Chapter Text
REGULUS:
Gleefully.
Oooh, that’s raunchy.
He intently looks at a book while tapping his foot to an imaginary tune, completely engrossed in its contents, apparently ignorant of the muttering and straining of SHIRO who is face down in the ground unable to move because the aforementioned stands upon him.
REGULUS:
The characters aren’t all that likable –especially the protagonist, but the writing is exquisite. It’s like I’m there for every sweaty, nasty detail!
SHIRO plants his arms in the ground and pushes back hard enough to cause REGULUS to topple over slightly, though he just rights himself and lands a few inches away from SHIRO as he rises without shining.
SHIRO:
Coughing.
What the hell man?! If I wanted to lay face down somewhere, I would have stayed in bed! I didn’t wake up stupidly early to have you stand on me!
The two are once again in the training center of the Base getting a little bit of sparring in before classes officially start –or well, that was the plan, but….
SHIRO:
You’ve been reading that stupid book the whole time instead of training me you ass!
REGULUS stares at him and then dramatically turns the page and laughs gleefully at its contents.
REGULUS:
To book.
Heehee, candles don’t go there.
SHIRO:
DID YOU EVEN HEAR WHAT I SAID?!
REGULUS:
I hear a lot of crying about not getting attention, yes. Can I help it that you suck so much that I had to bring other means of keeping entertained?
SHIRO smacks his face and drags his hand slowly down its length.
SHIRO:
I meant about using thunder bombs! I was able to summon Zhael’s element to help me in a fight!
REGULUS:
Boredly.
Ah nice.
SHIRO:
Growling.
Isn’t this what you told me I should be doing? Why don’t you seem to care?
REGULUS:
You managed to manifest one element out of seven…congrats. Do you want a cookie or something?
SHIRO:
…come to think of it, I was able to figure out all that on my own which means you’re useless to me.
REGULUS doesn’t take his eyes off the book as he responds.
REGULUS:
Really? So I suppose you were able to use thunder bombs with amazing accuracy and skill?
SHIRO frowns and mutters a few obscenities to himself.
REGULUS:
I thought so. Besides, if you don’t need me anymore that just means I can work on killing you sooner, something I was considering doing after this chapter.
SHIRO:
What the hell are you reading anyway?
REGULUS:
Oh, it was written by that classmate of yours….the girl with purple hair?
SHIRO’s eyes bulge out of his sockets.
SHIRO:
You mean Rei?! Which is to say that book is probably about….
REGULUS:
Yuuuup. I kind of pictured you being the initiator, but she makes a compelling argument here.
SHIRO:
TAKE THAT BOOK AND BURN IT!
REGULUS tilts his head.
REGULUS:
What kind of teacher would I be if I stifled my student’s creativity?
SHIRO:
You do that to me almost every day, y’know.
REGULUS:
Feh. Details. In any case, it’s time to pack up and get ready for class.
SHIRO:
Wait, we’ve done nothing but spar and talk about the elements. When do I learn about something more practical, like that pyromancy stuff?
REGULUS regards him for a minute.
REGULUS:
You expect me to do everything for you? Geez, don’t hoist your social limitations upon me.
SHIRO:
What’s that supposed to mean?
REGULUS yawns and turns away from SHIRO.
REGULUS:
Teachers aren’t the only ones to teach in school, dummy. You’ve got classmates don’tcha?
SHIRO:
W-Wait!
REGULUS:
Flatly.
Nah.
He exits leaving SHIRO to fume angrily, partially because it’s REGULUS, and partially because it’s REGULUS and he’s right.
Opening theme: As long as I am me….
Is it because I am me, that I know powerlessness and loneliness?
If I were someone else, would I still have experienced misfortune?
Would shooting stars in the sky and the moon in the skies look different from another’s point of view?
The dreams and wishes I’ve embraced hard enough to break –would they still be as meaningful?
The little things; my height complex, stubbornness, and how I wear my heart on my sleeve,
Are all a part of me. Light at times, heavy at others, but never more than I can shoulder.
I know I face forward only because I don’t want others to see these tears of frustration,
And I run forward --I’m too stubborn and prideful to give up, because until the end I will be me.
Tripping and falling along the way only means I have a new starting point to begin.
The soil I kick up as I run is the only time I’ll stop and smell the flowers.
As long as I am me, even if others snicker under their breath, I won’t stop, and won’t be stopped.
Episode 12: Classmate Consultations
REGULUS:
So basically, the universe is a pretty terrible joke that none of us really get.
The scene has shifted to class where REGULUS –still reading REI’s book (to her delight in the first row) taps the whiteboard where “Ethics” is written. The class surrounding him has a variety of expressions ranging from confusion to downright…bewilderment. Okay, probably not much of a variety, but one can conclude that the lesson didn’t go over so well.
REGULUS checks his watch and waves the class away.
REGULUS:
It’s lunchtime, and I’m tired of talking.
NITROS:
I’m…not sure I’m hungry as much as I’m confused and a little scared.
KIIRO:
Join’ tha club.
KURO:
In any case it seems pretty clear he’s not going to teach anymore so we should just go…
REGULUS:
Exactly. You don’t gotta go to lunch, but you do have to get out of my face.
REI:
Can I expect a review of my work later then, professor?
REGULUS:
That you can.
REI makes a happy sound as KURO and SHIRO look on with expressions between concern and annoyance.
REGULUS:
Oh right, I’ve got a free moment later, so we’re going to have another group beating. As in me beating you later today. Don’t be late.
The class less than eagerly consents to this as they file out of the room.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
Right, I should ask Kuro about his bomb technique. Come to think of it, we haven’t really talked much at all have we? I wonder why that is?
SHIRO turns to ask KURO if he has a moment, and his face sours upon what he sees.
KURO:
Sheepishly.
C’mon, Rei, I’m just going to take a walk.
REI:
You aren’t fully recovered from your cold! Why, earlier I heard you coughing!
KURO:
I drank water too fast is all, Rei…I’m fine, I promise you!
REI:
Then at the very least allow me to accompany you!
KURO:
There’s no need for that really---
REI:
I insist!
SHIRO’s eyebrow twitches as he remembers exactly why he and KURO haven’t been talking lately, and he leaves class before he has to be further subjected to his and REI’s antics. Outside he takes a deep breath, and in one swift motion, ducks under TOTO who lunges at him, and flips the red bomber onto his back.
TOTO:
YAARRRRGH!!
SHIRO gives him a tired look.
SHIRO:
Why.
TOTO looks up at SHIRO, his eyes a passionate inferno.
TOTO:
If I defeat you I get your name!
SHIRO:
That’s not how anything works. For one thing, I never agreed to that, and….
He shakes his head.
SHIRO:
Whatever.
He starts to leave before stopping and turning to TOTO who has stood up to dust himself off.
SHIRO:
Hey, actually do you have a minute? I wanted to ask a few things….
TOTO looks up surprised, but this quickly becomes determination.
TOTO:
I’ll answer whatever you want! In exchange give me your na—
SHIRO:
You’ll get lunch, and that’s it.
TOTO eyes him incredulously before nodding slowly in agreement.
TOTO:
You drive a hard bargain Bomberman, but fine! However justice never settles!
SHIRO:
Don’t call me that, for Space Pegasus’s sake.
TOTO:
I will never understand why you deny such an incredible name!?
SHIRO:
I have my reasons. C’mon and I’ll get us lunch.
A few moments later SHIRO’s eyes are narrowed as he sits on the opposite end of a table facing TOTO and…what seems to be his entire family.
ROSA:
Thanks for the food, kind stranger!
RAVI:
Laughing.
The best food is free food!
AQUA:
Um, thank you Shiro, we appreciate the favor.
KORIKO:
Ah, big brother Ciel you can’t possibly eat and sleep at the same time so can I have your share?
CIEL’s head is down but he turns slowly to his younger brother.
CIEL:
Touch it and die.
KORIKO:
Okaaaaay~ (under breath) your threats are meaningless to me.
SHIRO:
To Toto.
Um, what’s happening here? I said I’d get you lunch so why are these people who aren’t even in our class eating too?
TOTO:
EATING LUNCH WITHOUT YOUR FAMILY ISN’T JUSTICE!
SHIRO:
THAT’S A CRAPPY EXCUSE AND YOU KNOW IT!
ROSA:
So, so, sooooo you’re the one Toto seems so enamored by? You’re Bomberman?
SHIRO is taken aback by the sudden questioning and finds himself blushing.
SHIRO:
D—don’t call me that.
ROSA:
Ah, but it’s such a cute little super hero name. I really like it!
SHIRO hides his face behind his hands and shakes his head.
SHIRO:
Stop it!
ROSA:
D’aww, you can’t take praise either? You’re as cute as a baby rui!
SHIRO shakes his head and places his hands on the table with some force.
SHIRO:
Breathlessly.
Some of you guys are pyromancers right!? How’d it feel to awaken with those powers and what made you come here?
The siblings’ trade glances for a moment, seemingly unsure of how to answer SHIRO’s question.
ROSA:
Hm, I’ve never thought about it. It’s just always been something we could do, y’know?
RAVI nods in agreement.
RAVI:
Fighting for what’s right is fun!
ROSA:
As for why we’re here, well…I guess that’s cause our oldest brothers came through the base too, so…
SHIRO:
Oldest brothers? There are more of you?
AQUA nods and answers with some reverence.
AQUA:
Our oldest brothers are often on patrol, but we really look up to them –Yuki and Nott. We joined the base because we wanted to be just like them.
SHIRO:
So this is like a family thing for you guys?
There’s a crash and everyone’s attention is on CIEL who has TOTO in a head lock as he yawns sleepily, all while KORIKO snickers, a plate with two plates of spaghetti to his left.
CIEL:
Sleepily.
That wasn’t yours.
TOTO:
I’M TELLING YOU IT WAS KO—
CIEL tightens his grip as KORIKO cheers them on.
KORIKO:
I saw him big brother! He tried to pilfer your pasta, but I stopped him! You go ahead and teach him a lesson, and I’ll keep watch over both of ours!
ROSA picks up as if nothing had happened, indicating this is something she’s grown used to.
ROSA:
Yeah, you could say that! It’s not the most noble of reasons, but we’re proud of each other –our family. It’s a source of strength in trying times!
SHIRO:
Strength, huh? I never thought about it that way….
ROSA:
Why’d you come here Bomber—er, Shiro?
SHIRO:
To learn I suppose….but I guess that’s not quite enough is it?
SHIRO crosses his arms and pushes himself back and forth, wondering to himself why he really came to the base? Because METAL told him to? There has to be more to it than that, right? It’s now that MOLOK’s words from way back when bubble up in his subconscious –why does he do anything at all? At first the answer had been easy enough –SIRIUS, but nowadays it’s less clear to him. Rather than trying to find out more about pyromancy perhaps he should be looking for the question that he had been avoiding asking himself?
SHIRO:
Thinking.
Why did I really come back to Bomber star and enroll at the base?
Even some time later, SHIRO walks the halls of the base wondering. Although his reasons had been pretty straightforward when he had departed from Primus, now he’s not so sure. At least, compared to him just sort of fumbling around Rosa’s reasons –for family seem clear and concise. What could he say his reason is? Still considering this, he notices CROW and KIIRO outside apparently doing some training –or well KIIRO is while CROW sits upon some bleachers with an unreadable expression. SHIRO emboldened by his success(?) of speaking with the siblings decides to try his luck with them and heads out to the field.
KIIRO:
For tha’ money ‘o course.
SHIRO stares at him blankly.
KIIRO
What’s that look fer? Ain’t it obvious that joinin’ the base and graduatin’ will pay tha big bucks?
SHIRO:
….I guess? Though that reason is…
CROW smirks as KIIRO places his arms on his sides and leans so that he’s in SHIRO’s face.
KIIRO:
Yer just like every other idiot y’know? Bein’ greedy ain’t bad is it? If I got money then it’s easy for me to be able to reach out and help more people yeah? Ain’t much a broke hero can do for nobody. I want all tha influence and moolah I can get my hands on so that there won’t be nobody I can’t reach out to. Imma have so much money that ain’t nobody who needs it gonna go wantin’ no mores!
KIIRO then stands up straight and spreads his arms wide.
KIIRO:
Imma be a hero who takes care of everybody with my cash!
SHIRO:
Huh, that’s actually…kinda admirable. I guess you really can’t judge a dream by its cover.
KIIRO:
Darn’ tootin!
CROW:
Applauding.
I never get tired of hearing that out of you Kiiro. You the man…or ‘da-man’ at any rate.
KIIRO takes a bow and SHIRO turns to CROW who notices this.
CROW:
Me? I really am just in it for the laughs, I guess.
SHIRO tilts his head in confusion.
CROW:
The way I see it, looking for a reason to do something is a reason to do something, y’know? I’m just kicking back, taking it easy, but not letting any opportunities slip me by. The base is a great place to find opportunities, and get a little stronger too, no?
SHIRO:
Good point…though, oh on that note since that ass—er, our teacher is going to remain unhelpful, I thought I’d give you guys some advice?
KIIRO frowns.
KIIRO:
And what makes you an expert?
SHIRO:
I’ve been through…a lot. In any case, you don’t have to take my advice if you don’t want to.
KIIRO and CROW trade glances and share a shrug before nodding at SHIRO to continue.
SHIRO:
So Kiiro, I notice your uh, blaster thingy has sort of a splashy effect which reduces its long range effectiveness, but there’s an easy fix to this. Sorta um…er, let me show you.
SHIRO leans back and cups his hands over his torso area.
SHIRO:
If you’re a pyromancer like I think you are, then you should be able to grab the flame before it dissipates, and force it a little further up, giving it a little more distance and keeping the impact concise.
KIIRO:
That sounds dumb, man.
KIIRO says this, but his eyes are glittering as if he can’t wait to try it.
SHIRO:
Oh and Crow, I know you use your eraser powers offensively, though have you considered a defensive usage?
CROW:
Hm? What do you mean?
SHIRO:
Nothing too weird, just like maybe line your clothes with the feathers or something? At least that’d up your defense if you can’t immediately take down an enemy, plus as long as you don’t blab about doing that, it’d catch most enemies by surprise.
CROW rubs his chin thoughtfully.
CROW:
That isn’t a bad idea, actually.
SHIRO:
Again it’s up to you if you wanna take my advice, but that’s what I was thinking after our first fight with that dumb—him.
KIIRO:
Don’t go thinkin’ I’ll thank you or nothin! I had the same idea!
CROW:
He means he’ll take it into consideration.
SHIRO nods and takes his leave, still not sure of his reasoning for being at the base, but at the very least CROW’s words have given him food for thought as he walks down the hall so deep in his mind that he’s inattentive almost running into people who weave aside as he walks.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
My reason is looking for a reason then? But then how do I know whether I’ve found the right reason or a reason at all?
He accidently kicks something while walking which results in electric pain travelling up his leg as he hops up and down massaging his foot. He looks down to see what looks like a coffin –except this one is about the size of a backpack and by that virtue is very familiar.
BELL:
Ah! Watch where you’re walking!
SHIRO:
Why don’t you watch where you put your crap?!
BELL:
Glare.
It’s not crap! It’s an important implement of my research into the afterlife!
SHIRO:
It’s a backpack that makes fire. It’s more like an implement of sending others to the afterlife....anyway, why is it here?
BELL walks over to SHIRO and pushes him aside; a tool kit in her left hand, her long black dress flutters as she sits down beside the backpack, takes a wrench from the kit and begins to tinker with it.
SHIRO:
Why fix that here?
BELL:
Obviously because I’ll need it later and it broke while I was walking down this hallway! You don’t let unlucky omens fester or else they’ll become full out tragedies!
SHIRO:
Ah.
He pauses.
SHIRO:
Considering how fascinated you are with…death, I’m kind of surprised you’re here at the base.
BELL absently answers him.
BELL:
It makes sense doesn’t it? Death is all around us –especially in a line of work like this, however! What good does it do to run away from something that will eventually happen to everyone? I think it would be much more interesting to study it, understand it, make peace with it….
SHIRO:
Thinking.
Huh, I thought she had a screw loose on first impression, and while that hasn’t changed much, she’s at least got a pretty decent point.
BELL’s eyes sheen an unholy red as she turns to SHIRO slowly, piercing his soul.
BELL:
Eerily.
And then overcome it.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
Nevermind, I was wrong.
He then eyes the coffin and notices something off.
SHIRO:
Say, would the problem with that backpack of yours be that the flame has died down considerably?
BELL blinks, and the eerie atmosphere from a moment earlier disappears.
BELL:
H—How did you know?
SHIRO:
Well, whatever ignition base you’re using has coated over the covering where the flame is produced. I’d recommend switching over to something else if you don’t wanna run into this problem often.
BELL looks it over and to her surprise SHIRO is right.
BELL:
Great zombie shuffle you’re right! Are you some kind of gearmancer?!
SHIRO:
Uh…no, I’ve just been through…a lot.
Thinking.
I’m beginning to sound like the adults I loathe.
BELL bubbles over this and grabs SHIRO’s hands, surprising him.
BELL:
Masky was having issues too! Perhaps you could make yourself useful and assist them?
SHIRO:
Wait, I’m not here for that….
Before SHIRO can object BELL has picked up her things and drags him away despite his protests, and from there NITROS who had heard from KIIRO and CROW that SHIRO is good at solving problems enlists his aid, and before long KIDD in his own taciturn way asks SHIRO for a hand and…
SHIRO:
Ugh, I’m exhausted….
He collapses in a couch at the library after running around for most of the day, but before he can get any rest, his ID beeps with a message from REGULUS stating that the time for their re-duel is in less than twenty minutes. SHIRO groans and slouches to the side, wondering if his timing is this bad on purpose or accidently?
SHIRO:
I’ll just sleep for twenty minutes and then go deal with that idiot. Being up since early this morning and playing Mr.fixit for the entire class really does a number on a guy…
SHIRO is asleep mere moments after this thought escapes him, and in twenty minutes the students gather where they first fought. REGULUS stands before them; arms crossed as they surround him, and after taking a silent headcount asks…
REGULUS:
Where’s Shiro?
Everyone glances around and collectively shrugs or finds another means of stating their lack of knowledge of their classmate’s whereabouts.
REGULUS:
Figures. Well, there’s no point in waiting for him –come on and get what the Reg is cooking.
KURO leans back, wills a bomb and pumps it all in one swift motion. REGULUS swoops in low and charges toward him, but before he can reach KURO, KIDD surprises him with a bomb volley faster than he seemed capable of in their first meeting. He pulls down on his arm like one would cock a gun, and resumes fire, keeping REGULUS at bay and giving just the opportunity the masked student needs to collaborate with BELL and launch a dual fire attack. REGULUS leaps over this, leaving him open in midair to KURO’s newly pumped bomb. REGULUS sneers and catches the bomb, fully anticipating this move –and tosses it right back at the bomber, however CROW dashes in front of him and with a leap seeming charges through the explosion up to REGULUS and tosses him down to the ground where he lands feet first.
CROW:
Well hot damn, Shiro’s advice actually did the trick.
REGULUS:
What the hell would possess that kid to jump through a bomb explosion, and why the hell did it work?
KIIRO:
Yo teach! Heads up!
REGULUS turns his head –and good thing as where it once was would have been fried by KIIRO flinging his water like flame energy at him.
KIIRO:
Dangit, maybe I shouldn’t have yelled.
NITROS charges in behind KIIRO
NITROS:
No worries, Kiiro! I’ve got this!
REGULUS:
Oh another trick I’ve seen before, yawn.
NITROS:
I’d stay awake for this one, teach!! Toto!
REGULUS grabs TOTO from behind and slams him on his back as he tries to charge toward him.
TOTO:
Twice in one day?!
REGULUS:
Nice try, really, but—
REGULUS’s hand bursts in to flame from his contact with TOTO.
REGULUS:
What the….?!
NITROS closes in on REGULUS but doesn’t attack. Rather, he uses the sparks of this flame to summon several tiny flame blades that he grabs and tosses like throwing stars at the flaming REGULUS.
TOTO:
How’s that for combination JUSTICE?!
AQUA who’s standing back smiles.
AQUA:
Having this prepared ahead of time was a good idea!
REGULUS is feeling the pressure –however…
REGULUS:
Thinking.
I’m not at all sure when the hell these guys got so decent, but….
He allows himself a small smile.
REGULUS:
It’s not boring so I approve.
He shakes off the flames with his will which comes off as a wave of invisible pressure. NITROS and KIIRO who are closest are shoved aback slightly by this as REGULUS regards them, his stance threatening.
REGULUS:
Now I’ve let you have your fun, but like a fresh donut, the best part is the final bite.
NITROS:
I, uh…don’t get the metaphor.
REGULUS:
You won’t need to when I’m done with you.
KURO:
That…sounds really suggestive in various ways.
REGULUS exerts more pressure which knocks the class off their feet, and then he lunges…seemingly catching someone unaware.
***
SHIRO awakens with a start when he feels the presence of someone standing over him. To his surprise his intuition isn’t wrong as surrounding him are his classmates who are various levels of scuffed up.
SHIRO:
What the heck are you guys doing here? W—wait.
SHIRO checks his phone and gasps.
SHIRO:
Dangit! I slept through that idiot’s rematch?!
KURO:
That you did, bro.
SHIRO:
…Wait if I did, why are you all here?
NITROS:
It’s all over, we just got done.
SHIRO notices they all seem –chipper?
SHIRO:
Why are you all so happy? Don’t tell me you actually managed to beat that asshole…
KURO:
Nope!
KIIRO:
It’s hard for me to admit it’ but we got beaten real bad.
AQUA:
It was pretty bad, yes. I managed to get Toto to come in, but he’s um…
They all turn and see he’s simply staring into the air with a despondent expression.
TOTO:
Say, would anyone miss me if I died?
BELL:
Oh don’t talk that way Toto, of course we’d miss you!
AQUA:
Bell…
BELL:
But if you insist on dying, allow me to take your corpse for magick science study!
AQUA:
Admittedly I was waiting for the punch-line so I’m actually not surprised.
REI:
On that note, we did manage to get closer to beating him than we did last time…apparently thanks to your advice, which is rather shocking.
SHIRO blinks taken aback by this.
SHIRO:
You did what I said?
NITROS:
Yeah, and it totally worked…for a while! We were really pressuring teach for a while when we saw it…!
SHIRO:
What? A weakness?
KURO:
No, a bead of sweat!
SHIRO:
Thinking.
While I’m glad you’re heaping praise on me, it’s negated by how low your standards are.
To everyone.
Well isn’t that….something.
CROW:
So we were thinking that maybe you could give us more hints and stuff? Considering that was the closes we’ve come to beating him.
BELL:
You might be the first person I acknowledge is useful while still alive?
REI:
I thoroughly disagree.
NITROS:
C’mon Shiro, help us out!
The class clamors around SHIRO who at first is overwhelmed by all the sudden positive attention, but soon finds himself smiling –a genuine true smile that he had long since forgotten he was capable of. Sure he’s still not entirely sure why he’s here but maybe CROW was onto something –he can just take his time looking for it. After all if he had been in a hurry and found whatever he was looking for, he wouldn’t have a moment like this –a moment of true comradery with his classmates. From a distance REGULUS watches and nods sagely at SHIRO.
REGULUS:
It’s the stuff you pick up while searching for something else that ends up being important, kiddo. Maybe now you’ll start to get it.
He then stumbles a bit and sighs.
REGULUS:
Although because you had to go and make that more difficult for me, I think I’ll reward you with a few “accidental and very painful” slip ups in the form of chest and head blows during our sparing later.
REGULUS snickers evilly as he walks away from the scene, leaving SHIRO to enjoy the company of his classmates for the first time since he enrolled in the base.
Ending Song: Passionate Orbit
Say, did you know, that heart beating in your chest…
Is a gift from the depths of this wide universe?
When we are born our guardian star breathes a silent prayer to the galaxy,
And in the break between dusk and morn, dyed silver-black hues it ends up in our hands.
As we experience our lives and are touched by the gentle but rusted hands of time,
Colors born from daily life drip from this gift from the galaxy yearning to be shared –to take orbit.
So when the time comes and your little universe yearns to orbit another’s –don’t be frightened.
Just clasp your hands together, and let those feelings bubble to the surface and become a star.
For each time two hearts intertwine and orbit one another,
A little more of the universe is filled with color.