(SHIRO'S POV)
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!" Future Shiro yelled as he unleashed a loud wave of supersonic energy forward which shattered a small mountain in the distance.
"So how did you get so unbelievably strong?" Clyde asked the man.
"Simple... Through a lot of pain, struggle and most of all...loss…" He answered. "If you hadn't noticed already, I went through a lot of shit."
"So what became of the rest of us? You know... before we all died from your other half." Gabby asked.
"I'd like to know that myself." Eliza started with a grin. She was sitting on a large rock. She had an unreadable expression on her face.
"Well...Clyde and Isabel got together after something happened to Clyde and he became an extremely powerful mage and Isabel was well... you'll see when it happens. Clyde was eventually accepted by the Arcane Forest but he died before he could ever achieve his goal." Older Shiro said.
"Really?! So I never got to fight Dex…" Clyde muttered sadly. "DAMN! That's such bullshit! There's no way I just die like that!"
"What about me?!" Gabby asked.
"What's the matter?" Present Shiro asked.
"Gabby became a one of the strongest warriors on the planet. Her brute strength mixed with her beauty made her quite the deadly fighter...but then...You ended up...Well uh, how do I put this…" Future Shiro started.
"What? It can't be that bad...Right? I mean, you said I was one of the strongest..." Gabby asked.
"It's terrible...you were...nah, it's too bad to say…" Older Shiro said.
"Wow...even though you got stronger and slightly more attractive... you're still a complete dick." Gabby said rolling her eyes.
"Look, future stuff aside, you all end up dead, so I came here to prevent that. Plus I'm ninety percent sure that the planet got destroyed in my time."
"Damn... that sucks...so are you gonna teach me something badass. I wanna learn that Ghost style shit! Or maybe the doppelganger style. It all sounds dope! " I said excitedly.
"Hell no!" Future me said.
"No?! What, why?" I asked with utter disappointment.
"Number one, it was NOT fun learning any of that crap! Accept for doppelganger style….but still...You shouldn't worry though... you'll understand why VERY soon. Hehehehehehehehe." He started chuckling.
"...I don't see what's funny…" I said.
"Nevermind that...for now, I think I'm going to go explore the area. It's been so long since I have seen this place." The older me said before leaping off into the distance.
"Wow... I am kind of a dick…" I muttered.
-Later That Day-
Clyde, Gabby, Isabel, Viz and I were all swimming in the nearby lake. We all decided to relax after the many strange events that went on during the past few months. I was currently splashing around with Vizeron while also sneaking a couple of peaks at Gabby's fine ass. Don't get me wrong though, Isabel's rack was great to look at, but something about Gabby just intoxicating to say the least. I just want to squeeze her soft ass. She looked so hot in her bikini.
"Shiro…" Viz called out to me.
"Huh?" I said, snapped outta my thoughts.
"You're drooling again." He said with a toothy
"Shut the hell up you dumb mutt...I can't help it…Gabby is just so... awesome…" I said while looking at her laughing with Clyde and Izzy.
"Then why don't you ever make a move?" Viz asked.
"What?! I can't do that. Aside from the fact that Tazorac will murder me to the first degree, I'd be devastated if she rejected me. I have a huge fear of rejection…" I said sheepishly.
"Wow... You're a bitch." Viz said.
I dunked him into the water and glared. "You don't get it! Gabby is just too good for me. She so strong and tough, yet somehow manages to keep her hot temper in balance with her sexy feminine nature. Just talking about her makes me go nuts!" I said.
"Well, you'll never get her by talking to me…" Viz barked.
"I can't... I'm like the weakest one here. I can't impress her in any sort of way. In other words, I'm shit outta luck…"
"You just gotta pick your moment. Get her someplace where you two can be alone. Open up to her and embrace her interest. God knows that your interest are a little... explicit…" Viz explained. "Why don't you ask future you about it?"
"Hmm... That's a good point. Thanks Viz." I said to him.
"It's what I do...Now scratch my belly beta male!"
-Inside-
Night had fallen and we were all putting away the dishes. Future me and Eliza had just got back from their exploration. I ran up to the older me and spoke to him.
"Yo me, I have a few questions for you to answer." I said directly.
"That so? Alright then, go on. And please...just call me Vengeance." He said.
"Why Vengeance?!" I asked.
"That's what I started to go by ever since Metagenesis came to by. Plus, it's the name of my best armor." He said.
"Woah... Anyway, I need to ask about something important." I said.
"It's about Gabby isn't it?" He asked.
"...Yes…" I muttered.
"Meh... I'm not getting involved in this." He said.
"What? Why not?! I just wanna know if me and her will ever be a thing."
"Yes…" He said in a low tone.
"HELL YEAH!" I said.
"But…" He started.
"But? What do you mean, but?!" I asked.
"It doesn't last forever…" He said.
"Why?!" I asked sadly.
"There will be many different possibilities for you and Gabby to split apart. You will have to pick and choose what you're going to do in order to keep her. She goes through some trauma…" Future Shiro... I mean, "Vengeance" said.
"... I don't know entirely what that means, but it doesn't matter! I'm going to get Gabby and she's going to love me and we're going to have hella kids!" I shouted at him.
"Whatever you say kid...Just pick your moments wisely." He said as he started to head over towards Eliza's room.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Huh? Oh I'm just gonna ask her something before I head to sleep." He walked in and closed the door behind him.
I shrugged my shoulders and continued my thought process as I stared at Gabby's and Isabel's room door.
"C'mon Shiro...Just knock on the door and ask her out or something…" I said to myself.
I knocked on her door nervously until she decided to open it. She was in a loose white tank top and some blue shorts that hugged her ass. I admired her figure until she snapped her fingers.
"What do you want Shiro?" She asked.
"Oh...Hey, what's up Gabs?" I asked while leaning stupidly against the door frame.
"... I'm polishing my sword. Now leave." She said getting ready to shut the door.
I raised my hand and stopped it. "Wait. Gabby look, I was just wondering if you wanted to uh... hangout with me…" I asked.
"No." She said bluntly. Damn that shit hurt.
"Why?!" I asked hysterically.
"One, it's like ten at night." She said.
"So what? Ten ain't that late." I responded back.
"Two, where the hell would we even hangout at?" She pressed on.
"We could go around Rai Town or head off into the woods and check out the stars and stuff." I said getting pretty desperate at this point.
"Three, how are you even going to explain us just suddenly leaving?" She asked. "Taz would flip his shit if he saw us sneaking out."
"He's been training all day. I'd be surprised if he was still somehow awake. Plus, if he does happen to catch us, I'll just saw it was some late night training." I said.
"Shiro…"
"Please! I'm bored as hell and I just want us to be cool with each other. Ever since I meet this little group, you and me haven't exactly been the best of buddies."
"Well maybe it's because you're a pervert that can't understand boundaries!" She snapped.
"Ok... I'll admit that I have my issues...but at the end of the day, I can still be a chill guy. Just gimme a chance to prove myself to you." I begged.
"I'll think about it." She stated firmly.
"Aww man... Everyone knows that means no." I said sadly.
"It means that I need to think. Now, goodnight Shiro." She said before shutting the door.
I sighed and stomped back to my room. I swung the door open and on instinct, punched a hole through one of the walls. Viz and Clyde looked at me with questioning glances.
"Problem, Tatsugami..?" Clyde asked.
"Go fuck yourself Clyde." I growled.
"What happened?" Viz asked.
"She said that she'll think about it." I grumbled.
"That's why you're busting holes in the wall?" Clyde asked. "You gotta relax."
"Easy for you to say! Isabel practically adores you. I liked it better when she was all sexy for me you uptight bitch!" I snapped at him.
Clyde tossed his book to ground and tackled me. "Listen to me Tatsugami. Isabel is mine to have and to hold. Me and her go WAY back! I love her and I want her to love me back! Don't talk about her like she was ever yours or I will disintegrate you in an instant." The prick threatened.
"Why don't we test that theory once you've properly taken your balls out of your purse." I spat back.
"Would you two just chill the heck out already." Viz said with a glare.
Clyde scoffed and pushed himself off of me. "Watch yourself next time Shiro. Next time I won't hesitate."
"Fuck off you jealous freak. You've issues." I said as I angrily set up my makeshift floor bed. I layed down and glared at the ceiling. Viz walked over to me and curled up on my right side. I began to doze off.
-An Hour Later-
"...Fuck, I can't sleep…" I grumbled.. I kept thinking about Gabby's words. What if she really wasn't thinking about it? Did she only say that shit to push me away?! GODDAMNIT!!! I needed a glass of water to ease my nerves. So I walked over to the door. Once I turned the knob and pulled it open, my heart skipped a beat.
"Still wanna hang out..?" Gabby asked.
"Yes!" I said a little too happily. "...I mean, yeah that sounds cool…" I tried to recover.
"Then hurry up and get dressed…" She demanded more than asked.
I threw on a t-shirt and some loose shorts. I put my boots on quickly and walked next to her. "So, where are we going." I asked with a goofy grin.
"Out…" She responded blankly.
"Oh... That's uh, cool I guess." It wasn't cool. This was starting to get puzzling.
We quietly walked out of the house and over towards the center of Rai Town. It was quiet and empty in the town. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of the fountain. I noticed how how silent Gabby was while we walked. It was freaking me out. She took a seat on the edge of the fountain and I followed her lead. I sat next to her and nervously looked around the area.
"So…" I started off awkwardly. She looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "What made you wanna hang with Shiro all of a sudden?"
"I couldn't sleep…" She said absent mindedly.
"Well if it makes you feel better, I couldn't sleep either. I guess we're both in the same boat." I said with a grin. I looked at my reflection in the water of the fountain. "You wanna play a game?" I asked.
"Not really…" She replied. I purposely ignored her answer.
"Never have I ever... argued with my sister." I said to her.
She looked at me with a raised brow. "Seriously?"
"C'mon. It's your turn." I said while nudging her.
"This is stupid." She said.
"That's what makes it fun. Plus, it helps us get to know each other better." I said with a genuine smile on my face.
"..." She stayed silent.
"Aww c'mon Gabs. It wouldn't kill you if you played." I said.
She sighed "Never have I ever...killed something." She said.
"Really? I thought that you would've wasted at least a couple of monsters by now. You're so kick-ass that I'm legitimately surprised." I said to her.
"Well I don't just go around murdering things." She said.
"Alright! Never have I ever...met my mom." I said casually.
"What? How come?! If you don't mind me asking." Gabby asked with more of an interested tone of voice.
"I don't know…My sister and I had different mothers. My left my father and her passed away. Heheh... guess I'm not much of a mother's boy." I chuckled. Gabby didn't laugh. She stared at me with a saddened expression. "Look, don't see sweat it. It's not all that serious."
"Are you sure you're ok?" She asked.
"I'm fine. Just go on ahead and take and take your turn Gabs." I said.
"Never have I ever... eaten chocolate before." She said.
"No way! You've never had chocolate?!" I said.
"Nope. I never got around to eating some." She said.
I grabbed her hands in mine and stared at her gorgeous brown ones. "Gabby, I solemnly swear that one of the days, I'll get you to taste the savory flavor of a chocolate bar." I said seriously.
She smiled lightly at that. "I'll hold you to it then." She said.
"Hey, you still up for some stargazing? I know a great spot in the woods." I said while hopping off of the fountain.
"That sounds a little suspicious." She said with narrowed eyes.
"I won't do anything stupid this time." I said, extending my hand out to her. "C'mon Gabby. It'll be cool."
"Fine. You better watch yourself though." She said as she grabbed my hand.
I guided her to the forest clearing the I've been to many times. "Sometimes I bri Viz here to train. It's pretty cool isn't it?"
"It's alright." She said smirking. "I've been to better."
"You are a cruel yet beautiful woman…" I said before plopping down on a soft patch of grass. I motioned for her to take the spot next to me. She dropped down and layed next to me.
After about fifteen minutes of us just looking at constellations, we decided to dive into a new topic. Were started talking about our lives before the Red Death.
"It's still hard to believe that you were the absent prince. So many rumors about you. So many conspiracies... Turns out that you had been arrested and put on trial." She said.
"I don't even think about that anymore. I never really felt like a prince. I always wanted to connect with the people more. Unfortunately, I was supposed to be able to defend the city from all danger with the power of the kings. Only problem was that I wasn't born with any sort of power at all. I had nothing to use against the oncoming enemies. I grew desperate for some sort of power so I ran away from the castle and left HazenReach. I headed off into the city search for its lithium shard in order to gain its power. Not only did I not get any power, but I was also put on trial for crimes against the city and stealing the sacred new."
"You know, I heard about that trial. I couldn't believe that it was because the prince stole out city's lithium shard." Gabby said, intently.
"Yep. My father had to once again bail me out of jail. At this point, I think he just plain hated me. He was so fed up with my horse shit. I should've just told him the truth. I should've said why I needed the shard...but I couldn't bring myself to tell him that I was born a failure without his supposedly inherited power." I said with a broken smile. "I lost a lot of good people. I don't even know if any of them could forgive me for being such a complete disappointment."
I felt more weight on my chest. I looked down and saw Gabby's head rested on my chest. "I forgive you." She said.
Emotions swelled up inside of me. Those three words were the only three that I needed. It took everything inside of me not to just kiss her right then and there. "Thanks Gabby…"
We stayed as we were for a while. We kept a comfortable silence around us. I noticed that after about five minutes, she dozed off which left me thinking. She was so beautiful yet at the same time, she was as dangerous as she was good looking. Such a deadly combination. I glided my hand to her lower back and grinned before I too fell asleep.
-The Next Day-
(CLYDE'S POV)
"Ward of Flames: Burn Control!" I shouted as dark flames scorched the log in front of me. I really do like training early in the morning. It helped me clear my head. After my outburst last night, I decided that I might have some issues. I was angry but I should be able to control myself by now. Why Shiro managed to rile me up, I have no clue. He was so damn annoying! It pissed me off whenever he talked about him and Isabel like that. I hated it...but that was still no excuse for my unacceptable outburst. If I'm not careful, I might end up killing him.
I looked behind my and saw the future Shiro walking inside with Eliza following close behind. That guy was a whole nother case. How Shiro could end up so strong was beyond me. The fact that his corrupted side is what kills me in the future just doesn't sit right with me. What was this world coming to?!
"Hey Clyde, have you seen Gabby anywhere?" Tazorac asked, coming from Rai Town.
"No. I haven't seen her." I said.
"Damn! I swear if I find her with Tatsugami…" Tazorac growled as he stomped away to resume his search.
I decided to head back inside to go look for another spell book. I had just about mastered fire. It was time for me to learn a new elemental spell. I walked over to Xena and asked her for a recommendation on which form of magic I should learn next.
"I would recommend lightning. Your mastery over fire should make lightning feel like second nature to you as they both are aggressive plasma based spells." She said to me.
"I see...Ok, I will learn lightning spells as soon as possible." I said to her.
She nodded her head at me. "Don't worry too much about it now. We have been summoned by Dredge the Dragon Slayer. He has asked us to come to the Elemental Plane in order to aid him against a certain threat that has come forth." Xena said.
"Isn't he friends with Tazorac?" I asked.
"Yes. Him and Tazorac were childhood friends. Both went their separate ways as they grew older." Xena spoke. "Young Yukio, do you mind waking up Miss Isabel. We will be departing as soon as Tazorac finds Gabby and Shiro."
"I don't mind at all Xena. I'll wake her up now." I said, bowing with respect.
I turned around and headed up the stairs. I knocked on the door to Isabel's and Gabby's room. There was no response so I decided to knock again, only a little louder this time.
"Who is it?" Isabel asked kindly from the other side of the door.
"It's Clyde. May come in?" I asked politely.
"Yes you may." She replied.
I smiled, opened the door and stepped inside of the room. "Hey Isabel." I said to her. She was still wrapped up in her bed sheets.
"Hey Clyde. What going on?" She asked.
"We're heading out soon so you might wanna get yourself ready."
"Aww man. Can I get a couple more minutes?" She was with a cute little pout.
"Sorry my dear, but it's not up to me. Its Xena's request. If I had a say in the matter, I'd let you sleep for as long as you wanted." I twirled a finger around in her messy lavender hair. "We've been called for something important though so we gotta get a move on."
"Are Gabby and Shiro back yet?" She asked.
"No. How'd you know that Shiro was missing?" I asked.
"Gabby said that the two of them were heading out." She explained.
"Wow... I can't believe Gabby actually agreed to that." I said.
"I think it's adorable. She's never had a boyfriend before so this will be perfect for her!" Isabel said happily.
"Is it? This is Shiro we're talking about." I said to her.
"You remember my whole vampire side right?" She asked me. I nodded in response. "Well she was super into Shiro at the time. Shiro kept her happy with his flustered looks and constant embarrassment. It was nice to see that. I just love a little romance!" Isabel said. Her words made my heart beat faster.
"So…Are you looking for someone right now?" I asked.
"I dunno. Shiro is pretty good looking, but I don't wanna mess up what's already happening. Plus he's a little bit creepy sometimes. Are you looking for someone?" She asked jokingly.
"Not sure. Gabby's not really my type. Plus she'd probably break me in half." I joked back.
"Well Clyde, if you do find that special someone than you let them know exactly how you feel about them." She said getting out of bed.
"Right back at you Miss Yang." I said while walking out of the room. I shut the door behind me and grinned. One of these days.
I walked back downstairs and immediately saw Tazorac standing at the door holding a bruised Shiro by the collar of his shit. Gabby stood behind him glaring at her uncle.
"You're done Tatsugami! DONE!" Tazorac snarled.
"Tazorac! Put him down! We didn't do anything inappropriate." Gabby spoke.
"You two were sleeping with each other!" Tazorac said with hostility in his voice.
"It wasn't like that!" Gabby yelled.
"It really wasn't… we didn't even kiss." Shiro said.
"I don't care! I'm sick of you getting fresh with my little girl!" Tazorac said to Shiro. Shiro looked to his future self for assistance. His older version only shrugged his shoulders and went in the kitchen to grab a bite to eat.
"Tazorac, you need to stop treating me like I'm a little girl! I'm almost sixteen! I can make my own decisions! I don't need you directing me all the time." Gabby said. As she was talking, I had noticed Isabel walk up next to me.
"I'm just trying to protect you!"
"From what?! Shiro isn't going to kill me." Gabby's glare intensified.
"He does in the future!" Tazorac spat back.
"That's not fair…" Shiro grumbled.
"SHUT UP SHIRO!!!" Both of them yelled.
"Tazorac, Shiro is from HazenReach just like we are. Hell, he was the damn prince! All we did was talk about the old times. You're overreacting!"
"I don't care if he was a god! That still doesn't excuse him for getting so close to you!"
"ENOUGH!" Xena shouted. "Tazorac, this is getting ridiculous. The girl is growing up. She's going to start taking an interest in things like this and if she's willing to make decisions like this, then it'd be wise to support her. Now I'm not saying that they should go past their respective boundaries, but that should at least have some level of intimacy. A bond between comrades it always helpful to a team and if you forgot, we have been called to aid your friend with a high level threat."
"... Everyone just get on the damn ship." Tazorac muttered.
Needless to say, the boat was filled with tension. Shiro decided to keep his distance from Gabby, much to both of their dismay. He was currently scratching Vizeron's chin while looking out to the open sea. I decided to read up on the various lightning spells that I could learn.
(SHIRO'S POV)
"OW! You dick! You scratched the skin!" Viz growled at me.
"Huh, oh sorry about that. I got lost in my thoughts." I said.
"That happens to you alot." Viz remarked.
"Yeah, I suppose it does."
"So are you good with Gabby yet or is she still giving you the cold shoulder?" He asked.
"I mean, I guess we're good, but Tazorac still thinks that I'm a good for nothing jackass…" I said.
"That sucks. Can you scratch my belly now?" Viz asked. I sighed and gave him what he wanted. "Oh hell yeah! That's that good shit!"
"I'm not sure what we're about to go against, but I have to prove myself to Tazorac and Gabby. I really do want to Be with her dude! I feel like after last night, I actually have a chance." I said.
"Trust me dude, if you can rub her belly like this, she guaranteed to let you get it." Viz said with content.
"Shit dude, I hope so." I said with a grin.
-Fifteen Hours Later-
"Get me the hell off of this goddamn ship!" I shouted. I threw up over the side of the ship. "I hate this damn thing!"
"You know it's all in your head right." Clyde said with a passive look.
"Shut up Clyde…" I said to him as I clutched my weak stomach. "What do you even want?"
"Look... I came over here to apologise for my outburst last night. I shouldn't have snapped on you like that. I've been a little on edge lately. Hearing that I'm destined to die by you in the future doesn't exactly feel right." Clyde spoke.
"I don't believe in that shit. Fate can change. If the future me came back in time then that means our destiny has already been altered whether it be for better or for worse. I said to him.
"Yeah...Makes sense." He replied back.
"Yep…" I said awkwardly.
"Well I'm gonna go back to learning my lightning spells.."
"Clyde wait a second." I said stopping him.
"What is it?"
"We are allies right?" I asked.
"...Yeah…" He said.
"And you know a lot of magic right?"
"Where are you going with this?" He asked.
"I want to get stronger to avenge my fallen kingdom and you want to become the Grand Wizard-"
"Grand Spellcaster…" He corrected.
"Yeah, whatever... Look the point is that I can teach you a form of magic in order for you to reach your goal and you can teach me something in return." I suggested.
"So you're willing to teach me Necromancy?!" He asked with mild excitement.
"As long as you can help me with my mana." I said.
"That won't be easy. Your mana essence is pretty pathetic. Plus, I don't think I've ever seen you use actual mana at all. You've been using that soul energy stuff. I know virtually nothing about that." Clyde said.
"Never said it would be easy…" I said.
Clyde sighed. "Fine. If it means getting closer to my goal, then I'll help you."
"Great! Let's shake on it!" I suggested.
Clyde gripped my hand tightly and shook it. "It's a deal." He said before walking off.
"Did you and Clyde just become friend!" Viz asked.
"What?! Hell no! Don't play with me, Viz. I just need his help. We both just came to an agreement."
"Right…" Viz said with a grin.
"Viz, I will step on your little ass." I said.
"Don't even try it beta male!" Viz said with a toothy grin.
"Freaking mutt…" I grumbled.
After another three hours, the ship had finally pulled up to a beach. It was weird because the beach had black sand and was engulfed in and ominous looking mist.
"Here we are. The island of the dragons, Drachen Island." Tazorac said.
"This place gives me the freaking chills." I said with a shiver.
"Man up and let's go. We need to find Dredge." Eliza said.
I looked at my future self. "So what are we doing here? Are we going kick some dragon ass?" I asked.
"Can't say." He said.
"Why not?" I asked.
He walked past me to follow the others, leaving me confused. Viz hopped up on the left shoulder. "C'mon, they're getting away."
"Alright, chill out." I said. I would soon find out why my future self was so hesitant to tell me what happened on this island.