CHAPTER 4: MEETING
"So, was the flight boring?" Rafael asked as he and Brian walked along the streets of Tokyo.
"Kinda. I've never been on a plane before. I was excited to come here already. What you said to me a few days before we left got me very excited. But I can't believe that you're really like a spirit." Brian replied.
"You know, I don't like to be on a plane very much to tell you the truth. In the past, I've guided many people in many countries, in different times. I had many names too."
"Oh really? Like what countries, and what names?" Brian asked, curious.
"England, France, Germany, Russia, China, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, and others. I always give an option to the person I'm helping of changing my name, to one that suits me better according to the place and nationality of the person. Like, in France I was Louis. In Japan I was Sai. In Russia I was Yuri. It's the first time I'm guiding someone from the United States. Would you like to change my name?" Rafael offered.
"What?! You can't just change someone's name! Why would I want to do that?" Brian asked.
"All the others did…" Rafael said in a low voice. Brian thought for a moment.
"Your name is Rafael Cloud, right? Cloud seems very cool to me." Brian said.
"Then it's going to be Cloud? Okay." After that, the two just kept smiling. After a few minutes, Brian decided to ask about the location.
"Where are we now? I hear a lot of people."
"We're in Ginza. The most prestigious and fashionable shopping town in Tokyo. But right now, we're heading to Hibiya Park. That's where it will all begin." Cloud informed.
--
"Maddie… where the heck are we going?" Zack asked, as he, Cody and Maddie walked through a park he had totally forgotten the name.
"It was a long trip, why do we have to go out now?" Cody asked too. Maddie stopped and whirled around. Zack and Cody immediately stopped too and stared at her.
"I have something I need to tell you." She said as if it was something serious.
"What?" The two asked in unison.
"Well… London, she, actually didn't want us to come."
"What do you mean?" Zack asked. Cody just looked at the ground.
"She's right. I heard London talking with a friend of hers before we left the Tipton." Cody confessed.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Zack asked, looking at the two.
"Because, at least we're here." Maddie said, sighing.
"Speaking of which, where exactly are we?" Zack asked.
"I've told you a million of times. This is Hibiya Park. It's where London's fashion show will happen." Maddie explained.
"Yeah. This park hosts a variety of Japanese and other international festivals almost every weekend. There's even an amphitheater for live concerts. I heard that some really cool bands have played here already, like Nujabes, the DarkElements and FLOW." Cody added.
"Never heard of them." Zack said, shaking his head. Cody and Maddie rolled their eyes.
"Anyway, since we're here now, what would you like to do? I read a lot about this place and its language before we left, I bet we wouldn't get lost even if we walked a bit around the city." Maddie said, feeling pretty confident.
"Yeah, me too, but someone threw my guide book away while we were still in Boston." Cody said, looking at Zack, who just shrugged.
"It was getting annoying already." He defended himself.
"Um, excuse me?" The three of them heard a voice from behind. Zack and Cody turned around, and Maddie just looked in front of her. They all stared at Brian who was standing there, with wide eyes.
"Y—You… but…" Cody stuttered, he was shocked with what he saw.
"He looks… so much with you two." Maddie said in a low tone.
"Do I?" Brian asked himself.
"Yes, you do." Cloud replied, appearing next to him, but it seemed like nobody could see him.
"Hey, who're you?" Zack asked Brian.
"I'm Brian Sneider. And this is Spot." He replied, as his dog barked. "I know it might sound strange but, someone told me to meet you guys here." Brian replied, feeling nervous.
"Was it London?" Maddie asked.
"Uh… I don't know who are you talking about, but no, it was a friend of mine." Brian said.
"Want them to see me?" Cloud asked Brian.
"That would be good." Brian whispered.
"Alright. Get them ready." Cloud said with a wink. Brian sighed.
"Um, something will happen now, and it may scare you, but don't worry, nothing bad will come out of it." Brian explained. Maddie and the two brothers seemed to be confused with all that. Suddenly, they yelled really loud. "I think that means you're visible already." Brian said as Spot kept barking at Cloud.
"Yep." Cloud replied with a childish smile.
"Okay then, so… huh?" Brian muttered after hearing quick footsteps.
"I suggest you start running after them, or else we'll lose them. Or worse, they could get lost in the city." Cloud said in an overly calm tone.
"I can't believe this…" Brian slapped his own head and started to run after them.