Visions
Only about an hour had passed since Violet and Tanya had made their surprise appearance, and in that time, Mao Mao had finally processed everything that's happened. While Adorabat was asking his sister, Violet, questions about being a hero, he snuck off to check on Minori.
Peaking around the corner, Mao Mao saw Minori standing in the middle of the dojo, surrounded by the splinters of wood that used to be his training dummies. Judging from the amount of big chunks that remained intact, it would appear that Minori was on her fifth or sixth training dummy.
Minori struck each of the arms in rapid succession, then followed up with three quick strikes to the main body of the wing chun dummy. Moving to the next set, she started the process over again. In the middle of her series of strikes, one of the wing chun's arms snapped, flying over the railing and plummeted down the cliff. Out of frustration, Minori snapped the remaining arms like twigs; twirling around on the ball of foot, she then back kicked the target into one of the pillars of the dojo.
Minori's shoulders heaved as she paused to catch her breath. Mao Mao entered the dojo, deeming it safe enough to enter. He glanced down with every step, careful to not step on any of the splinters.
"H-how are you doing?" Mao Mao asked, keeping just enough distance to step out of arms reach.
Minori peeked over her shoulder, finally taking notice of her kid brother. "It's just, you know how Violet's always been able to get under my skin. I just thought after eight years, she would've dropped it."
"You haven't seen her in eight years?" Mao Mao said, slightly surprised at the news. Sure Minori and Violet weren't always on good terms, but surely they stayed in touch.
"Yeah, but that's nothing compared to how long it's been since I've seen-"
Before Minori could finish her statement, the monster alarm blared to life. Badgerclops shouted from the living room as he made his way to the poles in the back of Mao's office.
"Hey Minori, come on we got another one!"
"Looks like I may get to work out my frustrations after all. I'll be back later," Minori started towards the door way, giving her brother a quick pat on the shoulder on the way out.
"Yeah, okay." Mao Mao stood in silence, hearing the splash of water as the Aerocycle drove through the waterfall that ran under their house.
"Here, it looks like you could use this," a monotoned voice said.
Turning to see his sister, Violet, who stood at the doorway, producing a pair of brooms and dust pans from her hat.
Reaching out to grab a set, Mao Mao expressed his gratitude, "thanks."
The pair of siblings got to work on sweeping up the splinters of wood that Minori had left all over the floor. Once all the splinters had been swept into a corner for later, the pair leaned against the railing, staring out unto the kingdom below.
"So," began Violet, finally deciding to break the awkward silence. "What have you been up to for the last ten years?"
"What do you think?" Mao Mao replied, as if the answer was obvious.
Another minute of silence passed between the siblings. Violet racked her brain for ice breakers, this used to be easy for her. What was different? She scanned Mao Mao over, taking note of the clothing he was wearing. It was similar to the clothes he wore as a teenager, with a bit more red. Eventually, she took notice of something, or more accurately, she took notice of nothing.
"Can I ask you something?" Violet asked out of the blue.
"Ignoring that you already have, sure," Mao Mao said, his thoughts drifting elsewhere.
"What happened to your tail?"
Jolted out of his thoughts, Mao Mao whipped his head around to look at his sister. "H-how did you-"
"Just because I keep my head down, doesn't mean I'm not observant," answered Violet. "Now about your tail?"
"I-It got smashed with a thirty ton boulder," answered Mao Mao reluctantly, turning back to look in the direction of the Pure Heart Spire.
"I see," Violet, seeing that Mao Mao didn't want to discuss it any further, decided to leave it at that. "That's unfortunate."
Mao Mao looked over at his second eldest sister, curiosity getting the better of him. Violet had always been a wallflower, avoiding unnecessary interaction as best she could; now, here she was, trying to start a conversation.
"Does Minori know?" Violet asked.
"If she has, she never brought it up," replied Mao Mao. "My turn, what's with all the questions?"
Violet tensed when Mao Mao asked her this question, what's the appropriate answer? Should she tell him about the pact? No, it's too soon.
"I just came on a whim," said Violet finally. "Figured I'd take an interest in your life."
"Well how'd you know where to find me?" Mao Mao queried. "It's not like any of you kept in contact with me."
"It's not like you gave any of us your number;" retorted his elder sister. "As for how I found you, I came across a peculiar fox and raccoon who were talking about a place called 'Pure Heart', at first I dismissed it, but then they said the magic word: Mao Mao, and how he ran them out of town. They weren't all that inclined to bring me here, so I searched for someone who would be... more willing."
"And that's when you came across Tanya," finished Mao Mao, remembering the pair that Violet mentioned: Rufus and Reggie. It had been months since the con artists had been to Pure Heart, honestly, he almost forgot about them entirely.
"That's the story," agreed Violet. The two returned to the silence once again.
In this silence, Mao Mao began to think, tomorrow he's clear to go back in the field, but he still needed to take things slow, including his training sessions with Adorabat.
"Hey," said Mao Mao awkwardly, catching his sister's attention once again. "I'm trying to take it easy for a while, so, if you'd like, would you help me train Adorabat tomorrow with Minori?
Violet took a moment to think about her brother's proposition; on one hand, she was gonna have to spend time with Minori, on the other, she could help out her brother. "I have no objections."
"Alright," said Mao Mao, his attention caught at the sight of smoke coming up from the village below. "Looks like they're having trouble."
"If you're worried, I can go out and lend some assistance," offered Violet.
"Nah, I have faith in my friends, they're tough."
"I see," replied Violet, taking heavy notice of the look in his eyes at the mention of his comrades. "They sound like a reliable group."
"Yeah."
Dynamo Station was immersed in the hustle and bustle of people as they transitioned from boarding the Zephyr Locomotive, to exiting, and vice versa. The scent of food lingered in the air as the stalls began to open.
Ashaki watched in silence, glaring out at the people as they walked by her. She had arrived early that day, intent on taking the train to Corazon Station. From there, she would trek the rest of the way to Pure Heart Valley, where she would reconvene with her sisters. If luck would have it, she would be the last one to arrive. Although, with Hinata's current whereabouts unknown, that wasn't likely.
A woman disembarked from the train, holding a child's hand tightly to ensure they didn't run off. They walked towards Ashaki's general direction, probably going to the exit directly behind her. As they neared her, the woman caught sight of the green cloaked hero. As a look of worry spread across the mother's face, she pulled her kid closer to her side.
Ashaki tilted her head downward, avoiding any further eye contact. Ever since she was given these contacts, she could see everything clearly; every pore in a person's face, the way people would shift as they spoke, and if she focused hard enough, she could see the atoms in the air. Of course that's just the tip of the iceberg for what her contacts were capable of; one downside is that light seemed to shine brighter, resulting in how she would slightly close her eyes to shut out the light. Though to everyone else, it would appear that she was scowling for no reason.
The train's whistle blew, signaling it was time to board. Ashaki boarded the train, had her ticket punched, and made her way to her seat. Sitting down in the leather seating, she looked out the window, watching the people as they went about their business once again.
As the last of the passengers boarded the train, Ashaki could begin to feel her eyelids begin to feel heavy. Extending the claws in her right hand, she dug them into her thigh, trying to keep herself awake for as long as she could. If she fell asleep, she'd miss her stop again. Not to mention, that if she fell asleep again, she'd have that dream again.
The train unleashed a high pitched whistle, signaling the train's departure. The locomotive lurched forward, slowly moving out of the station.
Once the Zephyr began to build up speed, Ashaki scanned the environment as it passed by. The green trees and rolling hills provided to a serene view.
As she took in the marvelous view, a straining sensation began envelop Ashaki's eyes, to which she cursed under her breath. When the contacts were forged, they had a security enchantment placed on them; this enchantment showed the wielder a series of events, ones that would lead to their fate, whatever that may be.
Images flashed in front of her, almost too fast for her to perceive. She was able to pick out a few.
The first was of her brother Mao Mao, a tanuki woman, a lion with a pink heart-shaped mane, along with herself as they hid inside one of her barriers.
The second was of a small blue bat that stood before her, they seemed to be making a request of her.
The third was of a blinding light, two cat-like silhouettes could be seen through the golden rays.
In the fourth one, Ashaki was flying backwards through the air, twin tails of golden fabric danced just on her peripherals.
The last one was an image that Ashaki had already emblazoned into her mind. Five certain individuals stood in a circle, their arms were extended to the center of said circle.
Just as sudden as the visions had come, they disappeared. Ashaki jolted herself rigid, this had happened once before, ten years ago, just before the pact had been forged.
Was history going to repeat itself? If that were the case, it would have been better if Ashaki had just fallen asleep and experienced that nightmare again.
Later that Night
Thumps could be heard from the kitchen as Minori stumbled blindly through the dark, what she wouldn't give to have Ashaki's contacts right now. She gathered the items she had splayed out before her on the kitchen table, and shoved them into a basket that she had got in town after defeating the monster.
Minori gently shifted weight from one foot to the other as she tiptoed her way to the door, so as not to let the wood creak. As she entered the living room, the martial artist sneaked a peak over to Mao Mao's office area, where Tanya slept on a makeshift bed made out of her leaves.
Once Minori and the others got back from dealing with today's monster, they sat down with Mao Mao, Tanya, and Violet to discuss sleeping arrangements. Tanya could basically sleep anywhere with her leaves, so Violet was set up on the couch in Badgerclops' workshop/garage.
Minori crept over to the door, sliding it open slowly. As she stepped out onto the patio, a monotoned voice made her jump.
"What are you doing out so late?" Violet asked
Minori bit her tongue so as not to yelp out of surprise. She turned to face her sister, who was leaning against the front of Sheriff HQ, basking in the the crescent moonlight.
"I could athk you the thame," she replied, her tongue beginning to swell from the pain.
"Couldn't sleep," Violet answered flatly.
"Well that's a lie if I've ever heard one," retorted Minori, almost insulted by the half-assed answer.
"You would know, wouldn't you Ms.Father-Spoke-Highly-of-You-so-I-Came-to-Check-on-You," Violet shot back, noticing the wicker gripped in her sister's hand.
"Mao told you about that huh?"
"Among other things, what's with the basket?" Violet motioned to the object of interest.
Minori cast a quick glance down to the basket. "I'm running an errand," she answered
"Past midnight?" Violet asked skeptically, raising an eyebrow behind her golden hat.
"I don't have to explain anything to you," spat Minori, no longer willing to enable Violet's queries. She made her wayover to the elevator platform.
"Correct, you don't," mumbled Violet, as Minori stepped onto the platform. "Have a safe trip."
Orangusnake laid awake that night, his companions laid a few meters away, snoring the night away. The events of the day played over and over in his head. Not only was it horrible, but degrading to boot.
The day had started with a plan to take down the Sheriff's Dept., steal their Aerocycle, and use its gem cell to power their ship in order to steal the Ruby Pure Heart. But unfortunately, things went differently; first, not only did the Sheriff's Dept. not show, but instead another Mao made their debut. After the last one, Orangusnake wasn't too keen on meeting Mao's family, he even dialed down the "bad family" jokes after seeing the source of the Sheriff's insecurities.
If meeting Minori wasn't bad enough, he met another one, Violet. She wasn't necessarily bad, but the way she dealt with the Pirates without saying a word was almost eerie. Then to top it off, the Tanya Keyes showed up along Violet, and it wasn't even to capture him, he wasn't even on her radar.
It was devastating blow to his ego, he had been a villain for almost ten years, and he hasn't made any major waves in the criminal underworld. Was all his effort going to waste? After all, he's been trying to steal the Ruby Pure Heart for almost a year now, with nothing to show for his efforts.
A loud metallic bang interrupted his thoughts, the repeated gong sound echoing through the semi-empty ship. Hauling himself off cool metallic floor, Orangusnake lazily walked to the front entrance, swaying from the lack of sleep.
Shuffling down the metallic corridor, the exit came into sight, the ground illuminated by the moonlight. A strange object was left in the middle of the foyer of the Pirate ship. Slowly creeping towards the object, Orangusnake saw that the object was a common wicker basket.
This was highly suspicious, who would leave this here in the middle of nowhere? Maybe it was the Sheriff's department leaving a bomb on his doorstep. After all, they've crashed his ship so many times, that Orangusnake is more baffled about how it stays together like it has than thankful.
A sticky note was plastered on one of the flaps of the basket, it would appear that it had some writing as well as a cute little drawing. The note read: "Heard you guys were hungry. Enjoy!" The drawing was of a kitty with an orange headband flashing a peace sign.
Gingerly lifting the flap of the basket, Orangusnake's eyes slightly widened, laying his eyes on an assortment of food and snacks. His mouth watered at the glorious sight set before him. It was almost too good to be true, unless his hunger had finally manifested into hallucinations of food.
Quickly pinching himself, Orangusnake determined that this was definitely, and he definitely didn't imagine that banging sound. Scanning over the area in front of the entrance, he searched for any signs of life other than him and his crew. Once he determined that there wasn't anyone other than himself, he picked up the wicker basket, receding back into the ship to share this harvest with his crew.