Chapter Text
Gazing out into the distance from his tower like a king upon his kingdom is BAGULAR with his arms crossed expression unreadable. In his hand is his cellphone, the display fading after a recent call’s completion. He is of mixed feelings after the call –elation that things are finally moving, while somewhat hesitant as well. The timing is off, and if there’s one thing he doesn’t like in both his business and unrelated matters is unpredictability. Still, he would take what he could get in terms of this advancement after all the waiting he had done. He glances back outside at the oncoming twilight and feels a twinge of disgust at the lack of perceivable action, though it’s not at all that he doesn’t enjoy peace –no, he is not a warmonger by any means. Rather it’s the idea of complacency that draws his ire –the idea that what is is all that should be. Paradoxically this is why he has respect for those who oppose him –it is this game of cat and mouse where one side pushes to subjugate another –be it for just or unjust reasons that keep him sharp and relevant even in this age where his ilk is frowned upon. That being said, he would not simply remain silent as his plans are opposed. They could do so much more with the abilities of the bombers –all it takes is one to push what one would consider “logical” into “possibility”, and that would not happen if doddering peace-loving fools like EIN continue to stand in his way. Of course he is no fool, to give up the power he had taken years to amass to play to his ambitions is foolish. He had become adept over the years in playing the background figure who lurks in the shadows –using his philanthropy and political reach to provide an excellent cover for his true bid for the powers of the bomb, but this process requires patience –something that he was running short on. That being said, even if he wanted to “step out of his lane” so to speak, he still doesn’t have nearly as much information on the mysterious power of bombs as he’d like, but where to begin? Even with all of his power and influence, the answer to that question continues to elude him, until…
VOICE:
Sir, you have a phone call.
BAGULAR turns and behind him with his head bowed is his associate –TERRORIN a man of average height wearing a formal suit and white gloves. Though his most curious feature is on his head –a mask that resembles an alarm clock. BAGULAR had encountered the down-on-his-luck TERRORIN a few years ago, and seeing potential in him had hired him as a butler-slash-associate of sorts, though he is only vaguely aware of his reason for hiding his face. In any case, his skills both domestically and …otherwise, are impeccable, so who is he to complain if he’s shy?
BAGULAR:
Who is it?
TERRORIN raises his head and with a bit of condescension says…
TERRORIN:
…It’s him, sir.
BAGULAR frowns for a moment before making his way to his desk and sitting down.
BAGULAR:
Put him through.
TERRORIN:
Right away.
TERRORIN leaves the room and in a moment a button on BAGULAR’s phone glows indicating a call waiting. He presses this button and takes the receiver, tapping impatiently as he waits for the caller to speak. After a moment of shuffling and what seems to be mumbled complaints, the caller responds in a gruff and very familiar voice.
CALLER:
Ah dammit, I think that was the last of my change. What? You guys don’t have any? C’mon, don’t hold out on me! I’m calling Mr. Bagular here, and it’d suck if we get disconnected –
BAGULAR clears his throat, and the caller yelps upon realizing he’s speaking to the man himself.
CALLER:
Ah! Um, Mr. Bagular! Uh, Hi!
BAGULAR pinches the bridge of his nose out of annoyance.
BAGULAR:
Mujoe, what do you want?
MUJOE simpers upon this, but quickly regains his composure.
MUJOE:
Sir! I have deets like you wouldn’t believe!
BAGULAR:
Oh?
MUJOE on the other end of the line puffs out his chest proudly as the Hige-hige robots around him roll their eyes out of annoyance.
MUJOE:
So, I was working the lights at the Base family fest thing, see? And guess what? I saw a bomber there!
BAGULAR:
Monotone.
Yes, Bombers do happen to be at the base, what of it?
MUJOE:
No, no, no, no! That’s not, uh, anyway the Bomber I saw was a kid, but he was able to do something different with his bombs –he was able to make lightening with ‘em!
BAGULAR pauses curiously at this. Bombs that have different elemental properties? Although this information coming from Mujoe is less than encouraging, it’s an angle that’s at least worth exploring. He considers his options, and nods approvingly as he decides on what to do.
BAGULAR:
Do you think it would be possible to arrange a meeting with this young bomber?
MUJOE:
Ah, um…yes? I guess I could arrange something.
BAGULAR:
Good. Go ahead, but make it discreet, understand?
MUJOE:
Understood sir! I won’t let you down!
BAGULAR:
I think we both know the likelihood of that happening, but I’ll –perhaps unwisely, choose hope over experience, Mujoe.
This comment either goes over MUJOE’s head, or he chooses to ignore it. Considering how (inappropriately?) happy he is, it’s most likely the former.
MUJOE:
Got it! By the way um, when you say “arrange” you mean to uh…
BAGULAR stares into the phone –a glare that’s so intense that MUJOE can feel it on his side and begins to sweat.
MUJOE:
Right, right, sorry! I know exactly what you mean, hahaha, just checking!
BAGULAR:
I’m hanging up now Mujoe.
MUJOE nods before realizing his boss can’t see this motion.
MUJOE:
Gotcha, I’ll report back in when I’ve arranged the meeting, sir!
BAGULAR hangs up and sighs deeply. When it comes to matters like these, Mujoe has a spotty-at-best track record, but he works for cheap which offsets things to a point, maybe? Still, he’s the guileless sort that wouldn’t lie to him, so this news about a bomber who has bombs of different elements is probably true, and therefore worth investigating. After all, it just wouldn’t do to let EIN have such a find to himself would it? BAGULAR smiles and steeples his fingers in eager anticipation. If this does work out, then he not only as this elemental bomber to look forward to, but his other pursuit that had only recently come into play. Patience is a virtue, and now it would seem that the fates had decided to reward him for being virtuous. Meanwhile MUJOE comes out of the phone booth and grins, at his hige-hige underlings as he takes out a pair of pink shades and plops them on his face.
MUJOE:
Forgive me Space Pegasus, but I’m about to go back to the old me.
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 16: Abduction Acrobatics.
Night has come and is well into its patrol when NITROS yawns as he saunters blearily into a storage unit where CROW, KIIRO and KURO await. The former two seem just as tired as he is –KIIRO is slumped forward on the ground with a large bubble formed near the bottom of his helmet growing and shrinking in size as he breathes, while CROW who still manages to look cool leaning against a wall with his arms crossed nods off every so often. KURO on the other hand paces around in circles obviously concerned about something as he glances into his cell phone and clutches it. NITROS looks around and tilts his head in confusion, wondering what’s going on and upon realizing he won’t get an explanation if he doesn’t speak up does so.
NITROS:
Uh, so, um….why are we here, and why aren’t all of us here?
KURO looks up, his expression surprised as he hadn’t noticed NITROS’s entrance. CROW blinks away sleep and inclines his head to KURO.
CROW:
Kuro was waiting for all of us to come in before explaining, but something tells me this is gonna be about it attendance wise.
KURO sighs.
KURO:
I know we’re all tired from training and stuff, but I was hoping more people would be awake…
NITROS frowns.
NITROS:
Up for what exactly?
KURO:
First, sorry for sending that message to meet out of the blue like that everyone, but this is an emergency…Shiro’s missing and I can’t seem to contact him.
CROW pushes himself from the wall and strides over to KURO who’s again looking at his cellphone.
KURO:
I know that sometimes he heads back to Granny Momo’s place to stay the night, but she says she hasn’t seen him, and apparently our teach hasn’t returned home either.
CROW:
Wait a sec, it really sounds like you’re implying that they live together….
KURO gasps realizing he’s revealed too much, but nods in the affirmative.
KURO:
Yeah they do, though Shiro wouldn’t tell me much more than that. In any case, he’s gone, teach is gone, and no one knows what’s going on.
NITROS:
I—I see. That is a problem, yeah….though why not just tell the authorities? This kinda thing falls into their job description, right?
KURO:
It does, but I’m really worried –Shiro’s been hiding a lot of stuff and I wouldn’t put it past him to be involved in some shady stuff that might have gone critically wrong somehow. The police would need time to start a search, and by that time who knows what might happen…?
CROW:
Truth be told Shiro’s whole “been there, done that” ‘tude does get me curious. That being said, the guy seems like he can handle himself, so should we really get involved?
KURO:
I know, I know! It’s just….
KURO grips the phone and bows his head.
KURO:
He’s been hurting for a while –even before he headed to Primus, and now he’s finally back home and although it isn’t readily apparent he’s finally beginning to heal. I don’t want him to end up the way he was before again, so I really want to…no, need to find him.
NITROS and CROW exchange glances.
NITROS:
This sounds like the kind of situation Rei would love, heh….
CROW:
You can say that again, though considering her attachment to you bro, I’m surprised she isn’t here.
KURO makes a face.
KURO:
Okay, I admit it does sound like something she’d like, but I’m being serious here! Plus it’s not like we sleep in the same bed or anything! I tried contacting her and she didn’t….
KURO catches himself and thinks.
KURO:
…actually since the family event, I haven’t seen much of her at all.
KIIRO:
Sleepily.
Seems like trouble in paradise to me, buddy.
NITROS and CROW nod in agreement.
KURO:
Sputtering.
L—L—L—Lets put that aside, and brainstorm as to how we can find Shiro!
CROW rubs his chin.
CROW:
Well, when was the last time you saw him? Maybe we can start there?
KURO:
Probably right after class let out –he made it sound like he had some important training or something and dashed off before I could ask follow up questions ---he does that a lot.
KIIRO:
Sounds ta me like he don’t particularly wanna be found.
NITROS:
Gotta agree with Kiiro on this one, Kuro.
KURO:
Aww c’mon, don’t be like that! Anyway, I think the first thing we should do is maybe search near his home and—
KURO’s phone suddenly trills with an incoming call surprising him enough that he almost drops the device. He checks to see who is calling him and it appears to be an unlisted number which he frowns at.
NITROS:
Who is it?
KURO:
I don’t know, it’s blocked.
KIIRO:
Ain’t no harm in answerin’ it. Might be a lead –or a poorly timed telemarketer.
KURO shrugs and answers the phone. To his surprise it’s SHIRO.
SHIRO:
Kuro? You there, man?
KURO:
S—Sh—Shiro!? Where are you right now? I’ve been worried sick!
SHIRO’s voice is distant and fades in and out so KURO can only barely make him out.
SHIRO:
Yeah uh…about that. We’re ---ck in the ---st thanks to this idiot.
KURO:
What? What did you say, and who’s an idiot?
SHIRO:
I said –uck in the ---est. Some dumbass tried to ---ap me and failed miserably.
NITROS:
Dunno why, but this is sounding super suspect.
Suddenly on SHIRO’s end of the call there’s a loud crash and loud static. NITROS, KURO, CROW and KIIRO exchange glances and stare at the phone horrified.
KURO:
Shiro?! SHIRO?! What’s going on?!
The phone buzzes for a bit and then is silent…dead silent.
CROW:
That’s encouraging.
KIIRO:
I dunno, I thought that bit of narration was a nice touch.
KURO:
M-m-maybe we can trace this call…I couldn’t quite make out what he was saying, but we should be able to follow the signal and find his location somehow, right?
NITROS scratches his head sheepishly.
NITROS:
I mean, it’s possible, yeah but we’d need resources far above what we can get to do that…
KIIRO’s eyebrow rises and he laughs haughtily.
KIIRO:
If it’s resources ya need, I’m yer man. Just leave it to me!
While the others gather around KIIRO for his “resources”, SHIRO stares blearily into his cellphone as the battery gives final gasp before dying out. He had a thought to charge it before coming out here, but figured there wasn’t a need. Guess who was wrong there? He then glances around at his surroundings –forest, forest, and more forest, oh and a hover cycle on its side that’s on fire, and the beady eyes in the distance of wild animals who would love nothing more than to arrange a dinner date with him. A few feet away from all of this is the familiar form of MUJOE now dressed in a blue sleeveless top with some impressive silver shoulder pads, what looks like pink undies, and pink lensed sunglasses that are hidden from view as he lies face down motionless. Beside him are the two small sized purple eyed, twin antenna hige hige underlings that SHIRO had met in the bank who currently occupy themselves with trying to awaken MUJOE. SHIRO faces forward and to no one in particular says…
SHIRO:
Yup, it’s me, and you probably wonder how I got into this situation.
***
It had been a few hours earlier when SHIRO and REGULUS arrived in the forest region near the mountains where they live. The latter had insisted that the former needs “image training” –whatever that means and so here they are.
SHIRO:
Not that I’m…okay, I’m totally complaining, but why image training? What is image training? Can I go now?
REGULUS:
I’ll answer those in order. No, no, and if you want to in a body bag, sure.
SHIRO:
…You do realize two of those weren’t yes or no questions?
REGULUS:
…Ah, sorry. I’ve taken to tuning anything close to your vocal frequency out. Ask me again?
SHIRO:
Forget it.
REGULUS:
Suit yourself. Anyway, you’re probably wondering what image training is and why I brought you out here to do it.
SHIRO fumes as REGULUS ignores him.
REGULUS:
After doing a bit of one on one teaching with another student, I’ve come to realize I might have been slightly derelict in my duties. I can’t expect you to be less of a disappointment unless I tell you exactly how you’re a disappointment, right?
SHIRO:
That’s good, admitting you’re at fault by blaming me.
REGULUS:
Glad you think so! So basically to make sense of this, you need to imagine just what it is you want to achieve with the elemental powers you possess and suck at using currently.
SHIRO eyes him incredulously.
REGULUS:
Think for a second. You’ve got to have a box to think out of in order to think out of the box, so what this training comes down to is giving you that box.
SHIRO:
I…guess I understand. So what do I have to do?
REGULUS:
Find me.
SHIRO:
…done.
REGULUS noogies SHIRO harshly for a moment before continuing.
REGULUS:
I’m gonna head into the forest and you have to use your elemental powers to find me. Feel free to use as many or few as you want. The idea here is just that –to have a solid idea of how the elements can help you in practical situations.
SHIRO:
…What brought this on?
REGULUS:
Pardon?
SHIRO:
If I didn’t know any better this sounds like actually helpful training without a hint of murderous intent, which I’m having trouble believing you’re capable of. So what happened?
REGULUS sighs and tut-tuts SHIRO.
REGULUS:
If I am to kill you, what fun would it be in your current riddled-with-flaws state? I just realize I have to give you a sporting chance to actually do a thing Bomberman.
SHIRO:
Seriously, do not call me that.
REGULUS jets over to SHIRO with blinding speed, stops in front of him and flicks him in the face.
REGULUS:
Tag! You’re it!
He then disappears into a clearing before SHIRO can react.
SHIRO wipes his face of imaginary REGULUS germs before growling.
SHIRO:
Dammit, why is he like this?!
With a huff, he begins running in the direction that REGULUS disappeared into as the forest is bathed in the gentle decent of darkness. He starts to consider using the light element, but remembering how he activated it the first time brings home just what REGULUS was saying. Considering there aren’t any ghosts to subjugate at the current moment, he would have to really figure out what the “condition” is to use the element’s powers.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
So if there aren’t any ghosts around what exactly am I supposed to do? Subjugate the dark?
SHIRO ponders this for a moment.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
What if the light ability isn’t so much about ghosts as it is taking control of one’s situation…?
The darkness has completely surrounded him which fills SHIRO with a slight bit of dread.
SHIRO:
Ugh, I know it’s weird to say this, but I wish I had a bit of light so I could think about how to…put on the lights.
To his surprise a small glow slowly matures into life and gives him the light he needs. SHIRO turns and is further surprised by one of the Hige-hige bandits from the bank standing behind him with a lighter, its expression unreadable.
SHIRO:
Um…thanks?
He squints.
SHIRO:
Don’t I know you from somewhere?
Suddenly SHIRO hears the sound of a hover cycle approaching him quickly, and leaps out of the way as said cycle cruises past him.
SHIRO:
An ambush?!
The pilot of said cycle is MUJOE and he curses as he turns around to attempt another grab at SHIRO.
MUJOE:
Dammit, just stay still kid, and this’ll be much easier for the both of us!
SHIRO:
Like hell I’ll stand still!
He wills a bomb and prepares to toss it when another hige-hige member grabs his throwing arm and forces him to the ground.
HIGE-HIGE:
Higeeeee!
SHIRO:
Oh what the hell. Let me go dammit! What the hell are you trying to do?!
MUJOE grins as he motors over, hand extended to catch SHIRO. Unfortunately for him when SHIRO had created the bomb and was knocked over before he could use it, this caused the object to fly up in the air and just as the would-be-kidnapper reaches him, it lands and goes off with a resounding boom, which sets the cycle on fire rendering it uncontrollable as it rams into SHIRO and the bandits and drags them along for some time before it collides into a tree and explodes. Leaving the three lost and in their current situation with no ride, no means of communication and apparently no luck.
SHIRO:
I don’t suppose you two can explain just what the hell was supposed to happen here?
The Hige-hige bandits look at each other as if they mean to collaborate a story, decide that it’s too much effort and simply shrug at SHIRO who mutters obscenities under his breath before pocketing his phone and walking away.
SHIRO:
Then our only hope –as much as it makes me hate myself to say this, is to find that idiot and ask him for help. I managed to get a call out to my friends, but I’m not at all sure they got the message, so it’s best not to rely on them.
MUJOE:
Weakly.
W—wait….
SHIRO stops and casts a condescending glance at MUJOE who wearily gets to his feet.
MUJOE:
I won’t let you…escape….
SHIRO:
That implies you can stop me. Though I am curious as to why you’d do this to begin with…
MUJOE:
That’s top secret kid, though if you really want to know you could just come quietly with me –
SHIRO:
Hard pass.
He begins to walk away again as MUJOE regains his balance and follows after him. For a while the trio walk in the dark until his nature gets the best of him and MUJOE asks SHIRO…
MUJOE:
Um, I know this isn’t exactly the best of situations but at the very least could you tell me your name, kid?
SHIRO:
You have got to be the worst kidnapper ever, bro. Why on earth would I tell you that?
MUJOE pauses to think about this and shrugs.
MUJOE:
Touche. I’m Mujoe if it matters at all –professional bad guy.
The two Hige-hige bandits cheer at this while MUJOE poses for them, offering them cards die-cut in the shape of his sunglasses.
SHIRO:
It’s not a pleasure to meet you Mujoe. How the hell did you even find me here?
MUJOE:
Oh uh, I was working lights at that family fest thing, and saw you there with your galpal and granny.
SHIRO:
Bellsie isn’t my gal-pal you stalker.
MUJOE simpers as SHIRO keeps up his pace, though after a moment he shouts back.
SHIRO:
Just call me Shiro ya big lummox, and keep up unless you want to be fauna bait.
MUJOE:
S—Shiro?! Y-y-you mean Mighty’s kid?! Ah! Wait, I knew I recognized that old lady with you!! That’s was his mom!
SHIRO stops, turns and is nearly run over by MUJOE who has doubled his speed upon this revelation.
SHIRO:
Augh! What the hell man?!
MUJOE clasps SHIRO’s shoulders and shakes him.
MUJOE:
Are you really Mighty’s kid?!
SHIRO:
Y—yeah?
MUJOE releases SHIRO and gazes upward, his eyes glittering with nostalgia.
MUJOE:
Now Mighty was a cop among cops. I liked the guy despite being on the opposite side of…life.
SHIRO:
….Come to think of it, Dad did mention a “bumbling sort of guy” that he couldn’t bring himself to really dislike. That was you?
MUJOE:
Proudly.
The one and only!
SHIRO:
I’m not entirely sure that’s something you should be proud of, but okay.
MUJOE:
Unlike other cops, Mighty never made me feel like a lesser person just because he was against my way of life. He had a job to do, and I had one too which means we crossed paths a lot –I’d almost say in another ‘verse we could have been friends.
MUJOE casts a forlorn gaze at SHIRO.
MUJOE:
Shame what happened to him –I almost couldn’t believe it.
SHIRO blinks at this.
SHIRO:
What do you mean by that?
MUJOE:
What? You really didn’t know? It was the talk of the criminal underworld!
SHIRO’s eyebrow rises –his father was a police officer, so death is an occupational hazard even for the best of the best. Combine this with his reluctance to think of his Dad in general and it had never occurred to him to consider the circumstances around his death more than what his Grandma had said. Now that he had made peace with his father’s passing, in a paradoxical sense, perhaps it was time to open that Pandora’s cube?
SHIRO:
What do you mean?
MUJOE stares at SHIRO for a moment confused until realization dawns upon him and he puts a hand to his mouth.
MUJOE:
So no one told…ah, then um, out of respect for the dead, I don’t think I should---
SHIRO marches over to MUJOE until he’s standing before him arms crossed.
SHIRO:
Speak, or I’ll make you.
MUJOE surprises him by taking the same hardline stance and turning his head aside.
MUJOE:
No. I might be a rotten dude, but I’ve got standards –one of which isn’t to blab! If you wanna find out more, you’ll have to ask someone else.
SHIRO glares at him and wills a bomb into existence.
SHIRO:
Last chance.
MUJOE sweats slightly as his lip quivers but remains silent. SHIRO leans back and throws the bomb, but it sails over MUJOE and explodes hitting a wolf who was dangerously close to sampling MUJOE. MUJOE gasps and takes a step back toward the latter who sighs and wills two more bombs as the hige-hige bandits latch onto MUJOE’s burly legs and shiver in fear.
SHIRO:
I think I get what my Dad saw in you. You really are a bumbling sort who’s hard to dislike, and I’m not so much of an asshole that I’d bomb you just because you have principles.
MUJOE grins.
MUJOE:
Damn straight!
SHIRO and MUJOE are back to back –surrounded by a pack of very angry wolves. SHIRO tosses the two bombs he has at the ones in front of him, as MUJOE charges and tackles two more, the Hige-hige bandits leaping in and giving an extra oomph to their boss. SHIRO ducks under a lunge and delivers an upper cut to another attacker, leaving him open for an attack from behind which another wolf takes advantage of until MUJOE notices this and dives in.
MUJOE:
Watch out kid!!
SHIRO turns as MUJOE is bitten in the arm by this wolf and in the kneecap by another. SHIRO then wills a wind bomb the explosion of which blows away several wolves, giving him the opportunity to get to MUJOE.
SHIRO:
Why’d you do that, dammit?! I wasn’t actually open and as you can see I’ve got things handled!
MUJOE:
Laughs weakly.
Like I said, I’ve got principals…and another one of them is not to let the kids of people I like get hurt.
SHIRO groans.
SHIRO:
Dammit, you’re one hell of a burden. C’mon!
SHIRO acts as a crutch for MUJOE and the two are able to limp away for a bit before becoming surrounded by wolves again. SHIRO glances around and smirks, wryly taking in their situation.
SHIRO:
Gotta say, this kind of anime-like development wasn’t how I imagined myself shuffling off this crappy mortal coil.
MUJOE:
Let me go, kid.
SHIRO gives MUJOE an unreadable look.
MUJOE:
It’s cause of my screw up that we’re in this situation to begin with and you’ve got lots going for yourself. If you run away you can still get out of here without being hurt and call that friend of yours.
SHIRO:
Heheh, while you’re right about this being your fault, I don’t like being told what to do.
MUJOE blinks and glances down at SHIRO.
SHIRO:
So screw you, you bumbling dumbass. I’ll figure out a way out of this that saves us both, or we’re going down together. Got it?
MUJOE’s eyes water up.
MUJOE:
You really are a chip off the old block kid.
SHIRO and MUJOE fist bump, as SHIRO wills a bomb into existence. To his surprise as he does this he hears…crying? He turns to his side and the ghostly form of BAELFAEL is futility wiping tears away with his fist.
SHIRO:
…why are you crying?
BAELFAEL:
Through tears.
That’s what you ask?! Not “Why are you here?”
SHIRO:
I’ve given up trying to understand you people.
BAELFAEL:
Sniffles.
Well if you must know, this kind of development is totally anime man, the rivals stuck together in a bleak situation choose to go down together rather than abandon each other…ugh, it’s a shounen lover’s dream….!
SHIRO:
…oh right you were a nerd who was into anime weren’t you?
BAELFAEL stops crying abruptly and begins to leave.
SHIRO:
Wait, wait, wait, wait! Okay! I get it, help me out here!
SHIRO’s bomb suddenly flares into a mini fireball that expands in shape.
MUJOE:
W-what’s that?!
SHIRO:
It’s our last minute ass-pull anime like development!
MUJOE blinks at this but shrugs.
MUJOE:
One of my other principals is to not look a gift horse in the mouth.
SHIRO tosses the bomb and what follows is an energy blast that rockets up to the sky and shakes the nearby surroundings with a shockwave and burst of light that can be seen for miles. When the debris and dust clear, SHIRO, MUJOE and the two hige-hige bandits lie in a pile of smoking trees and unconscious wolves. SHIRO coughs and sighs as he looks at his hand, full of dust and dirt.
SHIRO:
I really do suck at this superhero thing, but hey at least that’s one more element down. Not the one I was hoping for, but I’ll take it.
Above them, SHIRO can hear something like a helicopter? He blinks and sits up slowly as he sees it flying toward them. Onboard the copter is KIIRO, CROW, KURO and NITROS, along with the pilot. Apparently this was KIIRO’s resource?
KIIRO:
Turns out a lot o’ people really enjoyed my show, so I got all kinds of favors. Heheh, never underestimate the power of showmanship!
CROW:
Not gonna lie, I’m impressed.
NITROS:
That impresses me, yeah, but what really does is whatever caused that massive explosion! Kuro, are you sure Shiro’s there?
KURO nods.
KURO:
Shiro told me himself that whenever there’s trouble he’ll be there either putting an end to it or causing it. This is definitely him doing the former.
On the ground MUJOE awakens and chuckles to himself.
MUJOE:
Seems like your ride is here.
SHIRO:
Yeah….though I guess this isn’t a good thing for you. I mean if they get down here you’re probably going away for a while, even if I don’t say anything.
MUJOE’s eye sparkles.
MUJOE:
That’s why you’re gonna do me a favor, kid. Could you send me off in style?
SHIRO frowns.
SHIRO:
I uh…guess so.
MUJOE nods knowingly.
MUJOE:
Nice to know that you’re a good guy like your pops.
SHIRO:
I don’t suppose you’re gonna tell me about my Dad?
MUJOE:
A man is nothing but his principals, kiddo.
SHIRO sighs but allows himself a smile.
SHIRO:
Smell ya later, dude.
The hige-hige bandits look less than thrilled with whatever SHIRO and MUJOE have in mind, and rightfully so –they fist bump one more time and then before anyone can react, SHIRO blasts them into the sky where they fly off and disappear in a very anime-like fashion, leaving SHIRO alone as the spotlight from the helicopter focuses on him. Meanwhile, REGULUS stands at the top of a tree, checking out news on his phone until he runs upon a particular story that captures his interest.
REGULUS:
Reading.
“Citizens should avoid the forests this month as this is the time where the native wolf species mate, and therefore can be extremely hostile to strangers in their territory.”
He considers this for a moment and shrugs.
REGULUS:
I’m sure the kid can handle himself, but I wonder what’s taking so long?
***
The next day, BAGULAR is watching something on a laptop when he hears a knock on the door of his office.
BAGULAR:
Come in.
The door opens and it is once again TERRORIN who approaches his desk and with a bow says…
TERRORIN:
He is on the phone, sir.
BAGULAR nods and TERROIN leaves to patch it over, and in a moment MUJOE is on the line.
BAGULAR:
So? Do you have him?
MUJOE is still in the outfit he wore that night, complete with all of the dirt and scuff marks he earned while with SHIRO. He takes a deep breath and clears his throat.
MUJOE:
Ummm…things kind of hit a snag and er…well, no sir, I wasn’t able to “arrange” a meeting.
BAGULAR expels some air and nods into the receiver.
BAGULAR:
No matter. Come back here Mujoe, you’ve done well in bringing this to my attention.
MUJOE is so shocked by this that he drops the payphone, but before it hits the ground the hige-hige bandits with him catch it and hold it up.
MUJOE:
Y—you mean it, sir? I did a good job?
BAGULAR:
Do not make me state it twice, Mujoe.
MUJOE straightens up.
MUJOE:
Yes, sir! I’ll be back in a moment!
BAGULAR:
Good. Be back quickly.
He hangs up and taps his finger on the desk for a moment before picking up the phone and calling another internal number, and in a moment, TERRORIN picks up.
TERRORIN:
Yes sir, what may I do for you.
BAGULAR:
I give praise where it’s due Terrorin. Your foresight in putting a tracker and live feed device on Mujoe’s clothes was impeccable.
TERRORIN:
I thought it would be the only means of making him useful, sir.
BAGULAR:
Very good. While he wasn’t able to bring that bomber back, I was at least able to see his abilities…and it is true that he can use bombs of different elements….however as he is in Ein’s pocket, I can’t act upon this information as soon as I’d like.
He grins a dark, wrong smile.
BAGULAR:
But you’ll fix that for me soon won’t you Terroin?
TERROIN:
Of course, sir.
BAGULAR hangs up the phone and leans back in his seat, pressing play on the video captured from MUJOE’s experience with SHIRO in the forest, as he blows away the wolves with a wind bomb, and uses the powered up fire bomb –his dark wrong smile growing more twisted as the video continues.
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.