HI GUYS! By the way, I just want to take a moment to say thanks for reading my stories and reviewing some of my chapters. They really encourage me to write more chapters for your enjoyment. Oh yeah, and there's the polls that I put up. Anyways, enjoy!
Chapter 14
Meet Mori
"Where's Aster gone to?" Daisy wondered. "Did he even see me beat that Armstrong?"
"Sorry we took so long. Did I miss anything?" Aster asked, scrambling through the bushes.
"Where have you been then?" Daisy said huffily.
"Didn't you tell her, Jaden?"
"Tell her what?"
"YOU IDIOT!" Aster yelled, hitting Jaden behind his head. "You weren't even listening were you?"
"Listening to what?" Jesse asked.
"You too?!" Aster exclaimed. "Anyway, Aiko wanted to er…talk to me. Besides, we found Haru."
"You did?! Where is he?"
"Not telling you."
"Eh?"
"Everyone's hunting Haru, right? We don't want to give away where he is. Especially to those…" Aster indicated the clearing, but Armstrong and Catalina were gone. "Hmph. Guess its safe then. Haru, you can come out now." Haru parted two hedges out of the way and revealed himself.
"Oh thank god." Jesse sighed. "What the hell were you doing?!" He yelled.
"Well we came here to find him and we did, so let's just go home." Jaden said.
"No." Haru said. "There's something I have to do here, and I'm not going to let anything get in the way of it."
"So if you don't like it, go home." Aiko said, walking through the hedges also.
"Hmmm… maybe we should help him out." Hannah said.
"After all, he is on the most wanted list. And he can't do this alone, so I'm in." Jesse said.
"Me two." Syrus yelled.
"Me three." Jaden yelled.
"In other words, we're helping too." Daisy said.
"Er…" Haru started. "I… I don't know what to say."
"Thank you would be a start." Daisy piped up.
"Well…URK!" Aiko suddenly threw her arms around Haru's neck.
"Where've you been these past six years? You didn't write to me, or tell me you were okay. I missed you so much. You had me worried sick."
"Sorry." Haru muttered. "Can you let go please? I can't breathe." Aiko slid down onto the ground again.
"Anyway Haru, where's your brother?" Aiko asked. "I thought that since you were here, he wouldn't be that far behind." Haru gasped. "And what about your parents? Are they well? They went missing along with you and Sekio. Where did you go? And why do you need to talk to your sister anyway? Did something happen? I know she was banished and all, so does this mean you're trying to find her and bring her back to the family like you said you would when we were kids? And…HEY!" Haru spun around and ran off into the woods. "Was it something I said?"
"Aiko…" Aster started, fidgeting with his jacket awkwardly. "Well…the thing is… Haru's brother is dead." Aiko gasped. "And his sister is my mother's second in command, and she wants to kill all stone wielders, including him."
"What about his parents?" Aiko dared to ask.
"Both dead. I heard from Hassleberry that they were killed in front of him by Nevara when he was twelve."
"Seriously?!" Jaden exclaimed.
"So that means…" Aiko said.
"Yeah. Haru hasn't got any family left. He's just like how I used to be."
"An orphan…" Aiko whispered. She buried her face in her hands. "I'm so heartless. I wasn't even thinking when I said those things." Daisy wrapped an arm around her shoulders, careful not to bend her wings.
"It's not your fault." Daisy reassured. "You didn't know." Aiko shrugged off Daisy's arm and began to hover on the ground. She flew off into the forest, following where Haru ran. "Where are you going?"
"Where do you think?" Aiko yelled.
…
"Haru!" Aiko called out. "Where are you?" She landed on the ground beside a tree trunk. A few trees away, Haru was sat with his back to a tree and his knees drawn up.
I understand now what Aster meant when he said Haru was living under a dark shadow. I might not even be able to cheer him up, but I just want him to know its okay.
"Forget it"
"What?" Haru lifted his head slightly, but didn't turn to face Aiko
"What happened back there…just forget it. It's nothing to do with you."
"But…if you'd only told me what happened, you wouldn't have run off. Why are you always shutting yourself off from everyone else?" Aiko kneeled down next to Haru. "It doesn't help when you do things like this. You've…you've changed."
"I had to. It was the only way to survive where I was. I always had my brother by my side, but now that he's gone I've…I've got nothing left."
"You've got me. And you've got these new friends. How's that nothing?" Haru turned away from Aiko.
"Friends?"
Flashback
"Aster, get off!" Haru snapped, pulling Aster's arm off his hair. "There really was no need for that."
"I had to make sure you didn't run away again." Aster shrugged.
"Ha! Don't you trust me?"
"If you keep this up, then no." Aster sighed. "Look, if you want to be part of our group, you'll have to prove we can trust you…and that you can trust us."
"Trust? Friendship? Are they your favourite words?" Haru exclaimed.
"Hmmm….y'know you're a lot like Aiko."
"Oh?"
"No offence but, like her, you don't know that much about friends do you?" Haru turned away.
"You're right. I don't. I mean, I did know about them years ago, but back when I worked for Miranda, everyone distanced themselves from others unless they were partners in missions and assassinations. My partner was always Sekio, so we were always together. The fact that my brother was always with me…" Haru closed his eyes. "It made life there just a little bit more bearable. Whenever I was sad or scared, he'd always tell me it's alright. Thinking about it, I really miss him saying that to me. Right now, what I want to hear the most right now is him say those words. More than ever, I want to hear them."
"Dude…" Aster muttered. "I understand now why this whole friendship thing is new to you. I'm still new to it myself." Haru opened his eyes and looked at Aster. "And you know what I say? I'd say now's a good time to get back into gear with this stuff. It doesn't help shutting yourself off and disappearing without saying anything. Even though you're a master of stone, you're still a beginner at friendship." Aster parted two tree branches out the way. He looked over his shoulder to Haru. "Besides, if you don't, what are you going to do if a girl says she likes you?" Aster walked through the branches and into the forest, leaving Haru alone.
"Haru? Haru!" Aiko parted some long grass out the way and poked her head out of them. "There you are. Did you find the exit?"
"Huh? Oh! Yeah we did!" Haru stammered, still slightly dazed. "It's er…it's this way."
"I'm so pathetic!" Haru yelled, slamming a fist into the ground. "I'm stronger than I was before, but I'm still so weak. I'm clinging onto memories that are hardly relevant, and my only family left wants to make sure I'm dead and gone. Why am I like this? Sometimes I…I wish I wasn't even a stone wielder at all!"
"Haru…I know you've experienced a lot in the past few years. But…" Tears filled Aiko's eyes. "I just wish you'd open up to me a little more…as your friend." Aiko buried her face in her hands and began to cry. Haru grimaced.
"No wait. I'm the one who's supposed to be down. Not you. Oh come on, Aiko." Haru hung his head. "Don't cry." Haru whined. Aiko wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket.
"But you're wrong Haru. You're not pathetic. And you're not weak. You're stronger than you think. I admire you."
"Huh?" Aiko leaned closer towards Haru.
"I always wanted to be a stone wielder. Compared to you, my powers are nothing. All I can do right now is fire arrows, because I've only just obtained the ability to transform into this." Aiko plucked a little bit of her skirt to indicate her costume. "I already can't stand having this power. I'd much rather have your powers. I like you!" Aiko's eyes widened after realising what she just said. "I mean…uh…I want us to be together like we used to be." Haru edged away from Aiko nervously, blushing.
"Besides, if you don't, what are you going to do if a girl says she likes you?"
"It's not that special being a stone wielder." Haru muttered.
"Wha…"
"I er…I think you look good in that outfit. It suits you." There was a long silence.
"Haru's got the hots!" Aster sang loudly, bursting out from behind the tree the two of them were next to.
"WAAAHHH!" Haru yelled, jumping back onto his feet. "Where did you materialise from? And what do you mean I've got the hots?!" Aster looked at Haru closely, who was still blushing.
"Yup. You've got the hots."
"Why you little…" Haru started. Jaden peered out from behind the same tree seconds later. The first sight he saw was Haru grappling Aster in a headlock and Aiko frantically panicking.
"Um… I kinda wanna ask and I also kinda don't."
"Hi, Jaden." Aster said cheerfully. "I've found Haru. Again."
"Nothing to worry about. I'm still in one piece." Haru said.
"Oh that's good. Guys! I've found them!" Jaden yelled to his left.
"Now where was I? Oh, yeah!" Haru continued to wrestle with Aster.
"Ow, that hurt! What'd I do to deserve this?"
"Let me think. You pulled my hair twice, and you burst out of nowhere claiming something ridiculous."
"If you deny it, it's true. You do have a thing for her."
"That's the most stupid thing I've ever heard!"
"Ha ha!" Aiko laughed. "You're still the same as you used to be, Haru. Huh?" Aiko looked over her shoulder.
"What's wrong?" Aster asked, pulling himself out of Haru's headlock.
"I thought I sensed something. Or two something's. But, they're in one body. And whatever it is, one of them is pure evil." The hedges began to rustle and a shadow began to walk through them.
"Brace yourselves." Aster warned, his hand hovering over the stopper in his water skin.
"Aster?" Meno stepped out of the hedges, picking twigs out of her cardigan.
"Meno?" Aster relaxed his guard. "What're you doing here?"
"I…I got worried. You were gone for a while, so I went looking for you."
"Meno… you know it's dangerous for you to go outside." Aster placed his hands on her shoulders. "I left you there to make sure you were okay. If you were taken to the army, I'd never forgive myself."
"I'm sorry…" Meno said quietly, her eyes shining. "But I can't go back there either. A policeman came in, and I got scared, so papa told me to follow you."
"It's alright…" Aster pulled a twig out of Meno's blue hair. "You can stay with us. Just be careful, okay?"
"Alright."
"Hold on a minute. Did you say…a policeman was over at the flat?" Jaden asked. Meno nodded.
So she was the one I sensed. Aiko thought. Her eyes widened. That means...
"She's a Kishido." Aiko gasped, pointing at Meno.
"Yeah, we know." Aster said.
"Aren't you afraid? She'll kill you."
"Nah, that's just her other side." Jaden reassured.
"A word of advice." Aster started. "Don't hit her on the head."
"How did you know I was a Kishido?" Meno asked.
"I have the ability to sense many supernatural beings. Right now, I can sense warlocks, demons, stone wielders, others of my kind and Kishido's."
"Wow, that's handy." Aster said. Little did the gang know that Armstrong was peering at them through a bunch of hedges.
Indeed…Armstrong thought with a grin.
…
"Rough day?" Hiruko asked, lounging on a rock as Catalina walked into a clearing, scowling. "I'll take that as a yes then."
"That rookie is hopeless!" Catalina yelled, scratching a tree trunk with her claws. "Not only did he lose a fight with that charmcaster, but now he's spying on them. I don't know why Miss Miranda even took him in. What's she thinking?"
"That wasn't what I meant." Hiruko twirled a strand of blonde hair around his finger. "I can tell by looking at your clothes. You lost a fight again, didn't you?"
"I didn't lose!" Catalina snapped. "He was down for the count."
"Was it with your boyfriend?" Hiruko teased.
"Jesse is not my boyfriend!" Catalina yelled, grabbing Hiruko's shirt. "Anymore wisecracks from you and I'll knock your teeth out!"
"Go ahead. I'll sue you for child abuse."
"You little…"
"Catalina," Catalina gasped and turned around to be faced with Alister, who had appeared directly behind her. "You shouldn't lose your temper like that. You're no better than Hiruko."
"Oh, m-m-master Alister." Catalina stuttered, letting go of Hiruko.
"Master?! He's not second in command." Hiruko said.
"You sure are stupid." Mokuren said, teleporting in a flash of green light to sit on a tree branch. "We all know Miss Nevara is the second in command, but Master Alister is the only one she truly trusts. After all, he is one of the strongest. In fact, he might even be a match for the phoenix boy."
"You mean…he can beat Aster?"
"It's likely." Mokuren shrugged.
"Enough of the introductions, Mokuren." Alister said calmly. "There's a more serious matter at hand. For example…" He turned back to Catalina. "Catalina, I hear you lost another fight."
"I didn't lose." Catalina grumbled.
"You say that, but is that the truth? You lost to the boy in the red jacket, who hasn't even fought yet until now, and he beat you, a superior."
"You lost to THAT goofy kid?" Hiruko exclaimed, sliding down the rock and sitting on the ground cross legged. "No way. Things are getting more fun now."
"You call losing fun?" Mokuren questioned.
"Well, that's not really fun at all." Hiruko smirked. "It's just that…this team is stronger than I thought. Dino boy beat not one, but two stone wielders. Then there's the sound warrior who destroyed the castle. The phoenix boy beat four of our strongest. That kid who controls light outsmarted Catalina, who is one of the most intelligent in our assassins. She was defeated again by an idiot. Plus, I heard the phoenix boy's charmcaster girlfriend beat the new recruit." Hiruko held up six fingers. "Six kids. We were undefeated for years, and then this lot came along. Like I said, this whole thing is getting more and more fun."
"Good point there." Mokuren muttered. "I want to get a piece of Jaden myself after what he did to me."
"I appreciate your concern, Master Alister." Catalina said, turning away. "But I won't lose again."
"How do you know?" Catalina turned back to Alister. "You may face one of the others, and how do you know you won't lose to them?" He placed a hand on the side of Catalina's face. "You do know what happens after three strikes, right? And I wouldn't want my little kitten to get hurt."
"Flattery won't get you anywhere." Catalina hissed. She shrugged off Alister's hand forcefully and stepped backwards away from him. "And stop calling me kitten."
"Come on. I was only being friendly. You don't have to hurt my feelings."
"That's it I'm out of here." Catalina leapt into the tree tops and out of sight.
"Shouldn't we go after her?" Mokuren asked.
"Nah. Better leave Miss Grumpypuss alone for a while."
"I heard that Hiruko!" Catalina yelled from a distance.
"Good! You were supposed to!" Hiruko yelled back.
"Grow up will ya." Alister muttered.
"What happens after three strikes anyway?" Hiruko asked. Mokuren sighed.
"You are such a head case. Mokuren raised a finger. "First strike: You face a punishment." Mokuren lifted a second finger. "Second strike: Nothing happens, except you are given a warning." He raised a final finger. "Third strike: Death." Hiruko's eyes widened. "Don't tell me you didn't know that after being with us for two years. You should have figured that out after Sekio's death." Mokuren leapt down from the tree branch and onto the ground. He began to walk away with his hands in his pockets.
"Hold on. Sekio only got two strikes. How could he have had a death sentence?" Hiruko demanded, standing up. Mokuren stopped walking. He looked over his shoulder.
"His third strike was loosing. The second and first were refusal of a mission." Mokuren turned back around and disappeared in a flash of green light.
"Why are you concerning yourself with rules, Hiruko?" Alister asked. "And what about your sister? Where is she?" Hiruko shrugged.
"That girl always does whatever she wants whenever she wants. She never changes." Alister narrowed his eyes.
"You're convinced nothings different, so why…do I detect feelings of doubt?" Hiruko's eyes widened. "Not only is Mariko changing, but you are as well. Almost as if…you want to help the enemy." Hiruko clenched his fists. "You know we don't tolerate traitors."
"I am not a traitor!" Hiruko snapped, turning sharply to Alister. "And I can tell you're up to something as well, so you have no right to tell me what to do!"
"Do I?" Alister asked. "We all have our secrets Hiruko. You have yours, and I have mine. Let's keep it that way, okay?" Alister disappeared in a red blur at the speed he was running at, leaving Hiruko alone. He looked at the floor.
Alister's right… Hiruko thought. My sister is different.
Flashback
"What do you want, big brother?" Mariko asked sleepily, sitting up on a sofa rubbing her eyes. Hiruko stood behind the sofa, staring down at his younger twin.
"Have you recovered well from your battle with phoenix boy?"
"Of course."
"Are you sure? It was a phoenix attack after all."
"Stop worrying about me." Mariko snapped. "I'm not a little kid anymore." She smiled. "Besides, the more powerful the opponent, the more fun I'll get killing them." She giggled. Hiruko stepped backwards in shock. "What's wrong?"
"I can't believe you. You actually enjoy killing."
"So do you, big brother. You're the one who said that killing targets right away would be boring."
"That was a cover up. I may have found it fun a year ago, but now I…I…" Hiruko turned away. "I don't wanna do it anymore. I wanna get out of here. I want to go to school…play with children my age…not worry about strikes and death sentences…I want to live a normal life."
"Listen to yourself." Mariko said. "You sound like a spoiled child."
"That's because I am a child. And so are you. We're twins, remember? We pretended that we enjoyed killing so that nobody would suspect us of being traitors." Mariko stood up.
"You may have pretended, but I certainly don't." Mariko's eyes flashed red briefly. Hiruko gasped.
"Those are "it's" eyes aren't they?" Mariko nodded.
"Miranda gave me a portion of her inner spirit. Now, I am more powerful than ever. And big brother, if you ever turn against us…" Mariko suddenly appeared behind Hiruko. "I'll kill you myself." She whispered into Hiruko's ear. Hiruko's eyes widened in fear, and he ran out of the dark room. Mariko smirked. "Foolish big brother." She hissed.
"Maybe I do have doubts." Hiruko said to nobody. "But…if my real sister isn't here anymore, then I'm leaving." Hiruko looked up. "She's nearby. Mariko's close."
…
"Why is Jaden always running ahead?" Syrus wondered, running the path Jaden ran toward Haru and the others with Hannah, Jesse and Daisy.
"He's always been like that." Jesse answered.
"Makes sense. You do that as well, Jesse." Daisy said.
"He's like a second Jaden." Hannah said.
"That's 'cause he is." Syrus yelled. Suddenly, an arm grabbed him on the back of his yellow jacket collar and yanked him into the trees, whilst Hannah, Jesse and Daisy ran ahead, obviously not noticing. "Ow. Who did that?" Syrus demanded, rubbing his neck. There was nobody in sight.
"Hello," A voice hissed into his ear. Syrus stumbled backwards with a yelp. Mariko was leaning on a tree where he previously stood. "I've come here to see you."
"Er…you have?"
"Yup," Mariko nodded. "I hear you've trusted somebody who's not to be trusted. I'm here to help you see the light. That person's not worth your time."
"Who're you talking about?" Syrus asked. Mariko was silent for a moment, and twirled a strand of her blonde hair around her finger.
"Meno," She eventually said.
"Meno?" Syrus repeated.
"Exactly. She is a Kishido, and you may not know it, but she has hurt you deep inside. And vermin like her should die." She outstretched a hand towards Syrus. "How about it, Syrus? Let's kill her together." Syrus activated his sword and braced himself. Mariko was unfazed by this. "What? You'd rather fight me? Over a blood thirsty killer?"
"Killer or not, at least she's still human."
"Human?"
"You might not think so, but Meno is more human than anyone I've ever met." Mariko said nothing. She began to walk towards Syrus slowly. Syrus gripped his sword tightly.
"Look at you. You're trying to be brave, but I can tell you're terrified. I can see you tremble." She giggled. "It's kinda cute actually. But you really don't know what Meno did to you, do you?" She stopped walking when she was directly in front of Syrus. "Think back to five years ago. Think back to a train. Anything special happen? Like your father for example?"
"I don't know. We came home on the train, and then the next day after school dad died in a car accident." Mariko burst out laughing. "What's so funny?" Syrus asked, gripping his sword even tighter. Mariko calmed down.
"You really can't remember, can you?" She placed two fingers on Syrus' forehead. "Let me shed some light on the subject." Her eyes glowed red. Syrus' eyes widened as the forest turned into a black vortex, and then within seconds, Syrus found himself on a train, staring at the backs of a younger Zane and Syrus.
"Where am I?" Syrus wondered.
"You're a liar." A voice said coldly.
"Huh? What're you…oh, right. My cousin."
"Who's that, big brother?" Young Syrus asked. "Is that your friend?" He gasped.
"What's wrong?"
"AAAAHHHHHHHH!" Young Syrus screamed, running past Syrus and ducking under a table, his hands over his ears and his eyes closed tightly.
What's going on? Syrus thought. Zane stumbled backwards.
"Did you…did you do this?" Zane asked. Syrus looked at who Zane was talking to, but only saw a shadow in the shape of a person.
"Zane what's wrong?" Rob asked, standing up.
"Dad?" Syrus gasped.
"I s everything oka-" Suddenly, a pink blade cut Rob's head cleanly off his shoulders. Zane spun around and stared at Rob's headless body in horror. Syrus was just as horrified.
Who would do this? Syrus saw the shadows clearing around the shadowed person. Syrus' eyes widened. Standing behind Zane, with a blank look in their eyes, was an eight year old Meno.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" Syrus screamed, clutching his head and falling onto his knees. Mariko smirked down at him.
"So you've finally remembered." Mariko said.
"Mariko!" Mariko looked up at the sound of her name. Aster had just entered the clearing, and he looked shocked. Mariko smiled.
"I've missed you, phoenix. It feels like ages since we saw each other, doesn't it?"
"What did you do?" Aster demanded. Mariko was silent for a moment.
"Nothing. I was simply helping him." Aster raised an eyebrow.
"Helping?"
"Yup." Mariko turned her back to Aster. "Oh, yes. And be careful of the blue haired girl. She's after you." Mariko disappeared in a flash of blue light.
"Syrus. Are you okay?" Aster asked, getting down on one knee beside Syrus.
"Dad…was killed…I saw it…a girl…with blue hair." Syrus muttered, not looking up at Aster.
"Blue hair?"
"It was…it was Meno." Aster's eyes widened.
"Meno?"
"Syrus, are you alright?" Meno asked, running towards Aster and Syrus.
"Yes, everything's fine Meno." Aster lied.
"Are you sure? I heard Syrus scream, so I thought he was in trouble."
"He's fine, aren't you Syrus?" Aster asked, shaking Syrus slightly.
"Er…yeah…yeah I'm okay." Syrus stood up, but as soon as he faced Meno, he saw once again the death of Rob and the eight year old Meno. Syrus stumbled backwards in shock.
"Syrus?" Meno began.
"Ah, it's nothing."
I don't think it is… Aster thought, suspicious.
…
"Back off!" Catalina demanded, lashing out with her sword at a warlock. It blocked her sword with its arm, barely even scratching it. With a single swipe, the sword broke. "No." She hissed. The warlock began to advance in her, its arm raised ready to strike the killing blow.
"Excuse me." The warlock turned around, only to be greeted with a punch across the face. Hassleberry was behind it with a fist clenched. "You should know better not to pick on a girl. Now get lost before that nose of yours gets bruised." The warlock glared at Hassleberry, but it walked back into the trees and out of sight. "You alright?" Hassleberry asked Catalina. She stumbled and raised her broken sword.
"Why did you help me? We're enemies."
"I've got nothing against ya, even if we are on opposite sides. But every cloud has a silver lining. That's what I say." Catalina stared at Hassleberry, not letting her guard down. "Y'know, ya might as well put that hunk of metal down. I'm not here to fight you, and it's broken anyway."
"Fine." Catalina dropped her sword hilt to the ground.
"Besides, I can't hit girls."
"IS THAT WHY YOU SPARED ME?!" Catalina snapped.
"You're like a second Hannah." Hassleberry laughed.
"That blind girl?"
"She's not blind anymore."
"Oh, right." Catalina's vision suddenly went blurry, and began to fall to the ground. However, before she could hit it, Hassleberry caught her. He leaned her against a tree trunk.
"Did you get into a fight?"
"A boy in a red jacket defeated me. I insisted on bringing him down for the count, even though I had already lost. I see no point in lying about it now."
"I see. You look pretty beaten up." Hassleberry slid his back down the tree trunk and sat on the ground next to Catalina. "Are you looking for Haru? You're on a mission to kill stone wielders, aren't you? But why? Is it just to rub it in that Nevara hates him, or is it something else?"
"That's none of your business." Catalina responded. Silence. "There's a certain power held in most stone wielders. It's undetectable, and stone wielders are only revealed to have it when they suffer from emotional distress. It's dangerous, so Miss Nevara wants to kill the stone wielders to make sure this power isn't a threat to Miss Miranda."
"That makes sense. What exactly is this ability?"
"I don't know. I've told you everything I know."
"Man that sucks!" Hassleberry whined.
"Does that headband trigger your powers?" Catalina asked.
"Yup. It somehow makes me stronger than I am right now. I…hey wait a minute, why am I telling you all this? And why are you asking me questions and not trying to kill me?"
"I could ask you the same thing. You had the perfect chance to let me die when I was attacked just now, but you saved me. Why?"
"Like I said I can't hit girls." Hassleberry shrugged. "And…it's your eyes. Even though you're an enemy, I know that deep down, you're still somewhat decent."
"Huh?"
"You weren't forced to join, unlike Haru and Meno. They had no choice. Both of them were lonely, and it shows in their eyes. You have those same lonely eyes. I suppose that sums up why I saved you. I just don't want anyone to die lonely." Catalina said nothing, amazed at Hassleberry. Hassleberry stood up and reached a hand out to Catalina. "C'mon, I'll take you back to wherever you're going." Catalina grabbed the hand, but as soon as she was pulled off the ground, she collapsed on all fours. "Wait, that won't work. You're still too injured to move." Hassleberry thought for a moment.
"Ah ha!" He beamed. Hassleberry got down on one knee with his back to Catalina. "Climb on." Catalina blinked. "What? Have you never had a piggy back ride?" She shook her head. "You haven't even seen one?" Again, Catalina shook her head. "Put your arms around my neck."
"Like this?" Catalina asked, grabbing Hassleberry's throat with her hands, almost strangling him.
"Ack! No! No not like that!" Hassleberry choked. Catalina quickly let go, and Hassleberry rubbed his neck, coughing. "I said your arms, not your hands!"
"Sorry." Catalina placed her arms on Hassleberry's shoulders, and he stood up with Catalina now on his back. "So this is a piggy back ride? Why's it called that?"
"I'm not sure." Hassleberry said. "So, which way is it?"
"Um… that way." Catalina pointed to the right.
"Okey dokey. Let's go." Hassleberry began to walk in that direction.
"Dino boy. There's something that's bothering me. When you told that warlock to go away, it obeyed. I know they aren't that obedient, so why did it obey you?"
"Er…it's a secret." Hassleberry said quickly. "Besides, there's something else I want to ask you too."
"What is it?"
"Can I call you Cat? It sounds cooler, doncha think?"
I know he's an enemy but, somehow, I feel as though he's a kind enemy. I've never had this feeling before. What is it? Catalina thought.
"Er, hello?" Catalina snapped out of her trance.
"Yes?"
"Can I call you Cat or not?"
What is this feeling? Catalina smiled. "Sure,"
"Finally!" Hassleberry exclaimed. "Took you long enough to answer!" Catalina giggled. "Eh? What's funny?"
"Oh it's nothing." Hassleberry stared at Catalina.
"Wow, Cat. You're weird." Hassleberry muttered. Catalina giggled again.
This boy is the first person to actually understand me. But I'm supposed to hate him. So why don't I hate him? And what is this feeling I have instead? But still…
"Thank you…"
"You mean for the piggy back? It's no problem, but it is pretty weird that you don't even know what a piggy back is." Hassleberry looked suspiciously at Catalina. "And somehow, you seem familiar. Have I met you before?"
"I don't think so. But… the thank you was for something else."
"Then what did you thank me for?"
"It's…it's nothing. I just felt like saying it." Catalina lied.
"Suit yourself."
"Actually…you seem familiar as well." Catalina said. "Like we saw each other a long time ago."
"We don't need you,"
"Apologise!"
"I just don't know how to love you anymore,"
Catalina gasped. "What's wrong?" Hassleberry asked.
"I'm sorry. I'm not myself today."
5 minutes later
"Are you sure you'll be alright on your own?" Hassleberry asked, Catalina now sitting on a log.
"It's not too far now. I'll be alright. You go off to phoenix boy and the others."
"Why do you call private phoenix boy of the phoenix anyway?" Catalina looked left and right. She beckoned Hassleberry to come closer, and he leaned closer to Catalina. She whispered something to Hassleberry. "No way!" Hassleberry exclaimed. "What's it mean?"
"That's confidential information I've given you. Miss Miranda will skin me alive if she knew I told you."
"Thanks." Hassleberry began to walk away.
"Wait." Hassleberry turned around. Catalina threw a purple sphere the size of a tennis ball at Hassleberry, and he caught it. It had a symbol of a crescent moon on it.
"What's this?"
"It's to thank you for the piggy back."
And for something else. Catalina thought to herself. But I'll tell you that later. I shall tell you when I have found out what this feeling is.
"What does it do?"
"It can contain a large amount of objects, even mountains. It only has two weapons inside it. You can keep the sphere." Catalina leapt into the tree tops and out of sight.
"Right, how do I open this thing?" As soon as Hassleberry said "open", the crescent moon glowed, and half of the sphere disappeared. Curious, Hassleberry placed a hand inside it. He felt a cold chain and the smooth metal of a blade. "Hmmm…that will come in handy later. Now then, I just have to close it." At the word "close" the other half of the sphere reformed. "Hmph. Easy enough." Hassleberry placed the sphere in his pocket. "Right. Time to find Jaden."
…
"That thing's gonna find Nevara?" Aster asked, pointing at a creature on the ground. This creature had yellow fur with a brown circle over its right eye and brown tips at the end of its bushy tail, tips of brown on the points of its small cat like ears and brown sock like markings on all four of its feet. It was the same size as a squirrel and had beady green eyes.
"It's a bit…tiny, isn't it?" Jaden asked.
"It's the same size as my Ruby Carbuncle."
"Who cares?! He's so CUTE!" Hannah squealed, scooping it up in her arms and nuzzling it. "Oh, I just love him! He's so adorable!" The creature wriggled out of Hannah's grip and leapt onto Aster's shoulder.
"Have you developed a weakness for cute things, Hannah?" Aster asked.
"That creature is a firefox." Aiko said. "They have a unique ability to track anybody by scent alone, and they can change into another form. That particular firefox was attracted to me because of my powers, but I cannot command it, no matter how much I may want to."
"Why's that?" Meno asked.
"Because the firefox chooses their master. And it looks like this one has chosen Aster." The firefox nuzzled its head against Aster's
"Ah! I think it's moulting!" Aster panicked.
"What are you going to name it?" Meno asked.
"Eh?"
"Yeah, you've gotta name it." Jaden said. "Call it something cool like…er…um… well you know what I mean."
"Aw, do I have to?" Aster moaned. "Fine." He grabbed the fox by the scruff of its neck and brought it down in front of his face. "Alright, I'm your master apparently, so I've gotta name you, okay?" The firefox blinked. "Okay. Name…name…er…right, you're name is Coco."
"COCO?!" Jaden yelled.
"What kind of name is Coco?!" Syrus exclaimed.
"Come on! I'm not very good at thinking of names." Coco jumped back onto Aster's shoulder. "Besides, he seems to like it."
"How can you say that when you named almost all of the destiny heroes?!" Jesse yelled.
"That was ten years ago! I'm a little rusty okay?" Aster folded his arms. "Anyway, he looks like a Coco. Right, name aside, what does this firefox do?"
"Call him by his name and say transform." Aiko instructed.
"Coco transform? What would that- whoa!" Coco erupted into flames the size of an inferno and seconds later, Coco was thirty feet in height, had a larger set of fangs and a large saddle shaped like a circle was on his huge back. Aster was hovering in the air with his phoenix wings. "What the hell is that?!"
"Like I said, that's Coco's true form. He can carry heavy loads, especially people."
"Really? Cool!" Jaden climbed up Coco's fur and into the saddle. "Wow, this is so awesome."
"Move over, I wanna come in too." Syrus said.
"Don't forget me." Jesse shouted.
"I'm too short!" Hannah whined, jumping up and down to try and get into the saddle.
"Calm down, there's enough room for everyone." Aiko laughed.
"FORGET IT! I'M NOT RIDING THAT THING!" Aster shouted, flying out of the tree tops.
"Haru?" Aiko asked. Haru was scowling at Aiko, his arms folded.
"You know I can't ride it." Haru snapped.
"Come on. It's fine if you don't look down."
"That doesn't make any difference."
"Would you do it if I kissed you?" Aiko teased.
"WHAT?! Hell no!" Haru exclaimed, his face turning red.
"Stop flirting you two and get on already." Daisy shouted.
"We're not…oh forget it!" A small pillar of stone thrust Haru into the air and he landed in the saddle, and the pillar disappeared as soon as Haru landed.
"Is that everyone?" Aster's voice yelled.
"Yes, we're all aboard." Aiko answered.
"Okay. COCO!" Coco lifted into the air and ran through the sky and out of the treetops.
"WHOA!" Jaden yelled, taken by surprise, along with almost everyone else.
"How can he fly? He doesn't have any wings." Daisy wondered.
"I still think it's amazing. Right, Haru?" Meno turned to Haru. He was hanging his head and didn't look well. "Are you okay?"
"It's a condition he has." Aiko said, flying in the air next to Coco.
"Don't tell them." Haru muttered
"Haru has vertigo." Aiko continued. Haru groaned and collapsed on his back, staring up at the sky.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" Jaden, Syrus and Jesse burst out laughing.
"It's not funny!" Haru snapped, sitting up sharply. "Aiko!"
"Sorry, but it's your fault for not telling people things." Aiko shrugged.
"Huh?" Aster stopped flying and hovered in mid air.
"What's wrong?" Aiko asked, hovering next to him. Aster placed a hand on his head.
"Someone's nearby. Over there." Aster flew to his right.
"Aster! Urgh!" Aiko flew after Aster, Coco following. Aster dived down towards the ground and landed in an area surrounded by dead trees and dried up earth. "Aster, stop rushing ahead of everyone else." Aiko landed on the ground next to him.
"I thought I felt someone here." Aster scratched his head. "My senses must be broken." Aiko's eyes widened. A shadow was several metres behind Aster. "But I can still feel like something's nearby."
"Aster, look out!" Aiko's wooden bow appeared in her right hand, and she created a glowing yellow arrow, aimed it at the shadow and fired, making it a direct hit.
"Oh so that's were he was."
"I'll take that as a thank you." Aiko said huffily. The shadow stepped out into view. It was a figure dressed in a tight grey bodysuit with pale skin and a dark grey metal helmet that covered his head and face. He removed the arrow from his shoulder and threw it to the ground, making it disappear in yellow smoke.
"What a weirdo." Aster muttered.
"Aster!" Haru yelled. He leapt out of the saddle of Coco metres before he landed, but despite the great height, Haru landed almost effortlessly. "Be careful! That man is named Mori, and he is incredibly dangerous. I don't know much about him, but I know he is one of the top assassins and everyone single one of his opponents has died within minutes."
"Whoa. That's dangerous. I wanna fight him!" Jesse yelled, sliding down Coco after he landed and stood next to Haru.
"What are ya kiddin'?!" Jaden exclaimed, jumping out of the saddle. "You had a poison attack an hour ago. If you had one now, you'd get killed!"
"Rats." Jesse hissed. The rest of the gang climbed out of Coco's saddle and, in another burst of flames, Coco returned to his original size. Mori raised an arm in the air. Silence. Suddenly, the ground started to rumble.
"AH! Earthquake!" Syrus panicked.
"It's not that." Haru said. The ground crumbled away until there was nothing left except for a circular platform the size of a football field was left supported by a single pillar in the centre, trapping Aiko, Aster and Mori. The rest of the gang were safely watching from eleven metres away, staring down at the platform that was now metres below them.
"Is that guy nuts?!" Jesse yelled.
"That thing's only supported by one column." Daisy said.
"If you fall, you're dead. I can't even see the bottom." Syrus whimpered, staring down at the blackness. Mori lowered his arm until it was Aster's head height. A yellow energy blast began to form. Aster's hand hovered in front of his water skin, and Aiko created another arrow and aimed it.
"You up for a double bout, Aiko?" Aster asked.
"I think it's a little unfair, but okay." Mori's attack fired in a powerful beam. There was a massive explosion, and a huge dust cloud covered the entire arena.
"What was that?" Daisy gasped.
"Don't look at me. This is the first time I've seen Mori fight." Haru protested. Aster and Aiko leapt backwards out of the dust cloud.
"That didn't hit us." Aiko said, looking at her arms for a scratch.
"Either that guy has lousy aim, or something stopped it." The smoke cleared completely, and Hassleberry was standing with his backs to Aiko and Aster, and was holding a large metal shield in his right hand shaped like and was the same size as a dustbin lid.
"Who's he?" Aiko asked.
"Hassleberry!" Jaden yelled happily.
"Private! Pixie! Get back to the others. Things could get ugly." Hassleberry instructed.
"What the…d-d-did he just call me pixie?!" Aiko exclaimed angrily. "Why I'm gonna…" Aster rolled his eyes, activated his phoenix wings and, grabbing onto Aiko's right wrist, flew back to the rest of the gang.
"You look pretty tough for someone who wears a mask." Hassleberry grinned. "I am so gonna beat ya!"
TA DA! Bloody hell that was twenty one pages! Phew! Okay, er, the next chapter might take a while, cuz of my GCSE's and all. I've already done the RS philosophy exam, and then there's the sciences! WAH! Anyway, at the end of it, I get three weeks extra holiday! YAY! Next time, Hassleberry fights Mori, and finds out something shocking about Mori in the process, and an unlikely person comes to help the gang. That's all coming up in the next chapter, so stay tuned until then, and good luck to anyone of you who has exams as well!