Me: Yay! Next chapter is already here!! Be HAPPY!!
ET: Get to it, already!
Zelos: Well, I missed the entire last chapter, so I need to go back to the Chapter 10 trailer. Be back at the end of this chapter, guys! (leaves)
EGP: I bet he's running for it.
Kratos: More than likely.
Emil: I don't really understand what's going on here.
Kratos: Nor do I.
ET: Don't worry. Just do a disclaimer.
Emil: Umm...okay. SWD, ET, and EGP own nothing of...Pretear...? Or Knights of Ratatosk or Tales of Symphonia. They do, however, own many characters, and their own plots.
Me: You're SO NICE, Emil!
Chapter 11
"C'mon, Kaoru! Get 'em!" a voice shouted, echoing faintly.
"Where are we now?" Heihachi groaned.
"That's a good question," Naomi commented.
"Hey...look at that..." Yukari pointed off in the distance, where seven men wearing strange clothes were fighting against...SOMETHING.
"I got it!"
Himeno's eyes widened as she recognized one of the men. "Dad?!"
"WHAT?!" Everyone turned their attention to the man that Himeno had called her father. And indeed, it was a much younger version of Kaoru Awayuki. He had a small ponytail at the back of his neck, and he wore complicated golden clothing. He held out his hands, and a bright light shot out from them. As soon as he had, the CREATURE that he was fighting moved.
"Hey, Mamoru! It's coming your way!"
"Damn it, I got this!" A violet headed teenager cracked his knuckles and snapped his fingers. A lance made of ice appeared in his hands, and he leapt at the creature with a battle cry. It swiftly dodged to the side and, with a lizard-like tail, lashed out at the Mamoru person. It hit him in the stomach, sending him flying into an invisible wall. Another younger teen with blonde hair and green clothes flew beside him, "You okay, Mamoru?"
"I'm fine, Shima. C'mon, let's go kill the bastard!"
"Right!"
They went up beside an older blue clothed teen who had water wrapped around his wrist, hanging down like a whip. "Ready, Hiroshi?"
"Better believe it! C'mon!"
The three went running up to it from one side, unleashing attacks upon the creature, causing it to roar with anger. On the other side, Kaoru was calling to three other teens, "Hey, Geki, Hiro, Shun! Ready?!"
"HELL YEAH!"
All at once, the seven teens attacked the creature until it gave a final screech and vanished. What had been a purple, black, and plant vines background disppeared. There were many dead trees, collasped people, and a dried up lake. Within seconds, it all sprang back to life.
"Do you see now?"
The group turned back around to face King Seiichi and Queen Sanako. Sanako said softly, "Long ago, Kaoru Awayuki was a Leafe Knight. He fought for us and protected the world's Leafe. That is, however, until he met a Princess of Disaster. One of the dark beings trying to take over the world."
"The seven Leafe Knights of wind, fire, light, sound, plants, ice, and water defeated the Princess of Disaster, so she became a good person again. Kaoru, against his oath of being a Leafe Knight, fell in love with her. He ran from us and hid away with her. He had three daughters, only one obtaining part of his powers. But we had finally caught up with him after two years or so."
Seiichi continued for his wife, "We made him a deal. He could leave the Leafe Knights, but only if he and his wife had a memory wipe. They no longer remember ever being involved with the Leafe ordeal. However, we had no idea who all it would affect. The Leafe elements choose their own masters, so all of you who are present are the next Knights and Lady Knights of Leafe."
"How do we know this isn't a trick or anything?" Goh inquired.
Seiichi snapped his fingers, and there was another bright flash of light. Everyone began panicking as they realized their clothes had all changed. Kei, Hayate, Goh, Sasame, Mannen, Hajime, and Shin were all wearing the familiar clothes that the previous seven teens had been wearing, along with the Leafe jewelery, such as Sasame's earring, and Kei's ring. Himeno was wearing a golden dress that reached just below her knees, and it revealed most of her shoulders. There were two thick straps on her shoulders, as though she were wearing an undershirt. She had one white glove and one light lavender glove, both only reaching just past her wrist. She had golden ballet flat shoes that had white lace that snaked up her leg. In Himeno's hair, where her usual white headband resided, there was a light blue and silver headband with strange markings.
Atushi had a black bodysuit, similar to that of a ninja's, except with no facemask. His feet had black shoes on them and he also had black biker gloves. A blue belt was at his waist, to hold his top closed and to put his various gadgets somewhere. On his left wrist was a silver watch.
Yukari had an electric blue outfit, with variations of blue patterned into it. It consisted of a high collared sleeveless dress that hugged her torso and flared out at the waist. The hem of the skirt went no farther than mid-calf in the front and to her knees in the back. The jagged lines were reminiscent of a flower opening. Under the skirt, she wore a pair of powder blue shorts that covered her to mid-thigh. Her boots went up to over her knees and were the same electric blue as the general outfit. They were outlined in dark blue at the top and at the heels. Over the top of her dress, she had a tabard-like piece of clothing that was held together with her emblem of electricity. Around her right boot was a silver ankle bracelet.
Ryuu was clothed an outfit perilously close to a typical magician's. He was dressed in black, mostly, with hints of other colors. A black tunic that flashed blue in the light consisted of his top. It was high-collared, as well, and the sleeves were swallow sleeved at his wrist, showing the white gloves on his hands. The tunic had a silver belt over it at the hips; the leggings were loose black breeches that tucked into calf-high black boots. Last of all, to complete his outfit was a pure black cape that winked different colors in every movement of the cape. A clasp of silver also kept his cloak closed and was his emblem of illsion. His right hand wore a silver ring on the middle finger.
Hikari wore a navy blue military-like shirt. On the shoulders, there was extra padding that was golden with white tassels hanging from it on all sides. It had a high white collar with a gold stripe going all the way around it. The outlines of the shirt were silver, and going down through the center of the shirt were two white lines side by side, and across the chest and down, there was white cloth going across the two white lines horizontally, looking as though they were holding the shirt closed. There were cuffs on the ends of the sleeves, and they were golden. On her hands were white gloves that had a perfect fit. As soon as the shirt ended at Hikari's thigh, she had a white skort that reached a little ways above her ankles. On her feet were black boots that had flat soles. On each ear, she had two silver hoop earrings with the same markings as the others.
Naomi had a baby blue dress that reached to her ankles, almost covering her glass slippers. She had long white armwarmers and a silver necklace that was in the shape of a snowflake. In her ears were silver hoop earrings. She had white leggings that reached up to her mid thigh. Tied in her hair was a silver bead.
Michiko wore a white lacey dress. It reached to her knees in the front and to her ankles in the back. It was strapless and a red ribbon wound around above her chest and underneath her arms. It was in colors of silver and light green. Her shoes were sandals with ribbon laces all the way up to her knees. On her index toe of her right foot was a silver toe ring.
Heihachi wore a fancy dark green top with black embroidery. The shirt build was similar to Hikari's, but there was no tassels hanging off the shoulders. The padding was black, the color reaching across his collarbone, meeting in the center, and going down through the center of the shirt. A third of the way down the shirt, the black once again reached across his waist, the shirt splitting apart. The shirt had black and white cuffs, his hands bare. He had dark green pants and black shoes. On his right wrist was a thick, silver bracelet.
"Okay, I think I'm on the convinced side," Goh murmured, observing his clothes.
"Uh, yeah..." Yukari nodded in agreement.
"Now, when you awaken, you shall have your proof of Leafenia, always," Seiichi said. And with that, he and Sanako were gone.
-------
"...and they've been like that for a while now!!" Mikage's voice broke through everyone's trance.
Naomi was first to open her eyes to see Kakeru hovering above her. Kakeru sighed with relief, "Oh, you're awake now!"
"Huh...?" Naomi blankly stared at him.
Beside her, Hikari flew up, "THAT BASTARD-!! WHERE'D HE GO?!"
RIIIIIIIIIINNNNGG!
Almost everyone who'd been involved with the dream looked in the direction of the phone suspiciously. Mikage ran to answer it, Kaoru, Natsue, Haru, Takako, Kakeru, Sasuke, Mawata, Mayune, and Yayoi checking to make sure everyone was really okay. Mikage returned, "Mr. Awayuki, it's for you."
They all turned to watch Kaoru go and answer the phone. His voice barely carried from the other room. "Hello?"
On the other line of the phone, Seiichi said, "Your children are fine, Kaoru. I was simply collecting them, as I said I would."
"Who are you?"
Everyone stared at Kaoru with intrigue.
"You will not remember me, even if I say my name, Kaoru. Your children can explain it to you. Tell them that it was Seiichi. Farewell."
Click.
Kaoru stared at the phone, since this had happened once before. He hung it up and Natsue frowned, "What's wrong, dear?"
He sat down on the floor beside Natsue, thinking for a moment, before answering, "It's that same man...Sei...Seiichi...?"
Everyone, except Atushi, Ryuu, and Goh, froze in place. "S...Seiichi?" they all echoed.
"Do you know this man? He said...you would be able to explain "it" to me. That I wouldn't "remember" him even if he told me his name." He looked at them questionably, "Is this a prank?"
"No, Dad," Himeno shook her head, "We, uh..."
"Had a freaky thing just happen," Heihachi filled in.
"What do you mean?" Atsushi looked at his younger brother.
"Atsushi...are you feeling okay? Or were you only partially there?" Hikari looked at her eldest brother.
"What are you talking about?"
"Yeah, I agree," Ryuu and Goh nodded, pointing at Atsushi, "What's going on?"
The ones who had the dream gaped at the three. Michiko took Goh's hand, "You mean...you don't remember all that?"
"Remember what?" her boyfriend blinked.
Michiko touched the choker on his neck, "Where do you think you got that?"
Goh's hand slowly went to his neck. When he felt the choker, his eyes narrowed with concern and confusion. He looked at Michiko for answers.
"Okay...let's TRY and explain this..." Yukari smacked her face.
"Wait...are you sure we should try with everyone here?" Hayate frowned.
They stared at all present.
"You're right..." Himeno nodded, "How about just for now, we tell Dad, Atsushi, Goh, and Ryuu?"
Naomi agreed, "After that, we'll see if it's worth telling again."
-------
Once they finished with their wacky tale, Kaoru stared blankly ahead. "I'm just...feeling a little uncertain..."
"No, Kaoru!"
Kaoru flinched and looked around, swearing that he'd heard a voice. Atsushi, Ryuu, and Goh shook their heads, "I don't remember any of that."
"I'm sorry, I must do this."
"Do you hear that?" Kaoru looked desperately at the others, wanting to tell him that he wasn't going crazy. They all stared at him questionably.
"Hear what?" Heihachi frowned.
"No...Kaoru, you can't abandon us!"
"I can't help it...I love her."
Kaoru raised a hand to his head and rubbed his temples.
-------
"Impossible!"
"What is it, my King?"
"Kaoru's memory wipe...it's..."
"It's fading?!"
"But it can't be! I erased his memories myself!"
"Should we go and contact them? Personally?"
"...We may be forced to."
-------
"Dad? Are you okay?" Himeno rubbed her father's shoulders.
He answered quickly, "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. I just...I got a sudden...sudden...headache..."
"Dad, you don't look so good..." Himeno's voice grew unsteady and worried.
"Fear not for him, Zenbu-sama."
"What was...what WAS that?!"
Kei looked cross, "It sounded like that man. That was in the dream."
"And what's 'Zenbu-sama' mean?" Michiko muttered.
"It means master of everything," Hikari said, "But I don't get what that's supposed to mean."
"Maybe it has to do with-"
Sasame's voice was drowned out by Himeno's scream, "DAD!"
He had passed out on the couch, the hand that was rubbing his head falling to the cushion. There was a flash of light, and everything around the group became gray. They looked around with more suspicion until that power came over them again, everyone being pulled to the ground on one knee, heads bowed.
"Rise."
And they did.
Seiichi and Sanako were now standing before them, a look of worry across both their faces.
"You're here. So that dream was real?" Hikari spat.
"We already told you, Katachi-sama. You have your proof. Your earrings," Sanako gestured to others, "Kaze-sama's hairpiece, Oto-sama's earring."
"Yeah, but..."
"Why can you not simply accept the facts, Katachi-sama?" Seiichi narrowed his eyes. "Accept your fate."
Hikari growled in her throat. Atsushi spoke up, "But if this dream really happened, why can't Ryuu, Goh, or I remember it?"
"You do not remember?" Sanako blinked with confusion.
The three shook their heads.
"Perhaps it is like Kaoru's. You have not had brainwashing or anything of the sort, but it should come back to you. That is why he has fainted. He has just suddenly remembered everything, now that he has been told of your dream. It IS strange, however. It should never have come undone. However, now we predict that Natsue's may become undone soon enough, as well."
"So...Natsue used to be the Princess of Disaster?" Mannen asked.
"Yes."
"But she became good again?"
"Yes."
"So..." Mannen trailed off, not sure how to word himself.
Naomi, who could sense where Mannen was going, continued, "So...she won't, like, go haywire or bad again or anything if she gets her memories back, will she?"
"No. She has too many people who love her, so she should have no negative feelings," Seiichi replied.
"Well, we all have negative feelings once in a while, don't we?" Hayate bit out, Hikari flinching beside him.
"Indeed. But not enough to let negative energy carry you away."
"So...Dad'll be alright?" Himeno asked softly, concerned for her father.
"Yes. He will be fine when he wakes up. He may still be a little confused, but nothing too serious. He may even be able to aid you with your newfound fate," Sanako gently suggested.
"Why do you keep calling us weird things?" Yukari spoke up.
"Because, Denki-sama, until you are proven worthy of being called by your name, you shall be called by your traditional element name."
"Right...what if we have absolutly no idea who you're talking about?" Heihachi smirked, raising an eyebrow.
"Juuryoku-sama?"
"Huh?" Naomi looked up, as though she'd gone out of the conversation and just been called back in.
The others could've sworn that they saw a smirk on Sanako's face before she called out, "Oto-sama?"
Sasame looked up, "Yes?"
"I rest my case."
"Either way, we came here to this human world to see the results of Kaoru's obtaining of his memories," Seiichi sighed, getting to the point.
"There's like, no side effects, are there?" Hajime brought up.
"There shouldn't be, but we need to be nearby, just in case."
-------
"Kaoru...you can't be serious," Hiro pleaded softly.
"You aren't allowed these feelings," Shun murmured.
"I know...I know! I just...I can't help but feel what's in my heart. Natsue never truly asked to become the Princess of Disaster," Kaoru reasoned, "And she's...I don't want her to be all alone, after so many years of darkness. After so many years of solitude."
"But...Kaoru...you can't be serious," Mamoru whispered. "You can't just leave us..."
"I'm sorry, Mamoru. But I've made up my mind."
"So, you won't even remember us?" Geki frowned.
"I'm afraid not. But remembering you isn't the concern. It's that we all know, at one point, we were inseperable. Everything between all of us; the fights, the sadness; it all happened, whether I'll remember it or not."
"But forgetting us...didn't you even think for a minute that it would hurt us, too?" Hiroshi muttered darkly.
Kaoru stuttered something, but cut himself off. Then, he slowly said, "Yes...I know...It will hurt all of us. But...I'm being selfish. You're right, Hiroshi. I didn't think."
Hiroshi's hands shook and balled into fists. He ran up and gave Kaoru a solid punch on his right cheek. "No...Kaoru, you can't abandon us!"
"I don't mean for it to be like that," Kaoru assured. "I still feel closer to you all than brothers."
"So you're going to abandon your brothers?" Shima whispered.
"No, I-..." Kaoru choked. "I'm sorry."
"'Sorry'...doesn't even begin to cover it." Hiro hissed.
"Hiro..."
"Damn it, Kaoru," Geki growled. "You know what you're going to do?"
Kaoru swallowed a knot in his throat.
"I'll tell you what you're going to do. You're gonna leave with Natsue..." Geki got closer, until he was in Kaoru's face, "...and you're gonna live a damn happy life. I wouldn't care if you raised fifteen kids. You're not going to remember us, anyways, so until you get your memory wiped by King Seiichi, you aren't going to worry about how damn hurt we'll be."
"...Geki..."
The former Knight of Fire cleared his throat and stepped away. The door creaked open, and Seiichi stood there, waiting patiently. "It's time, Kaoru."
Kaoru gave quick hugs and exchanged words of farewell to what he considered as his family. He stood before Geki, not sure of what to say. The Knight of Fire did.
"What the hell are you still standing there for, dumbass? Get out there and live that damn happy life I told you to! Either way...we'll be watching you."
-------
Kaoru groaned as his eyes cracked open. The first words he heard were from his middle child. "Dad! Are you okay now?"
"Yes, Himeno...I'm fine..." Kaoru sat up, but when he caught sight of Seiichi and Sanako standing in his living room, his eyes widened. He stood up shakily, "King Seiichi?! Queen Sanako?!"
"Kaoru. You remember us now?" Sanako smiled warmly.
"Of course I do-! Wait..." Kaoru's eyes glazed a little. "What happened with the others?"
"You should go and visit them. They've been rather lonely lately," Sanako smiled weakly then.
"So, you mean they're-?!"
"They are still alive. Their powers have merely been passed along," Seiichi explained.
"Are they still in Leafenia?"
"They still protect it, without their powers. True to his word, Geki had often checked in with you and this world."
Everyone else stared blankly.
Kaoru looked back and forth between the royalty and the large group. Then, he gasped quietly, "So, you mean...now they've-?"
"Yes."
"Well...there's so many more of them! What all powers did you give to them?"
"Perhaps this would be better to discuss in Leafenia," Sanako suggested. "It's not safe here."
"You are correct, my Queen." Seiichi looked at the group, "Don't worry. I have frozen time over. It shall not move whilst we speak."
With that, he opened the Road of Light, and they all followed Seiichi, Sanako, and Kaoru inside.
-------
"Hehehehehe...hahahaha....HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!
"They went for it. Now, I will know who will be who.
"Just you wait, Seiichi, Sanako.
"I will get my revenge on you."
-------
The group all sat in a circle in a carpeted room, Seiichi and Sanako sitting farther away from the others in the circle, Goh, Atsushi, and Ryuu in the middle. "Well, now that we're here..." Kaoru spoke up first. "Do they even know what power they've been granted?"
"Most have an idea, I think," Seiichi confirmed.
"Going around the circle, counter-clock wise, would you speak up what power you've obtained?" Sanako ordered.
Beginning with Shin, he murmured, "I think plants...and stuff like that."
"You are most correct, young Gensei-sama," Sanako beamed at him.
Hajime spoke with more confidence than Shin, "Water?"
A nod from both Seiichi and Sanako.
"Ice?"
Nod.
"Actually..." Sasame muttered, noticeably embarrased, "I'm not sure what mine is."
"You are the Leafe Knight of Sound, Oto-sama," Seiichi informed, "You have better hearing, and you have command over all sounds."
Sasame took this in, nodding in understanding. "Go on."
"Wind."
Nod.
"This sounds odd, but...some kind of transformation?"
"You are correct, Katachi-sama. Although..." Seiichi commented, "Your manners need to be changed as well."
Hikari glared at Seiichi and her twin spoke up, "I'm not sure about mine, either."
Sanako said, "You have heightened senses, Gokan-sama. You have better hearing, stronger attacks, extremely well sight, and such."
"Heh." He grinned.
Kei shrugged when it came around to him.
"You have power of light, Akarui-sama."
"Of light?" Kei echoed.
"Yes. You will see what I mean later," Sanako assured.
"O...kay?"
Yukari droaned, "I think mine's obvious. Electricity."
Nod.
Naomi pointed to Hikari, "I think she said it earlier. Gravity?"
Nod.
Michiko shifted uncomfortably, "I'm like, a ghost, almost."
"Yes, Tamashii-sama. You have the power of spirits. You can become similar to that of a spirit. You become practically untouchable."
Himeno blinked, "I have NO IDEA."
"You have a universal power, Zenbu-sama. Anyone you touch in battle - their power will become yours. Once you get the hang of it, you can choose to hold that power within yourself so that you will not have to be touching one person the entire battle."
"Huh...that's interesting..."
"Now, these three," Michiko gestured to Goh, Atsushi, and Ryuu, "are in the middle because they don't remember, right?"
"Correct," Seiichi nodded. "However, do you all know their powers?"
Hikari and Heihachi cackled, "Atsushi has time."
"Ryuu has something along the lines of illusions," Sasame pointed out, "Because the scenery changed. And he disappeared."
"That is correct. Illusions."
"And Goh has fire," Michiko said with a final tone.
"These are all correct. However, why they cannot remember is beyond our guesses. We cannot even begin to think of why they can't remember," Sanako murmured.
Kaoru cleared his throat for the royals' recognition. They looked at him. Seiichi frowned, "You have a guess, Kaoru?"
"Couldn't it be because of a new sinister being?" Kaoru offered. "To try and prevent as many Knights as possible?"
Seiichi's and Sanako's eyes narrowed with thought. "You may be on to something there," the King agreed.
Knock, knock!
The knocks echoed throughout the giant room. Seiichi called, a smirk on his face, "Come in!"
The door creaked open, and six men poured in the room, immediately swamping Kaoru.
"Hey, you finally decided to visit us, Kao!" Shima smiled, his deep sky blue eyes shining brightly.
"Dumbass! Leading that damn happy life like I told you to?" Geki grinned, his mahogany eyes twinkling with happiness and mischief.
"You didn't end up forgetting us, after all, Kaoru!" Mamoru whooped, his icy blue eyes glowing with relief.
The others blinked with confusion.
"Wait, wait, wait, hang on, you guys!" Kaoru shoved them off him. "I think, first, we should clear up this situation."
After a few minutes, the former Leafe Knights sat behind Kaoru, waiting on someone to begin introductions. Kaoru gestured to the men sitting behind him, "Now, as you all now know, I was the former Leafe Knight of Light. These are all my old companions. This is Hiro," he gestured to the oldest-looking one that had natural silver hair and green eyes, "former Leafe Knight of Wind."
Hiro stood and gave them all a polite bow.
"Geki, former Leafe Knight of Fire." Geki stood, nodded his head, and sat, everyone somewhat taken aback at how bright his spiked red hair was.
"Shun, former Leafe Knight of Sound." Shun had short dark green hair and entrancing violet eyes. He bobbed his head from his seat.
"Mamoru, former Leafe Knight of Ice." Mamoru gave them all a friendly grin, his hair such a pale blue color that it almost appeared white.
"Hiroshi, former Leafe Knight of Water." Hiroshi smiled and gave a short wave. His hair was somewhat longer than everyone else's, having a dark blonde color.
"And Shima, former Leafe Knight of Plants." Shima was obviously the youngest, appearing only in his late twenties, while everyone else were in their mid-thirties except Kaoru and Hiro.
"And, you guys, this is the next generation of Leafe Knights." Kaoru then began going around the circle, "Shin, with Plants. Hajime, Water. Mannen, Ice. Sasame, Sound. Hayate, Wind. Hikari, Transformation. Heihachi, Super Senses. Kei, Light. Yukari, Electricity. Naomi, Gravity. Michiko, Spirits. Himeno, Universal. Goh, Fire. Atsushi, Time. And Ryuu, Illusions."
"You've grown, Himeno," Geki grinned.
Himeno flushed, "Ummm...have I actually met you before?"
"No. I've checked in with Kaoru and his family for years since he left. Last I saw you, you were no older than nine. I was the only one who did the checking, though," Geki smirked innocently.
"Not true," Mamoru sneered. He turned to Himeno, "She has a good arm. I'm surprised his bruise," he then pointed to Hayate, "has faded."
"Oi! Tulip-head!" Hayate called at her.
Himeno turned her pink eyes on him with a vengeance. "What was that?!"
Hayate suddenly saw the rifle go spinning towards him. It hit his forehead and actually bounced back to Himeno, who caught it and threw it up in the air again. "I said, 'what was that?'"
"I said...." Hayate fell on the ground, dazed.
The ones who'd been there cracked up laughing, except Hayate, who flinched painfully at the memory. He turned and glared at Himeno, but she was too busy laughing to see him glaring. He hissed, "Stop laughing."
They continued.
"STOP LAUGHING!!" he roared, wind suddenly blowing in the room.
Baffled by this sudden gust, everyone stopped laughing. Hayate inhaled deeply, calming himself down, and the winds died. Mannen frowned, "So...if we lose control of our emotions, we can set off our...powers?"
"That is correct. However, in time, it will not set off. All you need is practice," Sanako confirmed.
"Hear that?" Hikari smirked, "Don't go pissing me off, now. I might go tiger or bear on you guys or something."
"That does bring up a point, Katachi-sama," Seiichi said, as though he was just reminded of something. "For some of you, if you lose your temper too quickly, you can cause horrible damage without meaning to. Such as Moeteimasu-sama."
Goh looked somewhat alarmed.
"He could lose his temper and unintentionally burn anyone near him or an entire building. Katachi-sama could lose to her animal side and rampage. Juuryoku-sama could accidentally make all the gravity on Earth disappear, causing everyone to float into the depths of space. Genkaku-sama could cause everyone to go mad with his illusions. Mizu-sama could drown the world. You see, each of you must learn to control your emotions, or you could unintentionally harm everyone around you."
"But if we DID lose control, and, just say, it was Mannen," Yukari suggested, Mannen glaring at her, "The world would probably either get extremely cold quickly or freeze over. If that were the case, would it go back to normal once he calmed down?"
"That is correct. But it is better to avoid these situations completely." Seiichi rubbed his forehead. "It would be too much trouble to erase everyone's memories on the incident."
They all mumbled understanding words.
Hiroshi shamefully bowed his head, "I lost control of my emotions one time."
"...What happened?" Shin inquired.
"You know that large island off of the coast of Jutaria?"
"...What island?" Hajime blinked.
"EXACTLY."
They stared buggeyed at him.
"So, say someone else lost control, you know, like Yuka," Mannen smiled demonically as she hissed at him, "Would the world be, like, wrapped in thunderstorms for the rest of eternity if she didn't calm down?"
"Worse than thunderstorms," Sanako shook her head. "Much worse."
"Much worse how?" Ryuu demanded.
"It wouldn't HAVE to come out of stormclouds. There could be electricity shooting out of the ground or inside buildings."
They stared at Yukari next, who beamed, "Yeah, so now you know what's in store for you when you call me undersized."
"Why does she always avoid saying 'short'?" Kei murmured.
"She hopes it'll change the meaning and she'll become a giant," Hikari whispered.
The room then fell silent, no one sure of what to say. Until Seiichi then said, "Well, perhaps Hiro, Geki, Shun, Mamoru, Hiroshi, and Shima can escort you back to your world now. It will be your turn to explain things to Natsue."
"Right."
They all stood and left Seiichi and Sanako behind.
-------
It'd been a long Christmas break for the Awayukis' and their friends. Natsue had also awakened her memories, the explanation almost taking longer than the first. The new Leafe Knights and Lady Leafe Knights were holding off on telling the rest of their friends, since Seiichi and Sanako hadn't said that telling anyone else was forbidden. Probably just as long as they kept the secrets, they would be fine. However, on the monday morning that they were returning to school...
"Man, are you guys trying to start a fashion statement?" Mr. Fuji chuckled, noting all the strange jewelery on the group.
They glared at him before Naomi tackled him, "MR. FUJJJIIII!!! I MISSED YOUUU!! I CALLED YOU OVER CHRISTMAS BREAK AND YOU DIDN'T ANSWER MEEEE!!!"
"Who WOULD answer your phone calls at three in the morning?!" Mr. Fuji shoved her off.
Hikari coughed fakely and murmured, "Not my fault."
"Of course, of course," Mannen nodded before receiving a blow to the skull.
"Well, how much did you practice over the break?" Mr. Fuji beamed, as though he were expecting them to have practiced four hours a day.
They chuckled weakly before fleeing for their lives, Mr. Fuji calling angrily, "I STILL HAVE YOU ALL IN CLASS LATER!!"
In gym...
Ms. Sage announced to the group that were sitting in the bleachers, "Okay, we're going to start a little bit of basketball for you non-basketball players!"
The ones who didn't play the sport groaned loudly.
"Oh, stop whining! Anyways, start with your warmups! Three laps running, three walking! GET STARTED!"
More groans went out, but everyone went out onto the track anyway. Hikari and Naomi ran side by side, talking about things that had happened over their break quietly. "Yeah, so don't get pissed off anytime soon, Hika," Naomi smirked, "We don't wanna say that a lion escaped the zoo and that one person went missing."
"Oh, please," Hikari rolled her eyes, glaring at the backs of the preps running in front of them, "If I were to get pissed, more than ONE person would go missing."
Heihachi effortlessly ran up beside them, "Hey, lovely mornin', isn't it?"
"Hachi, you're sooo mean! You know, if you get another lap ahead, people will get suspicious of something," Naomi glared at the teen.
"Nah. I'll say I'm training for the Olympics. Besides, I've already had a record of jumping 15 feet, and that's without anything!" Heihachi beamed proudly.
"Seriously, you need to restrain yourself today, Heihachi," Hikari said, a warning tone in her voice, "We all need to be careful from now on."
"Yeah, I know. I can still kick the other team's butts at b-ball anyway. See ya!" And he took off, passing them for his third lap of running.
The two girls chased after him with fury. However, on the perfectly still morning, there was a sudden harsh gust of wind that was so sudden, it blew a few people off balance. Hikari and Naomi looked at Hayate with slight panic. Goh and a school friend of theirs - Li, from chapter 6 - were trying to calm Hayate down. If Li knew, the two had no idea, but Goh looked a little more panicked than Li, so he must not know. When the two best friends finished their third lap of running, they jogged and caught up with Hayate, Goh, and Li.
"What's going on?" Hikari inquired to Hayate, watching her wording carefully.
"It's nothing," he bit out.
Naomi then turned to Goh, but he shook his head, obviously saying he wasn't going to get into the conversation. There was an awkward silence until Naomi looked around at the four people around her. She pouted, "I feel like a dwarf."
The four tall people looked down at her, Hikari hugging her friend, "It's okayyyy, Naomi!! You'll have your growth spurt ANY DAY now!"
"Hikari, I'm sixteen years old. You've been saying that I'd have my growth spurt since sixth grade," Naomi darkly said.
Goh patted Naomi's head out of sympathy as Li gave off a roaring laugh, Naomi glaring at him before grabbing Hikari's wrist and dragging her away with her from the guys. Hikari smirked weakly, "You know that Li's only playin', right?"
"Yeah, I know. I just like to give some guys the guilt trip," Naomi cackled, and Hikari turned around to see Li seriously asking Goh what he did wrong. Hikari laughed at his expression. A few minutes later, the wind died down, Hayate's expression calming. Hikari murmured, "Yeah, Hayate's one of the easiest guys to piss off."
"Mmhmm," Naomi agreed.
"Man, this sucks."
"What?"
"How we're coming to school for only two days, then getting out for New Year's!"
"Yeah. It's stupid."
"It also sucks that we all got split up into different classes now. We all used to be in the same classes with the others, now we're stuck with my brother," Hikari glared at Heihachi's back, "Hayate, and Goh."
"Yeahhh..."
With all their laps finished, the ones in the Leafe group sat closer to each other than they normally would've. Ms. Sage called off a few people to play basketball against each other. Naomi snickered to Hikari, "Look at that. One whole team is preps."
Hikari cackled evilly. Hayate leaned forward and asked, "What's your grudge against them?"
"We are their natural enemies. Preps think they're better than everyone else and they think they shouldn't have to do any work. They whine and complain, so we try to make their lives a living hell," Hikari informed, all with a smile on her face.
"Just watch," Naomi whispered, ready for laughs.
They began the game with only flipping a coin, one side getting the ball for starters instead of a jump for the ball. The court was completely taken over by girls' teams, guys from other sides of the bleachers calling out encouragements to the girls. Suddenly, in a pursuit for the ball, a girl was pushed to the floor. "Ms. SAAA-GE! She PUSHED me!"
"Sorry, girl. That's the game. Get up, come on! Shirts' ball!"
"Yeah," Hikari cackled, "Ms. Sage hates them, too."
They sat, watching the game for about eight minutes before someone was about to score. Obviously, someone that Naomi didn't like. Hikari heard an evil laugh come from Naomi and she turned with a strange look on her face. "Naoooommmmiiiii...what're you gonna do?"
"Oh, nothing." Naomi didn't take her eyes off the court. As soon as one of the girls jumped into the air, Naomi winked an eye, and the girl fell hard back to the ground. "OH, NO! LOOK, SHE FELL!!" Naomi gasped.
"Hey...was that really called for?" Goh murmured.
"Yeah. You wouldn't believe what that girl has called Naomi before. She had it coming." Hikari nodded approvingly. "Still, that wasn't exactly the best approach."
"You sound like you want to say more," Hayate pointed out.
"Oh, yeah. Naomi..." Hikari turned to her, "WHY DIDN'T YOU WAIT UNTIL SHE WAS HIGHER IN THE AIR, DAMMIT?"
There was a crowd gathering around the girl, who was wailing loudly, "MY ANKLE!! I THINK IT'S BROKEN!!"
"Yes!" Naomi pumped a fist.
"No, it's only sprained," Ms. Sage sighed. "HEY, BACK YOUR LITTLE BUTTS UP! RYUICHI! GO GET THE NURSE!"
A boy swiftly took out of the room.
"Damn," Naomi and Hikari snapped their fingers.
"Well, the rest of the day should be eventful," Goh muttered, his twin agreeing.
-------
As the group walked home for the day, Himeno raised an eyebrow to those who'd been present at the gym situation, "I heard a girl twisted her ankle in gym today."
"Oh, yeah. Really funny," Naomi grinned. "But she'll make it."
"You really shouldn't have done that, even if she DID deserve it," Himeno scolded.
"Okay, okay. It was a one-time thing, I promise," Naomi held her right hand up, since her left was occupied with her tenor saxophone's case.
"And speaking of which..." Heihachi looked at Hayate, "There weren't any calls for wind today."
"I told you that it was nothing. I was just feeling irritated," Hayate hissed.
Heihachi sighed, "Whatever you say."
"Haru, you've been awfully quiet on the way from school," Himeno pointed out, holding her boyfriend's hand.
"I just don't feel good. It's probably nothing," Haru assured her with a smile.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, then..."
They reached the house about ten minutes later, Haru took Himeno out for a walk into the backyard, the others remaining outside. They realized that no one aside from Haru, Mawata, and Mayune was with them today that didn't have a power. Yukari had said that her brother had stayed home sick, and Takako had a late day study session. Ryuu had met them outside of school, since their school had let out early for the day due to weather forecasts of snow. They didn't know why, but they suddenly felt uneasy. Mawata and Mayune walked inside to put their own personal belongings inside the house, leaving the others to quickly discuss among themselves.
"Am I the only one who feels antsy?" Kei inquired, narrowing his eyes.
"No, I feel completely restless," Michiko muttered, and as if to prove her point, she began pacing.
"I agree with you guys, but..." Hajime rubbed his arms, "I don't feel so good. I feel kinda icky."
"Me, too," Shin nodded.
"I wonder if this has to do with that dark being that King Seiichi and Queen Sanako were talking about," Atsushi said.
"Do you remember anything on that dream, yet?" Heihachi asked his older brother.
"Everything's a little hazy, but I think I remember bits and pieces," Atsushi murmured.
"What about-?"
"AHHH!!!"
Sasame had been cut short by a blood-curling scream from Himeno in the distance. Everyone took off running towards her screams. They were forced to weave in and out of trees in the woods before finding her in a clearing with Haru. Only, Haru had glowing golden eyes. He had an evil smirk on his face. "Why, hello, Leafe Knights."
"H...Haru...?" Michiko breathed, Himeno backing up towards the group and away from Haru.
"Why so shocked, Michi? Because you never could've guessed that I was actually the Prince of Darkness?" Haru chuckled darkly before bursting out into evil laughter.
"You heartless asshole!" Hikari roared, "What did you do with the real Hatsuharu?!"
"I AM the real Hatsuharu, Hika. You would've just never guessed. I, however, know your true identities."
They all froze, holding their breath. Ryuu growled, "What do you mean?"
"What I mean, Genkaku-sama, is that I know ALL about your being Leafe Knights. However, I must admit...adding females was quite shocking. Considering how weak they are."
Hikari's hands ball into fists, and her entire body shook. She heard Hayate's soothing voice in her ear, "Calm down, Hikari," but it did no good. Hikari hissed quietly, "Step away from me, Hayate."
Yukari began, "Hikari, don't-!"
But it was too late. Hikari, engulfed with rage and anger, transformed into a large tiger, and with a powerful leap, jumped towards Haru. He didn't move an inch, but instead, held up a hand. Just as Hikari's jaws were about to tighten around Haru's hand, a purple and black beam of light shot out, knocking Hikari backwards into a tree. Hayate called her name as he rushed to her side. Hikari gave a low growl in her throat, and she forced her body to stand. Hayate angrily clenched his fists, and his clothes suddenly changed to the Wind Knight's. All of the previous Leafe Knights gave them all advice as they'd escorted the group back to their world. He'd remembered Hiro's words to him before they parted: "If something is to happen before we can fully help you with battle, concentrate your Leafe. Picture it becoming a solid in your mind, and you can use the Wind Sword."
He did just as instructed, and the wind picked up, swirled into spirals, then took shape of a sword. He grabbed the hilt and held it out threateningly to Haru. He just simply hissed: "How dare you."
"Y-you, too, Hayate?" Michiko sputtered.
"And he should fight!" Haru sneered, "Why SHOULDN'T he?! In fact, why shouldn't you all?!" Haru shot another beam of light at the large group.
Unsure of how to do it just yet, Goh held out his hands, wishing how he could use fire. And just as the light was about to blow them all away, an inferno shot from Goh's hands, canceling out the light. Haru laughed, as though amused, "Not bad at all! I thought you all to be completely and utterly lost! Hahahahaa!!"
"Haru...please...you're not serious, are you...?" Himeno pleaded, her voice cracking. "I mean...three...almost four years together...was it all...all a lie?"
Haru's eyes narrowed to almost slits, "It was all just to win over your trust. And now, I will destroy all of you."
"You're not...you're not going to do this, are you? You aren't...like this..." Himeno began taking slow steps toward him, against the others' protests.
"Why shouldn't I? There's no problem with killing all of you."
"Haru...Haru..."
Haru's eye ticked, and he bellowed, "SHUT UP!"
A dark whip went flying towards Himeno, but the blow landed on Hikari, who'd managed to get in front of Himeno just in time. She closed her jaws around the whip, and violently ripped it from Haru's hands. Hayate, who had snuck around to Haru's back, jumped forward and was about to dig his sword into Haru's back, but he hit a barrier, which sent him flying backwards. Shin went running forward, "Hayate!! Ack-!"
"SHIN! HARU, PUT HIM DOWN!!" Sasame ordered, his normally peaceful aura disappeared, overpowered by his anger. His clothes became that of the Sound Knight's, and he locked eyes with Haru, who had a black sword to Shin's neck.
"One move, and the kid dies," Haru threatened.
Practically everyone's clothes changed then, everyone becoming angry. Himeno, however, was still in shock. Hikari stood in front of the shaking teenager, Himeno begging, "Please, Haru...you can't do this!"
"I can. And I should...and I probably will."
Shin began shaking uncontrollably in Haru's arms. Tears spilled over his eyes, and he screamed, "LET ME GO!!"
Out of the ground, plant vines wrapped around Haru's sword and tore it from his grasp. From startlement, Haru dropped Shin, who was gathered up by Goh. Hikari, spotting an opening, jumped at Haru and swatted him with her claws. She scratched him across his chest, cornering him to a tree. Hikari knocked him back and hissed in his face, her right paw against his chest, keeping him there.
"Hika...let me up, or I will kill you," Haru demanded, panting.
She roared in his face, and he interpretted it as a 'no'.
"Very well then."
There was a loud explosion in everyone's ears as they all blew backwards before everyone eventually hit a tree or something solid. They all groaned and tried to force themselves up, but it was followed by a second wave. Haru's voice sounded over the noise, "YOU NOW KNOW WHAT YOU'RE UP AGAINST! I WILL SEE YOU SOON, LEAFE KNIGHTS!!"
And he vanished.
-------
Me: Yes? Yes? You like?
ET: ...YOU ARE...QUITE DEVIOUS.
Me: Does that mean you like?
ET: (glares) GET TYPING.
EGP: Oh, that was MEAN, Nissy!
Me: ...I CAN'T HELP IT! HARU WENT EVIL BECAUSE CAKE WANTED TO BE IN THE STORY! HE TOLD ME THAT LAST YEAR, THEN WHEN I ADDED HIM IN, HE WANTED TO BE THE BAD GUY!!
EGP: (runs to find said friend)
Kratos: ...
Emil: ...Umm...
Kratos: No. It's better not to say anything. Perhaps they will forget we're here.
Me: IMPOSSIBLE, KRATOS!
Kratos: Damn.
ET: I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO GET TYPING!!
Me: EEP! (starts typing next chapter)
Emil: Umm...please review the story?
