The Beginning of the Dark Fire Spark
It has been long after the Choten was defeated and Ray's father have returned to his humanity. It was rough but they managed to get through the crisis. However, as things are settling down while moving forward they are things that been changed. At least, that is what Raiden thinks.
Since the Choten is defeated, the problem with the vail breeching and creatures interfering human activities have become less problematic, allowing the children to have time for school. As the time changed, the atmosphere within the temple also changed. Master Chavez and Master Nadia are closer than before, alongside with Master Jaha, Master Kimora and Master Isao.
However, as good things are happening around the other side of San Campion;they are also bad things happening here but it is just invisible to human eyes even to creatures eyes too. Raiden tried to play it cool but day by day, it's just becoming too much. His friends doesn't spend a lot of time anymore: well, infact, they don't spend a lot of time with him. He thinks that maybe he was so busy that he probably didn't get an invitation because of that so he didn't put any much thought of it.
Until a lot of time passed by, he made some time and waited for his friends to invite him. But they didn't called him nor texted him at all; he also found out that they have sometimes gone to the creature realm without him. And that made Raiden become a little depressed (?). Another thing is that the subtle changed of the atmosphere, he knew very well that he is not welcomed much by other people as he could feel and see the looks of rejection and disgusted gazes of other people, and now he could feel rejection in the dojo, literally everyone.
And what's even more depressing is that his creature, his friend, his dragon brother is just doesn't seem interested with him anymore. It's like BobTastsurion doesn't want anything to do with him. Writing these down on his secret diary just made him silently broke into tears.
This has been going on for a year and one month already and he just feel utterly lonely. Seeing his friends laughing without him breaks his heart and to make matters worse;his one and only first love, Allison Underhill is smiling towards another boy and is being super close to him. As much as he wanted to confess his love for her and snatch her away from the guy but he knew he shouldn't because his Allie no longer sees him as a friend but rather a stranger. In order to not disturb them, he decided to have lunch at a corner bench where nobody can see him not even his friends.
After the School is now finished, he looked at his friends chatting happily without him. He wanted to join in the conversation but something tells him he shouldn't so he just silently put on his hoodie and his notebooks and books and went outside. Instead of walking home together with Gabe and Allie even with Lucy, right now It's just him, all alone. He walk pretty fast so he arrived home pretty early. He immediately went and ate his leftovers left at the fridge and went doing the dishes and a little clean up and after that preparing the table for his family to eat dinner but not with him. Of course, after all he is just a nuisance to everyone's eyes.
Looking at the time, it was almost time for his parents to come home from work, and his grandpa from the hospital. So after the preparation, he immediately went to his room and did his assignments.
He then heard his mom saying that he come down and eat dinner with them. Raiden replied thanks but he said that he had finished eating his dinner and needs to do his assignments for tomorrow and he has finished cleaning his teeth too. Janet understand that Ray had something to do so she let it off but she was worried for it has been going on for months now. Even his grandpa and father are pretty worried since he has become quite distant and quiet unlike before; they tried their best to make time but it's just not working.
At the dinner table, where all of the family are eating dinner minus Ray. They have happy faces but also a gloomy atmosphere.
"The food tastes incredible!!!" Grandpa Raiden happily commented the food Ray made for them. "Mhhmmm!! You're right!" Ken have also took a bite and also agrees with his father. Then he noticed that 25 minutes have passed but still no sign of his son, so he asked his wife about it. Janet sighed "He finished dinner before us again and he got new assignments to do due to tomorrow". she answered pretty sadly.
Ken understand why she was like that for the past months they have become a little too strictscratch that!!!way too strict with him. Which made them feel guilty, and tried to lessen their strictness but nothing good came out of it.
Then Grandpa Raiden said something"Speaking of Raiden, I don't think he is active in his Kaijudo activities anymore nor have I seen him interacting with his friends anymore." Now that was pretty shocking to hear but it was true, they no longer see the Raiden they knew before. "And I no longer see Raiden trying to memorise haikus, writing letters even." He then finished his drink.
Nobody may have noticed it, as Raiden has a hobby of writing poems and haikus when he has free time other then sketching which no one also notices except to those who look deeper at what is in front of them, the side characters might've gotten the hint that Ray got a massive crush on Allison ever since he met her as Allie is often the bait for Raiden enter hero mode. He tried to pursue her in the most uncringiest way ever possible but Allie must have misunderstood him, even the people around him also misunderstood him.
After finishing their dinner, they quickly did the dishes. Before going to bed, Ken decided to visit his son's room in order to check him. As Ken have finally reach his son's room, he lightly knocked the door to not scare him. But observing that they are no answer coming from the other side, he decided to open the door slowly. Opening the door, there can be seen Ray leaning and sleeping on his desk, with his head down on his desk with papers, books and notebooks scattering. Ken looked at his son with a soft gaze before walking towards him, looking at him, it's just hard to believe that this young boy was the same young hero who save the realm of creatures two times in a row. He was just 14 after all but now that he is 16 and a half, about to become 17 this upcoming summer, he was to survive all that.
Ken felt pretty guilty as he wasn't there to protect him as he was constantly getting bullied because of his love for animals, extraordinary talents and his half Japanese blood.
Looking over his sleeping son, he was glad that he was fine. He then tried to wake him up but it seems that he didn't budged meaning that he is in a deep asleep. He chuckled knowing that his son was trying his best at school;he even tried waking up too early in order for his parents to get work early. Ken then lifted his son slowly and noticed how kinda light he was;he's pretty lighter than before it must be the lack of food his eating.' And by going early to school, also caused Ray to eat less in order to come early. He then put his son gently at his bed and tucked him to sleep.
Ray unconsciously moved to the other side to get comfortable, he even let out a groan. 'He must have been tired from doing the assignments.' That's what Ken thought after all at his desk there can be seen 4 different subject notebooks, 6 books left open and scratch papers and sticky notes about formula and facts about this and that.
'I should help him arrange his things, it's the least I could do.' Ken decided to clean Ray's desk since he thinks that is the only thing he could do. As the family have gotten pretty busy, Ray took over the household chores whenever they are not present in the house
.
After finishing cleaning up, he was about to put some trash papers at the trash bin until he saw a paper with tear stains? He put the trash and picked up the paper and saw that it was a confession letter towards some girl, but at the same time he can see that the word each love, crush and forever word was incompletely erased and the whole paragraph was crossed out.
'Does he have a love interest?? And it seems he gave up on her.'
He then got a flashback"And I no longer see Raiden trying memorise haikus, writing letters even." Thinking about what his father said he was thinking that Ray must have been discouraged by someone or something. 'Maybe the situation must be worse then just physical bullying and taunts.' Looking at his son, he sighed knowing that he was helpless as Raiden was never the type to share his troubles, but he'll do his best to try assist and protect him and help him get his passion back. He then left Ray's room with a sad look at his face.
FAST FORWARD TO Morning
Ray was woken up by the sound of his alarm clock, and he groaned but he forced himself to get up. He looked around and saw that his desk was nice and clean, his bag was organized which was kinda unusual and rare, since he's always gonna pass out after doing his assignments but there are times when it doesn't happened. He got out of bed and stretched his body, he liked the feeling he was having. He then looked at his clock and see that it was very much early so immediately went to the shower for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes in the shower, he immediately went to his closet to wear his new everyday clothes instead of a red sleeveless hoodie over a green shirt, a blue jeans and black shoes.
He now wore a white button up shirt with a black sweater inside it, black pants that are below the knees , black and white converse shoes, and black ankle above socks along with fingerless gloves. It is also quite noticable that his height increased instead of 5'4, it is now 6'0.
Not only his clothing style have changed, but also his appearance. He pretty much have noticable broad shoulders and biceps and well built body to which is why he wore a hoodie to hide it. Ray's hair have reach to a neck length, and his red highlights have increased but it's only around the bangs and front side bangs, and he also got a piercing at his left ear which was a red diamond garnet. He didn't pierced his right ear but no one minded it and he wore a cross necklace that also got a choker pair too.
While quickly preparing himself, he then heard his stomach rumbling. He was eating quite lesser than before because he needed to get school quickly. Not giving any heed to it, he grab his back and skateboard then headed downstairs where met with early parents and grandpa.
Grandpa Raiden noticed and quickly invited him. "Ah Ray!! Perfect timing, come lets eat breakfast together!." Not wanting to reject the offer of his one and only grandpa he immediately went to the table. To be honest, he was surprised after all, it was usually him to wake up early.
Seeing their son's expression, they knew they did it right. Janet and Ken then put breakfast on the table which was a lot but it only made Ray's stomach grumble louder which embarrassed him. "Looks like your stomach has been wanting this full course meal for a while now." Janet teasingly commented at it.
Janet immediately went chef mode after hearing that Ray seemed to be lighter to carry. To which made Ken chuckle, much to Ray's embarrassment. But he isn't gonna deny that he's pretty hungry so said his thanks to his parents for the food and waited for them to sit down in order to eat together. Ray was eating a lot than he imagine but that was the goal to let Ray eat a lot of good food.
After minutes have gone by. Ray and his family have finished eating. Ray immediately went to get his bag and skateboard but Ken decided to kick in. "Ray, why don't we go to your school by car together? It's been a while to have the family all together riding in the car."
"Thanks Dad but I'm gonna go there by skate". He was shocked by the proposal and wanted to agree but was hesitant agree.
"But he's right, it has been a while so you wouldn't perhaps mind if it were just once?" Janet said knowing it's pretty effective.
"JUST ONCE?!!? I mean all right just once". He was blushing, but it was shocking to hear.
After breakfast was finished, they immediately went to the car to head at Ray's new school. The car ride was pretty silent so Grandpa Raiden decided to hold a conversation with Ray for the meantime. Talking about how the school is working for him and so on. Ray answered them truthfully with a smile which gave relief to the parents. They didn't bring the subject about Gabe and Allison and his Kaijudo activities, knowing that it might be a sensitive topic.
Not long after they have arrived at Ray's high school, they gave him goodbyes and Janet gave him quick pecks before dropping him off.
RAY POV(POINT OF VIEW)
As my parents dropped me off before going to their work, honestly, it made me feel happy considering the past months have been lonely.
Looking at my school logo and name which says StarBlizzard Prep. I then put on my black colored mask and headed inside. I headed the locker room to get my class necessities and put my skateboard and bag in the locker before going to my classroom.
As I was about to leave the locker room, I then heard giggles from the person I very much knew about, Allie.
"YOU'RE SO FUNNY, ALEXANDER!!!" The other side of the locker column can be seen two figures namely Allie and Alexander.
Alexander was an acquaintance met by Gabe, Allie and Lucy after some time of the defeat of the Choten. He doesn't know anything about Kaijudo yet but I heard he was introduced to the masters just last month ago.
'I am not gonna lie, I'm kinda jealous of him. He got the looks, exactly what Allie liked, doesn't need to study that hard, practice that hard and he knows how to make Allie laugh unlike me.'
This Alexander guy was also talented like him and loves animals too. Difference between them is pretty big, and the big difference of Alexander towards Ray was because he was exactly Allie's type of love interest. He got blue eyes, attractive smile, flirty, good sense of humor and a basketball player and 'created' some interesting poems about love. Ray's biggest reason why he was jealous of him is that he knows how to make her smile so easily. Over the past years, Ray tried his hardest to make Allie noticed him but whatever he does just end up with Allie screaming at him angrily, throwing tantrums all around.
Pushing off those thoughts, he decided to ignore his jealousy cause he have already given up on her. As they arrived the room, he decided to sit at the backseat where no one is currently sitting. And so after, the teacher arrived and started the lessons.
FAST FORWARD TO THE END OF SCHOOL
As I have arrived the locker room, the day was so long. 'Hmm, if I'm not mistaken they say time moves so fast because you're enjoying it.' Looking to the side of his locker, he reminiscence the time when they were back at San Campion Middle School where their locker was near with each other laughing about something.
Shaking off his mind out of it. He quickly collect the things he needed to study and put it in his bag and grabbed his skateboard. As he walked out of the school yard, he then heard Allie's voice panting? Ray looked to the side and saw that Allie was being kissed by Alexander being pinned at the tree while also lifting her legs.
That scene was like a horror scene to him and before he knew it, his heart was shattered into pieces already. Ray immediately fled the scene quietly, then went on with his skateboard while tears are streaming down his face.
Allie and Alexander didn't noticed him but a certain figure saw him.
Ray was skating so fast that he arrived at the house earlier. Despite having a mental breakdown, he still tried to do the cooking for his family, he also ate very little again. As he was finished cleaning his own plate, he quickly ran towards his room. Leaving his family puzzled at his behavior who have just arrived.
'As I arrived in my room, I quickly tossed my bag at the side and went to my bed. The tears wouldn't stop flowing out of my eyes. This feeling in my chest, it hurts so much." I quietly sobbed over my heartbreak while hugging my one of my pillows and becoming a ball until I heard knocking on the door.
"Ray, it's me. Your father." the voice of the other side of the door said.
'Dad?' Ray was kind of panicking as he tries to dry his tears off and brushing off his heartbreak as if it didn't happened moments ago. "Hey Dad! What can I do for ya?"
'As my son opened the door after a few seconds. He smiled at me quite positively. I was glad that he was doing alright but something tells me I should stay with him 'til midnight.' Ken immediately pat Ray's head gently while speaking with a playful grin "I was wondering if you don't mind having the liberty to eat with the family again this dinner."
Ray was looking at Ken dumbfounded until he burst into giggles.
"When did you learn old fashioned english?" he asked between the half giggles and laughs.
"Oh, Well, I drowned my end of capacity of English braincells of my brain to some historical fiction books and that's how I learned."
Ken said so sarcastically joking while posing his other arm to a thinking position. Ray was totally laughing his lungs out at the position his father is, saying that he can never drown his own brain in studying Japanese like that.
"So are you gonna come and eat?"
"I don't know exam is almost coming and I need to study..." Ray's voice slowly becoming quieter at the last sentence.
"Your stomach is begging for food, young man. At least listen to its pleas."
Yes, Ray's stomach was grumbling AGAIN.
"Alright, I'll go downstairs..." Ray gave up trying to decline the offer. 'Its a nice distraction to my recent heartbreak after all I don't have much assignments to distract.'
As the time of the night passed, the dinner was quite enjoyable as Ray tried to act that what happened earlier didn't happened at all. Until it was time for bed, Ray dragged his body to his room and decided to scroll at the internet and he regretted doing that. For what he saw is another nightmare...
At the phone, he saw a facebook post which includes a picture of Allie hugging Alexander from the side as Alexander held the phone for a selfie with its caption saying "I, Alexander Morrins and Allison Underhill is officially dating."
Ray immediately shutted down his cellphone off and not forgetting to disconnect. He threw his cellphone at the wall and watched as it landed at the floor. Tears streams down his face as of cosplaying a waterfall, NO, he is cosplaying a waterfall. After all his first and longtime crush was owned by someone that is not him, someone who isn't afraid of pissing her off. As he picked up his phone, and looked at its reflection of his self.
'A Pathetic Loser, I am a Pathetic Loser.'
He then slumped down on the floor, and buried his head on his knees and started to cry quietly.
'Am I really that opaque? Allie didn't see the signs that I was giving her indicating that I liked her. She didn't even took the time to look at the love letters I made for her.. And she only took the time look at Alex's letter while she was busy on her schedules while didn't look at mine even when she had the free time. I saved her and defended her many times from getting attacked by crazy humans and the creatures of the veil while this guy who literally left her so many times in battle to defend himself got her heart?!???!!'
Raiden was internally screaming at his precious memories with Allie, all the time when she makes him angry, happy, and sad altogether with the team as there are no longer memories of precious time.. There are a memories of disdainfully defeat.
As he weeps in his room, he was suddenly hit with sleepiness, he slept like a rock in his bed not noticing a figure looking at him through the window.