Chapter 6
Gohei slowly opened his eyes. He then sat up and cringed in pain. There was a sharp pain in the right side of his chest. He looked down and realized his torso was heavily bandaged. Then he looked around and realized he was in a hospital. Sleeping in a chair by his bed was Tyla. He checked the clock and saw that it was eleven o'clock in the morning. The next day, he thought. Tyla seemed to hear him waking up and awoke herself.
Tyla: Oh! Gohei! You're up!
Gohei: Y-Yeah. How did I get here by the way?
Tyla: Huh? Don't you remember? You almost died!
Gohei: Uh…*thinks* Oh yeah! That Pinto bean guy tried to kill me!
Tyla: Tried?! He nearly did! You would have died had Axel not gotten you here in time! The doctors said it was a miracle you survived!
Gohei: What is "here" exactly?
Tyla: Oh, we're in North City. The invaders have nearly conquered every other city in this area. West City included. This was the only hospital in the area that was still taking on patients. Their coming in from all over the place!
Gohei: Jeez. What a mess everything has turned into.
Tyla: Yeah. Our armies don't seem to be any match for these invaders. It probably won't be long before they conquer the whole world.
Gohei: *smacks fist into hand* Not if I let that happen. Say, where is that Axel guy?
Tyla: I'm not sure. He simply dropped us off here and said goodbye. I'm sure he didn't go back to the mountains. That place was completely destroyed in that battle a few days ago.
Gohei: *surprised* A few days ago?! Just how long have I been here?!
Tyla: Oh, I'd say almost a week.
Gohei: A week?! *gets up* We've got no time to sit around! We've got an entire planet to save I tell you!
Tyla: Huh? What are we supposed to do about it? We're just kids.
Gohei: Look, I'm uber badass and you're super smart. We can figure something out!
Tyla: It'll take more than us to save the world. We'd need a lot of help!
Gohei: Let's go find Axel. I've got something I want to ask him.
Tyla: You can't leave the hospital! You're in no shape to do anything right now!
Gohei: Aw, you worry too much! Come on!
He suddenly grabbed her hand and flew straight through the window, breaking it. Tyla shrieked loudly as they began to fly through the sky. North City was very similar to West City in its architecture, with only minor changes. It was also one of the few cities in the area where the invaders hadn't touched down. But even that wouldn't last forever. Gohei then realized he didn't know where he was going. Axel was his target, but he had no clue where to start looking. Tyla suddenly smacked him upside the head, causing him to zigzag in the air for a moment.
Gohei: Hey! What the heck was that for?!
Tyla: Are you insane?! You just broke that window!
Gohei: Don't sweat it. We'll come pay for it after we save the world.
Tyla: Later?! We don't even have any money!
Gohei: Jeez! Is complaining all you do?!
Tyla: You're so irresponsible that you make it easy to complain!
Gohei: Ay, yai, yai. I had to get stuck with you of all people…
Tyla: Hmph! If that's how you feel, I'll just stop talking!
Gohei: It must be my lucky day!
She smacked him upside the head again and turned hers in disgust. He cringed for a few moments before suddenly sensing someone's energy. He recognized it as Axel's. It wasn't too far from their current location. In fact, it felt like he was still in the city. After a few minutes of flying, Gohei landed by a small dojo. He let Tyla down as they stared at the building. The sign on top of the roof read "Dragon Martial Arts."
Tyla: A dojo? Well, you don't see too many of these in this day and age. Why'd you wanna stop here anyway?
Gohei: I tracked down that Axel guy here. Come on.
Gohei walked towards the door. Tyla shrugged and followed after them. He slowly opened the doors and the two stepped inside. It was quite small indoors with a large mat in the middle, supposedly for training. The walls were green on all sides and there was a picture of a ferocious, green dragon on the front wall. They stepped toward the center and looked around. No one appeared to be in here.
Tyla: Well, this was anti-climatic. I don't see Axel anywhere.
Gohei: Yeah, I'm not sensing him anymore either.
Suddenly, a large group of people fell from the ceiling and landed all around them. They appeared to be students of all ages and gender, as they all wore karate uniforms with a dragon emblem on the back. Tyla suddenly shrieked and Gohei covered his ears.
Gohei: Jeez! Stop SCREAMING!!!
Tyla: S-Sorry! They just surprised me!
Gohei: Hey! Who are you all?!
The students didn't respond. They all just gave a sudden shout. Gohei quickly grabbed Tyla and floated into the air as the students all rushed in. He growled in anger and flew a good distance back. He dropped to the ground, putting Tyla down. He then cracked his knuckles.
Gohei: Stay here. I'll handle this.
Tyla: O-Okay. Just be careful.
Gohei: Got it love.
Gohei stepped over towards the large group of students. They got into a stance that reminded him of Axel. They all then charged towards Gohei, who nervously prepared to defend himself. They all suddenly stopped when someone suddenly shouted. They quickly stood straight as if they were in the military. Gohei turned around and saw an old man coming out of the back room. He was bald with a long, white beard that went down to his knees. He was holding a cane as he slowly walked towards the group. The man then shouted again, and the students eased up, but still didn't move. The old man slowly walked over to Gohei, who seemed to relax a bit.
Gohei: Thanks old man. I was getting…
???: You! Boy! How dare you disturb the sanctity of my dojo!
Gohei: Eh?! Hold on! They attacked me…
???: Silence!
His voice seemed to echo throughout the whole dojo. Gohei suddenly felt as if someone was squeezing his neck very tightly. The old man then spoke again.
???: Now, what is the reason that caused you to come here? Surely, someone as young as you has no desire to learn the martial arts.
Gohei: Tch. Not really. I'm looking for someone and I think he's been here before.
???: Ah, so you are searching for someone. *pauses for a few moments* The one you seek has just left. Just a few minutes ago.
Gohei: Huh? How do you know who I'm…
???: I know many things. I am over one-hundred years in age.
Gohei: Jeez. You old fossil…
???: Silence, you impudent fool! You know nothing and question everything!
Gohei: But, I didn't even…
???: Silence! Now…*rubs beard*…yes. As I said, the one you're looking for just left.
Gohei: *bitterly* Uh…did he say where he was going?
???: No. He only wanted to talk. Ah. I haven't introduced myself. I am Daigu, master of this esteemed dojo and a keeper of the forgotten art of fighting. Welcome to the Dragon Dojo, one of the few remaining houses of martial arts. And who are you, young man?
Gohei: I-I'm Gohei. And my friend over there is Tyla.
Tyla: H-Hi there. I apologize if we interrupted something and if my friend was disrespectful! He's sort of an…idiot.
Gohei: Hey! What the heck is that supposed to mean?!
Daigu: My students were just in the middle of a training session when you stepped in. They are trained to attack any unfamiliar entity. Especially during all this invasion talk.
Gohei: Wait…you said this was the Dragon Dojo right?
Daigu: That is indeed correct. It is the only place left on the planet that teaches the art of the Ryu Ken.
Tyla: The Ryu Ken? Hey! Isn't that the form of martial arts that Axel uses?!
Daigu: You must mean the young man who left earlier. Yes. If I remember correctly, his master was Ryu Nobunaga. He was a student of mine and one of the greatest users of the Ryu Ken. That young man that left was curious about this dojo and wanted to discover if it had anything to do with his late master. We spent the last half hour talking.
Tyla: Well, that answers that question.
Gohei: Yeah. Thanks old man. We'll be leaving now.
Daigu: Not so fast boy!
Gohei: Eh? What did I do now?!
Daigu: I was asked by that young man, in the event that you came, to train you in the arts of the Ryu Ken.
Gohei: Look, I appreciate the gesture old man, but we don't have time to stay here training. We got an alien invasion going on. So…
Daigu: Silence!
His voice echoed through the whole dojo. Gohei quickly closed his mouth and said nothing more. Daigu then cleared his throat and spoke again.
Daigu: You fool. You expect to fight when you don't even know how to stand?
Gohei: Well actually, I know how to stand just…
Daigu: SILENCE!!!
This time, the entire dojo actually shook for a few moments. Gohei completely shut up and was prepared to say nothing else for the entire day. The old man then rubbed his beard again and spoke.
Daigu: Now. If you go out there to fight, you will die. There is no questioning that. Now, you can either stay here and train or go to your death. It is your decision.
Gohei: W-Well…how long would you say this training would take?
Daigu: Years and years of training and dedication.
Gohei: Huh?! Are you…*suddenly thinks* Uh…I mean…I would love to stay here that long, but the Earth could be doomed by then! Isn't there anyway I could learn faster?!
Daigu: Hmm…you wish to obtain the knowledge of a master in only a few days?
Gohei: It would help.
Daigu: Hmm…*strokes beard* That is impossible. But…there is a way you can learn, but not be confined to this dojo.
Gohei: Great! Now, what do I have to do?
The door to the dojo suddenly creaked open and everyone turned towards it. A young man stepped in. He had long, blonde hair, going down to his back. His eyes were blue and sparkling. He had on a black tank top, black fingerless gloves, and blue jeans. Black boots were on his feet. He lowered his black sunglasses and looked towards the others. He then began to walk over to them.
???: Well well, what do we have here?
Daigu: Ah…Kain. Right on time.
Kain: Yep. Sorry it took me so long Master Daigu. I was just getting the latest info on this whole invasion thing. Seems that those flying ships are on their way to North City. They'll be here within a few hours by my prediction.
Gohei: A few hours?! Are you serious?!
Kain: And you are? We're allowing kids in the dojo now Master?
Gohei: Hey! Don't talk about me like that!
Kain: Uh-huh. *to Daigu* So, what do you want us to do? Should we just sit back and wait it out? Or should we act now?
Daigu: *rubs beard* No. Kain. I have a more urgent task for you. Do you see this boy here? I want for you to take him under you wing.
Kain: Eh?! You want me to baby-sit this kid?!
Gohei: Hey! I'm not to thrilled about the idea either! What's up old man?!
Daigu: You want to save the planet? You want to learn the ways of the Ryu Ken? Then you will go under Kain's tutelage. He is my most prized pupil and one of the strongest people on the planet at the moment.
Gohei: *looking Kain up and down* This guy? He looks like a ladies man to me.
Kain: Master, this kid is supposed to help save the world? Seriously? Him?
Gohei: Tch. How about I shove my foot up your…
Daigu: SILENCE!!! Both of you! Now then, Kain. Will you do this?
Kain: Agh! I guess. *to Gohei* What's your name anyway?
Gohei: Gohei. It's Gohei.
END