Blank Reflection-

Blank Reflection-

By Archangel

[Chapter One]

New Tokyo

In Merian's Apartment

August 26, 3085

11:58

The dim lights of stores from across the street shone through the window as Merian Black lay asleep in his bed. Suddenly, the small sounds of rustling outside of his bedroom shook him out of his deep sleep as he got up. Suspiciously, he got up and opened the door and looked around. Thinking it was a rat, he slowly lugged his half awake body back into his bed.

// Grr… this is pissing me off… //

Out of nowhere, more rustling sounds came from outside a second time. Frustrated, Merian got out of his bed and he unsheathed his katana, which was mounted upon his wall. Walking cautiously down the small hallway, he saw someone coast by.

// What the hell?! //

Merian slowly entered the living room, checking his surroundings slowly. Looking around, he saw what looked like a small number of bowls lying on the table. Suddenly, a small weight jumped upon his back, and the lights turned on. Right before he struck the attacker, a loud

"Surprise!" came from a large number of people in the room. Looking down towards the so called 'attacker,' he saw that it was his young nephew, who was about to break out into tears. He stood up, shocked, and at a loss of breath. A young girl of about 20 ran up and jumped into his arms, as he dropped the katana. The young lady was about 5'6, and she did not weigh that heavily. Her astounding body struck his eye as he suddenly smiled.

"Hey baby!" smiled the young girl as she wrapped her arms around his body and she kissed him passionately upon the lips. Merian looked around as he saw all of his old college friends and his two sisters were there.

"Happy Birthday!"

// Oh my god, I forgot my own birthday! //

Merian put his hand up to his forehead as he started shaking it.

"What's wrong?" asked Kelly, smiling with her deep blue eyes.

"Nothing, I'm speechless right now…" He smiled and kissed her again, and then put her down. Walking to put the katana back, he came out into the living room dressed casually, which looked totally formal, he was in khakis, and he also had a blue polo shirt on. After coming back out of his room, he started to greet everyone. In the spirit of fun, Merian put music on for the party and soon enough it was blasting, and everyone was dancing in the living room. The bass that was rocking the walls were heard from the bottom and upper floors, and at that time, a police officer came to the door. The sound of knocking came to Merian's ear as he excused himself from the mosh pit and answered the door.

"You are Merian Black?" the officer said, who was writing upon a pad. Wearily, Merian acknowledged and he started to answer.

"But officer," said Merian.

"Yes or no?" with a stern look on her face.

"Yeah," Merian started again. "What's the problem?"

"Disturbing the peace." The officer ripped off a piece of paper and handed it to Merian. "Shut it off or I'll arrest you." With those threatening words, Merian dashed toward the stereo and turned the volume all the way down. With that, the officer left, and the party started to die down from that point.

// Shyt… I have to pay the fee or something? // Looking down at the paper, he saw that the fee was 60000 yen.

// Crap! // His eyes widened and he stood up on his couch.

"I'm sorry, but everyone has to leave now!" said Merian, who was starting to get pissed. He looked at the clock on the wall that read 2:59 in the morning. Moans and groans started to come from the crowd as Merian kept telling everyone to leave.

"I'm sorry, Kelly," said Merian, looking at Kelly. He brushed her hair back.

"It's okay, I know what happened." She smiled, and then they leaned together. Suddenly, their lips met as they kissed passionately.

"Goodnight…" Merian said as he kissed her one last time and he shut the front door. Around thirty minutes later, the small apartment was deserted and the partygoers left behind not much litter.

// Well, it's better than having a sea of crap all over my floor… //

He slowly got down and he started to clean up only the minor things that were there, like wrappers. Sighing, he got a cup of coffee from his kitchen and he plopped down onto a comfy chair next to his computer in his bedroom.

"Lights, off." Stated Merian as the lights turned off and he looked toward the computer monitor, which bathed the entire room in a dim blue light.

"Might as well work on my website if I cant sleep…" Merian smiled and the clatter of fingers hitting keys sounded through the small room. After three hours, or what seemed like a short period of time to Merian, he got up and opened the blinds through his living room, letting in the beautiful rays of sunlight. The shades of orange and light pink danced across the room as Merian bathed in the warmth that the rising sun gave out. It was then, that he collapsed upon the couch and fell asleep.

1:00 pm

The afternoon sun stood high in the sky, and Merian awoke to find himself dazed and out of it upon the couch.

// Hn. What did I do this morning? //

He got up and looked at the clock and at the same time picked up some chips that were left over from the party.

"Shit! It's One o'clock!" He stumbled over a stool and he jumped into the shower. In no time, the caress of hot water flowed over his skin as steam flowed out of the bathroom.

"Can't touch this, da da da da… da da!" he sung out as he was dancing in the shower. "Stop! Hammer time!' He raised his hands in the air, and almost fell, actually burying his face in soap.

"Pfffft…" Merian spat out soap, a s he washed his face off and got back up.

// Gotta pay more attention to what I'm doing…. //

After getting out and drying up, he walked out, got clothes on, and grabbed his Tae Kwon Do bag and ran out the door. After a few seconds, he came back in and locked the door, then dashed out again.

New Tokyo

New Tokyo Subway System

August 27, 3085

1:45

Dashing out upon the streets of New Tokyo, Merian occasionally bumped into vendors who were selling small toys out to anyone. The smell of food was everywhere in the streets as people who were selling noodles, sushi, or even hot dogs. Children were playing on the sidewalks jumping rope, or sitting upon their apartment steps. Looking around, Merian finally spotted the subway enterance.

// Gotta pay more attention… //

He looked at his watch, and it read 1:45.

"Crap… must… hurry up…." Said Merian as he taunted himself while dashing into the subway station. Pulling out his card, he scanned it through and luckily, he saw a train that just arrived. He flew into the door, almost pulling a couple of people with him.

"Sorry m'am!" He helped the young lady up and he dusted off his clothes. Looking around, he shrugged and put on his earphones. Music started to fill his ears as he waited for his stop. After ten minutes, he arrived at Norashima Station, and he casually walked out of the subway car. He wiped his head and looked at his watch, which read 1:55.

"Yes, 15 minutes to spare." Merian smiled as he strolled out of the station, bearing a wide grin. People looked at him as if he were a deranged psycho.

// I told ya so… What's wrong with you? Act normal! //

New Tokyo

New Tokyo Tae Kwon Do Academy

August 27. 3085

2:00

Smiling, he glided into the Tae Kwon Do academy with plenty of time to spare. The 12 o'clock class was just finishing as his friend, Elle Akiyama stepped out of the training room.

"Hey Merian!" she smiled as both of their gazes met.

"Great party!" He kissed her on the cheek, and she looked back into his eyes again. The children who were leaving were 'ooing' at them, and some comments were heard.

"Ooo… they're kissing!" shouted a young child as the rest started laughing. Merian smiled and patted his head.

"It's not like there's a problem, is there?"

"You'll get cooties!" the youngster giggled as he ran over to his mom. Elle blushed, and she walked off to the locker room to change. Merian slowly followed suit once the children left. Taking his time in putting his uniform on, he stepped out after to see Elle still there.

"I thought you had to go?" Merian questioned as he tightened his belt, then looking back up at Elle.

"Today's one of those free days," Elle continued. "I'll hang out here, if there's no problem." Merian nodded in acknowledgement as he started to strech on the other side of the training room. Ten minutes later, the young students started to gather outside the dojo, and one by one started to enter and come into the training room.

"Good Afternoon, sir!" said each student, after they came in. Merian noticed each one and must have bowed around thirty times.

// Whoa… I'm getting too used to this… //

After five minutes, class was started after Merian made it known. In less than two minutes, the class was lined up, and already doing exercises in punching and kicking.

"Hana!"

"Kiap!"

"Dul!"

"Kiap!"

"Set!"

"Kiap!"

The sounds echoed throughout the building as a man in a formally dressed military suit strolled into the building. Suddenly, the silent rapping upon the window outside the training room grabbed Merian's attention as he stopped suddenly. The students sat there, awaiting instructions, while Merian sat by the window.

"Elle, could you take over for me?" said Merian, right about to leave the room.

"Yeah, I got it." She said casually and she continued the exercise. Once again, the screams echoed throughout the building. Merian, finally approached the man, with a towel in hand.

"Can I help you, sir?" said Merian, wiping the sweat off himself.

"You're Merian Black, right?" said the man who was about 30 years of age.

"Yes, I am,' started Merian. "Is there something you need?" Elle was looking upon the windows at the back of the room, keeping her eye on Merian. The man handed Merian a card, and he took it.

"The EPO?" questioned Merian, "What do I have to do with this?" The man ignored him as he looked upon a paper that was given to him.

"You are to meet me at the Nerima Spaceport at 0600 hours tomorrow morning." The man took a breath as he continued. "Take as many belongings as you can and don't be late." The unknown man stood up, and walked out, not answering any questions. Merian chased him out to the street, still questioning him.

"What does the EPO want from me?" Finally, Merian walked back into the dojo and found to his shock that the class was over. Elle came out, looking surprised.

"What was that about?" she looked at the card that was upon the desk. "The EPO? Isn't it that new government organization that formed after the collapse of the UEO?"

"Yeah, that's what I heard…." Merian took the card in his hands and looked back into the training room. "But, the thing is, what do they need with me?"

"I have no idea." Replied Elle, who was also looking at the card.

"Can you take over for me for the next couple of weeks?" said Merian, starting to pick up his stuff. The last words he heard from Elle were,

"Yeah, I'll watch it for you!"

Walking down the street, he suddenly accidentally bumped into a group of gang members.

"Hey, what's your rush?" said a large man, who seemed to tower over Merian.

"Excuse me, I have to go," said Merian, trying to move away, but the man blocked his way with his arm. "Please, sir, I have to go."

"You're not going anywhere until you give me your money!" the man held out his hand, expecting Merian to hand him money.

"I don't want to hurt you, sir. Please move." The large man laughed and his little lackeys surrounded him.

"You're gonna hurt him?" one of the crony's said another one bawled out laughing.

"Just kill him." Said the large man. Suddenly, a punch came toward Merian when he reacted naturally and he kneed him in the stomach. The crony who was kneed, fell to the floor and started whimpering like a young puppy.

"Please, let me go." Merian's palms were starting to sweat harder and harder, and then he looked around. He quickly noticed that he had his Tae Kwon Do bag with him.

// Hn… this isn't… good… //

Again, another punch was thrown and Merian blocked it with the bag and he sidekicked him into a fruit stand.

"Get him, you idiots!" screamed the large man as the rest of his crony's charged at Merian.

// Oh, no… //

Like nothing at all but a reaction, He blocked and delivered stuns to his attackers. In no time flat, his men were lying upon the floor in pain. Merian, grabbed his bags and started running down the street towards the station.

New Tokyo

In Merian's Apartment

August 27, 3085

4:15

The setting sun was throwing what light was left for the day back out upon the land before it finally set. As it was starting to converge over the horizon, the many shades of pink and orange once again illuminated the city as many people started to leave work to head home. After running home and slamming the door behind him, he finally breathed a sigh of relief as he slid to a seat at the bottom of the door. Remotely beginning to rummage through his drawers, and he was determined to pack all that he could into only two bags.

// I don't know why I'm doing this…. //

Merian thought to himself as he stuffed the last of his clothes into the sack.

"This is all I need?" he said out loud. Acknowledging himself, he nodded. "Yeah." Slowly, he laid down onto his bed for the last time. Closing his eyes, he took in his surroundings. Sighing, he fell asleep in his bed, wrapping the sheets around himself.