Chapter 3: An explanation, the birds fly the coop...
OOC: This story, I probably should have mentioned, takes place after the
first movie, and before the second. Just wanted to clear that up. Also...
I got my first review today. YAY!!!
--In the Midgar St. Diner--
Ross and Armitage sat at a table, Yoko asleep across Armitage's legs. As they hear the door open, they watch Steven walk in.
"Ok, what is this about?" Armitage asks, as he sits at the table, beside Ross.
Motioning to the waitress, he orders a cup of coffee. As she brings it and walks off, Steven takes a drink, and looks right at Armitage.
"Ok. What this is about is that you have somebody out to kill you. Not just anybody, but a rogue Stormfist warrior."
"What IS this Stormfist thing you talk about?"
"There are 4 major covens that exist in this world. Stormfist, Shadowstar, Nightwing, Darkscythe. Every person who follows our beliefs is a member of those covens. We are collectively known as the Tao-Shou-Ki."
Ross leans forward, looking carefully at the man.
"I've heard of them before, but I thought they were myth. Although, there was one guy we arrested, when we strip-searched him, we found a strange tattoo on his chest, in the upper left corner..."
"That's the mark. Each member who is initiated has one. I have one as well. No, I am not going to show you right now. What we are, like I said earlier, are supernatural martial artists. We use the flow of 'essence' to fuel our abilities. Those abilities take the form of physical, and energy attacks, and spells."
Armitage interrupts with a perturbed look on her face. "But why us? And why are you protecting us?"
"The craft name of the man hunting you is Fallen Angel. I don't know why he is hunting you, but I assume it isn't for anything you would enjoy. As to why I am protecting you, I have been commanded to protect you both, and your daughter."
"Who can learn these 'abilities' you call them?" Ross asked.
"Only humans. Robots cannot use these abilities, because they have no essence flowing around them. ...But it's a different story regarding the 'Third' types. Because they are able to reproduce, and bear children. Especially the Thirds who were created as assassin'roids. For some reason, they have the ability to utilize the flow of essence as well. Rene D'anclaude had this ability, but he never used those powers."
Armitage interrupts. "You KNEW Rene D'anclaude?!"
"No, but I knew of him. We knew he was one of ours, and that he had assassin'roids created from him. But we were intrigued as to how a robot, even one as advanced as a Third could use essence, since his "clones" could. We still are not sure how, but it is an undeniable fact. But we did discover one fascinating thing: the child of a Third and a human would be able to master powers faster than an ordinary human. We believe that Yoko will be an important asset to us, so her survival is mandatory."
"Then why all the hassle?" "Because we are supposed to keep a low profile. Good lord, do you know what kind of chaos would be caused if our abilities became known to a whole world... or two worlds, since Earth would certainly hear of this."
"...Then why tell us?" Ross asked.
"Even though Naomi's a Third, and you're a cyborg yourself, you both can learn our abilities. I am offering you the opportunity to learn these powers."
They both start, as if shocked by an electric current. Both were speechless. until Armitage found her voice.
"But...... why?", she asks.
"Because, this guy will not go away on his own, and I need all the help I can get. Besides, if you two start learning now... when your daughter is old enough to start learning these abilities, you will be able to help her."
"Is there any danger to us?" Ross asked.
"Of course there is. You cannot accomplish anything without taking risks. Everything, even breathing has danger. But there are rewards... rewards which would more than compensate you for the risk you undergo."
He lets the pair think over his words... as he walks over, and flirts with the waitress. Refilling his coffee, he walks back to the table, to find the pair of them with eager looks on their faces.
"Will you start teaching us?" Armitage asks.
"Gladly. First, we must find a gateway, to travel to the monastery, to begin."
"A what?" Ross interjects.
"A gateway. A portal I can open to take us there quickly, rather than a prolonged journey. Now come with me."
He leads them out, into the night. Motioning for them to get in their car, and follow, they drive around the city, until he finds a run-down park. Stopping the motorcycle by the abandoned monkey bars, he motions for them to walk over. They follow, Ross carrying Yoko in his arms. Arriving there, Steven motions for them to wait, and putting out his arms, he begins reciting the words.
"Oh, mighty defenders of times past, leave your post for one moment, and unbar the guarded door. Heed my commands as I say, Obey the command of this servant of power!"
As he finished reciting those words, he shimmers with a purple light. Then, pointing his hands at the center of the open space between the frame of the monkey bars, he recites the command...
"By the Goddess, I summon your speed! Activate gateway!!!"
The air in the middle of the monkey bars shimmers, glowing bright silver, and then a silver-purple colored portal is there.
"Hurry up. I don't want to leave this gateway open any longer than I have to."
Armitage and Ross run through. Turning to their car, he whispers silent words, cloaking it in invisibility, along with his motorcycle. Then, turning to the gateway, he walks through, the portal closing behind him.
---In the Tao-Shou-Ki monastery---
The 3 walk out of the portal, into a grand hall. Young boys, wearing robes, come forward, formally greeting all 3, and asking Ross and Armitage if they would mind following them. They cast an anxious glance at Steven.
"Go with them. They will show you to your room. I must retire myself for now. Training will begin tomorrow."
They follow the young boys, as if they were in a daze. Watching, and knowing they would have been alright, Steven turns down the other hall, away from the residential area... walking to a heavy door, that opened at the slightest touch. Walking in, he stood before 9 other people, who were sitting in a half-circle.
"ShadowTalon... you have brought others here.", said the first.
"That is right. They are worthy to be trained... and one is a Third-type."
The murmur of astonishment echoes through the gallery.
"Are you certain of this?" asked another.
"Of course I am. Now, I will finish my report in the morning. I must rest now, and regain my strength."
With a bow, Steven turns around, and walks out the door, down the hall, back to the residence area, and finds his chamber. Walking in, he unclothes himself, and after showering, lays down in the bed, and is instantly asleep...
---Back on Mars---
Malachite stood in the abandoned park, gazing at the monkey bars. He had tracked their signature until this area, then it disappeared. The lingering residue showed a gateway spell had been activated.
"Damn Shadowstar coven... teaching their people how to use gateways first off. Now, until I marshal my strength, I can't follow them. F**k you, Steven!!!!!"
He shouts into the night, his rage carrying across the sky. The rain, which had stopped, softly starts up again, falling faster and faster, as if responding to his anger and frustration...
--In the Midgar St. Diner--
Ross and Armitage sat at a table, Yoko asleep across Armitage's legs. As they hear the door open, they watch Steven walk in.
"Ok, what is this about?" Armitage asks, as he sits at the table, beside Ross.
Motioning to the waitress, he orders a cup of coffee. As she brings it and walks off, Steven takes a drink, and looks right at Armitage.
"Ok. What this is about is that you have somebody out to kill you. Not just anybody, but a rogue Stormfist warrior."
"What IS this Stormfist thing you talk about?"
"There are 4 major covens that exist in this world. Stormfist, Shadowstar, Nightwing, Darkscythe. Every person who follows our beliefs is a member of those covens. We are collectively known as the Tao-Shou-Ki."
Ross leans forward, looking carefully at the man.
"I've heard of them before, but I thought they were myth. Although, there was one guy we arrested, when we strip-searched him, we found a strange tattoo on his chest, in the upper left corner..."
"That's the mark. Each member who is initiated has one. I have one as well. No, I am not going to show you right now. What we are, like I said earlier, are supernatural martial artists. We use the flow of 'essence' to fuel our abilities. Those abilities take the form of physical, and energy attacks, and spells."
Armitage interrupts with a perturbed look on her face. "But why us? And why are you protecting us?"
"The craft name of the man hunting you is Fallen Angel. I don't know why he is hunting you, but I assume it isn't for anything you would enjoy. As to why I am protecting you, I have been commanded to protect you both, and your daughter."
"Who can learn these 'abilities' you call them?" Ross asked.
"Only humans. Robots cannot use these abilities, because they have no essence flowing around them. ...But it's a different story regarding the 'Third' types. Because they are able to reproduce, and bear children. Especially the Thirds who were created as assassin'roids. For some reason, they have the ability to utilize the flow of essence as well. Rene D'anclaude had this ability, but he never used those powers."
Armitage interrupts. "You KNEW Rene D'anclaude?!"
"No, but I knew of him. We knew he was one of ours, and that he had assassin'roids created from him. But we were intrigued as to how a robot, even one as advanced as a Third could use essence, since his "clones" could. We still are not sure how, but it is an undeniable fact. But we did discover one fascinating thing: the child of a Third and a human would be able to master powers faster than an ordinary human. We believe that Yoko will be an important asset to us, so her survival is mandatory."
"Then why all the hassle?" "Because we are supposed to keep a low profile. Good lord, do you know what kind of chaos would be caused if our abilities became known to a whole world... or two worlds, since Earth would certainly hear of this."
"...Then why tell us?" Ross asked.
"Even though Naomi's a Third, and you're a cyborg yourself, you both can learn our abilities. I am offering you the opportunity to learn these powers."
They both start, as if shocked by an electric current. Both were speechless. until Armitage found her voice.
"But...... why?", she asks.
"Because, this guy will not go away on his own, and I need all the help I can get. Besides, if you two start learning now... when your daughter is old enough to start learning these abilities, you will be able to help her."
"Is there any danger to us?" Ross asked.
"Of course there is. You cannot accomplish anything without taking risks. Everything, even breathing has danger. But there are rewards... rewards which would more than compensate you for the risk you undergo."
He lets the pair think over his words... as he walks over, and flirts with the waitress. Refilling his coffee, he walks back to the table, to find the pair of them with eager looks on their faces.
"Will you start teaching us?" Armitage asks.
"Gladly. First, we must find a gateway, to travel to the monastery, to begin."
"A what?" Ross interjects.
"A gateway. A portal I can open to take us there quickly, rather than a prolonged journey. Now come with me."
He leads them out, into the night. Motioning for them to get in their car, and follow, they drive around the city, until he finds a run-down park. Stopping the motorcycle by the abandoned monkey bars, he motions for them to walk over. They follow, Ross carrying Yoko in his arms. Arriving there, Steven motions for them to wait, and putting out his arms, he begins reciting the words.
"Oh, mighty defenders of times past, leave your post for one moment, and unbar the guarded door. Heed my commands as I say, Obey the command of this servant of power!"
As he finished reciting those words, he shimmers with a purple light. Then, pointing his hands at the center of the open space between the frame of the monkey bars, he recites the command...
"By the Goddess, I summon your speed! Activate gateway!!!"
The air in the middle of the monkey bars shimmers, glowing bright silver, and then a silver-purple colored portal is there.
"Hurry up. I don't want to leave this gateway open any longer than I have to."
Armitage and Ross run through. Turning to their car, he whispers silent words, cloaking it in invisibility, along with his motorcycle. Then, turning to the gateway, he walks through, the portal closing behind him.
---In the Tao-Shou-Ki monastery---
The 3 walk out of the portal, into a grand hall. Young boys, wearing robes, come forward, formally greeting all 3, and asking Ross and Armitage if they would mind following them. They cast an anxious glance at Steven.
"Go with them. They will show you to your room. I must retire myself for now. Training will begin tomorrow."
They follow the young boys, as if they were in a daze. Watching, and knowing they would have been alright, Steven turns down the other hall, away from the residential area... walking to a heavy door, that opened at the slightest touch. Walking in, he stood before 9 other people, who were sitting in a half-circle.
"ShadowTalon... you have brought others here.", said the first.
"That is right. They are worthy to be trained... and one is a Third-type."
The murmur of astonishment echoes through the gallery.
"Are you certain of this?" asked another.
"Of course I am. Now, I will finish my report in the morning. I must rest now, and regain my strength."
With a bow, Steven turns around, and walks out the door, down the hall, back to the residence area, and finds his chamber. Walking in, he unclothes himself, and after showering, lays down in the bed, and is instantly asleep...
---Back on Mars---
Malachite stood in the abandoned park, gazing at the monkey bars. He had tracked their signature until this area, then it disappeared. The lingering residue showed a gateway spell had been activated.
"Damn Shadowstar coven... teaching their people how to use gateways first off. Now, until I marshal my strength, I can't follow them. F**k you, Steven!!!!!"
He shouts into the night, his rage carrying across the sky. The rain, which had stopped, softly starts up again, falling faster and faster, as if responding to his anger and frustration...