(2/6/11)
Wednesday...
The school classes were cancelled today. The grey storm clouds were looming ominously as everyone converged and gathered at the auditorium, where a small shrine, a floral array and a picture of a smiling Cato was placed at the center as Mitsuru lit the incense sticks.
Everyone gave their respects to Cato.
Mitsuru stepped forward and began her speech, "There is plenty to be thankful for. Though, our lives may never be the same after yesterday's events and your innocence shattered, we have to give thanks that many are unscathed and the casualties were a bare minimum... But, even the fates themselves cannot change one's destiny. We are extremely saddened of the loss of Cato Proteus Alexis Romano, heir of the Romano Industries as well as a Board Member to this terrible tragedy. He had a bright and shining future ahead of him... As Directress, I feel personally responsible for not taking security measures for your protection... I assure you that we will seek to improve it a thousand fold... As for Mr. Romano's terrible demise... We hope he finds respite in the afterlife... We hope he finds peace... We hope to cherish his memory. He will find his way to the halls of his forefathers. His body shall turn to dust, but his spirit will live on, cherished by those he bid farewell." Mitsuru ended her eulogy.
We remained somber.
A third year nudged his friend in front of us, "Hey, this Cato dude... He was a real ass, you know?"
"You said it. He once used me a footstool." His friend said.
"Can we just end this phoney baloney ass kissing ritual and just go home?" The guy said, "I mean, I wanna go home." He then turns back, "Hey? You were classmates with Romano, eh? What was he like?"
I stared at him, "Shut up."
"Huh?"
"Shut the hell up." Junpei said angrily.
"Whoa, geez, are all seniors assholes?" He muttered to his friend.
Lee pulled his ear, "Boy, I will lay your ass out right now if you don't put a sock in it. Show some respect for the dead before you feel exactly how Cato does." He said as he roughly lets go.
"And more... We have just recieved a report from the Hospital... The dead man who terrorized the school is Gekkoukan's former employee, Mr. Ekoda." Mitsuru announced as the auditorium was filled with outraged anger, "The cause of death was a fatal gunshot wound to the head, damaging the temporal lobe and causing instant death. Ruled as suicide. But the other culprits are still out there, and those with information are requested to fully cooperate with police investigators. Thank you." She left.
When we were leaving, I saw Hide trailing behind. I hid behind a few seats as the others filed out.
To my horror, he spat on the shrine, "That's for all the shit you put me through."
"Charming." A cool voice said. A pillar of cloud formed a cloaked man, "I am now certain you are worthy to join our ranks. Remember your mission. Do not relay to me. I must concentrate on the next line of work."
"Yes, Lord Elder." Hide bowed low, his glasses almost falling off, "I will not fail you."
"Good." He said as the cloud dissipated. Hide then passed through the backstage and I followed. I entered the dressing room, where it was empty, and a basic dead end.
I knew then Hide had to be involved. In fact, i was now certain it was his voice I heard at the shootout.
Due to the shootout, police have suspended classes to question the students, but some stayed behind to do their club duties. Also, most of the teachers suffered from nervous breakdowns, or 'level 3 fatigue" as the teachers would insist.
I called the gang and informed them of my plans as I began to track him down the school. I keep losing him though. Suddenly, Fuuka called.
"Hello, Minato-kun?" She squeaked.
"Yes? What's going on, Fuuka-chan?" I said amiably.
"Lee-kun would like to speak to you." She said as she handed the phone to Lee.
"Dude? You still lookin' for Hide?" Lee asked.
"Yep. No cigar. He's earned his name as 'Hiding Hide'..." I said tiredly.
"Yeah, well, he's here in the Home Economics room. Get over here, bro."
I thanked him and I ran and entered the Home Economics room, where Hide and a couple of his cohorts were gathering. Lee and Fuuka and a few others were cooking something on the far side of the room. A few minutes later, I crept inside. Hide was winning the game.
"Yeah, shut up and pay the man!" He demanded as his friends paid him. That's when they saw me approach and they pointed at me with their chins.
"Minato." Hide greeted silkily, "Here for the chow as well?"
"What did you do to him?" I demanded.
He snickered, "Down to business, eh?" He mused, "Well, all I can say is that he got what he deserved."
"You fiend." I said coldly, "You stood by and let your own friend get murdered?"
"He was never my friend. Nor did he see me as one." Hide said remorselessly, "I worked my arse to the bone for that madman, and I never got so much as a single thanks. Then he had to leave for Nepal and went Judas on me. And don't you act like a saint, Minato... It was not I who stood by and let him die. And even if I did, so what?"
"You sick son of a bitch." I said quietly.
"I told you, Minato... That highborn churl was bagged and tagged the moment he went to your side. Look what happened!" He said.
"He died honorably." I said with a grim tone.
"Honorably, eh?" Hide sneered, "Did you know they had to clean Cato up with a mop?" He said insolently, "All his remains were wringed out in a single bucket and-"
I didn't let him finish. I siezed the nearest thing, a frying pan, and struck Hide across the face with it, twisting his head at a painful angle, knocking him down and breaking his glasses in half.
His cronies went to his aid, but he brushed them aside and he set his broken, bloody nose straight as he glared at me with hatred with both eyes, one bleeding profusely from his glass from his glasses.
"I never took you for a guy who'd hit someone wearing glasses..." He said as his cronies looked like they were ready to fight, but thought twice when they saw the bloody, dented frying pan firmly clasped in my hands.
Everyone stopped and stared avidly at us. Fuuka went beside me and calmed me down with a firm, reassuring hand on my shoulder, as Lee went by my side, his three loyal underclassmen flanking him, in case things get violent.
A teacher went inside, "What's going on in here?"
I immediately was aware I could be expelled, but I couldn't care the least. Hitting Hide in the face was gratifying, at least avenging Cato a bit.
To my shock, he merely smiled, "Nothing, Sir... Just horsing around here."
"Not likely. Arisato, Omura, to the Directress' office, now!" He barked as we both walked to the Directress' office. Hide stumbled and tripped, most likely from his poor vision without his glasses and blood in his eyes, but I didn't help him.
We entered the office, where Monroe, Detectives Burkehardt and Griffin were talking with Kyujukuu and Mitsuru.
"We'll discuss this after you talk with them." Detective Burkehardt said and they left.
Mitsuru looked at the both of us, "What happened?"
"Minato struck me in the face with a frying pan." Hide said with a whiny voice, "For no reason."
"I did that because he insulted Cato." I said, "I'm willing to accept my punishment."
"Let's not talk about punishment so soon." Mitsuru said, "To be exact, we're too busy with investigations to enforce any punishment. We can review this after we find who are the perpetrators of Cato's murder-"
"He's right in front of you." I pointed at Hide, "He did it." I blurted as Mitsuru and Kyujukuu seemed surprised. Hide feigned shock as well.
"That is an extremely serious allegation..." Mitsuru said with a severe tone.
"Quite right." The Principal said highly, "Your evidence, if you will?"
"I don't have any..." I said fiercely, "You'll just need to trust me."
"So, you have no evidence?" Mitsuru said, raising her eyebrows.
"I just know, Directress Kirijo." I said.
"You just... know...?" Hide seethed, "That's great. Trust the intuition and the goodwill of Saint Arisato, who seems hell bent on milking his status as a savior of the masses! His opinion matters more than the common, is that correct? Let's believe anything the Chosen One said, true or otherwise, and ignore the quiet, honest men of the campus!"
We stared at each other with hatred.
"Alright you two... Minato, stay away from Hide. Hideyasu, behave yourself. We WILL discuss your punishment afterwards, you two play nice or so help me, I will expell you both. Am I clear?" She said sternly.
Hide and I became scared, "Y-Yes, Headmistress."
"Good. Now, please leave my office." She said, "Send the Detectives inside, please."
I nodded as we both went out of the office. Hide bumped into the walls as I sighed, "Look, I know it was you-"
"Shut it, puny godling..." Hide wiped his face, "Remember, Minato..." He said, "Payback is a bitch. There are... other ways... to collect a debt." When he said that, I felt cold. He stormed off before I could say anything.
I saw the two detectives and informed them Mitsuru would see them now. They agreed as Monroe walked with them. I asked him for a word.
"What is it, Minato-san?" Monroe asked, "If you want to help out with a testimony, I'm afraid you're going to have to talk to Detectives Burkehardt and Griffin. I'm just a Social Worker."
"It's about Minako, Mr. Monroe." I said, "I'm asking you... Please allow her to stay with us. I know and I believe that her relatives will mistreat her again."
"Admittedly, we should have looked into that." He admitted, "But we've done such extensive research and background checks, we are a 110% sure that she will be treated well."
"But what if... What if the relative is some depraived sex deviant?" I said flusteredly.
"She is not. She's a teacher, good moral character, never recieved even a parking ticket. She requested Minako herself." Monroe said.
"But... But... Look, I'll be honest." I said, "I love Minako. I need to be with her. She's turning 18!"
"But she is not 18 yet and needs to be with her relatives." Monroe said patiently, "And you are not related with her."
"Please don't do this... Don't." I begged.
"I have no choice." Monroe said sadly, "My hands are tied."
"You don't understand!" I cried, "I'm the only one who understands her! Me and everyone here! You take her away from us, and she'll never make it out there on her own!"
Monroe sighed audibly, "You're making this more difficult than it needs to be," he said, "State Laws requires we do this procedure-"
"Yeah, but those 'State Laws' didn't prevent her aunt's, Cato's and his parent's murder, nor did they prevent the school shootout!" I cried.
"Please don't be so difficult..." He sighed, "There is nothing I can do!"
"She needs me!" I cried.
"Is this what she really needs?!" Monroe said forcibly, "She needs her own relatives, even if they aren't her choice! Not some lovesick boy who wants her to stay!" He turned the doorknob, "I'm so sorry, Minato-san, I truly am... But... It seems to me that you need her a LOT more than she needs you." He said as he entered the office.
I went out of school and decided to wander Junes. I walked around for a while before deciding to grab a drink at the food court. I went to the nearest elevator and opened it. Inside, was a man who was listening to music.
"Hey, how's it going?" I greeted as I pressed the switch and called Minako. Suddenly, the man pinioned my arms and jabbed a syringe in my neck as I felt numb, woozy and remembered no more.
I vividly felt like I was thrown into an enclosed space.
When I came to, I was tied up. I was in some kind of barn. There were a quartet of warriors wearing grey light armor and cloaked with four colors. They seemed to be talking. I tried to struggle out of my bonds, but I was held firm.
"Rushing off, are we?" The leader with the royal purple cloak said. She was definitely a woman, having a curvaceous hourglass figure and a dignified, highborn female voice.
"Whatever you guys are holding me here for," I said, "I'm innocent. I did not do anything wrong."
"But a mask of innocence often hides a treacherous face." The leader said smartly.
"If you are so innocent..." the second one wearing red armor said coldly.
"Then tell us your name." The Leader finished.
"Tell me your name first," I said hotly, "And I will tell you mine."
The burly one with orange armor bashed his fist on the tabletop, shattering the legs of the table, "Such insolence! Show respect to the Queen!"
"Calm yourself, Monk." The one with blue armor said.
"Explain where you took those powers..." The one in red demanded, "We recieved a tip-off and you have the exact same power levels as a Dark Lord... So... Where did you get it?"
I considered lying, but the lady looked at me, her electric blue eyes boring into my soul, "It was given to me by Viktor Frankenstein, Lord of Creation." I said, "It's mine. I am no thief. And I will gladly fight to the death anyone who says otherwise."
"This is bullshit!" The one in red cried, "For that damn lie, we shall oblige you." He produced a pair of claws from the top of his hands.
I managed to break the chair by jumping and concentrating my center of gravity on the bottom, shattering the legs as I cut my bonds by Red's claws. I summomed Deus Xiphos and parried Red's attack and ducked from Orange's punches. I ran down the hall, pushing aside the rest of the grey company, until I made my way outside.
"Surround him!" Royal cried as they surrounded me, lumberjack style.
"We'll take him one at a time." Royal declared, "Gyatso, you go ahead!"
"With pleasure." Orange said gleefully as he took a quarterstaff and ran towards me.
I parried his powerstrike and avoided a sweep of his staff. His staff zoomed past my head as I ducked to avoid it. We exchanged blows until I managed to get past his guard and slashed his left hand, wounding him, and disabling him from wielding his two-handed staff.
"Argh!" Gyatso bellowed.
"My turn!" Red cried gleefully as he charged.
He was quick. Too quick. I was knocked down with ease, but I didn't stop fighting. It was my pride that kept me staving off his strokes, but he really began to hurt me, so I directed a charged lighting strike at him, sending him flying.
He teleported and reappeared in midair, firing flechettes, shirukens and darts at me. I managed to deflect most, but several found their marks in me.
I saw why this guy was a pain to Elder. I then had a brilliant idea that Viktor reminded me...
I had the power.
I waited until he fired another volley. I then slowed it and reversed it to him. He got hit and staggered back.
"Stand fast, beloved Uncle," the Leader said. "I shall fight thy foe for thee!" The Leader cried as she brandished her greatsword, the Sword of Olympus, and wielded her buckler before charging.
I changed form with a falx, like Elder, and parried her strikes. A falx really was versitile and helped control the flow, strength and power of my strikes, but the falx-form seemed to infuriate and irked the Leader.
With a growl, she spun the blade around like a tornado, which took a lot of energy to block. After doing a cross-slash, she followed up with a horizontal slash and did it on patterns. It took a lot of effort and focus to deflect or dodge her strikes.
"Give me a break!" I cried as my blood flowed from my wounds, sapping my strength.
"Ne'er!" She cried as she struck at me, which I deflected, "Tis the life of a warrior! To live and to die at the edge of the sword!"
"Argh! Delusional idiots!" I growled as I shoulder charged her, hoping to take her down with brute force, but she sidestepped, causing me to fall in front of her and she kicked my head so hard with her steel-toed, hobnailed boots, she might have caused cranial damage as I passed out for a few seconds as I fell on the floor. That gave me more respect and taight me never to underestimate a girl.
"Sigh...men." She sighed with disgust, "Kill him for me, Captain Theseus." As she said those words, I quickly stood up, but my head was swelling and bleeding, I think I was concussed, everything started to turn grey and my left ear started to bleed.
"Sure thing." Theseus said as he charged with his broadsword. I prepared myself, but I felt extremely weakened from the earlier bout, hunger, thirst and I still felt drugged from the sedatives.
Theseus began a long barrage of sword strikes, "Look at you!" Theseus mocked as he striked me with his sword, "All talk, no balls!"
"I'm not gay! I'm just whimsical!" I cried indignantly, deflecting his blows.
"That's a shame, lover boy, we could've had you executed quick and easy! Now, you're gonna die nasty!"
"Ain't gonna happen, Cap'n," I grunted as I kicked him, but he kept on coming, It took all of my energy and strength to avoid getting grievous injuries. Then, I got furious and ducked under a sweep and looked their leader in her eyes.
"Come and kill me then!" I cried, "Are you the same cowards who killed Isil, Zythos and Cato?!" I demanded as Theseus raised his sword for the killing blow.
"Stop." The leader said calmly as Theseus' blade stopped a few millimeters from seriously wounding me. It just drew blood, but it was not lethal, "What did you say?"
"You heard me, you raving murderers!" I spat, "You seem to enjoy killing a wounded man in cold blood! Well, too bad! The Messiah dies with honor!"
She looked at Red, who nods eagerly.
"Very interesting..." She smiled, "Let us reveal ourselves." She said as the three took off their helms.
The one in blue was a very handsome young man with roughly cut, short jet black hair with jade green eyes. He looked somewhat like a young, teenaged Jake Gyllenhaal.
The second one, wearing red, was a Norwegian man with a clean undercut on his brown hair. His beard was scruffy, and unkempt, as if he shaved with a dull razor. His eyes were bright and were vengeful. He looked much like an adult Stanislav Ianevski.
The third one, wearing orange, was tanned brown and was growing a stubble on his bald head. His tall nose scrunched in pain from his wound. I recognized him as the Monk thrown out the window by Elder.
The lady took off her headwear and she looked like a princess, with her unbelievably beautiful face that stunned me. Her blue eyes looked at me stonily set on her creamy white face, as if she was deciding the best way to kill me. She looked as proud and confident as her father, and kept her posture straight at all times. She was also formidable, with her elaborately made greatsword strapped on her back. She wore a majestic circlet that looked eerily familiar. All in all, she was the epitome of a Warrior-Queen.
"I am Thalia Freya Menethil, Daughter of the late King Zythos Menethil." She introduced herself, "The one in blue is Captain Theseus, the one in red is my Uncle Koril Sorensen, uh, former Lord of Space and the one in orange is Gyatso Tenkai, Fountain Guard of Isil. We are the Grey Exiles."
"That's the story." I said as I enjoyed a cup of tea. Theseus was mending my face with medical supplies as well as the power of time as I regaled Thalia with stories about Elder and what happened last year.
"Being this close to the Messiah..." Sorensen mused, "May I touch your hair?"
"Hey, hands off!" I said defensively, "The hair is off limits."
"I'm sorry! Please don't hurt me!" Sorensen cringed.
"O...kay..." I said as I moved to get another cup of tea, but Gyatso cringed when I did.
"Geez what is up with you guys?" I asked as Thalia laughed.
"Forgive thy subordinates, Minato-sama. They are under the impression that thou art a fearsome destroyer of evil-"
"And they see instead a high school kid?" I said lightheartedly.
"Forgive us!" The three cried.
"Okay..." I said, "Also... Were you the ones who shot us out of the sky while searching for Viktor?"
"Yes, we were." Theseus said, "We were practicing there, when we saw the plane and sensed dark energy within. That's why we shot ya out of the sky-"
"You were the lunatics who shot us out of the sky?!" I cried, "You nearly had us killed!"
"Meh, it was an accident." Theseus said as he finished patching me up.
"Thank you." I mananged roughly.
"Heh... Thes, what was your job before bein' Captain?" Gyatso asked mockingly.
"I was a nurse." Theseus said tiredly as Sorensen and Gyatso snickered, "That's really getting old."
"Okay... I guess I can let that go... But why are you wearing grey?" I had to ask Thalia.
"Why Grey, you ask?" Thalia said, "It is to commemorate those who had fallen. We cremated them and scattered their ashes. Some, we infused in our masks. Our cloaks were dyed grey in remembrance for our fallen brothers."
"Very... Weird. But it makes sense since you oppose Elder's cult, which wears black." I said.
"So... Elder is thy enemy as well..." Thalia mused.
"Obviously!" I said crossly.
"Well, as far as I'm going to say..." She pauses dramatically, "I will not kill thee."
"Uh, that's a relief." I mumbled sardonically.
She nodded, "Leave us." She commanded the three leaders and the attendant as they hesitantly complied and saluted before filing out of the room.
Thalia looked me straight in the eye, considering me for a while, "I trust thou art the new Messiah, correct?"
I nodded, "I guess?"
She smiled. I immediately felt warm and gooey, "I believe thy story." She said, "However, this Beast, Elder, wantonly destroying everything and killing mercilessly... This cannot be allowed to continue. As we have seen, we cannot even hope to match him in combat. Theseus was knocked out before even engaging in combat with him, Gyatso was thrown out a window whilst protecting my grandsire, Isil and Uncle was defeated. I never had the chance to fight him yet but thou... Thou, however, art said to have bested this Beast several times. My uncle speaks very highly of thee."
I blushed. Mainly since she looked sweetly at me.
"But... there comes the matter of succession..." She began rather awkwardly and businesslike, very unlike her strong, determined and casual tone earlier, "It is well known that I, Thalia Menethil, am the last surviving Heiress to the Menethil line... And thou, Minato, are the last known survivor of the line of David... We are both extremely strong in our own right..." She twiddled her thumbs.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Well... Think of... Think of what salvation we can bring to this world...?" She said shyly, her blue eyes twinkling in the room. Only then did I realize that she was sending me a silent invitation.
My mouth hung open with surprise and confusion.
"Yes... I am speaking of a union... A union so great, that Dark Beings like Elder will not dare to attack the Free World. A union between our kind. With a Champion of Light and an Heiress of the Royal House, we would create a scion that would succeed our lineage. Mine Uncle shall raise our Heir if we were both to fall in the field of battle..."
"Ah... Queen Th-Thalia..." I said breathlessly.
"Hush." Thalia placed a soft finger on my lips, "I believe that the fates brought thee to me, Minato. We were destined to meet and to stave off this darkness together. I still hate thee for bringing Elder's wrath upon my people, but over time, I will learn to love thee. I fully intend to protect those dear to me, even if it means this minor discomfort." She bowed her head. She looked even more beautiful subdued.
"I'll help. But you have a lot of good people here too. Like Theseus, your Uncle and Gyatso." I said.
"Tch." Thalia dismissed, "Theseus is a good captain, but he is terribly naïve and still a stripling leader... My uncle's anger towards Elder will cloud his better judgement and Gyatso is only good for physical combat... Thou, on the other hand, have mastered every fighting style, the four elements and even mastered the Dark Arts."
I gave her a puzzled look.
"Like I said, Uncle speaks very highly of thee." Thalia shrugged, "What doth thou say? Thou shalt find that I could be a very good... friend." She said 'friend' as if it had a million meanings, but I knew the exact one.
I thought of Minako and shook my head, "Look, I really want to help you,
and I will." I promised, "You're extremely and utterly beautiful, Queen Thalia, way, way, WAY beyond my league, and if this were an entirely different world, I would've married you on the spot... But I'm in love with someone else... Minako..." I said fondly, "She is my Mary Magdalene... And there is a chance... No, a certainty, that Elder will kill Lord Sorensen, catch our 'child', and raise him to be evil."
Thalia winced, "I knew thou wouldst say that. Still, thy Uncle suggested I try anyway... Such a waste..." She traced her finger at my cheek, "You're cute." She said with a modern voice.
"Not that cute." I said, brushing her hand away.
She smirked and winked at me, "I trust thee, Minato, to stave this Darkness..." She leaves, before turning around, "After all, isn't that what Messiahs do?"
I followed her out as she walked with m towards the hill, "I shall help thee. Thy wounds are not grevious, due to the skill of Theseus, but thou art still injured. I shalt help, with my troops. We swear fealty and an oath to protect Iwatodai from the evilness of Elder's cult." She said as her men placed their right hand on their left breast and bowed, "Now... close thine eyes..." I did as she teleported me somewhere. I opened my eyes to see Narda.
Minako entered the room, "Yo! No classes tomorrow!" She said, "Why don't we head for the beach? I wanted to go there before I leave."
I nodded, "That would be nice."
A/N: Well, awesomely things happening here. It has lesser references than the others, much less. Kindly review please!
Also, I want to thank certain people who helped me realize I'm the best when I'm original. You know who you are.
Q/A:
FES: I know. It's not true, so don't react to it. Many have no accounts, so why should I judge them for it?
Gin: Yes, depressing. Your theories are shockingly close! Very perceptive, Gin. and it was a tough choice for me to make Cato die...
Nights: Well, sometimes anger blinds men. And when dealing with angry, blind men, it is sometimes better to just stand aside.
I know... What idea?
Richard: Sorry!
Hoshi: I was just teasing! And yes, I decided to nil the references. I realized that I was being lazy and just looking for references to add. I've changed my mind now, though. I'd rather write in my style.
Blah: Well, you have your opinions. Don't worry about it so much. Just continue voicing out what you feel.
Yay! Stick to the end.
Frenchie: Okay... Tbh, your first paragraph made absolutely zero sense. And they aren't Christian... Obviously, since Persona 3 has Bibliatic references, if you played it.
Uh, I don't think so. You spammed me, remember? I'd rather play it safe.
Sure, claim your innocence. I'll let that speak for itself.
Wow: I know, it's outrageous, but Marzy has his/her opinion, we have ours. And since we're in the right, we have nothing to worry about.
Somnus: Thank you for your great thoughts! While that sounds incredibly made, the plot is kind of shrink wrapped already, and there is nothing I can do about it, since the future chapters rely on what happens next. But all I can say is that you, and everyone else, are wonderful readers and you will like what happens to Minako. But yours sounds really good! I'm trying to implement some elements into it as of now.
You guys have been really kind. And it's for the best. Also, why not make an account? That way, I can reply even faster than normal?
Radaketor: Actually, it was Ekoda who was shot, not Cato.
Blue: It is possible. It might not be possible. We won't know for certes. And no one was on the right track. We both had our pros and cons. He could be right, he could be wrong. He had some good points, I had mine. depends how you see it, Blue. Heck, even you yourself guest reviews. And you were the one who said that login on mobile is hard, so that was kind of redundant on what you said.
If you lost faith in me, I find that sad. And saddening. But even though I'll miss your reviews, I won't lose sleep any of it because I write to entertain, not for reviews. And I lost faith in you as a follower as well. Easily losing faith.
At least thanks to Marzy, I weeded out and know who are my true followers are.