Thinknice
I need it, I need it, I need it. The words are repeating themselves in my mind, like an endless flow of waves crashing down on my vulnerable body. The palms of my hands are itching as I wait for release. I try rubbing them together in the cold but, this anxious feeling just won’t let go of me. Did I perhaps fall to deep? Can I get out of here? No, do I even want to get out? I tilt my head up and look around me. No sign.

The street where I’m standing isn’t too crowded. People seem to be in a rush. Talking and walking at the same fast pace. Then again, I’m not really paying a lot of attention to them. The street, the people, the sounds, the scents they are all a big blur. I can’t focus on them. It feels like there’s a shortage of oxygen here as I try to keep myself standing.

How long has it been since this has started? Two months or three perhaps? I long for it, the rush in my veins and yet the relaxation of my mind. It makes me sharp, it makes me strong. That’s how it changes me. I don’t care about the risks, yet I was once a man who didn’t like taking his chances. Going for the safe route every time. Not having the courage to face the consequences of the unknown and the daring. Not having the motivation to push myself to reach the peaks of my deepest desires.  The easy way out, yeah that’s what I liked.

I can’t imagine my life without it anymore. Every waking moment that I’m not occupied by anything else makes me dizzy. I slip, I tumble and I fall. But now I get up. Higher and higher is where I go. I take it in and my lungs are filled with life. I breathe it out carefully, as I don’t want to lose anything of it. Sometimes it gives me sleepless nights where I would dwell in a seemingly endless abyss captured by my own fears. But as it puts me there, it also pulls me out.

It’s a gentle thing, exposing vulnerability. And when I mess something up it feels absolutely terrible. The soft touch on my heart suddenly grabs it tight. Nails piercing through the flesh as something worse than pain flashes through my nervous system. One moment I’d be in the heavens and above and with one blow I’d be back on the ground, gasping for air. If there is a place like hell, then these moments of agony would be its ultimate punishment.

The sound of laughter wakes me up from my thoughts. I look around disorientated as I forgot where I was standing. Bells ring as the doors of a toyshop open up behind me. A little girl joyfully skips with a package in her left hand while holding the hand of a woman in her right. ‘Thanks mommy!’ she says with the biggest smile of innocence. Her mother pets her on her head without saying anything. I can’t see her face but I know that it speaks all the words that are needed.

I shake my head and turn back. For an instance my heart stops together with the world and time. Flocks of brown are blown away by the non-existing wind, or did I just not feel it? Hazel looks into dark brown and dark brown looks back into hazel. Breathes connect in the cold air forming condense. Soft reaches for rough. Soft now holds rough. Smiles are exchanged. Words are formed without letters or sounds. Time makes the clocks tick again, but it hasn’t grown old. The world starts turning again, but I'm not going anywhere.

She’s here now.


Siarachan
Siara stumbled through the electric eye and the Pokecenter door slid open. "Whew! What a battle," she said to no one in particular while wringing rainwater from her dress. "Aaand we totally need umbrellas." Her loud entrance elicited a few chuckles from the patrons, but not much else.

It was a bit crowded, but there was a dismal tone to this place. It needed some Siara-brand enthusiasm, she decided. Pointing across the room with gusto she said, "Nurse Joy, I need your help. This random uguu froze two of my Pokemon in battle--Two!"

Nurse Joy gave a blank stare. Siara was getting used to such stares from the service receptionists in Kanto, but this one was far more vacant than usual. None-the-less, she presented her six Pokeballs.

"Bliss!" said Blissey as it reached for her Pokemon, but Siara snatched them back.

"No, no," she scolded, "These are for Nurse Joy." The nurse continued to stare off into space. Siara waved her hand. "Nurse Joy? Hellooo?"

Finally, the nurse reached out with a pair of stretchy, rubbery arms ... and managed to drop every ball.

"Um, are you okay?" Sia asked as she went about gathering them up. Wait a minute, she thought. Those beady eyes, that derpy smile.

"Ditto! Ditto!" said the nurse.

Siara face-palmed. She felt embarrassed falling for such a trick, and tried to laugh it off. "Okay, whose idea--Is this a prank show or something?"

"Don't worry about it," said one of the elder patrons in the lounge, sipping a tea. "These other youngins are waiting on her too. The real Nurse Joy is over there." He gestured to the opposite wall. "Don't know what's wrong with her, though."

Sure enough, the real Nurse Joy was curled up, staring out a window.

"How long's she been like that?"

"Oh, few hours, I'd say."

Well, Siara could hardly stand around waiting. She rolled her sleeves and marched on over. "Excuse me," she said, poking the nurse's pink fluffy sleeve.

But Joy didn't even turn her head. "It's raining."

Siara blinked. "Uh, you want me to-?"

"It never used to rain like this," she sighed.

Siara set her Pokeballs on the windowsill, one-at-a-time. "Frozen, frozen, dead, burnt, poisoned, and dead. They need healed."

"Things are changing," said Joy. "The world's changing." The girl's eyes looked tired, sad.

Siara found herself removing her witch hat in earnest. "Don't they ever ... let you out?"

"Sometimes," said Nurse Joy, "when there's judging to be done. And other such events. I'd much rather travel the world like you," she added, "Maybe become a Pokemon Ranger. It's silly, I know."

"No, it's not silly. Just ... talk to your manager or something. Put in your two weeks. But for now these Pokemon need your services."

"You really care about your Pokemon, don't you?"

Siara nodded.

"Then why did you let them go for so long without using an Ice or Burn Heal? Or even an Antidote?"

"Those cost money, and time is money. So let's go-go-go!" But her trio of claps didn't rouse Nurse Joy at all.

"Go behind the counter and do it yourself."

The room grew quiet, save for the occasional roll of thunder and the pitter-pat of rain. To hear a Nurse Joy say such a thing.

"Alright. Fine." Siara hopped the counter and shoved Nurse Ditto aside. "How hard could this be anyway?" She started dropping the Pokeballs into the six moulded indentations.

"They need to be button-up," called Nurse Joy from across the room. "Once they're situated just right, pull the lid closed and press the switch."

"Okay, I get it--Bit like a copy machine, but with a little tune. Dee, dee, dee, doo-dee," Siara sang.

Nurse Joy shook her head. "Sadly, mine doesn't do the song. The manufacturer's manual says something about 'NYI'--Wait!"

"What?"

"Stand up tall and face me."

Sia was caught off-guard, but complied. Nurse Joy had this sudden sparkle in her eye. It was nice to see her happy again.

"Do you have a Blissey on your team?" The nurse held her fingers and thumbs in the shape of a frame.

"Um. Yes I do."

Joy stood up, excited. "Take out your hair please. Just for a second."

Had Nurse Joy gone mad? "I don't think so," protested Siara.

"Please?" she begged. "Please?"

Her eyes were so hopeful, it was hard to turn her down. "Well, I don't see the harm," she said. Sia took out her pigtails and a swell of dark purple hair with pink ends flowed down and settled mid-waist.

"Perfect! You're the same height. You've got the training. You've got the proper Poke-assistant."

"What are you saying?" asked Siara bluntly.

"Trade clothes with me."

"What?!?"

"Please! I want to adventure. Just for one day. Your eyes aren't the same color as mine, and we have to do up your hair, but everything else works! If my manager comes in, just keep your eyes closed and smile--and bow. Oh yes, you have to always smile--or one of my sisters might catch on and--oh--I'd hate to find out an Officer Jenny arrested you."

"This is crazy! Didn't you hear me say time is money?" Sia demanded.

"Oh come child," chided the old man.

"I forgot about you," said Siara flatly.

"This young Missy has saved you time and money nearly every day of her life. The least you can do is repay her with the rest of your evening." The other patrons nodded in agreement.

"But--but--...."

~#~

Several guilt trips later, Sia found herself upstairs, getting her hair dyed a festive pink. Nurse Joy was methodical,  pinning her hair just right for the nurse hat to sit atop her head.

"Let's go over a few things," Joy said over the sound of the blow-dryer.

"M'kay."

"You'll bow to greet each trainer. Sometimes they don't want healing, and sometimes they'll even ask you to heal their Pokemon twice in-a-row. I know that's weird, but--don't ask. You'll say, 'Would you like to rest your Pokemon?'."

"That's the most awkward sentence I've ever heard."

"I know ... but ... just trust me, okay? After you're done, you'll hand the Pokeballs back to them and say, 'We hope to see you again!' Got it? Bright, cheery smiles all around."

Siara hesitated, but acknowledged with a nod.

Their dresses fit each other well, so Sia slipped on the white tights, put on the regulation shoes, and with the apron tied and the nurse hat pinned on, the illusion was complete. Sia looked in the mirror and--save for her arguably evil red eyes--a Nurse Joy was staring back at her.

"Okay," said the true Nurse Joy, "Cross your arms over your waist, one hand over the other, close your eyes, and smile."

Siara did just that.

Joy couldn't help but laugh.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just--If you can manage this for the next six hours or so, I'll be able to have a real adventure. This means so much to me. You have no idea."

"Well, it better," Siara sneered.

~#~

Seven hours of being Nurse Joy and it had become a mind-numbing experience. The monotony of moving the Pokeballs in and out of the machine was compounding with her aching back, and even her cheeks felt sore from all that smiling. "We hope to see you again!" she said more cheerily than was meant. What a sicko that boy was, pre-poisoning his Pokemon before matches like that.

Next in line was a wealthy man in a dark suit wearing sunglasses. "Would you like to rest your Pokemon?" she asked with all the enthusiasm she could muster.

"Where's your Blissey?" he asked. "It's store policy to have an assistant available at all times."

How could I forget?!? "Of course, sir." She bowed and kept her eyes closed tight. This guy must be the manager, she thought. Blissey should be the fifth Pokeball. One, two, three, four... . "Go Blissey!"

"Misdreavus!"

She pulled it back. "Sorry sir! Wrong one." Her Pokeballs had gotten all mixed up from earlier. She opened her eyes briefly to spot the Safari Ball, then closed them again. "Go Blissey!"

"Blissey!"

"That's all well and good, but where's Blissey's nurse hat?"

Siara bowed again. "I-ah-must have left it upstairs, sir."

"There's something different about you, Nurse Joy two-four-six."

Siara laughed innocently. Two-four-six? Did management really keep track of them like this?

"Do you have a cold?" he asked.

"Yes, so I should go home straight away, right?" she said with a hopeful smile.

"And leave the Pokecenter unoccupied?" He laughed. "Don't be silly. Just take it easy and let your assistant take over. That's what she's there for." He turned to leave.

She bowed. "Have a nice day, sir."

He stopped mid-stride and raised an eyebrow.

"W-we hope to see you again," she added hastily.

With that, he nodded and left. What an uguu.

"You're doing quite well," said the old patron. "I must say I'm impressed."

"Shove it old man. This is all your fault."

"It's alright. I know it's not easy being friendly all the time." He shook his head, laughed, then continued sipping his infinite tea.

A familiar boy came running in. This was his eighteenth visit or so. "The elite four whipped me again! I might need to raise my Pidgey to level 100 before I have a chance."

"You again," snapped Siara. "Seriously? In the name of Arceus take my Starmie. Please. Spare your Pokemon the humiliation and torture."

"Um ... thanks ... Nurse Joy?" Perplexed, he ran off. Arceus knew he'd fail again.

Siara wanted to hop the counter and just go. But something stopped her; the thought of how much fun Nurse Joy must be having, and how rough it would be dealing with sunglasses guy if he discovered she wasn't at her station. She couldn't blame Joy for staying out just a bit longer.

Two more hours passed, and oddly Siara found herself beginning to enjoy the job. For some of these Pokemon, she had become their moment free from the abusive hands of bad trainers. She was their safe-haven. Even if their time together was short, she started to feel an attachment to these Pokemon and did Nurse Joy's job as best she could.

Nurse Joy finally did return--She had so much fun that she'd lost track of time. But in the end the nurse decided she was ready to return to her job. She spoke to Siara about how being out in the elements can take its toll on a person, and how some of the trainers were just too ruthless in battle. They had a nice chat, and even shared some tea with the old man. Turned out his name was "Harry". And he, too, had spent his formative years in the service industry.

Siara found herself more resilient to leave than she expected. "Maybe ... I can do this for you again, sometime?"

Nurse Joy simply smiled.

Before she left, Siara looked out the window one last time. It was raining.

She promised herself that, from now on, she'd take better care of her Pokemon.

~END~

Yagami
I arose from the murky waters of Shark Cape. I had to admit that I was lucky I knew the area well, and lucky enough to escape from Lawrence and his followers unscathed. I'd judged Lawrence wrongly the man nothing more than narrow and selfish; how he collected supporters and ended up sacrificing them for his own personal ambitions, the intention of helping the kin of similar people who had suffered as he did at the hands of the Amberground government nothing but deceit.

Branded a traitor from Reverse, I was dirty, miserable, and alone –and there were people precious to me seemingly unbeknownst of the imminent threat and danger that would befall them. I thought of Roda, my dingo, and her flowered scent, her beautiful purple eyes. I wondered how her sickly state was faring as she was approaching an unknown destination, and wondered if the rest of the non-Spirits were alright as well. I reminisced how I gained my affiliation with them and Reverse. How I witnessed the terrible things they went through. How they were used as playthings and disposed of like trash. How fear and hatred resided in their hearts as a result of the cold experiences that plagued them -- now myself being as disposable as they are. And how I set my heart out of my own pity to help these unfortunate beings however which I can. I'd joined Reverse to help the unfortunate group of people, the ones that could not become spirit- but never expected things to occur in such a terrible way -- to be used and thrown away just like them. As a kin of those rejected monsters, devoid of the need for warmth or kindness. As Noir. Never Gauche.

I thought of what the gatekeepers, Signal and Signaless had informed me during Lawrence's mission.

Lawrence intends to offer those strong hearts to the Cabernet, greatly increasing it's power, and take down the artificial sun.

Possible as it may, Roda and the others wouldn't let themselves be killed by Lawrence, I thought, traversing through a sudden optimism amidst skeptical thoughts, as I surveyed the dull, rocky structures in front of him that made a familiar path towards the west. Yuusari Central wasn't a far walk. I knew what I needed to do. Where I needed to go. Where I'd find answers. Where I'd find help.

Endless minutes of walking led me to Sinner's door. I secretly found it ironic that Gauche's memories would help in a time like this. Ironic how Lag's heart bullet would actually provide even the slightest of hope in such a situation. Doubts surrounded me still; were my actions correct? Would I end up being submitted to the authorities? Or would it be best if I posed as Gauche Suede yet again? Was I now simply submitting himself to the net of justice? Would my efforts end in vain?

The little hope I had in my heart didn't go to waste. I was lucky that Jacob and Sandra spared their curiousity and gave me what I required without too big of a fuss. However, the couple's words still bothered me, to a mild degree. I was no longer Gauche, and that was something I wouldn't go back on. A name bothered me next.

Sylvette.

Sylvette, I allowed the name to wander my mind, awakening memories. The girl who once used to be my sister, the girl who I decieved into believing he returned as her beloved brother and left without a trace when I escaped. The girl whom I threw away without a care in the world, insensitive of the tears that have been shed...just as how Roda and the others were thrown away. No love, no compassion. But that was not the biggest of my concerns, as I crossed that out of my mind.

Be careful out there, Suede. Jacob told me. To be human, you need both life and heart.

The heart you once knew is gone, my words escaped in bare murmurs as I disregarded Jacob's words, hiding my newly gained heart bullet gun, albeit an imperfect one, inside the shadows of my cloak. And even now, I never needed one.

I exited the door and was just about to go on my way.

"Brother!"

I flinched. I turned and stared at the wheelchair bound girl before me, her beautiful yet astonished azure blue eyes staring back. Smoke white hair similar to mine. Her familiar dress. I didn't know how to respond with the coincidental and sudden encounter with Sylvette, as we stood for endless moments locking their eyes at each other as the hour bells rang. I wondered; I could just run off now and hurry to my other matters; but that won't do, Sylvette would easily catch up being who she is. I'll knock her out, I thought again. No, I can't waste a valuable shot from the gun and attract unwanted attention, more or less make myself more of a wanted criminal. But above all, I felt something. Something beyond descriptive words. I found myself strangely attached to the girl before me, a longing feeling residing inside, wanting to stay with her even if it meant just a moment. I was confused -- why was I feeling like this?

We ended up near a fountain a stone's throw away from the shop. I allowed the uncomfortable silence to fill in the space between us, interrupted only by the soothing sound of flowing water and the footsteps of the bypassers as I glanced downward from the high place I was at, staring into space. My calm expression hid my nervousness as I felt my heartbeat intensifying slightly. I didn't know what to say, what I should say. Sylvette should be informed of my deception, I thought, and wondered what she now thought of me – family? Or a hateful person in her life out of the horrible things that I'd done?

"Oh, brother..." Sylvette's voice pierced my thoughts. "You disappearing so suddenly like that," Her voice was soft, a bit cheerful, but in all reassuring. She wasn't sad yet, and she hadn't let go as well. Forgiven, perhaps, of the terrible things I'd done to her. I found this a slightly good sign, but I knew I had to be honest with her one way or the other. "What a shock you gave me..."

She stopped for a moment, and the silence grew disturbing. I desperately hoped for her to say something, to build up the awkward conversation. Anything, I thought. What could I say?

"You are my brother." She began.

I found the courage to turn around at look at her, albeit hesitantly.

"Even if your heart doesn't return..." She continued. "You will always be my brother. Forever and always."

My heart melted somewhere. Regardless of who I was now, I now knew that Sylvette letting go of Gauche Suede would never be easy, more or less even possible. How could I ever explain that to her? I felt the weighty responsibility fall on my shoulders as I stared into Sylvette's adorable blue eyes, filled with hope and plea. A faint smile adorned upon her face. She was expecting something. A response. An answer.

At least I began, turning away and looking downward, at nervousness and at awkwardness. "I am and can no longer..."

"Think of me as your sister?" She interrupted as she drove to my side, the smile gone from her tender face, as I wondered if it was obvious enough -- the truth of that of what I needed to say. "Is it true that it's impossible for you to live as Gauche Suede anymore?"

Yes, I thought. I am no longer the person you think of as your brother, and I doubt I can ever be. But I couldn't be that blunt, not ever. I found myself caring and sensible of Sylvette's feelings, and didn't want to reply with a heartbreaking answer. I wished I need not be honest with the heartbreaking truth. I found myself not wanting to sever another heart, especially not hers. But why? Why couldn't I just get this done and over with? Why would I care.....

"I'm sorry." I replied, somewhat sheepishly. My reply was perhaps terrible, but I secretly hoped it would suffice one way or the other. No matter how much others wanted me to be Gauche, he could not, and will not become him. But a part of Gauche still remained that got onto my nerves and made me vulnerable to hesistance. How could I still care? How could I still...

Her expression drooped at my response. The eyes sparkled, the azure colour dulling as the eyes struggled to keep the water in. Again an uncomfortable silence now formed an invisible wall between us as Sylvette drove to the fountain. I turned. I expected her to cry. To continuously beg of me to come back and never let her go. To witness the heart-melting anguish that I'd inevitably caused her. I waited. Not a sign of shivering was present. Not even a sound from her.

"I see." She finally answered, firmly, startling me. There was bewilderment, amazement and awe in me at Sylvette's smile as she continued. "I understand. After all, once you decide on something, you never change your mind, brother. It's the same way as you left for Akatsuki. I'm sure you have something important going on now..." The smile was mildly sour, but still clear.

I was utterly nonplussed. She could let go that easily? She would accept me as I was?

"But, you know?" The smile vanished, and she was now shivering. I hadn't anticipated wrongly. It was hard for her to accept it. My heart ached slightly as I glanced at her fighting against her sadness and tears. I felt the unknown feeling making my chest uncomfortable and heavy but didn't let it show on my face, which still stood expressionless. I continued to watch her, silently answering her in my heart, connected to hers.

"I'll always...always...be your sister."

I thank you, Sylvette. Gauche would be happy.

"So if you ever feel like returning, you can come back anytime, got it?"

I will, and I am forever indebted.

"I'll make my soup and wait for you."

The warm taste will forever stay in my heart.

"So...so..."

She couldn't continue, and she was blaming herself for not being strong as she wanted to be. To accept her brother's change and get it done and over with. To at least show how much she still cared, without letting the sadness overtake her. But she had failed. She closed her eyes and I approached her. There was hope in her that I could detect, that I would come back and return the love and affection she still had for me despite all that had happened. For us to be happy siblings again.

I squat down, as Sylvette opened her eyes and faced me. With a gentle move, I lunged at the saddened girl as I gave her the only thing I could for now – a hug. It was genuine, and above all warm. Very warm, melting the final traces of my heart, and I sensed the heart Sylvette missed and for what was perhaps the last time she lay on my shoulder -- we cared not about the dirtied clothes I was wearing, not minding the dampness of my clothes that was offset by the moment of irreplaceable warmth we were sharing.

"Thank you...Sylvette." It was a cry from the heart. It was simple and blunt, but true.

"Goodbye..." She breathed.

And I turned, never looking back. And as I left, I could hear the sound of her teardrops -- of great sadness-- to drop on her delicate hands. Once. Twice. Before coming out in flowing rivers.

"Brother..." She couldn't resist any longer and allowed the fountain of salty, sorrowful tears to leak out. I didn't have to look at her -- the most silent of her anguished sobs described enough -- what pain for a girl at that young an age.......

Was that the last time we'd ever see each other?

I never looked back, afraid of the memories that would confound me. I was now surrounded by an array of emotions that were alien to me. My heart felt warm, yet a pang of guilt lingered inside. I felt terrible for doing that. For leaving my own sister...the mixture of emotions was indescribable. Regret. Longing.

Sadness.

Yet I cried one tear -- for the very first time in my life; my amnesiac life. And for what seemed to be the first time in my life, he felt warmth. Compassion.

Love.

So this is what love is like, I thought. The warmth and compassion that links two people together, regardless of circumstance.....to be loved, to be cared....but a first for me.

I wiped off the tear on my right eye, glancing at my dampened hand. Was it of sorrow? Was it of joy? Was I touched? Melancholy? That would be a question I would never know the answer to.

Thank you, my dear little sister... for giving me love. I called in my heart, allowing the final traces of the bittersweet moment to fade slowly and painfully as I headed out into my search.

Ploegy
"Hunter! Hunter, please wake up! I need you," I could faintly make out. I couldn't make out who the voice belonged to though, but it was definitely familiar. It was hard to figure it out when my head was throbbing in pain and my body ached from all the damage I had taken. I groaned softly and I wrinkled my nose.

"Hunter!?"

It was becoming clearer to me the more I gained consciousness. I was becoming more alert to the sounds around me and my head began to spin.

"Ugh, my head is throbbing," I managed to say. I brought my hand up to my sweat covered forehead and I began to massage it. "How long have I been out?"

I hoped it hadn't been long. Bettman would have retreated too far away by now if I had been out for multiple days.

"You've been out for a day, but before you freak out, we had to make sure you didn't wake up to close your wounds before they got worse," replied a different voice.

I sat up abruptly and my eyes shot open. My head throbbed at the sudden movement and I whined in pain.

"Take care of this fucking headache already!" I barked, only making it worse.

Finally, my vision came to me and I saw Brad and Patrice on one side of the room while Darren was on the other.

"Here, take these," Brad said as he held a couple of pills out to me and Patrice held out a glass of water. I took down them quickly and pushed myself off the bed, feeling instantly dizzy. Darren made his way across the room and gently wrapped his arm around my shoulders to support me.

"Thanks," I said softly. I paused for a moment before continuing, "So do you know where he went?"

He shook his head and I frowned. "We sent Quincey along with his troops on a search, but we are having no luck so far."

I pulled away from him and I struggled to walk as I my made way over to the entrance of the room deciding to look down the hallway. A man in the hallway caught my eye as he made his way toward me.

"Who are you?!" I growled, stepping out of the room and reaching for my belt, assuming I had a weapon on me.

"Whoa there, calm down. I'm not an enemy. I am one of Patrice's men, Milan. Ask him yourself," the man said.

I glanced back into the room and Patrice nodded while Darren gave me a cold look. It sent a shiver down my spine, but I returned the look.

"Stop assuming everyone is against you! You have more allies than you think and you keep acting like you have to do this alone! You aren't alone! Let us help you!" Darren barked at me.

I could see the anger in his eyes, something I had never seen from him before and it made my body weak.

Milan noticed the sudden change and placed his hand on my shoulder. I looked up at him with big eyes before I pulled away.

"I need to go. I'll go find Quincey and I'll help him on his search. This needs to end now," I mumbled loud enough for Darren to hear. I took one last look into the room and I shook my head "I can't do this Darren. I'm sorry."

With that, I took off down the hallway. My body ached with every step and I felt that at any moment I would fall over. My eyes burned with hot tears as I walked.

"Ms. Peterson, where are you going?" one of the men asked as I walked past.

I didn't know who he was, but I assumed he was another one of Patrice's men. "I'm going to find Quincey and his troops and to give Bettman hell for what he has done," I replied. He stopped me in my tracks and studied my face. I wrinkled my nose and snapped, "Why do you even care where I'm going?"

A slight frown crossed his lips. "We were all told to keep an eye out for you. That is all ma'am," He responded in a smooth accent.

I raised a brow and shook my head. "They know I'm leaving so don't worry about me," I said sternly.

"Are you sure you should be going out in your current condition?" He asked.

My eyes became cold. "I don't care what condition I am in. I am going out to find Bettman. Who do you even think you are telling me that I shouldn't be going out in this condition?" I growled.

He took a step back when I began to growl. "I am David- one of Patrice's men," he responded. I studied him for a moment, deciding he didn't mean much harm. He was too gentle.

"Well David, I need to go now," I replied bluntly. I turned away from him and continued on.

My mind was set on one thing and nobody would change that. This war with Bettman needed to end and I was the only one that could end it. Either I had to die or I had to kill Bettman. There was no other option.

I found the exit and made my way outside, noticing Henrik and Pavel in the front yard. This must be one of the shelters to protect Nick when needed. There was no other reason that so many of the Red Wings and the Bruins would be here.

The sound of the door closing behind me caught Henrik's attention and he turned to look at me. "Hunter, what are you doing?" he asked curiously.

"I'm going to find Quincey and his troops," I responded.

He gave me a long look and I knew he disapproved. "Hunter, don't do this. You're in no shape to fight," he told me as he gently placed a hand on my shoulder.

How was I suppose to tell him off? I respected Henrik too much to disobey him, yet I needed to for the sake of ending this war. I had to be selfish. "Hank, I have to go and fight. This chaos needs to come to an end and only I can end it," I told him.

"If you must go at least let us come with you. You're in no shape to travel alone and you don't even have a clue where Quincey is, but I do," Henrik said in a calm voice.

I couldn't deny company was probably something I could use. "And you know you want to spend time with us," Pavel piped up with a smirk on his lips.

I looked at the Russian and rolled my eyes. "Let's head out then," I said. I looked from Henrik to Pavel and they both nodded. I knew I was going to be fine with these two at my side. I couldn't find two more reliable men.

"Wait, don't leave!" called out a voice from behind us.

I whipped around to see who was trying to stop us now and I saw Johan trotting out the door with Valtteri and Jimmy close behind. "Friends stick together now don't that?" Jimmy said.

I looked at them in disbelief, but smiled nonetheless. "You tell me- do you really want to stick with me through this?" I asked.

The three of them nodded and smiled back. "Friends through thick and thin. You can't shake us off that easily," Valtteri told me as he ruffled my hair.

"We should probably leave before it gets too dark out. The last thing we need to do it travel at night around here," Henrik pointed out.

I gave a slight nod and turned back around. "No turning back now boys. We are a unit. If we run into trouble no running away. We fight no matter what. We leave nobody behind from this point on," I said sternly. No man left behind was my policy. I knew they wouldn't leave me behind and I wouldn't leave them behind either.

We walked through the outskirts of Perfection, keeping low for now. We didn't need to draw any attention to ourselves, since if anyone was going to get rid of someone for all these problems, they would pick me. I knew people in Kronworld were against me for all that was happening even though I couldn't have prevented it. I had tried to stop it from happening, yet I was to blame for the problem. They would rather see me dead than have this war rage on.

That thought bothered me, but there was nothing I could do to change the minds of people I had no control over. Once Bettman was gone, people would see me in a different light.

"Hunter, how are you holding up?" Johan asked, snapping my train of thought.

I looked at him, guessing I looked pained. My body definitely ached, especially my upper body, but I had managed to hold up through it all.

"I'm doing alright, I guess. My body aches, but I'm still moving along," I replied. For most of this trip thus far we all had been silent, not a word had been spoken up to this point. I didn't mind the silence, but it was strange for me to see these men silent.

"Here, I'll carry you if your body aches," the big Swedish man offered.

I shrugged my shoulders, which only caused pain to surge through my body. He offered his back to me and I hopped on,  like I had before when I first traveled alongside him. That seemed so long ago now.

My arms wrapped around his neck gently and I rested my head against his neck. "Just like old times," He mumbled softly. I smiled and gave a small nod. "Yeah just like old times."

As I sat there, I thought of how much I had changed from day one of this adventure. I was timid and scared, but now I faced my fears and never ran away, instead I ran into trouble. In my mind, I had become a monster, but was I really that?

This world needed a hero, one to find Nick, and I not only risked my life multiple times for our leader, but I was willing to chase the man who had tried to take his place. I went into an arena with fifty nine other people and was hunted, but I survived solely on the thought of saving Nick and restoring peace to Kronworld.

From the timid little girl who lived in Whitewater, to a leader in this war, a lot had changed since the beginning of my journey. What laid ahead upon finding Quincey's troops was another fight to be won, another adventure to take place, and another way to prove to myself I was no monster, but a hero.

If Bettman was hiding up ahead, I was going to find him and this time, I would kill him. In the back of my mind I could hear Darren telling me that I didn't need to kill him, but I shook it off. He was wrong. Either I had to die or Bettman did. We could not coexist in this world.

The sound of a gunshot snapped me back to reality and I lifted my head from Johan's shoulder. "We're close," he mumbled.

I could feel my body tense up, but a crooked smile crossed my lips. "Then let's bring them hell," I replied loud enough for the entire group to hear.

The other men looked at me in surprise. "Then how about you lead the way?" Henrik suggested.

I nodded and slid off Johan's back. Once I was at the front of the group, I looked back at the men. "Let's show them the Red Wing way!"
itsKIDapollo
I am waiting with anticipation for the list of names to be posted.  I scan the room and see a lot of stiff competition, a few even training and showing their skills to everyone else. This morning my dad gave me four daggers they are kind of big though, but lighter than my regular swords which make them easier to use, my father said to me that they are still made out of the same material as my swords so I still can’t use my ability with them- which is alright because I am used to that, and they will still cause a lot of damage. Suddenly the room goes quiet, the list.  A short man, with black short hair that’s tussled at the front, and wearing a suit, pins a piece of paper up on the board. The people in the room swarm towards it like moths to a flame.  I am the last to see who I will be facing and when I do I shudder.
Yosuke Chiyo  v.  Akatsuki Akeno
Katsu Hiro    v.   Kyuseishu  Sekai
Kroh Runaha  v.  Konome Hiro
Katsu Hiro, son of the most skillful swordsmen I know. Of all the people here and I had to fight him in my first round. I glance around the room until I find his eyes and he looks at me for a moment, and then turns away, I cannot lose to him. I won’t lose to him. Then I noticed it, the name that everyone seems to be spouting, Kroh Runaha, The Black Haze. They say he has thrown away victory into the top ten numerous times, and they don’t know why.
The fights are picked randomly and again my luck must hate me because I fight first. I see Katsu leap from his chair straight into the arena like a soaring bird, I on the other hand equip my belt and sheath my daggers and walk into the arena, he is not even paying attention to me.  He is talking with his friends and joking around, for some reason that makes me angry. The match keeper grabs his attention “This fight will last until one of you his unable to fight, or it is obvious who the winner is”, Katsu looks up and smirks at me, and I can feel my face heat up with embarrassment.
He probably sees me as a fragile creature,  I think.
“after this battle you will enter your three man teams and have a three v, three battle also until one team cannot fight. At this time anything is allowed but do not cause a fatal blow!  You may begin!” I feel my body tense up at the sound of the word begin.  For a second I had not realized that Katsu already lept into action, but I felt his presence behind me, he is fast, I duck, dodging his punch and pivoting my body so my elbow can connect with his jaw he easily dodges it and makes a quick but nimble retreat, he made a mistake showing everyone his ability so soon, he is fast and agile that’s nothing too special, I watch his movements closely hoping to see that flicker before he disappears, and I do. I aim my kick towards the air but come into contact with his rib. I hear him groan and I lean forward to follow up with a punch but I am too late, he’s already behind me with his sword drawn, I grab one of the daggers and unsheathe it and push down on it leaving it to spin in the air along my back as cover, as I unsheathe my second dagger, I turn to catch the one in the air. As I do Katsu makes his move, I am to slow and the tip of his sword is right in front of my eye I can see the sharpness along its edges, I have to use my ability or it’s over, I close my eyes tight and reopen them, at first I am confused as to where I am but I look behind and surely Katsu is standing there with his sword lunging towards where my eye was. I quickly turn and dash at him, I unsheathe one of my last two daggers and place it by his throat. I win.
Although our battle was short it caused a lot of stirring in the audience, “Who is that girl?” is the question I hear numerous times as I walk back to my seat. I am stopped by Kroh, “Kyu is it?” he asks,  he has dark grey hair with a way lighter grey streak in the middle, a black under armor  t-shirt with matching cargo pants, I nod. He tosses a role at me, at first I flinch but I catch it and realize that its twenty-five thousand dollars, I look up at him “That was a great match, keep the money, you deserve it” he says whilst walking away, I blush. I did it I advanced to the next round, Katsu also advances but in a lower grade than I do. I can feel the heat of his stare burning into the side of my head, “Wow that was amazing!” a girl about my height leans over to me she has dark brown hair shaping her face that drapes to her shoulders, she has a grey shirt and a grey skirt – neutral colours – she has what seems to be sandals on but they cover her foot more than a regular sandal. “I am Akatsuki Akeno, but I rather you call me Suki for short” she says, “Hi, I am Kyu –“ “Sekai, I know. I saw your match with that Hiro guy, uhh Katsu, I think his name was, yeah him, I think its amazing that you can teleport, that’s what you did right!” She sounds almost bewildered that I can do that, my father said that its normal so she should not be this shocked, “yeah” I say timidly. The thing is its not that special. I mean sure I can teleport but I never can pinpoint where I will end up. That’s why I try not to use it unless I really need it. “Well, I hope we can be friends” Suki adds, “Me too” I say acknowledging her request.

Chapter 2: Friends
光にしがみつく者

I watched Sukis fight and managed to find out her abilty, healing, her left foot tendon was severed and she was able to walk again within a few seconds, I am not sure if she can heal others or not, but that ability can have its advantages. She ultimately lost her battle, because she could not bear the pain any longer. After a few matches go by it has become time to join our three man cells. Since I have won the first match I get to pick one person to be on my team the other will be appointed to me, I have to pick from the losers. “Ms. Sekai, please pick your teammate think of all the fights you saw and pick one of the losers that will best suit what you want your team to do” the announcer explains. I have not thought of what my team will do, at all. I see Sukis eyes glaring at me, almost pleading with me to pick her and I also see Katsu with his face turned away begging me not to pick him. I choose Suki because her healing may come in handy, she trots over to stand beside me . I watch everyone else get picked including Katsu.
We find ourselves waiting, “I noticed in your fight how you didn’t teleport with your daggers” Suki inquires, “I cant teleport with them while they are unsheathed, they are made out of Kamigami no Kinzoku, the gods metal, which  cannot be broken and are to dense to teleport with, they are heavier than any other sword out there.” I start to explain, “Why can you teleport with it sheathed then?” she utters, “The sheaths are called Kami no Chariotto, The God’s Chariot, it allows the gods metal to be lightened and carried while I teleport, these daggers are called Ten-gun, Heaven’s Soldiers, but my swords that I usually fight with are called Tengoku no Eiyu, Heavens heroes, there are four of them as well, plus my Katana, which is made out of the same material it’s the heaviest and I can summon it whenever I need it, it’s called Tengoku no Getokipa, Heaven’s Gatekeeper, but I cannot use any other sword while I use the Getokipa” at the end of my statement Suki draws her blade “This is the Shioreta Bata, The Wilted Rose,  it is called that because it can fall apart creating a new sword, like petals from a rose. It was my mothers, she gave it to me, she –“ Just then the door swung open and a boy stood there. He had tussled hair that look like he purposely wanted to have bed head he wore a grey jacket with grey pants, and boots.I remember his fight, Unmei Shibo he lost his fight quickly without showing his ability, I have no idea what he can do, “Hi..” he said, “Im Unmei Shibo” “I am Kyu Sekai and this is Suki Akino, welcome to the team” I yawned “We should get some sleep there is a big day ahead of us”. Both Unmei and Suki nodded and move towards there cots, I go to mine Suki douses the light and I drift to sleep.

I wake to Suki and Onmei talking with each other, “I am 15,” Suki says cheerfully, “ how old are you?” “Only 12” Onmei stutters, I sit up and they both look at me. “Good morning Kyuseishu.” Onmei greets me, “Please don’t call me that” I groan, Kyuseishu is my full name,”just call me Kyu, okay?” he nods and Suki smiles at me “shut up” I kid halfly. The teams are named by their leaders last name, we are Team Sekai. I actually find it perfect, my dad is the judge in these battles, when he hears our team name he will know that I won in the first round. Suki and I get ready in the girls dorms while Onmei went off to the boys dorms. “What happened to your side?!” Suki urged, “While I was training I dropped the sword and cut myself.” I explained, “Did it hurt?” she asks shyly, “Well of course it did!” I respond. I find a body length mirror in the bathroom and peer at myself. My hair is a really light shade of grey, I picked a white cloak, with light grey pants and a darker grey tank top. If my arms are by my side the cloak hide my swords running on my waist and along my back. Yes, I have decided for this battle I will use my swords to prove to my dad that I am not as weak as he thinks. I walk out of the bathroom and see Suki wearing all white, with her hair braided up, “are you ready?” She asks. I nod. We meet Onmei, he looks worried, “Hey! Onmei. Are you okay?” I ask, he looks at me and I can tell he is fighting back tears. “Hey!! Whats wrong?” Suki beamed, “They changed the rules,” he began “they can kill us.” “Who?” I stammered “Anyone who wants to!” he sobbed. I stare at him. Half of me wants to comfort him, but the other wants to slap him. “Get a hold of yourself!” I started “if they can kill us, then we can kill them!” “How they are really strong?” He asks. I jolt for a moment, lost for words. I see his eyes begging me for an answer, I turn to Suki she looks scared too. He is right most of our opponents are really strong. I smile, ”Are you forgetting, I won the first round!, I am pretty strong too, ya know.” I see that he has stopped crying. I smile at him, “Don’t worry, I will protect you.” I say softly reassuring him. Both he and Suki smiles.
We enter the arena all teams were in the booth before us; I see that the arena is humongous. I read a sign entering that it could hold up to sixty-four thousand people. Onmei seems bewildered by the size of it, Suki does not even take a second glance at it. We sit together in a row while the battles commence. “The first battle will commence with Team Runaha v. Team Hanamura, last team able or willing to fight wins, after Team Chiyo v. Team Sekai, be ready!” the game master announces.
Team Runaha                                            Team Hanamura
Kroh Runaha                                                Akifumi Hanamura
Aiko Ishida                                                  Hibiki Uno
Akemi Mita                                                 Mei Ozaki

Chapter 3: Blood & Bone
I cannot believe we are going up against Team Chiyo, their team consists of Katsu and his brother Konome, it must have been luck that put them on one team, both of them are skilled, one with speed the other with brawn, not to mention their leader Yosuke. I sigh, Onmei looks over at me with a worried face, I smile at him, he smiles back. “Team Sekai and Team Chiyo please step towards your gates” I walk up to the gate, Onmei on my right Suki on my left the gates open and I can see Katsu across the arena. “GO!” I hear the announcers voice. “C’mon” Suki yells, just then I could not believe it but Katsu was behind us.  Before I could react I felt the flat of his foot along my back launching me forward, pain shoots through my spine, just as I am about to hit the ground water surrounds me and cushions my fall, I catch my bearing and look behind me, Onmei. I smile at him as he ducks dodging Katsus attack, Katsu lands a hit on him and he goes spiraling backwards I try to dash to his aid but suddenly the ground erupts in front of me, I feel rocks hit my face. I flip back and land on my feet and I look up, Konome. “You will be fighting me girl, I want to know why my brother lost to you, I on the other hand will not lose” he boasts. Great, Konome was more of a dual wielding swordsman. Not to mention his amazing strength, he is wearing a grey muscle shirt with baggy pants and sandals. I assume Suki is fighting Yosuke but I am a bit preoccupied to confirm that. I smile “Well hopefully you can entertain me more than Katsu can.” I taunt, it must have angered him because he jolted toward me leaving a crack in the ground as he left it. But he is slow I easily dodge him; with draw my sword and go in for the attack he turns mid air and grabs me “Haha you think you can flank me like that? Guess again, girl.” He says while smashing me into the ground.
Pain shoots through my body and ringing through my ears I can hear Onmei calling my name, Suki too. I can’t lose this fight my dad is watching. I close my eyes and re open looking around I immediately know where I am, I look down and there is Konome drawing his sword. I unsheathe mine and push off the air down towards him he spins around noticing me but is too late, I plunge my sword into his shoulder, a gasp of pain escapes his mouth. He stumbles back clutching his shoulder, “Awe don’t tell me this is all the Hiro family heirs have, I mean your father is a legend, but you and Katsu are pathetic.” “Shut up!” he yells while picking up his sword, “I will kill you!” just then he was behind me I was shocked, I thought he had strength not speed. His foot comes down on my shoulder knocking me down to the ground he picks me up and throws me,  I try to land but again he is behind me and grabs the back of my head and drives it into the ground, a stinging sensation surges through my face he pulls me out and throws me into the arena wall. I fall to the ground and feel the blood dripping from my mouth and head. How is this possible? He is strong and fast? I don’t have much time before his feet appear under my face. “That’s right, bow to me girl! I am far greater than you!” He tells me. I can’t feel my body, blood surrounds my face and my bones feel broken, I hear Onmei scream, I promised to protect him! I will not lose, I try to stand up, “what’s this?  you got a little fight left in you, eh?” he taunts me,  I look over to Onmei and I see Katsu throwing him around not giving Onmei anytime to react. I see Onmei trying to create shields with ice but Katsu is too fast. I try to see Suki and I do, she is fighting Yosuke and by the looks she is also losing.  “This….. is…. boring me” I utter and start to laugh, I actually don’t know why I am laughing, I am in so much pain. I look up at him and his face seems puzzled, I smile at him and launch my body at him, my forehead directly connecting with his, “Hi!” I say to him. I shut my eyes and open them again this time I am a few meters behind him. I whistle at him to catch his attention. He turns to me, and I smile at him.  Konome dashes towards me, I jump back, and then I feel him behind me, I teleport this time landing near one of the swords I dropped earlier. I take my sleeve and wipe the blood off my face, as I go to pick up the sword, Konomes hands grab my face and slam it into the wall. “Hey,” he whispers in my ear, “look over there…” I look in the direction he is pointing and I see Katsu a few metres away from Onmei drawing his sword, “your friend is going to die!” as soon as he said that I saw the flicker of Katsus speed, “NO” I  scream, just then I am right beside Onmei and Katsu, I feel Onmeis blood splatter on my face. I unsheathe a sword and swing it at Katsu, I miss. I grab Onmei as he falls, “Onmei!” I scream as his body goes limp in my arms, my body goes weak as I look over to the trio of boys high fiving each other, Suki must have lost, or unable to fight. I stand leaving Onmeis body, I walk towards the trio, until Konome notices me. I feel a surge of power go through me, I bolt at them and they put their guard up. Konome was the first to advance, he extends his arm to grab me as I throw my sword up in the air I teleport to the side of his arm, reacquire my sword and severe his arm with it. He falls to the ground thriving in pain. I have no remorse my target isKatsu, he is going to die for what he did.
 Yosuke approaches me laughing, “aww are you trying to avenge your –“ I teleport in front of him grabbing his mouth to shut him up and slam him into the ground breaking his spine. I continue walking towards Katsu, my mind feels empty and dark. “Please Im sorry, its just a game, I didn’t –“ this time I teleport directly behind him grabbing his mouth and pulling him back into my sword, “a game is it..” I murmer as my sword enters his heart, “ I win”. I let go of him and his body drops to the ground. Everything is hazy and then all goes black.

Chapter 4: The Promise
I wake abruptly, like jumping out of a nightmare. I see Suki sitting beside the bed I was laying in. Her eyes looks as though she pities me. “What?” I ask her, her eyes fall to her hands “Your hair…”. I was confused by what she meant by that, but then it struck me, I ran to a mirror to see my hair. The ends of my hair were cobalt black and the rest going white. I look at Suki. “What happened to me!?” “You killed him…” Suki mumbles. I killed him? I killed who? My brain aches for the answer and then like a dam opening the flood gets all the memories poured into my brain, the sorrow, the guilt, the anger. I promised to protect Onmei and I couldn’t. I look up at Suki, her eyes still on her hands, “Look at me!” I plead with her, is there darkness in me, is that why my hair is like this. Why are the other parts going white. I couldn’t think of that now, “Suki…” I whisper softly at her,”Suki..” I say a bit louder, her head turns to me, “We have another fight coming up, we need to get ready.” I turn back to the mirror, I feel my heart drop into my stomach and I have chose my path. I am not light, I am not dark, I am the shade in the middle that keeps both at bay, I am the one with morals but yet lack the understanding of them. I will never, never, let another friend die. Even if I have to kill to protect them.
Aziz
And it is I, who shall finally feel the taste of vengeance after years of tyranny and hardships forced upon my town. Years and years passed, forced into labour, we worked. We worked until our starving bodies could take no more. No more of this slavery. At that point, what could we do? We carried our frail bodies to wor—torture every single day, from one sunrise to another. Aside from this, we all know what loomed nearer every second we had to abide by this sadistic maniac.
Death.
Oh, the pain...
***
The sun rose, like a blooming flower, on the moment of our victory. The desert ground, hardened from the frequent beating of the sun, was now crimson red.
We won, but the moment we had all waited for wasn't over; and I had the honour to do it.

I lifted my sword above him and said to him:
"Is this what you wanted? The fall of an empire from its own slaves? We awaited this day and we shall have no mercy... I will smite down upon you with no mercy."

A sigh of relief went across the town as the tyranny was lifted.