A woman with long black hair pulled up in a half-up-half-down bun. A small smile graced her face as she sat there patiently waiting.
"Seventh, why are you sitting here?" a dark figure asked, appearing behind her.
"Because, I like the view," she responded and the dark figure dissipated.
It wasn't long before another figure appeared. "Seventh, won't you come join us?" it asked.
"I can't. It's not time yet," she said and the dark figure faded away.
Soon after that another figure appeared. "Why do you stay here?"
"Just in case he needs a push," she replied. The figure moved on.
Again another figure appeared, this time it sat on the bench next to her. "How is he doing?"
"He is hurt, but still strong," she replied, still smiling. The figured nodded before disappearing.
She blinked and another figure appeared before her. "You don't have to stay here you know."
"I want to," she told him and the figure walked away.
She sat there smiling softly into the distance…waiting. Soon a man leaned on the bench behind her. "It's hard, isn't it?" he asked her.
She turned and looked at him. "Yes, but I believe in him. He can do it."
"I know," the man replied. He walked around the bench and sat next to her. "Just as I knew you all could do it." He smiled at her. "It's almost time."
"I know," she replied quietly, her smile never slipping out of place.
The man got up and placed a hand on her shoulder. "We will be waiting for both of you," he said before leaving.
%%%%%
Toshinori opened his eyes to find himself sitting on a bench. The space around him was a wonderful cosmos. Familiar colors decorated the black sky like stars swirling around in a beautiful dance.
"I've been waiting for you," said a voice he hadn't heard in so long.
Toshi turned to see gray eyes and a bright smile that he had missed so much.
"Master," Toshi's voice trembled.
"I'm so proud of you Toshinori," Nana Shimura said, her smile becoming even brighter as she looked at her successor.
Toshinori lunged forward, wrapping his master in a tight hug. "I've missed you so much," he sobbed.
"How many times have I told you? Cool it with the waterworks," Nana laughed, hugging him back.
"Right," Toshi said, letting go and rubbing his eyes on his sleeve. "Where are we?" he asked, looking around.
"Inside One-For-All," Nana replied, standing up. She stretched and turned, holding and hand out for him. "Now, come with me. The others are waiting for us."
"Others?" Toshi asked, grabbing her hand.
Nana nodded. "Let's go watch your successors change the world."