Vokteren: Sorry for the great delay. Here comes the next chapter.
Pikachu: Before we start we're going with our usual review responses. Since we've written a one-shot and gotten reviews for that too, we are going with review responses for that story here.
Vokteren: First we'll take the reviews for this story, then for the one- shot, and finally some further info regarding this story and a disclaimer.
Evan: Since you withdraw something negative about Shadow, you must be the anonymous fellow. I'm happy so, since this entire chapter is going to be about Shadow.
Ice-phoenix-chan: Formalness is evil you once said. Might be, but I have to use it anyway. Why? Because formalness is evil( Anyway, thanks for your review. I noticed the error in the previous chapter and it should be fixed now. I was actually worried about making the mayor even greedier so it would match the game(
Pikachu: And here comes the review for the one-shot.
Person: I agree. Vale shipping is a great pairing. Imil shipping can be good, depending on how it is written. I have a bit problem with getting an Imil shipping to work if it is written after the story in golden sun TLA. I've never totally understood Mud shipping.
TheDeadMan09: It was perfect? Now that is a synonym I would never use. But you liked it and that's what matter.
Ice-phoenix-chan: You feel the song matches too? We even had the same reasons. I couldn't find any other songs that could fit in a post aqua shipping. Seems I got Piers eye color wrong. I'll try to stop with such stupid mistakes.
Evan: Well written. You really feel it like that? We're touched. And you could feel the emotions? Great, that means we've been able to do what we intended to do. I hope. Oh, and you remember that you asked me if I would fit in the Dinoes again right? Well, I'm pretty sure I'll do it since they're back in Oseania.
Vokteren: Since summer vacation begins soon, we won't be able to update before at least next Monday. We're going on a nine day long camping trip with our confirmation group. But we'll try to update again as soon as we get back. We're really sorry.
Pikachu: Here is the disclaimer. "We do not own Golden Sun or Pokemon. The song sung in this chapter is life for rent by Dido and Shadow is one of our Original Characters." Now, sit back and (hopefully) enjoy this special chapter. If the story doesn't state it clearly enough then this chapter is going to take place in our hometown Bergen. The reason being that this is the town we have most knowledge about.
"Speech" ¤Thought¤ #song text# (A/N: Author Note) (P/N: Pika Note) /Translation/
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Shadow opened his eyes and looked down. Below the bridge he was standing on, a river rushed past at high velocity. The raging water sometimes parted and showed deadly pointy stones, and Shadow knew that no human who jumped down from this height into such a dangerous river would ever survive it unless he or she was extremely lucky and strong. He was neither. Shadow took in a great breath of air... and jumped. The lethal river came closer and closer every second. Shadow closed his eyes to never open them again. A tear came in the corner of his eye. Any second now the water would swallow him and he would no longer be of this world.
(End flashback)
Shadow opened his eyes for real this time. That was the last and only personal memory Shadow had of his normal life. Well, normal could be so much. But he knew that not a single person in this world had power like him. Sure, there were people claiming, and it might just be true, that they could speak to demons and spirits from other worlds. There where people saying that they could bend solid metal with their brain, or other that wasted themselves half to death, lying in a pentagram, a five pointed star inside a circle, only to get "magic" powers. But none of it was like what he had.
He sighed and pulled out a small, white, wooden badge from inside his black clothes. It was nice to look at, but Shadow did not like it. This was another thing to remember him that IT had really happened to him. He couldn't get himself to think about what Nightmare said that this badge meant. He putted it back inside his clothes and got to his feet.
Below him his hometown lay. He didn't know it from memory, but from logic and intelligence. Even though almost every personal memory, even his real name, he had ever had was wiped out, he still knew very much about this town. Well, if you asked someone from Norway they would say city, but when you looked at it together with the many other cities of this world, town would be an insult to the name. What are two hundred and seventy thousand inhabitants compared to twenty seven million inhabitants?
He thought about his memory again and sighed deep. ¤Why did I do that? I have never been capable with understanding why people commit suicide, and I have always thought that committing suicide is cowardly. So why did I do it? I don't understand why. I wonder if I should call myself lucky that I didn't die that day, but instead got another "chance" to live. It may have been fair treatment for me, but none of the others became like this right before they would've died of a suicide attempt. I wonder if I should've talked with them about this. But no. I don't want to make them feel bad for me, that or they would say that I'm lucky. But I'm not.¤
He sighed again and started heading down towards his hometown. From his spot high on one of the mountains that surrounded the town, he could see the sun slowly drifting down in the horizon. It wouldn't be long before nightfall. By the time he had walked down from Løvstakken and into the town the sun would have completely vanished. Sure, he could use his abilities to get there quicker, but what worth was he actually if he couldn't even walk half the length of what he was capable of before THAT? To shorten down the time he started singing a song. A song that he felt could describe how he felt now.
#I haven't really ever found a place that I call home
I never stick around quite long enough to make it
I apologize that once again I'm not in love
But it's not as if I mind that your heart aren't exactly breaking
It's just a thought, only a thought
If my life is for rent and I don't learn to buy
Well I deserve nothing more than I get
Because nothing I have is truly mine
I've always thought that I would love to live by the sea
To travel the world alone and live more simply
I have no idea what's happened to that dream
Because there's really nothing left here to stop me
It's just a thought, only a thought
If my life is for rent and I don't learn to buy
Well I deserve nothing more than I get
Because nothing I have is truly mine
While my heart is a shield and I won't let it down
While I am so afraid to fail so I won't even try
Well how can I say I'm alive?
If my life is for rent and I don't learn to buy
Well I deserve nothing more than I get
Because nothing I have is truly mine#
When he had finished he had walked down from the hilly path and hit a solid road with houses on both sides. He navigated himself between the mazelike paths and finally found himself on a busy street with cars driving around and the sound of horns and high music could be heard as he walked on the pavement next to the roads. After crossing a few pedestrian crossings and walking in a tunnel under the main road, he found himself outside something he remembered as a movie theater. He stood outside it and read the front lights that were blinking with red neon colors. Together they spelt out the word, or rather name, Forum. He was standing outside the building, watching people hurry inside to watch a movie, when suddenly a new memory hit him. He could see himself getting of a bus on a nearby bus stop. The strange thing about this memory however, was that he saw himself in third person. Unlike all the other memories and flashbacks he have currently had, this one was looked at from a different point of view.
¤Thanks a lot. This one helped me actually a bit. I could barely see the number of the bus. It wasn't much, but I know that I got of a bus with double digits in the number code and that the last number was zero. This may actually be of help when I try to rediscover my past.¤
Shadow thought about this as he turned and walked towards the center of the town. It wouldn't be much help, but it was a clue. Perhaps walking in the town could help him refresh more memories. Suddenly it dawned for Shadow what he were actually doing. He could rediscover his past, but what help would that be? He was something else before. Now he is something else. And besides. The real reason he was here was to calm down and collect himself. He had to find out of himself and his four new (and only) friends could not help him. He appreciated their friendship, but this was something he had to do for himself.
Now he had arrived at "Bergen Storsenter". A big, (by this town's standards), building with many stores inside, as well as the main seat for Gaia. The town's bus company. He decided to enter, and regretted. Inside there where many people rushing past him. Not a single person could let himself or herself to stop and feel the mild summer breeze that flowed through the air. No one could stop and think about why he or she was here. Why he or she rushed past with new goals every second, and not a single second to spare, just to relax and feel the wind and the heat from a soft summer night. Instead they went in and out of shops carrying huge bags and buying new things. Nothing had any point in it. They just did it.
¤This was where I came from. But I don't think I've ever actually noticed how pointless life seems to be here. Everyone rushes past in this metropolis of material worth. But where is what really counts? In this world, very few actually know how to stop and feel what the world is all about. Kindness and compassion is overruled by money and material values. What sustains this world isn't truth, but gossip. Not love, but hatred. But why? Why can't anybody see what humans are doing to this world.¤
Shadow exited through a different entrance than the one he used. On his way he passed a newspaper kiosk. Outside it, newspaper and magazines with big headlines where placed for everyone to see. Shadow took a glimpse on them before turning his head away again. This world didn't need anymore of this kind of information, with at least half being gossip. The headlines where all from "Madonna married again" to "Five year old girl found alive after being missing for two weeks" to "New terror attack in Spain. Travelers are asked to keep clear for the time being". Shadow felt bad for the last headline. How could people do such things? Where there no kindness left here? He was proven wrong by his next sight however. A group of teenager boys, collection money for a charity organization. Shadow dug into the pockets of his black clothes, sure that he wouldn't find any coins, but he had to try. True, he didn't find any coins, but he found a hundred kroner in paper. He smiled and asked one of the boys what they where collection money for.
/We're collecting money for Red Cross helping organization/ came the reply.
Shadow gave the boy the money before walking away again. There was still kindness left in this world. It was wrong of him to judge everyone on the same scale. He kept on going with no particular goal for the next two hours. By then the town was dark, and the only light that could be seen were from the street lights. Shadow walked around until he stumbled upon a dark alley. He had seen many alleys the short time he had been here, but what made this different was that Shadow could feel the fear of two persons inside the darkness. He decided to enter the alley to find out what was causing this fear.
Inside the alley, there where two teenager boys. One was of medium height, had blondish short hair, blue eyes and pale skin. He wore jeans and a dark blue sweater. He was backed up in a corner and looked frightened. The other boy was tall, had brown hair and brown eyes. He wore black pants and a red t-shirt. He looked about fifteen to sixteen years old and held a sharp knife in his left hand. Shadow noticed that the hand was shaking. After watching this overview, Shadow concluded this short theory. The older boy was probably a kid in desperate need of money because of something. He has apparently never robbed anyone before considering how his hands are shaking. The younger boy seems to be a random victim that was unfortunate enough to meet the older one in this alley.
Shadow let out a small couch and the older boy immediately turned around and faced Shadow. /Who are you? What are you doing here? You better leave./ The boy waved with the knife in front of Shadow's face.
/I cannot do that. I can't let you waste your life away by robbing that boy./ Shadow grabbed the hand that held the knife with his own left hand and held it firmly. /Please let go. It isn't worth it./
The other boy struggled weakly, letting Shadow know that the older boy didn't really want to be a thief, but that he felt forced to. Finally the boy let go of the knife and Shadow calmly took it. /Please do not do this again. Go home and think over what you almost did today. I'm sure that you can find a way to avoid this from happening again./
Shadow moved away from the exit of the alley, and the older boy ran away as quickly as he could. Shadow turned to the younger boy and asked him /Are you all right?/
/Y...yes. I'm fine./ But inside the boys head, the brain was working in high gear. Where had he seen his mysterious savior before?
/Good./ Shadow said as he walked out of the alley. /I suggest that you go home now. You never know if someone decides that you is to be their next victim./
The boy was a little confused about this person's way of speaking, but he still tried to remember where he had seen him before. Suddenly it dawned on him. He knew who had saved him. In fact he knew him well. He had actually once gone to the same school as him. And he may have been the reason for that boy to commit suicide. He was still ashamed of himself and the way he had treated him when he knew him. When he heard that he had jumped from a bridge and down into a deadly river, he had thought it all to be his fault. But now he may have gotten a chance to repay that debt. /Hey, you./ He shouted after a person he thought to be Shadow. However he was badly mistaken.
/Was it me you where shouting after kid?/ the man that the boy had thought to be Shadow asked.
/No. I'm sorry, I just thought you looked like someone I knew. I'm sorry./ The boy had been clearly mistaken. Whereas the boy's savior was skinny, pale and had a kind looking face, this man was tall, muscular and looked a bit brutal. His voice was calm and kind enough though.
/It's all right kiddo. You should go home. You never know what kind of hooligans that may jump at you this late at night./ The man said, and with a hand motion he showed the boy lightly away.
/Ok mister./ The boy said, but he had no intention of going home. He had to find the boy that helped him and find out if he really were the same person that he once knew. What the boy didn't know was that the man was looking after the exactly same person. But he had extremely different motives.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Shadow walked inside a park he had very little knowledge of. That told him that he hadn't been here many times, and apparently it was a long time ago since the last time he had been here. He walked further into the park. His thoughts traveled back to the boy he had met in the alley. Something felt oddly familiar about him, and he didn't feel good around him. But why he didn't know. Shadow sighed, like he always did when he were alone. The sighing was starting to become a bad habit. He looked around on the mighty trees that stood around him. The calmness in this little forest made him feel at peace. So he was a bit annoyed when he heard someone closing on him from behind.
/Who's there?/ He asked out in the blue. Suddenly he felt a cold gust of wind that seemed to pierce his heart. He felt that the one he had been calling was not of this world, and he or she had something against Shadow and did not wish him well. Rather the opposite.
Shadow dived down as a fireball tore past him at a high speed. "I thought this would be easy. It seems that there is some challenge in you after all." Shadow got on his feet and saw a tall and muscular man come out of the shadows. The very same man that the boy had met, but Shadow did not know that.
Another fireball was launched at Shadow, but Shadow simply stood his ground, crossed his arms over his chest and brought up a black aura that disintegrated the fireball when it touched it. The man tried again with yet another fireball, but Shadow easily blocked that attack too.
Now the man charged at Shadow and knocked him to the ground with a full body tackle. Shadow got knocked back two meters from the force, but managed to land on his legs and stand up again, only to receive a punch straight in his face. This attack made Shadow fall on his back, face up. The man stood above Shadow and took out a sword. And with full force, he drove it into Shadow's heart.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
The boy whom Shadow had helped was just about to give up searching, when he saw a red flash. This was followed by a scent of burning plants. He followed the scent to where he had approximately seen the red flash. He couldn't see any person, but the ground was covered in charred plants. Suddenly he heard a loud thump further into the park. He ran as fast as he could to where he thought the sounds location was. There he found two persons. He had seen both during this night. And he could see that the man was assaulting the boy who had saved him. He wanted to help, but fear paralyzed him on the spot. Suddenly the fear went of and was replaced by shock when he saw the man drive a sword into the boy's chest. If the boy where indeed the same person he thought he had found again, then he was dead for good now, and he could never tell him that he was sorry for the way he had treated him.
The man also thought Shadow to be dead, that was why he was shocked when he disappeared in darkness and reappeared in front of him, kneeling with a hand clutched to his chest. "Stop it" he shouted at the man.
"Why? So you can cause more pain and suffering? I don't think so." The man took his sword and tried to slice Shadow, but Shadow was able to fade and reappear on a different spot.
The boy stood and watched in awe. This was something you saw in a game or in an anime, not in the real world. He recognized the language they spoke in as English. He had heard both of them talk Norwegian earlier, so why did they speak English now?
¤I have to stop this crazy man, but in order to do so, I have to be offensive. I hate to do this, but I have to hurt him if I'm going to survive the night.¤ Shadow closed his eyes and made another black aura appear around him. The man's sword tried to pierce through the defensive move, but had to give up. In retaliation, the aura let out a black beam that pushed the man onto his back. Small golden orbs appeared out of thin air around Shadow, before he directed them onto the man. As the orbs came closer to their target, their color got darker and darker. Upon impact they were totally black. The man seemed weakened by the attack, but only for a short while.
"You're dead now. I won't let this go by any longer. There is no way you can block this attack with your dark powers." The man charged up a great white orb in his hands, before launching it towards Shadow. The boy let out a gasp that made the man turn around and see who was watching them. Because of that he couldn't see how Shadow blocked the attack.
Shadow did not use his dark powers in order to defend himself. Instead, he used his power of light. Just before the white orb hit Shadow, white feathery wings sprouted from his back and covered his front. When the white orb hit Shadow's defense, it disappeared. Right afterwards the wings disappeared too. Leaving no trace of Shadow's recently used defensive move.
When Shadow noticed that the man had lost his attention, he took his chance. He ran as quickly as he could past the man. He grabbed the boy by his arm and dragged him after him until he felt that is was safe to let him go. Shadow could feel that the man had started following him, making it impossible for Shadow to stay here. /Be careful. I have to go now and I can't help you further. You should go home at once before any ill fortune befalls you. Thanks for saving my life./ Shadow quickly said before disappearing in a dark flash.
Right afterwards the man appeared. He talked just as quickly as Shadow. /Good, you are all right. Don't worry, I'll make sure that he won't bother you again./ And with a white flash the man disappeared. The boy stood there, dumbfounded by what he just had witnessed. Then his senses kicked back in and made him faint from all the shocks he had received during this night.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Vokteren: We've finally finished this chapter. We're really sorry for the long delay.
Pikachu: And we're even sorrier for the long delay that will come before next chapter is uploaded. But we promise that writing chapter twenty three will be our first priority when we come back home.
Vokteren: Not first, third. Before we can write a new chapter we must pack out and do some chores, and then we can write the next chapter.
Pikachu: Anyway, since no one answered the quiz, then we won't provide quiz answers either. But the prize of this quiz is special, so we recommend that you at least try to answer right. Also, a special chapter is a chapter that removes the focus from the main characters and is focused around an Original Character that plays a vital role. And that character only. There may be others in the chapter, but not that plays a vital role in the real story. I'm sure you didn't understood half of that.
Quiz: In this chapter, Shadow sung a song that he felt matched himself. But one verse matched him truly perfectly. What verse was that? It may not be the obvious answer. Special prize to everyone that answers right.
Pikachu: Before we start we're going with our usual review responses. Since we've written a one-shot and gotten reviews for that too, we are going with review responses for that story here.
Vokteren: First we'll take the reviews for this story, then for the one- shot, and finally some further info regarding this story and a disclaimer.
Evan: Since you withdraw something negative about Shadow, you must be the anonymous fellow. I'm happy so, since this entire chapter is going to be about Shadow.
Ice-phoenix-chan: Formalness is evil you once said. Might be, but I have to use it anyway. Why? Because formalness is evil( Anyway, thanks for your review. I noticed the error in the previous chapter and it should be fixed now. I was actually worried about making the mayor even greedier so it would match the game(
Pikachu: And here comes the review for the one-shot.
Person: I agree. Vale shipping is a great pairing. Imil shipping can be good, depending on how it is written. I have a bit problem with getting an Imil shipping to work if it is written after the story in golden sun TLA. I've never totally understood Mud shipping.
TheDeadMan09: It was perfect? Now that is a synonym I would never use. But you liked it and that's what matter.
Ice-phoenix-chan: You feel the song matches too? We even had the same reasons. I couldn't find any other songs that could fit in a post aqua shipping. Seems I got Piers eye color wrong. I'll try to stop with such stupid mistakes.
Evan: Well written. You really feel it like that? We're touched. And you could feel the emotions? Great, that means we've been able to do what we intended to do. I hope. Oh, and you remember that you asked me if I would fit in the Dinoes again right? Well, I'm pretty sure I'll do it since they're back in Oseania.
Vokteren: Since summer vacation begins soon, we won't be able to update before at least next Monday. We're going on a nine day long camping trip with our confirmation group. But we'll try to update again as soon as we get back. We're really sorry.
Pikachu: Here is the disclaimer. "We do not own Golden Sun or Pokemon. The song sung in this chapter is life for rent by Dido and Shadow is one of our Original Characters." Now, sit back and (hopefully) enjoy this special chapter. If the story doesn't state it clearly enough then this chapter is going to take place in our hometown Bergen. The reason being that this is the town we have most knowledge about.
"Speech" ¤Thought¤ #song text# (A/N: Author Note) (P/N: Pika Note) /Translation/
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Shadow opened his eyes and looked down. Below the bridge he was standing on, a river rushed past at high velocity. The raging water sometimes parted and showed deadly pointy stones, and Shadow knew that no human who jumped down from this height into such a dangerous river would ever survive it unless he or she was extremely lucky and strong. He was neither. Shadow took in a great breath of air... and jumped. The lethal river came closer and closer every second. Shadow closed his eyes to never open them again. A tear came in the corner of his eye. Any second now the water would swallow him and he would no longer be of this world.
(End flashback)
Shadow opened his eyes for real this time. That was the last and only personal memory Shadow had of his normal life. Well, normal could be so much. But he knew that not a single person in this world had power like him. Sure, there were people claiming, and it might just be true, that they could speak to demons and spirits from other worlds. There where people saying that they could bend solid metal with their brain, or other that wasted themselves half to death, lying in a pentagram, a five pointed star inside a circle, only to get "magic" powers. But none of it was like what he had.
He sighed and pulled out a small, white, wooden badge from inside his black clothes. It was nice to look at, but Shadow did not like it. This was another thing to remember him that IT had really happened to him. He couldn't get himself to think about what Nightmare said that this badge meant. He putted it back inside his clothes and got to his feet.
Below him his hometown lay. He didn't know it from memory, but from logic and intelligence. Even though almost every personal memory, even his real name, he had ever had was wiped out, he still knew very much about this town. Well, if you asked someone from Norway they would say city, but when you looked at it together with the many other cities of this world, town would be an insult to the name. What are two hundred and seventy thousand inhabitants compared to twenty seven million inhabitants?
He thought about his memory again and sighed deep. ¤Why did I do that? I have never been capable with understanding why people commit suicide, and I have always thought that committing suicide is cowardly. So why did I do it? I don't understand why. I wonder if I should call myself lucky that I didn't die that day, but instead got another "chance" to live. It may have been fair treatment for me, but none of the others became like this right before they would've died of a suicide attempt. I wonder if I should've talked with them about this. But no. I don't want to make them feel bad for me, that or they would say that I'm lucky. But I'm not.¤
He sighed again and started heading down towards his hometown. From his spot high on one of the mountains that surrounded the town, he could see the sun slowly drifting down in the horizon. It wouldn't be long before nightfall. By the time he had walked down from Løvstakken and into the town the sun would have completely vanished. Sure, he could use his abilities to get there quicker, but what worth was he actually if he couldn't even walk half the length of what he was capable of before THAT? To shorten down the time he started singing a song. A song that he felt could describe how he felt now.
#I haven't really ever found a place that I call home
I never stick around quite long enough to make it
I apologize that once again I'm not in love
But it's not as if I mind that your heart aren't exactly breaking
It's just a thought, only a thought
If my life is for rent and I don't learn to buy
Well I deserve nothing more than I get
Because nothing I have is truly mine
I've always thought that I would love to live by the sea
To travel the world alone and live more simply
I have no idea what's happened to that dream
Because there's really nothing left here to stop me
It's just a thought, only a thought
If my life is for rent and I don't learn to buy
Well I deserve nothing more than I get
Because nothing I have is truly mine
While my heart is a shield and I won't let it down
While I am so afraid to fail so I won't even try
Well how can I say I'm alive?
If my life is for rent and I don't learn to buy
Well I deserve nothing more than I get
Because nothing I have is truly mine#
When he had finished he had walked down from the hilly path and hit a solid road with houses on both sides. He navigated himself between the mazelike paths and finally found himself on a busy street with cars driving around and the sound of horns and high music could be heard as he walked on the pavement next to the roads. After crossing a few pedestrian crossings and walking in a tunnel under the main road, he found himself outside something he remembered as a movie theater. He stood outside it and read the front lights that were blinking with red neon colors. Together they spelt out the word, or rather name, Forum. He was standing outside the building, watching people hurry inside to watch a movie, when suddenly a new memory hit him. He could see himself getting of a bus on a nearby bus stop. The strange thing about this memory however, was that he saw himself in third person. Unlike all the other memories and flashbacks he have currently had, this one was looked at from a different point of view.
¤Thanks a lot. This one helped me actually a bit. I could barely see the number of the bus. It wasn't much, but I know that I got of a bus with double digits in the number code and that the last number was zero. This may actually be of help when I try to rediscover my past.¤
Shadow thought about this as he turned and walked towards the center of the town. It wouldn't be much help, but it was a clue. Perhaps walking in the town could help him refresh more memories. Suddenly it dawned for Shadow what he were actually doing. He could rediscover his past, but what help would that be? He was something else before. Now he is something else. And besides. The real reason he was here was to calm down and collect himself. He had to find out of himself and his four new (and only) friends could not help him. He appreciated their friendship, but this was something he had to do for himself.
Now he had arrived at "Bergen Storsenter". A big, (by this town's standards), building with many stores inside, as well as the main seat for Gaia. The town's bus company. He decided to enter, and regretted. Inside there where many people rushing past him. Not a single person could let himself or herself to stop and feel the mild summer breeze that flowed through the air. No one could stop and think about why he or she was here. Why he or she rushed past with new goals every second, and not a single second to spare, just to relax and feel the wind and the heat from a soft summer night. Instead they went in and out of shops carrying huge bags and buying new things. Nothing had any point in it. They just did it.
¤This was where I came from. But I don't think I've ever actually noticed how pointless life seems to be here. Everyone rushes past in this metropolis of material worth. But where is what really counts? In this world, very few actually know how to stop and feel what the world is all about. Kindness and compassion is overruled by money and material values. What sustains this world isn't truth, but gossip. Not love, but hatred. But why? Why can't anybody see what humans are doing to this world.¤
Shadow exited through a different entrance than the one he used. On his way he passed a newspaper kiosk. Outside it, newspaper and magazines with big headlines where placed for everyone to see. Shadow took a glimpse on them before turning his head away again. This world didn't need anymore of this kind of information, with at least half being gossip. The headlines where all from "Madonna married again" to "Five year old girl found alive after being missing for two weeks" to "New terror attack in Spain. Travelers are asked to keep clear for the time being". Shadow felt bad for the last headline. How could people do such things? Where there no kindness left here? He was proven wrong by his next sight however. A group of teenager boys, collection money for a charity organization. Shadow dug into the pockets of his black clothes, sure that he wouldn't find any coins, but he had to try. True, he didn't find any coins, but he found a hundred kroner in paper. He smiled and asked one of the boys what they where collection money for.
/We're collecting money for Red Cross helping organization/ came the reply.
Shadow gave the boy the money before walking away again. There was still kindness left in this world. It was wrong of him to judge everyone on the same scale. He kept on going with no particular goal for the next two hours. By then the town was dark, and the only light that could be seen were from the street lights. Shadow walked around until he stumbled upon a dark alley. He had seen many alleys the short time he had been here, but what made this different was that Shadow could feel the fear of two persons inside the darkness. He decided to enter the alley to find out what was causing this fear.
Inside the alley, there where two teenager boys. One was of medium height, had blondish short hair, blue eyes and pale skin. He wore jeans and a dark blue sweater. He was backed up in a corner and looked frightened. The other boy was tall, had brown hair and brown eyes. He wore black pants and a red t-shirt. He looked about fifteen to sixteen years old and held a sharp knife in his left hand. Shadow noticed that the hand was shaking. After watching this overview, Shadow concluded this short theory. The older boy was probably a kid in desperate need of money because of something. He has apparently never robbed anyone before considering how his hands are shaking. The younger boy seems to be a random victim that was unfortunate enough to meet the older one in this alley.
Shadow let out a small couch and the older boy immediately turned around and faced Shadow. /Who are you? What are you doing here? You better leave./ The boy waved with the knife in front of Shadow's face.
/I cannot do that. I can't let you waste your life away by robbing that boy./ Shadow grabbed the hand that held the knife with his own left hand and held it firmly. /Please let go. It isn't worth it./
The other boy struggled weakly, letting Shadow know that the older boy didn't really want to be a thief, but that he felt forced to. Finally the boy let go of the knife and Shadow calmly took it. /Please do not do this again. Go home and think over what you almost did today. I'm sure that you can find a way to avoid this from happening again./
Shadow moved away from the exit of the alley, and the older boy ran away as quickly as he could. Shadow turned to the younger boy and asked him /Are you all right?/
/Y...yes. I'm fine./ But inside the boys head, the brain was working in high gear. Where had he seen his mysterious savior before?
/Good./ Shadow said as he walked out of the alley. /I suggest that you go home now. You never know if someone decides that you is to be their next victim./
The boy was a little confused about this person's way of speaking, but he still tried to remember where he had seen him before. Suddenly it dawned on him. He knew who had saved him. In fact he knew him well. He had actually once gone to the same school as him. And he may have been the reason for that boy to commit suicide. He was still ashamed of himself and the way he had treated him when he knew him. When he heard that he had jumped from a bridge and down into a deadly river, he had thought it all to be his fault. But now he may have gotten a chance to repay that debt. /Hey, you./ He shouted after a person he thought to be Shadow. However he was badly mistaken.
/Was it me you where shouting after kid?/ the man that the boy had thought to be Shadow asked.
/No. I'm sorry, I just thought you looked like someone I knew. I'm sorry./ The boy had been clearly mistaken. Whereas the boy's savior was skinny, pale and had a kind looking face, this man was tall, muscular and looked a bit brutal. His voice was calm and kind enough though.
/It's all right kiddo. You should go home. You never know what kind of hooligans that may jump at you this late at night./ The man said, and with a hand motion he showed the boy lightly away.
/Ok mister./ The boy said, but he had no intention of going home. He had to find the boy that helped him and find out if he really were the same person that he once knew. What the boy didn't know was that the man was looking after the exactly same person. But he had extremely different motives.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Shadow walked inside a park he had very little knowledge of. That told him that he hadn't been here many times, and apparently it was a long time ago since the last time he had been here. He walked further into the park. His thoughts traveled back to the boy he had met in the alley. Something felt oddly familiar about him, and he didn't feel good around him. But why he didn't know. Shadow sighed, like he always did when he were alone. The sighing was starting to become a bad habit. He looked around on the mighty trees that stood around him. The calmness in this little forest made him feel at peace. So he was a bit annoyed when he heard someone closing on him from behind.
/Who's there?/ He asked out in the blue. Suddenly he felt a cold gust of wind that seemed to pierce his heart. He felt that the one he had been calling was not of this world, and he or she had something against Shadow and did not wish him well. Rather the opposite.
Shadow dived down as a fireball tore past him at a high speed. "I thought this would be easy. It seems that there is some challenge in you after all." Shadow got on his feet and saw a tall and muscular man come out of the shadows. The very same man that the boy had met, but Shadow did not know that.
Another fireball was launched at Shadow, but Shadow simply stood his ground, crossed his arms over his chest and brought up a black aura that disintegrated the fireball when it touched it. The man tried again with yet another fireball, but Shadow easily blocked that attack too.
Now the man charged at Shadow and knocked him to the ground with a full body tackle. Shadow got knocked back two meters from the force, but managed to land on his legs and stand up again, only to receive a punch straight in his face. This attack made Shadow fall on his back, face up. The man stood above Shadow and took out a sword. And with full force, he drove it into Shadow's heart.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
The boy whom Shadow had helped was just about to give up searching, when he saw a red flash. This was followed by a scent of burning plants. He followed the scent to where he had approximately seen the red flash. He couldn't see any person, but the ground was covered in charred plants. Suddenly he heard a loud thump further into the park. He ran as fast as he could to where he thought the sounds location was. There he found two persons. He had seen both during this night. And he could see that the man was assaulting the boy who had saved him. He wanted to help, but fear paralyzed him on the spot. Suddenly the fear went of and was replaced by shock when he saw the man drive a sword into the boy's chest. If the boy where indeed the same person he thought he had found again, then he was dead for good now, and he could never tell him that he was sorry for the way he had treated him.
The man also thought Shadow to be dead, that was why he was shocked when he disappeared in darkness and reappeared in front of him, kneeling with a hand clutched to his chest. "Stop it" he shouted at the man.
"Why? So you can cause more pain and suffering? I don't think so." The man took his sword and tried to slice Shadow, but Shadow was able to fade and reappear on a different spot.
The boy stood and watched in awe. This was something you saw in a game or in an anime, not in the real world. He recognized the language they spoke in as English. He had heard both of them talk Norwegian earlier, so why did they speak English now?
¤I have to stop this crazy man, but in order to do so, I have to be offensive. I hate to do this, but I have to hurt him if I'm going to survive the night.¤ Shadow closed his eyes and made another black aura appear around him. The man's sword tried to pierce through the defensive move, but had to give up. In retaliation, the aura let out a black beam that pushed the man onto his back. Small golden orbs appeared out of thin air around Shadow, before he directed them onto the man. As the orbs came closer to their target, their color got darker and darker. Upon impact they were totally black. The man seemed weakened by the attack, but only for a short while.
"You're dead now. I won't let this go by any longer. There is no way you can block this attack with your dark powers." The man charged up a great white orb in his hands, before launching it towards Shadow. The boy let out a gasp that made the man turn around and see who was watching them. Because of that he couldn't see how Shadow blocked the attack.
Shadow did not use his dark powers in order to defend himself. Instead, he used his power of light. Just before the white orb hit Shadow, white feathery wings sprouted from his back and covered his front. When the white orb hit Shadow's defense, it disappeared. Right afterwards the wings disappeared too. Leaving no trace of Shadow's recently used defensive move.
When Shadow noticed that the man had lost his attention, he took his chance. He ran as quickly as he could past the man. He grabbed the boy by his arm and dragged him after him until he felt that is was safe to let him go. Shadow could feel that the man had started following him, making it impossible for Shadow to stay here. /Be careful. I have to go now and I can't help you further. You should go home at once before any ill fortune befalls you. Thanks for saving my life./ Shadow quickly said before disappearing in a dark flash.
Right afterwards the man appeared. He talked just as quickly as Shadow. /Good, you are all right. Don't worry, I'll make sure that he won't bother you again./ And with a white flash the man disappeared. The boy stood there, dumbfounded by what he just had witnessed. Then his senses kicked back in and made him faint from all the shocks he had received during this night.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Vokteren: We've finally finished this chapter. We're really sorry for the long delay.
Pikachu: And we're even sorrier for the long delay that will come before next chapter is uploaded. But we promise that writing chapter twenty three will be our first priority when we come back home.
Vokteren: Not first, third. Before we can write a new chapter we must pack out and do some chores, and then we can write the next chapter.
Pikachu: Anyway, since no one answered the quiz, then we won't provide quiz answers either. But the prize of this quiz is special, so we recommend that you at least try to answer right. Also, a special chapter is a chapter that removes the focus from the main characters and is focused around an Original Character that plays a vital role. And that character only. There may be others in the chapter, but not that plays a vital role in the real story. I'm sure you didn't understood half of that.
Quiz: In this chapter, Shadow sung a song that he felt matched himself. But one verse matched him truly perfectly. What verse was that? It may not be the obvious answer. Special prize to everyone that answers right.