Malik...

I stirred in my sleep, shifting a bit as I heard a voice ring out.

Use me...

I shivered at the near urging tone of the voice.

Wear me!

My eyes shot open, and I glanced around and recalled my surroundings. I was still in the dark alley with Mine fast asleep, her head resting on my shoulders.

A new day in the Capital and I have idea of what to do next. If only my skin was a bit paler, then I could've been with Seryu in the Imperial Guard. But with the way things are, I have no choice but to return to being nothing more than street scum.

"At least she's carrying out Father's wishes." I reminded myself out loud, careful not to wake the girl resting on me.

And then there's Mine...

I looked over to the sleeping girl, who appeared so peaceful as if she hasn't slept this well in a long time. I knew I had to leave, but something about this girl compelled me to remain by her side. Moments like these reminded me of what I was fighting for.

It was tempting, to say the least, but I knew better than that. Carefully moving Mine's head off me, I scooted away from her in order to free myself. Sighing, I reached into my pocket and placed some money before Mine and hid my face inside my hood before exiting the alley.

I found myself thinking of last night, when I asked that question to her and the events that followed.

-xXx-

"Hey Mine, If you were giving the chance, how would you change this nation?" I asked, gazing out at the evening sky.

The pink haired girl blinked thoughtfully, pondering my question. I then saw a flicker of something...a spark of passion and hope.

"I would make it a place where everyone can call home. Where there aren't children who have to face the same discrimination that the two of us have gone through." There was a fire in her eyes, a vision of the world and the drive to make that vision a reality. I admired this girl, Mine. I admired her ambition and her will to carry on.

Mine then looked at me, giving me a small smile. "What about you, Malik? If you had the power, how would you change this nation?"

Yes, how WOULD I change this nation? As of now, the Empire is decaying and corruption runs rampant and unchecked. I stroked my black ring idly and gave it some thought. Yeah, I guess that'll do.

"Unite the tribes in the four borders of the Empire. I want to bring the Empire and the tribes together as one nation. Heh, if I did that, maybe that dream of yours won't look so far-fetched, would it?" I flashed Mine a smiled and we both started to laugh for no particular reason.

I haven't laughed like this in years, let alone with a complete stranger.

"You know, the western tribes are allied with the Revolutionary Army in the south. If they were to overthrow those bastards that are responsible for this mess, maybe our dreams have a chance of being realized." She mused in a low voice, scooting a bit closer to me with a sigh.

Mine then looked at me dead in the eye, her cheeks tinged as pink as her hair and she looked at me with that same fire in her eyes. "Hey Malik, if I were to join the Revolutionary Army, would you come with me?" She took her hands into mine and her blush grew brighter. "Come with me, Malik, to join the Revolutionary Army down south. I want you by my side when we unite the borders and create a world without discrimination." She declared, the passion in her light pink eyes burned brightly.

I flinched, and looked away from her passionate and hopeful look. The Revolutionary Army...the same ones who killed Marcoh and left Seryu and I by ourselves. If things were different, if I had never crossed paths with Marcoh Ubiquitous, then maybe, just maybe I would have agreed in a heartbeat.

But ambition and passion alone won't be enough to change the world. No, you can hope and pray all you like, but in the end, only action and power and the ability to display such power are the keys to making a change. As much as I admired Mine, I knew my place wasn't in the ranks of the Revolutionary Army. It was with Seryu, my Aneki, partner, and fellow Warrior of Justice.

"Sorry Mine, but I can't. However, I do want you to join the Revolutionary Army without me. I want you to go and change the world for me. Give those bastards hell." I said with a chuckle.

Mine let out a disappointed sigh and nodded, her eyes softening and gave a wide grin. "Gotcha, Malik."

I took one last look at Mine and smiled at her one last time before walking out into the streets. Perhaps, one day we'll see each other again.

-xXx-

During the remaining of the week, I never saw Mine again. Maybe she did take my advice and join the Revolutionary Army. I spent the next week wandering the Capital, getting familliar with my surroundings and taking note of what location is safe, and which locations to stay away from. I spent my nights in the cracks and alleys, sleeping with one eye open and wery of any night attackers.

As time passed, I felt the black ring around my neck call out to me, beckoning me to wear it. The notion seemed pretty attractive. If I did put the ring on,and if the rumors were true and it did happen to be one of the lost Teigu, then my power would increase tenfold. It wasn't an heirloom of a long purged tribe, but a tool that would bring me closer to changing the world. That settled it then. It was time to see if this ring was a Teigu or not.

-xXx-

Sighing, I took the ring off the chain around my neck and found myself studying it. The ring wasn't very elaborate in design, in fact it was simple...too simple. There was definitely more to this ring besides the plain appearance.

I exhaled sharply and places the ring on my right middle finger, and prepared for the worst.

The ring gleamed black and let out a pulse of power as black plated armor crawled up my arm, stopping just past the forearm. Metal claws replaced my once bare fingers and a surge of power rushed through my veins. I stared at the black clawed gauntlet, awed at the sight before me.

My power is yours, Child of Dekras.

A voice echoed in my thoughts. It was the same voice that spoke to me whenever I slept.

"Who...are you?" I asked the gauntlet, no, the Teigu that I wore.

I am called Soth. They once referred to me The Shadow Man one thousand years ago. I owe you and your tribe a great debt for keeping me out of the hands of those...Imperials. Now that you weld me as your Teigu, you as a result weld darkness itself.

I blinked at the Teigu, perplexed at this. "Weld...darkness? What do you mean by that?"

Soth let out a chuckle at this.

Raise your hand, Child of Dekras. I will show you exactly what you wish to know.

I did so, raising my now armored hand over my head. In response, the shadows behind me rose from their position, forming into a large sphere of darkness. The sight was...indescribable.

Now, aim the gauntlet in front of you. I shall do the rest for now until you've learned to weld this power to it's fullest potential.

Nodding at the Teigu's instructions, I lowered my arm and pointed in front of me. Right on cue, the orb of darkness lashed out like a whip before returning to it's place in the shadows.

I stared at the Gauntlet Teigu in awe. With this power, so many new doors have opened. No longer will I be mere street scum. Now, I have an opportunity to change the world.

Soth, the Hand of Darkness...guide me towards the future.

-xXx-

A/N: And so there you have it. Malik's first encounter with Mine. Also, the big reveal of Malik's Teigu.

I apologize if Mine seems a bit OOC, but try to remember, this is 4 years before she joins Night Raid.

Please leave reviews, and thank you for your support.