Chapter Five- To Gain and To Lose

For the next year, both have put all of their dedication into mining and smithing, trying to complete little Annie's goal. After a whole year of huge improvement, Kano had level 90 smithing, and Kenny had level 79 mining. When Kano wasn't too busy herself; she would help mine with Kenny, so as a result, her mining level was pretty close to Kenny's. Their plan was very successful. Although they weren't not done yet, they became multi-millionares, but they still don't have the money to buy the party hats.

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"OMG OMG it's my 17th birthday today!" Kano exclaimed, getting really hyper.

"I know, and I got something for you too." Kenny told her to close her eyes. Meanwhile, Kenny got the sapphire necklace out and put it around Kano's neck. It was beautiful.

"Okay, you can open your eyes now." Kano obeyed, and when she saw the sapphire necklace and at first glance, she immediately fell in love with it.

"There was a specific reason why I gave you an old sapphire one, when I could've bought you something fancier, like a diamond necklace, or something of that sort." Kano calmed down and studied Kenny's serious face. "A couple days after my little sister died, I went back to the ruined mines that she died in.. and I found the sapphire necklace that I gave her for the last birthday I could ever celebrate with her. It's hard for me to sell this special necklace to anyone. But I'm giving it to you because I trust you very well and I know you will take good care of it."

Kano replied,"Don't worry, I'll make sure to treasure this! Thank you so much Kenny!" Kano bent over and gave a small kiss on Kenny's cheek. Kenny smiled. He knew for a fact that he wouldn't regret this.

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"Okay Kano, I have finally finished the last 10k coal and 5k iron ores for you to smith. Why don't you get to work on that, while I go back to mining for you to smith later on?" Kenny informed. He traded the ores to Kano. She silently nodded her head and got to work.

While visiting the furnace numerous of times, a level 13 kid decided it was a great idea to fool around.

"DID YOU GUYS HEAR THAT? I THINK I JUST HEARD ANOTHER MINE EXPLOSION!"

Everyone gasped and started to panic. Lots of the smithers ran over to the mining area down the street to see what happened. Kano was one of those in the crowd that ran over in shock. They finally realized that the little boy was just kidding, just so he can take over the furnace all to himself.

"Hehehe.. What a bunch of noobs. It's sad to realize that they actually listened to something I said! Me! An 11-year old who's into pranking others! Muhahaha!" He was having lots of fun pranking all of the gullible smithers. He turned around and saw a bunch of smither's back to the furnace who was furious with the kid. Ones with no patience started to beat him up. When everything was back to normal, he was beaten 'til he was black and blue.

He stayed away from the furnace. He didn't want to get bruised up again.

BOOOM!

The little boy who was at his house heard the loud noise, which was clearly a mine explosion. He checked the mining area to see if it was really an explosion and he was right. He ran as fast as he could back to the furnace. He regained his confidence to tell them the news (and it was the truth this time).

"YOU GUYS!" he yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Not that bastard again!" one high level smither whispered to his friend.

"What the hell do you want now! Want to go trick us some more, or tell us any of your rather lame jokes? You know clearly that we have lost our sense of humor with you, and we won't be so stupid this time to believe you," another high level smither spoke.

"I PROMISE YOU, IT'S NOT A JOKE OR A PRANK! THERE WAS A MINE EXPLOSION! I'M TELLING THE TRUTH!"

"Yeah, and my mom's the queen of England." A couple of smithers snickered.

One of the bartenders down the street quickly ran over to tell the news of the mine explosion, and until then, everyone believed him, and the smithers hurried to see the big incident. The whole time, Kano prayed that the kid was only joking again. Only one thing crossed her mind: Kenny.

As she arrived at the mine, she frantically searched for Kenny, while everyone else was crazily searching for their loved ones. This can't be happening! Not my Kenny! Please...let him be okay!

She finally found him, and tears poured down from Kano. Kenny's body was very fragile and every part of his body was covered in blood. The air all around smelled like the foul scent of burning coal and flesh. Kano was too scared to even hold Kenny's hand, she thought if she did something to him, he would instantly die.

Kano sobbed until no more tears came out of her. "Why did it have to be you, Kenny! You promised me we'd finish the goal together!"

"I'm...so... sorry... Ka...no...finish...goal...please...Annie..." Kenny coughed up his last bit of energy, and he too, passed away.

Kano only cried harder.

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This is what Kenny felt like.. when Annie died. I finally get to know how he felt to be heartbroken. Kano touched the sapphire necklace and thought about the day when Kenny gave her the special necklace.. Annie's necklace... Well, I bet Kenny's happy. He gets to reunite with Annie after 3 years. But now I'm alone. Alone in this devestating world that contains nothing but death.

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Author Note's: Ehh, a bit short this time, but hope you liked it. I still think that I'm rushing the story a little too fast... haha. Please review!