Akamatsuverse Soul Requiem

[Zenithos]

Hiya. Zenithos returns with yet another one of BTB's fics left in my charge. I haven't revised anything for chapters 1-6 so no need to read through all this if you've seen it before on FF.net. I'm just posting them here for the convenience of those of you who haven't.

I've begun work on chapter 7 of the Motoko/Keitaro version, but unfortunately, I've hit a snag and my muse has decided to go on holiday (to China perhaps, darn it). But I've promised some of you to get it done, so I've posted what I have so far for chapter 7 below.

Soul Requiem: Return to Hinata Sou


Chp1: Nightmares


Disclaimer: I donÆt own Love Hina



His vision was jerkily blurry, as if there was a broken TV set stuck to his head. The sounds he heard screeched and scratched from time to time, as if what he was seeing was a really bad television transmission.


ôHey, Kei-kunàdid you hear? When two people who love each other go to Tokyo-U, they will live happily ever afteràö A voice echoed through his skull. ChildrenÆs laughter rang in his ears, echoing around, making it sound sinister rather than child-like. Suddenly everything, the vision and sounds, screeched.


ôPromise me, ok, Kei-kun?ö a blurry image of a little girl in the sunshine appeared. (SCREECH)



ôHow can we let him stay? This is Hinata Sou! An all girls dorm! HeÆs a male! A male in an all girls dorm! ThatÆs unheard of!ö Another voice, this time an angry one, echoed in the distance.


ôHeÆs a Tokyo-U student, we could get him to tutor usàö (SCREECH)


ôHey, whatÆs a special ED ID?ö a voice echoed, before everything started spinning. (SCREECH)


The words ôYOU LIARö echoed through his head. Everything went pitch black before hundreds of sketchbooks fell through the darkness, glowing.


ôHey, retaker! Still alive?!ö everything flashed around him. Visions shot through his head. Voices, many many voices, whispered and clashed around him, turning into a one solid sound. In between he heard small snatches of words, with seemingly corresponding visions.


ôYou knowàthatÆs just a simple Trig questionàdid you even try the question first or did you just look at it and say æI canÆt do itÆö A female voice asked. It was a traditional looking room. Two people were sitting in a kotatsu, books and paper were spread all over the kotatsuÆs surface. Everything was blurry, as usual. Everything blurred out for a moment before coming back into focus, though he felt he missed something in between.


ôShe definitely remembers! I can just imagine itàsheÆs fighting hard to fulfill that childhood promiseàeven if itÆs a stupid promise like æIÆll see you in ToudaiÆ or any such promiseàö the female voice continued. (FLASH)


ôI promise IÆll get into Tokyo U, IÆll turn back the lies, I promise. So Happy BirthdayàI promise you, IÆll get into Tokyo Uàö The scene was rather darkàthere seemed to be a collection of people on top of a small wooden structure. A small girl suddenly ran away. Everyone else suddenly ganged up on him and blasted him away into the darkness. (FLASH)


ôYou annoying, perverted, lecherous maleàDIE!ö Everything spun. (FLASH)


ôHey, what about me and you go out together some timeàI guess we could let the rent slide, hey?ö (FLASH)


ôMecha Tama Mk 1, GO!ö (FLASH)


ôKeitarou, what am I to do?!ö There was a memoryàof tearsàraven black hairàa shuddering figure he wanted so badly to embraceà(FLASH) ôWithout my swordàIÆm nothingàö ThatÆs not trueàhe knew thatÆs not trueàbut why? What is this? (FLASH) ôIÆm sorry, IÆve decided to stay at the Hinata Sou. Not only will I pass next year, IÆll continue to practice my sword skills.ö The seaside? Everything was shining brightàthen something explodedà(FLASH) ôI LOVE KEITAROU!ö WHAT? WhoÆs Keitarou? (FLASH)


ôHey, Keitarou are you really going away? Then before we die, can I ask for something?ö Something told him this was not the time for such questions. ôGive me a kiss. YouÆve already kissed Motoko once.ö WHAT?! And who on earth is Motoko anyway? If IÆve kissed someone, IÆd certainly remember! (FLASH)ôNyahahahahaha! We meet again Keitarou!ö A vision of flashing lights fleeting underneath himàheÆs flying? What?! He looked up and saw a young girl in a flowing native costume. HUH? ôHey, thereÆs Hinata Sou!ö (FLASH)


ôWelcomeàOniichanàto Hinata Souàö (SCREECH!) Back in pitch black darknessàmore sketchbooks fellàthis time accompanied byàdolls? Squirrel dolls? The word æpromiseÆ and æyakusokuÆ echoed through the darkness. Suddenly, a vertical line of light flashed down one side of the darkness. A door slid open slowlyàbringing light into the darkness. Beyond wasàwhat was that?


Strange ornate symbols flashed all around himàflashes of light flew around him in 4 intricate orbits, before slowing down and formingàcards? Then everything flashed bright once moreà

--------------------------------------------


ôGASP!ö a young man woke up suddenly, panting and gasping for breath. He looked down at the alarm clock beside himà4.45 AM in the morningàhe was sweating all over. He raised a hand to his head and ran a hand through his messy black hair. ôWhatàwas that all about? What a strangeànightmareàö


My name is Hayamura Takato, a freshman in Mahora Senior High. TodayàI had one of the strangest dreams IÆve ever hadàit felt as ifàI was someoneàcompletely differentàas if I was living someone elseÆs memoriesàwho was that guyànow IÆve completely forgotten his nameàand who were all those people?


Takato got up and walked over to the window. Everything was still dark outside. The street lights were shimmering in the distance. The moon glowed aboveàgiving just enough light for him to make out the Sora Hoshu crater out in the distance. Even from here it seemed gigantic.


ôHmmm, Oniichan? YouÆre up?ö A voice asked from behind him. He looked around, trying to focus at the gloaming darkness. A small figure sat on the second shelf of his futon closet, rubbing its eyes.


ôHikari-chan, sorry I woke you.ö Takato whispered.


ôBad dreams, niichan?ö The small brown haired girl asked, rubbing her eyes sleepily.


ôYeah, just another bad dreamàö Takato sighed. ôItÆs ok, go back to sleep. I didnÆt wake up Himari-chan too, did I?ö


ôNo, oneechanÆs still asleepàö The girl leaped down from the futon closet and walked up to her brother. ôDid you say your prayers before bed, niichan?ö


ôYes, yes, Hikari-chan, I did. DonÆt worry.ö Takato embraced his little sister and shepherded her back to the futon closet. ôAnd I still canÆt understand whatÆs so comfortable about a futon closet. Why canÆt you two just spread out a futon on the tatami.ö


ôItÆs comfy, niichan, why donÆt you try it sometime?ö She giggled, scrambling back into the futon closet. ôWanna join us?ö


ôI thinkàyou guys will need all the space you could getàö Takato said, pushing his little sister in and tucking her in. ôGoodnight, Hikari-chan.ö


ôGoodnight, niichan,ö Hikari said, stifling a yawn, before closing the closet sliding door. Takato left the room and went to the bathroom for a quick wash.


ôSeems like itÆs gonna be another long dayàö


-----------------------------------------------

5.00 AMàTakato decided to go out for a quick morning walk. He set out with a brisk pace towards an area of town called Market Avenue. The chilly winds bit through his face. Out of reflex, he pulled his coat tighter around himself. He knew the stores would all be closed, but he decided heÆd wait until the æCorner AntiquesÆ store opened. His friend, Sakura, normally opened her store a little earlier than usual, around 5.30àpretty much cause she didnÆt have much to do and because she wanted to get some customers in before she had to run off to school. She lived there with her grandfather, an old anthropologist and archaeologist who was said to have studied under a great master back when he was young.


Today, She opened up her store a bit earlier than usual. ôOh, ohayo Takato. YouÆre up early today.ö She said, her breath coming out in puffs of vapour, as she opened up the storeÆs metal sliding doors. ôNeed something?ö Her brown, slightly orange hair was picked up by the gentle morning breeze.


ôOhayo, Sakura-chan. I just need a new cell voucher card. I just ran out of credit the other day.ö Takato said.


ôSure, just wait while I get this openàthere we go.ö Sakura went in and gestured for him to follow her. ôCome in.ö


He walked into the darkness and stopped by the dooràit was unsafe to walk through the store in the dark, with all the fragile antiques lying around everywhere. Sakura confidently made her way through the darkness and switched on the lights, illuminating the centuries worth of forgotten treasures now stored in the small curio store. Business hasnÆt been good, lately, apparently, and Sakura somehow managed to convince her grandfather to start selling hand phone credit voucher cards and a few cheap souvenirs to keep the store going.


ôOkay, just a 50.000 yen card, that will do.ö Takato said, opening his wallet.


ôHere you go.ö Sakura ducked under the counter and came back up with the card. A telephone suddenly rang in the back. ôOh, excuse me, IÆll be back in a second.ö She quickly navigated the cluttered back area and made her way to the phone.


Meanwhile, Takato decided to look around a bit. The store was filled to bursting with tons of odd stuff. There was everything from the ancient 15th century (so it claims) up to stuff from the recently passed 21st century, from before the war.á HeÆs been in the store quite a number of times, so heÆs pretty much used to the cluttered interior. As he looked around, his elbow accidentally knocked over a box. It fell with a clatter onto the floor. The lid fell open and a number of cards fell out. Along with it fell an old sketchbook.


In panic, Takato quickly stooped to gather the cards. But as he touched one, his vision flashed and screeched again, just like his nightmare.


ôàI love youàKeitarouàö a voice whispered softly. ôI always willàö


ôHuh!ö Takato recoiled and stood back, panting. ôWhatàö He held his head. ôUhhàmust be lack of sleepàö He crouched again and tentatively reached out for the cardsànothing happened this time.


ôthatÆsàweirdàö He gathered the cards and deposited them on the counter along with the wooden boxàwhich he noticed was more like a thick volumed book. As he placed the cards back in he took a look at the cards. They were all blank white cards.


ôOkàI thinkàIÆm just tiredàmy imagination must be running overtime againàö He breathed out slowly. But he couldnÆt get over the freakinessàwhy blank white cards? In a box that looked so ornately designed? He quickly placed the cards back in the box, took his telephone voucher, left the 50.000 yen note and a message saying æsee you in schoolÆ, then left the store in a hurry. The sketchbook was left lying on the floor, open to a particular page. It was a drawing of an old traditional Japanese building, with sakura blossoms flying across it.


ôThatàwas way freakyàö He sighed. Then he looked up as something cold touched his forehead. Small white flakes of snow swirled down around him as the first rays of sunlight came up over the horizon. ôBetter get homeàgotta take the twins to school.ö


He and his sisters lived in a spacious apartment in a suburb in Tokyo-6, a prefecture once known as Kanagawa. His parents lived away somewhere in the EU, working. They left him in Japan, believing it would be better for him to continue his studies there. His sisters were sent over just recently as they had just reached 5th grade and their parents thought it would be better for them to take the national primary school graduation examination and go to a good junior high in Japan.


When he got there, his sisters were already waiting for him with breakfast. Scrambled eggs and toast. ôOhayo, oniichan! Did you just go out for a walk?ö his sister, Himari asked. ôHikari told me you were having nightmares again.ö


ôOhayo, it wasnÆt that bad.ö Takato said. ôHikari-chan, you tell-tale!ö He playfully knocked Hikari on the head.


ôOwàö Hikari cried. ôIÆll get you for that, niichan!ö She started chasing Takato around the room.


ôAll right, better get moving children, itÆs time for school.ö Himari said, muffled by the piece of toast in her mouth, slinging her backpack on her back. ôLetÆs go!ö


ôRight, right!ö Takato said, picking up two pieces of toast laden with scrambled eggs. He picked up his school bag, turned around, and gave Hikari a dekopin (flick), sending her falling backwards onto the tatami.


ôHàhey! Not fair!ö Hikari shouted, getting up.


ôLast one to school is a loser!ö Takato shouted, running out the front door.


ôHàhey! Niichan!ö Hikari shouted.


ôsighàö Himari sighed, following her siblings out into the corridor, before locking the door behind her.

-----------------------------


Later onàthat afternoonà


ôhmm, the twins have probably gone homeàman, baseball can take a lot out of youàö Takato stretched as he stood outside his school. Most of the students had gone home. He had remained for extra-curricular activities. He took out his phone and dialed up Himari to check up on them.


ôSorry, your phone has run out of creditàplease refillàyou couldàö a female voice said over the phone.


ôOh, I forgot to refill itàö Takato took out his credit voucher cardàöhuh?ö it was a blank card. ôOhàhellàö He pocketed his phone and sighed. ôDarnàhow could I have taken thisàö he flipped over the card twiceàhe almost dropped the card out of shock. There, on what was supposed to have been a blank side, was a neat handwritten message in cursive.


ôoh manàI donÆt like thisàö He read the message. ôIÆll be waiting for youàat Hinata Souàö


ôHinata Sou?ö He looked up at the hill overlooking Kanagawaàan old ruined building stood there, slowly gathering snow. ôDidnÆt that girl in the dream refer to the Hinata Souàö He looked back down at the cardàit was blank again. ôOkayànow this is getting a little too freakyàö


-------------------------------------------

ôSakura-chan, what exactly are these cards?ö Takato asked his friend, later on in the antiques store.


ôI donÆt know, actuallyàö Sakura said, looking down at the box and the cards. ôAccording to my catalogueàthey date back to the early 21st century, right before the war started.ö She said, consulting her catalogue. ôWhat happened, Takato? You just disappeared this morning and I found the box on the counter with a message. Did something happen? Why are you all interested in these cards all of a sudden?ö


ôIàI donÆt knowàSakura-chanàö Takato said, looking down at the cards. ôDo you know where exactly these came from?ö


ôNoàthere isnÆt any information regarding this box and the cardsàö Sakura said, shaking her head. ôI donÆt think these served any purposeàprobably just blank cards to fill up the boxàthe box looks like a card holder anyway.ö


ôRightàdo you have any information of the Hinata Sou?ö Takato asked.


ôHmmm, let me check.ö Sakura said, taking a stool and checking the top shelves of a tall cabinet. She came back down carrying a gigantic file holder marked 1980-2050. ôIf thereÆs anything historical then it would go in here.ö She flicked through the files. ôAh, Hinata Souà apparently it was an inn at some stage, though it was converted to an all girls dorm in the late early 1990sàthere are records of it having gotten blown up a number of times. Then there are records of a wedding that even went in the newspapersàI canÆt really make out who got married hereàhey, hereÆs the name of the manager at that time, Keitarou Urashima. HmmàI canÆt believe that this is all about that old building up there on the hill. Hey, Takato?ö


Takato was staring off into space. ôKeitarouàUrashima?ö He whispered. ôSakura, anything else about this person?!ö


ôHmmmàfailed Tokyo-u entrance exams 3 times, got in on the fourth try. Became an apprentice archaeologistàthere are many articles regarding the stuff he discovered on Pararakelse island and Molmolàand he went on one last excavation in 2013àa few months before the asteroid strike. Nothing elseàthough it might be worth noting that the Hinata Sou got hit pretty badly during the Sora Hoshu impact. All of Kanagawa was decimated and half of Hinata hill forms what we now know as the Sora Hoshu crater.ö Sakura said.


ôTokyo-UàKeitarou UrashimaàHinata Souàarchaeologistàö Takato repeated. ôThanks, Sakura-chan. Hey, can I buy this card?ö he showed Sakura the card he accidentally took. ôI think I took it accidentally in my rush this morningà.and ah, I need that voucher card too.ö He gestured at the voucher card that lay in the pile of blank cards on the counter.


ôOh, I couldnÆt charge you for that. Unless it has a clear historical record, our store canÆt sell it as an antique. You can take it, if you want. And all these too, off course.ö She gestured at the pile of blank cards. ôThough would you mind paying for the box? It doesnÆt qualify as an antique cause of the lack of records, but at least as a souvenir of some sort?ö


Takato left the store carrying a cardboard box that contained his newly purchased wooden card holder and a small number of blank cards. He actually countedàthere were only about 8 cards in it, though there was a lot of empty space for more cards. He looked up at the decimated Hinata hill, then looked down at the one blank card he had taken that morning. He picked up his cell, refilled it, and phoned Hikari and Himari, telling them heÆd come home rather late. Then he started running towards itàtowards the Hinata Sou. He didnÆt know what he would findàif he would find anything at allàbut something told himàsomething deep inside him told him, he had to go. At least to see it, to see it for himself, the Hinata Sou.


To be continuedà

 

[Zenithos]

Chapter 2: Return


Market Avenueàa desolate bare stretch of road with a few small stores on either sideàsome closed and boarded upàsome waiting for opening hours. Takato walked through the slowly falling snowà.straight towards the end of the road, the Hinata Sou. On one side he saw one old buildingàapparently the first story used to be some old western restaurant, while the second story used to be some old detective agency, now closed down for good. There was a lonely theatre on another side, now seeming gaunt and dead, draped by cold, cold snow.


There was always snow on the ground. The landscape was always white with bare patches of grey where the snow had gotten swept away, revealing a patch of concrete or dead earth. It snows a few times a week, even in July. The meteor showers had left the earth a cold, dead planet. The biodome that spread over the sky above Takato was all that stood between the last places of human habitation and complete permafrost. It kept the temperature within the biodome at around 0-3 degrees centigrade all throughout the year, though it could rise to as warm as 5 or 6 around summer. Outside, the frosty winds blew over desolate chilly wastelands where temperatures would rise to -20 degrees centigrade in mid-summers and could drop to -40 in winters.


He finally reached the snow covered hill. It seemed like a misshapen cake with many dead eerily slanting sakura trees as decorations. The steps were badly damaged and misshapenàno one had bothered to repair them after the meteor strike and the war. Far to his right, the Sora Hoshu crater gaped wide openàa shallow bowl-like depression extending 2km to the south. The explosion had taken part of Hinata hill with it, blasting the rest into a slurring slide down the other side. It was amazing that remains of the old building still stood, ruined as it was.


He started to ascend the old, tumbled down steps. As he stepped on the first step, everything flashedà


ôHeyàcan you teach me?ö The hill suddenly burst alive, everything was greenàleaves and a few blossoms hung on the sakura treesàthe steps were suddenly whole. But everything was blurryàsomebody fix the receiver!


A girl stood on the steps above, looking back downwards. ôHavenÆt you given up yet? Why do you want to go to Tokyo-U anyway? WhatÆs your purpose?ö She asked, with a frown.


ôWell, why do you want to go there?ö A warm wind blew across the hill.


ôMe?ö The girl asked, suddenly lighting up. ôIàö She let her hair down, which was previously tied up in pleats. ôItÆs a secret!ö She laughed, holding her tongue out. (FLASH)


The hills were dead again. The snow was back. The bitter winds bit back with a vengeance. ôHuh?ö Takato took his foot of the step in shock. ôSomethingàtells meàIÆd better turn backàright NOW!ö he was about to turn back when suddenly, something caught his eye. It was a little girl, in a violet dress, standing some distance up the stairs. She stared down at him, before running back up the stairs.


ôRightàlonelyàrestless spiritàruined buildingàdead looking hillàmysterious ghostly hand writing on ominous white cardsàand freaky visions every few minutesàwhyàwhy arenÆt I turning back?ö Takato asked himself, as he again set foot on the steps. He held his breath as he set foot on the first step, but breathed a sigh of relief as nothing happened. ôOkayàIÆm going to have to see this throughàö He steeled his will and ploughed on up the hill.


He paused for a moment as he reached the top of the arduous flight of stairs and looked around him, partly in awe, partly in shock. There, before him, stood the old, ruined inn. ItÆs dark, dead windows looked down at him with a knowing deepness, as of something that was once sagely and full of wisdom and has now gone old and rotten. The old stone open area in front of the inn was cracked and damaged. Many jagged rocks had buried itself deep into the concrete.


Takato made his way through the open area towards the innÆs entranceàbut as he got midway, another flash obscured his vision.


ôSoàthatÆs what happened. And now IÆm the manager of this place. My nameÆs Keitarou Urashima, nice to meet you all.ö The hill burst into bloom again. The inn was again proud and majestic, as it once was, beaming down at the collection of people below it.


ôWe wonÆt allow it!ö part of the group shouted, and leapt in assault. (FLASH)


ôOkayàyet another oneàIÆm starting to understand this Keitarou guyàor at least I think itÆs himàö Takato muttered, trying to regain his balance. ôWell, IÆve come this faràcanÆt turn back nowàö He went forwards towards the innÆs entrance. The doors had been broken and thrown aside by some Herculean force. He entered the remains of the living room and whispered ôexcuse me?ö suddenly the room swirled and another flash ensued.


ôOkay, then welcome to the Hinata Inn!ö A group of girls shouted. Everything was suddenly cozy and homely, Hinata Sou in its prime. (FLASH)


ôOkayàfirst of allàRayce, that thing doesnÆt move that way.ö This seemed to be another time. There wasàwater falling outside? So thatÆs what they call ærainÆàheÆs never actually seen anything like it before. The living room was alight in the midst of the thundering gloom of the rain. There was a chessboard on the table, with two boys sitting opposite one another.


ôWhat thing?ö The boy named Rayce asked, innocently.


ôThe knight, it doesnÆt move that way.ö The other boy said, pointing at a piece.


ôSecond of allàthe queen was on the other side of the boardàhow can you take out the queen with your knight, when both pieces havenÆt even moved.ö A voice said. Takato noticed that it was coming from the direction of the visionàso it was from him? Or whoeverÆs memory it wasà


ôHey, the rule book says knights can jump over pieces!ö Rayce protested.


ôIt canàas long as itÆs moving in the specified L manner.ö The other boy explained, exasperated. TakatoÆs vision went dark as the owner of the memory put a hand to his face and shook his head slowly. (FLASH)


The ruined living room appeared again before his eyes. The floorboards were all crumbling and rotting, some were missing. The furniture were all smashed, lined up against the north wallàprobably the effects of the explosion. All he hoped was that he wonÆt find any human remains. He ventured forth into the ruined inn. There were remains of an old wooden staircase, now collapsed and useless. Well, it wasnÆt as if there was a second floor to go to anyway. Most of the second floor had collapsed, presumably during the meteor strike. It was a wonder anything was left at all.


ôThisàwas probably the kitchenàö Amongst the pile of rubble on one side stood an old kitchen sink, all cracked and smashed. There was the forlorn form of an old refrigerator, buried amongst the rubble. There was even an old kitchen knife by the sink and a few cracked dishes. öAmazingàitÆs been left like this for a whole centuryàö Takato whispered in awe. FLASHà


ôThat smells goodàö Gentle aromas of sweet traditional home cooking wafted through the room. There was a gentle sizzling of something on the range. The refrigerator was open, someone was crouching in front of it, seemingly looking for something. There was a girl by the sink, skillfully chopping vegetables. A boy was standing beside her, by the range, tending the frying pan.


ôKeitarou-sempai!ö The girl dropped her knife and blushed, noticing the new presence.


The kid by the refrigerator, whirled around, ôYou knowàweÆre kinda out of beer, eh? Oh, Keitarou. Whassup? The smell brought you down?ö


ôArenÆt you a little too young to be drinking beer, Rayce?ö


ôHey, Keitarou-sempai, can you tend this for a moment? I gotta go get the plates and stuff out.ö He smiled, winking and gesturing over at the girl who luckily didnÆt notice.


ôOh, rightàgotcha Lee.ö (FLASH)


? The debris returnedàeverything was again dead and dreary. Takato turned around and headed out into the rear courtyard. He felt that whatever he was looking for, he would only find it by venturing further. Now a fuzzy sound of laughter and shouts filled his head. There was a sound of distant footfalls on the wooden terraces. There was a sound of birds singing, trees sighing. Takato walked down onto the now desolate courtyard. There, amidst a few tumbledown debris, stood the little girl.


ôIÆve been waiting for youàö The girl said, standing up.


ôWhoàare you?ö Takato asked, venturing forwards. The little girl was still dressed in her violet dress. It was certainly not suited for the weather.


ôYouàdonÆt rememberàdo you? But promises never dieàyou finally came.ö The little girl turned around and looked up at the pile of debris behind her.


? ôIàdonÆt know why I cameàcanàyou pleaseàexplain?ö Takato ventured, sensing that this girl would probably leave out any other details, such as her identity. ôAnd you might want to wear my jacketàitÆs rather cold.ö


ôThe dead donÆt feel coldàö The girl smiled. ôAll will be made clearàin time. You shall discover everything for yourself.ö The girl ran away into the gathering mist.


ôHàHey!ö Takato was about to run after her when something behind him exploded. He immediately fell forwards flat on the floor from the shock as something whirled through the air above him, slicing through the debris in front of him, before taking flight into the mist above. ôWhat?ö He looked around. Two dark shadows appeared amidst the dust and mist, their shapes growing more and more distinct. Takato scrambled onto his feet, ready to run.


Two figures materialized from the mist. One was a black haired boy, all dressed in black, probably around TakatoÆs age. Beside him was a tall woman with very narrow eyes and a vacant expression, also in black. Her clothes were more or less a modernized version of the traditional ninja costume, with a tight jet black vest buttoned down the front with a grey long sleeved shirt underneath and a pair of black trousers. She raised one arm and neatly caught a rapidly spinning object that flew towards her. It was a gigantic kageshuriken.


ôToji?ö Takato asked, seeing that the boy was a classmate of his.


ôFinish him, Kaede, and bring the cards to me.ö The boy said calmly. The woman beside him flashed and disappeared, re-appearing only a split-second later in front of Takato, a kunai (Japanese ninja dagger) raised in one hand.


ôWhaà?!ö Takato cried, raising a hand to his face out of reflex. This was itàhe was certainly going to die. ôHikariàHimariàö


The wooden box in his hands suddenly shone bright. A flash of light ensued. The woman was suddenly knocked backwards, sliding a few meters back, leaving a deep trail in the snow. The bright flash of light subsided. A few sakura petals swirled around Takato as he opened his eyes. A card was spinning before him, shining bright. Beyond the blinding glare, in the middle of the swirling sakura petals, stood a girl, her back towards him, looking straight up, both arms extended sideways, as if taking in a deep, refreshing breath. Her hair shone in the pale light, flying with the gentle yet sharp gust of wind.


ôIt canÆt beàö The boy named Toji shielded his eyes from the glare.


ôItÆsàö Kaede whispered.


ôàIÆve been waiting for youàö




To be continuedà

 

[Zenithos]

Chapter 3: First Encounter KeixMot version.


Who are you, whom I so faintly hear?


What voice is this that speaks within me?


To whoÆs fragile soulà


Do we sing this requiem?


Her white hakama flashed bright under the blinding light. Her dark blue gi flowed with swirling breeze, in a slow dance together with the sakura petals. Her raven black hair flowed out, rippling and shining under the light. The card before Takato slowed down into a sedate spin, revealing the light green words on the dark green back, which said, ôMagister Carta Magi Ultimaö The card then slowly rotated to reveal the front. There was a picture of a lone swordswoman, one hand on her katana, the other on the sheath, standing ready in her hakama and gi.


The girl stood still under the spiraling sakura petals, head upwards, hands spread outwards. Takato shielded his eyes as another flash consumed her. Something started materializing from the top downwards. It was a blinding white long-sleeved Japanese maidenÆs robe that slowly materialized over the hakama. The hakama itself was gradually turning black before obscured completely by the flowing maidenÆs robe. Her dark blue gi started to turn a bright white as the maidenÆs robe completed its materialization as it reached around knee length. A black glove materialized around her left arm while a long white katana? materialized in her right arm. As the transfiguration was completed, an explosion of light engulfed the girl once again.


The flash subsided as the sakura petals blew away with a sudden gust of wind that picked up her long flowing maidenÆs robe, black hakama, and white gi. The card flashed and shook as a similar transfiguration took place across the card form down upwards, extending in a blinding flash across the surface of the card. It slowly rotated as it transfigured, revealing a change occurring across the back as well. The dark green back was turning silver, with the lighter silver words ôMagister Carta Magi Takato Hayamuraö slowly replacing the old light green words.


The card dropped into TakatoÆs hands as the girl lowered her arms and face and looked at the snow beneath her. ôI have returnedàö She sighed ôàit has been a long timeàKeitarouàö . She looked up at Kaede and said, ôKaede Nagaseàwhat a surpriseàto see you here, once again.ö


ôWhat an honour, to have the chance to fight the revered Motoko Aoyama of the Shinmei-ryuàö Kaede nodded. ôThis shall be an interesting fight.ö


ôWhat?! Stop kidding around, Kaede! Destroy them and take the cards!ö Toji shouted, pointing at both Motoko and Takato.


ôVery well master, but it is customary for us warriors to greet one another and formally challenge one another prior to a battle for honour.ö Kaede said, priming her stance, a kunai in each hand.


ôStand back, Keitarou.ö Motoko said. ôLeave this one to me.ö


ôUmmàare you referring to me, by any chance?ö Takato ventured, seeing that there wasnÆt anybody else around.


ôOff course IÆm reffering to you, you idiot. Who else would have the same name around here?ö Motoko snapped. ôIÆve been away for so long, you could at least have the decency of treating matters seriously.ö


ôBut IÆm not KeitarouàIÆm Takato.ö Takato said.


ôHuh? What?!ö Motoko asked, suddenly looking around. Kaede launched into an attack and aimed a slash at Motoko


ôImpossibleàa card evolution in as soon as the card was unleashedàö Toji muttered. ôàso you really are a card master, Takatoàö


Sparks flew out as MotokoÆs blade slammed into KaedeÆs twin daggers. Motoko switched around her foothold and gained some momentum forwards. At the same time, she cried out, ôShinmei-ryu! Ougi! Hi Ken Kamaitaichi!ö the snow around her swirled around as a blast of wind blew Kaede into the sky, shredding through every undefended area.


KaedeÆs hands flashed as she quickly executed a complex number of ninja seals. ôFirst danceàRai no Kaze!ö She whispered, as she disappeared.


ôHuh?!ö Motoko looked around, her katana sill raised. Suddenly, something blasted the snow on one side. Motoko looked around in that directionàbut too lateàKaede was already in front of her, her hands fizzling with electricity.


ôSecond danceàRai no Hana!ö Kaede cried out. Motoko was blasted into a flying spin. Another Kaede was standing right behind her.


ôA Kage-bunshin!ö Motoko muttered, as she flew towards the second Kaede. The Kaede executed a few more seals and blasted her towards another Kaede bunshin. They blasted her around, rising into the air as they did so. Then one last Kaede flashed above her and hammered her down into the earth. She smashed into the ground, raising a large cloud of dust and smoke.


ôFinal dance, Rai no Mori!ö All the Kaede Bunshins executed a number of ninja seals before firing a barrage of searing hot lightning bolts down at the cloud of smoke and dust. They all landed around the slowly dissipating cloud of dust, hands raised.


ôNot badàö Motoko said, wiping a bit of blood from her mouth. ôBut you didnÆt notice somethingàö


ôde gozaru?ö All 5 of the Kaedes looked around themselves. There were faint lines in the snow around them. ôàa ki ringàde gozaruàö


ôPreciselyàö Motoko whispered. All the Kaedes immediately leaped up into the air. ôfutileàö She stood silent, looking up at the group of Kaedes, a slight breeze blowing by. ôShinmei-ryuàougiàHi-Ken Ho Kai No Rai Mei KIN!ö


ôGive me those cards!ö Toji screamed, launching himself onto Takato.


ôWhatÆs got into you, Toji!ö Takato shouted, trying to heave him off. Toji clawed on his hands, trying to pry the card out of his hands. Takato held onto the card for dear life.


The ground shook as the faint lines that formed a huge Shinmei symbol of Divine Order shone bright. She stood amidst the symbol, sword raised. All the Kaedes shook their heads. Motoko noticed Toji trying to pry the card out of TakatoÆs hands, before concentrating on her attack again.?


ôThis is for Keitarouàand Hinataàö Motoko whispered, closing her eyes. She whirled around, letting her katana dig into the snow, forming a circle around her, before slashing it upwards. Thousands of phoenix shaped bolts of lightning coursed up towards the Kaedes. All of them attempted a shield genjutsu but ended up being blasted by the onslaught. A few stray bolts flew towards Toji and Takato. Takato kicked Toji up and flipped behind? a rock. From the sound of it, he judged, Toji got hit by one of the bolts.


The ground and dead trees shook as the pillar of lighting bolts rose up to the dark clouds above, piercing it as a flock of birds took flight from the surrounding area.


ôDamnàweÆll be back, Takato. Just you wait. Next time, IÆll let you have a taste of true horror!ö Toji shouted, raising his Kaede card. ôKaede, return!ö The card flashed as he started running away, smoke trailing behind him. ôI shall return!ö


Takato watched him as he fell over. ôI swear IÆll return!ö He shouted, getting up, before running away again.


ôWhatàwas that all about?ö Takato asked, looking around at Motoko. Motoko was sheathing her katana in the middle of the circle of singed earth.


ôWe have no time for jokes Keitarou.ö Motoko said, looking around. Then she frowned. ôHmmmàKeitarouàhave you shrunk or something?ö


ôIÆm not Keitarou, my nameÆs Takato Hayamura!ö Takato shouted in frustration. ôIÆve already told you IÆm not Keitarou.ö In truth, he was extremely confused.


ôYou do resemble him, thoughàö Motoko looked closely at him. ôSoàyouÆre not Keitarouàö Motoko sighed, looking up at the ruined Hinata Sou. ôI havenÆt been here in a long timeàI havenÆt seen it since that dayàö She looked up at the sky. A few birds flew across the desolate grey sky.


ôSoàyouÆre my new masteràö Motoko said, looking down at Takato and at the card in his hand. ôJust a little kid, huh?ö


ôWhat do you mean, kid?!ö Takato asked, indignantly.


ôDo you know anyone by the name of Keitarou, by any chance?ö Motoko asked, walking towards the ruins.


ôEh? IÆve only heard stories of him. He was the manager of this place before the meteor strike and the waràthat was exactly a century ago.ö Takato said, trying to keep up with MotokoÆs brisk pace.


ôA century?ö Motoko stopped dead in her tracks. ôWhat year is this?ö


ô2113àö Takato said. He was surprised to see the proud looking samurai suddenly slump to her knees.


ô2113àKeitarouàHinataàö She whispered, looking up at the ruins. Then she looked down at her hands. ôWhatàwhat went wrong? HeàHe promisedàHe promisedàö She started sobbing. ôHe promisedàthat idiot promisedàKEITAROU! HINATA!ö She cried out. All the birds in the area took flight suddenly, surprised by the cry of anguish and sorrow.


ôKeitarouàHinataàö She sobbed, holding her face in her hands. Her battle attire started to disintegrate, disappearing into whisps of light, leaving her in her usual hakama and gi. Her katana also started to disappear, leaving sparkles in its wake.


ôummàcan Iàis there anything I can do?ö Takato asked, cautiously, thinking he should try and do something to help. He held out a handkerchief.


Motoko took the handkerchief and wiped her tears. ôPleaseàtell meàtell me everything you know about these two peopleàUrashima Keitarou and Urashima Hinata.ö


ôIàI donÆt know muchàö Takato stammered, finding himself at a loss. ôI only know Urashima Keitarou was the landlord and dorm manager here between 1999 to 2113àhe was a Tokyo-U student who became an archaeologistà.then he left on one last expedition right before the meteor strikeàthat was the last anyone ever heard of him.ö Takato said. ôIÆve never heard of Urashima Hinataàbut IÆm sure Sakura would have some archives on whoever she isàö


ôàö Motoko got up and walked into the ruins. Takato followed closely, not knowing what else he was supposed to do. He was seriously confusedàthe girl in violet, the strange visions, the card, then his own classmate attacked himàthen this really tall samurai of a girl appeared. But he could sense now was not the time for questions.


ôNothing left ànot a single thingàö Motoko looked through the debris ôEverythingàgoneàö


Takato kneeled down and took a look through the debris as well. He? thought, perhaps he could help search? The girl seemed to be in a lot of pain, and she seemed to be looking for something. Then his hand touched something that looked like a frame. Everything flashed.


ôMo-chan! Nata-chan! Smile!ö the cameraÆs lights flickered as the timer counted down. A young woman was holding a young girl close. SNAP! That moment in time was frozen foreveràFLASH


ôHuh?ö Takato lifted a few pieces of wood and plaster to uncover the frame. He picked up the small object and blew off the dust and plasteràbehind the smashed glass were three people, smiling happily. A young woman and a young man, both hugging a little girl. ôHey, this looks like youàö He showed it to Motoko.


Motoko stood up immediately and walked over. She kneeled down by Takato and held the photograph. She took it out of its shattered frame and held it close. ôKei-kunàNata-chanàö She whispered, as a few more tears fell. ôWhyàö


----------------------------------

ôOhàthe twins already left on their field tripàö Takato said, picking up a note on the table. ôTheyÆll be back day after tomorrow. Okay thenàcan I make you a cup of teaàoràö Takato looked over at Motoko who was sitting quietly on the sofa, looking down at the photograph. ôOk...tea it is thenàö


ôSugar? Milk?ö Takato asked, setting down a tray of tea with two cups.


ôTheyàthey were my husband and daughteràö Motoko said.


ôOhàö Takato felt it was something obvious, but it was better to hear it straight from her.


ôSheàwasàshe was only 6 when it happenedàI rememberàI held her in my armsàwhen everything went brightàö Motoko said.


ôOhàö Takato poured out some tea.


ôEverythingàeverything went brightàand warmàthe sky shone brightàö Motoko whispered. ôI kept her close to meàI didnÆt want to lose heràö She started sobbing again. ôHe promised meàthat idiot promised meàö


ôPleaseàö Takato held out his handkerchief again.


ôThank youàI never got your nameàö Motoko said, looking up at Takato.


ôIÆve already told youàö Takato sighed. ôIÆm Takato Hayamura.ö


ôSoàyouÆre the new card masteràö Motoko sighed. ôIàI donÆt have much purpose leftàbut at least, I can help youàit was his wish to end all thisàö


ôIÆm sorry, but IÆm not very clear on what exactly is happening hereàö Takato said. ôCard master?ö


ôItÆs what we call a magister carta magus, or card mage. A card mage is one who has control over a number of cards which somehow allow him to summon people from the pastàI donÆt quite understand how it works myself.ö Motoko said, pocketing her photograph.


ôPeople from the pastàas in...dead people?ö Takato asked.


ôNot exactly deadàhow do I explain thisàletÆs say our souls are sealed within the cards, and only card masters could unleash the seals and summon our souls into the physical realm.ö Motoko said. ôMy firstàcard masteràwas my own husband, Keitarou Urashimaàö


ôOh?ö Takato laid down a cup of tea in front of her. Motoko took a sip before continuing.


ôYes, I wasàI donÆt know exactly if I died or notàI was there at the Hinata Sou at the exact moment the meteor obliterated everythingàme and my daughteràthe next thing I knew, I was being summoned out of a card by Keitarou.ö She sighed. ôI didnÆt understand a thing of what was happening. It was all chaosàthe entire world was suddenly plunged into darknessàa war broke out between humanity and the darkness that had just descended. Others like me, spirits of pure light, empowered by the final guardians of the light, were summoned into the world to combat the darkness.ö


ôSoàafter the meteor strikeàyou died and your soul was sealed away in a card?ö Takato asked.


ôàI donÆt know what happened. I only know all my friends who had died in the meteor strike also ended up sealed in cardsàwe all fought against the darkness alongside our card master.ö Motoko said, looking out at the open sky. ôThenàbefore the endàhe promised me heÆd returnà.as he always did whenever he left. He promised heÆd return and heÆd bring the light backàhe said heÆd find Nata-chan after everythingÆs finishedà He promisedàö


ôOhàso you guys have defeated the darknessàö Takato said, looking out at the frozen city.


ôNoàapparently notàapparently we left something unfinishedàyour worldàitÆs still frozen in darknessàö Motoko said, touching the cold glass of the window. ôWe must go out once again and finish off our task once and for allàthat way the souls of the summon cards would be able to finally rest in peaceàö


ôOkàgood luckàö Takato said, sipping his tea.


ôWhat do you mean, good luck?!ö Motoko threw her cup at TakatoÆs head which smashed, sending him to the floor. ôYouÆre the card master! You have to fight alongside us!ö


ôI meanàwhat can I do?!ö Takato shouted, looking up at Motoko. ôIÆm just a junior high kid. I have no combat experience whatsoever.ö


ôàI guess IÆm wrongàyouÆre not like Keitarou at allàö Motoko sighed. ôListen, our manna power comes from the card masteràonly the spiritual power of a card master could sustain our presence in this world. Without you, weÆd just be a pack of playing cards.ö


ôGreatàwell I have nothing to do with it. IÆve got two little sisters to take care of, I canÆt be going around fighting darkness and whatnot.ö Takato said, walking to the kitchen.


ôRight, so youÆre just going to leave the world to rot in darkness?!ö Motoko shouted. ôThatÆs your way of going about it?!ö


ôWeÆve survived for a century in this frozen wasteland.ö Takato said. ôAnd we can survive further.ö


ôRightàyou are awareàthere is a large dome of spiritual power around this city right nowàIÆve sensed its presence ever since I arrived.ö Motoko said.


ôYes, the biodome. Why? Want some cake?ö Takato offered some cake from the fridge. ôAs far as I know, itÆs just a shield to keep out the cold and strange monsters that lurk out in the wasteland. I never heard about it being a dome of spiritual power.ö


ôItÆs the spiritual element of that dome thatÆs keeping out the monsters spawned of darknessàbut the darkness is quickly growingàat some point it will overwhelm this cityÆs spiritual barrier and break in.ö Motoko said, looking up at the sky. ôThe darkness will not stop until it has consumed everything.ö


ôRightàrightàö Takato said, sitting down on the sofa again. ôWhat do you want me to do? Put on a suit of armour and go fight?ö


ôNo, your only taskàwell, technicallyàis to provide us guardians with manna power. We take care of the rest. Off course there are instances where mages fight alongside their partners, though I have no idea whatÆs common with card masters. IÆve only met three so faràmy husband, you, and that friend of yours.ö Motoko said.


ôCan I just give these cards to someone else?ö Takato asked. SMASHà.


ôBAKA!ö Motoko stormed out of the apartment and into the street. Meanwhile, Takato lay in a pool of blood with a tanuki statue on his head.


ôWhy meà?ö Takato muttered.


-----------------------------------------

ôItÆsàso coldàthis world you tried to protectàKeitarouàö Motoko looked up at the sky. She was standing by a strange looking building. It looked like the entrance to a subway. ôBrrrà.ö She shivered. She tried to warm her hands. ôThat idiotàhowÆd a baka like him get a hold of my card?ö


ôMotoko-sempai?ö A voice asked. Motoko whirled around, surprised that someone knew her name.


ôIÆm sorryàö A flurry of ribbons flew out at Motoko. Motoko raised her arm to counter. The ribbon whipped around it and held it fast.


ôSasaki-sanàö Motoko said, trying to pull her arm free. Before her, the candy-pink haired girl stood, holding tightly onto the ribbon, her red vest and white long skirt and scarf flying in the wind. Her hair was tied up into her usual twin ponytails under a red barrette. Kaede stood a few metres off, kunais at the ready. ôKaedeàö Motoko said, looking at Kaede.


ôWell wellàwhereÆs your card master? Leaving you all alone and weaponless like thatàhow irresponsibleàö Toji appeared, clicking his tongue. ôWell nowàguess weÆll just defeat you firstàö He clicked his fingers.


Makie flung Motoko into the subway-station-like building, straight at the opposite wall. Kaede prepared a few ninja seals before charging at Motoko with flaming hands. She delivered a blaze of punches at Motoko, pinning her to the wall to the point of smashing it, before giving her an uppercut which sent her smashing into the ceiling above before falling onto the long flight of steps below. She rolled down a long way into an underground area.


Makie and Kaede descended down the steps, preparing to finish off Motoko, who was lying in a heap on the floor. Kaede picked up Motoko by the collar and raised her over a ditch like opening in the middle of the large tube-like concrete lined room. It did seem like a subway station, only the tracks were far too large for any ordinary subway train of the 21st century.


ôI apologizeàAoyama-sanàö Kaede said.


ôHehàö Motoko chuckled. ôIÆmàUrashimaàMotokoàö


ôLet her go!ö A large pipe threatened to bludgeon Kaede from the side. She immediately let go of Motoko and leaped aside out of the way. Motoko fell down onto the tracks below. ôAre you ok?!ö Takato shouted down at Motoko. ôSorry IÆm late!ö He was standing before Kaede and Makie, a metal pipe in his hands. ôSTAND BACK!ö


ôThis is a surpriseàTakatoàö Toji laughed, walking down the steps. ôYouÆve saved me the trouble of having to look for youàhahahahaàfinish him off.ö


Both Kaede and Makie advanced. A light was growing brighter at the end of the tunnel. ôThe trainÆs coming!ö Takato shouted down at Motoko.


ôUghhàö Motoko tried to get up, but in vain. The train drew closer.


ôNO!ö Takato shouted, leaping down to Motoko.


ôYouàbakaàö Motoko muttered.

-----------------------------


To be continuedà

 

[Zenithos]

And here's the Keitaro/Shinobu version of chapter 3:

Chapter 3: Close Encounter ShinxKei version


----------------------------------


ôIÆve been waiting for youàö The girl said, standing up.


ôWhoàare you?ö Takato asked, venturing forwards. The little girl was still dressed in her violet dress. It was certainly not suited for the weather.


ôYouàdonÆt rememberàdo you? But promises never dieàyou finally came.ö The little girl turned around and looked up at the pile of debris behind her.


? ôIàdonÆt know why I cameàcanàyou pleaseàexplain?ö Takato ventured, sensing that this girl would probably leave out any other details, such as her identity. ôAnd you might want to wear my jacketàitÆs rather cold.ö


ôThe dead donÆt feel coldàö The girl smiled. ôAll will be made clearàin time. You shall discover everything for yourself.ö The girl ran away into the gathering mist.


ôHàhey?!ö Takato shouted after her as he started running after her. The chilly winds suddenly whipped around him as he trudged through the snow in the direction the girl had disappeared. ôCome back!ö


He trudged through more ruins, stumbling and tripping over random debris. ôHello?! Little girl?! WeÆve got to get out of here before the storm sets in!ö


He suddenly slipped on a rock and fell down onto a pile of debris which suddenly gave away under his weight. ôEEEEYAAAAAGHHH!!!ö He shouted as the sky spun beyond the rising smoke of dust and plaster before himàbefore something covered the sky and plunged everything into darkness.


ôOk...stuck down some holeàbelow the ruins of some God-forsaken innàin the middle of a snowstormàö He flipped out his handphone, ôwith no signal eitheràoh well, at least the lightÆs bright.ö He said optimistically as he lifted his handphone to light up the surrounding darkness. The pale greenish blue glow lit up a few walls and a rough wooden floor. It was dark and musty down there. The exit seemed to have been sealed off by the cave in when he fell in.


ôWell, I guess the only way now is forwards.ö He said to himself as he picked himself up and started to cautiously traverse the thick darkness. As he progressed, the more he thoughtàlabyrinth. He came across many doors, junctions, intersections, and even a few stairs leading downwards into even more darknessàthere was an eerie sound blowing through the corridors. He tried to dismiss is as the sound of the storm, but it freaked him out all the same. He was taking every opportunity to move upwards, though such opportunities were rare. There were far more staircases downwards than upwards. He tried to move as straight as possible, avoiding the doors and junctions whenever he can. He had enough experience with horror movies to know that opening random doors in places like these just wasnÆt wiseàor at leastàwithin the bounds of horror imperative.


As he walked, he heard a rush of air behind him. The hair on his back stood up as he slowly turned backàand saw nothing but darkness, slowly creeping in the wake of the handphoneÆs glow. He shook himself mentally and tried to move forwards. As he walked, he suddenly felt another rush of air accompanied by a sudden crescendo in the eerie moan-like sound, this time to his right, from an adjoining corridor. He looked around and continued walking, though at a faster pace.


He made his way down the corridor until he reached a junction. He looked down the adjoining corridor and lifted his handphone to shed more light into the gloaming darknessà


And to his sheer shock and fright something flashed across another corridor joined to the corridor he was looking down.


He looked about, quickly chose the route that would take him farthest away from there, and ran. He was gasping for breath, not because of exhaustion, but mostly because of the shock he just experienced. The eerie sound grew distant behind him as he shot down yet another corridor and descended a number of random staircasesàuntil he was in a corridor deeper down.


ôGaspàgaspàhahàgreatànow IÆm even deeper downà.ö He supported himself on his knees and looked down at the dust laden floor. ôPerhapsàperhaps that was just my imaginationàö


ôàKeitaroàö a whisper barely above a breath swept through the corridors.


--------------------------------------

In an alternate dimensionà


The author, Beyond the Bounds, leaps in his seat and upturns his keyboard as the clock downstairs strikes 12.00àmidnight. He feels a tingle run down his spine as the hairs on the back of his head stand up. He looks down and finds his pencil had moved by 2 cmàTHE HORROR! He looks around and stairs into a pale white faceàAAAAAAAAGGGHHHHà


ôBroàitÆs 12.00àget to sleep will you?ö His little sister says, before climbing into the futon cabinet. ôAnd stop reading horror stories, you know how creaky that chair is when you shudder.ö


Beyond the Bounds decides perhaps this scene is far too horror-oriented and decides to apologize to the readers, as he did categorize this as an action/adventure romance. He knows the MotxKei version was a lot more light hearted compared to this, and he would like to sincerely apologize. Sorry.


--------------------------------------------------------

ôThen againàö Takato looked up, looked around, and started running down yet another random corridor as the eerie moan-like sound crept closer.


ôàKeitaroàö The whisper swept through the darkness yet again. ôàKeitaroàIÆve been waitingàKeitaroàö the whispers echoed around, bouncing back and forth, combining into a sigh of whispers.


Shadows crept all around him. Flashes of white dart across every single corridor he passes now. The whispers were growing intense. ôàKeitaroàKeitaroàyou promisedàKeitaroàö


ôàKeitaroàyou donÆt hate meàdo youà?ö Takato stopped at an intersection as he tried to decide which way to run. He looked around, trying to judge which way the whispers were coming from. A flash of white swept by the corridor in front of him, making him dash down a side corridor out of pure instinct. ôàKeitaroàKeitaroàgiggleàremember your promise? YouÆll come back to meàright? ToàShinobu-chanàö


He ran to the end of a corridor...there was no other way out. There was only one door, at the very end of the corridor. He looked behind him. The whispers, giggles, and eerie moans were drawing closer. He looked before him. The door was a strong wooden door with a single handle. As reluctant as he was to open doors in such a place, he was even more reluctant to come face to face with whatever it was that was after him. He took a deep breath and grasped the handle. He forced it down as it creaked painfully under his push. The door opened slowly with an ominous creak as he forced it open. He slipped inside and slammed the door back shut. Thankfully, there was a large bolt on the other side. He slid it home and slumped against the door.


ôPhewànow where am I?ö He looked about and raised his handphone. It wasà a roomàof all things. There was a bed on one side. A small desk and book case stood on another side, right beside the bed. Dolls lined every available surface, the top of the book case, the table, and especially the bed. ôWhàwho would have a room down here? Any ways out?ö He got up and raised the handphone further up. ôThereÆsàa window?ö He asked, incredulously. There was only darkness beyond the windows, but there were windows nonethelessàwhy windows down here? The idea itself perplexed Takato beyond anything. There didnÆt seem to be any other openings down there.


He walked over to the desk and looked around. He decided he would just have to wait until the snowstorm was over. HeÆd be able to get a signal then, or at least, he thought so. He found a few odds and ends on the desk. From the looks of it, it was definitely a girlÆs room. There was diary on one side of the desk. A few drawings littered the table. He tried to get a closer lookàand recoiled as soon as the drawings became clear. He then noticed something wrong with all the dollsàthey wereàslightly deformedà


He came up close to dollsà


àbefore recoiling with shock at the mutilation each doll has suffered. Some had been ripped to shreds, some had had been slashed into pieces. Pieces of cotton stuffing were strewn around all over the place.


ôWhatàtheà?ö


He slowly reached out for the diary and cautiously opened it, wary for any other surprisesà.it was a large, heavy diary, with many inserted pages. There were entries all the way from 1995 to 2013. He flipped through the diary and found the entries were normal enough.


November 1997- ôdear diary, today was sunnyàö


January 2000 û ôDear diary, Today we went to a local temple where Motoko-sempai wasàö


September 2003 û ôDear Diary, today me and Keitaro-kun made a promiseàö


March 2006 û ôDear Diaryàtodayàis the happiest day of my lifeàIÆm getting marriedàö


May 2007 û ôDear DiaryàtodayÆs yet another happiest day of my lifeàSheÆs the most beautiful little angelàme and Kei-kunàö


December 2012 û ôDear Diary, Kei-kun returned for Christmas. Hinata-chanÆs really glad to see him againàö


February 2013 û ôàeverythingÆs darkàso darkàö


He immediately shut the diary after this last entry as moreàdrawingsàassaulted his eyes. The handphone suddenly beeped, telling him the batteries were already running lowànow of all times. ôOh darnànot yetàö Takato moaned.


ôIt isnÆt nice to look at other peopleÆs stuffàKeitaroàö Takato whirled around as he heard the voice from behind him, dropping the diary onto the dust laden desk, raising a large cloud of dust. He slowly turned before coming face to face withàità


æItÆ was a young girl in whiteàprobably 13 or 14 years of age, with short dark hair, standing right before him. She was sitting on the bed, looking down at the ground, the top of her head towards Takato. Takato could already guess what was coming next, but it was too late to turn back.


ôàKeitaroàIÆve been waitingàö the figure giggled, echoing, before slowly raising her head up. TakatoÆs heart leapt into his throat as he saw the girlÆs eyesàthey were darkàemptyàa window into an eternal abyss that was threatening to suck him in. The handphoneÆs glow dimmed.


ôKeiàtaàroàö The girl moaned, as she stood up and took a step towards Takato. ôàyouàpromisedàweÆllàplayàö She whispered maliciously, as she took another step. ôYouàpromisedàmeàö she giggled again. The giggles drove rods of ice through TakatoÆs spine as he tried to back awayàand due to certain horror imperatives, he found himself frozen to the ground in pure fright.


ôKeitaroàö She whispered playfully. ôCome play with Shinobu-chanàö she giggled again as she took another slow step forwards. Takato fell onto his backside as he tried to move his entire body away without the consensus of his legs. He tried to push away backwards but almost his entire body was paralyzed by the cold dark stare. ôàKeitaroàö the girl laughed happily, her laughter echoing eerily around the darkness, as she reached out for Takato. ôàShinobu-chanÆs been waitingàö The handphoneÆs glow diminished completely, leaving Takato in the dark.


Takato managed to bring up a trembling hand to shield his face as the little girl reached out for him, groping for him. As her pale dead-looking fingers crept closer he closed his eyes. The touch was coldàcolder than the frozen earth outsideàcolder than death itself. It plunged Takato into a sea of frozen darkness. The giggles followed him down as he sank deeper into the thick velvety darkness.


Until he finally saw somethingàsomething far downàdeep inside the oblivion he was delving into. It was a small circle of light, besieged from all sides by darkness. He tried to move towards it, semi-consciously attracted to the dim radiance, the only thing that broke the gloom of the oblivion. As he got closer, he finally made out what it wasà


It was a girlàthe same young girl, in fact, that had haunted him in the corridorsàshe was also looking down, sitting, hugging her knees, dressed in the exact same white dress as her spectre counter-part. ôKei-kunàö she whispered, before noticing TakatoÆs presence. She looked upàbut this time Takato didnÆt see darknessàhe saw a deep sorrow, anguish, and pain in her eyes.


ôàKei-kunà?ö She asked, reaching out a hand. ôàLàLEAVE! DonÆt come here! Leave now!ö She shouted, as she tried to stand up. The darkness bound her and started to envelope her in whisps of pure obscurity.


ôàhà.huh?ö Takato watched as the darkness started to consume the girl.


Tears started to run down her cheeks as she again shouted, ôGo! Go now!ö


Takato gritted his teeth and started to again move towards the girl, reaching out a hand, as the darkness almost completely consumed the girl. He knew he had to save her, he knew he had to. Somehow, it was the only sensible coherent thing going through his mind. He stretched out his hand as far as it would goàbefore the darkness suddenly bound around him as well from behind. He looked back, ôGahàlet go!ö He shouted, as he reached out his hand for her. ôTakeàmyàhand!ö He shouted. He stretched his hand as far as it would goàtowards her outstretched handàthat was now almost completely enveloped in darkness.


ôàpleaseàö The girl whispered, as the darkness came up to her face.


ôEEEEEEYAAAAAAAGHH!ö Takato cried out as he made one final lunge forwards and reached out for her handà


àhe grasped ità


Something flashed in his mindà


ôàKei-kunàö a sweet voice called out to him as everything flashed bright.


FLASHà


The walls shone bright as something within Takato flashed a radiant white. The young girl recoiled as she tried to shield her eyes from the blinding glare. The darkness suddenly dissolved around him. Flakes of snow came down. The rough wooden floorboards dissolved, leaving behind a white frozen earth. A soft breeze blew around them, carrying sakura petals into a slow, circular dance around them. The darkness above opened up to reveal the pale grey skies, dotted with flakes of swirling snow.


The bright flash of light subsided. A few sakura petals swirled around Takato as he opened his eyes. A card was spinning before him, shining bright. Beyond the blinding glare, in the middle of the swirling sakura petals, stood a girl, her back towards him, looking straight up, both arms extended sideways, as if taking in a deep, refreshing breath. Her hair shone in the pale light, flying with the gentle yet sharp gust of wind. The other spectre girl was standing opposite this new apparition, watching it with eyes of pure hatred.


Her white junior high sailor uniform flashed bright under the blinding light. Her dark blue skirt flowed with swirling breeze, in a slow dance together with the sakura petals. Her dark sapphire hair rippled and shone under the bright glow. The card before Takato slowed down into a sedate spin, revealing the light green words on the dark green back, which said, ôMagister Charta Magi Ultimaö The card then slowly rotated to reveal the front. There was a picture of a lone girl in a sailor school uniform, holding both arms together in a prayer, with her eyes closed.


The girl stood still under the spiraling sakura petals, head upwards, hands spread outwards. Takato shielded his eyes as another flash consumed her. Something started materializing from the top downwards. It was a brilliant, flowing light blue Japanese GoddessÆ robe that slowly materialized over the uniform. The sleeves extended until they completely hung over her arms while the robe itself extended down to her skirt where the front stopped extending while the back continued to extend until it reached ankle length. A large ribbon looped around her waist and tied into a knot behind her as two separate pieces of cloth extended down the two sides of her skirt, forming a three part long skirt. Symbols burned in the air around her hands, forming the tip of a staff. The symbols extended downwards, forming the rest of the staff as it traveled farther downwards. As the transfiguration was completed, an explosion of light engulfed the girl once again.


The flash subsided as the sakura petals blew away with a sudden gust of wind that picked up her long flowing Japanese goddessÆ robe and long skirt. The card flashed and shook as a similar transfiguration took place across the card form down upwards, extending in a blinding flash across the surface of the card. It slowly rotated as it transfigured, revealing a change occurring across the back as well. The dark green back was turning silver, with the lighter silver words ôMagister Charta Magi Tacato Haiamuraö slowly replacing the old light green words.


The card dropped into TakatoÆs hands as the girl lowered her arms and face. ôI have returnedàö She sighed ôàit has been a long timeàKei-kunàö. She looked up at the other girl standing before her.


ôYouàö The spectre girl in white said.


ôYesàmeàö The new apparition said.


ôShinobu Maeharaàor should I sayàthe fake oneàö The spectre smirked. ôI am the real Shinobu Maeharaàthe one and onlyàthe real soul, trapped under the layers of lies and denials youÆve slowly cocooned yourself withàShinobu Maeharaàö The girl in white said, raising an arm.


ôI am who I amàö The other girl said, raising her staff. ôI am Shinobu Maeharaàplease stand back, Kei-kunàö


ôYouÆve never been honest to yourself, Shinobu-chanàö The spectre Shinobu laughed a chilly laugh as she started to pace around the other Shinobu. ôEven when you loved that boy, Keitaroàif I never stepped inàyouÆd never have gotten him all for yourselfàö


ôNoàö Light Shinobu, as Takato decided to label her, said. ôIt was thanks to me and Kei-kunÆs hardwork togetheràand everyone elseÆs support. You had no part in itàall you did was seethe in the darkàö


ôDeny it all you want, girl, thatÆs what youÆve always done, isnÆt it? Deny everything around you, deny your very soulàsugar-coat yourself in lies and deceptionàthatÆs what youÆve always been doingàbut nowàö Spectre Shinobu laughed. ôThe circle is completeà.I have returned, and I shall save us bothàö


ôIÆve never lied to myself, nor to anyone elseàö Light Shinobu said, following Spectre ShinobuÆs movements with her eyes. ôAnd I shall defeat you, no matter what the costàö


ôWell, here we are, two sisters, the sister of light, and the sister of darkàö Spectre Shinobu said. ôIÆve defeated you many times beforeànow I shall defeat you once againàö Darkness shrouded her hands.


ôMea Virga lucisà Spheras Magius, aerista Luciae, wesma an miyas questis, foros series lucis rubiconeia...ö Light Shinobu whispered under her breath as the light on the tip of her staff grew brighter. A circle of light flashed on the ground around her as she raised her staff.


ôAerista Obscurii, wesma an miyas questis, tempestus pandemas obscurii!ö Spectre Shinobu shouted, raising her hand.


To be continuedà

 

[Zenithos]

And, believe it or not, there was even a Suu/Keitaro version that was never completed. I'll just post it because it exists (it's fun having complete access to BTB's files). Don't bother reading if you're not interested.

Chapter 3: Close Encounter (Suu version)


ôIÆve been waiting for youàö The girl said, standing up.


ôWhoàare you?ö Takato asked, venturing forwards. The little girl was still dressed in her violet dress. It was certainly not suited for the weather.


ôYouàdonÆt rememberàdo you? But promises never dieàyou finally came.ö The little girl turned around and looked up at the pile of debris behind her.


? ôIàdonÆt know why I cameàcanàyou pleaseàexplain?ö Takato ventured, sensing that this girl would probably leave out any other details, such as her identity. ôAnd you might want to wear my jacketàitÆs rather cold.ö


ôThe dead donÆt feel coldàö The girl smiled. ôAll will be made clearàin time. You shall discover everything for yourself.ö The girl ran away into the gathering mist.


ôHàhey?!ö Takato shouted after her as he started running after her. The chilly winds suddenly whipped around him as he trudged through the snow in the direction the girl had disappeared. ôCome back!ö


He trudged through more ruins, stumbling and tripping over random debris. ôHello?! Little girl?! WeÆve got to get out of here before the storm sets in!ö He looked about, the wind and snow stinging his face and eyes. He desperately tried to shield his eyes as he searched the gathering snow for signs of the girl.


Suddenly, he heard a clash of steel on steel. He turned around. The sound was faint, but still barely audible over the storm. ôWhat was that?ö The sound came again. Against his better judgement, he started to approach the source of the sounds. He looked around a large pile of debris and stifled a gasp as he saw a two fierce blurs flying around one another, eminating flashes and sparks whenever they made contact.


They made contact one last time before the two blurs skid across the snow away from one another, their forms growing more distinct as they slowed down. On one side was a dark skinned girl in a bright green clownÆs costume, her cape flying in the wind. On the other side was another girl with dark blue hair in a dark blue Japanese Priestess robe. The clown girl raised her weapon, two large scimitars. She didnÆt even seem the least bit phased by the battle.


The dark blue haired girl, on the other hand, was panting with exertion, her staff and sword hanging loosely at her sides. ôIàI have no reasonàto fight youàRainyday-sanàö She panted, wiping sweat off her brow.


The girl she addressed remained quiet. She responded by taking up a battle stance.


ôFinish her off, Shinobu. And donÆt keep me waiting.ö A voice said from behind the dark-blue haired girl. A silhouette appeared in the mist. It grew more and more distinct as the figure approached the girl named Shinobu.


Takato gasped when the figure finally grew distinct enough for him to recognizeàit was Toji, his classmate.


ôAndàit seemsàwe have an unexpected spectatoràfinish him off for me, will you, Shinobu-chan? Gather what manna you can from him. Then we can get back to having fun with Zazieàö Toji smirked, nodding at the pile of debris behind which Takato was hiding. Takato gasped.


ôIàI canÆtàIàcanÆt harmàinnocent peopleàö Shinobu panted. ôI wonÆt do it!ö


ôObey meàsoul guardianàö Toji raised something that looked like a card. It flashed bright red.


ôIYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!ö Shinobu screamed as she clutched her head. Her knees shook as she fought to stay standing. She was convulsing violently as her eyes turned red.


ôStop it, Toji. ThatÆs not how a card master works.ö A voice said from behind the clown girl. Another figure appeared from within the mist. ôWarping a guardianÆs mind will cause unnecessary mental damage!ö it was a girlÆs voice.


ôYukarin!ö Takato gasped, as he recognized another one of his classmates. It was Yukarin, still in her school uniform, a heavy cloak over a coat and a long skirt. Her blazing red hair flared in the gathering storm. ôWhatà?!ö


ôMy guardians donÆt need to do any thinking. All they need to do is to follow my orders.ö Toji said, pointing at the debris pile. ôExcuse me while I charge up my guardianÆs manna. GO SHINOBU!ö He shouted.


Shinobu finally stopped screaming as she looked up at the pile of debris, her eyes flaring red. She raised her staff and quickly mumbled an inaudible incantantion.


ôWhatÆsà.happening?ö Takato ventured a peek around the pileàbad move. Something flashed bright. ôWhatà?!ö He didnÆt even have time to finish his sentence as he was blasted away by the explosion.


ôZazie! Stop her!ö Yukarin shouted. ôIÆll take care of this wayward card masteràö She took up a battle stance as sparkles of light gatherer around her hands.


ôWhatàtheàö Takato had barely started to get up when the dark-blue haired girl had reached him, sword raised, staff flashing.


ôHolyàö Takato managed to roll aside as Shinobu landed a slash on the ground he was occupying just a moment ago. As she landed, she raised her staff and fired a wide sweeping barrage of magical arrows at Takato. ôYouÆve gotta be kidding me!ö

 

[Zenithos]

And now back to the Mot/Kei version.

Disclaimer: I donÆt own Love Hina, Mahou Sensei Negima, or anything else here that might belong to someone else.


FLASHà


ôHold onàMotoko!ö The sun was setting in the distance. A sharp gust of wind blew by. ôNo matter what, donÆt let go!ö


ôYou baka! Let go! Let go!ö The raven haired swordswoman screamed. ôI wonÆt accept it! I wonÆt!ö


ôNo matter whatàIÆm not letting goàö The hand slipped slightly. ôCrapàö


FLASHà


A bright light was drawing nearà.


ôYou bakaàö Motoko muttered.


ôI guessàI am a bakaàö Takato said, taking hold of Motoko and shielding her from the train. He knew it was useless, but that was just as much as he could do.


Something flashed brightàaccompanied with an explosion and the sound of metal painfully twisting.


ôHàHolyàö Toji was at a loss for words as he sat sprawled against a wall, regarding the carnage before him.


ôOh dearàI hope no one got hurtàö Makie said as she tried to stand up.


ôDe gozaru?ö Kaede asked in wonder. Before them, the train lay derailed, all its coaches thrown far and wide across the huge underground station. Apparently they were empty.


Takato slowly lowered his hands from his face.


Black Sakura blossoms were floating across the station, carried forth in a sharp breeze. Motoko stood in front of Takato, a jet black katana held in an outstretched hand.


ôThatÆsà.thatÆs theàö Toji whispered.


ôThe legendary blade, Hinataàde gozaruö Kaede said, standing up.


ôIàI really did itàthis timeàö Motoko chuckled. ôIàI donÆtàI donÆt have enoughàpoweràto hold it inàö She winced as she fell to her knees. ôIÆmàsorryàö


ôKaede! Makie! SheÆs down! Get her!ö Toji shouted.


ôIÆm sorry, master, but our first priority is to get out of here, alive, de gozaruàö Kaede said, retreating towards Toji. ôMakie! WeÆre retreating, de gozaru!ö


ôWhatàwhatÆs happening?!ö Takato shouted. ôHey, are you all right?!ö He grasped Motoko by the shoulders.


ôGetàawayàfromàmeàö Motoko gritted her teeth. ôGET AWAY FROM ME!ö She tried to push Takato away. Takato held onto her tight. Whisps of darkness were gathering around, swirling around Motoko. The entire station was shaking dangerously, threatening to crumble at any time. As the whisps of darkness came closer, a wave of darkness blew outwards from Motoko.


ôStay away from her!ö Takato shouted at the darkness while holding tightly onto Motoko. ôI said, get away from her!ö The whisps of darkness gathered around and went straight for Takato.


ôIÆmàsorryàö Motoko whispered.


FLASHà


ôNo matter whatàif you put your mind to itàyouÆll be able to achieve it.ö


ôBakaàyou always say thatà.ö Motoko frowned at him. ôBut I guess thatÆs why youÆre Keitarouàö


FLASHà


ôTakato!ö Motoko screamed, raising a hand and flipping aside his coat, reaching for his pocket. She grabbed one of the blank cards. ôYouÆre a card master!ö Everything flashed bright as she slammed the card into TakatoÆs hands.


Suddenly, a wave of light blew outwards from the flash of bright light. There, amidst swirling smoke, right in between Takato and the whisps of darkness, stood a figure in a pair of black casual jeans and a shirt. It turned around as time slowed down and looked at Takato.


ôHoly crapàwho was the bastard who summoned me hereà?!ö The figure shouted as it extended a hand outwards. Again something flashed.


ôWhatàhappenedà?ö Takato lowered his hands from his face and looked around him. He gasped. ôWhat theàö


ôYesàthatÆs what I want to askàö The figure before him said, its back towards him. It was clothed in a long black leather coat, a scythe in one hand. ôWere you trying to kill me?! Summoning me into a place like that?!ö The figure looked around at Takato. The first word that came to Takato was æwanna-be coolÆ. A cold wind blew by, raising his coat.


ôWhoÆreàyouà?ö Takato asked, as he noticed they were out in the pale sunlight again.


ôThatÆs not important right nowàthe important thing is, youÆre a card master, and one of your cards have gone out of control.ö The boy said, looking down.


ôHuh?ö Takato looked down and noticed they were standing on a tall building overlooking the crumbling subway station. ôHeyàwhat about that girl?! Motoko!ö He shouted, suddenly panicked.


ôWellàshe should be fineàphysically. Though summoning the Hinata blade without an ample supply of manna energy is the worst idea imaginableàö The boy said, spinning his scythe and admiring the effect of the sunlight on the blade.


ôButàwhyàwhy would she do that?ö Takato asked. The subway station below was crumbling down, sending smoke and dust into the sky.


ôSheàI guess she was out of manna energy or the manna energy you were supplying her was so teeny there was no other way to save your scrawny ass. To wield the Hinata, one must have a strong resolution and a Godly amount of power to handle the seal, otherwise the darkness within would consume the wielder.ö The boy explained, throwing his scythe over to Takato.


ôHà.hey?ö Takato cried out as he caught the heavy blade. ôWhàwhat am I supposed to do with this?!ö He sagged under the weight. ôUghhàand how on earth were youàughàtwirling it around likeàaghhàthat?ö


ôItÆs between the card master and his card. I have nothing to do with this.ö The boy said, turning around. Suddenly, something below exploded. Takato looked over the parapet and saw that darkness had engulfed the remains of the subway station.


ôWhàwhat am I supposed to do by myself?!ö Takato shouted trying to heave up the scythe.


ôYour problemàö The boy said as his black coat disappeared, leaving him in his black jeans and shirt.


Suddenly, the building Takato was on crumbled. ôWHOAAAH!ö He screamed, as gravity took its toll on him.


ôGood luck!ö The boy shouted at him as he leaped up into the sky, off the crumbling building.


Takato looked before him as he fell. Something was leaping up from debris to debris towards him. Then it appeared, its blood red eyes flashing menacingly.


ôMotoko!ö Takato shouted. The raven haired swordswoman screamed and slashed down with the jet black blade.


ôAaghhàö Takato raised the scythe and countered the slash, though the shock from the sword impact threatened to break his shoulders apart as the sword and scythe made contact. ôMotoko! Please! Snap out of it!ö Darkness was swirling around Motoko. There was pure darkness behind her blazing eyes. She smirked as she raised her blade again as they both fell towards the earth amidst the crumbling pieces of concrete.


Takato raised his scythe to counter the slash again and winced as the blades made contact. He grunted as he tried to push away MotokoÆs blade. Motoko leaped backwards onto another falling piece of rubble and shouted, ôZan Gan Ken!ö as she slashed the katana downwards, sending out a wave of ki at Takato. Something flickered in his mind as he saw the ki wave. He knew itàhe knew this attackàand he knew exactly how to counter it. He raised his scythe and slammed it into the piece of rubble he was standing on and slashed upwards at the ki wave, effectively neutralizing it, before leaping forwards towards Motoko.


ôGive it upàweaklingàö Motoko said in a harsh, sharp tone. Her voice echoed and reverberated menacingly. She slashed out a wave of ki at Takato which blasted him into another large chunk of concrete.


ôNever! If I put my mind to it, I can accomplish anything! IÆll save Motoko!ö Takato shouted, as he struggled to regain a footing. MotokoÆs eyes flickered at that exact moment.


He knew he had to do somethingàbut what?! Then everything before him flashed bright once again before lapsing into complete darkness for a brief moment.


FLASHà.


ôMotoko! Help! IÆm being chased by a zombie!ö There was the sound of rapid footfalls, erratic breaths, and occasional scream. A light brown haired girl was running madly, heavy footsteps following in her wake. There was the sound of a blade madly swishing around in random slashes.


ôThenàIÆll just have to distract it for a bitàö A raven haired girl in a senior high sailor uniform murmured, grasping the hilt of a pure white katana. A light breeze blew through her hair. ôSORRY!ö She shouted as she leaped up into the air in a flip. Time froze, everything went silent, as their lips met. The darkness subsided slightly.


ôNani?ö the bells on the blade rang clear. The blue sky above flashed bright.


ôNow! Shinmei-ryu! Ougi! Zan Ma Ken Nino Tachi!ö With one slash of her blazing blade she severed the darkness within him and returned it to whence it came.


ôIÆveàIÆve done itàIÆve sealed itàö The girl murmured as she regarded the jet black blade as it fell with a clatter onto the earth.


FLASHà


ôHuh?!ö Takato looked into the fiery bright red eyes and sawàsorrowàanguishà but àno hatredà ôMotokoàö He closed his eyes and murmured. ôSorryàö He leaped forwards


As they made contactàTakato looked deep into MotokoÆs eyes and saw everythingàall the pain and sorrow pent up withinàeverything flashed bright before fading into darkness.


Takato found himself floating in darkness, sinking in an abyss deeper than oblivion. He continued to sink through the darknessàuntil he finally saw somethingàsomething far downàdeep inside the oblivion he was delving into. It was a small circle of light, besieged from all sides by darkness. He tried to move towards it, semi-consciously attracted to the dim radiance, the only thing that broke the gloom of the oblivion. As he got closer, he finally made out what it wasà


It was Motokoàshivering as she hugged her knees, all alone, surrounded by pure darkness. She suddenly looked up as she noticed TakatoÆs presence and gasped. ôKeiàKei-kunàGet out of here! Get out of here, baka!ö She shouted, while holding out one arm to tell him to halt. ôLeave! Now!ö


ôMotoko!ö Takato shouted. ôAnd for the last time, my nameÆs Takato!ö Takato shouted, as he tried to move forwards towards Motoko, reaching out his hands.


The darkness suddenly started to sweep over Motoko and consume her slowly.


ôMotoko!ö Takato shouted.


ôItÆs futileàö Two dark eyes flashed in the darkness behind MotokoÆs shoulders. The whisps of darkness gathered together to form a faceàreminiscent of Motoko, but with eyes blazing with darkness. ôàIàshall consume her soulàand yours as wellàö


ôYou can go ahead and be as cryptic as you want, but stay away from her!ö Takato shouted, stretching his hand out for Motoko. ôMotoko! IÆm not leaving without you!ö A tear ran down MotokoÆs cheek.


ôThenàyou shall drown in oblivionàö The darkness behind Motoko said, as a jet black blade slashed out at Takato from the darkness. In one last minute maneuver Takato managed to prevent himself getting fricasseed, but the sword managed to graze him. A chaotic swarm of slashes ensued, grazing him and cutting him all over the place, and yet he persevered.


ôMotoko!ö Takato shouted, as the darkness started to consume him from behind. ôUghhhàö He gritted his teeth and reached out his hand in one last desperate lunge. ôMotoko!ö He grasped MotokoÆs handàat that very moment, everything flashed bright.


The black blade fell with a clatter onto the frozen earth before it started to dematerialize into whisps of darkness. The scythe blazed a bright white as the pale sunlight filtered through the gently falling dust and smoke.


ôGasp...sighàö Takato blew a sigh of relief as he dug his way out of a pile of plaster and debris. ôThàThatÆsàoveràö


ôIàwhat happenedà?ö Motoko sat up and pushed aside a few pieces of wood that was covering her. She found that there were tears running down her cheeks. ôWhàwhy?ö


ôHey, are you all right?ö Takato asked.


ôIàö Motoko looked around, wiping her eyes. ôHàhey? WhereÆs the Hinata blade?ö


ôItÆs goneàö Takato smiled.


ôYou defeated it?!ö Motoko gasped. ôAndàdid you justàö She touched her lips. ôYouàdidnÆtàyouàbakaàö


ôEheheheàoff course I didnÆtàö Takato laughed uneasily, scrambling up. ôUhhàIÆve got to return this nowàö Takato looked down at the scythe. ôHuh?ö The scythe started to dematerialize into whisps of light. ôWhat?ö


ôDàdonÆt tell meàö Motoko muttered, shuddering. ôOf all the cards I couldÆve pulled outàI pulled out hisàö Motoko looked around.


ôHiya, Hime-chiàö Rayce laughed, walking up behind them.


ôYàyouàö Motoko pointed a shuddering finger in his direction. ôNànoàö


ôhey, itÆs been a long time since IÆve been out. What good food have they got to offer here?ö Rayce asked, shielding his eyes as he looked around.


ôTakatoàquickàde-summon this idiot before he destroys us allàö Motoko looked around at Takato. ôWaitàyou didnÆt just tell him to fight me all by himself, did you?ö Motoko stood up and looked at Rayce. ôThere was a reason why I pulled out your cardàö


ôWhy? It was card master æbusinessÆàthe last thing IÆd want to do is to interfereàö Rayce smirked, emphasizing the word æbusinessÆ. ôYou wouldnÆt want me to do the deed, would you?ö


ôUmmmàMotoko-sanàwho is this?ö Takato asked.


ôYou donÆt want to know. Now, I need a weapon! Quickly! To strike down this bozo!ö She extended a hand in TakatoÆs direction. She was hit in the head by a flying metal pipe.


The boy in black just stared.


ôWhat was that for, you baka?!ö Motoko shouted, holding Takato up by the collar.


ôBàbutàyou said you wanted a weaponàö Takato stammered. ôAnywayàyou should restàyou donÆt look too goodàö


ôAre you implying IÆm ugly now, you baka?! I meant my katana, you retard! WhyÆd I fight with a metal pipe?! Summon my katana, you dolt!ö Motoko shouted. ôAnd IÆm going to seriously pound you for kissing me!ö


ôItÆs not my fault!ö Takato shouted. ôIÆm new to this whole card dealer thing!ö


ôCard master!ö Rayce and Motoko corrected him.

-----------------------------


ôYou serious?! Is this all the cake thatÆs left?!ö Rayce shouted, looking in the refrigerator.


ôI do live here with two little girlsàö Takato said. ôAny sweets would vanish instantly.ö They were back in the apartment. The fog outside was thickening, obscuring the city underneath a blanket of rolling white.


ôDoes it ever stop snowing here?ö Motoko looked out the window. ôahàcan you just let me do that by myself?ö


ôSorry, I know it stings a little, but I think I should do it. Some of this first aid equipment might not have existed in your age.ö Takato said, applying some disinfectant on the cuts and bruises on MotokoÆs arm. They were sitting at a kotatsu by the windows that were now a solid pale white.


ôWhy donÆt you just use a manna charge to heal her? You are a card master, after all.ö Rayce suggested from behind the refrigerator door.


ôHe canÆt. He doesnÆt know how to regulate his manna properly yet. The manna heÆs supplying us with is barely enough to keep us existing.ö Motoko said, her eyes closed. ôHàhey! ThatÆs my eye, you dolt!ö


ôYou suckàHey, I remember back when they were advertising these as new productsà.hmmmàsince 2013, Aesop bubblegumàcool. Hey! What year is this?ö


ô2113àö Motoko and Takato said in unison. There was the sound of a spurt from behind the refrigerator followed by a dull clonk as something hit a refrigerator shelf.


ô2113?!ö Rayce emerged from behind the refrigerator door, a bump on his head, soda all down his front. ôYou meanàyou meanàö


Takato and Motoko looked at his anguished face.


ôI missed the entire season of æNext DoorÆ?!ö He shouted.


ôWhatÆs that?ö Takato asked, picking up a bandage. Motoko sighed with exasperation.


ôA corny daytime soap opera series featuring a star he had a huge crush on.ö Motoko said. ôTypicalàhe finds himself thrown a century into the future and thatÆs all he cares aboutàö


ôOhàmust be tough for you guysàfinding yourselves in a completely foreign world.ö Takato said. ôAnyway, I was wondering, were those two other girls in the subway station guardian souls as well?ö


ôWho?ö Rayce asked, rummaging through a few cupboards. ôHey, have you got any real food here? Like crisps?ö


ôSasaki Makie and Nagase Kaedeàyes, they were our close friends. They were there alongside us during what was called the æBlack WarsÆ.ö Motoko said, ignoring RayceÆs retarded questions.


ôButàif they were your alliesàwhy were theyà?ö Takato wondered out loud.


ôOh, simple. It depends on the card master.ö Rayce said, coming into the room with a ton of snacks in his hands. ôEvery card must follow the orders of their card masters. For example, if you had commanded me to pick up the scythe and fight Motoko, I would haveàbut it never occurred to you, did it?ö Rayce asked, sitting down at the kotatsu and opening a can of crisps.


ôYou idiot!ö Motoko was about to leap over the kotatsu and attack Rayce. She already had one foot on the table.


ôSoàToji really wants me deadà?ö Takato asked, holding onto MotokoÆs gi. ôAnywhere but my house, please.ö


ôFineàö She sighed. ôSeemed that wayàI guess he really did want you killed.ö Motoko said, sitting back down. ôRemind me to kill you later when weÆre outside, Rayce.ö


ôButàheÆs my own classmateàhow could he?ö Takato looked down at his hands.


ôThese cardsàthey hold an amazingly great amount of powerà.ö Rayce said, picking up his own card, which had a picture of him carrying a scythe. ôIn the hands of one with dark ambitions, it could turn into a source of evil. People with hidden dark ambitions and a weak resolution would find themselves turned to the dark side immediatelyàsuch was the curse the darkness placed upon these cards of light.ö


ôWhich was why the cards were entrusted to one card master and one card master only, a man of strong will and heart who is capable of vanquishing the darkness.ö Motoko said.


ôWhere is Keitarou, anyway?ö Rayce asked, biting through a ton of candy. Motoko picked up a can of soda and flung it at RayceÆs head. Bullseye.


ôYou idiotàyou know what year it is. If the war didnÆt end back then, that means something happenedàand whatever happened, he canÆt be alive nowànot after a whole century.ö Motoko said, looking down.


ôSo I guess there IS a limit to KeitarouÆs immortality.ö Rayce said, nodding sagely, before another soda can made contact with his skull.


----------------------------------------------

ôSo this isàthe ancient land of Japanàö A brown haired girl in a long purple overcoat smiled as she looked up at the grey sky and took in a deep breath. Behind her were two other girls. A pair of bell-shaped hair ornaments jingled in one of the girlsÆ hair as a breeze blew past them. The breeze picked up the long blonde hair of the other girl who had the figure of a 10 year old but the eyes of one who had lived far longer.


ôCome, Asuna-chan, Eva-chan, we have a mission to complete.ö The girl in purple said, looking at the two girls behind her. A plane roared over them as it prepared to land.


ôHai.ö The girl with the bell shaped hair ornaments said, nodding. The other girl, who was dressed in a pure black coat and barrette, just nodded.


A black limousine pulled up in front of the airport. The cheffeur got out and greeted the girl in purple with a bow. ôMistress Marivel, your car is ready.ö


ôThank you.ö Marivel smiled as she got on the car, followed by the two girls. ôTo Tokyo-6, please.ö


---------------------------------

ôOkàso my task is to go out and gather the other cards?ö Takato asked. ôUhhàwhy?ö


ôThe more cards you have, the larger your fighting force, thus the stronger you are.ö Rayce said. ôThat simple.ö


ôItÆs not exactly that simple.ö Motoko said. ôHaving many cards and summoning many people at the same time would mean having to spread the manna drain, resulting in more people with weaker fighting powers. Off course, Keitarou was able to summon everyone with maximum fighting power, so it really depends of the card masterÆs own ability.ö


ôThenàwhy was it we had to gather the cards again?ö Rayce asked, smiling as he scratched the back of his head.


ôIdiot, donÆt open your mouth if you donÆt know anything.ö Motoko said. ôThe thing is, we mustnÆt let any of the cards fall into the hands of the darkness. Otherwise, it would mean complete disaster. And no, Rayce, this is one thing you shouldnÆt try out.ö Motoko said, as Rayce reached out for a card.


ôAnd, off course, gathering the cards would mean less freaks like that friend of yours, Toji, whoÆd go out and kill other card masters just to get his hands on more cards.ö Rayce said.


ôThat tooàö Motoko nodded.


ôHmmàI guess itÆs rather complicated.ö Takato said, scratching his head. ôBut we have absolutely no leads on where to go to find these cardsàI mean, I found your cards in an antiques store.ö


ôAn antiques store, huh? ThatÆs pretty sad.ö Rayce said.


ôJust be happy it wasnÆt a vending machine or a pawn shopànow that would be truly pathetic.ö Motoko said, sipping her tea. ôThough for you, some sort of carnival fortune tellerÆs stall would have sufficed.ö


ôOk, plan of action, card master?ö Rayce asked, looking up at Takato.


ôSleep. ItÆs getting too dark and foggy outside to go out. The temperatures outside could drop dangerously low at night, even with the biodome.ö Takato said. ôI donÆt know if you guardian souls sleep or not, but if you want, Rayce, you can sleep in that room over there. ThatÆs the guest room.ö Takato gestured at a room at the far end of the corridor. ôAnd Motoko could use that room over there. ThatÆs supposed to be my sistersÆ room, but they hardly use it. They normally sleep in my futon cupboard.ö Takato said, gesturing at the room. ôThe futons are in the cupboard, and I suppose you guys know where everything else is.ö


ôThank you.ö Motoko said, getting up. ôBut I think I will stand guard for tonight. We never knowàthere might be more card masters out there and they might be out hunting for cards.ö


ôBut you should rest. The alarms are all in place, and no one can enter the building without going through the security doors downstairs.ö Takato said.


ôSecurity doors?ö Motoko asked, scoffing.


ôDownstairs?ö Rayce laughed.


ôKnowing people like Kaede, theyÆd just go straight for your bedroom window.ö Motoko said. ôThey donÆt bother with things like security doors. And you can forget downstairsàö


ôYeah, I mean, freaks like them never bother with conventional things like stairs.ö Rayce nodded.


ôLook whoÆs talking.ö Motoko closed her eyes and sipped her tea.


ôAs I said, the fogs down really thick and no one would be crazy enough to venture out into the cold. It could drop as far down as -7 to -12 at night.ö Takato said. ôNot to mention, there have been more occurrences of wasteland monster break-ins during the nightàapparently the biodome weakens during the dark hours.ö


ôIÆll stand guard.ö Motoko said, resolutely.


ôVery well then, have it your way.ö Rayce said, walking away. ôIÆm hitting the sack. Night night.ö


ôMotokoàö Takato said, reaching out.


ôGet some sleepàö Motoko said, in a stern and final voice. ôNOW!ö


ôYàyes maÆam!ö Takato stammered, before running off to his room.


Motoko sighed and looked up at the rising moon through the thick layer of fog and clouds. ôKeitarou-kunàNata-chanàö

------------------------------------------


ôMotoko-san, tea?ö Takato offered. The living room lights had automatically dimmed itself at exactly 10 PM. Motoko sat on the carpet in the half-light, looking up at the moon.


ôWhy havenÆt you gone to sleep yet?ö Motoko asked with a frown as she took the cup of tea he offered.


ôIàcanÆt sleepàthinking about all this.ö Takato said, sitting down beside her. ôItÆs such a big thingàsuch a big responsibility.ö Takato closed his eyes.


ôI understandànot everyone would be ready to risk their lives for something so unsure.ö Motoko sighed.


ôButàI reallyàI really feel that I must go out and accomplish this task.ö Takato said, looking at Motoko.


ôHuh?ö Motoko asked.


ôIÆmàIÆm afraidàyesàthe whole idea is frightening. Butàmy parents used to tell me, Hikari, and Himari stories about the world before it froze upàstories about forests, fields of flowers under the bright blue skyàdandelions flying up in the spring breeze, the beautiful sparkle of the rainàall stories past down from their parents. Hikari and Himari wanted to see all thatàsee it all for themselves. And I promised them, Motoko-san, I promised them I would show them all that someday. I want to let them live in a bright, warm, and beautiful world. You said that if I could end this war, warmth and light would return to this world, right?ö


ôYesàor at least, thatÆs the theory.ö Motoko said, taking a sip of tea.


ôButàwhen I look at myselfàI start to thinkàcan I really do it? IÆve never accomplished anything in my lifeàalways the worst of my classànever achieved any academic or athletic acknowledgementsàö Takato looked down. ôI start to thinkàam I the right person to undertake such a grand task? To save the world?ö


ôA man once told meàö Motoko said, closing her eyes. ôIf you put your mind to it, you could accomplish anything.ö


ôOh?ö Takato asked.


ôYesàthat man saved my life so many timesàwhenever I was down, ready to give up, he would come and cheer me up. I always prided myself in being strong and independentàbutàI had so many weaknessesàI feared myself and feared those around me. But he came and cured me of those weaknesses, and gave me the strength toàwellà live. I mean, live for realàö Motoko said, looking up at the moon. ôI miss him soàö


ôIt wasàyour husbandàwasnÆt it?ö Takato said.


ôYesàKeitarou Urashimaàö She took out the photograph and showed it to Takato. ôThatÆs himàand my daughter, Hinata.ö She pointed out the smiling figures. ôI remember you said, back when I was possessed, æif I put my mind to it, I could accomplish anything.Æö She smiled. ôThat reminded me so much of my husband.ö


ôReally?ö Takato asked.


ôI mustàthank youàfor saving my life todayàtwiceàö Motoko said, quietly.


ôButàit was my fault you ended up wandering around outside in the first place. And it was my fault you ended up drawing out that sword without enough manna energy to control the seal.ö Takato said.


ôStop blaming yourself, for stupid things like that. I chose to do all those thingsàjeez, youÆre so similar to him.ö Motoko huffed. Suddenly, the phone rang.


ôHuh? At 2 AM at night? Who could that be?ö Takato asked walking over to the phone and picking it up. ôHello?ö


ôTakatoàTakato, pleaseàthàthereÆs someone or something trying to bàbreak into the storeàgrandpaÆs out tonight andàandàö a panicked voice whispered from the other side.


ôSakura?ö Takato asked, recognizing the voice. ôSakura, stay in your room and lock it. Call the police, IÆll be there right away. DonÆt worry and stay quiet.ö


ôPàplease hurryàTakatoàö Sakura whispered. Takato replaced the receiver and ran to his room to get a change of clothes.


ôMotoko-san! Please wake up Rayce-san, IÆm going to need his help, and put on something warm from the coat cupboard!ö Takato shouted, pulling on his active thermal coat. ôItÆs going to be really cold out there, so wear one of my active thermal coats.ö Motoko immediately did as he said without any questions.


ôHàheyàis it breakfast time already?ö Rayce asked, absent-mindedly pulling on a coat at random. He struggled as he tried to zip it up. ôHeyàthis is a kidÆs coatànot only thatàitÆs a girlÆsàö


ôHurry! IÆm sorry, but IÆm going to need to ask for your help, guys.ö Takato said, going out the front door.


ôUrusai, baka. Get moving! Motoko shouted, pushing Rayce out the door and closing it behind her. She opened it again a few moments later and reached for the metal pipe stored in the umbrella stand before closing the door again.

----------------------------------------


They ran down through the thick, choking fog, their own breaths rising into stifling white clouds in front of them. The snow was thick and heavy under their feet, slowing them down significantly. ôStay behind me.ö Takato said. It went without saying, getting lost in the fog in the dark would be seriously unpleasant, especially at this temperature. Takato had checked the thermometer before leaving. It was -5 degrees Celsius outside, barely tolerable, even in their active thermal coats.


ôThere it is.ö Takato said, pointing before them at the Corner Antiques store. It was dark inside, but Takato could already see that the door had been broken into. ôHurry!ö


As they crept up to the front door, they heard a few faint footsteps and the sound of glass breaking and things being overturned. A voice asked, ôwhere are those cards?ö


Takato gestured at them to remain quiet and follow him as he crept through the front door. He used the tall counter by the door as a cover as he tried to look around. A tall figure stood in the darkness, holding onto another figure. Another figure seemed to be rummaging through the items in the room. A faint light was floating around the second figure.


ôIÆm asking you, where are those cards?!ö The first figure asked, raising his voice slightly. Apparently it was a he.


ôIàI donÆt knowàwe donÆt stock such cardsàö SakuraÆs voice came from the direction of the figure being held by the first figure. ôPleaseàI donÆt know anythingàö


ôàliaràö the man said, slamming her into a wall. ôIÆll ask you nicely just one more timeàwhere are those cardsàö


Takato gestured at Rayce and pointed at a collection of bamboo spears. Rayce sighed as both he and Takato grasped one each and crept around the store in the direction of the two figures. Rayce went for the one who was holding onto Sakura while Takato went for the other.


As they approached they raised their weapons, ready to bring hell down onànothing? Their targets suddenly re-appeared behind them, smirking. Takato and Rayce slowly turned aroundàSakura just slapped a hand to her face in exasperation.


SMASHà


ôOh myàglass shards do look beautiful in the moonlightàö Rayce remarked as a multitude of razor sharp glass shards clustered around him, following him in his short flight over the snow laden street.


TakatoÆs flight, meanwhile, was a lot shorter. It was a one way trip into the wallàand a short slide down into the pile of junk (which Sakura stubbornly regards as antiquesàwell, she did. Now itÆs just junk). A large tanuki doll fell on his head as a whole shelf tumbled down on him.


ôWell, well, wellàanother card masteràand this one seems to have plenty of cardsàö A young man strode over to TakatoÆs upside down form amidst the junk. ôAnd youÆve even taken the trouble to come and hand them over to meàhow niceàö


ôGet back!ö Takato shouted, raising his weaponàa white moth-eaten squirrel dollà


Both Takato and the man stared at the doll for a moment.


ôOoppsàexcuse meàö Takato dropped the doll and rummaged around while still staring into the manÆs eyes. ôAh haàö He shouted in triumph as he raised his weaponàwhich went æmyuuÆà


Both he and the man stared at the waving turtle for a momentàbefore the man lost patience and picked up Takato by the collar.


ôStay away from him, foul fiend, or IÆllà!ö Motoko shouted, raising heràmetal rod.à


ôOr what, Urashima-san?ö A dark-skinned figure stepped in front of heràthe same figure who had sent Rayce on his short low altitude aerial tour.


ôTatsumiya?!ö Motoko gasped, taking a step backwards.


SMASHà.SMASHà


ôHey, how nice of you guys to join meàö Rayce said, spitting out a few glass shards from his horizontal position in the snow as two more bodies smashed out in a shower of glass shards and skid into the snow beside him. ôHeyàcheck this outàif you just take a little snow and put a little of this here chocolate syrup on itàö Rayce said, taking out a bit of chocolate syrup in a bottle.


ôHey, thatÆs Hikari and HimariÆs!ö Takato shouted, getting up from his bed of glass and snow.


ôEnough of that nowàö Motoko said.


ôYou got beaten up, Motoko?ö Rayce asked. ôHey, Takato, just check this out for a moment.ö


ôIdiot, I donÆt have enough manna for proper combat. Hey, Takato, stop being stingy with manna!ö Motoko shouted, grasping herà.metal rodà and leaping back into a standing position. ôTakatoàIÆm seriously getting fed up of being beaten around by an upstart mercenary, just cause all I have is a metal rodàö Takato also slowly raised himself from the snow.


ôHelàhelàhy hongue ith thuckàö Rayce cried out.


ôWhat did he say?ö Takato asked, pointing at Rayce who seemed to be slamming his head into the snow repeatedly.


ôHe said his tongue is stuck. ThatÆs what you get for trying all sorts of weird stuff, you idiotàö Motoko said, raising heràmetal rodà for battle.


ôHahahahahaàsoàitÆs only a little kidàheyàitÆs you, isnÆt it? Takato?ö The young man asked, coming out of the store, an antique rapier in one hand. ôMwahahahaàI eat pipsqueaks like you for teaàö He laughed maniacally, licking his rapierà ôUghàaghàhy hongue ith thuck thooàhamnàhamn!ö He cried out.


ôWhat did he just say?ö Takato asked, pointing at the man who was now bent double over his rapier.


ôLetÆs just sayàheÆs just as idiotic and patheticàwaitàmaybe more so than Rayceàö Motoko sighed.


ôàHana! Hana! Hake Hem Outh!ö The man shouted, as he tried to pull on the blade, only succeeding in slamming it into his head a number of times as atmospheric thermodynamics tested the elasticity of his tongue to the limit. ôAr huu aghing ah me?! Oock huu!ö He shouted, or at least he tried. He ended up biting his tongue in the process and yelled ôOOCK! OOCK!ö in pain.


ôWhat did he say?ö Takato asked again, pointing once more at the man who was now repeatedly banging his head onto the old rapier while gesturing Mana to go and attack. Mana just watched in a politely interested manner.


ôI donÆt think anyone would want that last part interpretedàö Motoko said. ôI think the fanfic would lose its T ratingàö She crossed her arms and sighed.


-------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, in an alternate dimensionà


Beyond the Bounds paused as his fingers hovered over his keyboardàhe spun around in his seat and pulled out a copy of the contents restrictions from fanfic .com and checked itànopeàthat last part still conformed with the rulesà.was that a little too random though? But he decided that being an insane retard once in a while doesnÆt matter. After all, what can you do after 3 cups of strong coffee? He immediately turns down the airconÆs temperature further in order to keep in line with storyÆs atmosphereà


--------------------------------------

ôAll rightàplaytimeÆs overàö Mana said, digging her boots into the snow in her usual fighting stance. She raised one arm towards Motoko and gestured for her to attack. ôComeàletÆs settle the Tatsumiya and Shinmei temple affairs of the past right here, right now. Not that I care, but it makes a nice little dramatic backdrop to our fight.ö


ôàitÆs your challenge thenàit will be your shame should you lose.ö Motoko said, holding her metal rod at the readyà.metal rodà ôTAKATO! GET ME A PROPER WEAPON!ö she shouted as a vein finally popped on her forehead.

----------------------------


To be continuedà.

 

[Zenithos]

Chapter 5: Turtles


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What people thought of snowàit was largely dependent on the person. To some it meantàbeauty, splendour, pureness, or, on a most basic level, white. To some it meant more snow removal jobs. To some, such as Takato Hayamura, it currently meant things were far too slippery to move around properly. And in his situation, he was definitely less than enthusiastic about it. In fact, he decided to curse snow hereafter as he slipped and fell backwards into the snow as he tried to run back to pick up his weapon.

Meanwhile, in front of him, Motoko was trying to get to grips with metal rod combat. Unfortunately, getting to grips with the most Neanderthal of weapons was not as easy as it looked. For one thing, what happened to aerodynamics? DidnÆt people who invent metal rods ever think of the aerodynamics of the weapon? Or probably the weight distributionàoh waitàthatÆs why they came up with swords in the first place.

Mana was skillfully playing her advantage in range to the fullest. Her twin desert eagles flashed bright in the darkness as it sent lead shredders straight at Motoko. The best she could do was to try to defend with her more than modest weapon. Bright sparks flew everywhere as hot lead made contact with cold steel. After the first 14 bullets, all barely deflected by MotokoÆs metal-rod-substitute-swordplay, Mana released the lock on her magazines and threw them out into the snow, while swishing both guns towards the magazine holders on her belt.

Rayce meanwhile, who had somehow managed to get his tongue released from his frosty dessert, had grasped his bamboo spear as well as TakatoÆs as he skid past him and leaped into the air. He came down, just as Mana locked two fresh magazines into her Desert Eagles. ôHyaaaaaaaaaaah!ö Rayce shouted, executing an overhead slash with one spear, which Mana neatly avoided with a quick backwards leap. Rayce followed through with another horizontal slash with his other spear, which Mana merely sidestepped.

Motoko meanwhile, in a frantic search for a proper weapon, had finally spotted one. ManaÆs cardmaster, who was frantically trying to pry the rapier off his tongue, suddenly started making gurgling sounds as he noticed the fiery-eyed samurai charging in his direction, with every intention of delivering pure pain. He picked up a makeshift weaponàa baseball bat that had rolled out into the street from the antique store, to try and ward off Motoko. Motoko meanwhile was dragging her metal rod along the street, causing sparks to fly everywhere as she built up force for her ground-strike jutsu.

ôShinmei-ryu! Suna Rendan Battou-Jutsu!ö Motoko shouted, as the metal rod left the earth and flew out at the man, knocking his baseball bat clean out of his hands, as well as knocking his teeth out along with it. As the man fell, Motoko grasped the rapier which parted with his tongue with a painful ripping sound, one you might hear when your favourite manga gets ripped in two.

Rayce had successfully knocked one of ManaÆs guns into the air as he slashed out a spear upwards at her. He delivered a thrust with the other one, which Mana avoided with a quick sideways twist of her body. She caught the extended spear and whirled around it, holding both its end and its middle. Rayce just stared as Mana suddenly hefted the entire spear upwards, carrying Rayce along with it. ôGaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrghhhhhhhhh-mffffffffffö RayceÆs scream of terror as he soared through in the short arch was cut off abruptly as he slammed into the snow.

Mana didnÆt have a moment to relax. As she released RayceÆs spear and caught her falling gun, MotokoÆs rapier came out of nowhere, threatening to cut her in two had she not spun out of the way in time. She parried the next horizontal rapier slash with her right gun, while pointing her left one straight at Motoko. Motoko hefted her rapier upwards, flinging ManaÆs arm upwards, causing her to shoot up into the air. Motoko executed a few more assaults, all of which were successfully parried and evaded by Mana, whoÆs shots were as successfully parried and evaded by Motoko.

Suddenly, Mana spun backwards, flinging one of her guns into the air. Motoko, who was watching ManaÆs other gun, ready to deflect any bullets, was caught unawares of two small whizzing objects which painfully collided with her stomach. As she fell to her knees in pain while clutching her stricken abdomen, she looked up at Mana and caught a final glimpse of the weapon that had just struck heràa pile of coins in ManaÆs hands, just before it slipped into her pockets.

ôWho said war was cheap, ne?ö Mana asked, catching her other gun as it descended. ôSoldiers donÆt win wars. Money does.ö She lifted the gun and aimed it straight at Motoko. ôSorry, AoyamaàvictoryÆs mine.ö She squeezed the trigger.

ôMy nameÆsà.Urashimaàö Motoko wheezed, as she tried to stand up, clutching her stomach. She raised her rapier.

BANGà.

ôHuh?ö ManaÆs shot, according to her calculations, would miss her by a full two metersàno way! What was she aiming atàthen it dawned on her. She looked behind her in terror as she realized it was flying straight at Takato. ôTakato!ö She gritted her teeth and launched herself at the bullet.

ôMotoko!ö Takato shouted as he tried to run forwards. Something flashed within his coat pockets.

Something spun out of thin air and collided with the bullet, sending sparks everywhere. It spun around back into the air and slowed down into a hover.

ôIs thatàö Takato asked, looking up at the metallic looking object.

ôàa turtleà?ö Sakura asked, peeking out of her store.

ôTAKE COVER! ITÆS HER!ö Rayce screamed, diving headlong into a trash can.

ôNoàwayàö Mana said.

ôTakato! Get off the street!ö Motoko shouted, scrabbling up from where she had landed.

ôHuh?ö Takato asked, as a flashing card spun around in front of him. He caught it as it slowed down. On its front was the picture of a young girl in a dark blue senior high sailorÆs uniform. ôWhat?ö

Something flashed up in the sky. Takato looked up just in time to see a number of flashes approaching, just before Motoko grabbed him by the collar and threw him into the store before following right behind him.

Mana raised her guns and aimed. She shot the nearest flash that was heading straight towards heràit exploded into a huge crimson fireball. Meanwhile, all around her, the other flashes collided with the frozen earth, exploding into raging infernos.

ôMissiles?ö Takato asked.

ôThose look likeàmetal turtlesàö Sakura remarked, slightly awed by the fireworks display.

ôThereÆs only one person mad enough to make self-destructing turtle-like mechas and send them hurtling towards the earth that randomlyàö Motoko sighed, as a nearby explosion shook the store.

ôMana! WhatÆs happening!ö ManaÆs cardmaster asked.

ôCalm down, master. ItÆs another card.ö

Takato looked down at his card as it started shaking. It was undergoing another transformation as the clothes on the girl in the picture started to transform intoàsome sort of tropical native costume? How practical for this weatherà

The missile barrage continued, but now it was accompanied by a flurry of random positron cannon shots. Mana threw her master into a nearby alleyway and aimed up at the sky. ôCome outàI know youÆre up thereàö

Something gigantic and round was silhouetted against the inferno lit up sky. It seemed to grow larger with each passing second.

ôThere you areàö Mana started firing up at the silhouette. Small sparks flashed as her bullets bounced harmlessly off the gigantic object. ôWhatàis that?ö She gasped, as she realized her bullets were useless against whatever it was. She took a few steps backwards before finally leaping completely out of the way as the gigantic metallic object slammed into the snow, sending violent shockwaves through the ground.

The large metallic object raised about 5 inches off the surface of the impact crater it had created. A smaller figure landed lightly on top of its dome-like top. The missile and laser barrage had stopped completely.

ôNo doubt about itàitÆs heràö Mana said, getting onto her feet.

ôNo doubtàHer?ö Takato echoed ManaÆs words.

ôWhoÆsà.her?ö

ôYesàitÆs her all rightàö Motoko sighed.

ôThe Defender of the Galaxy has arrived!ö the figure atop the gigantic metallic object shouted, her native costume flowing with the gentle breeze. A horde of small metallic turtles flew around her, all creating a general hum of æmyusÆ. The large metallic object underneath her lit up as a number of large headlamps illuminated the surrounding street. It was apparently a huge metallic turtle.

ôThe mecha Tama MK IVàö Rayce mumbled as his trash can rolled into the store. ôI can still remember getting pummeled by thatàö

ôWouldnÆt she freeze to death in that?ö Takato asked, pointing at the girl.

ôNoàshe wonÆt,

ôAnd nowàtime to DIE!ö The girl laughed hysterically as she raised an arm towards Mana. The entire street lit up for a few momentsà

Before everything went darkà

To be continuedà

 

[Zenithos]

In 1998, a young 19 year old boy arrived at an inn. Through a bizarre turn of events he was made its owner and manager. He learned many things there. One of them was to always respect a girlÆs privacy. Another was probably a love for archaeology and martial arts. He ended up marrying one of his tenants, which was all right. He earned himself a æhappily ever afterÆ of sorts. This isnÆt his storyà.


115 years later, another boy, somewhat younger, stood in the middle of the street over which that particular inn had overlooked back in 1998. A narrow beam of red celestial light had burst down from the clouds and illuminated a card he was holding. The card was shaking as some strange force was coursing through it. He was young. He was inexperienced. He was infinitely scared out of his wits. This is his storyà


---------------------------------------

ZAAAPàÆseriously, thereÆs got to be a repairman here somewhere. I wanna file a complaint against bad transmission reception!Æ


His vision was again blurry and grainy, with little coherence in anything he saw.


ôKeitaroàLife is always a journey. ItÆs the proof of your existence. So take it one step at a time and enjoy it.ö A bright fire roared brightly in front of him, creating an island of light besieged by the darkness. It lit up a warm, friendly, bespectacled face who was sitting opposite him.


ôBàbutàSeta-sanàwhat about Tokyo-UàI canÆt keep on failing like this.ö He heard a voice say.


ôDonÆt worry about things like that. Take it easy. When it comes it comes. All you can do is do your best. For now, take your journey step by step.ö


Everything faded into darkness. In the distance a flicker of light lit up. Suddenly, streams of sights blew outwards from the point of light. In the streams he saw glimpses of rooms, temples, carnivals, pavements, parks, beachesàbefore finally everything slowed down and came to a stop.


Before him was again darkness. Suddenly, a shaft of light cut downwards across the gloom and slowly widened as a deep groaning sound shook the ground on which he stood. It was apparently a door. He reached out for the light, wanting so desperately to get out of the gloom.


ôKeitaro!ö A voice called out from behind him. He turned around out of reflex. He wasnÆt sure who was being called but he felt he must answer the call.


ôKeitaro!ö The voice sounded distant, almost ethereal. It echoed through the abyss as he stood on the brink before the door.


ôKeitaro!ö The door was still slowly opening. Suddenly, the bright light engulfed him and the surrounding darkness.


------------------------------------

ôTakato!ö Everything swam before him. He tried to blink away the haziness. All his limbs felt numb. His head felt as heavy as lead. His eyelids were so heavy each blink felt like it took a Herculean effort.


He slowly tried to rise, trying to identify where he was and who just addressed him. Details started to filter slowly into his dimmed mind. He was in a room. There was quite a lot of snow on the ground, save in the middle of the room where a fire was burning. It was already burning low. What he identified to be Rayce was hacking some wood of a nearby dresser and throwing it into the dying fire. The remaining light danced across the ruined room and lit up the vestiges of what used to be a quaint little clothiers. A few desolate mannequins stood silent around them, quiet sentinels of the past.


Beside him, to one side, stood Motoko, trying to shake some life into him. ôWake up, Takato. ItÆs already morning. WeÆve got to get moving again.ö She said urgently.


It was glowing blue outside. Takato tightened his sleeping-bag around himself as he tried to stand up. He could actually feel his bones creak as he tried to stand up. The cold had gotten in every joint in his body.


ôHey, kid, weÆve got sausages for breakfast. Hurry up and get up.ö Rayce shouted to him.


ôItÆs quite a wonder that you could actually wake up this early in the morning, Farelle.ö Motoko said.


ôA certain somebody stiffed me for all night guard dutyàneed I explain further?ö Rayce said testily, with a soft grumble, the likes of which is only heard from the opening of ICBM silos, aiming a glare up at Motoko. ôWhy didnÆt you get Suu to do it. ItÆs not as if she ever sleeps.ö


ôShe did. Would you rather have taken care of her sleepwalking?ö Motoko asked, her voice dripping with liquid hydrogen from a fusion reactor cooler.


ôShe sleepwalks?ö Takato suddenly asked. Rayce flinched at the thought.


ôNo, thanks.ö Rayce decided, without a hint of hesitation. ôAll-night guard-duty sounds nicer than sleeping. Yep. Any day.ö


ôAnyway, speaking of Suuàwhere is she?ö Takato asked, looking about.


ôRight here, snow-bozu!ö Suu laughed as she landed on top of Takato.


ôAAAAARRRRRRGHHHHH!ö Takato cried, as every single stiff joint in his body screamed with the sudden pressure.


ôTeeheeàhey, what do you say I share the sleeping bag with you tonight?ö Suu asked playfully, nuzzling her cheeks to his.


ôHuh?ö Takato asked, blushing.


ôWhatever weird thoughts youÆre having, get rid of them. ItÆs for your own good. Cause youÆd NEVER want to sleep in the same room as Suu.ö The normally perverted Rayce Farelle said. ôIs that understood? IÆm saying this cause IÆm a caring guardian.ö Rayce looked Takato in the eye.


ôI think we should move out nowàö Takato said, heaving Suu off his back, grabbing a sausage, before jumping about with the said sausage leaping around and burning his hands.


----------------------------------------------

As they walked down the desolate frost covered post-apocalyptic city street, they couldnÆt help but feel aware of the dark pillar of smoke rising out of the city they had just left. They knew it was the product of a great fire. They knew the fire department probably hadnÆt put it out yet. They even knew that the fire had broken out on Market Avenue, just in front of the corner curios store. Heck, they even knew the source of the fire, a number of nuclear ICBMs coupled with ancient and powerful islander magic. They knew all this even though they were currently a couple of hundred kilometers away from the site with the distance still increasing.


Why did they know?


Because the fire was one of the reasons they were currently making all due haste away from the city, on foot, in the middle of the abandoned permafrost-ridden wasteland.


Sakura had said she didnÆt mind.


Her expression definitely said otherwise.


So did her actions.


Takato barely made it out with his head.


That aside, they had decided to make their way ASAP to the next city to find more cards and hopefully mitigate the dangers faced by the inhabitants of Tokyo-6 by these disastrous card games. They were, as said before, walking down a desolate frost-ridden street, remnants of an age before the great war. It was once known as Tokyo city. Now it was just a wasteland between Tokyo 6 and Tokyo 5.


Why were they walking, you ask?


ôWeÆre walking because a certain someone wrecked the subways, the only means of transport between the citiesà remember?ö Rayce asked, with a hint of malice.


ôFarelleàif your death wish is that strongàö Motoko hissed, raising a hand to the blade slung on her back.


Takato walked on with Suu clinging onto his back as Rayce and Motoko started settling their differences cavemen-style. Rayce had found a handy old street-sign post along the way while Motoko still carried the rapier she had ripped off the other card-masterÆs tongue the other night. Obviously, this made for a rather interesting battle.


ôSoàwho destroyed the world?ö Suu asked cheerfully, as if the topic was just a weather inquiry and her surroundings a warm, bright garden.


ôThe Black warsàthough I have no idea what exactly we were fighting against. I guess all thatÆs left of the black legion are these monsters lurking about in the wastelandàö Takato answered. ôWhich is the main reason we shouldnÆt walk out in the wasteland. I wish we still had the subways thoughàthe cold is another good reason to never venture out hereàö


ôMonstersàYou mean those?ö Suu asked, pointing. Sure enough, just a few hundred meters down the road were a horde of ugly, black, ugly, scaly, ugly, winged, and abominably ugly creatures. In fact, the word ugly just bypasses the optical nerves and goes straight to the back of the brain, frying every neuron along its way.


ôOkàSuuàcould you do what you did last night?ö Takato said, stiffening.


ôButàyou told Suu-chan never to use that againàö Suu said, hanging upside down over TakatoÆs face.


ôànow you can use itàitÆs urgentàö Takato whispered out of the side of his mouth.


ôWellàit isnÆt midnightàand there isnÆt a red moon eitheràö Suu said, scanning the sky for signs of the red moon, which off course, wasnÆt there. Though SuuÆs logic could convert toasters into nukes, it canÆt comprehend the day to day running of the world.


ôàRightàthenàeveryoneàbe veryàvery quietà.ö Takato whispered, stepping backwards ever so slowly. Just then, Motoko blasts Rayce straight into a nearby building that crumbled noisily behind them.


Takato winced, each and every crackle of rock a needle jammed in his ear. He sweat-dropped, big time.


The jet-black monsters turned their attention from idly standing around to them. Takato froze. Suu cooed with awe. Motoko turned her head around. Rayce winced as a brick fell on his headà


Two of the front-most monsters looked at one anotherà


What happened after happened without as much as a blink. Takato suddenly realized the ground was rapidly dropping away from him. He looked up. His mind made a quick orientation correction. HE was rising off the groundàgripped between the talons of one of the huge wyvern-like monsters. Beside him, shouting with delight, was Suu, gripped between the other set of talons.


ôTAKATO!ö Motoko shouted, slicing through one of the creatures. Rayce, meanwhile, was trying to ward off the fangs of another of the creatures with his metal post.


ôOkiesà.do you want this bird photon-roasted, nuke-fried, or plasma-broiled?ö Suu asked Takato. ôI could also do a side of Hellfire missiles.ö She added after a thought.


ôBàbutàI donÆt have that much mannaàö Takato said ôHeck, I donÆt even understand what manna is!ö. The up and down motion of the creatureÆs body and the flapping of the wings were making him nauseous. Around him were other wyvern-like creatures, swarming around the one holding him, all simultaneously trying to unburden it of its prize.


ôNo worries!ö Suu laughed happily, reaching into a semi-circular pocket attached to the front of her clothes (if youÆre a true-blue anime lover, then youÆd know that IÆm referring to DoraemonÆs legendary magical pocket. Akamatsu-sensei himself made many allusions to Doraemon in Love Hina). She brought outàa set of firecrackers.


ôYou really are a weaklingàö Suu pouted, looking at Takato.


ôWhatÆs your problem?!ö Takato shouted. ôYou should be more thankful! Motoko only got a toothpick last time we tried!ö


ôBut thisÆll doàö Suu said, lighting up her pathetic firecracker. ôEAT THIS!ö she threw it up in front of the creatureÆs headàwhich instantly reared up and ate it.


ôIt actually ate itàö Takato sweat-dropped yet again.


ôNowàa jet-pack, anti-g device, or at least, a parachute would be niceàö Suu smiled over at Takato. ôOhànot to mention this big guyÆs friends might want a piece of us too, so a rocket launcher might also come in handyàö


ôNOW YOU TELL ME!ö Takato shouted. Too late. The firecrackers exploded with a pop inside the creatureÆs throat. It shrieked in surpriseàor was it more of a sneeze? Either way, it resulted in Takato and Suu being suddenly released into freefall.


As if on queue, all the creatures in the sky dove along with them, snapping their jaws at them.


ôOh manàö Takato moaned.


ôHeyàthe kidÆs in trouble againàö Rayce said, practicing dentistry with one of the creatures on the ground with his metal post. A number of vicious looking fangs scattered across the floor as Rayce raised his metal post yet again.


ôWe wonÆt make it in timeàFARELLE!ö Motoko shouted.


ôYes?ö Rayce asked, looking around, before flinching. ôNànoàyou gotta beàö


ôFLYING PERVERT ATTACK!ö Motoko shouted, slamming the broadside of her rapier into Rayce, sending him screaming into the sky in TakatoÆs direction.


ôGoingàgoingàgoingàö Motoko murmured, shielding her eyes against the light just enough to make out Rayce against the bright white sky. Suddenly, the small speck that was Rayce disappeared as it made contact with the jaws of one of the creatures. ôGoneàö Motoko sighed.


ôYAY!ö Suu shouted.


ôNOT YAY! THINK OF SOMETHING!ö Takato shouted at her.


ôUmmmàthink of something like bananas?ö Suu asked. A wyvern suddenly swooped out of the sky and snapped Suu out of her descent.


ôWeÆre deadàweÆre officially deadàö Takato sighed, as a dozen or so wyverns closed in on his position, baring their fangs.


FLASHà


Everything was suddenly dark again. The wyverns disappeared. He found himself once again within the dark abyss of his dreams.


ôIÆve made a promiseàyou are hereafter the head of the Shinmei-ryu, therefore I shall devote my life to protecting you.ö A young woman with a small ponytail on one side said.


ôBut, weÆre still friends, arenÆt we?ö


ôUrashima-samaà.your sentiment honours me too muchàö


FLASHà


The world flashed back into view. The wyverns were closing in with horrific speed. Suu was nowhere to be seen. A faint echo of what sounded like RayceÆs scream reached his ears. There was no hopeàno hope at all.


One of the white cards he was carrying suddenly dropped out of his pocket. Out of reflex, he reached out for it and grabbed it. He gasped as a set of words showed up on the card in graceful kanji. æEntrust your life to me. I shall be your shield.Æ


ôHuh?ö was the only sound Takato could make before the card shone bright.


ôHeyàyou up thereàIÆm telling youàI donÆt taste too good. IÆm an ethereal spiritual semi-existent guardian. ItÆsàit meansàgreat, what a day to forget the dictionaryà.ö Rayce muttered, as he tried to negotiate his way out from between the wyvernÆs fangs and its incisors. ôHuh?ö He tried to shield his face as a sharp wind blew from behind the wyvernÆs back. Not that he was worried that any sand or dust may get in his eyes. It was just that the wind was blowing the wyvernÆs smelly breath into his face.


Below, Motoko had to try her best to dig her feet into the snow to keep herself from being thrown off balance by the sudden fierce gust of wind.


ôYou saved my life many times in the pastànow itÆs my turnàö Takato heard a quiet, gentle voice say amidst the storming wind. He tried to open his eyes, but the storming winds stung them.


He did, however, catch a glimpse of what seemed to be light reflecting off the surface of a well-polished katana, as well as what seemed to be the flowing fabric of a school uniform.?


Takato tried to shield his eyes as he looked down at the card. A picture had appeared on it. He gasped. ôAn angel?ö


---------------------------------------------

To be continuedà

 

[Zenithos]

And here's my chapter 7. It's halfway done I've hit a bit of a snag, as I said before. I'm still working on it, so no worries. It'll be done quite soon.

Now that I've started fully concentrating on Forevermore, Soul Requiem. Love Hina Alternative, Final Hina Fantasy, and Second Chance, it's needless to say I've started neglecting Sister Princess. Ahahaha....

Soul Requiem chapter 7:


What happened after passed almost like a dream of sorts. Wellànightmare was another choice word to describe it. Takato had read that in the past lots of people actually paid good hard cash to experience freefallingà


People in the past mustÆve been psychosà.no wonder he lived in hellà


Then again, those people in the past didnÆt have butt-ugly wyvern-like creatures chase after them in freefallà.


But now a bright, blinding light had filled up whatÆs left of his vertigo-packed senses. Within it he saw a soft smileà.the gentle flapping cloth of aà.school sailor uniform? Andà.feathersà.


The card in TakatoÆs hand suddenly shook violently as the same blinding white flash that had engulfed the previous cards slowly move across the surface from down upwards, slowly transfiguring the picture on the front. The school uniform slowly dissolved, giving way to a black hakama and gi, complete with light leather armor and shoulder guards.


A blast of light blew outwards as the transformation reached completion. Takato quickly shielded his eyes for fear of being blinded.


Then it occurred to him that he was still in freefallà


ôWAAAAH!ö He screamed, flailing his arms about. A dozen or so wyverns all simultaneously dove in his direction.


ôURASHIMA-SAMA!ö A voice shouted behind him. He looked up. All he saw was a bluràor rather, a collection of consecutive images all lined up in the air behind something that was moving so fast it almost defied light. One by one the wyvern-like creatures screamed as rays of light burst out of deep gashes that had suddenly appeared in their dark scaly skin. Some crashed straight down into the street below in writhing agony. Some crashed through an entire city block before coming to a stop.


Rayce Farelle, meanwhile, also suddenly found himself in freefall. In fear, the wyvern carrying him had let go off him and escaped for dear life. ôWhoaahà.why do I always find myself in these difficult situationsà.oh well, at least the worst that could happen is that IÆd crash into the street and break a few bones.ö He sighed.


Something was screaming towards him.


He looked up and noticed that one of the agony-ridden wyverns with rays of light gushing all over the place was headed straight for him. He sighed again. ôOkàRemember FarelleàMurphyÆs theoryàbuttered frickinÆ toast always frickinÆ falls on the frickinÆ butteredà.ö He didnÆt have time to finish his sentence as the wyvern crashed headlong into him and blew through an entire city block before coming to a stop.


ôWhat was that, Farelle?!ö Motoko shouted, running up to RayceÆs crash-landing point. ôUp in the skyà?ö


ôIt was a plane.ö Rayce said testily as the wyvern on top of him slowly disintegrated into a multitude of shimmering rays of light. ôA little help might be niceàö


ôIt looked more like a birdà.ö Motoko said thoughtfully. ôNoàitÆsàö Realization dawned on her.


ôItÆs not frickinÆ superman, all right? ItÆs a White-winged Shinmei-ryu swordwoman with a long monster-killer katana. ThatÆs what.ö Rayce said, dusting himself. ôNow whereÆs my trusty metal post?ö He asked.


BANGà..


ôThere it isàthough I donÆt know about trustyàö Motoko said, as the aforementioned metal rod rammed straight into RayceÆs head.


ôWAAAAH!ö Takato screamed, closing his eyes. ôI CANÆT DIE YET! IÆVE GOT A MISSION!ö


ôAnd you donÆt have toàö A gentle voice said. Takato suddenly felt a gentle floating feeling within him.

He slowly opened his eyesàand gasped. He was looking into the eyes of an angel, its magnificent angelic wings beating against the cold winter air as thousands of shimmering flecks of light descended from the heavens in the aftermath of the wyvern slaughter. The golden flecks of light gave the girlÆs wings a gentle, golden glow as she slowly descended towards the earth. ôI have returned, Urashima-sama.ö She smiled down at Takato. Takato opened his mouth to correct heràonly, no words came out. He was utterly amazed. ôOr ratheràTakato Hayamura.ö She added.


ôAhàuhà.howà?ö Takato managed.


ôYour name? ItÆs written on that thing youÆre clutching.ö The girl nodded at the card in TakatoÆs hand and smiled. Sure enough, on its brilliant silver back it had æMagister Charta Magus Tacato HaiamuraÆ written in lighter silver letters. He flipped it around to its front and found, written over the picture, a name æSacurazaci SejunaÆ.


ôSacurazaci Sejuna?ö Takato asked, slightly confused.


ôSakurazaki Setsuna, master.ö The young swordswoman introduced herself.


ôNYAAAAAAAAAA!ö A voice screamed past. Both Takato and Setsuna looked down at the speeding cannonball which crashed into the street below, raising a huge cloud of dust and smoke.


ôOh myà.who wasà?ö Setsuna started.


ôOh, that would be Suu-chan.ö Takato said, slightly worried. ôI hope she didnÆt get injured by that fallàthough IÆve seen Rayce live through worse. I guess you guardians are somehow stronger than your average human, right?ö Takato asked.


ôWell, yesàö Setsuna said, landing lightly on the street. Her wings, armor, and hakama and gi all dissolved into tiny shimmering particles of light, leaving her in her thin school uniform. ôBrrrrrà.ö She suddenly started shivering. ôIàItÆsàItÆsà.ö


ôAh, sorry!ö Takato cried, whipping off his active-thermal coat and wrapping it around Setsuna whoÆs teeth had started chattering. She quickly clutched the coat protectively around her as she tightened herself into a crouching ball.


ôTakato! Suu! Setsuna?!ö Motoko shouted as she and Rayce came running down the street. ôSetsuna?!ö She asked, slightly surprised.


ôWow, Se-chan! ItÆs so nice to finally seeàö Rayce shouted, leaping towards Setsuna, only to come face to face with the broadside of a rapier. BANGà.


ôIÆm still aliveà.ö Suu announced, crawling out her crater.


ôAs if we careàö Rayce muttered, nursing his nose.


ôCan we do that again?!ö Suu asked, glomping onto Rayce. ôThose black things went Roar, then we went wheeeà.!ö


ôGet offa me!ö Rayce shouted, fighting to get her off, only succeeding in getter her tangled even further.


ôSo she is all rightàö Takato breathed a sigh of relief. ôThank you, Setsuna-san. We couldnÆt have made it without you.ö He said turning to Setsunaà.who had turned pale white.


ôSETSUNA!ö Motoko shouted, whipping her own coat and wrapping it around Setsuna. She looked around and spotted Rayce.


ôOh noà.noàyouÆre not getting meà.ö Rayce started, finally wrestling Suu off, beforeàBANGà.


ôRayceàRayceàare you still alive?ö Suu asked, poking RayceÆs twitching body.


ôHypothermia sets in really quickly in this temperature.ö Takato said in an urgent tone. ôIf we donÆt get any spare jackets then one of us is going to freeze to death.ö He looked around in search of a solution.


ôDe-summon one of us!ö Motoko shouted, hugging Setsuna tightly. ôQuick!ö She shouted.


Rayce immediately pointed at Suu. Suu looked up and down RayceÆs outstretched arm before smiling and pointing at Rayce, just for the fun of it.


ôAndà.how do I do that?ö Takato asked, looking down at the 4 cards in his hands.


ôYOU MORON!ö Motoko shouted. ôWhy are you asking me?! YouÆre the card master!ö


ôHeck! I donÆt even know what a card master is? How do you de-summon!ö Takato shouted in panic.


ôà.I donÆt knowàö Motoko said with a blank expression. Setsuna, still shivering, shook her head in the negative. Takato looked around at Rayce who shrugged.


They all stared at Suu who seemed to be frowning in concentration. ôWellàSuu-chan? Any idea?ö Takato asked.


ôà.ö Suu screwed her forehead in concentration before opening her mouth. ôI have one questionàö


ôYesà?ö Everyone asked, hopeful.


ôIs a de-summon edible?ö Suu asked. Everyone face-faulted.


ôThis is going to be a long journeyàö Takato shivered. ôHaaàHaaàHaatchooo!ö His sneeze echoed through the desolate city ruins, before dying away in the cold, harsh windsà




ôàEverythingÆs a messàjeez, I asked him to help meànot decimate my precious antiques storeàö Sakura muttered, throwing aside junk in search of anything salvageable from her totaled store. ôàGrandpa wonÆt be happy when he sees thisàö She sighed, as she slumped to her knees. ôHow am I supposed to explain this to him?ö


Her attention was suddenly drawn to a nearby pile of rubble. Underneath it was a corner of what looked like a book of some sort. Curious, she gently cleared aside the rubble and uncoveredàa sketchbook. It was frayed around the edges and it seemed as if it had been through quite a lot.


ôStrangeà.why would we keep a sketchbook?ö She asked, tentatively flipping open to the first page. There was a drawing of what looked like a traditional Japanese building, standing glorious atop a sakura tree covered hill. She flipped the page and found more pencil sketches, mostly of people. ôThese peopleàmustÆve been a familyàö Sakura decided, judging by the loving pencil strokes of the artist. Each and every person drawn in the sketchbook were smiling.


Then she came to a rather strange page. A card that had been stuck between the pages fell out. ôHuh?ö She picked up the card. It was blank. ôàTakato took a bunch of these cards with himàIs this another?ö She asked, putting it down. She looked down at the page. There was a half-finished drawing of a little girl. The artist seemed to have invested a great deal of time filling in every single detailàso much time that it seemed he never got around to drawing in the face.


What was supposed to be a beautiful picture of a cute little girl seemed eerie and queer without a face. She suddenly felt as if someoneà.or something was watching her.


It canÆt beà.


But it had to beà


This little girl with a blank face wasàstaring at herà?!


She quickly snapped the sketchbook shut and picked up the card. One thing was sure. Whatever it was Takato was wrapped in, she suspected it was something out of this world.




Meanwhile, in another dimension and timeà


ôWoahàI felt a shiver go down my spine just thereà.ö Zenithos said. ôWàwaitàitÆsà itÆsàitÆs frickinÆ freezing BTB!ö


ôItÆs to keep you immersed in the storyÆs atmosphere, Zeni-chan.ö BTB says, turning down the AC temperature further.


ôItÆsàItÆsàfrickinÆ December, Broà.ö Zenithos shivers. ôAàAàand who turned off the kotatsu?!ö


ôWhatÆs Zenithos doing in such a cold room?ö Little twin A asks, sliding open her futon cabinet.


ôYeahàZenithos is turning into a popsicle.ö Little twin B points out, poking out from behind little twin A.


ôBack to your futon cabinet girls.ö BTB says. ôAnd you, Zenithos, back to work.ö


ôMy fingers are dead from frostbite, Bro! How am I supposed to type?!ö Zenithos screams. ôEternity Incarnate and Apocalypse Alchemist had better be working tooàö


ôTheyÆre already asleep.ö BTB points out. ôNow youÆre a one man army. Coffee?ö


ôNOOOOOOOO!ö


(mini-interlude by BTB)




Back to the storyà


A few hours laterà.


ôLucky we found these old coats in that old storeàö Motoko commented as they walked down the snow laden street. On either side of them towered tumbledown skyscrapers. The remains of ancient cars and tanks littered what remained of the street, all hidden beneath thick snow.


ôà.then why am I wearing them? They reek of moth balls tooàö Rayce muttered, kicking the snow. The harsh, bitter wind wailed in between the forlorn buildings, screaming taunts and mockery at the tall sentinels of the past.


ôàYou can have your coat back if you likeàö Setsuna offered. ôPinkÆs not my colour anywayàö


ôNàno!ö Rayce shouted, seemingly stricken by a nervous spaz. ôI like these coats. TheyÆre cool and stylish, very fitting of a city dude like me.ö He laughedà.before sneezing. ôHaàHaàHATCHOOO!ö


ôTàTheyÆre not active-thermal though. WàWeÆve got to ràreach Tokyo 5 as soon as pàpossible. RàRayce wonÆt last làlong without pàproper active-tàthermal.ö Takato said, huffing through the snow behind them, sending a long stream of erratic steam into the air behind him.


ôWe should rest, Takato-san. YouÆve been trudging through snow for hours. YouÆre only human after all.ö Setsuna pointed out.


ôWe cà.canÆt. If we sàstop now, RàRayce wonÆt làlast long.ö Takato gasped. He knew his lungs were about to collapse. He was breathing too fast. The cold air was biting at his throat and was slowly filling in his lungs. If he were to continue breathing at this rate, his lungs would freeze over in no time at all.


ôWeÆll rest.ö Motoko said, walking off in search of shelter. ôAs much as I hate to admit it, itÆs hard to kill Rayce Farelle. I would know. Mere cold wouldnÆt even scratch him.ö She said reassuringly to Takato.


ôàyàyÆknowà.you could gàgive me YOUR active thermal coatàö Rayce suggested to Motoko while tightening his coats around him. ôYàYou do claim tàto be the party leaderàö


ôIÆm not the party leader, Takato is.ö Motoko pointed out. ôAnd we chose you because you donÆt look good in pink and also because youÆre a self-proclaimed tough-guyà.or are you going to admit that all that was just the rants of a wannabe?ö She challenged with a smirk.


ôI...IÆm a man!ö Rayce shouted.


ôThatÆs the spirit.ö Motoko said in an off-hand manner as she went of in search of shelter. ôMenà.theyÆve always got to announce their masculinity to the worldàö She muttered.


ôIàIàIÆm a manàö Rayce reassured himself, sniffling. ôHAàHATCHOOO!ö


ôThis looks good!ö Suu shouted, gesturing down from a rather intact office in a nearby sky-scraper accessible via a ramp of snow.


ôLight a fire, Rayce.ö Motoko ordered.


ôWHY ME?! WHY IS ITà.oh, ok, very well.ö Rayce immediately got started on the fire.


ôHow did you do that?ö Takato asked.


ôLevers work in mysterious ways, Takato.ö Motoko said, shouldering her rapier. ôàvery mysterious waysàö


A few moments later, another fire was roaring.

 

[Dark Knight Gafgar]

YES.