Chapter 2: A New Beginning
The rain had finally settled and the sky had clear up. Still I couldn't have imagined what had happen to me. It was hard to believe that my memories were scatter in the form of these strange Number cards. Then this being from Astral World had come to my aid. It was still bizarre but one thing for sure, if it hadn't been for Number 96, I would be dead. Therefore, I owe it to him to collect all the numbers especially that it seem he also has an interest in the Number cards, but he has not told me what it is.
"Thinking much?" Number 96 ask lowering his gaze at me like a falcon eyeing its prey.
"Huh?" He caught me off guard, it seem as almost as he was reading my thoughts that would be very freaky.
"I can sense that you are very concern about the Numbers and about your memories."
"Yeah. I guess I'm still a bit shaky about all of this. It's just a lot to take in you know." I didn't wanted to sound like I was backing out but I needed to let him how I felt.
"Your concern is reasonable Roxxas, especially taking into account everything that had occurred so far. But there is one thing that you need to get clear."
"Oh yeah? What's that?" Interested about what that might be.
"That there is no room for doubt in this mission." His tone of voice became serious.
"What?!" I did not know what he meant by that.
"If you don't believe that you have the ability or at least the courage to take on this challenge head on, then you should just stop here and go home. There is no place for error or for dead weight. Do I make myself clear Roxxas?" He stares directly into my eyes with assertion awaiting an answer from me.
"What do you mean by that?" I was surprise by Number 96 statement. Did he want to get rid of me just like that? Like nothing ever happen.
"Don't you trust me in collecting the Numbers, 96? Do you doubt me?"
He simply stare at me in silence for a couple of seconds before responding.
"That's not the question you should be asking."
"Then what is the question I should be asking?!" I started to become angry. You don't simply enter someone's life like that then just throw them aside like trash.
"Do you doubt yourself?"
"I…" His response had left me speechless. Their was some truth behind his words. I did felt a bit of doubt when it came to my ability. How could I take on such a challenge when I couldn't even remember whom I am or what my purpose in this world was. I lower my head ashamed that I wasn't strong enough to carry out my promise to the one being who had save my life.
"Roxxas, I did not mean to be so harsh on you."
"Then why did you say all those things to me?" I ask still having my head down, not wanting to see his face in fear.
"I simply wanted to make you realize the seriousness of the situation."
"But I do understand." I argue staring him down.
"And make you realize that you shouldn't doubt yourself. That although you feel lost in this world you are not alone. You have me by your side to keep you company. You have nothing to fear my boy. I simply wanted you to realize that Roxxas. I apologize if you misinterpreted what I said." He gave me a small smile to calm the situation.
I gave him a small smile to reassure that everything was fine.
"Well then, should we proceed?"
"Yeah." I was glad that everything was just a big misunderstanding. Number 96 was trying to give me confidence, some reassurance that I'm not alone that I at least have a friend with me ready to back me up. That made me feel good inside.
We continue for some minutes finally ending up in the middle of town. Somehow, everyone was staring at us. I didn't know if it was cause of my raggedy clothes I was wearing or something else but it made me uncomfortable. Then again, I was wearing a black V-neck with a tear across my chest, and wrinkle jeans with muddy sneakers. Meanwhile everyone else was dressed clean and professionally. I look like an outsider but I wasn't sure if I truly belong in this city.
"Hey Number 96 can others see you as well?" I was interested on the subject, was Number 96 real or just a figure of my imagination.
"No. I choose to be invisible." His eyes began to shift left and right. Something had caught his attention.
"Why?"
"To not attract unwanted attention." He became more agitated, something was not right.
"Unwanted attention?" I wonder by what Number 96 meant. Who was he trying to avoid. Was their someone else who was also looking for the Numbers? I didn't want to ask 96 for the sake of not sounding weak. I had all ready done that more then once today. So, I continue walking until something caught my eye. Number 96 had come to a sudden stop; something had caught its attention. I ask what was wrong.
"I can sense a Number nearby." Then his entire personality had change. It went from calm and cool to agitated and excited. His aura grew darker and now seems like a wild black flame. I could've sworn I could' a felt its heat scorch my face for a second.
"Quickly, this way!" I ran after Number 96, he shifting through the crowds like a phantom. I did my best to keep up with him but his movements were to fast. Then again, moving through a crowd fill with people was a hard task by itself. After a while, we ended in the outskirts of town just like before. I put my hands on my knees to catch my breath before Number 96 interrupted me.
"Their, it is." He said please to have found the Number and disappearing.
I lift up my head trying to look for the Number but I saw nothing just an empty valley. Then I caught glance of two guys in the far distance. It appears they were having a struggle.
"So what did I tell you about not paying me on time, Ricky?" The elder one said. He looks like he was around his late teens early 20's. He was wearing a brown leather jacket with lots of rings attach to it on both sides, and the sleeves torn off. Blue jeans with a belt with a large buckle with the image of a Bull on it. He also a black long sleeve V-neck with the sleeves roll up to his shoulders. He had wild gray hair with two horns forming on the top and a wicked grin on his face like a mad bull.
"Please! I just need more time! Honest!" The other one look like he was around his early teens probably 14. He wore a basketball jersey and a chain shape like a money sign. He also wore baggy jeans shorts and running shoes that look a size or two too big for him. He was been held up by his jersey by the other guy. I swear his shorts were going to fall off if he lifted him higher.
I though we were here cause of the Number. Instead, we ran into a guy who looks like he was going to pound the little guy. I didn't know but that seem wrong to me. People shouldn't result their problems with violence. So I had to interfere.
"Hey let him go! What do you think your doing?" I scream out at the big one.
They both turn my direction, surprise.
"Hey kid, why don't you bug off and mind your own business!" The big one yelled at me.
"No way! Not until you let the kid go!" I shouted back.
"Look kid, I'm only going to say this one. Run away home before you get pounded along with this wimp too!"
"Please your threats don't scare me. You're just a bully who needs to be taught a lesson!" I shouted back.
"I'm warning you kid. You don't know who you're messing with. I'm Bulls' O Craze! I run the mean streets of the Bronx! This here is my stomping ground, so get lost unless you want to get trample! Anyone who messes with me gets the horns!" He drops the other kid on the ground with attitude, putting his attention to me.
"Oh yeah! How long did it took you to come up with that one or did you bully a third grader to come up for a lame catch phrase for you!"
"Why you little runt I'll run all over you!" Bulls anger rose seeing how his reputation was being trash by an unknown little boy.
At this point, the boy named Ricky had taken the opportunity to escape.
"See what you did you little punk, you made him get away! No problem I still have someone to beat up nice and good, right in front of me!" He stare at me with satisfaction crackling his knuckles and giving me a crazy smile.
"Bring it on I'm not scare of you!" I swell up my fist ready for a fight. But before anything happen Number 96 re-appear before me telling me their wont be any need for that.
"Its time brace yourself Roxxas…" Now Number 96 aura glow and the same aura appear on Bulls body. Bull appears to be on a trance and I wonder if that was Number 96 doing. Then I realize that it could mean that Bulls might have a Number card himself.
"So kid, you have one of these Number cards don't you?" Bulls ask me shocking me but confirming my presumption.
"Wouldn't you want to know?" How did he know about the Numbers? I still wondering about the Numbers.
"How about we have a duel for both our Numbers." His aura grew even more.
"That's fine with me!" At least I knew now that I can win the Numbers through a duel.
"Fine then kid, get ready for the beating of your life!"
He pull out his belt buckle witch turn into his D-Pad and his Duel gazer having a horn on its top.
I pull out my D-Pad and Duel Gazer.
"Don't count on it!"
The Duel Simulation began. "Authentic Reality vision link establish."
We both yell "Let's duel!"