I
live! XD Sorry about the delay, everyone. School's been crazy lately
and I only had the time to type this down recently. Anyway, I'm happy
to bring you guys this chapter. Things are start slowing, but I promise
that it'll get cool pretty soon. On with the show!
Chapter 6: The lost kid.
It all started on an stormy looking evening at the Green Light House. Eversince that day, the place had become the gang's hangout. Each one of them was doing their stuff.
Zero, Alpheon, DMZ and StarZ were finishing a sparring section.
"Looks like it's gonna rain." Alpheon said looking at the window. "What do you guys think?"
A loud thunder cracked. "That answers your question?" DMZ asked.
Soon, it started raining and the rain soon became a downpour. "Jeez... Hasn't rained like that in weeks!" StarZ said.
"Summer rain." Rigel, who was sitting with X, Alia and Layer on a nearby table while reading a book said. "You can never predict them."
"Summer's still some months away." Axl said while he was teaching Pallette how to play an arcade.
"Well, since when the weather here is normal?" Kazegama asked before looking at Vega and Faust who were putting their instruments away. "Looks like the rain won't stop anytime soon, boys. Guess we'll need to stay here for a while."
Star glanced at the window. "Judging from the rain intensity, I think it should last up to twenty minutes and..." She trailed off as she saw a small blue blur running past the window or so she thought.
"Something wrong, Star?" Pallette asked.
"Nah, it's nothing." Star said with a shrug. "It's raining so hard that you can't see much outside."
The group kept chating for a while until Vega spotted something. "Hey, dudes and dudettes!" He called. "The rain stopped!"
Zero glanced at the window. "It looks more like it gave a break to me."
"Yeah. It could resume raining anytime now." Layer added.
"Maybe you kids should go home." Signas suggested as he approached them. "Also, all of you do have school tomorrow."
"Indeed." Faust said.
Everybody packed up their stuff. "Thanks a lot for letting us stay while we waited for the rain to stop, Mr. Signas." Alia said.
"You all are always welcome at the Gree Light House, Alia." Signas smiled. "Now get going. You never know when it may rain again."
"Right. Good bye!" X said waving good bye.
As the gang was outside, each one bid farewell to each other and the group split up. Normally, they'd walk home together, but since the weather wasn't on their side, they decided it'd be better if they went on different ways.
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Star ran down the street. It was dark and thunder and lighting cracked on the sky. "Jeez... This is gonna be a big storm." She said. "Good thing I'm almost home."
She was almost at her palce when she heard something coming from an alley. It sounded like someone crying.
"Something's up." Star said as she walked into the alley. "Hello? Anyone there?"
Scanning around the alley, Star found who was crying: a little boy around eight years old, wearing a white sleeveles t-shirt, a sky blue jacket, blue baggy pants and sneakers. He had spunky blue hair tied on a long ponytail with a white V shapped streak and sparkly blue eyes. He also had some bandages around his forehead and he was all soaked probably due the previous rain. "That's the kid a saw running past the Green Light House when the downpour started." Star thought as she walked towards him.
"What's the matter, little guy?" Star said with a soft tone as she kneeled in front of him.
The kid was starled by someone actually talking with him. He staggered back a bit. "Whoa, take it easy, kid." Star said. "I'm not gonna hurt you."
The little boy looked at her when a loud thunder cracked. Scared, he hugged Star tightly. "I guess I'll have some company tonight." She quietly mused as she gently picked him up.
Star headed back to her dorm. Once she got there, she took the little boy to the bathroom. "Take these wet clothes off and take a warm bath." She told him gently. "Don't worry. I won't look."
Star turned around so the kid could take his clothes off and get into the shower. Once he was in, Star picked up his clothes. "Let's get these cleaned." She said. "I'll be back in a few minutes. Once you're done, turn the water off and put a towel, okay?"
The kid nodded. "Good. I'll be right back." Star said leaving the bathroom. She put the clothes on the washing machine and waited a few minutes. After they were washed, Star hanged them to dry.
"Let's check on him." Star said heading back to the bathroom. Like she expected, the tyke was wearing a towel when she got there. "I put your clothes to dry. You'll have to wear a robe until they are dry."
The boy nodded. Star picked him up and took him to her room. She then put him down and gave him a white robe that was on her closet. "Here you go." She said. "It's a bit large, but it'll have to do for now."
Star turned around so he could wear the robe. "T-T-Thank you..." He whispered after getting dressed up.
"You're welcome." Star said glancing at him with a warm smile. "My name's Star. What's yours?"
"I... I don't know..." The kid said looking away. "I can't remember..."
"You can't?" Star asked.
The kid shock his head. "Whenever I try, my head hurts... And it's been like that for a while..."
"How long have you been on the streets?" Star asked.
"One month or so... I don't know." The kid replied.
Star crossed her arms when she heard a rumbling sound coming from the kid's stomach. "Sorry..." He said blushing. "I'm hungry..."
"That's okay." Star said with a chuckle. "Let' go to the kitchen. I'll fix ya something to eat."
At the kitchen, Star made a sandwich and some hot chocolate. "There ya go." She said. "Eat as much as you like."
"Thank you!" The kid squealed before he started eating.
Star couldn't help but smile. "He's so innocent and cute." She thought as she drunk some chocolate. "Why is a kid like him on the streets?"
"Star?" The boy called shyly. "I'm done."
"Okay. I think we should get some sleep now." Star said. "Tomorrow, I'll figure out what we're going to do."
A loud thunder cracked. Starled, the little boy clinged to Star's arm. "Maybe you should sleep with me tonight." Star giggled while picking him up.
Star took the little boy to her room and placed him on her bed. Then she went to the bathroom to put her pajamas. When she got back, the tyke was already fast asleep. Star smiled and covered him with some blankets.
"Good night, kid." Star whispered as she lied on her bed.
To her surprise, the little kid started hugging her right arm as if it was a teddy bear. "Good night... Star..." He muttered on his sleep with a smile on his lips.
Star smiled before falling asleep as well.
The next day...
Star was making breakfast while the little boy was still asleep. "I need to talk with X and the gang..." She said out loud. "Maybe we can find something together."
"Star?" The kid called from the kitchen's door.
"Hey, morning, kid." Star smiled. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah. Thanks." The boy said smiling back at her.
"Good. Your clothes are dry. They are near my bed." Star said. "Go get dressed up while I finish your breakfast."
The kid nodded and left. After a few minutes he got back all dressed up. "All done." He said before sitting down and eating a toast.
"Good. Now..." Star glanced at her watch and gasped. "Oh no! I'm late for school! Kid, you stay here and have your breakfast."
"Am I gonna be alone?" The kid asked with big puppy eyes as Star picked up her school supplies.
"It's just for a while." Star said. "Be a good boy and wait for me, okay?"
"Okay..." The kid said finishing breakfast.
"Good. I promise to bring you a surprise once I'm back." Star said as she opened the door. "Bye!"
"Bye!" The kid said as Star closed the door and locked it.
After a few minutes, he glanced around feeling lonely. "Star..."
Suddenly, he spotted an open windown and a tree next to it. He smiled.
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Star ran as fast as she could to make it to school in time. She met the gang at the entrance.
"Hey, Star, about time." Axl said. "What happened?"
"Long... story..." Star said catching her breath. "I need you guys' help."
"What's the matter?" Alpheon asked.
Before Star could reply, the schoolbell rang. "I'll tell you guys later." She said.
One by one, the gang entered the building. None of them noticed a little kid watching them from the top a tree.
After class was over...
"Are you serious, Star?" X asked as the group of friends walked out of the school building.
"No kidding, X." Star replied. "That kid's lost and he doesn't even know who he is. I think he had an accident or something."
"Why do you think so?" Alia asked.
"He had a few bandages around his forehead when I found him." Star explained. "Also, he's been on the streets for roughly a month."
"Wow... He must be one tough kid then." Vega said.
The group stopped under a huge tree. "The point is: we have to do something to help him." Star said.
"STAR!" A little voice squealed.
The next thing the gang knew, a little blue blur had tackled Star into the ground. "WHOAH!" Star yelled as she fell on her back.
"Hey, what gives?" DMZ asked.
The group got a better glance at the blur: it was the little kid. "I found you! I found you!" He squealed as he hugged Star tightly.
"Okay! Okay! You found me!" Star said laughing. "Now cut that out! That tickles!"
"That's the kid you were talking about? He's so cute!" Pallette said.
When the kid noticed all the gang looking at him, he clinged to Star's arm.
"That's okay, kid." Star said smiling. "They're our friends."
"Our friends? That's the surprise you were talking about?" The tyke asked.
"Surprise? Oh, right." Star giggled. "I did plan to introduce you to them."
"Nice to meet you guys then." The kid said bowing.
"Adorable little boy, isn't he?" Layer said giggling while she picked him up.
In no time, the girls were all busy cuddling and hugging the kid.
"So, that's your new friend." DMZ said as he and X helped Star up. "How did he get here?"
"That's a good question." Star said looking at the kid. "I told you to stay at home. How did you get here?"
"I jumped out the window." The kid replied.
"The window!" The gang said in unison.
"Uh... Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Star's dorm on the second floor?" Faust asked.
"I climbed down a tree." The kid said with a naive smile.
"A tree? Well, that explains everything." StarZ said with a smirk. "What a smart kid."
Star sighed. "What am I gonna do with you?"
"I'm sorry..." The kid said. "I was lonely and..."
"That's okay." Star smiled at him. "Next time, please, do as I say."
"Okie Dokie." The kid squealed.
The gang couldn't help but laughing at that.
"He's so cute." Rigel said as she gave the kid a hug.
Kazegama crossed his arms. "Hmpf... Lucky guy." He whispered.
"What do you mean?" The kid asked as Rigel let go of him. "You jealous?"
Kazegama's face became more red than a tomate as everybody stared at him. "I... I... I..." He stuttered.
Star tried to not laugh. "Back on topic, we need to find a way to help him."
"Got it." Zero said looking at the kid. "So, you can't remember anything, huh?"
"Nope. My head hurts when I try to remember." The kid replied.
"Guess we'll have to play detective then." Alpheon said crossing his arms.
"I have an idea." X said. "Alia, Pallette and Layer can take the kid to the Green Light House. We can use the computers there to search for some info. In the meantime, the rest of us can search places like orphanages and hospitals for clues."
"Great idea, X." Star said looking at the kid. "Be a good boy and go with them, okay? I promise that I'll come back soon."
"Okay. I'll behave this time. I promise." The kid said as he held Alia's hand.
"The girls will keep him under control." Axl said.
"Let's get to work then. We'll meet at the hangout in two hours." Zero said. "Got it?"
"Got it!" The gang said before spliting up.
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StarZ, DMZ and Alpheon walked out of the police station along with Zero and Axl. "Dang... This is gonna be harder than I thought." StarZ frowned. "That's the third place we got a no for an answer!"
"I'm starting to think that there's more about that little twerp than meets the eye." DMZ said crossing his arms.
"What do you mean?" Alpheon asked.
"Think about it: a lost little boy with no memory and that no one never heard about... It's pretty strange if you ask me." DMZ started. "Also, his clothes are of pretty much good quality so he's not any poor homeless kid."
"Just where are you trying to get at?" Axl asked.
"What I'm trying to say is that kid could be involved into some kind of trouble" DMZ replied. "And Star could be getting herself in trouble as well since she's trying to help him."
"Don't be so paranoid, DMZ." Zero joked. "We're talking about an eight-year-old squirt, not a street scum."
"He does have a point, though." Alpheon said. "It is strange that the kid doesn't have any kind of ID."
"Yeah. Parents usually give their kids nametags or something." StarZ added.
"You mean, something like this?" A voice asked.
The five teens turned around. A teen around the same age of Alpheon stood next to an alley with his back agaisnt the wall and his arms crossed. He was holding something.
"And what do you know?" Zero asked.
The teen didn't reply. Instead he tossed something at Alpheon and walked into the alley. "Hey! Wait up!" Axl said. He walked in the alley but, the place was empty. "Huh? Where'd he go?"
"Nevermind him." DMZ said glancing at Alpheon. "What he threw at you?"
Alpheon glanced at the small metallic object. "It's a nametag..." He said before gasping. "It belongs to the kid!"
"Huh? How do you know?" StarZ asked.
"It's got his photo." Alpheon said showing it to the others. "I can't read his name though. This thing seems to be burned or something."
"Great. The only clue we find and it turns out to be a dud." DMZ sighed. "I wonder how that guy got it though."
"It's all we have for now, so we have to keep looking." Zero said. "Let's get going."
The group walked away. However, no one noticed the strange teen watching them from the top of a building. "Daisuke..." He whispered. "Don't you remember me at all?"
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At the Green Light House...
"A lost kid?" Mr. Signas asked as the girls showed him the little boy. "Where did you find him?"
"Actually, Star was the one who found him last night." Alia replied. "Right now, X and the others are searching for some info that could lead us to his parents."
"Do you know anything about him, Mr Signas?" Pallette asked.
"Hhmmm... I'm sure I've seen him somewhere..." Mr. Signas replied with a thoughtful look as he glanced at the kid who was busy looking around the place. "I'm sorry, girls, but I can't remember where it was."
"That's okay." Layer said. "The others are trying to gather info so we should do the same too."
"Feel free to use the computers then." Mr. Signas said. "You should be able to find something."
The girls nodded and started working. The little kid sat next to them and picked some sheets of papers and a few pencils from a nearby table. He seemed to be planning something.
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Vega, Faust, Rigel and Kazegama left an hospital. "Dude, I didn't know that findinga kid's folks could be that tough." Vega sighed.
"We don't even know if that kid has parents." Kazegama said. "He has no memory and all the people we talked with had no idea of who he is... Talk about weird."
"Indeed." Faust agreed. "I wonder what may happen to him if we do not find his parents."
"Well, he'll be probably sent to an orphanage." Rigel stated. "However, he should be sent to a special orphanage since he has no ID or anything."
"A special orphanage?" Vega asked. "What do ya mean?"
"It's a place where the kids without memory or ID are sent to." Rigel explained."Orphans newborn babies are sent to there as well. There used to be several of those places back in the Hollow War."
"You mean like the ones where we grew up?" Kazegama asked.
"Basically, yeah." Rigel replied. "You guys remember how it was like, don't you?"
"Yeah... When a child with no ID was sent there, he'd be isolated for a few days while the ones in charge of him tried to find something about him." Faust replied. "Most of times nothing was uncovered and the child would end up joining the other children."
"Without knowing who he is, the little dude'll be probably go through that." Vega said. "It'll be tough for him."
Kazegama sighed. "If you think it'll be hard for the kid, it'll be even harder for Star." He said earning some confused glances from the others. "Think about it. The kid stayed with Star for only a few hours and quickly became infatueted with her. Also, Star seems to be really fond of him too."
Silence fell over the group. "Dude, that won't be pretty." Vega said.
"There's no telling if that'll happen for real." Faust said. "Our friends are still looking. There's still a chance."
"I'm not saying that there isn't one." Kazegama said. "I'm just saying that things won't be easy for Star and the kid if the worst case scenario happens. Anyway, we gotta keep trying."
Rigel nodded. "That's right. Let's go!"
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"I see... Thanks for the help anyway." X said to the orphanage caretaker before him and Star left the building.
Star sighed. "That was the last place and we got nothing..." She said. "It's like no one knows the kid!"
"Maybe... Maybe he lost his parents due some sort of accident." X suggested. "That could explain his memory loss."
"Maybe..." Star said. "Poor kid... So young and all by himself..."
"He's been alone for a while now... It's no wonder he likes you so much, Star." X said. "You were probably the first person to treat him well."
Star looked at her friend. "You might be right, X... When I found him, he looked so... so afraid..." She said. "He's probably gone through a lot before I found him."
With a sigh, Star glanced at the sky. "None of us had an easy childhood growing up in orphaneges and stuff... Even though we made true friends..." She said. "I wanted to help the kid so he wouldn't have to go through what we did when we were kids..."
"Star..." X placed a hand on her shoulder. "The others are still searching. They probably found something."
"I hope so, X..." Star said. "I really hope so."
Both friends walked in silence, pondering about the fate of the little kid they had met.
"Hey!" A voice suddenly cried. Axl and the others walked up to them. "Well?"
"We got nothing." X frowned. "What about you?"
"Well, we found this nametag." Alpheon replied giving it to Star. "It's got the kid's photo, but we can't read his name. This thing got burned or something."
"Where did you find it?" Star asked.
"Some guy gave it to Alpheon, but he vanished before we could ask him about it." StarZ replied.
"That's pretty weird." X said. "You knew who it was, Alpheon?"
"Well, he looked kinda familiar to me, but I can't figure out why." Alpheon replied.
"Well, I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of that guy." Zero said. "Anyway, all we got was the nametag."
"At least you guys got something." Vega said as he and his group arrived. "Bummer dudes, we got nothing." He sighed. "And we even check hospitals and soup kitchens, but no one ever heard about the little tyke."
"That brings us back to the starting point..." DMZ said.
"So, now what?" Kazegama asked.
"Let's check with the girls." X decided. "It's all we can do."
The gang agreed and they headed to the Green Light House. Once they arrived, they were greeted by the girls.
"Hey, guys." Pallette said. "Did you have any luck?"
"Negative." Star replied shaking her head. "What about you?"
"We did some research, but there's no data about the kid either on the missing children databese or the orphans one." Layer replied.
The group exchanged glances. "So, where's the kid?" StarZ finally asked.
"Over there." Alia pointed to a nearby table where the kid sat. "He's been doing something eversince we got here."
Star walked up to the kid and tapped on his shoulder. "Hey, kid."
The kid turned around to look at her and let out a huge grin. "You're back!" He squealed as he hugged Star tightly.
"I'm glad to see ya too." Star giggled as the kid let go of her. "Did you behave while I was out?"
"Yup. I stayed here and waited for you just like you asked." The kid replied. "Oh, I got a surprise for you."
"A surprise?" Star asked raising an eyebrown.
"It's a present!" The kid replied giving her a piece of paper before looking at the others. "I also made for you guys."
Before Star could ask what was that all about, the kid gave X and the others a piece of paper each one. Looking at the papers, the gang found pictures of themselves! The kid had made drawings of them and they looked pretty good.
"Whoa... That's awesome!" Axl said. "You did that?"
"Yup." The kid replied with a proud grin.
"Awesome work, dude!" Vega said. "Where'd ya learn how to draw like that?"
"I dunno." The kid shrugged. "I always liked to draw."
"Well, with some practice you could become a real pro." Faust said.
"I just do it for fun." The kid said. "Besides, I wanted to thank you guys for being my friends."
"Well, you're welcome." DMZ said.
The kid giggled making everybody smile. "Talk about one unique kid." X said.
Star nodded. "Yeah." She said walking towards the kid.
"Something wrong, Star?" The kid asked as Star knelt in front of him to make eye contact with him.
Star took a deep breath and picked the nametag from her pocket. "Kid... My friends and I tried to find something about you, but all we got was the slightly burned nametag with your photo." She said putting the nametag on his neck. "So... until we find more about you... would you accept me as you guardian and live with me?"
Everybody was taken aback by Star's decision. "Star? Are you sure about this?" Alia asked.
"I'm sixteen... That means I'm old enough to be someone's guardian." Star replied ruffling the kid's hair. "Besides, I always wanted a little brother. It won't be an easy task, but I'm up for the challenge."
Star glanced at the little boy. He had a few tears on his eyes. "Kid?"
Without hesitation, the tyke hugged Star tightly. "Star..." He whispered.
"I'll take that as yes." Star smiled picking him up.
"Well, all in favor of making this kid a member of our group say aye." X said.
"AYE!" The gang said in unison.
"I guess it's oficial now." Star giggled. "Welcome aboard, Vee."
"Vee?" Pallette asked.
"Well, we can't call him kid forever, you know." Star replied. "Also, check out his hair. There's a white streak on it."
"A V shapped streak." Alia said looking at the kid's hair. "Sounds fitting."
"So, what do you think?" Star asked the little kid.
"I like it!" The kid squealed. "You can call me Vee!"
Everybody couldn't help but laughing at that. "He's so spunky and childish." Axl grinned. "He reminds me of someone."
StarZ raised an eyebrown. "Who? Yourself one week ago?"
Axl scowled at StarZ's comment, but he had an idea. "Nope." He smirked. "I was thinking about you yesterday."
"Are you calling me a baby!" StarZ asked angry.
"Pretty much." Axl shrugged.
The gang rolled their eyes as Axl and StarZ started another argument. "There they go again..." Faust sighed.
Vee looked confused as Star put him down. "Are they always like that?"
"Well, in a way, yes." Rigel replied.
"They tend to tease each other." Layer added. "If one mocks the other, they're bound to start yet another fight."
Vee crossed his arms as if he was thinkg about something. "Hey, what's the matter, Vee?" Kazegama asked.
The little tyke didn't reply. Instead he walked towards the bickering duo and started tugging their T-shirts to get their atention.
Finally, Axl and StarZ looked at Vee who crossed his arms and started tapping his right foot. "Do you two need to be so silly?" He asked. "Grow up a bit, will ya?"
Everybody was speechless. No one expected to hear that from a little eight-year-old kid. Vee seemed to be more more mature than your average kid.
"Dude, that's so priceless!" Vega said as he burst into laughter. "Axl and StarZ are being scolded by a kid!"
The others started laughing as well. "Well, he does have a point." Alpheon chuckled. "They are being silly."
"Yeah." DMZ said with a snicker. "Maybe they could learn a thing or two with Vee."
Axl and StarZ glared at Vee, slightly angry. The kid in return gave them a naive an innocent look pretty much oblivious to why everybody was laughing. Axl and StarZ smiled before they started laughing as well. They simply couldn't get mad at Vee.
"Dang... What are we gonna do with yo Vee?" StarZ asked with a smirk as he ruffled Vee's hair.
"Hey, cut it out!" Vee said giggling.
"Hmpf. How do ya like that?" Zero crossed his arms looking amused. "He's been with us for only a day and everybody likes him already."
"He's one really special kid." X smiled.
"You know. I have a feeling we're into a few surprises with him around." Star said with a smile as she picked Vee up and gave him a tight hug.
"That tickles, Star!" Vee giggled.
From afar, Mr. Signas watched the scene nodding in approval. "Vee'll be safe with Star and her friends for now." He thought. "They should find the truth when the right time comes."
The gang smiled as they watched Vee's antics while he played with Star. Though his past remained a mystery, Vee's childish and naive nature had made him earn Star and the gang's love and friendship. Together, they would learn and grow up.
There ya have it. The gang'll be meeting new friends as the plot thickens. So, stay tunned and review!