Chapter 5

Ghosts of Toko Temple

By BNHN

I'm stuck sitting here, in my room, my shrine, my own home away from home. Japan was such a welcoming home, which I remember so well. However, I decided to go with my heart and live with my only person that I can trust, Tiny…. Respectfully, I am only known as Asuka. My past is unknown, only that my true parents died from a plague that wiped through Japan twenty-nine years ago. My Sensei of Toko Temple took me in when I was only an infant. From then on, I was raised as his own, taught the art of Ninjitsu, Ninjas, as the world knows them. But soon, the art was forbidden and my clan was disbanded, only to practice in the darkness…. I, myself, however, am swore to help the light along with its most feared warriors (Or at least most of them.)

It was December 10, 2011, another chilly winter at hand. I woke up to the scene of snow and barking of dogs downstairs. Such a welcoming sound, which I longed to be back home at times. I quickly arose and ran downstairs to another welcoming sense. Smell of Pancakes. Nicole's specialty as I could tell. "Hey, good morning Asuka," Nicole smiled and placed the pancakes on the table, "Why don't you wake up everyone else?" I nodded and headed back upstairs. Tiny was already awake, only a bit groggy, but I gave him a quick kiss as I ran by to open Leo, Eric, and Zack's door. I knocked on Leo's door, only to hear, "WHAT? I'm friggin sleeping, so leave me alone!" Usual Leo. I knocked on Eric's door, which he responded quickly. When I got to Zack's, I got a bit nervous. I felt a dark presence inside the room. When I was about to knock, I touched Zack as soon as he opened his door. "…" He only gave me that chilling look that would make many people have their blood turn cold. "Nicole wants you to eat." I spoke in English as well as I could. "…Fine…" he only said and walked off. "Hey Asuka, ignore him, he's just a b." I heard Tiny say behind me. I turned, "I know, but I can't stop feeling the darkness growing within his soul." Tiny looked worried as well, "He can deal with it, I hope…"

Leo was bragging as usual when I got down to the dining table. Nicole was listening (since she has to,) and Eric was already getting seconds. Tiny was gobbling them down as well (Such a funny sight to see him make a lot of crumbs flying around.) But Zack was leaning against the doorway, staring down at his plate on the counter. I sat down and had my breakfast until Nicole noticed Zack.

"Aren't you gonna eat?"

"No…"

"Oh? Come on Zack, just eat."

"…"

"Please?"

"…Alright."

I was surprised that Nicole was the only one who could actually make him do something. It reminds me of Tiny so much (which is kinda scary but he now listens to me and Nicole.) I sighed at the childish behavior of Zack but kept on eating.

After breakfast, it was off to school. Nothing out of the ordinary though. Leo's class was up first since I was in Nicole and Eric's class. Leo was intoxicated as usual, but at least he did give us a small quiz on how to block attacks. It was very easy, which I had began to get accustomed to with Leo. "Alright class, it's time for our field trip outside!" he shouted and made everyone cheer. I was confused about why he would do such a thing, but I'm guessing it's something rather important. We got outside the front gate to see that it was actually snowing again. Everyone let out a sigh of dismay, but Leo explained why we were all outside. "SNOWBALL FIGHT!" he yelled! From gloomy to chipper, everyone cheered and started to make their teams. Two teams were made and it was simple, capture the other team's flag and return back to base to win. Leo was Referee of course, and I was in Nicole and Eric's team. We were a force to be reckoned with.

It started off quite quickly with Eric leading the attack group of five people. Nicole and her defensive team of six were behind me, so that left me alone to do what I do best…sneaking. I quietly snuck around the corner of the Balamb Garden building to see the enemies' defensive team waiting for Eric and the others. I jumped over the snow wall and grabbed the flag as fast as I could. In that split second, someone noticed me and was about to announce that I was here. I silently grabbed her and held her hostage. She kicked some snow that made the others turn. "Hey," they shouted, but couldn't throw any snow at me without hitting their teammate. I smirked as soon as I saw Eric throw as fast snowball that stuck someone behind the head. In that instant, I kicked the girl away and ran off to my base. "Asuka, over here!" Nicole shouted to me as soon as she saw me coming. With a swift move, I placed the opponents' flag on the ground and Leo shouted, "Blue Team, You Lose!" Everyone on my team cheered and Nicole gave me a high-five. I had to admit it was very easy though.

As soon as we got inside, the announcement came on that due to the snowstorm that we were all allowed to go home early. (Finally,) I got my stuff and walked in the snow home. However, the wind blew viciously against me as I tried to walk back. SCREECH! I looked behind my shoulder and saw Tiny in his car waving to me. "Asuka, it's Fing cold! Get in!" he smiled. I ran back to him and got in. "Thank you Tiny." I was shivering. Tiny turned on the heat and said, "You know you don't always have to walk home." You're right, but I love being outside. All thanks to the Time Compression, we were all back in the winter, my worst season. "Dammit, the snow is like a fog out there," Tiny growled, "Hopefully the others can get home…" Tiny was always worried about everyone else (Except Zack for some reasons.) As soon as we got home, Tiny and I rushed inside because it was probably -3 degrees Celsius outside and I was already freezing cold! The warm scent of bread welcomed us into the house.

"Hey, what's cooking?" Tiny asked. Nicole came out and answered, "What do you think?" He smirked, "Dinner, oh baby, can't wait!" I laughed at his remarks and went back into my room (which looks like a shrine.) It was quiet and very welcoming to me. I sat down at my small desk and looked at my planner. I had nothing to do for the next two days (which probably means that Tiny will ask me out again!) I sighed out a sign of relief and began to work on my homework that the English teacher gave me. I really did need to work on my English a lot. Japanese was my native language, but here, English was dominant. I worked vigorously to finish so I would have enough spare time to practice and meditate. I finally got to sit down on my bed and was about to relax until… "Yo, Asuka, where are you?" I heard Tiny calling my name. "Here," I called back, but still kept thinking how the semicolons work along side with: for example, therefore, and so. English is truly a difficult language that I must endure while living here.

I jumped downstairs to see Tiny's smiling face. "What is it?" I asked him with a bit of confusion in my tone. "Ho, it's nothing," he smirked, "But I think Leo wants you for something, I can tell you about my thing later." His smile turned upside down as he walked off. "Tiny, wait!" I exclaimed. "What is it?" he turned back to look at me. "When I'm gone, promise me that you will not frown, and I promise that I will become better with English." Tiny smiled, "Sure thing, but you're on." He gave me a thumbs up as I walked into Leo's room, which was like a totally different world that smells like burning cotton. "Ah, Asuka," Leo greeted me with a grin, "I've just received a message from the Garden, wanting you to go on a 'Secret' mission." That wasn't something new, so I let out a sigh of disappointment. "You'll need to…well, get a computer chip hidden within a sliver statue, heavily guarded and fortified." Leo sounded concern, but I rolled my eyes in dismay that he couldn't of chosen a better time to disturb me. I felt like I wanted to give him my foot to his face, but that wouldn't be nice would it? "Well, here Asuka, you're suit." He pressed a button that revealed a black wetsuit that didn't look like anything special. "I know you don't know English much, but let me say this slowly," Leo said, "This…suit…has…a…special…function…" I cut him off by taking out my dagger and spoke quietly, "I know what you're saying Leo, so speak faster." I said in Japanese, doubting that he would actually understand. "Alright, anyways, this suit can reflect radar, heat vision, and x-ray; therefore, you're the one that is perfect for this job." Leo turned back to his computer, "By the way, it's sorta bulletproof." "Sorta?" I repeated. "Yeah, it can only sustain so much since I couldn't add anymore bulletproof material before it would be too noisy and heavy, but good luck." And with that, Leo handed me the suit and a map to the location…Area 59, a secret military base? How lame could this get?

I was all dressed up and at Area 59 within 1 hour. I only had 2 hours to work, which is more than enough time. I scanned ahead of myself, only to see a giant concrete wall with watchmen, guard-dogs, and searchlight. What did the Garden need that was in here? I stealth fully climbed over the wall and snuck around the guards into the largest building, which the map read as the main quarter. sigh was this truly it? I jumped up and lifted myself on top of the lights, and slowly crawled due north. This space was only one meter tall and three meters wide, good enough space for me to move quickly. It wasn't long until I reached the end of the lights and had to jump down without making a utter of noise. A watchman slowly entered through the door on my right and was about to turn, but I grabbed him quickly and cracked his neck. He was very heavy (more obese than I've seen any watchman in my life), yet I still was able to drag him to a corner where I knew the body would not be seen. Silently, I tiptoed into a room that needed a code to enter. This was getting to obvious like a movie, isn't it? I typed in the code that I remembered, 931. It wasn't long till the door slid open and revealed the control room where several people were working speedily. I drew my dagger and slipped in. No one paid any attention as I hit the "Open Chamber Door" button. Without a sound, I ran out and went along with the map that Leo inserted into the visor. It wasn't long until I would grasp the computer chip that the Garden wanted so much. It was quiet…. And no one was guarding the silver statue. However, I could tell. It was laser fortified…. I blew some dust to reveal the position of the lasers. It was entangled throughout the room, and surrounding the statue. sigh Maybe if they would make it harder somehow, then this would get more exciting…wouldn't it?

Noiselessly, I reached out to the Statue and retrieve the tiny chip from its mouth. This seemed too easy…. As soon as I got the chip, a sudden alarm went off and walls began to close my position. This was great. I crept through and headed out, until I saw seven or more guards headed my direction! "…" I kept to myself and climbed into the ventilation shaft. It was the only place to go, besides the door. "The person is in the VENTILATION SHAFT!" someone barked outside, "Flush them out!" Not good… Bullets began to pierce through the aluminum and fly passed me. I rapidly rolled aside and crawled faster. This time, I made it to the dead end, just like the map shown. I jumped down, in front of several watchmen. "Hey you!" they were stunned to see someone come out of nowhere. It's an honor to scare people sometimes. I gave one guy my foot to his face and turned to rapidly punch the other two. draws my daggers I slit one guy's throat whom was about to press the alarm; so he gagged and blood erupted from his neck. I let him die as I ran through the door, only to be met by three heavily armed men with two watchdogs. I moaned in despair that this place never seems to give up. They turned and started shooting at me! I dodge rolled aside and lunged at one of the men. However, the dogs were in the way; therefore, I had to halt my attack and use Blind on them. The watchdogs yelped in agony since they lost their vision and ran off in confusion. Nonetheless, I continued my assault on these men. I slashed two of them, maiming them completely. The third person tried to fire, but the bullets slowed down as I ran towards him. The bullets only grazed by as I uppercut his head, hearing the horrific crush of the skull and teeth. I turned away and ran out of the gates, and disappear into the darkness of the woods.

As I returned home, Nicole, Tiny and Leo greeted me. It was like family reunion again, except this time, I was exhausted, welcomed, and at the same time, bored. I could sort of understand how Zack feels during these moments. "How was it?" Tiny asked me with concern. "I'm fine, and Leo," I handed Leo the chip, "Please don't put me into those missions again, they are really tiring." Tiny greeted me by lifting me up and giving me a tight bear hugs! He's just like that when he's really cuddly. I didn't mean cuddly, I meant adorable and likable, instead of the hotheaded Tiny that many see. "I missed you," I whispered to him and gave him a small peck on the cheek. It's fun teasing Tiny at times.

The next morning, I woke up early along with Zack and Eric. Zack was keeping to himself like usual, and Eric was practicing with his gigantic sword outside. I was still a bit groggy due to my lack of sleep last night. I just had a strange premonition of something happening. It was all about a evil being resurrected. I can't seem to explain these feelings I have, it just doesn't seem to be any better and that had me worried. "Asuka, are you okay?" I turned to see Nicole looking concerned. "Yes, I am fine, but I have been having strange dreams for the last week." I confessed. Nicole tilted her head in a way of confusion. "Nightmares?" she asked. I nodded. I found it quite awkward to call them that since something within my gut held it back. It's just some dark aura looming around lately that has me concerned.

Later that evening, I was toying around with my katanas as I waited for Tiny to return from his errands. Chills were beginning to surround me like a cloud surrounding a lone bird that is trying to get home. shivers What is this strangeness? Suddenly, I heard a loud explosion noise outside. Oh please, don't let my feelings be correct. I rushed to the front door to see this dark being in a blackish suit of armor. Zack and Eric were already facing him with their weapons drawn. The dark character had gleaming red eyes that glared at us with frightening yellow pupils. The person was holding a large bladed weapon with a bit of flesh on the blade. Was this the person I saw in my nightmares? Nightmare… He was awfully familiar to me… Just then, Eric rushed in to attack the intruder head on. However, every slash that he forced, it was blocked off by the other person's sword. Zack flared up and used the magic, Blizzaga, but the being soon broke free from the ice within seconds! I had to join the fray and help my friends. Quickly and decisively summoned my strength to use Meteors on "Nightmare". But, when the smoke cleared, he was unfazed! That armor was his salvation? Eric was able to strike Nightmare quickly across the head, but he shown no pain or flinching. Instead, he swiped Eric with the side of his blade, which launched Eric back several feet. "Dammit!" Eric groaned as he got up, "Someone has to take that thing out!"

I ran ahead, towards Nightmare, and drew my dual katanas. I struck him with both blades, but he somehow defended himself from both of them! "…Asuka…" he murmured before striking me down with his fist. He knows my name? But… I jumped right over him, behind him, and began strangling him. He struggled to pull free, but I stabbed him in the neck with my katana quickly, making him fall. Nightmare said something in Japanese, which I could not hear due to his muffled voice. He swiftly got up and slashed me across the abdomen. I back up, clutching my stomach. I was bleeding! The pain had grown within seconds. Zack followed up by countering with a major attack to Nightmare's back. Seven slashes, but Nightmare did not bleed nor falter. Instead, he turned and welcomed Zack with a flat side of his sword. Zack blocked that off while Eric had entered and attacked Nightmare again. I was still dizzy from the pain I had received. Nicole must of heard the commotion and rushed outside. "Zack, Eric, Asuka!" Nicole shouted, "What's going on?" Zack looked back and ordered her to get back inside the house. However, Nightmare must of used a seismic move that knocked all of us to the ground. And just like that, Nightmare ran for Nicole, since she was most likely the one he was after. I saw the flash of the dark silver blade coming down on Nicole. But, Zack blocked off that attack. The amazed Nightmare was caught off guard, which Zack took to his advantage by using Light Pillar. That knocked Nightmare back very far. Nevertheless, he wasn't finished and attacked Zack. The next few moments were all a blur to me, but I could hear Zack's gunblade and Nightmare's sword clash many times. Then there was a slicing noise, which I could barely hear. With the last ounce of my strength, I got up and yelled, "BEGONE!" Just then, a barrier grown within me and launched outward, sending Nightmare into oblivion. It was basically over.

Nicole was crying, just as my sense came back to acuteness. I watched what just had happened. Zack had lost his left arm… And Leo had just build him a new arm the following day. Tiny had came in 10 minutes late after the battle. We all watched Leo put on Zack's new arm. The left arm was cleanly cut off, no jagged cuts or severing edges. Nightmare had proven to be a horrible opponent. When Zack got out, we all met up with him. "You feel any better?" Nicole asked him. "…ish…" was all his answer was while moving his new arm around. It was metallic sliver and you could see some wires lingering inside. Zack pulled his jacket sleeve over the arm and put on his black leather gloves to cover his metal hand. "…" he seemed awfully quiet. "Yo Zack," Tiny said, "You sure that you can wield that gunblade like you always have?" "Yeah…" Zack said looking back up, "We'll see…" And like that, Zack walked out of the front door, away from home.

I was having dinner alone on the back porch, watching the stars shimmer in the sky. Tiny silently sat down next to me with his own food. "How ya feeling?" he asked me in Japanese. "Very well thank you," I replied without looking at him, "but there are things that disturb me."

"You mean that weirdo with that sword?"

"That's one of them."

"I don't blame you," Tiny said looking along with me, "Things have gone quirky ever since I met Zack and Eric."

"Indeed, they have," I agreed, "I just wish it would have been for the better."

Tiny kept to himself, thinking of an answer, I bet. I gazed back towards the stars, each one sparkling in its own special way. It's miraculous that we could have stuck together this far. I looked at Tiny, hoping that he would at least help me understand these problems. "It'll be better, you'll see," he smiled, "But this is one damn uphill battle against someone we don't have shit on." He was right, this was an uphill fight against darkness… We were so few, yet they were more numerous. I hate this destiny to destroy the evil, but it's our duty to help Nicole. sigh "Tiny, I believe you," I smiled, "Let's hope that it would not end like a Hollywood horror." Tiny chuckled, "Yeah, or else we'd be fcked up." I laughed, "Yup." Asuka

End