Outside the school

Yusa is hurriedly leading Lyria and Leon to Lina, while running they conversate about the situation.

Leon; who is this Lina and what happened to her?"

Yusa; she's part of Hope's information team. One day the whole information and investigation teams were out scoping for a possible city where we might be able to live outside what we have set up in the school and the woods, like actual homes and a town full of people like those students you see at the school. When we thought we had found a lead to where this place might be, we were wrong, in fact the information ended up being a trap the assassins set for us to fall right into."

Lyria; I've heard all of you call them the assassins but, don't they have a distinctive class or badge like we do?"

Yusa; yes though we have never really gotten a good look at them. Most of them are in either ninja outfits or something with a hood where their faces are concealed and their uniforms are on underneath. All weve gotten is that it has to do with their specific class. "

Leon; what happened at the ambush?"

Yusa; well (bursts through doors at the ICU, stops running walks slowly toward where Lina is) take a look for yourself (Lyria's eyes open wide and Leon gets a serious look and immediately starts to help her) Lina was just the unlucky one. I had to hold back a couple lower ranks from saving her. But the fight there was...a bloody and difficult one, all our officers excluding Lina made it out with minor injuries that healed up fast, but the regular real students I think we lost about half of them there."

Lyria; (working on Lina) how exactly did that happen if it was just the two teams there."

Yusa; huh? Oh sorry... Something...nevermind, yes what happened was Lina had ran to get help, she did get Yui who gathered everyone to us, we killed a lot of the assassins that day but we had to retreat when Lina was injured for fear of another one of us taking a heavy hit. Lina not by choice had ended up fighting two of their assassins weve frequintly seen leading groups, the rest of us were in the heat of battle. When we retreated luckily Aki was there and covered us with sniper fire."

Leon; why did they chose to ambush you there tho, how did they know where youd get whatever information was planted."

Yusa; that's still a mystery to us honestly."

Lina coughs and jumps sitting up.

Lyria; there!"

Leon; hey don't sit up just yet you've suffered quite a bit of ...bruises and.."

Lina; (Grabs hold of him) WHERE ARE THEY!? THOSE FUCKING BITCHES! THEY ALMOST KILLED MY SISTER AND I...(she falls back) ughhh...(puts hand on head)"

Lyria; we told you to rest!, now stay laying down and don't get too excited like that again."

Lina; (looks over sees Yusa, talks best can) Yusa, come over here."

Yusa; (walks up to Lina) what is it?"

Lina; Yusa...I'm not going...to make it. There's (coughs blood) two things I need to tell you, (coughs heavily)ONE! the assassins, they had spies, the twins were (coughing blood) the two robed enemy's attacking me, they used their Fucking witch magic to make sure they killed me. But they aren't aware of my sister's protection magic. (Coughs) secondly to go with that, when I remove this necklace, it is a locket with a picture of me and my sister, you must give this to my sister, she will then know of her past life, she used witchcraft in her past life and this locket came from her and I our time then, she gave it to protect me, please...(starts to throw up, stops it) Yusa you must give her the necklace."

Yusa; (nods her head, holds Lina's hand) I will"

Lina; good...thank you Yusa, my sister, is Luca. Tell her, her sister loves her and died forgiving her of all she has ever done."

Yusa; (a tear falls down her cheek but she shows no emotion) I will tell her Lina"

Lina nods her head, takes off the necklace, puts it in Yusa's hand, pushes Lyria and Leon away. Her body begins to shake and her face turns white, her eyes change color to all white, her cuts and wounds where she was hit with swords rumble and burst open, she throws up blood heavily until her head flys back as she convulses, her head explodes off and Yusa soaked with her blood holds her locket in hand. Looks at Leon and Lyria signaling them to follow her out.

THE CLASSROOM
10 minutes before lunch ends (which is an hour long)

Kokoro awakes slowly and dileriously, she feels the blanket around her and looks over to see Luca just finishing her lunch and sitting next to and partly against her. Kokoro still processing everything doesn't care about her leaning against her.

Kokoro; Mmmm (eyes open fully and arms extending out stretching)"

Luca; oh hello there Koko, did you sleep well?

Kokoro; (rubbing eyes) mmhmmmm, what (yawns) time is it"

Luca; (looks up at clock) lunch will be over in about 9 minutes."

Kokoro; (doesn't respond for a bit, then flips out when tummy rumbles) ...WHAT!? BUT I NEVER EVEN GOT TO EAT..."

Luca; (reaches into her bag, which is sparkly pink) here (pulls out a box lunch), I well... Made extra today"

Kokoro; (flattered) oh well...you don't have to give me that.."

Luca; no I insist here (happily gives her the food)"

Kokoro; well...(looks at the food) thank you... (Unwraps the container and eyes gleam, just stares at it)"

Luca; (nervous) w-what?"

Kokoro;...IT'S BEUTIFULLL!"

Luca; oh (sighs In relief) I thought it looked bad...I hope it tastes ok.."

Kokoro; (grabs a piece and bites right into it, freezes turns and looks at Luca)"

Luca; (nervous and afraid) Ohhh it's bad isn't it...I'm so sorry! I'm no...(she is stopped abruptly by kokoro)"

Kokoro; (grabs Luca and hugs her) IT TASTES AMAZIIING! (Trys not to be a pig and gobble it down too fast)"

Luca; oh well hahah I'm glad you like it (smiling)"

Kokoro; I wish I had time to finish..."

Luca; go ahead I'll instruct the class."

Kokoro; you sure?"

Luca; yes, (a knock at the class door) oh shit... That's not a student..."

Kokoro; (stops Eatting) w-what do we do!?"

Luca; ok I have to think what Yusa's taught me...(thinks quickly and jumps up) ok just sit put and if they ask you weren't feeling well and had to lay down."

Kokoro nods and Luca goes to answer the door.

Staff member; oh excuse me ma'am where is your teacher?"

Luca; oh he stepped out earlier, he didn't say where to just that he'd be back."

Staff member; well I can't wait here all day, will you please give these to him (hands her big stack of papers) tell him these are the poll papers for the students to pick between for council and president."

Luca; I will sir (bows politely to him)"

Staff member; thank you, have a nice day madam"

Luca quickly runs over to kokoro after shutting the door.

Kokoro; who was that and what are those?"

Luca; (sets all but two on the teachers desk, comes sits next to kokoro with a pen) these are the final polls for student council and school president."

Kokoro; oh shoot I didn't get to put my nominations in..."

Luca; heh that's ok I didn't either, but we can pick before anyone else and see who's made the nominations before anyone else."

Kokoro; (nods in agreement and starts eatting again) who's on the list for president"

Luca; well lets see herrre...( looks down list) oh look! There's a few of us! Let's see for president there's Hope, some students I've never heard of, there's...really Kaito..."

Kokoro; (eats while talking) at least there'll be some entertainment of sibling rivalry for us."

Luca; heh true an...Koko..."

Kokoro; yeah?"

Luca; you and I are both on the list for council..."

Kokoro; (chokes on food) w-what?!"

Luca; yeah...it seems no one for council is on the president list suppose that makes it easier in case someone won for both.."

Kokoro; (still choking)Lu...ca..."

Luca; (lost in thought still) huh?...OMG KOKO!"

Luca drops the papers, grabs her bottle of water, kokoro shakes her head still choking, Luca gets behind kokoro and does the Heimlich on her. After a couple Trys Kokoro spits up a live of food and catches her breath. Luca hands kokoro her water bottle.

Kokoro; oh my gosh (swallows water) that was...thank you Luca."

Luca; was no problem...I'm sorry that startled you and I'm glad you're ok..."

Kokoro; (drinks little more water, smiles) yeah I'm alright, and that's ok hahah you didn't put us there. Here (hands the almost empty boxed meal back to Luca) I think that's enough food for now."

The class begins to walk back in.

Luca; yeah... Oh look! People are coming back. Wait..."

Luca sees 4 students enter that are unfamiliar and in completely different uniform.

Luca; stay here koko (stands up walks over to the 4 students, puts on an act of happiness and courtesy) excuse me may I help you?"

One of the students just looks at her. 2nd one the only boy responds.

Boy; oh (nervous) excuse her shes just...that way. We've been transferred to this class, where is your teacher?"

Luca; (suspicious) they transferred 4 students...and right after lunch. Our teacher is out for a moment, I'm second in charge at the moment so...do you have proof of this transfer?"

The boy pulls out 4 of the same copies of papers admitting them to the classroom roster. But with one missing.

Luca; wait...someone's missing from this roster...LINA!"

The 4 students look puzzled.

Luca; oh uh nothing...welcome. by the way you speak I am to assume you are a real human not one of these zombie like things walking around, I assume your classmates are the sa...(notices what class they are transferring from, attitude changes to a low monotone voice) how the hell did you get transferred to this class and why."

Female student 2; well...we honestly..(silenced by the 4th student)"

Luca; (same voice still) I know where you've come from, and I know you know who we are, tell me...NOW! why you're here."

Hearing the commotion Kokoro comes over and what students have come into the class have all gotten up and surrounded around the 4 and Luca, kokoro butts in through the circle.

Kokoro; Luca what's all the...(sees the uniforms, gets scared) y-you're ..."

Female student 3; yes, we are, or rather were your enemy's."

Luca; (tosses their papaers down) how can we trust you."

Female student 1; because i have recently learned of a past life incident that makes all of us allies against who we must now fight with you against."

The last of the students walks into the classroom and immediately gets into the circle surrounding them.

Kokoro; (steps in between Luca and the students) and what would that incident be."

Female student 3; to be honest she won't even tell us, but we can tell you this, we four are not your enemy's any longer. We will do whatever it takes to finding out the true identity to 9th grade classroom c's leaders."

Kokoro; so that's what the patches mean, and how do you not know your own leaders identitys."

Male student; look...lets start with introducing ourselves, my name is Kouichi Sakakibara."

Female student 1; I am Mei Misaki"

Female student 2; my name is Yukari Sakuragi."

Female Student 3; I am Izumi Akazawa."

Mei; if you wish to trust us then you have to give us a chance first."

Hope; (bursting through the door, pushes students out of her way) TO HELL WILL I TRUST ANY OF YOU! I've seen what you've done. YOU! (points to Mei) you were one of them. The Fucking assassin's I remember your goddamn face! You attacked Yui AND ALMOST BADLY HURT HER. Give me...ONE GOOD REASON WHY I SHOULDNT BASH YOUR SKULL IN RIGHT NOWWWW!"

Mei seems unmoved by this, TD, Karinko, and Aki grab hold of Hope and hold her back.

Izumi; (serious attitude) look...that battle was one none of us were proud of, why the hell do you think we want to switch sides, we thought we were on the right side but after your friend lina...we saw (more dramatic) all the bloodshed...we knew...we were in the wrong...(shaking)"

Yukari; I...(starts to tear) I killed someone in the past 2 months...I...habe not been able to live with myself ever sense...that battle...of blood...I watched many of our side go down...but I saw them go down not with sorrow but with hatred in their eyes...I ran that day...ran as fast as I could...to...until...(starts crying heavily)"

Hope starts to relax, Hope looks at the three holding her back, they loosen their grip and let go of her, she walks up to the crying girl and hugs her.

Yusa and Yui emerge from behind the group, Yui panting from exhaustion.

Yusa; Mei, (walks up to her) you better not lay a single finger on Yui or else..."

Mei; I will make up for what I did to her, I Beleive you have something for someone here to start things off."

Yusa; (suprised) how...yeah I do..(she walks up to kokoro) kokoro please move aside."

Kokoro; o-ok..(confused she moves out of the way)"

Yusa; (walks up face to face with Luca) Luca, I...I am sorry to inform you of this but...your..here (she hands her the necklace with locket on it)."

Luca looks at the item confused, she opens the locket and is immediately in shock and feels faint, with eyes and mouth wide open she begins to faint, kokoro catches her quickly.

Hope; is...she ok koko?"

Kokoro; (blushes from her calling her Koko)...yeah...she just fainted is all."

Yui; (catches her breath) ok... Yusa, what is in the locket. And Mei it's fine alright...(catching her breath stil)"

Yusa; her sister, Lina, and herself in her past life. Sit her down I need to tell her something."

Kokoro; (lays down Luca, calmly talks to her) wake up Luca, you're alright I'm here."

Luca's eyes open and she awakes.

Luca; wha...(looks up at Yusa, speaks monotone)...what did my sister say."

Yusa; she said she loves you, and forgives you for everything you've ever done. I'm also assuming that as she said, by looking at that you know who you are and what you did in your past life."

Luca; (breatheing heavy) yes ..I...do"

Hope; (sits down next to her and puts her hand on Luca's) whatever is so troubling about it were here for you Luca."

Kokoro; yeah (smiles at her)"

Luca; look I...(she gets up slowly) you can trust these four I just...I need to be alone."

Mei; I wouldn't recommend that."

Luca looks back

Izumi; the enemy leaders will soon learn of our treachery and betrayal to them and they will be after the first person alone they see as revenge and hoping to send a message."

Luca;...(hand on doorway) then Hope, Yusa and Kokoro I want you three to come with me. And Yui the papers on the desk are the final poll for president and student council. I'll wait for you three to fill out yours, mine is already done."

Yui; (takes in deep breathz releases) ok! You heard her everyone, the nomination results are in and this is your chance to chose, (walks over to desk and grabs stack) come take a sheet, fill out your name and follow instructions on the papers."

Every students grabs a paper and sits down filling them out and choosing/debating on their votes. Kokoro finishes in a flash, Hope doesn't take too horribly long, after pausing from being shocked she was on the ballad for president, Yusa fills out hers fairly quickly. The three sit their pages on the desk and they head for the classroom door.

Luca; oh and Mei and Izumi, good luck."

Mei, Izumi, Yui, Kouichi and Yukari look at their pages scanning quickly and see Izumi and Mei's names on the council member nominations.
Luca leaves the classroom with Hope, Kokoro, and Yusa following close behind her.

THE WOODS OUTSIDE SCHOOL

Luca is leading the three of them on a very scattered and mess of a walkway.

Hope; not to...(catching breath) complain or anything but isn't this a little dangerous?"

Immediately Kokoro screams almost slips and falls off the cliff they are walking around.

Yusa; Luca, why are you bringing us all the way out here."

Luca; in time you will see. I only trust you four, I need to make sure this place stays safeguarded and hidden from the enemy. (Looks up, jumps and starts climbing the mountain above them)"

Kokoro; oh my...(looking up gets shalst legs)"

Hope; (yelling up at Luca) do we really have to follow you all the..."

Luca; YESSS! NOW COME OON!"

Yusa jumps up and climbs just as carelessly as Luca, Hope and kokoro cautiously and nervously climb, having to use some of their fighting energy they climb with precision best they can. Luca reaches a spot where she stops and look around her on the mountainside.

Yusa; what is it Luca?"

Luca pays no attention to her friends and notices a small glimmer coming from a rock up to her left, she closes her eyes, holds out her left hand in front of it, the rock shakes and goes into the mountain, to her right the mountainside opens up a secret doorway, Luca jumps into it, the others follow as quickly as they can.
They get inside and it's pitch dark, the outside doorway closes and kokoro jumps onto the closest person to her, Hope... Does the same and both end up jumping onto Luca.

Luca; don't be afraid you two it's ok I promise you, just let me move ok, here take my hand (extends her arms and opens her hands, her hands glow a light blue)"

Kokoro; w-what is THAT!? WHATS WRONG WITH YOUR..."

Hope; (hesitant at first then steps forward) I see, kokoro grab her hand.

Kokoro; but it's..."

They both grab her hands, a strand of light surrounds their hands and goes around their arms and through their bodies. Yusa jumps back freaked out.

Hope and kokoro; w-www...what's happenning!?"

Luca; (eyes closed, she begins to chant something) light in darkness, hearts of friends, show me the light in the dark and may all the evil be shown, the dark is my light, and the light my dark, darkened path (eyes burst open) REVEAL YOURSELF!"

the strand of light extends off of hope and kokoro's bodies, leaving off them completely, it shoots through the ceiling and a lit way is shown, where something bright glows at the end.

Luca; (releases grip on Hope and kokoro's hands) come on!"

Luca rushes forward, the three look Eachother in the eyes all scared, they move forward. They come to a room that has shelves and shelves of books, jars on shelves of weird looking creepy things, colored glowing powders in jars, a bed, a fireplace, a dresser and mirror, and a staff against the wall. Luca is standing next to the staff.

Luca; one day...Im still not ready until I feel the embrace..."

Yusa; Luca, what is all this?"

Luca; hmmm? Oh, this is my own secret home, I only recently learned of it being here in the afterlife world."

Hope; you mean...all this was.."

Luca; uh huh, now the three of you I need you to do something for me. Would each of you (reaches in a lockbox on her dresser and pulls out 3 crystal necklaces) take one of these, and put it in the carin on my desk over there by the fireplace."

Yusa shrugs her shoulders walks up without fear, takes one and steps back. Hope and then kokoro follow suit

Luca; (walks over next to the desk) Hope you're first."

Hope; what's this..."

Luca; no questions, just action."

Luca gestures to the carin, Hope sets in the necklace gently, it glows bright and the crystals change to diamonds and the chain a beautiful silver. The diamonds have a glowing center in each.

Luca; I...huh..(shocked...)...K-Koko.."

Luca gently removes the necklace. Kokoro sets in her necklace, the necklace glows a deeper color and the crystals change shape to hearts with a glowing brightness in the center, the chain turns to a soft gentle material.

Luca;...(completely flabbergasted)..Yusa"

Luca quickly removes the necklace and watches closely as Yiss puts hers in, the necklace shakes, it glows a dark color, a red, the crystals shake and spike put, the chain turns to a stainless steel. The spiked crystals turn blood red and in the center of the necklace one crystal transforms to a vial and what looks like glowing blood fills it. Luca, hessitantly grabs the necklace and sets it aside.

Kokoro; was...all of that supposed to happen?"

Luca; I...I'm..."

Hope; (looks at the necklaces, puts her hand over each, looks at Luca) I understand."

Luca; HUH!? (suprised, scared and emberrased)."

Hope; I won't say anymore. But Luca it's time you told us, or more them, what you do."

Luca; yes...well I..Koko, Yusa...I practiced witchcraft, spells and enchanting heavily in my past life, anything dark powerful and spiritul, I.. I'm a witch..my sister's death reminded me of everything with that necklace...I had enchanted it to protect her from death, she wasn't wearing it when she died. My death... Is tied to all of you, all of us in the battlefront our deaths were tied together, even those 4 former enemy's, all of ours ...(eyes open wide) HOPE!...how...long have you had your abillitys."

Yusa and Kokoro in confusion look back at Hope.

Hope; I only recently discovered them, thanks to some...reawakend memories it awoke something in me. I learned of them when I was with Yui."

Yusa; I see, Kokoro, has she told you?"

Kokoro; huh? Told me what?"

Luca; (seeing Hope's face) hah, nothing Dont worry about it. Look, this place is my safe haven, I would...gladly share it with you three for now until we find the town, then...things will change. But until then. If you wish I can teach you alchemy, enchanting, spells, magic, anything, if I feel I can teach you, Hope I suppose all you desire is alchemy correct? And Yusa...you desire much...answers for instance. And Kokoro, sweet...kokoro, I will teach you everything, everything I know. Yusa I am sorry to say but..."

Yusa; no, you have more capabillity then I you have deemed yourself better then I, you do not need my teachings any longer. You are my friend now and, I'd like to learn a bit of...some useful ways to sneak and be more unotticable."

Luca; heh, we have plenty of time before the ballads are officially done. If Hope was so inclined to, she could tell us the winners now, but I think we will wait for our answers. Let us begin, it will be a while before you see anyone else again..."

The scene fades

END OF CHAPTER