Chapter 63: What You See Is What You Get

Up high in the Aurian city of Sancturia, the temple of the Neo Drive, once revered as sacred grounds, has lost much of its luster upon losing its relic.

Nowadays, it serves a different purpose, which the ancestors of old would consider…sacreligious.

A training ground, through which father and daughter can spar without concern of affecting the environment around them.

Their clashing punches, once capable of shaking mountains and stirring clouds, instead caused minor earthquakes around the vicinity of the temple.

The young girl, long striking blue hair tied in a ponytail, was sweating profusely but grinning like a wild, preying hyena.

She threw herself like a bolt of lightning at her father, the man, once a hero, named Mew Whiter.

And every punch she unleashed was matched perfectly in strength, with him meeting her smile with a dash of optimism.

Even seeing she wasn't making him budge, she kept attacking with all the might her arms could muster, throwing in meaty overhead swings and blazing uppercuts.

But when it seemed like his legs would yield, he resorted to catching the punches instead and throwing her lightly back.

She was caught by surprise every time, but never switched up her moves.

After a while of sparring like this, her dad engaged in casual conversation to spice things up, "So! Getting the feel of your limits yet, Serra?"

"Not even close, Pops!" Serra smashed her fists into his open palm and her raw power clapped out like a hammer hitting dense steel.

He backed off, shaking his hands as a little smoke came off, and his brows raised in intrigue.

He then weaved to the left and grabbed her outstretched arm when she punched, then flung her towards the temple's entrance.

She stuck her feet against the wall and built up pressure so tightly that she defied gravity. All the while, he crossed his arms and chuckled, "C'mon! You gotta put a little thought into your strikes!"

Serra grinned, "I have! All I gotta do is hit you once, and I win!"

Mew bobbed his head back and forth with a brief scoff, "Ha! You're probably right."

He then waved both hands out, "Why don't we test that theory out?"

Serra raised her brows with excitement, "Really?! No taking that back, Pops!"

She unleashed the pressure in her feet and lunged out like a rocket, "SUPER AZURE STRIKE!"

Mew stood completely still and took the punch straight to the chest, and the energy unleashed to form a massive backwards spiral of blue fire.

In the blink of an eye, Serra saw a flash of pure white, "Gotcha! Huh?!"

And when she opened them, her dad was gone and she rolled forward onto a kneeling pose.

Then she got a shiver in the back of her neck as her dad tapped her on the shoulder.

"Fooled you!" He said playfully.

Serra shot up onto her feet but the moment she turned around, she felt limp all over.

"W-Whoa…" She wobbled around a bit but then perked right back up, "Another trick, Pops?"

Mew crossed his arms and grinned, "A lesson. You've got to learn not to trust your eyes all the time. And being part Aurian, that should come as second-nature to you."

He glanced to the side with a puzzled expression, "...I think."

"Yeah, but I ain't got one of those Drives like Leo does. I got my fists, and my grit!"

Mew nodded, "You're still your mother's kid, so I want to say you've got some way of manifesting Aurian power inside of you."

Serra had a little interest, "I don't get whatcha mean by that, but will it help me win more battles?"

"Sure!" Mew grinned, then got a little boisterous, going as far as to close his eyes and pump a fist against his chest, "Just not against your awesome dad."

Serra furrowed her brows and then threw a punch at him with a giggle and a smile.

He immediately weaved to her left and opened one eye, "Haaaa…I thought you would've burned out by now. I really need to get you back home before your mom finds out we're up here."

Serra turned and smiled wider, "Nuh uh! I'm gonna land one punch on you, and there ain't nothing you can do to stop me, Pops!"

Two blinks, and then her father uncrossed his arms and shrugged, "Aaalright, I can weather the storm, I guess."

"Bring it on!" He said excitedly.

It was a nice memory to have as she wrapped up her morning run and prepared to head into school for the day, "I gotta challenge Pops again soon!"

She strolled towards the door and among the bundle of students, managed to pick out her buddy Damian by the shoulder, "Howdy hey! I missed you on the way out!"

Damian sprung back with a distressed look in his eyes that immediately melted off with a sigh, "O-Oh, hey Serra. How are you?"

"Same as always!" She said, gripping her fist before her smiling face.

"Of course," He said, "Crazy how time flies. It's already Spring."

"Oh yeah! It is!" Serra proclaimed, "And you know what that means!"

Damian closed his eyes as a show of defeat, "Marathon time…"

"Marathon time!" She cheered.

Damian moved the strap of his backpack into place and murmured, "I'll be getting a late start. My leg's a little sore."

"Uh oh, what happened?"

"I…T-T-Tripped while helping mom put something away." He turned his head and swallowed.

Serra patted him along by the back, "I hope you make a swift recovery, Buddy! Just get some ice on it!"

"...Yeah." He nodded with a meek smile.

As they headed off to class, they talked for a while about the weekend. Not that Serra had much to bring to the table, but Damian enjoyed the company keeping his mind off his leg.

As they a few steps away from the classroom, Damian stopped and shivered, "Uuuuuugh…"

Serra stepped back and examined him closely, "Uh oh, don't tell me you're getting spring fever too!"

"N-Not that, I…"

"Yo! Cuz!" Damian flinched and with a tight gulp turned along with Serra to see none other than Erin strutting up towards them with a confident smirk.

With a light gesture she remarked, "After class…see me at the track. We're going to have a race rematch."

"Heh heh heh!" Serra grit her teeth playfully, "I like that fire in your eyes, Eri! But just a fair warning, I'm gonna win again!"

Erin pushed her chest with one finger a couple times and whispered, "That's what you think…The hierarchy…is about to change."

"Oooooh…" Serra answered the spunk of her voice, not the meaning behind the sentence, which went through one ear and out the other.

Damian gripped his backpack straps tightly and remarked, "When are you going to cut this bullshit out, Erin?"

The moment Erin glanced aside he felt like a tiny speck of dirt in her wake, and struggled to breathe.

"You wanna repeat that, straggler?" She murmured.

Damian gulped tightly and glanced at Serra to renew his spirits, "...Serra's always going to beat you in sports. Just t-take your wins in academics and…and…get over yourself."

Erin leaned forward and touched noses with him, then grabbed him by the chin and made him look down at her ample chest. After he was paralyzed with a blush, she grinned and cold air slipped from her chuckle, "I won't forget this…"

She then flicked him off and at that moment, Serra snatched her wrist and looked her dead in the eyes, "Hey, Eri, it's me ya want!"

And though it carried her same fire, there was a hint of defensiveness at the tip of her tongue.

Erin whisked her hand free and closed her eyes with a calm smile, "Just don't be late, cuz."

Serra slanted her brows and grinned, "You know me better than that."

"Hmmm hm!" Erin pressed a finger against her lips, then with one last grin, turned and strutted down the hallway.

Damian let out one tense gasp and remarked, "W-What the hell's up with her. She's like an entirely different person all of a sudden…"

"Huh?" Serra turned with her ditzy expression, "Whaddya mean? She's a little more confident, sure…"

Damian turned and looked utterly floored, "H-How can you not…?!"

Serra started blinking sincerely and he just wound up hanging his head in defeat, "Haaaa…just be careful against her, ok?"

Serra patted him on the back, "Awww, I'll rack up another win and still have time to get a hundred laps in!"

The excitement of having another race with her friend helped make class get cleared speedily, and she was about to run out the door and meet up with Erin when her bro called out, "Wait, Serra."

She dug her heels into the floor and spun around right into Leo's body.

After the rebound Leo gestured towards himself and she walked further back into the room, "What's up? I'm kinda busy."

"I'm aware. And I'm concerned." Leo glanced around and only was ready to talk again when nobody else was within earshot, which meant this was serious!

"I overheard your conversation with Erin. But more than that I felt something…off about her." He puckered his lips and his stare looked a wee bit intense.

"Huh, ya know, Damian said the same thing," Serra's expression took on a bit of a blank stare as she commented, "Is this an Aurian sense thingy? …Wait, is Damian an Aurian too?"

"No no no, we would've known that by now," Leo raised his head and took a deep breath, "It's not because of that, it's…the other sixth sense."

"Ooooh, you mean the one that lets you feel spooky stuff in the air?" Serra said with a snap of her fingers.

Leo smiled happily, "Yes. Exactly."

Serra blinked a few times in rapid succession, "I don't get what the big deal is. Eri feels the same as always to me!"

"I get you are feeling that way, but I'm just asking you to exercise caution when you race her."

"Heh heh heh! Exercising is my middle name!" Serra said with a fist confidently raised.

"I'm serious, Serra. Remember what dad taught you." Leo spoke with a bit of firmness.

Serra was confused, "Wait, how'd you know that?"

"...I was there that day?" Leo remarked.

"Oooooh, that's right…!" Her memory suddenly filled in the blanks by plopping him down off to the side of the two of them training, just comfortably listening to his music.

They both paused upon hearing footsteps approaching and saw Lunalei next to them, nudging her glasses up, "I'm sorry, what is this about a 'race'?"

Serra of course jumped to explain, "Oh! I'm gonna race Eri again!"

Lunalei's eyes bulged to the size of dinner plates and with a blunt scoff she said, "No you aren't! Uuuugh, I can't believe that…! Where is she?!"

Serra turned towards the window and jabbed her finger out, "Probably waiting at the track?"

Lunalei puffed her cheeks, rolled up her sleeves, and then made a mad march out the door, "Can't believe I have to do this, interrupting MY lunch…!"

Serra stared blankly, "Uh-oh, I think I unleashed Hell…"

Leo patted her on the back and whispered, "Let's just make sure no one throws a punch…"

Serra nodded feverishly in agreement and the two chased after Lunalei until they arrived at the track.

There, Erin was patiently tapping her foot with her arms crossed under her chest.

No one was gathering around to watch this event, but they understood the implications and groaned once Serra ran out onto the field.

But Lunalei coming out and shouting, "HEY!" did spark interest in the fireworks that were about to go off.

Erin turned and smirked, "Oh hey, teach. Actually bothered to come out of your cave for once?"

Lunalei went straight for a finger jab to the chest in an attempt to surprise her, following up by remarking, "I heard what you're up to! There's no way you're going to run amok outside the school grounds again without-"

Erin dipped her hand into her coat pocket and pulled out a slip of paper, "One of these?"

She flapped it out and after Lunalei recoiled, she adjusted her glasses with an upset expression, as Erin detailed, "I got permission from the vice principal to run a race outside the school."

She then put more attention upon Serra while declaring, "I meant what I said about this being a rematch, cuz! We're running the same course as before! And this time, I'll win!"

Lunalei turned around and pressed her lips together in a sneer, "Grmmm…! Principals are supposed to have principles! That damn…!"

She then waltzed up to Lunalei and gave her a light punch on the gut, "Hey, Serra…you got my permission to kick her ass. I'm going to go eat my lunch."

She then dragged herself back into the school.

Erin then tucked the paper away and clapped her hands, "Ok, now that the midget's retreated…"

She pulled her head back slightly with a smirk, "Ready to lose?"

Serra clenched her fists and shook her head, taking a couple bounces to prep herself, "You're living in some other world, Eri! How many times do I gotta tell ya I can't lose?"

She then swung her fist out and declared, "But don't get down on yourself! I wanna see you at your best!"

Erin leaned forward and put her hands on her hips, "Oh. You'll get that and soooo much more, cuz!"

As she prepared to take to the starting line, Leo grabbed Serra by the shoulder and leaned in to whisper, "I meant what I said."

Serra brushed him off and turned with her fist raised, "I got this!"

But then she swung her head around and wondered, "Huh…but where's my Buddy at?"

Leo perked his brows and murmured, "Hmmm…"

"Oh well! I know he's watchin' somewhere!" Serra then turned and ran for the starting line beside Erin.

And it was just after that Damian came walking up next to Leo declaring in exasperation, "She actually went through with it?!"

Leo turned to him ready to say something but he raised his hands and admitted, "I know, I know, I'm being stupid…"

"But I can't shake the feeling that something is wrong. Erin is…TOO confident."

The two observed among a small crowd of people gathering around.

Erin and Serra locked eyes and the competitive side of them came out full force.

Erin's eyes lit up a little as she murmured, "Last chance to give up."

Serra shook her head hard and declared, "I'll beat you as many times as you want."

"Nah, this time I'll win," Erin then faced forward with one final taunt, "Don't get lost now."

They bent into starting poses and after a few seconds of anticipation buildup, shot off as quick as a blink.

They ran through the first lap with little care. Serra noted that Erin seemed to be pushing ahead a lot more.

"C'mon, start taking me seriously, cuz!" She taunted, revving up the engines in Serra's legs faster and faster.

But once she looked like she was gaining the lead back, Erin overtook her again and made a display of her superiority by running backwards and grinning.

"I said seriously, cuz." She murmured.

A little coal was thrown into Serra's little engines and a flicker of blue fire spurted from her body before she barreled past Erin just in time for them to exit the track and start running outside the school.

And Erin was still managing to keep pace, shouting proudly, "Finally! I'm going to beat you at your best!"

Serra smirked back, her carefree attitude as clear as the sky, "Oh c'mon, you can't really think this is my best!"

Her engines pounded even harder, until her Pops' voice called out in her head, "Hey Serra, NEVER use your full power unless it's an emergency. You may not feel it, but a lot of people are fragile compared to us."

She didn't get why that popped up all of a sudden, and it sucked cause she really, really wanted to respect Erin's improvements.

"How'd you train yourself up this much, Eri?!" She opted to say instead.

Erin grinned, "Ooooh, I just had a very important revelation…"

"And that is…?" Serra wondered eagerly.

"Pffft, I'm not telling you!" Erin scoffed in return, and then faced forward with a remark of, "Heads up!"

Serra turned and was immediately blindsided by a car ramming into her. She hit the ground but then bounced right back up and looked in the car's direction…

Only to see there was no car, just a very long road stretching farther than she could see.

"Huh huh?" She blinked a few times and then with a gentle shrug turned to her left and saw a little distortion in the air, with Erin getting way ahead of her.

Licking her lips without a care in the world, she bolted straight after her, with Erin turning her head and letting out a loud gasp of, "H-Huh?!"

"That was crazy! I got hit by a car hahaha!" Serra laughed in delight.

"You dense…!" Erin's confidence staggered and her eyes lit up again, "Get lost! I'm winning this!"

Serra raised her head up high and declared, "Oh Eri, I told ya! I don't lose!"

She then rammed face first into a traffic signal and stumbled back a few steps.

She stared at it for a while in the middle of the street and murmured, "Waaait, I don't think this is supposed to be here…"

Though the slight feeling of soreness in her muscles told her this was all real…

She shrugged and ran after Erin again, only to realize she had left her sight.

"Hey Eri! Where'd ya go?!" She looked around a bit before resuming her merry way, "Hee hee, she must've gotten lost."

After continuing to run and run and run some more, she noticed that she was hitting a lot of weird corners, like the ground had elevated slightly to trip her up.

And on top of that she was meeting up with a lot of oddly colored trees. Even her brain was jotting down these occurrences and asking questions, "That's funny, I don't think trees look red in the Spring…"

But she's run these streets so many times by now that nothing really fazed her enough to make her stop and think about it further.

She could be made to feel like she was running upside-down, she could probably get hit by another car or two.

But her eyes pierced through all veils and her competitive spirit kept her focused on keeping the lead against her friend.

She was legitimately astonished that she hadn't run into her again after a few minutes of running. Either she had gotten super far ahead, or again, she had gotten lost.

Serra continued to run. She knew her friend wasn't in any danger.

All her surroundings continued to twist and deceive her, but she trusted her gut even if she didn't realize that was what she was doing.

Until eventually, she heard Erin shout like an echo in the distance, "Why aren't you slowing down?!"

Her frustration was enough to make Serra stop in place and shout back, "Eri?! Hey! Where are you?!"

"Shut! Up!" She shouted back.

Serra shifted her shoulders around and then kicked up the pace a bit, "Hope you're not trying any tricks! Cause no matter what you pull, I'm gonna win!"

And with one last fiery burst of speed and a quick blink of the eye, she found her vision clearing up and looking more normal, with Erin just a few steps ahead of her.

"God DAMN it!" She slowed down and rubbed her eyes, allowing Serra to bolt past her.

And upon noticing they were almost back at the school she cried out, "Almost there!"

Erin let out a feral growl and picked the pace back up, "NO! I still can't be weaker than you, damn it! This is my victory! MINE!"

Both of them vaulted over the fence at the exact same time, but at the very last moment Erin's pants snagged on a loose bit of wire and caused her to stumble onto her face.

She got right back up, but that last bit of bad luck was more than enough to cost her the race.

Serra ran across the white line and threw her fists into the air with one mighty jump forward, "Woo hoo! Victory's mine!"

Erin dragged her feet to the end and continued to growl, "Ghhh…! How can this be…?! That should've been enough…!"

"What are you talking about?" Asked by none other than Alex, now on approach.

She turned towards him and shouted, "Don't bother me!"

She then marched towards Serra and threw a glare her way, "This ISN'T over."

"Erin!" Alex ran after her into the school.

And upon shaking off a weird, fuzzy feeling in her mind, Serra stretched and faced her brother and Damian, "See, told you there was nothing to worry about! Easy!"

Leo shook his head, "Are you sure nothing went wrong?"

Serra gave her usual blank stare and remarked, "Uhhh, no?"

Damian hung his head, "I hope that's the end of her shenanigans, but much like you, I really shouldn't bother trying…"

Serra pumped her fists up and shouted, "Ah, who cares if she keeps coming at me?! I'm having so much FUN watching her get better and better!"

The two boys sweated and scratched the side of their faces.

"I think we're barking up the wrong tree, Leo." Damian murmured.

Inside the school, Erin continued to try and flee from her brother, who persistently showed worry for her, "Erin! Seriously! You've been like this for too long now, what's wrong?!"

Erin stamped her feet down and turned around, shoving him in the chest, "What's wrong?!"

Despite causing a scene that made people look at the feuding siblings, Erin stood her ground and growled in his face, "Unless you've got some way to make me strong enough to BEAT HER, then you're useless to me."

"U-Useless…?" Alex recoiled, biting his lower lip tensely, "You…you don't mean that."

Erin glared, "I do, brother."

She then curled her bottom lip and mumbled, "You're so pathetic…"

She then turned around and left him far, far behind.

But it didn't take long for her to be accosted by Nero, just standing by his lonesome next to the locker, "You should be proud of yourself, Erin. You're starting to realize your true potential."

She froze with a chill in her skin and then tilted her head at the guy, wondering aloud, "What are you talking about?"

Nero pulled off the wall and turned his phone around, revealing camera footage of her and Serra racing through the streets. Though it showed Serra stumbled around quite a bit, and Erin having to constantly turn around and stare at her with glowing eyes.

Erin's heart skipped a beat and she grabbed this shrimp by the shirt and slammed him against the locker, "If you show that footage to anyone…!"

Nero dropped the phone and it broke immediately, with him playfully laughing it off and murmuring, "Oh, would you look at that."

He then pointed at his head, "It's stored in the most important place anyways."

As Erin put on a scowl that promised intense violence, Nero reached out and patted her on the shoulder, "Keep up the good work."

And with that one gesture, she felt compelled to let him go, the chill no longer holding her body down.

With a quick scoff she took a couple steps back and muttered, "You're interested…? Fine. Keep peeping. I'll give you a show you'll never forget!"

She then marched off to deal with the remainder of her stress and anger.

And Nero, calm as ever, stepped away from the lockers with a smile, "I can only hope you do…"

Next Time: Confronting Emotions