Chapter 19: Their destinies revealed
Terry was eating an apple as he leaned against a tree. Everyone stood or sat around that tree as Hayabusa and Kasumi started their explanation. Hayabusa grinned. "I'm glad all eight of you are here today, since a great destiny awaits you." he said. "Thrilling. Get on with it, HashAndSushi." Terry said with a critically low level of interest towards Hayabusa's speech. "Shut up, Terry." Mary said, who sat next to him. "First of all, you may all have noticed the great feeling when being here. Some have relaxed, some have come at peace and some have taken their relation beyond the wildest imaginations." Hayabusa looked at Link and Zelda as he said the last sentence. Link just smiled quickly and Zelda, who sat next to him, blushed as a healthy traffic light. "Wild AND deep!" Terry said chuckling. Before anyone could react, Hayabusa said: "And some of us have gotten a bit too 'funny' as a result of this." He paused for a moment as he looked at Terry, who just shrugged his shoulders. "Believe me, it has befallen Kasumi and me as well. And yes, you are all dead and yes, you are all in heaven. Each and everyone of you has been chosen to be our final hope. You are the best the universe has to offer. The best warriors the world has ever seen." Fox interupted Hayabusa: "Wait a minute. I don't get it. We're supposed to be the best, but we're all dead. And I can't believe we're the best. We're all just kids. I hate to admit it, but it's true. There are thousends of people better skilled and trained than we are. Why us?" "Because you are the Chosen Ones. The ones chosen by destiny to slay the evil that will come. Kasumi and I had been chosen as well, but we failed to pass the training. We lacked the skill. So It has chosen us to guide you." "Okay, that's great and all, but... What training? What evil? Who is It?" Kyo asked. "Like I said, you are the Chosen Ones. From the moment you were born, you have been bestowed upon with a great burden, but at the same time a great honor. I will tell you a story known by a handful of mortals which was passed down upon us by It. I will explain everything to you, just be patient. Eons ago, before the universe was created, before there was anything at all, two forces existed already. The forces had already been there for millions of centuries and kept each other in perfect balance. These forces have always been referred to as Good and Evil, Light and Darkness, Heaven and Hell, God and Satan..." Terry strikingly yawned, but Hayabusa ignored him. "But then one moment in the flow of eternal time, a very small shift ocurred right on the bordering line of the two forces. It was a very minor disturbance, but it had very large consequences. This minor shift caused an inbalance between the forces and in a fraction of a moment, the two broke apart, creating a huge explosion also known as the 'Big Bang'. And that way, the worlds were created. The two forces drove away even further from each other. However, there was one part which had survived the explosion. One small... island, as you would call it, which is still in perfect balance. And that's where we are now." Hayabusa paused for a moment and Fox said: "So this paradise is where good and evil are in perfect balance? How can that be? I just feel good and sense no evil whatsoever. No death, pain or grief. It doesn't make sense." "No, Fox. Like I said, the two forces grew distant from each other even further. When they are in balance, they form an aura of pure perfectness." "Wow." Zelda said. "That means that without evil, there can be no good, right?" "Exactly, Princess of Hyrule." Hayabusa said. "That doesn't make sense." Terry commented as he threw away his apple. "Then we wouldn't have to fight evil." Kyo added. "No, you have to fight. Since one of the two forces is dominant and tries to consume the other time after time, you have to keep on fighting to maintain the balance between Light and Darkness. Evil is always trying to beat Good. And the events which are about to happen will determine the fate of the entire universe!" Hayabusa said. "Right." Terry said. "And let me guess, in a few moments, Ganondorf is going to walk in and says to Link: 'Link, I am your father!' And then Link starts to scream: 'No!' And then they're going to fight in a galaxy far, far away and yada, yada, yoda..." Mary stood up and said to Terry: "I kind of believe you're still not really taking this seriously, Terry." she said as she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "No, of course not! Do you?" "Let Hayabusa finish his story, Terry!" Mary said annoyed. "Yes, Terry. Your father is counting on you." Hayabusa said. "D... dad?" Terry said surprised. "You... you knew dad?" he continued. "I still know him." Hayabusa said. "Is he... here?" Hayabusa shook his head. "Not here. But I promise you you'll meet him in time." Terry quietly sat down and kept silent. Dad... "Like I said, you are all going to fight evil. And therefor, time has been twisted to get Galford and Nakoruru in this time. Time is deadly for mortals, but a mere factor in this struggle, since you will fight pure Evil. And not just the agents of Evil. You have fought them before you arrived here." "Ganondorf?" Link asked. "Yes. And Zankurou. And Geese. And Athena." Hayabusa answered. "Zankurou!?" Galford said. "Geese Howard!?" Mary said. "Athena Asamiya!? That's impossible!" Kyo yelled. Hayabusa nodded. "It is true, Kyo. They have all been order by Evil to prepare the land for It's arrival." "That's ridicilous! Athena wouldn't betray me! She loves me!" Kyo yelled. "I'm sorry, Kyo. But she doesn't. She made you feel wanted, so you would miss her and experience sadness. Because the four had to create strong dark emotions from the Chosen Ones to feed Evil and make it strong enough to appear on the mortal world. You, the Chosen ones, are strong and are all very diverse, so that's why your emotions got amplified enough for it to grow strong enough." "So... my sadness about Athena's absense made Evil stronger?" Kyo asked. Hayabusa nodded. "If I find out you're lying, I'll rip your guts out with my bare hands!" Kyo said angry. Fox swallowed. Neither of anyone had ever seen Kyo so upset. "I'm telling the truth." Hayabusa said with his calm voice. He looked at Galford. "Evil has also fed on your fear to lose Nakoruru, Galford." He looked at Fox. "On your sudden outburst of rage against a good friend." He looked at Terry. "On your hatred against Ganondorf." He looked at Mary. "On your humiliation." He looked at Nakoruru. "On your sadness for losing Galford's love." He looked at Zelda. "On your fear for Ganondorf." He lastly looked at Link. "On your aggression, grief and hatred during the final fight." Hayabusa remained silent for a moment, allowing the eight people in front of him to fully comprehend it all. "Damn." Terry cursed. "I... I can't believe we let ourselves being controlled by our emotions." Fox commented. "You didn't know. Neither of us knew." Hayabusa said. "You had been supposed to keep your calm and control your emotions, but alas, Evil is now free to roam the mortal world. And you eight are going to stop it. In a few moments, a portal close to where you have all died will open and a huge army is going to enter the mortal world, turning the entire universe into hell. The soldiers of those armies are created from the horrors mortals think off. It will be unstopable." "Okay, break-time. How can eight kids possibly defeat something which his unstoppable? An entire army?" Link asked. "That is why you will undergo training. Very tough and very difficult. Right now, you can't even imagine the powers you are all capable off. What you can do know is but a tiny fraction of what you are able to do. That is why you are the Chosen Ones. You have been bestowed with great power, but it needs to hatch. And this training will make it hatch. But the training will take months and will be very tough. Are you all in for it?" "Wait a second! This invasion will commence in a few moments! We don't have the time!" Fox said. "Like I said, time is but a factor. These weeks you have been here have been but a few seconds in mortal time. You will also not age." Hayabusa answered. He paused for a moment and said: "I am forced to ask you all this. As you may have noticed, this is paradise. Living here is great. You know have two choices. Either fight and try to save the mortal plane or stay here for all eternity." "Forever?" Zelda asked, looking at Link. "Yes, forever. I will not blame you. It is a great place and if you go, you will meet countless unthinkable horrors." Link looked at Zelda. How he would love to stay here with her. This place was fantastic! He could make love with her evey day and not age. He could eat the fruits of the trees and drink the water from the wells. And what would he go back for? To save the people who despised him? To save the people who kicked him in the dirt? But on the other hand, he would save millions of innocent lives from hell, would this story all be true. But he believed Hayabusa. He looked at Zelda again. Into her big, blue eyes which looked at him with a questioning glance. He wanted to marry her and be the father of her children. He wanted to protect her and die of old age with her. It was a sudden thought, but it convinced him to fight. He looked at Hayabusa. "I'm going." he said. A smile appeared on Hayabusa's lips. "Then I go too. I don't want to leave you, Link. Never again. I've made that promise to myself when we were together again. I rather face my worst nightmares than loose you." Zelda said, looking at Link. Link caressed her cheek. "My brave babe..." he murmered. Hayabusa looked at Galford, who had been silent all the time. "Hey, when Evil threatens justice, I fight. I always have and I always will. Count me in." the young ninja said confident. "And you, Kyo?" Hayabusa asked. "Well, I feel really great here and all, but so far, I haven't really been of any use to the world. Might as well try to change that now. And you know how many girls you can get by being a hero?" Kyo said. "Did you forget about Athena that easily, Kyo? I don't buy that." Terry said. "Who said that I had forgotten about her? I still don't believe she's evil. But I'll find out in time." Kyo replied. "And what about you, buddy? Can we count you in?" Kyo asked Terry. "First of all..." Terry started. "I will be incredibly glad to be out of this stinking forest. Second, when there's ass to be kicked, you can always count me in. Third, I don't think I'll live another day hearing those two..." He pointed at Link and Zelda. "Double the entire worldpopulation. I don't think they'll have the time for it when we're in the middle of a battlefield, so I'm going down there and have pity on those who I'll meet in battle." Mary, who had in the mean time sat down, put her hand on Terry's head. "Then I'm going too." she said. "Someone has to watch over little Terry-berry-derry here, right?" she spoke at a tone spoken normally solely against three-year-olds. "Goe, goe, goe, goe... Isn't he sweet?" she continued. "Would you stop that? Don't touch me, nurse me, look at me... Heck, don't even breathe the same air I do!" Terry said annoyed. "Ah, isn't he cute when he's upset? Someone has to take care of this little fellow. And it might as well be me." "You're lucky I don't hit girls." Terry murmered. "And what about you, young McCloud?" Hayabusa asked, looking at Fox. "The way I see it..." Fox started. "You guys won't stand a chance without me. So warn the badguys, a McCloud is joining the frag!" he continued enthusiasticly. "Ha! I want to see who kills the most." Terry said challenging. "I'll double your score, Terry." Fox returned. Lastly, Hayabusa, who couldn't surpress a smile, looked at Nakoruru. "And you?" he asked. Nakoruru didn't look at anyone as she answered. "I... I'm staying here. It's so peaceful here. So quiet. I don't want to leave. I don't want to return to the busy earth where I get laughed at." "What!?" Terry nearly yelled. "Come on, Nakoruru!" Kyo said. Galford looked at the timid Human girl and sighed. "It is your choice, Nako. But you'll be here without us, your friends." he said with a calm voice. "I don't need anyone." Nakoruru said softly, agrivating Terry. And if you agrivated Terry, you would better have an expensive life-insurance. The American stood up and walked to the seated Nakoruru. "Okay, young lady." he started. "You're not going to sit here while we are busy saving the world. You're coming with us and that's final!" Zelda stood up as well. Terry's commanding voice reminded her of her father. "Leave her, Terry. It is her decision." she said. "And a very cowardly one!" Terry said after a moment of thinking. He walked back to his place and sat down. "It's not cowardice, is it, Nako?" Galford asked as he stroke Nakoruru's cheek. She used her hand to brush away his. "No, it's not." she said as she stood up and started to walk away, leaving a surprised Galford. After their deaths at sea, Nakoruru had become distant from him again, avoiding him whenever possible. Galford had been glad when Link, Kyo, Terry, Mary, Fox and Zelda had arrived. That had at least given him some people to talk to. He raised his fist at her. "Screw you, Nako!" he yelled angry. Perhaps it was better that she would stay here. Than he would finally be rid of her. Hayabusa sighed. From the ten Chosen Ones, only seven remained. And with the hard training, their numbers would dimish even further.
Terry was eating an apple as he leaned against a tree. Everyone stood or sat around that tree as Hayabusa and Kasumi started their explanation. Hayabusa grinned. "I'm glad all eight of you are here today, since a great destiny awaits you." he said. "Thrilling. Get on with it, HashAndSushi." Terry said with a critically low level of interest towards Hayabusa's speech. "Shut up, Terry." Mary said, who sat next to him. "First of all, you may all have noticed the great feeling when being here. Some have relaxed, some have come at peace and some have taken their relation beyond the wildest imaginations." Hayabusa looked at Link and Zelda as he said the last sentence. Link just smiled quickly and Zelda, who sat next to him, blushed as a healthy traffic light. "Wild AND deep!" Terry said chuckling. Before anyone could react, Hayabusa said: "And some of us have gotten a bit too 'funny' as a result of this." He paused for a moment as he looked at Terry, who just shrugged his shoulders. "Believe me, it has befallen Kasumi and me as well. And yes, you are all dead and yes, you are all in heaven. Each and everyone of you has been chosen to be our final hope. You are the best the universe has to offer. The best warriors the world has ever seen." Fox interupted Hayabusa: "Wait a minute. I don't get it. We're supposed to be the best, but we're all dead. And I can't believe we're the best. We're all just kids. I hate to admit it, but it's true. There are thousends of people better skilled and trained than we are. Why us?" "Because you are the Chosen Ones. The ones chosen by destiny to slay the evil that will come. Kasumi and I had been chosen as well, but we failed to pass the training. We lacked the skill. So It has chosen us to guide you." "Okay, that's great and all, but... What training? What evil? Who is It?" Kyo asked. "Like I said, you are the Chosen Ones. From the moment you were born, you have been bestowed upon with a great burden, but at the same time a great honor. I will tell you a story known by a handful of mortals which was passed down upon us by It. I will explain everything to you, just be patient. Eons ago, before the universe was created, before there was anything at all, two forces existed already. The forces had already been there for millions of centuries and kept each other in perfect balance. These forces have always been referred to as Good and Evil, Light and Darkness, Heaven and Hell, God and Satan..." Terry strikingly yawned, but Hayabusa ignored him. "But then one moment in the flow of eternal time, a very small shift ocurred right on the bordering line of the two forces. It was a very minor disturbance, but it had very large consequences. This minor shift caused an inbalance between the forces and in a fraction of a moment, the two broke apart, creating a huge explosion also known as the 'Big Bang'. And that way, the worlds were created. The two forces drove away even further from each other. However, there was one part which had survived the explosion. One small... island, as you would call it, which is still in perfect balance. And that's where we are now." Hayabusa paused for a moment and Fox said: "So this paradise is where good and evil are in perfect balance? How can that be? I just feel good and sense no evil whatsoever. No death, pain or grief. It doesn't make sense." "No, Fox. Like I said, the two forces grew distant from each other even further. When they are in balance, they form an aura of pure perfectness." "Wow." Zelda said. "That means that without evil, there can be no good, right?" "Exactly, Princess of Hyrule." Hayabusa said. "That doesn't make sense." Terry commented as he threw away his apple. "Then we wouldn't have to fight evil." Kyo added. "No, you have to fight. Since one of the two forces is dominant and tries to consume the other time after time, you have to keep on fighting to maintain the balance between Light and Darkness. Evil is always trying to beat Good. And the events which are about to happen will determine the fate of the entire universe!" Hayabusa said. "Right." Terry said. "And let me guess, in a few moments, Ganondorf is going to walk in and says to Link: 'Link, I am your father!' And then Link starts to scream: 'No!' And then they're going to fight in a galaxy far, far away and yada, yada, yoda..." Mary stood up and said to Terry: "I kind of believe you're still not really taking this seriously, Terry." she said as she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "No, of course not! Do you?" "Let Hayabusa finish his story, Terry!" Mary said annoyed. "Yes, Terry. Your father is counting on you." Hayabusa said. "D... dad?" Terry said surprised. "You... you knew dad?" he continued. "I still know him." Hayabusa said. "Is he... here?" Hayabusa shook his head. "Not here. But I promise you you'll meet him in time." Terry quietly sat down and kept silent. Dad... "Like I said, you are all going to fight evil. And therefor, time has been twisted to get Galford and Nakoruru in this time. Time is deadly for mortals, but a mere factor in this struggle, since you will fight pure Evil. And not just the agents of Evil. You have fought them before you arrived here." "Ganondorf?" Link asked. "Yes. And Zankurou. And Geese. And Athena." Hayabusa answered. "Zankurou!?" Galford said. "Geese Howard!?" Mary said. "Athena Asamiya!? That's impossible!" Kyo yelled. Hayabusa nodded. "It is true, Kyo. They have all been order by Evil to prepare the land for It's arrival." "That's ridicilous! Athena wouldn't betray me! She loves me!" Kyo yelled. "I'm sorry, Kyo. But she doesn't. She made you feel wanted, so you would miss her and experience sadness. Because the four had to create strong dark emotions from the Chosen Ones to feed Evil and make it strong enough to appear on the mortal world. You, the Chosen ones, are strong and are all very diverse, so that's why your emotions got amplified enough for it to grow strong enough." "So... my sadness about Athena's absense made Evil stronger?" Kyo asked. Hayabusa nodded. "If I find out you're lying, I'll rip your guts out with my bare hands!" Kyo said angry. Fox swallowed. Neither of anyone had ever seen Kyo so upset. "I'm telling the truth." Hayabusa said with his calm voice. He looked at Galford. "Evil has also fed on your fear to lose Nakoruru, Galford." He looked at Fox. "On your sudden outburst of rage against a good friend." He looked at Terry. "On your hatred against Ganondorf." He looked at Mary. "On your humiliation." He looked at Nakoruru. "On your sadness for losing Galford's love." He looked at Zelda. "On your fear for Ganondorf." He lastly looked at Link. "On your aggression, grief and hatred during the final fight." Hayabusa remained silent for a moment, allowing the eight people in front of him to fully comprehend it all. "Damn." Terry cursed. "I... I can't believe we let ourselves being controlled by our emotions." Fox commented. "You didn't know. Neither of us knew." Hayabusa said. "You had been supposed to keep your calm and control your emotions, but alas, Evil is now free to roam the mortal world. And you eight are going to stop it. In a few moments, a portal close to where you have all died will open and a huge army is going to enter the mortal world, turning the entire universe into hell. The soldiers of those armies are created from the horrors mortals think off. It will be unstopable." "Okay, break-time. How can eight kids possibly defeat something which his unstoppable? An entire army?" Link asked. "That is why you will undergo training. Very tough and very difficult. Right now, you can't even imagine the powers you are all capable off. What you can do know is but a tiny fraction of what you are able to do. That is why you are the Chosen Ones. You have been bestowed with great power, but it needs to hatch. And this training will make it hatch. But the training will take months and will be very tough. Are you all in for it?" "Wait a second! This invasion will commence in a few moments! We don't have the time!" Fox said. "Like I said, time is but a factor. These weeks you have been here have been but a few seconds in mortal time. You will also not age." Hayabusa answered. He paused for a moment and said: "I am forced to ask you all this. As you may have noticed, this is paradise. Living here is great. You know have two choices. Either fight and try to save the mortal plane or stay here for all eternity." "Forever?" Zelda asked, looking at Link. "Yes, forever. I will not blame you. It is a great place and if you go, you will meet countless unthinkable horrors." Link looked at Zelda. How he would love to stay here with her. This place was fantastic! He could make love with her evey day and not age. He could eat the fruits of the trees and drink the water from the wells. And what would he go back for? To save the people who despised him? To save the people who kicked him in the dirt? But on the other hand, he would save millions of innocent lives from hell, would this story all be true. But he believed Hayabusa. He looked at Zelda again. Into her big, blue eyes which looked at him with a questioning glance. He wanted to marry her and be the father of her children. He wanted to protect her and die of old age with her. It was a sudden thought, but it convinced him to fight. He looked at Hayabusa. "I'm going." he said. A smile appeared on Hayabusa's lips. "Then I go too. I don't want to leave you, Link. Never again. I've made that promise to myself when we were together again. I rather face my worst nightmares than loose you." Zelda said, looking at Link. Link caressed her cheek. "My brave babe..." he murmered. Hayabusa looked at Galford, who had been silent all the time. "Hey, when Evil threatens justice, I fight. I always have and I always will. Count me in." the young ninja said confident. "And you, Kyo?" Hayabusa asked. "Well, I feel really great here and all, but so far, I haven't really been of any use to the world. Might as well try to change that now. And you know how many girls you can get by being a hero?" Kyo said. "Did you forget about Athena that easily, Kyo? I don't buy that." Terry said. "Who said that I had forgotten about her? I still don't believe she's evil. But I'll find out in time." Kyo replied. "And what about you, buddy? Can we count you in?" Kyo asked Terry. "First of all..." Terry started. "I will be incredibly glad to be out of this stinking forest. Second, when there's ass to be kicked, you can always count me in. Third, I don't think I'll live another day hearing those two..." He pointed at Link and Zelda. "Double the entire worldpopulation. I don't think they'll have the time for it when we're in the middle of a battlefield, so I'm going down there and have pity on those who I'll meet in battle." Mary, who had in the mean time sat down, put her hand on Terry's head. "Then I'm going too." she said. "Someone has to watch over little Terry-berry-derry here, right?" she spoke at a tone spoken normally solely against three-year-olds. "Goe, goe, goe, goe... Isn't he sweet?" she continued. "Would you stop that? Don't touch me, nurse me, look at me... Heck, don't even breathe the same air I do!" Terry said annoyed. "Ah, isn't he cute when he's upset? Someone has to take care of this little fellow. And it might as well be me." "You're lucky I don't hit girls." Terry murmered. "And what about you, young McCloud?" Hayabusa asked, looking at Fox. "The way I see it..." Fox started. "You guys won't stand a chance without me. So warn the badguys, a McCloud is joining the frag!" he continued enthusiasticly. "Ha! I want to see who kills the most." Terry said challenging. "I'll double your score, Terry." Fox returned. Lastly, Hayabusa, who couldn't surpress a smile, looked at Nakoruru. "And you?" he asked. Nakoruru didn't look at anyone as she answered. "I... I'm staying here. It's so peaceful here. So quiet. I don't want to leave. I don't want to return to the busy earth where I get laughed at." "What!?" Terry nearly yelled. "Come on, Nakoruru!" Kyo said. Galford looked at the timid Human girl and sighed. "It is your choice, Nako. But you'll be here without us, your friends." he said with a calm voice. "I don't need anyone." Nakoruru said softly, agrivating Terry. And if you agrivated Terry, you would better have an expensive life-insurance. The American stood up and walked to the seated Nakoruru. "Okay, young lady." he started. "You're not going to sit here while we are busy saving the world. You're coming with us and that's final!" Zelda stood up as well. Terry's commanding voice reminded her of her father. "Leave her, Terry. It is her decision." she said. "And a very cowardly one!" Terry said after a moment of thinking. He walked back to his place and sat down. "It's not cowardice, is it, Nako?" Galford asked as he stroke Nakoruru's cheek. She used her hand to brush away his. "No, it's not." she said as she stood up and started to walk away, leaving a surprised Galford. After their deaths at sea, Nakoruru had become distant from him again, avoiding him whenever possible. Galford had been glad when Link, Kyo, Terry, Mary, Fox and Zelda had arrived. That had at least given him some people to talk to. He raised his fist at her. "Screw you, Nako!" he yelled angry. Perhaps it was better that she would stay here. Than he would finally be rid of her. Hayabusa sighed. From the ten Chosen Ones, only seven remained. And with the hard training, their numbers would dimish even further.