Chapter 22: Their mission commences...
Terry felt great. Really, really great. He had officially outplayed Hayabusa. The American was stronger, smarter and definetly better looking. At least, that was Terry's opinion.
The truth was that Hayabusa didn't really care. He overwatched the paradise from a hill. He had been standing there with his arms crossed for nearly all day long. He did feel defeated on one side, but there were far greater things to worry about. He knew that the seven Chosen Ones had to fight countless difficult battles from that point on. He doubted whether they were really ready to face an all-scale, bloody, terrible war which would cost the lives of so many. He especially worried about young Zelda. She was very fragile. Both physically as well as mentally. True, she had indeed Link to rely on, but she would face so many horrible things. And Terry had a big mouth, but he was unable to control his emotions. Would he remain calm if he would see a soldier with his legs torn off lying in the middle of no-mans-land? Or would he rush out to save that man and get himself killed? Hayabusa had the most confidence in Fox. Fox was calm and reliable. Perhaps the Lylatan would be able to lead the team and keep it together. Perhaps. But the Chosen Ones were still kids. And you don't send kids to fight a war.
Terry took a sip from his bottle of beer as he bounced the basketball between his free hand and the pavement. His cap was flipped backwards as was his custom when he was holding a basketball, and he wasn't wearing his red jacket. He was shooting hoops as Mary watched him, leaning against the pole. Fox was lying on his back on the gras, chewing on a straw. Next to him lay Link, one arm wrapped around Zelda's waist, who was listening to his heartbeat. That sound kind of relaxed her. She was a bit tense. Nervous. Kyo was leaning against a tree not far from the basketballcourt. He was practicing to balance a twig on his finger and then burn it to ashes. The first part was the hardest. Galford was sitting against the same tree and enjoyed the sun which peeked through the leaves. Everything was extremely relaxed. The monotonous sounds of the basketball hitting the board, the occasional puffing sound made by Kyo as he roasted another piece of dry wood, the chewing of Fox, the singing of birds, the blowing of the wind through the trees, the occasional kiss between Link and Zelda... It was all so relaxed... So peaceful... Except for the loud curse which sometimes escaped Terry's mouth after he missed the ring by inches. Other than that, everything was quiet.
But the minds of the youngsters were not so calm. Fox was a bit affraid of what would come. They would all not have gotten so powerful if it weren't for a reason. Galford was constantly thinking of Nakoruru. He would have to leave her behind. And that hurt. Zelda was wondering whether friends of hers back on Earth had died. Impa, Donkey Kong... Peach... Link was solely affraid something would happen to Princess Zelda, since he had no friends to worry about. Well, perhaps Donkey, but the monkey was able to take care of himself. Terry desperately wanted to kill more monsters than Galford. He had just had to! He wasn't going to let that justice-lover beat him! Mary was just jealous at that moment. Jealous of Link and Zelda. Of their happiness. It wasn't fair. And Terry's nonchalant look didn't really help to make things better. Kyo was sort of relaxed. He still felt the fire burning. And it felt great. He didn't carry the flame, he WAS the flame.
Suddenly, Hayabusa came walking out of nowhere. "It is time." he said. Terry lost his concentration by this and missed. "Damn you, Hayabusa!" he cursed. "Ah, watch that mouth, Terry!" Mary said, catching the ball. She threw it hard in Terry's stomach, after which she walked past him to Hayabusa. "What's wrong with you?" Terry asked surprised. "Figure that out yourself, smartass." Mary said angry. "Girls..." Terry sighed. Link helped Zelda up as a real gentleman, agrivating Mary even more. But there was no point in trying to get even near Terry. He was distant from her, hostile even. But how come she had fallen for him in the first place. He was ill-mannered, rude, impolite, simple-minded, childish, handsome, brave, strong... A real man... But she remembered how he had cried, really cried, when she had been in the hospital. That had to mean something, right? Perhaps. Perhaps. But thinking of it made her feel a little better. She had been acting childish.
The seven Chosen Ones gathered around Hayabusa as he started to speak: "You seven are all very different from each other."
"Thank God..." Terry commented.
Hayabusa, as would every other clever man, ignored him and continued: "Different and yet the same. You strive for one goal. To bring peace and balance back to the universe. I'm affraid I cannot help you beyond this point. But I wanted to grant you all the best of luck. And you have to remember that, not matter what horrible things will await you, you must go for your main goal. You must slay the Evil that's going to emerge. Slay it and restore the balance. When you return to earth, weeks will now have been passed, to right before the point where the portal opens. Be careful and come out of it alive and in good health." Hayabusa spoke calmly, soothing the youngsters in front of him. He made a gesture with his hands and a portal opened, about the same one Terry had seen in the bank. "When you go through there, you will all never be able to return here. We will never meet again. When you die now, you will simply cease to exist. " Hayabusa then said. He seemed sad.
Link walked to him and put his hand on Hayabusa's shoulder. "Don't worry, Hayabusa. We won't die."
"I trust you won't, Link."
Link walked to the portal and carefully touched the surface with his gloved hand. The surface ruffled as if it were water. He moved his hand back and closed it. This was it. He had to leave this paradise. He looked around one more time and then noticed Nakoruru. She stood in the distance next to a tree and carefully studied the events. Link raised his hand to greet her, but she swiftly disappeared from sight. Link just sighed and shook his head. Suddenly, Galford dashed away from the group.
"What the..." Terry yelled and he wanted to run after Galford, but Kyo quickly stopped him.
"Let him, Terry. He has to be able to say good-bye."
Terry felt that Kyo's hand was warmer than normal and he backed away a little. "Cool down, will ye?" he said surprised.
"Sorry. I can't help it." Kyo said with a grin.
"And you think the girls who you'll get when we save the world will like that?" Terry said, grinning no less.
"I think they'll be like wax in my hands..." Kyo said smart.
As Terry wanted to return an answer and Fox started to join the conversation under the protest of Zelda, who thought it wasn't a way to treat girls like some kind of treasure, followed by Link's laughing, Galford ran through the forest and met up with Nakoruru, who sat on a log. She was facing him with her back.
"We... we're leaving." Galford murmered, not knowing what else to say.
"Fine." Nakoruru said impolite.
"Will you... miss me somehow?"
Nakoruru hesitated. "A little." she answered, but with a lot softer tone than before.
"Thank you." Galford said as he made a short, respectful bow to her. He then decided to leave her. Staying longer with her would hurt too much. But he did remember what Hayabusa had just said. He would never return here again. He would never be able to see her again. It was best if he would just turn around and walk away, but he just couldn't. He just couldn't. He walked to her and quickly kissed her on her cheek from behind. "I'll miss you." he murmered, right before he received a hard slap from Nakoruru, making him back away in surprise.
"Leave." Nakoruru said harsh.
Galford then did walk away. He experienced pain in his heart, but it was obvious Nakoruru didn't want anything to do with him anymore.
"Hey, come on, justice-boy. Hurry up!" Terry's voice sounded through the peaceful paradise. Galford could stay here and try to make it up to Nakoruru. He would have eternity for that. Eternity in this paradise... He stood still and looked around. It was so peaceful... So nice... He then gave himself a mental slap. His friends needed him. There was a universe to be saved. And above that, he had given himself a promise a long time ago, that he would fight evil anywhere. And he wouldn't break that promise now. He started to run back to the group and was greeted by an annoyed sigh of Terry.
Link was the first who wanted to step into the portal, but Zelda quickly grabbed his hand.
"We're going together." she spoke sweetly.
"Okay, babe." he said smiling. They carefully stepped into the portal, into the liquid-like surface and then disappeared completely, not noticing the face Terry made towards them.
Kyo then wanted to step through, but Terry pulled him away from the portal at his shoulder, nearly making him stumble backwards. "Men first." the American said as he straightened his baseballcap and stepped into the portal.
Kyo sighed as he shook his head and stepped through the portal as well.
"Boys." Mary sighed as she too, entered the portal.
Galford wanted to step through as well, but turned to Hayabusa first and raised two fingers, his index and middle, to in front of his face and said: "Nin."
"Nin." Hayabusa returned as he made the same gesture.
As soon as Galford disappeared into the portal, Fox wanted to walk towards it as well, but Hayabusa stopped him. "Young McCloud..." he started, making Fox turn around to him.
"Watch after the other six, okay? They're still kids."
"As am I, Hayabusa." Fox said grinning.
"You are the most capable as a leader, Fox. Bring them all home safely."
Fox nodded. "I will, Hayabusa. Farewell."
"Farewell, Fox-san." Hayabusa said, making a respectful bow towards Fox.
Fox returned the gesture before he walked away from Hayabusa and carefully stepped into the portal. He wondered what he would meet on the other side. The portal closed behind him, leaving Hayabusa behind.
He crossed his arms in front of his chest and sighed as he looked down. He was incredibly worried. But he suddenly felt a woman's hands massageing his shoulders.
"It's going to be all right, Hayabusa-san." Kasumi said comforting.
Hayabusa turned to her. "Perhaps you're right. I just feel guilty for not being able to join them."
"Forget about it for a moment, Hayabusa-san." Kasumi said softly. She moved her lips closer to his, forcing a deep, passionate kiss.
The kissing couple was studied from afar by Nakoruru. She had tears in her eyes. She had made the wrong decision.
Terry felt great. Really, really great. He had officially outplayed Hayabusa. The American was stronger, smarter and definetly better looking. At least, that was Terry's opinion.
The truth was that Hayabusa didn't really care. He overwatched the paradise from a hill. He had been standing there with his arms crossed for nearly all day long. He did feel defeated on one side, but there were far greater things to worry about. He knew that the seven Chosen Ones had to fight countless difficult battles from that point on. He doubted whether they were really ready to face an all-scale, bloody, terrible war which would cost the lives of so many. He especially worried about young Zelda. She was very fragile. Both physically as well as mentally. True, she had indeed Link to rely on, but she would face so many horrible things. And Terry had a big mouth, but he was unable to control his emotions. Would he remain calm if he would see a soldier with his legs torn off lying in the middle of no-mans-land? Or would he rush out to save that man and get himself killed? Hayabusa had the most confidence in Fox. Fox was calm and reliable. Perhaps the Lylatan would be able to lead the team and keep it together. Perhaps. But the Chosen Ones were still kids. And you don't send kids to fight a war.
Terry took a sip from his bottle of beer as he bounced the basketball between his free hand and the pavement. His cap was flipped backwards as was his custom when he was holding a basketball, and he wasn't wearing his red jacket. He was shooting hoops as Mary watched him, leaning against the pole. Fox was lying on his back on the gras, chewing on a straw. Next to him lay Link, one arm wrapped around Zelda's waist, who was listening to his heartbeat. That sound kind of relaxed her. She was a bit tense. Nervous. Kyo was leaning against a tree not far from the basketballcourt. He was practicing to balance a twig on his finger and then burn it to ashes. The first part was the hardest. Galford was sitting against the same tree and enjoyed the sun which peeked through the leaves. Everything was extremely relaxed. The monotonous sounds of the basketball hitting the board, the occasional puffing sound made by Kyo as he roasted another piece of dry wood, the chewing of Fox, the singing of birds, the blowing of the wind through the trees, the occasional kiss between Link and Zelda... It was all so relaxed... So peaceful... Except for the loud curse which sometimes escaped Terry's mouth after he missed the ring by inches. Other than that, everything was quiet.
But the minds of the youngsters were not so calm. Fox was a bit affraid of what would come. They would all not have gotten so powerful if it weren't for a reason. Galford was constantly thinking of Nakoruru. He would have to leave her behind. And that hurt. Zelda was wondering whether friends of hers back on Earth had died. Impa, Donkey Kong... Peach... Link was solely affraid something would happen to Princess Zelda, since he had no friends to worry about. Well, perhaps Donkey, but the monkey was able to take care of himself. Terry desperately wanted to kill more monsters than Galford. He had just had to! He wasn't going to let that justice-lover beat him! Mary was just jealous at that moment. Jealous of Link and Zelda. Of their happiness. It wasn't fair. And Terry's nonchalant look didn't really help to make things better. Kyo was sort of relaxed. He still felt the fire burning. And it felt great. He didn't carry the flame, he WAS the flame.
Suddenly, Hayabusa came walking out of nowhere. "It is time." he said. Terry lost his concentration by this and missed. "Damn you, Hayabusa!" he cursed. "Ah, watch that mouth, Terry!" Mary said, catching the ball. She threw it hard in Terry's stomach, after which she walked past him to Hayabusa. "What's wrong with you?" Terry asked surprised. "Figure that out yourself, smartass." Mary said angry. "Girls..." Terry sighed. Link helped Zelda up as a real gentleman, agrivating Mary even more. But there was no point in trying to get even near Terry. He was distant from her, hostile even. But how come she had fallen for him in the first place. He was ill-mannered, rude, impolite, simple-minded, childish, handsome, brave, strong... A real man... But she remembered how he had cried, really cried, when she had been in the hospital. That had to mean something, right? Perhaps. Perhaps. But thinking of it made her feel a little better. She had been acting childish.
The seven Chosen Ones gathered around Hayabusa as he started to speak: "You seven are all very different from each other."
"Thank God..." Terry commented.
Hayabusa, as would every other clever man, ignored him and continued: "Different and yet the same. You strive for one goal. To bring peace and balance back to the universe. I'm affraid I cannot help you beyond this point. But I wanted to grant you all the best of luck. And you have to remember that, not matter what horrible things will await you, you must go for your main goal. You must slay the Evil that's going to emerge. Slay it and restore the balance. When you return to earth, weeks will now have been passed, to right before the point where the portal opens. Be careful and come out of it alive and in good health." Hayabusa spoke calmly, soothing the youngsters in front of him. He made a gesture with his hands and a portal opened, about the same one Terry had seen in the bank. "When you go through there, you will all never be able to return here. We will never meet again. When you die now, you will simply cease to exist. " Hayabusa then said. He seemed sad.
Link walked to him and put his hand on Hayabusa's shoulder. "Don't worry, Hayabusa. We won't die."
"I trust you won't, Link."
Link walked to the portal and carefully touched the surface with his gloved hand. The surface ruffled as if it were water. He moved his hand back and closed it. This was it. He had to leave this paradise. He looked around one more time and then noticed Nakoruru. She stood in the distance next to a tree and carefully studied the events. Link raised his hand to greet her, but she swiftly disappeared from sight. Link just sighed and shook his head. Suddenly, Galford dashed away from the group.
"What the..." Terry yelled and he wanted to run after Galford, but Kyo quickly stopped him.
"Let him, Terry. He has to be able to say good-bye."
Terry felt that Kyo's hand was warmer than normal and he backed away a little. "Cool down, will ye?" he said surprised.
"Sorry. I can't help it." Kyo said with a grin.
"And you think the girls who you'll get when we save the world will like that?" Terry said, grinning no less.
"I think they'll be like wax in my hands..." Kyo said smart.
As Terry wanted to return an answer and Fox started to join the conversation under the protest of Zelda, who thought it wasn't a way to treat girls like some kind of treasure, followed by Link's laughing, Galford ran through the forest and met up with Nakoruru, who sat on a log. She was facing him with her back.
"We... we're leaving." Galford murmered, not knowing what else to say.
"Fine." Nakoruru said impolite.
"Will you... miss me somehow?"
Nakoruru hesitated. "A little." she answered, but with a lot softer tone than before.
"Thank you." Galford said as he made a short, respectful bow to her. He then decided to leave her. Staying longer with her would hurt too much. But he did remember what Hayabusa had just said. He would never return here again. He would never be able to see her again. It was best if he would just turn around and walk away, but he just couldn't. He just couldn't. He walked to her and quickly kissed her on her cheek from behind. "I'll miss you." he murmered, right before he received a hard slap from Nakoruru, making him back away in surprise.
"Leave." Nakoruru said harsh.
Galford then did walk away. He experienced pain in his heart, but it was obvious Nakoruru didn't want anything to do with him anymore.
"Hey, come on, justice-boy. Hurry up!" Terry's voice sounded through the peaceful paradise. Galford could stay here and try to make it up to Nakoruru. He would have eternity for that. Eternity in this paradise... He stood still and looked around. It was so peaceful... So nice... He then gave himself a mental slap. His friends needed him. There was a universe to be saved. And above that, he had given himself a promise a long time ago, that he would fight evil anywhere. And he wouldn't break that promise now. He started to run back to the group and was greeted by an annoyed sigh of Terry.
Link was the first who wanted to step into the portal, but Zelda quickly grabbed his hand.
"We're going together." she spoke sweetly.
"Okay, babe." he said smiling. They carefully stepped into the portal, into the liquid-like surface and then disappeared completely, not noticing the face Terry made towards them.
Kyo then wanted to step through, but Terry pulled him away from the portal at his shoulder, nearly making him stumble backwards. "Men first." the American said as he straightened his baseballcap and stepped into the portal.
Kyo sighed as he shook his head and stepped through the portal as well.
"Boys." Mary sighed as she too, entered the portal.
Galford wanted to step through as well, but turned to Hayabusa first and raised two fingers, his index and middle, to in front of his face and said: "Nin."
"Nin." Hayabusa returned as he made the same gesture.
As soon as Galford disappeared into the portal, Fox wanted to walk towards it as well, but Hayabusa stopped him. "Young McCloud..." he started, making Fox turn around to him.
"Watch after the other six, okay? They're still kids."
"As am I, Hayabusa." Fox said grinning.
"You are the most capable as a leader, Fox. Bring them all home safely."
Fox nodded. "I will, Hayabusa. Farewell."
"Farewell, Fox-san." Hayabusa said, making a respectful bow towards Fox.
Fox returned the gesture before he walked away from Hayabusa and carefully stepped into the portal. He wondered what he would meet on the other side. The portal closed behind him, leaving Hayabusa behind.
He crossed his arms in front of his chest and sighed as he looked down. He was incredibly worried. But he suddenly felt a woman's hands massageing his shoulders.
"It's going to be all right, Hayabusa-san." Kasumi said comforting.
Hayabusa turned to her. "Perhaps you're right. I just feel guilty for not being able to join them."
"Forget about it for a moment, Hayabusa-san." Kasumi said softly. She moved her lips closer to his, forcing a deep, passionate kiss.
The kissing couple was studied from afar by Nakoruru. She had tears in her eyes. She had made the wrong decision.