"Wow…I don't know how to respond to that…" said Reice in shock at Sky's history; she'd told him of her time at the orphanage, sharing her struggles that she endured at the time and of the friends she made.
"Yeah…but I feel like Azule might have been through way worse than I…after I left, I had no idea what may have happened to him. But when I first saw him again…he didn't look like the same gentle spirit that I knew back then. His body language looked so…instinctual, as if he didn't trust anything and was ready to attack anything or anyone who served as a possible threat…" said Sky, recalling the many times that her brother didn't look like his self, "The glint in his eye won't go away, I feel like he has been through so many unspeakable things that I can't imagine how he's feeling…"-she closes her eyes, taking a deep breath. And to make matters worse, whatever traumatic moments happened to him have forced a fatal disease to take residence…who knows how long he can make it…she thought, beginning to tear up.
"Well, if there's one thing I know is that Azule is super strong. He isn't the kind of guy to stay silent for long! Who knows, maybe something positive will happen! either way I know he'll tell us in the future..." said Reice, holding out a fist with complete assurance.
"Maybe so…" grinned Sky, you truly have good friends, Azule…
Azule helped Tangie sign up for the Photography club as Cobalt stared out at the big city. Azule came up next to him, with hands in his pockets, staring out too. He looks at Cobalt, studying his features closely. He definitely resembles the kid in my memory…thought Azule, staring intently.
Cobalt shudders away as felt the stare, "can I help you captain..?" raising an eyebrow.
"Oh…nah, I was just looking at your head."-Waving his hand-"text the others to meet us at the Arowana beach tonight, there's an announcement that I need to make."
Announcement..? Thought Cobalt, could it be..? Has he possibly regained his memory? No…I shouldn't get my hopes up. But man, it would be awesome if he got his memory back; the team would really be back to normal!
Cobalt buzzes with questions flying around in his mind at the remarkable chance. Tangie skips over to them, with papers in her hand-the documents for joining the club. All seemed pretty well over at this end.
At the very same time, Sally was in the music room playing the piano with Fuchsia and Violet sitting nearby her and listening to her melody as she gently played. Sally was quite the pianist, playing a different range of tempos in an orderly medley, all off the top of her head; it was amazing to see that she had such a skill. As Violet listened to the piano medley of the latest songs trending, her mind drifted off to the troubles that were back at home. She had received a letter from her father earlier that week, stating that they had located Reice and will be looking to eliminate him as a message to the Galloway's. More than likely another dispute rose between the two families. Violet also hadn't been acting like herself, being more silent than ever as she spent her free time reading tragic novels. It was possible that she was still haunted by the horrific sight she saw that night when Azule took a bullet to the head for her. Fuchsia became bothered by this, since in the time that Azule had been away, she had grown closer with the other members and especially close with Violet.
"Violet, is there anything wrong? You haven't been yourself lately…" asked Fuchsia, displaying concern for her friend.
Violet rubs her eyes and then massages her neck, "I'm fine, just very tired is all…"
At that moment, all of their phones buzzed off at the same time; a text message from Cobalt. Sally halts her playing as she read it carefully, with a beaming smile beginning to grow; she turned toward the others, wondering if they were thinking the same thing she was thinking.
"I'll be making an announcement tonight? Meet us at Arowana beach at 9:30 tonight? What's Azule up to..?" said Reice, looking at the text.
"I'm just as clueless as you…" said Sky, looking at the text as well; she received the same text as the other members of Squidcom.
Somewhere in the city, Pastelle and Parker were out on a date when they received a message too. Todd also got one, he was at the library. It seemed that nearly everyone who helped fight in the battle to defend Azule received one, even Shiva.
"Oh? My sweet Zuley has invited me to something…?" said Shiva, bathing in a fancy white tub with gold on the outer rim. She was covered in soap as hot steam filled the room.
Over at Frankie's, Cameron sat with him having a drink when he got the text. It seemed as though Frankie and Cameron may have known each other well from their days with the Black Urchins. Luckily, the Black Urchins disbanded after Kida's imprisonment.
"Well, well. Looks like that brat finally has something to say now? That idiot!" said Cameron, taking a gulp of his beer.
"Stop lying, you have huge-creepy grin on your face…truth must be you're happy that he's doing well…" said Frankie, lighting another cigar.
"Well…maybe a little. Because of him, I feel at peace with myself." Taking another big gulp of his beer, looks like he could handle his alcohol; Frankie inhales the smoke.
"But, what now…? What's your plan? You have some 'honor' right? What is next for you…?"
"I'll stick around for a little bit, but after that, I'll be joining Han and traveling along with his ninja, I personally seek to unveil my wrath against those damn Octarians…and I'll start by taking down the princess!"
Frankie looks at him bewildered, "What!? Are you crazy!?"
Cameron smirks a bit, "Yeah, a little…"
Later in the evening, the setting turns to Arowana beach. The moon's reflection shines in the dark blue water as waves crash the shore, the wooden hut rustling a bit as the wind picked up speed. The only other noise to be heard was the indistinct chatter of Azule's many friends who had arrived there via the text message sent to them. Everyone stood under the giant hut, letting the LED light illuminate the surrounding area around them as they awaited Azule, Tangie and Cobalt; Azule arrived a minute later with Tangie and Cobalt as everyone cut the chatter.
"Everyone, I thank you all for making it out here today…"-he folded his arms-"I have some things that I'd like to share with you all." He took the center stage, surrounding himself with everyone he cared about.
"I have recovered my memory…"-everyone's eyes widen with beaming glow beginning to enlighten the dark environment, Azule places his hand up to halt anyone from commenting yet, knowing they'd be eager to celebrate- "I remember nearly everything that's happened in my life so far…from the wonderful positives of my sister and Squidcom…"-looking over at them, seeing the joy in their posture-ready to hug him as he finished-"And the many people that I have already met along the short road…"-turning to the Pastelle, Shiva, Todd and the rest of the audience-"But in the wake of retrieving my memory, I have also regained some things that I didn't want to remember, memories that no living being should ever experience…but I find that it's about time that I move on from those horrific nightmares. So, I'll be sharing my story with you all…"
He took a deep breath, taking a glance at Sky, who gave him the approval to continue. "What I'm about to share with you is the history that Sky and I shared while we stayed at the orphanage…" and began recalling his memory, starting from his days at the orphanage with Sky and going into great detail. He talked about everything from the harsh conditions of the orphanage to the abusive nuns, bullies and priest; Sky began tear up as the dark memory became all too real again. He talked about the friends he'd made during his time there, enthralling Cobalt and Tangie, as they too began to recall being in a similar situation and meeting similar individuals. He even shared his horrific nightmare of the constant increase in the abuse and malnourishment that he suffered after Sky's departure; Sky began to cry as she finally learned the truth of what happened. Everyone stood in complete and somber silence as Sky ran gave Azule a hug, with tears being released by both of them, understanding one another's pain. The members of Squidcom, were left reeling emotionally.
Even though he has the brightest smile…he was hiding such a painful past? Thought all the members simultaneously, coming over as well to give him a group hug.
"I hope that after my story, that I will have grown closer with you all. I hope that this won't make things awkward or anything…It just felt like the right thing to do…"-twiddling his thumbs in embarrassment-"and I just felt like it was something worth sharing with you all since you all did so much for me in defending me."
Everyone gave him a round of applause; many of them were moved to tears by his experience. Afterwards, an awkward meeting took place between Cameron and Sky as they both exited-both making eye contact. Cameron looks away in shame as she exits first, going to her car and ignoring him.
I'm sorry Sky…he thought in a tone of regret.
As the night ended, a new mood shifted from the past towards the future. The fall splatfest was coming up, and this would be the crunch time to prepare for it. Next month would also be the fall preliminaries, and in winter, Sky and Azule's childhood friend would be returning in the winter, too; things were looking exciting for everyone.
