(Prologue)

10th July, 1876.

Six days after her death.

The simple gravestone looms in the sunset cemetery, miserable grey crashing into vibrant yellow sunflowers. It's a symbol, never to be forgotten. A great tragedy, to be mourned for generations to come.

The twins are sitting by it again. They don't talk. They just stare at the epitaph that falls flat between their dry lips.

Here lies Hinawa ~ Mother, Wife, Light.

A little way off, a tired man is watching in a weathered cowboy hat. By his side is one of his closest friends, Duster. Duster had been the best man at his wedding. Duster had been there when he first met her.

"Flint." He places a steady hand on the man's trembling shoulder. "I'm not sure what to say. I can't say I know what you're going through... Lucas has been constantly crying in front of her grave. I think his little heart is going to break apart. Claus keeps shouting at things. If I can ever do anything for you again, don't be afraid to ask…"

"Without her, we are living more and more beyond our means." Flint removes his hat, staring down into it with the look of a man who has nothing left to lose. "We'll have to go, Duster. There's no choice - we'll have to go."

"Go? I don't follow..."

"We can't afford the house." Bitterly, Flint grips the rim of his hat. "We'll have to go through the Sunshine Forest; we have to go to Onett. There are cheap houses there, they say. We'll rent a carriage."

"But…" Duster looks over at the twins. The redhead is now hugging the blonde tightly. "The boys - you think they'll want to-?"

Flint's expression is dark. "We have no choice."

"But-"

"Boney." Flint gazes towards a small do, as it runs up to join the twins at the headstone. "He won't be able to come with us. Will you look after him?"

"Yes. Of course." Duster fixes his eyes on the ground. "But, Flint, when do you leave?"

Boney leaps on the blonde twin, giving a whine that can be heard from even where the adults stand. Flint turns away, his face reading only anguish and hurt.

"We leave tonight."

(~ One Year Later ~)

A boy lies in a crowded bedroom. Boxes pile up against the single bed, the walls pushing in on the narrow room. Old clothes and cobwebs lie forgotten on the floor with discarded shreds of paper, unfinished homework, unopened schoolbooks.

He's been crying again. He cannot do much else except swallow back the bitter stings, and the sharp-worded insults.

He's supposed to be me. I do not know him anymore. I'm not really here. I have forgotten what he liked, what he did, where he played before his brother left. I have forgotten how he ate, where he ran, how he laughed before his mother died.

He knows what happens at school is punishment for what he's done. He knows that he deserves the cold distance of his father. He knows that every kick, every punch, every name-call adds up the suffering that he is due. He knows that every moment and every minute should be torture, because he knows that it is all his fault.

His Father will never lay eyes on him again. Not as a son, nor as anything other than a burden, something to despise. Which comes within reason, after all, does this boy give anything back? For the shelter, for the provision, does he return it? No, instead, he let him go. His only brother, he let him go.

He is bitterly selfish. I cannot identify with him, I refuse to be him. I run away from what he has done.

One day, things change. A strange boy with strange raven-black hair, a strange hat and a strange goofy grin, hurtles headlong into his life. The new boy, defends him, inviting him to come and sit at his table. He gives him a place in the world. He gives him someone to love. The new boy reawakens something inside. Joy. Hope. In time, the boy calls him a foreign name - 'friend.' Then 'best friend.' Then even more than that.

And through this strange boy, he slowly healed. He repaired and renewed. He learnt to accept what had happened, though of course, there are moments of weakness. Moments where the dam bursts.

But most importantly, he learnt that even if everybody wishes him harm, that even if the universe is determined to make him suffer, there's at least one boy out there; one boy who wishes for him to be safe. One boy who wishes him to be loved.

His name is Ness.


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~~o00o~~

Chapter 10 - Money is a Luxury

(Lucas)

~~o00o~~

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Great tongues of flame reach through the open door.

There is screaming and there is chaos.

Ryu tries in haste to shut the door, but the flames leap in retaliation and he dashes back in fear. I look wildly around the room, trying to pick out my friends amongst the sea of panicked faces. Smoke pours in, I duck down, remembering what I've been taught. Smoke rises. Heat rises.

Ness grabs my hand with terror. His hand is ice cold, a slashing contrast to the onslaught of warmth. I cough, trying desperately to crawl towards the far corner, but I'm blocked as Toon Link and Villager scramble towards us.

"The windows!"

Ryu rushes forwards, thrusting them open. There's a blast of cold and a rushing noise as the class races over in an attempt to squeeze through. I practically throw myself through the nearest one, but it's so desperately narrow that only my head fits.

I gasp in the clean air, desperately craving oxygen. Students are pouring out onto the field below.

"HELP!" Ryu shouts frantically. Outside, Rosalina turns. Her face visibly pales.

"Ryu!"

"Lucas!" I hear Ness gasp for air beside me. I hastily make way for him, letting him towards the window. The clock's bell hammers like a siren, mingling with the awful roaring of the flames.

Dark smoke is filling the room now. I feel my vision turning hazy as the fire tears through the walls. I grip tighter onto Ness's hand, coughing from the onslaught of smoke. Outside, there is mass panic; someone throws a bucket of water through the window, but it does no good. We're being herded slowly backwards, back towards the corner furthest from the door. I hear sobs, I hear fear, tearing at my ears, but I can hardly see anyone anymore. My eyes scream with pain, a flashing abyss of colours spiralling through my vision. It's as if someone is shouting in my mind, instructions in an unintelligible language. I force my eyes shut and Ness hauls me back towards the window, but I can only taste bitter smoke.

I feel Ness's arms come around me as I stagger, stars flashing through my vision. My mind races. Claus, Mother, am I going to see them again? Is this it? I hold tightly onto Ness's fragile frame as we're driven to the ground, pressed against a herd of terrified students. The inferno roars, eviscerating everything in its part, approaching like a tsunami. Ness buries his face into the small of my back. I want to reassure him, but I can't - I can't see an escape.

"I-I don't want to die!"

"There has to be a way-!"

"It burns!"

Voices drift through my mind. I gasp for air, feeling my lungs giving in. The heat is scorching, I can feel my body burning, and I scream, my thoughts all jumbling into one.

Ness's arms will be the last thing I ever feel.

And then, everything happens at once.

My eyes shoot open as suddenly, an icy wave tears through the room. Ness's grip loosens around me, patterns of blue beating down the fire's mighty arms, swathes of frost consuming the red-hot anger of the flames. The smoke is torn away, almost as if it is being pulled out of my very lungs. The icy blast pushes the fire out of the door, into the corridor, beyond, leaving behind a sooty black classroom. I glance at Ryu's shocked face. I glance at Ness, our eyes meeting momentarily.

Before I collapse in his arms.

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I wake in a large, white bed.

Voices gather around me, faint whispers drifting in and out. My head spins, caught in the bitter smell of smoke, the faraway feel of angry burns down my shoulders, my sides and my stomach.

A sharp voice brings me to reality.

"He's awake."

I pull myself up, ignoring the tearing pain in my back. I gasp instinctively, taking in the fresh, clean air.

A spoon is brought to my lips. Something cold. I instinctively open my mouth, swallowing it down. It's sweet, almost.

Clicking his tongue, a man dressed in a white coat with a large, sumptuous moustache leans down over me. He takes some notes briefly on a scrap of paper, before looking to his side.

"The last-a one, Professor Ryu."

"Thank you, Doctor Mario," Ryu's calm voice replies.

The room comes into view. The walls are white, with flecks of blue dotted haphazardly around. In the corner stands a series of vials, teetering like some sort of balance game. Beside them is a corkboard of various cheesy posters ('Coughs and Sneezes, Spread Diseases!') ('Cover your Face, Avoid the Plague!')

"Third-a degree burns," Dr Mario says, appearing by my side. "Smoke-a inhalation. No good."

"Where's Ness?" I manage weakly.

Dr Mario points. I stiffly turn my head to see Ness lying down, staring at me, in a bed not unlike my own.

"Hey," I grimace. Even speaking makes my lungs feel like they're being rubbed with sandpaper.

"Hey," Ness says. "Nice hair."

I pull a handful of my hair down to see it covered in black. Groaning, I roll back against my pillow.

"Where are we?"

"The Medical Ward." Ryu comes into view. "Dr Mario's been treating you."

"How long have I been out?"

"Just a couple of hours."

"Is everyone okay?"

Yes." Ryu nods gravely, his face still black with smoke. "You were the last to wake."

Memories of the icy blast float back to me, and I sit up a little straighter. "How did we escape?"

"I do not know," Ryu says, though I notice his gaze flicker to Ness. "It is a welcome miracle..."

"Professor..." Ness speaks up. "Did your classroom-"

"Burnt, I'm afraid," Ryu states bleakly. "Save for my cabinet."

"At least that's something," I try.

"Oh, yes." He nods, still wearing a grave expression. "We got very lucky on that front. There are some crucial items in there. However, that dinosaur bone… I wasn't joking when I said the deposit for borrowing it cost more than my house."

"Ah. Sorry, Professor."

A temperate silence falls. Looking beyond Ness's bed, I can make out various other students, all covered in black soot. Some talk in low whispers, some lie unconscious in their beds, whilst others are sitting up, staring straight ahead.

What had caused the fire? What was that ice? So many questions begin to race through my mind, but they're slowed by my smoke-infected brain. Was it cold wind, coming through the window? Could it have been - dare I say - a god of some description? Nothing comes to me. Nothing makes sense.

Ryu steps quickly aside as the abrupt figure of Headmaster Hand sweeps into the medical ward. He too is soot-faced, I notice, and wearing an expression of utmost disdain.

"Headmaster, are you-a well?" Dr Mario hurries over.

"Yes." Headmaster Hand's voice echoes flatly. "Relatively speaking. But I am looking for Ness and Lucas…"

My eyes flare as Dr Mario points my way. Surely - surely he doesn't think we caused this?

He doesn't seem to, though. When Headmaster Hand comes over, his hard expression melts more into one of worry. Professor Ryu stands aside, merely watching the headmaster lower himself down in between me and Ness.

"Good day," he says. "How are you?"

"I'm alright." I'm not sure what else to say.

"Good, good… now, I have some bad news to tell you."

My breath hitches in my throat, causing a burning feeling to slide down my oesophagus.

"What's the bad news?"

"As you know, there was a fire. And, that fire has caused a lot of damage throughout the school…"

Ness and I wait silently for him to continue.

"Including within your dormitory. It was the only one the fire managed to breach before it was extinguished."

I feel a familiar sinking feeling. Headmaster Hand maintains his position.

"Now, I've done my research, and I believe the fire began in my office. But not only that, there was a burnt match found amongst the ruins. So, in essence, somebody deliberately began this fire as a targeted attack - I believe against me - and you were caught in the crossfire."

"Is there anything you can do?" I think of all the treasured possessions I keep in my room, gulping.

"An investigation will be put in place." Headmaster Hand's expression remains sombre. "When the perpetrator is caught - and they will be caught - your families will receive financial compensation for any possessions lost. But as for the short term, a temporary room change has been arranged."

"Where?" Ness asks hoarsely. It's the first time he's spoken in a while.

"On the top floor. It's small compensation, I'm aware, but that is where the best dormitories are. It'll only be for two nights, and we will be getting the best painters and decorators in, who will repair everything in no time."

"Thank you, Headmaster," I manage.

"It's unfair that this damage has been put upon you, and I believe that you should be put first." He smiles, though it's forced. "Now, I'll permit you to salvage what you can from your dorm, before going up to your temporary room. It's the room - when you come up the spiral staircase and the corridor is ahead of you - it's the room right at the end of that."

"Okay, Headmaster."

"Now," Headmaster Hand stands up, raising his voice to address everyone in the ward. "Some information for everybody. The cafeteria has suffered damages, so you'll be eating in the main hall temporarily. I also expect everybody to take different routes to avoid damaged parts of the school whilst repairs are made. Clear?"

"Clear," murmurs the general lull of the room.

"Thank you."

He leaves.

There's a sudden buzz of noise. Ness hauls himself up, coming over to sit on my bed. He tumbles down into my arms, resting his head on my aching chest.

"Not the best news ever."

"Not really." I wrap my arms around him.

He closes his reddened eyes. He looks as if he's just smoked a ton of marijuana. I almost laugh at the thought.

"You saved my life," Ness murmurs, taking my hand. "Thank you."

This is news to me. "I did?"

"You let me have the window - I probably would've been asphyxiated otherwise…"

My heart warms. The long-standing debt for him taking me in, taking me under his wing, is finally repaid.

"My hero…" He smiles softly. I hold him a little tighter.

We lie in silence like that a while longer, until Dr Mario finally dismisses us with a frustrated wave of his hand. I get the strong feeling that he's never had to treat so many people at once, especially not for smoke inhalation and a plethora of third-degree burns. Ness helps me out of bed, and we totter weakly out of the room, following the rest of the class. Toon Link, Red and Villager come up beside us as we leave, ashen-faced and glum.

"What did Headmaster Hand say to you?" Villager asks at once. "It looked serious..."

"Our dorm burnt down," Ness explains.

Toon Link swears under his breath. "I'll let you borrow anything you need."

"Me too," Villager murmurs. "Hey - what's Rosalina doing?"

We turn. Professor Rosalina seems to be carrying a box of ash towards us, looking very miserable indeed. I notice further down the hall that her office is as black as soot. I feel a jolt of sympathy for her.

"We're supposed to go through and salvage anything we can," Ness explains. "C'mon."

It's a remarkably long walk up the dorm stairs (the carpet has been destroyed and the stairs have revealed their under-layer of stone) and into the charred corridor. Even at an angle, I can see that the fire definitely got into our room.

Ness breathes deeply. "I'm scared."

"So am I," I admit. "I hope at least something survived..."

There's a pause as we make our way towards the remains of the door. I reach for the handle at the same time as Ness, and our hands collide in mid-air. We glance at each other in a sudden moment of shyness - neither of us wants to reveal what's behind it.

"I'll do it." Villager steps forwards. I retreat as he places his hand on the door, closes his eyes, and throws it open.

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Oh, God.

Ness and I are practically uprooted from the corridor, hurling ourselves into the scene of desolation. Piles of soot are scattered everywhere. Everything is black - charred - I can hardly see any colour remaining. The stuff all over the floor from yesterday's raid must've helped the fire along; there's a distinct trail of ashes where it… was.

I look desperately behind me at the bookshelf. It seems that it partially survived the inferno; there's Ness's teddy bear, there are some books left - the books I'd bought for Ness for Christmas, they survived… I point them out to Ness, who hugs them with a small moan. But, just as I'm about to conclude that there's nothing else, I notice a strange object on the shelf. I look a little closer, picking it up - it seems to be some kind of painted wooden figurine, some kind of model…

Some kind of model of me.

"What's this?" I hold it up to Ness, distressed.

"Oh." He bites his lip. "You weren't supposed to find that-"

"It's yours?" My eyes widen.

"No!" He blushes. "It's - do you remember I found that thing on Ryu's floor? It was this."

I take in this new information, studying it all over. It's accurate to the mole on my forearm. "Why didn't you tell me about it?"

"I didn't want you to worry..." Ness rubs his neck, pacing backwards. I notice the familiar unease in his eyes.

"I wouldn't worry," I lie. "But - what was it doing in Ryu's classroom?"

"I don't know, Lucas…" Ness walks to the window, staring wistfully out at the hills. "With all that's going on... with yet another narrow escape from death… I'm starting to get nervous."

Villager clears his throat, making his way into the room. I jump - I'd forgotten he was there.

"Us three will bring your old stuff up to your new room. Won't we, Red? Toonie?"

"Yeah." Toon Link jumps skittishly into the room. "Of course."

"Thanks," I say, grateful for their support. If we didn't have these friends at a time like this to lend us clothes - well, to put it bluntly, we'd be forced to become nudists.

"Hey, look!" Toon Link pulls open the charred wardrobe. "Some stuff in here survived!" He pulls out a vibrant red and yellow woolly jumper. "Perfect! You can still attend the circus!"

I laugh. I take the jumper, hugging it, a secret wave of relief washing through me. It's mine - Mother knitted it for me, it's one of the last things I have left from her. Claus had one too, that one was in yellow and blue. I keep that one safe at home.

"And look!" Villager pulls out my blue blanket from behind the remnants of a mattress. "This survived as well!"

I thank my lucky stars, immediately wrapping it around myself. I know it's an object, I know it's just a Thing, but I'm so sentimental. It was the first gift Ness ever gave me. I'm attached to it.

Red, Toon Link and Villager set about taking the surviving clothes and books (and Ness's teddy bear; Ness blushes quite a lot when Toon Link discovers it) up and away, presumably to our new room. I want to follow them at once, but as Ness continues to stare out of the window, I have a distinct feeling that he wants to talk.

I come over to him, enveloping a hug around his middle.

"What's up?"

He turns. His cheeks are still dark with soot.

"A lot's been happening recently."

"You don't say." I look at the ash coating the ground.

"I think it's all connected."

"How so?"

"Well," he begins to pace, leaving footprints on the floor. "Someone started the fire. Ryu had the figurine in his office. The grave, the threats from Meta Knight and Olimar, disappearances, the Face…" Ness shudders slightly. "I think someone's after you, Lucas. And I think it's Ryu. Think about it - he had the figurine in his office, he knows all about the disappearances..."

"But he couldn't have started the fire. He was teaching us."

"No, listen," Ness presses on, invigorated by his new theory. "I think he's working with Meta Knight and Olimar. I think they're all planning something, and it's somehow to do with you, and they weren't in the classroom when the fire started, were they?"

I tense. It makes sense. It makes a worrying amount of sense.

"We need to talk to Ryu, now."

"No!" Ness freezes in place, grabbing my arm. "Are you crazy? He might - he might hurt you!"

"Not when you're around," I say.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"If he wanted to hurt me, wouldn't he do it when nobody else was there?"

Ness ponders this, before clinging onto me, tight. "I will never leave your side!"

"Ness." I almost laugh, despite it all. "You can't just never leave my side. How will you go to your lessons?"

"I'll manage!" He flushes. "But, seriously, I need to make sure that you're safe. You've nearly died multiple times already."

"We've had this conversation before," I sigh. "I can look after myself."

"Four eyes are better than two." He gives me a determined stare.

"You said that last time, Ness. But you don't have to be my guardian. I don't want to be some kind of burden to you."

"You're never a burden." He says it with such force that I'm taken by surprise.

But I find it hard to believe him. I've always been a weight, always been there, like in the forest; over-cautious, holding him back. I reprimand myself - my onerous self. Doesn't Father always say that I'm a burden to him? Just another mouth to feed, especially now, since…

Thoughts of Mother swirl back to me, and emotion swells in my chest. I cling tightly onto the woollen jumper, burying my face into the soft fabric. Ness, never one to give up, sits beside me, wrapping his arms around my body. I'm not sure what's dragged me back down to my dark place, my secret place of self-loathing and reflection.

"Lucas," Ness's voice rings, concerned. "What's got you so down?"

I don't even know. How am I supposed to answer when I don't even know?

"I'm fine." My voice sounds from far away. It doesn't sound like my voice. It sounds like my voice if it was being strangled.

"That's a lie," Ness chides. "What's wrong?"

"I'm bringing you down," I mumble miserably. "I'm putting you in danger. I'm sorry-"

"Lucas, you're not bringing me-"

"This is - they're after me, not you! I can't just sit and let you get in danger like this."

I thread my hands through my hair in deep distress. My chest hurts, the residual smoke mixing with burning shame. If people want to hurt me, then I must've done something wrong. It can only be my fault.

"Lucas, don't you understand?" Ness hugs me tightly, protectively. "You're my best friend! I don't care about the danger! I'll do anything to keep you safe."

I try and resist the tears, curling in on myself.

"I-I'm sorry," I stammer. "I'm so sorry."

I can barely hear his response over the screaming of my thoughts. Everything that's happened, piling up and crashing down.

Everything that my father, bullies and more have told me, time and time again. They're true, all of them. Otherwise, why would they say it? It's perfectly logical; I don't get why Ness refuses to see my bad side. And now, people want me hurt, possibly dead... I deserve it, I think bitterly. Ever since Mother died, I've been nothing. A crybaby, that's what they called me. They were right.

"Lucas, it's okay." Ness surrounds me with his arms and his presence. "I'm here. I've got you, I promise. I'm never going to let go."

He lets me cry into his shirt.

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"God, you look awful!"

I grin weakly, as Ness and I emerge to the others. We're even dustier than before, a side effect of having an emotional crisis on the floor.

"We should probably shower," Ness says, trying to turn my hair as black as possible. Toon Link laughs.

"Yeah, the caretaker will kill you."

Reluctantly, we leave the games room, borrowing some spare clothes from Villager.

"I am scared," I admit, as we walk. "I am scared about all the people that, well, you know. If your theory is right. Which it might be, it might not be... I am scared about Tazmily. I am very scared about the grave."

"We'll get through it together!" Ness chirps. I push him lightly. He's so darn sentimental. But then again, so am I.

"Maybe all the bad stuff will cancel each other out?"

"I hope so," Ness says optimistically.

We walk through the school, attracting rather a few odd looks thanks to our filthy appearance. But we don't care. Unfortunately, it transpires that the main route to the showers perished in the fire, so Ness has to pull me up a random staircase instead. I frown at the idea.

"What's even up here?"

"The better showers," Ness declares. "C'mon!"

We plough through the hall, but I pause, hearing raised voices coming from a door on the right. I stop, curiosity winning out. Ness turns around to join me.

"Where is this?" I whisper.

But I'm answered by Ryu's voice ringing out from inside. "Rosalina, I think it's worth filing a formal complaint-"

"Nobody would listen though, would they?" Rosalina's voice sounds uncharacteristically tense. It's Ryu's office. Ness shuffles up next to me, and we press our ears to the door.

"Look." Ryu gives a long sigh. "This is the way society is. I'm not saying I agree with it, but I cannot magic you up a solution. You're fortunate to be here at all, considering-"

"I know!" Rosalina exclaims, and there's the sound of sharp movement. "But I'm the only woman. That's hardly fair when there are so, so many women that are far more capable of teaching than Bowser."

"Your circumstances were unique, of course." Ryu's voice remains calm. "Headmaster Hand owed you a debt..."

"And that's all it ever comes down to. I want to be where I am because of what I can do, not because of what someone happened to owe me."

"I know," Ryu says patiently. "And for what it's worth, I think you're a fantastic teacher."

"Thanks," Rosalina replies begrudgingly. "It's just - Bowser's comments are really starting to get to my head."

"Bowser should've been fired long ago. What with all those policy breaches…"

We listen closely, exchanging a rapid glance.

"He'd better be fired soon," Rosalina says. "For all we know, he's behind the recent events."

"Agreed." Ryu's tone darkens. There's a pause before Rosalina speaks again.

"On another note, do they know about - well - you know - yet?"

"No," Ryu sighs. "They're being remarkably opaque."

"Don't call them opaque." A chair scrapes sharply against the floor. "I don't understand why you can't just tell them-"

"You think they'd believe it?" Ryu says, incredulous. "It sounds almost nonsensical to an outsider - besides, the more they know, the more they might end up attracting unwanted attention."

"And what kind of unwanted attention is that, then?"

"The attention of those who might want to use them." Ryu expels a weary noise, somewhere between a groan and a sigh. "I've already had to deal with some things."

"Well then, you'd better get your act together, and quick!" Rosalina cuts across sharply. It's not like her to be so angry. "If you cared about their wellbeing, you'd tell them. Or at least point them in the right direction!"

"I am!" Ryu raises his voice for the first time. "I'm asking them if they've seen anything unusual, and-"

My stomach sinks. Ness and I share the same horrified look. It's almost certain that're talking about us.

"Look, I should go," Rosalina sighs. "I have lessons to prepare for tomorrow."

"Alright." Ryu makes a disinterested grunt. "See you around."

There's a creak, and Ness and I hastily back away from the door, flattening ourselves against the wall. Fortunately, Rosalina goes in the other direction, muttering something under her breath about unhelpful History teachers.

My heart pounds as she disappears around a corner. What is it that we don't know? What unwanted attention is this? Ness appears just as worried. His eyes seem to be swimming in a daze of new information. It's thrown a complete wrench into his theory; now I have no idea what's going on. But something is, and I can't help but feel the urge to investigate it.

Forgetting about the shower, I knock on the door.

"Come in." Ryu's voice calls tiredly from inside.

Ness and I make our way into his office. It's an interesting room, surrounded by books and strange artefacts shelved around the walls. There's a large bronze globe and a collection of fancy fountain pens on the end of Ryu's desk, and what looks to be series of martial arts trophies on the wall. It's kind of cramped, but Ryu has somehow made it look homely.

"Ah yes," Ryu says upon seeing us. "I expected you two to turn up soon... even if you're deciding to ruin my carpet in doing so."

"Sorry," Ness says sheepishly, soot falling from his head. "You promised information."

"That I did. Well, the amount of disappearances has increased. A first-year went missing last night, and so did a second-year."

"Do you know who's doing it yet?"

"We investigated Olimar and Meta Knight, and found no connection to any disappearances. This morning, Headmaster Hand informed the staff that he has appealed to the Onett Government to ask them to close the school, but there was a hold-up as Onett is now in quarantine thanks to the virus. Therefore, we have no choice but to continue on."

"Okay," Ness says.

"I hate to labour the point, but..." Ryu leans forwards on his desk. "Have you seen anything unusual since we last spoke? Other than the fire and that Face, of course."

"No," I begin, but Ness cuts me off. He places the wooden figurine down onto the table.

"Yes, actually. I found this in your classroom, Professor." His voice sounds alarmingly threatening, and it makes me shiver a little bit. "Do you know why it was there?"

Ryu stares at it, shocked, before regaining his composure. "I have never seen that figurine before in my entire life."

"I trust you, Professor. If you know anything, please…"

It's unusual to hear Ness taking such a serious tone.

"I don't." Ryu holds his hands up. "I'm sorry."

"Mmm." Ness leans back again, before standing up with a scowl. "We have to shower now, so… goodbye."

"Alright," Ryu says slowly. "And I will remind you once more; it is pivotal that you learn the difference between what is real, and what is not."

I follow Ness's lead, and I leave the room, hurrying out into the deserted corridor. Once we're out of earshot, Ness hits his fist into his hand, grumbling under his breath.

"He has to be lying."

"I don't know." I frown. "It could be someone else's… they might have dropped it there."

"Nothing makes sense!" Ness tugs at his hair out of frustration. "This is stupid, so stupid! I hate it, Lucas. I hate not knowing."

"We should go have that shower," I suggest quietly. "To cool down a bit."

Ness nods.

"That's a good idea… sorry, I'm just really worried."

"It's okay - me too."

"It all fits together somehow, but… I don't quite know…" Ness furrows his eyebrows, and I take his hand.

"Let's worry about it later. Come on. Where are these better showers, then?"

"Top floor."

"Then," I smile. "Let's check out our new room."

.

.

.

.

.

A few minutes of looking for staircases later, we manage to reach the top floor. I'm kind of excited to see just what our temporary room is like, if it really is as amazing as everyone says the top floor is. I swing open the door, and sure enough, wow. Maybe the fire was a stroke of luck! There is a big glass window at one end with a stunning view out to the hills. The beds seem sizable, there's space for multiple people to fit in them, I think. There's a decently sized oak wardrobe, with doors that don't creak... it's all so lovely. I smile as I hang the striped jumper inside.

"This is amazing!" I exclaim, taking in all the sights. There's even a painting on the wall of Onett's skyline.

"It is," Ness says, "But come on. I'm dusty. Let's explore more later."

"It's a shame we have to shower… you look good covered in ash."

"No, I look like a chimney sweep," Ness laughs.

"You'd be a good chimney sweep."

"You can sweep my chimney any time."

"Ness!" I blush a deep red. He gasps, mortified, covering his hand with his mouth.

"I didn't mean it like that!"

"Come on, you complete goof." I sigh, swinging open the door. "It's shower time."

Ness sheepishly makes his way out of the room, and I follow behind. Even the corridor is nice, there's a kind of bouncy carpet, and it's all brightly lit with plenty of gas lamps. The corridor leads into the room that Villager mentioned earlier, a big circular dome-like chamber, huge, with glass windows surrounding it. There's yet another brilliant view outside, with chairs bordering the edges for people to take in the sights. I think people in their final year of school sleep here. I realise with a jolt that that'll be us next year.

Aside from applying to study science at university, I'm not sure what I'll want to do after school is through. I know I want to write, but it doesn't earn well, and I need to earn well if I want to be able to move back to Tazmily. I want to do something with art, but then, I can never bring myself to sell my pictures. I realise with yet another jolt that I need to finish four pages of the business plan by tomorrow. Tomorrow! I'm barely going to have any time.

As we navigate our way to the showers, I grow with excitement for exploring the third floor later on. Who knows what we might find there? I mentally kick myself for never thinking to have a better look around before now. There could be secret passageways, treasure, art galleries, anything. To think we could've missed out for so many years?

We eventually find the showers down the end of the hall. I strip off once I'm behind the curtain, releasing the water from the tank above.

I find myself reminiscing back to my first day of boarding school, when I'd had a shower for the first time in my life. It had been cold at first - Ness had laughed at me - but it was a fantastic feeling. And then there'd been the swimming pool, and encountering Bowser, and finding our dorm for the first time...

I smile. They're sweet, delicious memories, ones that taste of sunlight. This school has always been a good place to me… and the fact that everything seems to be changing makes me sad.

Future Human flickers in my mind.

Placet Auxilium.

Please help.

With what? What does Future Human need help with? Is it hurt? It must hurt, existing as it does…

The shower is warm, to my surprise, and comforting, like a blanket running over my skinny body. I find myself once again worrying slightly about my body shape; I still look about thirteen years old, but never mind, I guess. I can't do anything about it.

The water below me blackens with the ash, cleansing itself from me. It's almost as if I'm being purified.

Thunk.

The noise jolts me back to reality. What was that? There can't possibly be more happening now - enough has happened today...

Thunk.

That's it. I'm getting out of here. I stop showering to a sudden silence. Where's Ness?

I rapidly dry off, changing into clothes, my heart pounding.

"Ness?" I call out. "Are you there?"

"Yeah!" Ness calls back. "What was that noise?"

"I don't know!"

Nervously, I pull back the shower curtain. When did the room get so dark?

And then, out of nowhere, something grabs my wrist.

I scream.

"Lucas!" There's banging, as Ness blunders out. "Are you okay?"

"Ness! There's something-"

A hand is clamped over my mouth. A shadowy figure emerges, colliding with me in an instant. Its breathing is heavy, unrestrained as it pushes me back into the cubicle.

"Lucas! What does it look like?"

I try to garble a response, but the hand is too firm. The figure grows closer until it's everywhere, its hot breath on my face. I screw my eyes shut, petrified out of my mind.

A horrific whisper penetrates my ears.

"You're mine…"

I shudder. Its voice is awful. An awful grating sound, yet one that I'm sure is familiar to me. Images flash back, of the streets, of the hands, of the men-

"You've been seeing some funny things, haven't you, Lukey?"

"Get the hell away from me!" I struggle, my eyes pricking with fear. "How do you know who I am?"

"You think I'd tell you? How cute... Not yet… not until I've got what I want..."

"What do you want?!"

A guttural roar.

"YOU."

And it pulls me close in the darkness, sharp fingernails digging into my shoulder - there's nothing I can do - nothing -

"Please," I beg, struggling harder. "Please-"

"There's no point resisting, little one. I always win."

I writhe as another thick hand reaches out, pulling at me, touching me. I feel sick, dizzy, beyond imagining.

But then, a heroic voice comes out of the darkness.

"Not today!"

"Aha!" The figure darts around, sneering. "The annoying fly, Ness, always in the way… but not this time. This time I will get what I want!"

Ness growls, stepping forwards, holding a showerhead like a baseball bat.

"Not. TODAY!"

There's a smacking noise, and a sharp exclamation from the being in front of me.

It throws me back, I slam into the wall behind, and I feel as though my head is bursting open. Ness's shadowy form leaps with rage at the figure, and it snarls, trying to grab him, but it misses. My vision tinges with red. Ness cries out, swinging again, and suddenly it retreats, it dashes out of the door. I see a flash of darkness as it disappears, clearly giving up… Ness looks between it and me momentarily, but he hurries to my side, clutching onto me like a saviour. He must've won, I think, drearily. My hero...

"Lucas." My vision fades in and out. Ness's arms lift me up off the floor. "Lucas."

My head throbs. What did it want with me? I don't know. I don't know much…

Before I know it, Ness is bringing me out of the bathroom and into the dazzlingly lit hall.

"Did he hurt you?"

"He?" I gaze blankly at his face. "Was it… man?"

"Did he hurt you!?"

I nod, trembling.

Ness holds me near as I feel my consciousness start to slip. My clothes are soaked through. I put my hand to my hair, and it comes back coated in a red, sticky substance. I feel faint, I feel… so…

My eyes betray me into darkness.


A/N

This took so long to write, a lot came up in real life for me. I hope you enjoyed the major advancements to the story… though you probably got more new questions than answers this time around. I promise everything will make sense… Maybe in about fifty chapters or so.

I really hope you did like it though! My favourite scenes to write are usually the horror/fear scenes, and the light, fluffy, funny scenes, so there's quite a contrast there.

I'll also say to pay attention to little details, as they may become important later on…

Reviews:

One person left a really nice review on every single chapter, aaaaaaaaa, thank you so much! I won't respond to them all here as that would take years but I'll reply to the Chapter 9 one:

SmashBrosOdyssey:

'Okay now I'm just jazzed for the next chapter. Things never seem to be uneventful at this school. Hey, now you've got nine reviews for nine great chapters!'

Thank you so much! Hopefully this chapter meets your jazzy requirements, since this is definitely the most eventful one yet-

As always, thank you for reading, and feel free to leave a review with questions/theories and I'll feature it at the end of next chapter!

~ReadyForTeddy