Academy Chronicles: Rise of the Skylanders

Chapter 11: Makoto's Doubt

It's only been a couple of minutes, and I already forgot that we were on a mission to track down who is essentially my arch-enemy.

I stare out the window of the Dreamcast, occasionally pulling on Kyoko's arm whenever a cool sight catches my eye so I could show her. Complex airships, flying dragons, hovering islands, if you told little me that one day I would one day travel to other dimensions like this where the natives have superpowers and all that…

…Frankly, I probably would've believed you. Back in elementary school, I did get the nickname of "Makoto the Moron" for how easily I fell for blatant lies. Thank god I got out of that phase or else I probably would've died back in Hope's Peak in the first Class Trial.

I shuddered at the thought and proceed to look at the sights that Skylands has to offer.

Our destination, Skylanders Academy… It's better than Hope's Peak in its old state, I can already say that for certain even without saying the actual facility. Still, I can still think about the similarities the two schools share thanks to my research.

One is a training ground for veteran and aspiring heroes, honing their talents and abilities so they could go out in the world and fight evil… be the hope of the world. Hope's Peak is just like that. Just, you know…

…Without the powers.

That comparison began to do something I haven't felt in a long time. Doubt. Kyosuke's words echo throughout my mind from the meeting back at Borg Industries.

"For all this talk about pacifism, you wish to send more people into battle? Are you going back on your own words, Ultimate Hope?"

It did refute Kyosuke's words… although I'd be lying if I said my statements weren't due to the heat of the moment. Now, having time to think, a cloud of uncertainty began to flow through my brain.

I survived a great many things: The Tragedy, two Killing Games, and a catastrophe that nearly brought every universe to ashes… and one who only did so to my world. Although the last two, the ones that really count in this context is something I can't really say is an accomplishment. For the Link Joker Crisis, all I gave was moral support. For the Liberator Crisis, I focused on the evacuation, getting everyone I could possibly get off our dimension away safely.

I never fought. Not once. Not physically. I just am not that kind of guy. It worked in my world, all it took was the right words and a rebuttal here and there and I saved the world.

But this is a whole new ball game. I talked big about using force and supporting the Disciples… but what force can I even bring? It's not like I can tackle someone like Monokuma to the floor. He was able to take on Sakura without a scratch! I don't have elemental skills, superpowers or anything.

I'm still just some guy. A guy with no good combat experience.

…Was I way too over my head? Did I really make the right choice? Or did my stance as the Ultimate Hope, the one that always makes the right decision get the best of me.

Oh god, was I growing an ego? What… What did I becom-

I felt nudging as I turned around. A brief "ahem" came from Kyoko, signaling me with a head gesture to pay attention to the intercom.

I put my inner, mental struggles aside to hear an intercom announcement from Tails.

"Landing in Skylanders Academy! I repeat, landing in Skylanders Academy!"

The soft rumbling and feel of steady velocity came to a stop as I felt gravity complete its pull onto us.

We've landed.