Chapter Text
ANNOUNCER:
And he is dooooown!!
The crowd cheers as smoke billows from the battlefield –a square unit with surrounding audience seating not dissimilar from a football stadium, but in this case the floor is a translucent blue color and in the middle are girders and boxes with “X” markings on them. Around this stadium are customary TV screens reflecting the action for the audiences, and what it currently shows is a bomber with a grey helmet smoldering on the ground, the remnants of a bomb lying his wake. Over him stands a blue bomber, his eyes hidden behind dark shades, and a tuft of black hair protruding from the front and top of his helmet. With his chain link belt and spike studded shoes, he casts an imposing shape over his downed opponent.
ANNOUNCER:
And with that this Deathmatch is over, and without a surprise its Metal who takes the victory! At this point he’s less a man and more like a force of nature! Can he even be stopped? Five bombers challenged him in this death match, and they weren’t able to even touch him!
METAL shrugs and saunters off the field as the announcer sings his praises and the crowd screams his name. On Primus Star, violence isn’t a just a solution to problems, but a way of life. Although the Deathmatches originated on Bomber Star, Primus took to them with just as much –or arguably more zeal than their planet of origin, so much so that Bombers would leave home to participate here –in hopes of making a name for themselves. Today’s flavor is Metal Bomber, who had managed to hold on to his title for more than a year now –impressive stats for someone in this line of work, even more so when one considers he hasn’t once been touched in any matches he’s been in. METAL considers this as he walks down the hallway of the stadium.
METAL:
Thinking.
Ahhh~ This is getting kind of boring. Is there really no one out there who can give me a decent challenge? I only started this Deathmatch thing to burn off some steam, but it’s a chore now.
He stops and checks his smartphone, which is bombarded with several more notices of challenges and sponsorship deals. METAL groans in annoyance and keeps his pace steady.
METAL:
Thinking.
If life is a set of highs and lows, then am at my lowest now?
As METAL leaves the stadium, an alleyway literally explodes and debris from trash cans lining the path fly into the air. A black clad being jumps out of a pillar of smoke and dashes down the narrow path dodging falling debris as they go. Running into the street, they barely avoid being run down by a car by leaping and rolling over the hood as it screeches to a halt, the cursing of the driver nary a distraction. Making a beeline to the opposite side of the street, they leap upon a trash can and try to grab for a fire escape latter, but another object seemingly lunges at them from the opposite direction and explodes after missing the mark, sending them sprawling over into a crumpled heap. They gasp and immediately try to run away again, but a familiar pink foot lands squarely on their back keeping them in place. They struggle for a bit, but quickly realize the jig is up, and asks in a hoarse voice…
BLACK:
Y—You! How did you…?
A heavy sigh follows and the pursuant lowers his face to theirs –revealing the one and only…
SHIRO:
Exasperated.
Because you’re a predictable idiot? You didn’t think I’d figure out you’re just running from alleyway to alleyway? More like, don’t you realize it’s easier to catch you when you do that? You’d have a better chance just making a break for it in the open streets, geez.
BLACK:
I didn’t think you’d be stu—
SHIRO glares.
BLACK:
Clears throat.
Er, crazy enough to use bombs in a confined space, kid.
SHIRO:
Lazy shrug.
I’ve been through a few things that have really improved my hand-eye coordination. If I wanted to, I could pluck you off a roof from a neighboring city. You might be an idiot, but at least you made my work easy tonight.
SHIRO rifles through his red jacket, produces a phone and uses the flashlight feature to take a picture of his capture which he then uploads to the BombermanBoard. After getting a confirmation that he has the right person, SHIRO easily lifts the slightly taller black clad person with one arm into the air and makes his way to the drop off point.
BLACK:
Surprised.
Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but you’re pretty strong, kid.
SHIRO:
Yeah, thanks.
BLACK:
Why are you doing something like picking off people for the BombermanBoard?
SHIRO:
If I had to be blunt about it?
BLACK stares down at SHIRO expectantly.
SHIRO sneers.
SHIRO:
It’d be so I can feed my bossy cat.
BLACK’s face scrunches up in confusion as SHIRO snickers and hauls him over to the drop off point. Sometime later, he arrives at his apartment with a bag of groceries on his arm, and after some difficulty manages to find his keys and let himself in where POMMY is watching TV, and beams upon his entry.
POMMY:
Bomberman’s home! Thank goodness!
SHIRO:
Why do you say that every time as if you don’t expect me to make it back?
POMMY:
Myuuu, for one thing, Pommy knows Bomberman does dangerous things when he’s out, and for another, he always responds like that! Why can’t Pommy be worried?
SHIRO:
If you’re really worried, you could come too. Weren’t you always the one saying that “Bomberman needs to get a job”?
POMMY:
Pommy will pass.
SHIRO:
Then Pommy will also not eat.
POMMY lets loose with his signature exaggerated gasp as SHIRO ignores him and puts the groceries away.
POMMY:
From the living room.
That’s not fair Bomberman! Bomberman knows Pommy can’t fight without Freddy’s special tonic, and we forgot to ask him for some! Moreover, Pommy knows! Pommy knows that Bomberman tells everyone that he’s a cat!
SHIRO pauses at this and sweats nervously.
POMMY:
That reaction says it all, myu! Bomberman is smearing Pommy’s reputation!
SHIRO:
Then what the hell are you?!
POMMY:
The cutest hero in the galaxy!
SHIRO:
I mean your species, dammit!
POMMY:
Pommy doesn’t think its cool Bomberman assumes his species, myu! This is –
SHIRO:
Stop, just stop. Either you answer the question or you’re a cat.
POMMY glares at him indignantly for a few silent moments before turning back to the TV.
POMMY:
Don’t burn Pommy’s food this time.
SHIRO:
That’s what bothers you?! Hey, you just lowkey admitted you don’t know what you are either!
POMMY turns up the volume and SHIRO fumes. On the screen is an announcer talking about the recent Deathmatch and Metal’s peerless victory.
ANNOUNCER:
Yet again, Metal bomber takes down his opponents without even being scratched! We’re witnessing the advent of a Bomber without an equal!
SHIRO who had just turned on the stove tilts his head in interest.
ANNOUNCER:
He refuses to take any interviews so his intent and origins are unknown, but one could say this only adds to his mystique! Just how did Metal bomber become so strong, and what is he heading toward?
POMMY:
Ooh, Metal bomber sounds so strong, myuu!
SHIRO:
Mm. After that whole ordeal in space, I had stopped paying attention to Deathmatches since they –uh, hit a little close to home, but this guy sounds like a tough customer.
POMMY’s brow furrows and he crawls to the top of the couch where he can see into the kitchen.
POMMY:
Pommy wonders if Bomberman is really okay though…
SHIRO:
What? What do you mean?
POMMY:
Bomberman acts like he usually does—
SHIRO:
I fail to see how this is a problem.
POMMY:
But that’s just it, Bomberman shouldn’t be acting normal, myu! Bomberman and Pommy fought a God!
SHIRO stops for a moment and considers this.
SHIRO:
What about you? I see you’ve adjusted just fine.
POMMY sniffs derisively at this.
POMMY:
Pommy has a strong constitution, myu!
SHIRO:
Grumbling.
More like you didn’t actually do that much, so you were barely affected.
POMMY:
Being Bomberman’s supervisor is a full time job! Bomberman just doesn’t understand!
SHIRO:
Whatever. I’m fine, okay? Just because I’m not breaking down and crying every second of the day doesn’t mean I’m crazy or a little unwell. We’ve gotta worry about our current situation before we can get concerned about what already happened, yeah?
POMMY:
Myuuu, that’s not wrong, but…
SHIRO:
Or, you could do what I suggested and rent yourself out as some kind of healing animal to bring in some extra cash. People on primus need all the healing the can get after all.
POMMY:
Pommy will pass.
SHIRO:
Then quit complaining and let me make dinner.
POMMY growls but slides back down the couch silently as SHIRO prepares their food, more weighing on his mind than his little partner would ever know. It had been six months since he and POMMY had their ordeal in the black hole and their battles against the Astral –no, Elemental Knights and the two sisters who had created them. SHIRO almost hates how much the incident still weighed on his mind, as he prides himself as being able to move forward when it counts. Yet, there’s an overwhelming sense of…what exactly? That’s the other thing that bothers him--that he can’t describe how he feels, or well, that he’s experiencing an emotion that isn’t easily unburdened by violence. In the end, there wasn’t really a whole lot he did there other than almost die often. Although LILITH and RUKIFELLTH had thanked him for helping them, he wonders just how much he actually did? And then when he got back, he ran into KURO of all people….
SHIRO:
Thinking.
I guess I could have just told him the entire truth, but….
Flashback to KURO’s departure –he had stayed a few days to ensure SHIRO was okay enough to get around on his own, and in the vain hope that he’d decide to come back to Bomber Star with him. When it was clear that wasn’t going to happen he decided to cut his losses and head back.
KURO:
Shiro, you sure you’re going to be okay? You were pretty beat up when I ran into you…
SHIRO:
Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. Just go back before you get suspended or whatever happens to good kids like you.
KURO:
Shiro, it feels like you’re not telling me the whole truth of what happened to you out there.
SHIRO:
What? Why would I lie to you?
KURO:
I can name several reasons, most of them beginning and ending with “It’s less trouble.”
SHIRO:
I really hate how everyone seems to think they know me.
KURO’s eyebrow rises and he crosses his arms.
KURO:
Especially that part about the pretty red-headed pirate girl. To be honest, that part seems the least plausible.
SHIRO growls.
SHIRO:
Believe whatever you want. Didn’t cheesebrain collaborate my story?
KURO:
I guess, though what exactly is he?
SHIRO tilts his head thoughtfully and shrugs.
SHIRO:
Let’s go with cat.
KURO:
Cats don’t….whatever. Anyway, if she did exist, why didn’t you ask her out?
SHIRO:
Sputtering.
W-W-W-Why would I do that? She had Rukifellth, and it’s not like I had feelings for her anyway!
KURO:
Suuuure you didn’t. Did you even ask her how she feels about that Rukifellth guy? They might have just been friends you know.
SHIRO stares at KURO for a second, his expression unreadable.
KURO:
Wait, wait, wait…I’m still not on board with her existence in the first place, but let’s put that aside. Are you telling me that during the whole time you were together it didn’t occur to you to ask her out?
SHIRO:
I was busy…
KURO:
Stifling laughter.
That’s rich, but totally you. Maybe I can believe she exists now…you’re so bad with girls that it totally makes sense how you could completely miss your chance to ask one out.
SHIRO:
Snarling.
DO YOU WANT TO DI—
SHIRO stops himself mid-sentence and shakes his head.
SHIRO:
Feh. Whatever. It’s like I said; I didn’t think of her that way.
KURO:
Sighs.
Well, I can’t force you to talk about it if you really don’t want to.
SHIRO:
You can’t, nope. Also don’t think I didn’t realize that you were hoping I’d come back with you. I’m not going because I told you I have something to do here.
KURO:
Exasperated.
How long are you going to keep looking for someone who doesn’t want to be found? You have family waiting for you back home! Friends! You can’t possibly intend to waste away here….
SHIRO:
Of course I don’t want to waste away here, but I feel like if I lose grip on that one thing I understand then…
SHIRO looks up into KURO’s eyes.
SHIRO:
I might not be me anymore.
KURO studies his friend’s expression and heaves his shoulders.
KURO:
Suit yourself. I guess at least I can tell Granny Momo that you’re not dead.
SHIRO:
Th—thanks.
KURO:
Yeah. Just…don’t go disappearing like that again, okay?
SHIRO:
I think I’m gonna stay grounded for a while anyway, so no worries.
KURO nods and departs on his cruiser, leaving SHIRO to curse himself.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
How could I tell him that I directly killed five people, and thanks to me two more died? I’m having enough trouble digesting that myself….
Gazing into the fire of the stove, SHIRO recalls something else.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
Since then I haven’t been able to use the elemental bombs, and since it’s not like I know anyone I can go ask about it, I’m just sorta stuck. I guess it’s not a major deal, but…I had finally just started to get used to using them before they were yanked out of my possession.
He sighs.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
Guess it’s one more thing I don’t have any control over…
POMMY:
Less sighing, more cooking, myuu!
SHIRO:
Did you already forget how I just said you’re not getting anything to eat?!
SHIRO shakes off his thoughts and focuses on cooking. He’d just keep following his own advice and focus on the present. He had once again settled into some sort of routine again as frustrating as that is. It seems all he really has nowadays is frustration –though he’d be remiss to not admit that most of it is of his doing. With everything that had happened to him out in the black hole, these days of aimlessness and yearning for that which has no form had left him…
What, exactly?
The next morning begins the same as the one before it –SHIRO awakening in bed, checking the Bombermanboard, and making a log of the jobs that are easy enough to do that he doesn’t have to work hard, but pay enough to be worth the trouble. After a bit of that, he gets up, listens to a bit more POMMY’s salt filled complaints about how breakfast is only school cafeteria level, the ensuing argument over priorities, and SHIRO heading out to pursue today’s mark. A routine that had become ordinary to him –to an almost sickening degree.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
I have to get a grip. No matter how much I think about what happened out there, it won’t change anything.
He walks down the streets of Primus’s capital – a grungy city not unlike the streets of Thantos that he was on merely six months ago. If there is one primary difference, it would be that on Thantos –maybe under the eye of REGULUS, the city was definitely rough around the edges, but had a sort of internal logic that kept everything together. Primus on the other hand feels like a city that is only one nudge on the edge of collapse. Law enforcement is constantly on the move to the point of exhaustion, and while things like the BombermanBoard exist one could argue that this is simply crime cannibalizing crime for the highest bidder. Honestly speaking SHIRO doesn’t like the idea of working just to make ends meet, but what else could he do until he found SIRIUS?
SHIRO:
Thinking.
I wonder what the asshole is doing anyway? I’d figure someone like him would be out causing trouble somewhere, and I’d have heard of him but in three years I haven’t heard even a murmur…
SHIRO finds himself despondently looking into the sky.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
What if he’s just out there enjoying himself without giving me a second thought?
SHIRO then allows himself a sneer with his next thought.
SHIRO:
Or he’s dead?
That sense of elation fades when he considers what it means for him.
SHIRO:
If that is the case then what will I do? What am I doing?
Suddenly he feels a cold presence followed by an appropriately cold sensation at the back of his head.
VOICE:
Don’t turn around.
SHIRO:
Yeah, yeah. I get the deal, buddy. Though at the very least you could tell me what’s the occasion for this thrilling encounter.
The person behind SHIRO is taken aback by just how casual he is about being threatened, but quickly adjusts.
VOICE:
Thanks to you, one of my henchmen got taken in yesterday.
SHIRO:
You know how they say “Crime doesn’t pay”? I’d like to think it’s more like “Crime pays someone.” Turns out it wasn’t you, or him, but me. It’s just that simple.
VOICE:
Hissing.
Do you not understand the situation you’re in?
SHIRO:
I do, but I don’t think you do.
VOICE:
What?!
SHIRO weaves backward and with a quick movement knocks the gun out of his attacker’s hand, all while willing a bomb into existence and throwing it in one swift movement.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
I made the size and fuse quick on that one since my range from this guy isn’t optimal so this’ll sting both of us for a bit, but at least it’ll allow me to create some space to make a real boom happen.
To SHIRO’s surprise, the bomb seemingly dissolves into the air, replaced by a flame dancing before SHIRO’s attacker –a beige helmeted bomber.
SHIRO:
Another Bomber? C’mon man, we can’t go attacking each other….
BOMBER:
Masking your fear with snark, huh? Can’t say it’s a coping technique I’ve seen before –but as long as you attack with bombs, you’re just feeding your funeral pyre!
SHIRO makes a fist and opens up with a sharp left jab, which the other bomber simply side steps and then uses a set of strange hand movements to increase the size and shape of the flame in his hand, bringing it down upon SHIRO’s head. SHIRO leans backward, managing to avoid it, but the heat disorients him, and he isn’t ready for the follow up kick which sends him into a nearby pile of trash that hadn’t been collected for months. People see the two fighting, and while a few watch, many others simply move further away. SHIRO tosses two trash bags at his opponent before making a hasty escape down an alley, his slight lead disappearing as the other bomber pursues him.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
I was thinking of getting more morning exercise, but not like this, dammit! How the hell is he doing that? –Actually come to think of it, he hasn’t used a single bomb….
Coming out on the opposite side of the alley, SHIRO dashes aimlessly trying to think of a plan, but a pillar of fire from behind nearly fries him.
SHIRO:
Geez! I can’t even get a bomb ready like this! Just what the hell is this guy?
BOMBER:
Who am I? Your executioner!
SHIRO:
I’m fine, thanks!
BOMBER:
Oh, but I insist.
He leans back with more strange hand gestures sends another wave of fire at SHIRO, who tries to lean back and dodge, but bumps into a passerby leaving them both open for another fire strike which the bomber has no problem preparing. Before SHIRO’s life can pass before his eyes, the flame is suddenly doused by a wave of water from behind as is the other bomber.
BOMBER:
What the hell….ah, my fire!!
The flame that once danced in the bomber’s hand fizzles away and he glares behind him to see what had doused him, to find a fountain erupting from a fire hydrant broken by…
BOMBER:
Metal Bomber?!
METAL stands with his arms crossed and shakes his head.
METAL:
I don’t like poking into other’s business, but you’re getting awfully close to my favorite ramen place, and it just won’t do if it gets fragged.
BOMBER:
For that reason you’d….
SHIRO gets up and points indignantly.
SHIRO:
Hey! Don’t ignore me, dammit! Who said anything about needing your help! This was between us!
The bomber turns to SHIRO with the intent to attack in his eyes, but for whatever reason he doesn’t. SHIRO’s eyebrow rises at this, but he doesn’t question it as he charges forward ready with his own attack.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
Wait, didn’t that guy say something about using bombs? Then what am I going to hit him with?
As he considers this and his annoyance that METAL stepped into their “gentleman’s duel” (Putting aside the fact that he was about to lose), and suddenly his body feels lighter, faster, as if the wind is guiding him.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
Wait, this feeling is…!
He doesn’t have much time to really consider what he’s feeling as the wind jettisons from behind him, sending him flying forward at high speed where he slams into the bomber and into the side of a building.
METAL:
Hot damn, never seen that before.
The blare of sirens fill the area, and Metal gives SHIRO –who is unconscious in a heap with his would be executioner, one more look before heading over to the aforementioned ramen restaurant.
***
SHIRO slams the door of the police department out of spite as he walks out after his interrogation. They had basically accused him of starting the fight, and while his reputation does precede him, they could have at least taken the fact that he’s brought down more crime this month than they had in an entire year. (His estimation.) Still his attacker was getting hard time, while he had maintained his freedom, albeit with the price of a nasty headache.
SHIRO:
Dammitall, this was a waste of an entire day. I doubt the perps on the BombermanBoard are still up for grabs at this point.
He gazes at his hand and recalls the wind element he had managed to summon….so those abilities are still in him somewhere, but the activation conditions had changed somehow? To his surprise, knowing that he still has the elements fills him with a sense of relief, but why?
METAL:
Hey there, wind waker.
SHIRO blinks and turns around to see METAL jogging over to him.
SHIRO:
Ah, you again. What’s with that lame video game title like nickname?
METAL:
Thought it’d be funny, I guess.
SHIRO:
It’s not.
METAL:
I was always better at kicking ass than making nicknames I suppose.
SHIRO frowns.
SHIRO:
So uh, I’m assuming from that stupid name that you saw what happened?
METAL pretends to flinch at this.
METAL:
You don’t mince words, huh Shiro? Can’t say that’s a bad thing –but yeah, I saw your midday moonwalk. Gotta admit it was pretty slammin’.
SHIRO shrugs dismissively.
SHIRO:
Thanks, I guess? Didn’t know I was famous enough that a celeb like you would know my name.
METAL:
You get around, yeah. Though to me, you’ve still got a long way to go.
SHIRO:
Glaring.
What’s that supposed to mean?
METAL:
Anyone with a little bit of training would have known that guy you were up against was a pyromancer, --and all you need to do to take them down is add a little bit of water and hold the bombs.
SHIRO:
Pyromancer…?
METAL:
Ah, you really don’t know huh? Since you don’t mince words, I’m gonna treat you the same way. Kid, if you don’t get some education and training under your belt you’re going to be the top feature in an obituary sooner than later, and that’d be a shame as you show some real potential.
SHIRO feels his face getting hot with anger for just a brief moment and he’s about to lay into METAL when METAL surprises him by speaking first.
METAL:
It’s selfish, I know, but I guess I’ve just been…dissatisfied as of late, --meeting you has probably been the most interesting thing to happen to me in a while.
SHIRO stops and blinks. “Dissatisfaction”? Is that what it is? What he’s been feeling?
Dissatisfaction at how powerless he is…
Dissatisfaction at his current lot in life,
Dissatisfaction at how things had ended in the black hole,
And now he had realized he had been dissatisfied with how he had been fighting without his elemental abilities.
That all of his worries could be summed up in a single word simultaneously annoys and relieves him in equal measure –at last he has something to work toward.
SHIRO:
Dissatisfaction, huh…
METAL:
What?
SHIRO shakes his head and laughs.
SHIRO:
Nothing. Anyway I’m glad I could make your day.
METAL:
Say, this might be sorta forward of me, but I was thinking…
SHIRO stops without turning around.
METAL:
What say you and me have a little Deathmatch spar?
SHIRO turns his head and eyes METAL incredulously.
METAL:
It’s just gonna be me and you –not an officially sanctioned death match. No one other than us will know the results.
SHIRO:
…I won’t lie, I like a good fight, and what happened earlier has put me in the mood to kick ass. Though as a precaution…what do you gain out of this?
METAL lowers his shades and smirks.
METAL:
It’s like I said before. I’ve been dissatisfied for a long time, and something tells me you’re the kind of fighter who’ll help me shake off the blues.
SHIRO:
Better question then. What do I gain out of this, other than a punching bag?
METAL moves his head up and down as if he’s listening to imaginary music.
METAL:
Confidence. I like that. –Tell you what, you beat me and I’ll tell you more about the Pyromancers. You’re bound to run into them again in your line of work, so you’ll want more info, yeah?
SHIRO grimaces at the thought.
SHIRO:
Can’t lie. Would be nice to know what the hell that was.
METAL:
Sweet! Meet me at the stadium in about twenty minutes. I pretty much run the place now so I can get us in with no problem.
SHIRO:
Gotcha.
METAL extends his fist and SHIRO returns the gesture with one of his own before he realizes what he’s doing. METAL grins and heads off leaving SHIRO to wonder just what he had agreed to? Then again, it’s not like he has a whole lot else going on for himself right now, so why not? Although it’s not like he thinks of METAL as a kindred spirit, it’s at least enough that the guy had inadvertently helped him discovered just what had been bothering him.
SHIRO:
Dissatisfaction, huh…I’ve been disappointed, angry, scared, and…a whole multitude of things, but never dissatisfied.
SHIRO ponders on this for a moment before shrugging and casting a gaze to the stadium in the distance, finding himself looking forward to this impromptu battle. Maybe he’d only get a little bit of info from METAL, but something tells him he stands to gain a lot more than what he could lose.
Episode 1: Disastrous Dissatisfaction.