Clear to cloudy
Target 51: Grand Finale: Beginning
Kotsu wakes up on the new and final day of the school's camping trip and also on the final day of the ring conflict. Today is the day where he'll fight. His heart is in his throat from nervousness. He quickly gets up waking Primo up as he exits the room. "Oh.. morning Kotsu," He says smiling as Kotsu pokes his head back in the room.
"M-morning Primo-san! Sorry for waking you up…" He says before heading out of the room and down the hall to the main room, quickly identifying his older brother sitting and eating a sandwich with a group of girls and Reishiro just silently sitting beside Ren. Kotsu slowly tiptoes over sitting next to them.
"Ah! Lil' bro! I was just talking about you!" Ren says spitting sandwich bits in his little brother's face as he does and Ren swings an arm over his shoulder. "This is Kotsu!" he says and all the girls look a bit puzzled at the younger brother who's currently feeling very put on the spot.
"Is this really him? He doesn't look anything like you said!" One of the girls say and Kotsu frantically looks to his brother wondering what exactly he told the girls.
"Ren! What did you tell them about me!?"
"I just told them about our game and how amazing you are at it," He says with a knowing smile.
"But he doesn't look very… um… no offense… cool as you told us…"
Kotsu gets an annoyed look on his face, but to be honest he can definitely see where they come from. Up until less than a year ago, he was a normal boring kid. The change is a bit drastic. "Well um… none taken I guess…" he says when suddenly everyone sees Primo standing behind the boys.
He puts an almost parental hand on their shoulders. "Well I can assure you that both these boys are as cool as you've been told. Maybe even more so," He says and Kotsu gives a weak smile.
"Well… only sometimes…" He rubs the back of his head and Ren laughs a bit smacking him in the big in a brotherly manner.
"That's SO not true Lil' bro! You're cool all the time," he ensures, and Kotsu naturally doesn't believe him since… it isn't true… but he's glad to know that his brother has his back all the way. "Now then! Shall we do something today Lil' bro?" The elder brother says pulling Kotsu on his feet and the two walk outside for some fresh air and to see if they can find some people from their little group.
"I kinda just… want to relax… it's going to be rough tonight…"
Ren just smiles and laughs. "I'm sure well make it!" He says and Kotsu picks up the feint hint of nervousness and fright in his voice.
"Ren… are you scared?"
Ren pauses for a moment, really making Kotsu feel like he hit the nail right on the head. However Ren just gives a bright smile. "N-not at all Lil' bro! We have you with us after all! We'll win and I'll be beside you the WHOLE time! I-I'll see you become a great person just like Primo!" He says clearly diverting from the topic.
"I-It's okay Ren… I'm kinda scared too… but I can't let either of those two win…" He says and Ren just smiles again. The two see Geraldino sitting on a log looking very exhausted. "Um… is something wrong Geraldino!?"
"Yeah… definitely… but when I get back to Italy… it seems like I'll be going through some kind of hell… I won't get my cosmic rain ring… OR my cosmic box weapon… Not just that, but they'll give me a leg bracelet which suppresses my flames… I won't be allowed to fight… I have to have bodyguards with me at all times AND they won't give me my sword…" He says and Kotsu laughs a little. They really take treachery seriously in the Vongola family.
"But… j-just to be clear you won't be… trying to kill me right? I kinda… was in the moment yesterday,"
Geraldino gives him a suspicious look. "Didn't you listen back when you beat me?" He says annoyed but Kotsu exactly doesn't remember since he passed out from over exhaustion. "The reason I attacked you was because I wanted to prove my dad wrong by becoming your bodyguard but they chose Tsugemora instead… so I'm content with this instead. Don't worry about waking up with a sword in your chest…" He says falling backwards. "Now go away… I'm tired after listening to Primo for so long…"
Off to the side there's a little group gathered and Kotsu notes Marco in the middle, most likely holding Cotton in his hands and a few girls seem gathered around to say hi to the little girl. "L-Ladies… please… you're frightening my lady…" He says obviously being flustered himself.
Kotsu scoots over, leaving Ren to 'entertain' Reishiro who's just clueless about everything, so there's plenty to talk about, and checks up on them and Cotton is just enjoying the attention jumping around on Marco's arms. "Um… she seems like she's enjoying herself Marco…"
Marco jumps a little. "Ah! Sir Kotsu!" He says bowing politely and one of the girls looks curiously at him while Cotton is being nuzzled by some other ones.
"Hey… why is your hair such a strange color?" She asks and Marco gives almost a whimper and takes a little step back.
"I-I do not know the answer to such a question… I-I was b-born this way after all," He says trying to back away bumping into the group playing with Cotton. "M-my apologies! S-sir…!" he says realizing Kotsu is still there and he drags him aside. "Y-you had a lot to speak to me about correct!?" He says pushing him along with some girls pouting after him since he DOES look rather pretty and capable. After the two get around the corner Marco almost falls and looks around the corner. "M-my apologies sir…" he says slumping down lazily against the wall.
"Um… was something wrong there?" Kotsu asks and Marco looks back at the group where Cotton is getting all the attention she wants.
"Very much so… I… I'm terrified of girls you see?" He says shivering slightly to himself and Kotsu looks a bit confused.
"I… see…? But Cotton's a girl… right?" He says suddenly questioning the gender of his tiny storm guardian.
"S-she is… but she's very… non-feminine… much like your friend… Lady Fumie I believe her name was…" He says shaking his head.
"But… isn't the Rosa Rossa family full of girls… how did this happen?" Kotsu says really confused as to Marco's unnatural fear of girls.
"Well you see… when I was young, no matter where I went with my grandfather… we'd always meet loads of women wanting to tell me how cute I am and give me hugs… also when we were at the Rosa Rossa family's headquarters… all the ladies of the house…" He explains ending in a shiver.
"Sounds uh… rough…? Just how many ladies of the house are there?"
"WAY too many… about seven and all the daughter's who did not inherit the Rosa Rossa's gene…" He gets up and shakes off his fluster. "Either way Sir Kotsu. Both I and Cotton will do our best in the conflict this evening. You can count on me. I will surely help bring you victory," He says bowing before gulping, heading back to get Cotton, who jumps into his arms and he heads back to follow Kotsu, Ren and Reishiro rejoining them.
"What was… that all about?" Ren asks pointing around a little.
Marco clears his throat. "I… prefer not to answer that question…" He simply states and Cotton laughs.
"TIAHAHA! Marco is just jealous that Cotton-heika is getting more attention than he is!" She declares and Kotsu chuckles a little knowing it is in fact the complete opposite.
After heading around a bit more they see Fumie come running towards them with Rinoka in hand and Marco recoils a little seeing the very feminine Rinoka and her shy, cuteness. "Kotsu-kun! Ren-senpai!" She says stopping in front of them and she looks sparkly-eyed at Ren a bit. "I heard you're close to winning that thing in your game! Is that right?" Kotsu slowly nods looking to Rinoka who seems a little more open. "That's SO cool! And Rinoka just told me that you'll all be playing the game tonight! Even that little guy: Tsugemora," Almost as if by divine intervention Tsugemora appears as soon as his name is mentioned.
"Hey I'm NOT little!" He says and the two butt heads for a little before Fumie pulls her head back sending Tsugemora tumbling to the ground.
"Anyway you guys! I... wanna go shopping with you all! We're going to go buy some cool clothes for you to wear during the finals!" She says dragging the whole group along.
-NII-
The group spends the day in Tokyo shopping for clothes, Fumie being slightly annoyed that they can't go to the mall, saying it's so annoying that the ONE time she goes to Tokyo the biggest mall is closed for renovations. But they all manage to find some and after eating together, Tsugemora and Fumie fighting most of the day, leaving Kotsu to talk with Reishiro and Rinoka, while Ren converses with Marco and Cotton seeing as Marco cannot hold his composure in front of Rinoka.
The group heads home to change. Kotsu's gotten some loose dark blue jeans, and a long-sleeved black hoodie with little frills on the shoulders for effect.
Ren's bought a new training outfit which is simple, yellow with a black stripe down the sides of the arms and legs. He's naturally wearing his improved shoes.
Rinoka has gotten a simple cute dress with black stockings, dark purple skirt with a white stripe along the bottom, and a black west. She's also gotten a new hairpin for her tuft. A purple snowflake this time. She's nervously clinging to her box weapon and ring.
Tsugemora's gotten what looks like a leather west worn by some kind of biker gang and some ripped jeans, which just looks… SO out of place next to his reasonably dressed teammates.
Cotton and Marco have gotten a matching set, with a ying yang, design, Cotton having a white onesie with a black dot in the middle and Marco having completely black clothing with a shirt that has a white dot. Where on earth they found stuff like that to match a 5-year-old and a 14-year-old, Kotsu will never know.
Reishiro's gotten some baggy clothing as that's what he prefers, but seeing as everyone dressed themselves it's put on messily, which honestly suits as it goes with his lazy, gaze well.
Geraldino gets up seeing them all, in his normal clothing which fits right in being quite eccentric to begin with, holding a borrowed sword over his shoulder, towering over them all.
"H-how do we look Primo?" Kotsu asks and Primo looks them all over before smiling kindly.
"It's not about your look Kotsu… it's about what's on the inside. That being the case I'll still say you all look ready," He says and the team make their way to the subway.
Rinoka looks really unsettled sitting on the station and Kotsu puts a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's alright Rinoka… you're allowed to be scared… y-you know that right? B-but remember… you have Chido to protect you and if everything just becomes too tough for him then we'll all be there for you!" Kotsu says trying to make her less tense which only sort of works.
"T-t-t-thank you K-Kotsu-san,"
-NII-
They arrive at the mall seeing a Cervello outside waiting for them. "Welcome once more… You will all need to split up," The woman says and gives directions to all of the guardians to head to different parts of the mall. Tsugemora, being directed to electronics, Ren to sports, Reishiro to toys, Geraldino to the large grocery store, Rinoka to the parking lot, and Cotton and Marco to foods. Kotsu is sent to the middle where both Zaccaria and Ywan are waiting for him like always.
The younger of the two smirks seeing him. "My my… look who got some fancy clothes for the final match," He says laughing and Kotsu gulps.
"T-thanks… I think…"
"Will you two stop it? We are about to begin," Ywan says looking about at the directions where the guardians are all gathered in their respective positions.
-NII-
At Tsugemora's end, he's with his dad and Faust and Gerald looks to Faust after there's a bit of awkward silence. "Faust… what's your mother's name?" He asks a little concerned and Faust gives him a lazy look.
"Why're you asking me that?" He says and Gerald looks to Tsugemora, who looks just like him.
"No reason…"
"Her name's Marilyn…"
Gerald let's out a bit of a relieved sigh. "Oh thank god…"
Tsugemora takes a few seconds to think about it. "WAIT! What do you mean by that!?"
Before Gerald can answer the Cervello come over the speakers. "Welcome to the final match everyone. We will now begin! The boss candidates are in the middle, and are not allowed to move. However all you guardians now have 10 minutes to move about, and begin your plans. After the 10 minutes are up, you are allowed to fight, but a moment before. Any breaking of the rules will result in the disqualification of your boss. We wish everyone good luck," She says and there's a loud beep indicating the beginning of the sky match. Instantly Faust walks off, clearly directed towards somewhere particular.
"Where're you going!?" Tsugemora asks and Faust folds his hands behind his head.
"You're my enemy. I'm not telling," He just says and Gerald looks to Tsugemora.
"Son… I've been tasked with defeating you and taking your ring once the fighting begins, much like all my fellow guardians…" He says and Tsugemora takes out his wire gun.
"That's alright father! I will defeat you then!" He says grinning confidently.
"So I'm going to say you shook me off," He says before walking off as well and Tsugemora is a little confused.
-NII-
At Reishiro, Pietro and Barley's side, Reishiro just heads into one of the toy stores, amazed as to all the new toys he's never seen before. "What's this one…?" He says picking one up and Pietro looks oddly at him.
"I believe that is a foam-bullet gun…" He says and Reishiro seems to realize as well pointing it around a bit.
"Ah! Sokaaa…"
Barley meanwhile has gone off somewhere, neither of them know. Pietro looks to the young boy childish asking him what all these toys are. 'This child… It saddens me to think it… but I am not able to defeat him. His hell ring is too powerful for me to defeat…' He thinks to himself as his opponent disappears, absorbing light with his ring, but the toys he's holding still floating in the air so Pietro can still see where he is.
-NII-
Antonio, Cotton, Marco and Ricci are all standing around a little before Ricci laughs abruptly. "I can't believe you LOST to that kid Antonio!" He yells referring to Reishiro defeating him.
"That will NOT be happening in this match I assure you!" He says and Ricci just walks off like Barley and Faust did.
"Yeah yeah… but Ywan definitely won't win this fight… that's for sure,"
After he leaves Cotton glares at Antonio while Marco looks quite confused at him. "Aren't you going somewhere as well sir?"
"I have my orders…" He says and Marco quickly realizes that he's not moving because they're not moving.
"Then… I think we better get out of here!" Marco yells before activating his dying will mode and shooting off away from Antonio who sets off after them, being significantly slower, thanks to Marco's removed physical limiters.
"Hey!" Antonio yells gritting his teeth. "How on earth did he realize so fast I was going to attack as soon as the time was up! Dammit," He slams his box weapon open and the phoenix shoots out, now much larger in size and he jumps onto it flying after them at much faster rate.
-NII-
As soon as the time starts Kagetora leaps away disappearing in seconds being a 'true ninja' as he'd put it, leaving Geraldino and Albert alone in the supermarket. Geraldino smirks grabbing a jug of milk from the cooling container. "So… got any last minute shopping to do for your kid? That Ricci guy right?" he says slicing it open with his sword instead of just opening and he takes a few long gulps.
"How vulgar. And do not speak of my child like you know our relationship! It is complicated understand?" He says gritting his teeth and Geraldino just laughs.
"It's not THAT complicated. He clearly hates you! Why DOES he hate you anyway?"
"That is none of your business… aren't you going somewhere to find an opponent to battle?" He then asks and Geraldino steps a bit closer well aware that the Cervello are watching from somewhere, he gets all up in Albert's face staring him down.
"Well I've GOT an opponent right here haven't I?" He says grinning evilly and Albert can't help but feel a little like HE'S the one being hunted, but he's upgraded his gauntlet so he should be fine. "I hope back-up's on the way for you because in five minutes… you're going to be in pieces…"
-NII-
Ren looks to his two fellow sun guardians, both towering beasts with quite large muscles, and tough appearances, though Boris seems to prefer the outdoors unlike Riccardo, given the prior's tan.
"So Boris… what kind of silly plan has Zaccaria come up with for this match?" Riccardo asks and Boris grins.
"Wouldn't you like to know? Now if you'll excuse me… I'll go put it into action," he just says waving dismissingly and heading away, leaving Ren with Riccardo.
"You look nervous boy. That is no state for a sun guardian," He says crossing his arms and Ren laughs nervously.
"Well I just… don't really want to fight… that's all,"
"Even worse… because I will follow you, until the timer is up so your first opponent will be me," he says spoiling Ywan's plan and Ren suddenly bolts away, at full speed letting his shoes speed him up like they did when he got them and Riccardo quickly speeds after him, but in spite of his superior size and experience he can't quite catch up to Ren. "This boy… he's remarkable… if only he had the fighting spirit…"
-NII-
NM-5 looks between the two of his fellow cloud guardian. Galileo looks quite saddened. Mainly knowing that once time is up he's going to have to attack Rinoka, as part of Ywan's strategy and not just that, but win with such certainty that she'll get scared of even fighting again, but from the looks of it she's already there.
NM-5 looks around activating his thermal scanner. "Rinoka. I sense an immense amount of flame coming this way. It is with 98.3% certainty, your fellow guardian Ren Niruo. Go to him for protection," He advises before going into the building, Rinoka unsure whether to follow his directions or not.
"O-Okay!" She finally decides being a trusting person and runs towards where NM-5 specified with Galileo just staying behind, not wanting to do it, even if Ywan told him to.
"I'm sorry Ywan… I refuse to hurt someone who cannot defend themselves again…"
-NII-
Meanwhile in the middle the three boss candidates are standing Kotsu looking at the two pills he got from Reborn, which allow him to enter hyper dying will mode. It's now been nine minutes and Ywan grits his teeth. "Something's not right…" He says and Kotsu looks confused as to what he means, however the young boss quickly realizes what's happening.
He looks in the six directions where all the guardians were directed to seeing each and every of Zaccaria's guardians coming one by one all looking quite ready to fight. "W-what is this…?" Kotsu asks and Zaccaria slowly chuckles.
"I kinda figured Ywan would pull something to try and scare your guardians… so while they waste time doing that…" he gets up smirking and steps forward to the line drawn that they're not allowed to cross and turns to face his two opponents. "I'm going to be winning this instantly!" He says smirking and Ywan looks to the clock seeing there're only a few seconds left. Too late to call for his guardians…
"Boy…" He says referring to Kotsu who looks up at him. "As much as I dislike it… I will have to work together with you to stop Zaccaria from winning. Deal? Truce until we ensure that he cannot win this way? Think quickly. We've few seconds left," He says and Kotsu looks at the clock too and in the final few seconds he gulps down the two pills and the cloud flame erupts on his forehead. Ywan looks at him seeing his now serious look and calm composure. "So…?"
The clock rings signaling for the beginning and Ricci springs forward for Zaccaria to hand over his storm ring, Ywan holding out his knife to blow him away when Kotsu suddenly shoots forward using his fork as a booster kicking Ricci back. "If you are suggesting it, then it must be truly necessary to win. I'm in… but know this Ywan…" He lands being between Zaccaria and a few of his guardians, Faust, Ricci and Kagetora to be precise. "I will not be the one who's holding you back…" he says pointing his fork at Ywan causing the elder man to smirk.
"Oh but you will be holding me back boy…"