Chapter 14: Test and Lunch Don't Mix Well
Mikau had just barely gotten into his second class before the bell rang. Most of the students were in their seats already. Ms. Cresent was handing out packages of sheets of paper to her students. The papers all had special coatings to keep them from being wet, while at the same time students could write on them with their reed pen. Very convenient. When she saw Mikau rushing in while huddling a bubble in front of his chest, she smile lightly. She still didn't talk to Mikau much, not since after the 'incident'. Students looked at him for a few seconds before switching their attention back toward their work. A few Zoran kids winked at Mikau.
Sitting down in his usual seat near the corner, the Zoran Hero sighed. He was exhausted. Who would have thought that an Elementary School could be so big? Yes, he should have remembered where his classroom was. After all, every subject was being taught in the same classroom, with the same students, and with the same teacher. But somehow... somehow he had lost himself within the building. It was a fluke that he had seen the sign displaying his class number on the wall; otherwise he would have been late. He popped his bubble open, and took out his notebook and reed pen.
"All right now," their teacher started. "Remember what I have told you guys last time? Today is the Hylian Language Exam day. Counted for marks as well as checking on how well your knowledge are, and how well your writing skills are, regarding to the Hylian words."
A few Zoras groaned.
Frowning a little, Ms. Cresent cleared her throat. "The exam will be out of seventy marks."
More whining.
"If you pass, you are safe. If you fail..." Her voice trailed off there.
Needless to say, that no students wanted to hear what would happen should they fail. Mikau was playing with his thumbs while listening to the teacher half-heartily. He was thinking about the game from last period. Thinking about how much better he would have played if only Netchra wouldn't distract him so. Before she had antagonized him, he was all over the place. He was the God. He was the ultimate Lecean Ball player. Heck, he would have made it into the All Star Team, if only she could just be more friendly to him, and if only there were some guys from the All Star Team watching him.
Moaning out loud, Mikau slammed his head onto his table.
"Something wrong? Mikau?"
"Huh? What?" Looking up, he realized that everyone in the room was now looking at him. Netchra was glaring! "What? Me? Yea. Yea, I am fine. Don't mind me." He gulped nervously while keeping his eyes on the small, irate female Zora. Had he just saw her fins flapped out with rage? Like some porcupine fish?
The room fell silent as they began to write the question papers. Flipping through pages after pages of queries, Mikau licked his lips. While twirling his pen in his right hand, he scratched his head with his left. He stared dumbly at the test. Finally, after a few moments of stunned silence, with a totally blank head, he began to answer the questions.
1. Please write a word with syllables of six in Hylian:
He wrote: Dulauntraii
2. Please identify the syllables for Trifachrutarii:
He wrote: 12
And for the rest of it, Mikau just speed writing through all twenty pages. Feeling proud of himself, and thinking that he would get perfect mark, he got up from his seat with his test papers in his hand. Placing it neatly onto Ms. Crescent?s desk, he went back to his desk. And for the remnants of the class time, he daydreamed about sports...
* * *
Well, that was an easy class, Mikau thought. Sliding like an eel through a sea of Zoras, he tried to get to the cafeteria. Abruptly, he felt someone grabbing his right shoulder from behind. Whirling around, baring his sharp teeth while hissing, Mikau was ready to kill his assailant. His arm blades had extended to their maximum length.
"Whoa! Stop! Time out! Chill!" The kid squeaked with terror when Mikau grabbed his throat.
Seeing that it was only his classmate, Mikau relaxed. But still, he didn't like people touching him from behind where he couldn't see.
"So, what do you want?" Mikau asked as he continued on down the hallway. A few Zoran kids bumped into him. They quickly apologized before dashing off away from potential danger.
Getting up to his side, the boy grinned. "Remember on the field that I said if you beat the Blue Team, then we are going to throw a party?"
"Uh huh," Mikau nodded. He scanned left and right around a corner to make sure no one was swimming down the corridor and crashing into him. He turned right.
Struggling to catch up with the Zoran Hero's speed, the young Zora continued," Well, guess what? We ARE going to have a party. Right after school today."
Mikau froze. Stopping, he turned around to face the babbling kid. "After school?" His voice sounded dry and cracked. He had already promised Japas that he would meet him after school. Surely he wouldn't break another promise. Once was already bad enough.
"Yea!" Placing his arm around Mikau's neck, urging the Zoran Hero to start moving, he continued, ?So many students in our class are going to be there. Many food also, along with music and dances. The place is located near the southern part of the City. As for the exact position, I will tell you before the last period. Sounds good?"
"Uh... I don't think..."
Looking a bit sad, the child stared. "Don't tell me you can't attend. Come on! This is like, once in a lifetime! And we are doing this mostly for YOU!"
"But I have already promised one of my other friend that I would meet him right after school," Mikau sighed helplessly.
"Aw come on! Just tell him that you can't make it. How hard is it going to get?"
Shaking his head, Mikau refused. "No. Sorry. I cannot do that. How about postpone the party? Like tomorrow instead of today?"
Growling, the boy was frustrated. "I can't do that! Otherwise I would have already said so the second you've told me that you can't come! I have already arranged the fun. The location and so on are ready for us to go and enjoy!"
More students were now heading in their direction. The time crept near noon. Mikau and his classmate swam slowly in the center of the mob. Many children yelled, telling both of them to get off to the side if they kept on moving like a Like Like, lest they disrupted the flow of the crowds.
Ignoring them, the Zora heaved a deep breath. "Look. How about pulling him along with you to the party? I guess one more Zora can't make that much of a difference. It is the best that I can do."
Now Mikau's face began to show a sign of interest. Yet, he didn't want to leave Tobieas alone either. A party that included Japas but didn't include Tobieas? It would be cruel. "You sure? But... can I bring two of my best friends along? I don't want to leave one of them behind. They are close together."
"TWO-" The poor guy screamed.
People were turning their heads around to look at the commotion. He placed his hand over his mouth, while continued to scream in a muffled tone.
Mikau shrugged. "Well, they ARE my best friends, and I tend to hang out with them more than others. If you won't accept that, then I won't go."
"Fine! Fine, fine, fine, fine, FINE! Okay! Now that makes twenty-two people going. I just hope that we have enough cups for everyone..." the kid muttered with dissatisfaction.
"Right," Mikau nodded. "Well, remember to tell me where all right? I am going to eat now. Oh, what's your name?"
Sighing with tiredness, the kid replied, "Toto. My name is Toto Muna. Catcha later, I guess." He turned around and disappeared among the students.
* * *
The cafeteria was pretty big, considering how it managed to fit in all four hundred Zoras at once. The walls were circular, forming a domed- shape building. Light orange paint had filled up the white spaces on the structures. Circular cutout windows were around the walls. Lighting fish contained within transparent bottles were suspended upon the spherical ceiling. Boulders were lined up in rows near the set of long tables for the kids to sit and to eat their lunch. Plants were planted around the place. Their tentacles wavered around lightly with the currents. Their many colored leaves sucked in the waste products floating in the water. Students called them: "Vacuum Cleaner Plants".
The dinning area roared with noises from the students. They all moved like ants, together, compact, and never exactly stayed in the same spot while standing. Most of the seats had already been taken, only a few were left. There was a huge line up near the food serving counter. Most students had their money pouch ready. Rupees jingled as their owners played around with them. Mikau stood in line. He stared left and right as he tried to find a good spot to eat once he had bought his food. But even with a good seat, it was going to take millennia before the long line up could move forward just a little bit. He muttered under his breath. He caught something moving on his left.
He felt as if his heart was going to jump out from his mouth. Ruto was sitting in one of the seats, near the wall with her friends. She saw him and was waving at him. Smiling nervously, Mikau waved back. He then focused on the food instead of her. Humming a few catchy notes to himself, he hoped that he could get that big, juicy salmon displayed on the shelf. No one was taking it. He could almost taste it. He could... No! A kid, bigger than he was, had taken the fish! Feelings of jealousy, anger, and sadness all rushed into his heart. God, the sensation was awful. Who was that kid anyway?
Without warning, he felt a light tap on his shoulder. He turned around, only to be faced by Ruto.
"I yelled to you, telling you that you can come and sit beside me. There was still an empty seat at our table, you know?" she hissed with slight anger. How dare he ignored her so fast? Never had she seen someone who had not fallen to her charm.
"Well... I, uh..." Mikau stammered. He felt his face turning red again. At his age, talking with a girl so often was somewhat, abnormal.
Students behind them shushed up as they strained to hear the argument between the strange Zoran Hero and the Princess of Zoran World.
"Well what?" She pressed on. Her greenish eyes stared widely at his face.
"Well, I need to uh, buy my food first before I can join you for lunch," Mikau chuckled weakly.
Pouting, she continued to look at her friend. After a moment of tense silence, she finally relaxed. Mikau felt that he could breath once again.
"All right. But hurry up though. There are some people that I want you to meet."
She turned around and swam back to her table, where she exchanged a few words with her friends before sitting down. There was the big guy with Mikau's dream fish. He was chomping down greedily while laughing with Ruto.
Mikau breathed a sigh of misery. He looked at the kids behind him. They were striving hard not to laugh. He rumbled with exasperation. After fifteen minutes of lining up in the line, Mikau carried his food carefully while swimming toward Ruto's table. In truth, he actually didn't want to eat with her. She had proven herself too wild for him. He wondered if he could meet someone else who was calm and gentle. Loving, and beautiful. Sure, Ruto was gorgeous, for a girl at her age. Her body outline was wonderful. Yet her attitude had almost grinded his nerve to dust. Placing the plates down, Mikau gulped as he stared at the female Zora and her three alien friends.
The guys were big. They were muscular, and were taller than Mikau. One of them had a scar on the left side of his face. The other one had a scar on his right arm. Their fins were slightly long, and messy looking. All three of them were tough looking. They looked as if they were not in Elementary School; rather, they looked as if they were in High School or something like that. Placing her hand on Mikau's arm, Ruto impelled him to sit down while she introduced her acquaintances.
"Mikau, I would like you to meet T. R, Ilfra, and Narc," she gestured to each of one them while saying their name out loud. "Guys, this is Mikau, the famous Zoran Hero." She smiled as she said the last two words.
All three mumbled as they shook hands with Mikau. Their hands were bigger than his. They kept on staring at his face. He was not scared of their size. He was mostly scared of their gaze, and the unsettling feeling obtruded from their eyes.
"So, Mikau. How old are you?" The one with the scar on the face, T. R, asked with a rough voice.
"I am eleven right now. My birthday had just passed a few days ago," Mikau answered as he bit down on his trout. Juices flowed from the food.
Another nodded. "Hmmm, pretty strong looking for a kid at this age. Been working out?"
"Well, no. I just... I don't know. It just happens to be like this since the day that I was born."
Narc laughed out loud. "Ha! If only I could have a body like yours."
Mikau looked up. "Why?"
Leaning close, Narc answered, "Did you know that the stronger you are, the greater the power that you will have? Think about it. With your fitness and everything, you can get things that you are not allowed to get. Things like... I don't know. Yeli Drugs? Speaking of which, have you tried any?"
Surprised, Mikau had nearly choked on his food. "Drugs!?" He yelled.
"Shhh!" Ilfra clamped his hand over the Zoran Hero's mouth. "Don't yell it out, damn it!" His eyes darted back and forth.
Ruto frowned a little. "Guys. Stop it. He is my boyfriend you know. Don't treat him like this."
Mikau could have killed himself with his arm blades if the table had not block his movement. The blades had now extended out of the skin. Finally, he struggled free of the hold. "Boyfriend?" He blurted out.
Snuggling close to him, Ruto grinned. "Yeah. I mean, don't you agree?" She hugged him.
Pulling himself away from her, he stood up abruptly, knocking the table over. The plates crashed down onto the floor, where the food floated away from the site. Half frowning, Mikau watched the four Zoras. Others around them stopped and looked on.
"Look. Let's get the facts straight right now," Mikau started after he had calmed his pounding heart, somewhat. His voice quivered with unexplainable rage. "First of all, Ruto, me and you have nothing in relationship close to being boyfriend and girlfriend. The only reason why I continue to hang out with you is because I treat you like a friend. I like you, I think, but as a friend only. A normal friend. Not a special-type of friend. Besides, your attitude stinks. I thought that by getting near you might change how you act, and apparently, you have acted out of selfishness and of foolishness. And despite the fact that you do not have a sense of modesty in you, I've still tried. And I must say, I have failed. Sure, at the first sight you are irresistible. You are like a Goddess within a garden. Yes, you have gave off this feeling of... of gentleness to me. But that was done only to conceal your true motive within your heart."
Ruto's mouth went slack as she gawked at Mikau.
"That won't work with me, Ruto. I do not like to become a tool that someone can use just for his or her own advantage and comfort. And you three," he turned his attention to the three big Zoras. "You have truly disgusted me. Talking about how to abuse one's power to gain some profit? Drugs? That just sickens me. You three have better get out of here, before I call the Enforcers. And don't think that you can threaten me just by looking at me like that,"
Mikau snarled as he noticed that T. R, Ilfra, and Narc's jaws had tightened up with a sign of aggressiveness. "Believe me. I can and I will kill you all if any one of you pushes me too far..."
Three pairs of eyes went to Mikau's arm blades. Mikau breathed rapidly. He had just noticed that the cafeteria was silent. All four hundred pairs of eyes were looking at his direction. He didn't mind it. He was too annoyed right now.
T. R smirked. He stood up, towering over the young Zoran Hero. "So. You think you are tough eh? Wanna see who's tougher?" He moved forward while pushing his friends away. He flexed his biceps muscles.
Ruto was still in the state of shock. But after a few moments, she sneered. "Get him, T. R. I am getting sick of him, too! All of his 'modesty' and everything. I would like to call him a Sissy Fish if I have the chance." Getting more pride into her voice, she lifted her head, "Mikau, you could have been rich, if you had not rejected me. I am the Princess of the Zoran World. I am basically a Goddess around here. You are so stupid!"
Mikau's lips were in a straight line. Ruto was a Princess? Was she bluffing? After a few seconds, he smiled. "A Princess should have never hanged out with these sleazebags." He brought his arms in front of him. "Let's rumble, T. R."
"That won't be necessary." A voice boomed out from behind.
Everyone in the area turned around. At the door stood ten Enforcers, all well armed. In their left hands held a long black stick. At their right, five giant stingrays were drifting up and down silently with obedience. These were not just ordinary stingrays. They were capable of emitting high voltage electric shocks that could kill a Zora.
T. R's face went pale. "Oh shit." His pals were now freaking out. Ruto looked as if she was going to faint.
The head of the Enforcer Team swam forward. At the height of seven foot five, his immense muscles were bulging out from the correct spots on his body. In other words, the perspective of his physique was excellent. He was even bigger than T. R. As the same as other Enforcers, he wore two golden rings, one on his neck and one on his right arm. His tail at the back of his head was long and thick. His skin was whitish colored, like the rest of his team. His fins were like Mikau's, yet they were soft.
Folding his arms in front of his chest, the Enforcer leader looked fiercely at T. R. "Well, well. If it isn't Trai Runan. The biggest drug dealer in Termina. Have you really gotten that desperate to a point that you have to sell drugs or have to persuade students to use them, IN AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL?" He bellowed at the last few words.
The ruffian twitched with fear.
"Think you are tough? Come on. Let's see how tough you are. Think you are really that tough? Picking on a little kid and saying all those big words?" The Enforcer stared hard at T. R. Then suddenly, he chuckled. "You know what? Trai? Do you know how strong, how powerful this little boy is?"
Mikau looked at him quietly.
Narc snorted. "A jelly fish like him can't even hurt a Like Like."
"Wrong! Did you know that he had injured three Enforcers just a week ago? Not to mention killing an egoistic scientist by severing his head from his neck."
Everyone's eyes went wide. That was, except for the officers, whom were grinning with triumph.
T. R laughed nervously. "You are lying. This wimp can't even dance a Goron Dance. Look at him tremble."
The Enforcer's eyes narrowed significantly. "Mikau," he said to the boy. "Go and show him some of your moves."
The gangsters chortled loudly, as they circled around the Zoran Hero. The crowds moved back to give them space. Tilting his head, T. R grinned evilly. Without saying anything, he suddenly threw out a punch. To his surprise, Mikau wasn't there anymore. He felt a tap on his broad shoulder. Whirling around, his face came in contact with a solid punch.
"Argh! Idiots! Why haven't any of you told me that the brat was behind me?" Trai screamed furiously as he held his bruised jaws.
Narc trembled with fear. "I... we... we didn't see him. He was... too fast for us..."
Mikau smirked. "Still think that I am a jelly fish?"
Growling, T. R lunged at him. Ducking under his attacker's arms, Mikau slashed at the bare chest with his right arm blade. The big Zora yelled out in pain as he swam backward away from Mikau. A long cut was visible at his muscular chest. The Enforcers watched on with interest. The children around them cheered Mikau on. Ruto was devastated but she was astonished also. Narc and Ilfra sneaked up on Mikau from behind. Without warning, they felt a cut on their cheek, two cuts on both of their legs, and a hard punch in their stomach. Both of them doubled over in agony as they groaned out loud. T. R's teeth chattered with panic.
He held out his hands while shaking his head. "H... hey! Come on... don't... don't be so serious!" He pleaded. "I was just joking! You are cool... ma... man!"
Mikau swam nearer and nearer. T. R backed up even more. He glanced left and right, trying to find a way out of this. But he couldn't. The officers were around him, along with those five hostile-looking stingrays. And the Zoran Kids were like a thick, circular wall, blocking his way.
"Listen, I will give you rupees! Tons and tons of rupees!" Trai offered swiftly. "How about girls? I have so many beautiful girls for you to-"
"T. R, I am too young to have rupees and girls right now," Mikau interrupted. His eyes were sparkling with amusement. Then he stared daggers at the teen in front of him. "For me right now, I would just like to gut you with my blades."
And with that, he jumped forward. T. R screamed out loud, then he passed out from too much shock and fright. The Enforcers chuckled and hooted deafeningly. The students of Sunrise Elementary derided at the thug's cowardliness. Mikau landed a few inches from Trai Runan's limp form.
"Okay guys, cuff him up and bring him back to the station along with the other two," the officer ordered his companions. Then shifting his attention to Mikau, he smiled. "Very nice display, Mikau Loencraft. Very nice indeed. Can I have a word with you, privately?"
Glancing at the Enforcer suspiciously, Mikau was reluctant to follow the stranger. The image of being chased by the police was still fresh in his mind.
Seeing how Mikau hesitate, the giant Zora said gently, "Don't worry. We are not going to try and capture you again or anything like that. Trust me."
Finally, Mikau agreed. The students opened up a path for them. Many of them patted Mikau's back, shouting out compliments at him. Ruto was still hovering at the same spot. Finally, she couldn't stand it anymore. "Mikau Loencraft! Stop where you are! How dare you leave me humiliated like this?" She cried.
Turning around, the Enforcer gave a hostile look. "Young lady, I am sure that you father, King Zora, would love to have a chat with you." Then he guided the boy out the door.
Princess Ruto felt her body went deathly cold, as she pictured the severe scolding and punishment that she would receive from her dad. Far among the crowds, Netchra looked on with wonder. Then she left silently.
~End Chapter 14~
Author's Note: Holy mother of.... This chapter is the longest chapter in Ocean Sun. It is about eight to nine pages in length. It took me a long time just to read over and over again, checking to see if there are any mistakes present. You know, sometimes I would wonder why I want to write so long for one chapter, and so short for another chapter. And sometimes I would wonder why I have the patience and the time to continue this story. I mean come on, I consider myself bad at setting a plot, bad at the dialogue between the characters, and bad at the character development. I guess I lack confidence in myself. :(
But I would also like to thank all my loyal fans that had taken his or her time reading this story. They had given me supports that I desperately needed, in the Review Board. This is probably something that I should have said a long time ago. Thank you all so much! And I promise that I will try my best at the future chapters! Woot!
*Ahem, now. This chapter is kind of crazy, since suddenly the school was having these drug dealers offering Mikau... drugs! I know it may sound unrealistic, but the truth is, it has happened before in real life. No jokes! Really! And so Mikau had finally gotten rid of Ruto, for now. I can almost hear some of you cheering at the wise decision made by the Zoran Hero. And the head of the Enforcer Team, that was at the Sunrise Elementary School with his fellow officers, wanted to talk to Mikau. What possible things could the big guy say to the young child? And how come Netchra was paying attention to all these events, even though she... hated... Mikau?
As always, stay tuned. :D
Mikau had just barely gotten into his second class before the bell rang. Most of the students were in their seats already. Ms. Cresent was handing out packages of sheets of paper to her students. The papers all had special coatings to keep them from being wet, while at the same time students could write on them with their reed pen. Very convenient. When she saw Mikau rushing in while huddling a bubble in front of his chest, she smile lightly. She still didn't talk to Mikau much, not since after the 'incident'. Students looked at him for a few seconds before switching their attention back toward their work. A few Zoran kids winked at Mikau.
Sitting down in his usual seat near the corner, the Zoran Hero sighed. He was exhausted. Who would have thought that an Elementary School could be so big? Yes, he should have remembered where his classroom was. After all, every subject was being taught in the same classroom, with the same students, and with the same teacher. But somehow... somehow he had lost himself within the building. It was a fluke that he had seen the sign displaying his class number on the wall; otherwise he would have been late. He popped his bubble open, and took out his notebook and reed pen.
"All right now," their teacher started. "Remember what I have told you guys last time? Today is the Hylian Language Exam day. Counted for marks as well as checking on how well your knowledge are, and how well your writing skills are, regarding to the Hylian words."
A few Zoras groaned.
Frowning a little, Ms. Cresent cleared her throat. "The exam will be out of seventy marks."
More whining.
"If you pass, you are safe. If you fail..." Her voice trailed off there.
Needless to say, that no students wanted to hear what would happen should they fail. Mikau was playing with his thumbs while listening to the teacher half-heartily. He was thinking about the game from last period. Thinking about how much better he would have played if only Netchra wouldn't distract him so. Before she had antagonized him, he was all over the place. He was the God. He was the ultimate Lecean Ball player. Heck, he would have made it into the All Star Team, if only she could just be more friendly to him, and if only there were some guys from the All Star Team watching him.
Moaning out loud, Mikau slammed his head onto his table.
"Something wrong? Mikau?"
"Huh? What?" Looking up, he realized that everyone in the room was now looking at him. Netchra was glaring! "What? Me? Yea. Yea, I am fine. Don't mind me." He gulped nervously while keeping his eyes on the small, irate female Zora. Had he just saw her fins flapped out with rage? Like some porcupine fish?
The room fell silent as they began to write the question papers. Flipping through pages after pages of queries, Mikau licked his lips. While twirling his pen in his right hand, he scratched his head with his left. He stared dumbly at the test. Finally, after a few moments of stunned silence, with a totally blank head, he began to answer the questions.
1. Please write a word with syllables of six in Hylian:
He wrote: Dulauntraii
2. Please identify the syllables for Trifachrutarii:
He wrote: 12
And for the rest of it, Mikau just speed writing through all twenty pages. Feeling proud of himself, and thinking that he would get perfect mark, he got up from his seat with his test papers in his hand. Placing it neatly onto Ms. Crescent?s desk, he went back to his desk. And for the remnants of the class time, he daydreamed about sports...
* * *
Well, that was an easy class, Mikau thought. Sliding like an eel through a sea of Zoras, he tried to get to the cafeteria. Abruptly, he felt someone grabbing his right shoulder from behind. Whirling around, baring his sharp teeth while hissing, Mikau was ready to kill his assailant. His arm blades had extended to their maximum length.
"Whoa! Stop! Time out! Chill!" The kid squeaked with terror when Mikau grabbed his throat.
Seeing that it was only his classmate, Mikau relaxed. But still, he didn't like people touching him from behind where he couldn't see.
"So, what do you want?" Mikau asked as he continued on down the hallway. A few Zoran kids bumped into him. They quickly apologized before dashing off away from potential danger.
Getting up to his side, the boy grinned. "Remember on the field that I said if you beat the Blue Team, then we are going to throw a party?"
"Uh huh," Mikau nodded. He scanned left and right around a corner to make sure no one was swimming down the corridor and crashing into him. He turned right.
Struggling to catch up with the Zoran Hero's speed, the young Zora continued," Well, guess what? We ARE going to have a party. Right after school today."
Mikau froze. Stopping, he turned around to face the babbling kid. "After school?" His voice sounded dry and cracked. He had already promised Japas that he would meet him after school. Surely he wouldn't break another promise. Once was already bad enough.
"Yea!" Placing his arm around Mikau's neck, urging the Zoran Hero to start moving, he continued, ?So many students in our class are going to be there. Many food also, along with music and dances. The place is located near the southern part of the City. As for the exact position, I will tell you before the last period. Sounds good?"
"Uh... I don't think..."
Looking a bit sad, the child stared. "Don't tell me you can't attend. Come on! This is like, once in a lifetime! And we are doing this mostly for YOU!"
"But I have already promised one of my other friend that I would meet him right after school," Mikau sighed helplessly.
"Aw come on! Just tell him that you can't make it. How hard is it going to get?"
Shaking his head, Mikau refused. "No. Sorry. I cannot do that. How about postpone the party? Like tomorrow instead of today?"
Growling, the boy was frustrated. "I can't do that! Otherwise I would have already said so the second you've told me that you can't come! I have already arranged the fun. The location and so on are ready for us to go and enjoy!"
More students were now heading in their direction. The time crept near noon. Mikau and his classmate swam slowly in the center of the mob. Many children yelled, telling both of them to get off to the side if they kept on moving like a Like Like, lest they disrupted the flow of the crowds.
Ignoring them, the Zora heaved a deep breath. "Look. How about pulling him along with you to the party? I guess one more Zora can't make that much of a difference. It is the best that I can do."
Now Mikau's face began to show a sign of interest. Yet, he didn't want to leave Tobieas alone either. A party that included Japas but didn't include Tobieas? It would be cruel. "You sure? But... can I bring two of my best friends along? I don't want to leave one of them behind. They are close together."
"TWO-" The poor guy screamed.
People were turning their heads around to look at the commotion. He placed his hand over his mouth, while continued to scream in a muffled tone.
Mikau shrugged. "Well, they ARE my best friends, and I tend to hang out with them more than others. If you won't accept that, then I won't go."
"Fine! Fine, fine, fine, fine, FINE! Okay! Now that makes twenty-two people going. I just hope that we have enough cups for everyone..." the kid muttered with dissatisfaction.
"Right," Mikau nodded. "Well, remember to tell me where all right? I am going to eat now. Oh, what's your name?"
Sighing with tiredness, the kid replied, "Toto. My name is Toto Muna. Catcha later, I guess." He turned around and disappeared among the students.
* * *
The cafeteria was pretty big, considering how it managed to fit in all four hundred Zoras at once. The walls were circular, forming a domed- shape building. Light orange paint had filled up the white spaces on the structures. Circular cutout windows were around the walls. Lighting fish contained within transparent bottles were suspended upon the spherical ceiling. Boulders were lined up in rows near the set of long tables for the kids to sit and to eat their lunch. Plants were planted around the place. Their tentacles wavered around lightly with the currents. Their many colored leaves sucked in the waste products floating in the water. Students called them: "Vacuum Cleaner Plants".
The dinning area roared with noises from the students. They all moved like ants, together, compact, and never exactly stayed in the same spot while standing. Most of the seats had already been taken, only a few were left. There was a huge line up near the food serving counter. Most students had their money pouch ready. Rupees jingled as their owners played around with them. Mikau stood in line. He stared left and right as he tried to find a good spot to eat once he had bought his food. But even with a good seat, it was going to take millennia before the long line up could move forward just a little bit. He muttered under his breath. He caught something moving on his left.
He felt as if his heart was going to jump out from his mouth. Ruto was sitting in one of the seats, near the wall with her friends. She saw him and was waving at him. Smiling nervously, Mikau waved back. He then focused on the food instead of her. Humming a few catchy notes to himself, he hoped that he could get that big, juicy salmon displayed on the shelf. No one was taking it. He could almost taste it. He could... No! A kid, bigger than he was, had taken the fish! Feelings of jealousy, anger, and sadness all rushed into his heart. God, the sensation was awful. Who was that kid anyway?
Without warning, he felt a light tap on his shoulder. He turned around, only to be faced by Ruto.
"I yelled to you, telling you that you can come and sit beside me. There was still an empty seat at our table, you know?" she hissed with slight anger. How dare he ignored her so fast? Never had she seen someone who had not fallen to her charm.
"Well... I, uh..." Mikau stammered. He felt his face turning red again. At his age, talking with a girl so often was somewhat, abnormal.
Students behind them shushed up as they strained to hear the argument between the strange Zoran Hero and the Princess of Zoran World.
"Well what?" She pressed on. Her greenish eyes stared widely at his face.
"Well, I need to uh, buy my food first before I can join you for lunch," Mikau chuckled weakly.
Pouting, she continued to look at her friend. After a moment of tense silence, she finally relaxed. Mikau felt that he could breath once again.
"All right. But hurry up though. There are some people that I want you to meet."
She turned around and swam back to her table, where she exchanged a few words with her friends before sitting down. There was the big guy with Mikau's dream fish. He was chomping down greedily while laughing with Ruto.
Mikau breathed a sigh of misery. He looked at the kids behind him. They were striving hard not to laugh. He rumbled with exasperation. After fifteen minutes of lining up in the line, Mikau carried his food carefully while swimming toward Ruto's table. In truth, he actually didn't want to eat with her. She had proven herself too wild for him. He wondered if he could meet someone else who was calm and gentle. Loving, and beautiful. Sure, Ruto was gorgeous, for a girl at her age. Her body outline was wonderful. Yet her attitude had almost grinded his nerve to dust. Placing the plates down, Mikau gulped as he stared at the female Zora and her three alien friends.
The guys were big. They were muscular, and were taller than Mikau. One of them had a scar on the left side of his face. The other one had a scar on his right arm. Their fins were slightly long, and messy looking. All three of them were tough looking. They looked as if they were not in Elementary School; rather, they looked as if they were in High School or something like that. Placing her hand on Mikau's arm, Ruto impelled him to sit down while she introduced her acquaintances.
"Mikau, I would like you to meet T. R, Ilfra, and Narc," she gestured to each of one them while saying their name out loud. "Guys, this is Mikau, the famous Zoran Hero." She smiled as she said the last two words.
All three mumbled as they shook hands with Mikau. Their hands were bigger than his. They kept on staring at his face. He was not scared of their size. He was mostly scared of their gaze, and the unsettling feeling obtruded from their eyes.
"So, Mikau. How old are you?" The one with the scar on the face, T. R, asked with a rough voice.
"I am eleven right now. My birthday had just passed a few days ago," Mikau answered as he bit down on his trout. Juices flowed from the food.
Another nodded. "Hmmm, pretty strong looking for a kid at this age. Been working out?"
"Well, no. I just... I don't know. It just happens to be like this since the day that I was born."
Narc laughed out loud. "Ha! If only I could have a body like yours."
Mikau looked up. "Why?"
Leaning close, Narc answered, "Did you know that the stronger you are, the greater the power that you will have? Think about it. With your fitness and everything, you can get things that you are not allowed to get. Things like... I don't know. Yeli Drugs? Speaking of which, have you tried any?"
Surprised, Mikau had nearly choked on his food. "Drugs!?" He yelled.
"Shhh!" Ilfra clamped his hand over the Zoran Hero's mouth. "Don't yell it out, damn it!" His eyes darted back and forth.
Ruto frowned a little. "Guys. Stop it. He is my boyfriend you know. Don't treat him like this."
Mikau could have killed himself with his arm blades if the table had not block his movement. The blades had now extended out of the skin. Finally, he struggled free of the hold. "Boyfriend?" He blurted out.
Snuggling close to him, Ruto grinned. "Yeah. I mean, don't you agree?" She hugged him.
Pulling himself away from her, he stood up abruptly, knocking the table over. The plates crashed down onto the floor, where the food floated away from the site. Half frowning, Mikau watched the four Zoras. Others around them stopped and looked on.
"Look. Let's get the facts straight right now," Mikau started after he had calmed his pounding heart, somewhat. His voice quivered with unexplainable rage. "First of all, Ruto, me and you have nothing in relationship close to being boyfriend and girlfriend. The only reason why I continue to hang out with you is because I treat you like a friend. I like you, I think, but as a friend only. A normal friend. Not a special-type of friend. Besides, your attitude stinks. I thought that by getting near you might change how you act, and apparently, you have acted out of selfishness and of foolishness. And despite the fact that you do not have a sense of modesty in you, I've still tried. And I must say, I have failed. Sure, at the first sight you are irresistible. You are like a Goddess within a garden. Yes, you have gave off this feeling of... of gentleness to me. But that was done only to conceal your true motive within your heart."
Ruto's mouth went slack as she gawked at Mikau.
"That won't work with me, Ruto. I do not like to become a tool that someone can use just for his or her own advantage and comfort. And you three," he turned his attention to the three big Zoras. "You have truly disgusted me. Talking about how to abuse one's power to gain some profit? Drugs? That just sickens me. You three have better get out of here, before I call the Enforcers. And don't think that you can threaten me just by looking at me like that,"
Mikau snarled as he noticed that T. R, Ilfra, and Narc's jaws had tightened up with a sign of aggressiveness. "Believe me. I can and I will kill you all if any one of you pushes me too far..."
Three pairs of eyes went to Mikau's arm blades. Mikau breathed rapidly. He had just noticed that the cafeteria was silent. All four hundred pairs of eyes were looking at his direction. He didn't mind it. He was too annoyed right now.
T. R smirked. He stood up, towering over the young Zoran Hero. "So. You think you are tough eh? Wanna see who's tougher?" He moved forward while pushing his friends away. He flexed his biceps muscles.
Ruto was still in the state of shock. But after a few moments, she sneered. "Get him, T. R. I am getting sick of him, too! All of his 'modesty' and everything. I would like to call him a Sissy Fish if I have the chance." Getting more pride into her voice, she lifted her head, "Mikau, you could have been rich, if you had not rejected me. I am the Princess of the Zoran World. I am basically a Goddess around here. You are so stupid!"
Mikau's lips were in a straight line. Ruto was a Princess? Was she bluffing? After a few seconds, he smiled. "A Princess should have never hanged out with these sleazebags." He brought his arms in front of him. "Let's rumble, T. R."
"That won't be necessary." A voice boomed out from behind.
Everyone in the area turned around. At the door stood ten Enforcers, all well armed. In their left hands held a long black stick. At their right, five giant stingrays were drifting up and down silently with obedience. These were not just ordinary stingrays. They were capable of emitting high voltage electric shocks that could kill a Zora.
T. R's face went pale. "Oh shit." His pals were now freaking out. Ruto looked as if she was going to faint.
The head of the Enforcer Team swam forward. At the height of seven foot five, his immense muscles were bulging out from the correct spots on his body. In other words, the perspective of his physique was excellent. He was even bigger than T. R. As the same as other Enforcers, he wore two golden rings, one on his neck and one on his right arm. His tail at the back of his head was long and thick. His skin was whitish colored, like the rest of his team. His fins were like Mikau's, yet they were soft.
Folding his arms in front of his chest, the Enforcer leader looked fiercely at T. R. "Well, well. If it isn't Trai Runan. The biggest drug dealer in Termina. Have you really gotten that desperate to a point that you have to sell drugs or have to persuade students to use them, IN AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL?" He bellowed at the last few words.
The ruffian twitched with fear.
"Think you are tough? Come on. Let's see how tough you are. Think you are really that tough? Picking on a little kid and saying all those big words?" The Enforcer stared hard at T. R. Then suddenly, he chuckled. "You know what? Trai? Do you know how strong, how powerful this little boy is?"
Mikau looked at him quietly.
Narc snorted. "A jelly fish like him can't even hurt a Like Like."
"Wrong! Did you know that he had injured three Enforcers just a week ago? Not to mention killing an egoistic scientist by severing his head from his neck."
Everyone's eyes went wide. That was, except for the officers, whom were grinning with triumph.
T. R laughed nervously. "You are lying. This wimp can't even dance a Goron Dance. Look at him tremble."
The Enforcer's eyes narrowed significantly. "Mikau," he said to the boy. "Go and show him some of your moves."
The gangsters chortled loudly, as they circled around the Zoran Hero. The crowds moved back to give them space. Tilting his head, T. R grinned evilly. Without saying anything, he suddenly threw out a punch. To his surprise, Mikau wasn't there anymore. He felt a tap on his broad shoulder. Whirling around, his face came in contact with a solid punch.
"Argh! Idiots! Why haven't any of you told me that the brat was behind me?" Trai screamed furiously as he held his bruised jaws.
Narc trembled with fear. "I... we... we didn't see him. He was... too fast for us..."
Mikau smirked. "Still think that I am a jelly fish?"
Growling, T. R lunged at him. Ducking under his attacker's arms, Mikau slashed at the bare chest with his right arm blade. The big Zora yelled out in pain as he swam backward away from Mikau. A long cut was visible at his muscular chest. The Enforcers watched on with interest. The children around them cheered Mikau on. Ruto was devastated but she was astonished also. Narc and Ilfra sneaked up on Mikau from behind. Without warning, they felt a cut on their cheek, two cuts on both of their legs, and a hard punch in their stomach. Both of them doubled over in agony as they groaned out loud. T. R's teeth chattered with panic.
He held out his hands while shaking his head. "H... hey! Come on... don't... don't be so serious!" He pleaded. "I was just joking! You are cool... ma... man!"
Mikau swam nearer and nearer. T. R backed up even more. He glanced left and right, trying to find a way out of this. But he couldn't. The officers were around him, along with those five hostile-looking stingrays. And the Zoran Kids were like a thick, circular wall, blocking his way.
"Listen, I will give you rupees! Tons and tons of rupees!" Trai offered swiftly. "How about girls? I have so many beautiful girls for you to-"
"T. R, I am too young to have rupees and girls right now," Mikau interrupted. His eyes were sparkling with amusement. Then he stared daggers at the teen in front of him. "For me right now, I would just like to gut you with my blades."
And with that, he jumped forward. T. R screamed out loud, then he passed out from too much shock and fright. The Enforcers chuckled and hooted deafeningly. The students of Sunrise Elementary derided at the thug's cowardliness. Mikau landed a few inches from Trai Runan's limp form.
"Okay guys, cuff him up and bring him back to the station along with the other two," the officer ordered his companions. Then shifting his attention to Mikau, he smiled. "Very nice display, Mikau Loencraft. Very nice indeed. Can I have a word with you, privately?"
Glancing at the Enforcer suspiciously, Mikau was reluctant to follow the stranger. The image of being chased by the police was still fresh in his mind.
Seeing how Mikau hesitate, the giant Zora said gently, "Don't worry. We are not going to try and capture you again or anything like that. Trust me."
Finally, Mikau agreed. The students opened up a path for them. Many of them patted Mikau's back, shouting out compliments at him. Ruto was still hovering at the same spot. Finally, she couldn't stand it anymore. "Mikau Loencraft! Stop where you are! How dare you leave me humiliated like this?" She cried.
Turning around, the Enforcer gave a hostile look. "Young lady, I am sure that you father, King Zora, would love to have a chat with you." Then he guided the boy out the door.
Princess Ruto felt her body went deathly cold, as she pictured the severe scolding and punishment that she would receive from her dad. Far among the crowds, Netchra looked on with wonder. Then she left silently.
~End Chapter 14~
Author's Note: Holy mother of.... This chapter is the longest chapter in Ocean Sun. It is about eight to nine pages in length. It took me a long time just to read over and over again, checking to see if there are any mistakes present. You know, sometimes I would wonder why I want to write so long for one chapter, and so short for another chapter. And sometimes I would wonder why I have the patience and the time to continue this story. I mean come on, I consider myself bad at setting a plot, bad at the dialogue between the characters, and bad at the character development. I guess I lack confidence in myself. :(
But I would also like to thank all my loyal fans that had taken his or her time reading this story. They had given me supports that I desperately needed, in the Review Board. This is probably something that I should have said a long time ago. Thank you all so much! And I promise that I will try my best at the future chapters! Woot!
*Ahem, now. This chapter is kind of crazy, since suddenly the school was having these drug dealers offering Mikau... drugs! I know it may sound unrealistic, but the truth is, it has happened before in real life. No jokes! Really! And so Mikau had finally gotten rid of Ruto, for now. I can almost hear some of you cheering at the wise decision made by the Zoran Hero. And the head of the Enforcer Team, that was at the Sunrise Elementary School with his fellow officers, wanted to talk to Mikau. What possible things could the big guy say to the young child? And how come Netchra was paying attention to all these events, even though she... hated... Mikau?
As always, stay tuned. :D