Resurfacing of Old
Chapter 4: Red Day for Cosmos Canyon.
Over the high reaches of endless canyons and ridges the sun begins to set on the horizon, battle cries and grunts reverberating through the narrow winding walls of the canyons. The fiery flamed tail of Red XIII, or Nanaki follows his swift movements as he dashes through the valley, dodging flaming balls of fire left right and centre. High atop the mountainside was a relatively small figure, small arms and legs holding its equally small body up. The eyes of the tiny beast peered out over the landscape, watching its prey. It's father. Ryoushin, the smartest of Red's offspring tracked his father with glee. Seeing an opening her hurled forth huge flames of fire from his now opened mouth.
Red stopped sharply, turned and caught sight of the nearing flames. He dodged the first to the left, his right being blocked by the canyon wall. He landed swiftly, the flame just missing him, but didn't have chance to rest as the next ball of fire neared him. He dodged left again, and again and again until finally the last one was dodged. He dipped his head and blew on a few singed hairs on his right side before looking up with proud eyes at his son.
"Well done Ryoushin." He called kindly. "You almost had me their."
"Well I sure wouldn't have missed you father!" called another beast, this one almost twice the size of the last, but still small compared to Red. Chikara had a long mane for his age, which was just Seven years old (In comparison to the human race this is equivalent to around two years old). He stepped up to his father and brother with a smirk on his face.
"Yeah sure you would Chikara." Another said in a more feminine voice, which was dripping with sarcasm, stepped up to the group. Hime was around the same size as Ryoushin and often looked up to him, and stuck up for him. Not that he needed it, being one of the smartest beings on the planet, even at his young age.
"Where's Chikara?" Red asked, almost annoyed.
"He said he was bored and left." Chikara answered after a brief pause, seeing that his brother and sister weren't making any attempt to answer.
"Not again." Red sighed. "That boys lucky I have patience."
----
As Red, Ryoushin, Chikara and Hime make their way home to Cosmos Canyon, an unknown threat approaches, ready to purge the town of life and the world of hope. At first all that can be heard is a faint humming in the air around them, only picked up by red sensitive hearing. He stops as the sound becomes louder, drawing the attention of his children. They look at him in wonder for a few moments before he eventually speaks:
"Do you hear that?" he asked. "Listen closely. Close your eye's and use nothing but your ears to see for you."
Ryoushin is the first to do so, followed shortly by Chikara and Hime. Ryoushin's eyes shoot open as he realizes the sound, not quite knowing what it is, but having his suspicions.
"Planes?" he asked after a moment of silence, giving his brother and sister a chance.
"Yes." Red answered, Chikara and Hime both having confused looks on their faces. "We must hurry. The town may be in danger!"
And with that they bolted of in the direction of Cosmos Canyon. As they charged through the barren land, many thoughts rang through Red's mind. What's going on? What could Planes be doing way out here? Something bad must be happening! They finally reached the cliff face looking out onto the entrance of Cosmos Canyon and all simultaneously gasped at the sight before them. Hundreds of gun carrying troops marched towards the entrance, planes flying overhead, tearing up the land with bullet fire.
"Hurry!"
----
Stratus Strife looking over the balcony of the airship taken by Piper sometime ago to travel to Wutai, not wanting to think about how he got it. They would arrive in Cosmos Canyon shortly, due to Vincent's certainty to inform Red first. Unbeknownst to him Gale had snuck up on him, during his deep thought and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a slight shock.
"You're slipping." She mocked, her breath tickling his ear.
"Please." Stratus laughed. "I'm as good as I was all whose years ago, maybe even better."
Stratus suddenly surprised her by spinning round in her light embrace and then spinning once again, in a matter of seconds. She found herself pressed gently against the barrier, staring up at Stratus as she leaned back slightly, his hand keeping her up by holding her lower back. With his nose mere inches from hers and their eye's both locked they began to close the distance when:
"Are we there yet?"
----
A young woman stumbled through the open space in the centre of Cosmos Canyon, the unlit fireplace causing her to trip and fall flat on her face. She quickly turned onto her back, using her hands to support her from only to come face to face with the barrel of a gun. Before the trigger could be pulled however a Red blur flew passed, knocking the attacking soldier to the side. She cried out in shock before looking over at the man, who was now mounted by the guardian of Cosmos Canyon, Nanaki. With a vicious twist the man's neck is broken and Red approaches the girl.
"You best leave the village, go through the back way, past Seto's memorial and stay hidden. If you see anyone in need be sure to help them on your way." Red informed her, motioning to the steps leading to the underway path, which leads out of Cosmos Canyon.
"Yes sir." She said as she got her feet. "Thank you very much."
"Your welcome, now go"
With that she ran off, Red helping her along the way by taking out a soldier here and there.
----
As Red helped the woman, his offspring held the path leading up to the entrance, awaiting the arrival of Ranish's army. Ryoushin stood patiently, his ever-knowing eye's gazing out into the distance, as if calculating some plan. Chikara paced back and worth, almost warring away the ground beneath him. Hime stood at the back of the two, watching both intently in wonder. She couldn't help but be scared; knowing an entire army was about to be upon them was very unnerving for her. The knowledge that Ryoushin and Chikara were more than capable than handling themselves in a fight not helping as much as she thought it would. She just couldn't help but wonder if she was skilled enough for such an encounter, being nowhere near as powerful as any of her brothers, even the slacker Kokoro. Her thought were quickly shut down however as the first of the soldiers arrived, guns blazing.
Ryoushin was the first into action, firing out flames that covered the land before him, hoping to hold them of somehow. Chikara wasn't that smart, quickly diving into action and charging his opponents. He closed in on them faster than expected, his massive legs serving their purpose. Slice. One down. Slice. Two down. He rebounded of a rock face and clawed at another, tearing the flesh from his body. However a shot rang in his ear and before he could react a bullet hit him right in the leg, sending him toppling to the floor.
"Chikara!" Hime yelled, running of as well to help her brother.
"Hime wait!" Ryoushin called after her, but to no avail.
Hime ran forward as fast as she could, her small legs no helping her in reaching her brothers side. This didn't stop her from trying however and she eventually arrived at his side, using a handy barrier spell her mother had taught her to remain unharmed.
"Hold on Chikara." She said to him softly. "It'll be alright." I hope, she thought.
As she tended to her brother she failed to notice the soft fall of boots stepping up to her, and before she could she felt the brush of a gun on the back of her neck. She froze in fear, looking down at her fallen sibling with a look of shame. A whirling sound brought her out of her depression, followed by the snapping of bone and then the slump of a body hitting the floor. Turning around she saw the familiar figure of her other brother, Kokoro standing in front of her. His fangs bared, he let loose a feral roar of rage. The soldiers backed away instinctively, afraid of the terrifying animal. His tail burned brightly behind him, as always and his heart got the best of him.
"Stay away from my brother you monsters!" he snarled. It always amazed her how her brother could be so kind and yet so scary when driven by his heart.
"Kokoro?" she asked, hoping to bring him out of his anger.
"Stay back Hime." He said, his voice, to her surprise sounding just as joyous as always and sounding nothing like the animal he seemed to he at the moment. "I can handle these monsters. They wont heart either you or Chikara."
"Ditto" the familiar voice of Ryoushin called as he approached them.
"Well let's show these fools what the sons, and daughter of the great warrior Nanaki can do!" Kokoro roared.
----
Red helped all the villagers into the underground path leading to the very back of Cosmos Canyon and on out into the world before finally heading of to the battlefield.
"Hang on kids." He whispered softly, the words falling on deaf ears as the sound of his huge paws hit the ground. "Hang on."
----
Kokoro reared back and flipped, dodging a spray of bullets. His paws tore into the ground before he finally charged forward, tearing up the dirt and sparse grass. He swung a paw at one soldier, who fell to the ground in pain before bouncing towards another, dodging an onslaught of gunfire.
"I didn't know he was this good." Hime said, looking at her brothers, who also seemed to be in a state of shock.
"Me either." Ryoushin added. "I think he's as strong as Chikara."
"What?" Chikara roared. "No way! I admit he's good but as good as me. No way!"
"Yeah sure." Hime said as she turned to face Ryoushin. "You going to stand there and stare all day or help him?"
"What?" he suddenly perked up. "Oh right! Yeah."
As the fight wore on Chikara watched his brothers tear apart the army attacking there home, still quite unsure who they were and why they would attack their home. He couldn't help but be amazed at Kokoro's skills, and strength. However, what scared him the most was Kokoro's rage and viciousness, as he tore apart flesh and bone with his claws, his eye's portraying his sheer anger, much unlike his normal happy self. Ryoushin was also showing a viciousness he had never seen in him before, but still somehow keeping his usual cool head and planning his attacks.
They soon found themselves cornered, Ryoushin and Kokoro retreating back to Hime and Chikara's position. Hime stared on in horror as the guns where locked and loaded, ready to blow them out of existence. This is it! She thought. I'm a goner! But before the bullets could even leave barrels a black blur flew across them, and with metallic clunk the ends of the guns fell to the floor, useless. To her right stood a man clad in black, his brown wet hair clinging to his face, that was hidden under locks of hair. Black boots donned his feet, equally black baggy pants leading up to a black vest that clung to his muscular form.
"Stay back." He said gruffly, bringing a pitch-black double bladed sword into view. She nodded in response, only one thought running through her mind. He certainly likes black.
And with one swift swipe of the black bladed sword the entire army was defeated, either ripped apart by an unseen shockwave or knocked to the ground, unconscious.
----
Chapter 4: Red Day for Cosmos Canyon.
Over the high reaches of endless canyons and ridges the sun begins to set on the horizon, battle cries and grunts reverberating through the narrow winding walls of the canyons. The fiery flamed tail of Red XIII, or Nanaki follows his swift movements as he dashes through the valley, dodging flaming balls of fire left right and centre. High atop the mountainside was a relatively small figure, small arms and legs holding its equally small body up. The eyes of the tiny beast peered out over the landscape, watching its prey. It's father. Ryoushin, the smartest of Red's offspring tracked his father with glee. Seeing an opening her hurled forth huge flames of fire from his now opened mouth.
Red stopped sharply, turned and caught sight of the nearing flames. He dodged the first to the left, his right being blocked by the canyon wall. He landed swiftly, the flame just missing him, but didn't have chance to rest as the next ball of fire neared him. He dodged left again, and again and again until finally the last one was dodged. He dipped his head and blew on a few singed hairs on his right side before looking up with proud eyes at his son.
"Well done Ryoushin." He called kindly. "You almost had me their."
"Well I sure wouldn't have missed you father!" called another beast, this one almost twice the size of the last, but still small compared to Red. Chikara had a long mane for his age, which was just Seven years old (In comparison to the human race this is equivalent to around two years old). He stepped up to his father and brother with a smirk on his face.
"Yeah sure you would Chikara." Another said in a more feminine voice, which was dripping with sarcasm, stepped up to the group. Hime was around the same size as Ryoushin and often looked up to him, and stuck up for him. Not that he needed it, being one of the smartest beings on the planet, even at his young age.
"Where's Chikara?" Red asked, almost annoyed.
"He said he was bored and left." Chikara answered after a brief pause, seeing that his brother and sister weren't making any attempt to answer.
"Not again." Red sighed. "That boys lucky I have patience."
----
As Red, Ryoushin, Chikara and Hime make their way home to Cosmos Canyon, an unknown threat approaches, ready to purge the town of life and the world of hope. At first all that can be heard is a faint humming in the air around them, only picked up by red sensitive hearing. He stops as the sound becomes louder, drawing the attention of his children. They look at him in wonder for a few moments before he eventually speaks:
"Do you hear that?" he asked. "Listen closely. Close your eye's and use nothing but your ears to see for you."
Ryoushin is the first to do so, followed shortly by Chikara and Hime. Ryoushin's eyes shoot open as he realizes the sound, not quite knowing what it is, but having his suspicions.
"Planes?" he asked after a moment of silence, giving his brother and sister a chance.
"Yes." Red answered, Chikara and Hime both having confused looks on their faces. "We must hurry. The town may be in danger!"
And with that they bolted of in the direction of Cosmos Canyon. As they charged through the barren land, many thoughts rang through Red's mind. What's going on? What could Planes be doing way out here? Something bad must be happening! They finally reached the cliff face looking out onto the entrance of Cosmos Canyon and all simultaneously gasped at the sight before them. Hundreds of gun carrying troops marched towards the entrance, planes flying overhead, tearing up the land with bullet fire.
"Hurry!"
----
Stratus Strife looking over the balcony of the airship taken by Piper sometime ago to travel to Wutai, not wanting to think about how he got it. They would arrive in Cosmos Canyon shortly, due to Vincent's certainty to inform Red first. Unbeknownst to him Gale had snuck up on him, during his deep thought and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a slight shock.
"You're slipping." She mocked, her breath tickling his ear.
"Please." Stratus laughed. "I'm as good as I was all whose years ago, maybe even better."
Stratus suddenly surprised her by spinning round in her light embrace and then spinning once again, in a matter of seconds. She found herself pressed gently against the barrier, staring up at Stratus as she leaned back slightly, his hand keeping her up by holding her lower back. With his nose mere inches from hers and their eye's both locked they began to close the distance when:
"Are we there yet?"
----
A young woman stumbled through the open space in the centre of Cosmos Canyon, the unlit fireplace causing her to trip and fall flat on her face. She quickly turned onto her back, using her hands to support her from only to come face to face with the barrel of a gun. Before the trigger could be pulled however a Red blur flew passed, knocking the attacking soldier to the side. She cried out in shock before looking over at the man, who was now mounted by the guardian of Cosmos Canyon, Nanaki. With a vicious twist the man's neck is broken and Red approaches the girl.
"You best leave the village, go through the back way, past Seto's memorial and stay hidden. If you see anyone in need be sure to help them on your way." Red informed her, motioning to the steps leading to the underway path, which leads out of Cosmos Canyon.
"Yes sir." She said as she got her feet. "Thank you very much."
"Your welcome, now go"
With that she ran off, Red helping her along the way by taking out a soldier here and there.
----
As Red helped the woman, his offspring held the path leading up to the entrance, awaiting the arrival of Ranish's army. Ryoushin stood patiently, his ever-knowing eye's gazing out into the distance, as if calculating some plan. Chikara paced back and worth, almost warring away the ground beneath him. Hime stood at the back of the two, watching both intently in wonder. She couldn't help but be scared; knowing an entire army was about to be upon them was very unnerving for her. The knowledge that Ryoushin and Chikara were more than capable than handling themselves in a fight not helping as much as she thought it would. She just couldn't help but wonder if she was skilled enough for such an encounter, being nowhere near as powerful as any of her brothers, even the slacker Kokoro. Her thought were quickly shut down however as the first of the soldiers arrived, guns blazing.
Ryoushin was the first into action, firing out flames that covered the land before him, hoping to hold them of somehow. Chikara wasn't that smart, quickly diving into action and charging his opponents. He closed in on them faster than expected, his massive legs serving their purpose. Slice. One down. Slice. Two down. He rebounded of a rock face and clawed at another, tearing the flesh from his body. However a shot rang in his ear and before he could react a bullet hit him right in the leg, sending him toppling to the floor.
"Chikara!" Hime yelled, running of as well to help her brother.
"Hime wait!" Ryoushin called after her, but to no avail.
Hime ran forward as fast as she could, her small legs no helping her in reaching her brothers side. This didn't stop her from trying however and she eventually arrived at his side, using a handy barrier spell her mother had taught her to remain unharmed.
"Hold on Chikara." She said to him softly. "It'll be alright." I hope, she thought.
As she tended to her brother she failed to notice the soft fall of boots stepping up to her, and before she could she felt the brush of a gun on the back of her neck. She froze in fear, looking down at her fallen sibling with a look of shame. A whirling sound brought her out of her depression, followed by the snapping of bone and then the slump of a body hitting the floor. Turning around she saw the familiar figure of her other brother, Kokoro standing in front of her. His fangs bared, he let loose a feral roar of rage. The soldiers backed away instinctively, afraid of the terrifying animal. His tail burned brightly behind him, as always and his heart got the best of him.
"Stay away from my brother you monsters!" he snarled. It always amazed her how her brother could be so kind and yet so scary when driven by his heart.
"Kokoro?" she asked, hoping to bring him out of his anger.
"Stay back Hime." He said, his voice, to her surprise sounding just as joyous as always and sounding nothing like the animal he seemed to he at the moment. "I can handle these monsters. They wont heart either you or Chikara."
"Ditto" the familiar voice of Ryoushin called as he approached them.
"Well let's show these fools what the sons, and daughter of the great warrior Nanaki can do!" Kokoro roared.
----
Red helped all the villagers into the underground path leading to the very back of Cosmos Canyon and on out into the world before finally heading of to the battlefield.
"Hang on kids." He whispered softly, the words falling on deaf ears as the sound of his huge paws hit the ground. "Hang on."
----
Kokoro reared back and flipped, dodging a spray of bullets. His paws tore into the ground before he finally charged forward, tearing up the dirt and sparse grass. He swung a paw at one soldier, who fell to the ground in pain before bouncing towards another, dodging an onslaught of gunfire.
"I didn't know he was this good." Hime said, looking at her brothers, who also seemed to be in a state of shock.
"Me either." Ryoushin added. "I think he's as strong as Chikara."
"What?" Chikara roared. "No way! I admit he's good but as good as me. No way!"
"Yeah sure." Hime said as she turned to face Ryoushin. "You going to stand there and stare all day or help him?"
"What?" he suddenly perked up. "Oh right! Yeah."
As the fight wore on Chikara watched his brothers tear apart the army attacking there home, still quite unsure who they were and why they would attack their home. He couldn't help but be amazed at Kokoro's skills, and strength. However, what scared him the most was Kokoro's rage and viciousness, as he tore apart flesh and bone with his claws, his eye's portraying his sheer anger, much unlike his normal happy self. Ryoushin was also showing a viciousness he had never seen in him before, but still somehow keeping his usual cool head and planning his attacks.
They soon found themselves cornered, Ryoushin and Kokoro retreating back to Hime and Chikara's position. Hime stared on in horror as the guns where locked and loaded, ready to blow them out of existence. This is it! She thought. I'm a goner! But before the bullets could even leave barrels a black blur flew across them, and with metallic clunk the ends of the guns fell to the floor, useless. To her right stood a man clad in black, his brown wet hair clinging to his face, that was hidden under locks of hair. Black boots donned his feet, equally black baggy pants leading up to a black vest that clung to his muscular form.
"Stay back." He said gruffly, bringing a pitch-black double bladed sword into view. She nodded in response, only one thought running through her mind. He certainly likes black.
And with one swift swipe of the black bladed sword the entire army was defeated, either ripped apart by an unseen shockwave or knocked to the ground, unconscious.
----