All for One, One for All
Part 1: What We've Become
Chapter 2: Coming Back
Six years after I lost it all, Grandpa decided it was time for me to train with him. I learned so much since he first told me about the Grimlocks: the color of fur signifies which emotion is strongest and, therefore, which element one is best able to control with Instinct. Instinct is the manipulation of one's Aura to enhance his/her strengths and abilities. Grandpa predicted that I would be red like him should I train to be a Grimlock.
Now, at age thirteen, I've only now been taught how to manipulate the darker side of my Aura. Despite having been at it for weeks now, I'm still just a beginner. I haven't even been able to summon fur or bone yet.
Kids were taunting me about how, despite being the grandson of the most powerful Grimlock of modern day, I was too weak to summon my own fur and the like. That really grated on my nerves, though I just pushed it to the side.
Someone mentioned me being a failure and how my parents would hate me, and I lost it. I was pissed, and I wasn't afraid to show it. My entire body began glowing a furious yellow, seeming to grow yellow fur and white bone. The lightshow was intense, but the main selling point were my eyes, which emitted a constant red glow. The veins on the white bone were redder than my eyes. All-in-all, I looked like a normal Beowolf with bleached fur.
The only reason I knew any of that was because I was no longer myself. My perspective was now on the outside of my body instead of at my eyes. I felt the same terror in the eyes of those people I frightened, yet my body wouldn't show it. I was afraid for their lives, as I had no clue just how powerful this monster I'd became was.
Thankfully, that transformation really took it out of me, because the beast turned back into a human boy with sandy-blond hair and bright hazel eyes. My vision returned to normal, and I collapsed on the floor, tired as ever. All I could really hope for was to not pass out as I laid there, huffing and puffing like I'd just ran a marathon.
Ventus was eleven when he broke yet another barrier. He met someone by the name of Ben, a fifteen-year-old whose Semblance gave him the ability to run at supersonic speeds. The two became best of friends after a while, as both were capable of essentially creating a powerful vortex rather quickly. The day before, Ventus had asked Ben why he used his Semblance all the time instead of conserving his Aura.
"Well, there's a couple of reasons for that," Ben had said. "Firstly, let's get something straight: everyone wants me to walk calmly, to be 'normal' like them. I run because I want to be me, not be 'normal'. Let me ask you something: if everyone were 'normal', would life be very fun or worthwhile? No, it wouldn't; that's why I run.
"Ever since I can remember, I've been pushed around," he continued. "My parents and brothers didn't want me running around everywhere, so every single time I ran, they would push me around. I ran, they punished me. I wasn't 'perfect', they'd punish me. I did anything they didn't like, I'd be lucky if my punishment wasn't getting hounded by Dad. But I didn't let that stop me from running; in fact, it kinda gave me a reason to run even more.
"I push myself to be even faster than the day before nowadays, not because I'm a rebel, but because I want to be remembered for something. I want to be known as the kid who taught his generation to push for what they want, not to make everyone happy. I run for the adventure of doing what I want. I push myself because I want to be remembered for doing what I want and beyond."
Ventus and Ben joked around a bit longer before night fell, and the two went home. Today, Ben made it out of Signal and applied for Beacon. An attack on his life from White Fang terrorists had him hospitalized, and the doctors warned him that he couldn't run anymore.
In an attempt to remember his friend's words, Ventus went out and ran for a while. Before long, he was at the edge of Vale, jogging through the forest beyond the city's limits. That was one of the biggest mistakes yet greatest triumphs of his life, especially when he ran into the Beowolf pack.
The young boy ran as fast as he could. He could head the pack closing in, so he tried creating a vortex to protect himself and speed him up. This tactic didn't help his situation, as the Beowolves ran just as fast as he did. It seemed as though they were hunting for sport, toying with him before going in for the kill.
Ben's words echoed through his mind as he ran through his options. Those words clicked somewhere, formulating a plan instantly. Turning quickly, Ventus summoned as much wind as he could with his Semblance. He figured it wasn't enough, so he pushed his limits as far as he could and hoped he could break through.
The pressure was impossible when he released it all. Instead of sending Ventus flying towards the pack, the wind exploded around him in the biggest vortex he'd ever created. His strongest cyclone to this point equated to an F2 tornado with extra wind and force, but this one was even stronger; this was so strong that it could've been mistaken for a weak hurricane. Ventus was in awe as the spinning mass of air tore through the Beowolves like a hot knife through melting butter; the weakest hurricanes in Vale were about as powerful as F4 tornadoes, and this one was right between a weak hurricane and a strong tornado.
Despite the power outburst, Ventus felt more alive than ever. He should've been totally knocked out from the output, but he felt far more powerful than the vortex he'd just created. He went home and told his parents what he did that night, and they brushed it off as a strange coincidence or him gaining 'negative Aura'. He turned to Ben the next day, and he was met with a smile.
"Seems like you just pushed your limits," assumed Ben. "Maybe you pushed so far that the winds power you like they do for me. Pretty funny how that works, huh?"
I nodded.
"Yeah. I wish I'd been there. Would've been pretty cool, no doubt. Too bad I'm stuck here reading comics and watching TV hooked up to IV's and monitors galore. Doctors said I should be out in a few weeks, told me not to run anymore, but I think I should be able to in a few months, as soon as my legs and muscles heal."
"Alright, take care," I told him. "Be more careful around those terrorists." Ben laughed at this.
"I'll be sure to run faster than the bullets next time," he joked. He gave me a thumbs up and winked at me. "Take care, Vennie."
"For the last time, quit calling me Vennie," I complained.
"Well, it kinda fits you," argued Ben.
"Well, how would you like it if I called you Bennie?"
"Hmm, not bad. Short, sweet, rolls off the tongue, the ladies will love it all over." I rolled my eyes and waved goodbye. In the meantime, I secretly decided to keep the new nickname Ben had given me.
End
A/N: This one was a little short, I get it, but I feel it's kind of hard to find good plot points to go over. This next chapter will cover some pretty violent topics, so get your Kleenexes ready and your teddy bears at your side (when it comes out, of course). Fair warning, this entire Part won't last long: it's only going to be exposition, really. Pretty much going over the pasts of our primary two main characters.
Like the story and don't wanna miss out? Favorite the story (or follow, I don't know which does which yet). Questions, comments, suggestions? Review or send me a PM. I'm open for suggestions. I'll see you all next chapter, Texas out.