad to be with Mom again. To tell her where I am. To tell her Goodbye."
Mikki nodded in response. "If you want," Zed began, sounding unsure himself. "you can stay here in Calm with your mom." Noa looked at Zed as though he was telling him he wanted him to stay behind. "Only if you want to, though. If you really, really want to."
"Do you want me to stay behind?" Noa asked, sounding offended.
"No!" Zed gasped, leaning forward. "I want you to come back with me. I just thought, maybe, you wanted to, you know, stay here. I thought maybe you'd miss Calm or whatever. The air is clean again and such. And it's getting better. I just want you to know you have a choice, to stay here or come back to Templar."
Noa frowned and tore his gaze away from Zed. Zed tossed his hands in the air in defeat and folded his arms, also refusing to look at Noa. Mikki looked at the two before standing up. "C'mon, guys! Don't fight. This isn't a time to be fighting. The police are after us and we still have to solve the Black Light Operation, right? C'mon!"
There was no response from either friend verbally, but Noa got up and walked off to his own room. Zed waited until he heard the bedroom door shut before sighing and stretching out onto the couch. "G'night," he growled.
Mikki laid down on the other couch. He just woke up; he wasn't tired. A few moments he waited until he could hear Zed snoring from the other couch before he leaned up. He walked to the door, slipped on his shoes, and walked out the door, into the night.
The baker had something to do before morning.
