Chapter Text
SHIRO leans against the window of the train, the vibrations from the window and the low hum as it breezes along the track filling him with a sense of tranquility. Riding the train to school is one thing, but being en route to a new location is both exciting and calming strangely enough –maybe because it serves as a reminder that the world is a big place that doesn’t particularly care if he fails or succeeds. Which is to say, he can do whatever the hell he wants, and if it wants to help out it can, otherwise he doesn’t have to feel bad that he ignores it whenever possible. In fact, he might start ignoring the world now and get a little shut eye….
NITROS:
Hey Shiro, you doing okay over there?
SHIRO blinks and leans over so that he’s upright.
SHIRO:
Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking of stuff.
NITROS and his twin sister DYNA sit across from SHIRO accompanying him –or is he accompanying them? On this train ride through the countryside near –and away from Diamond City. SHIRO sees a few places he recognizes –mom and pop stores where he once hung out, and lots where he used to play. Although he’d often accompany his Dad into the big city, there was something about the country that appeals to him –the wild unrestrained connection between man and nature…he then suddenly laughs to himself about something…
DYNA:
Hm? You see something funny?
She scoots to the window to get a view of whatever SHIRO is seeing, her long blond hair tied in a braid that swooshes as she moves, catching SHIRO’s attention.
SHIRO:
No, no, it’s just…ah, it’s dumb.
DYNA:
Try me.
SHIRO rubs the back of his head nervously, sheepishly.
SHIRO:
I know you guys come from the ‘shore, so try not to get offended, okay?
NITROS:
Ummm, okay?
SHIRO:
I’ve talked about my Grandma, and you know she has a shrine, right? In the summer people would come from the cities since they had free time and frequent the place when it was in better condition….a lot of those “trendy” tourist types. Grandma didn’t care much for ‘em though, in fact she called them, um…”citidiots”
DYNA:
“Citidiots”…
SHIRO:
Y—yeah, I was just reminded of that looking out the window.
NITROS:
Laughing.
I keep forgetting you come from the countryside. Is that how you guys see urbanites?
SHIRO waves his arm dismissively.
SHIRO:
Not all of us, just the old fogies. You know how it goes. I guess I’m a little different because I lived in a city for three years on my own…. It’s all part of the spin, y’know?
NITROS:
Yeah, I guess that’s why it’s hard to believe you grew up out here, unlike us.
DYNA:
Though what’s important is that we take pride in where we came from!
NITROS:
Totally, which is why we’re going to need your help, Shiro. I had my feelings on you being a guy to rely on, but after seeing you take charge with that whole robot matter cinched it.
DYNA playfully shoves her brother.
DYNA:
Don’t downplay it, little bro. You’ve been talking endlessly about him since then! It’s enough to be a little annoying, really.
SHIRO’s face flushes red and he looks out the window.
SHIRO:
It was nothing major. Stuff needed to get done, and I was in a position to do it.
DYNA leans forward.
DYNA:
So what’s this about you having the power of different elemental bombs?
SHIRO frowns and glances at NITROS who simpers under scrutiny.
NITROS:
I might have….said a thing to her, but she pretty much demanded to know more when I said I was going to ask for your help.
SHIRO sighs and leans back, his arms up on the top of the seat.
SHIRO:
I guess I should have specifically included “family” in my request to not tell anyone, so I’m probably at blame here.
DYNA looks between the two men and frowns.
DYNA:
So are you two going to answer my question or continue being frustratingly vague?
SHIRO nods at DYNA and sits up, clasping his hands together.
SHIRO:
I can make bombs of different elements thanks to an experience I had, yeah. Though before I go into that, why are we headed down to the ‘shore, and why isn’t this official base business?
NITROS and DYNA trade an uncomfortable glance.
NITROS:
Right….um, Shiro what we’re doing would be frowned upon by the base, so it is extremely important we keep it a secret.
SHIRO blinks but nods in agreement.
NITROS:
So our home in Scarlet Shore is suffering from a bit of a…uh,…Drug Problem, and while the base has tried their best to keep it under control, the matter has only gotten worse leading to a standoff with the shore in the balance.
SHIRO considers this for a moment –he has heard some unfortunate things about the shore from his Dad, but that seemed far away and therefore no more than a distant concern for him. To hear it now from people who are from the area…
SHIRO:
So we’re going there to….what exactly?
DYNA answers while making circle motions with her hand, a bangle dangling and chiming as she does.
DYNA:
Maybe bust a few heads, maybe save the day, y’know, sightseening….stuff.
NITROS:
D—Dyna, seriously, don’t….(exasperated) Sorry, my sister is a bit…
SHIRO:
Nah, I like her style. It’ll keep things from getting boring at any rate.
NITROS stares at him, aghast.
NITROS:
I guess I should have figured this from the way you interact with our teacher, but I was hoping you were a little less insane than her.
DYNA grins.
DYNA:
Sanity is relative, little bro! In any case, I’m surprised you don’t know more about the ‘shore, Shiro.
SHIRO turns to her.
DYNA:
After all, he was the one keeping the ‘shore on lockdown until he died.
SHIRO’s eyebrows furrow at this information –his Dad had always been pretty candid of his activities, to the point that Shiro found crime dramas on TV boring compared to stories from his father. So to not know something is a bit strange –why hadn’t his father mentioned his involvement with the Scarlet Shore?
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 20: Shore Shakedown.
The Scarlet Shore is –appropriate to its name located by the western coast of the contentment where the capital of Bomber star, Diamond city is located. It was once known (and named after) the deep red flowers that used to grow in bountiful numbers along the seashore, but in recent years had picked up the unfortunate reputation of being “scarlet” from the amount of homicide and crime in the area. If the areas surrounding Diamond City are urban sprawl, the Scarlet Shore is urban sprawled-out. The police in the area are overwhelmed by the very unfortunate law vs inorder ratio in the city and because of this most had either gone packing when the chance presented itself, or gave into corruption. Due to this, the ‘shore as it had been called for shorthand due to being in the news so much –is teetering on collapse. EIN establishing the base and having people go there to patrol had alleviated the problem to some extent, but the base could only do so much on its own and therefore, unless a catastrophe occurs had to scale back its presence. As long as there isn’t a full out war occurring on the shore, there’s not much they could do…
At the train station SHIRO, NITROS and DYNA step off and take a stretch as they plan their next move. SHIRO glances around getting a feel for the area, which is to his surprise pretty well kept for a cesspit. (Not his words, but what the media would have one believe.) As if he can read his mind, NITROS turns to SHIRO with a small grin and says…
NITROS:
Yeah, from the outside the city looks pretty normal, just like any other place, but that’s how they get you. You’re not going to catch someone dealing smack in the streets cause anything that brazen is just asking for a smackdown from the base or the few non corrupt cops left.
SHIRO:
Nah, it’s not that it’s just….the state of unease is weirdly…I dunno, absent? Like, I lived in one of the worst parts of Primus for three years, and it always felt like the place was one gang war off from total collapse, but here…
SHIRO makes a vague gesture with his hands.
SHIRO:
I’m not getting any of that here.
NITROS looks worried.
NITROS:
Do you think that’s a sign of something worse going on, Shiro?
SHIRO:
It’s hard to say. It could very well be that things have improved, or something more sinister…we’re going to need to dig deeper in to really find out anything.
DYNA:
I’ve got a contact we can talk to, just let me call them and set up a meet.
NITROS:
Ah right, yeah we should tell him that we’re in town. Thanks for reminding me Dyna.
She nods with a smile and steps aside to make the call. SHIRO finds himself staring out in the distance at a few decrepit buildings and a field browning from disrepair and pollution. It’s funny how a person’s attention immediately focuses on the worst part of a given scenario –in this case, the ‘shore isn’t nearly as bad as he thought it would be –he can see a perfectly blue lake in the distance and a speeding train headed in the opposite direction. With some effort, the ‘shore could go back to being a place worthy of its namesake….
…is that what his father saw when he was alive and working here?
SHIRO:
Hey, Nitros.
NITROS:
Yeah? What’s up?
SHIRO:
Do you know what exactly my Dad was doing out here? I know you said he was keeping the peace, but what does that mean exactly?
NITROS nods thoughtfully, in a bid to remember and frame the answer to the question properly.
NITROS:
I think that like us now, he came out here in an unofficial capacity and kept the peace. I only got to hear of what he did second hand, but he emboldened the few good cops left, and kept the bad guys in check. When you’re as strong as him, I guess it all just comes easily. He left such a huge impression around here that people actually couldn’t believe that he had died even when it became public news.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
I can believe that.
To NITROS.
Considering this place isn’t a smoldering hole after this much time, I assume crime really took it’s time getting set up huh?
NITROS shrugs.
NITROS:
When you heave the responsibility of an entire town on one guy’s shoulders, and he’s no longer able to do the work there’s no need to rush is there?
SHIRO:
True. I just wonder why my old man never thought to tell me he came out here?
NITROS:
I’m sure he had his reasons…
Before SHIRO can doubt this, DYNA joins the two again, her expression chipper.
DYNA:
He says we should meet him at The Liars’ Club –it’s only about 20 minutes from here by bus, and he should be there by the time we arrive.
NITROS:
That’s good, I want to get on this as soon as possible. Sort of surprised he agreed to meet us without a bunch of rigmarole involved…..
He then notices his sister’s “angelic” smile.
NITROS:
Dryly.
You said something, didn’t you.
DYNA:
I might have mentioned that we would most assuredly come to him if he didn’t come to us, yes.
NITROS faceplams as SHIRO looks on confused.
NITROS:
Dyna, while I knew we’d have to use our reputation at one point or another, it’s not very effective if we flash it like a crooked cop does his badge at every problem!
DYNA:
Oh C’mon, what’s the point of having a reputation if you’re not going to use it?
SHIRO:
Um, for one thing, I agree with your sister furthermore….what?
NITROS:
Ah well we…
DYNA steps in front of him and continues speaking.
DYNA:
We’re known as the “Twin Tigers” down here, the go to troubleshooters and shakers. As such there are plenty of people who are rightfully afraid of us and….
NITROS gently pushes her aside and clears his throat.
NITROS:
And those who really wouldn’t mind if we suddenly dropped dead, which is exactly why I wanted to keep this operation on the down low.
SHIRO crosses his arms, an amused smile creeping into his features.
SHIRO:
Your sister definitely seems to be the sort, but Nitros? I can’t picture it, man.
NITROS glares at DYNA who rocks back and forth playfully.
NITROS:
You’d be right! It was mostly Dyna causing trouble and me cleaning it up! She’s the mess and I’m the janitor…!
DYNA snickers.
DYNA:
If it weren’t for that, you wouldn’t have gotten good enough to be at the base, little bro. What’d they say on your acceptance?
NITROS sighs as he and his sister answer in unison.
BOTH:
Strong aptitude, lots of potential and most importantly an ability to think on his feet.
SHIRO:
Whoa, twin stuff is freaky.
NITROS:
Just be glad you weren’t born with a sister like this.
SHIRO:
Hey, only child here. Be lucky you’ve got someone to blame things on in the worst times, and a partner in crime in the best.
The twins exchange glances as SHIRO walks by, a knowing smile on his face.
SHIRO:
Let’s get moving.
DYNA:
Why are you walking in front as if you know where you’re going?
***
The Liars Club is a part general store, part family owned restaurant with thirty years of history and –according to NITROS an amazing dessert menu. Though really, the main draw is that it’s neutral territory to the many gangs in the area, therefore serving as an ideal place to meet for those who are on the outside looking into the nature of the ‘shore. NITROS and his sister are well acquainted with the owner, who is a withered older bomber with kind eyes and shaggy beard. He shakes NITROS’s hand and gives DYNA a big hug upon entry, smiling the whole time he does.
OWNER:
Ah if it isn’t my favorite two tigers! You’ve been away so long that I thought maybe someone had caught you by the toe! Hahahah, get it?
DYNA and NITROS nod patiently as they’re used to this inquiry as SHIRO hangs back until the owner notices him.
OWNER:
Oh what’s this? Seems like you have a ghost haunting you there, kids! Hahah, no, no I’m kidding! Come on in, friend.
SHIRO steps in and takes a quick glance at the old timey mom and pop establishment –tables are nearby for people who want to pop in for something to eat, and a space where a small assortment of groceries are on sale, and beyond that is a stairway leading up to another floor.
OWNER:
Why not take a picture? It’ll last longer! Hahahah!
SHIRO comes back to himself and nods his head apologetically.
SHIRO:
Sorry about that sir.
NITROS:
I’m sorry as well old timer, but we’re here to meet someone…
OWNER:
Oh no need to worry! I wouldn’t want to spend time with an old fogey either, hah! Though yes, someone is waiting upstairs and they mentioned you, so go ahead on up. You know where to go right?
DYNA:
Yup! Thanks!
The owner nods and watches the trio trek up the stairs where a mini hallway with two doors on the left and one at the end of hallway awaits. NITROS and DYNA take the lead and head toward the second of the two doors on the left, knocking twice before opening it up and coming face to face with a bomber admiring the outside view from a window in the room sparsely furnished with a pair of worn couches with knife tears in the cushions and a wooden table with a book acting as a balance between them. On the side of the table is a brown armchair covered by a fine coating of dust shared by the windowsill that the bomber stares out of until the door opens and he turns to them. NITROS eyes him for a moment before smirking as he strides over to the bomber.
NITROS:
Decker, been a while man.
DECKER shares his smirk as he walks forward and grasps NITROS’s hand. He is slightly taller than the latter, and his red-orange hair poking out of the top and sides of his helmet, the bangs of which cover his dark red eyes.
DECKER:
And who’s fault is that? You ran off to the base and didn’t look back –not that I blame you dude. If we were in hell before, we’re circling one of the lower layers now.
He then gives a cursory look at DYNA who waves.
DYNA:
Yo Decker, hows it hangin?
DECKER:
As well as it can be with you calling out of the blue and threatening to level the neighborhood looking for me. If you weren’t one of the tigers I would have taken that as a personal affront.
He then notices SHIRO and inclines his head to him.
DECKER:
And who’s this? Another victim of Dyna the Dangerous?
DYNA:
Pfft, if he were, he’d be bound and gagged. You know how I do.
NITROS:
No, uh, he’s Shiro, a friend of ours.
DECKER offers his hand to SHIRO.
DECKER:
Anyone willing to hang out with these two on purpose has to be pretty badass. Name’s Deckerandra Sarnaik, though I go by Decker.
SHIRO takes his hand and shakes it.
SHIRO:
Shiro. Nice to meet you Decker.
DECKER nods in kind and motions over to the couch and chair, where they all take a seat –SHIRO on one couch, the twins on another, and DECKER in the chair.
DECKER:
I’m assuming since you went as far as getting extra help that this isn’t a funtimes visit, yeah?
NITROS nods leaning forward.
NITROS:
We heard through the grape vine that some serious business is going on Decker, and I don’t mean an effort to restore the ‘shore to its former glory. I’m talking about the drug trade, and how people are getting strung out in the streets. As this is my---no our stomping grounds, I can’t have that base cadet or not. You’re the eyes and ears of the streets, so I know you’ve got the 411 on what’s going on, so start talking.
SHIRO is taken aback by NITROS’s authoritative tone. In school he seems like the quiet and agreeable type, but when it comes to matters of his home he can become the tiger he’s named after. DECKER and DYNA don’t seem at all surprised by this, however.
DECKER:
First off, I need an assurance that you’re not here to take me to the base –not as a cadet but y’know…
He rotates his hand in the air and DYNA shakes her head.
DYNA:
Naw man, we’re here on the downlow too. This is and stays between us.
DECKER:
First hurdle cleared.
DECKER leans back, relaxed that this conversation won’t end with him in jail but still noticeably wary.
DECKER:
And you know how the ‘shore works right? I’m not in this for charity.
NITROS eyes him and nods, digging into his pocket and unfolding a wad of cash, surprising SHIRO –where on earth had he gotten that money?
NITROS:
I think you’ll find I pay a fair price for information.
DECKER whistles and smirks, taking the money from NITROS and pocketing it.
DECKER:
All’s fair in cash and war. Anyway, yeah the ‘shore’s seen a new kind of smack hitting the streets, it’s called Golden.
DYNA:
Golden? What’s that?
DECKER sits up and rubs his thumb and index finger together as he talks, keeping his eye on his hand rather than the group in front of him.
DECKER:
It’s crazy stuff man –it looks like your run of the mill snort able junk except it apparently costs about half as much to manufacture and the high one gets from it lasts twice as long. ‘Course that just means the fallout is twice as bad.
DYNA cast a gaze downward.
DYNA:
One of our close friends got caught up with the stuff and overdosed….I was just calling home to check up on her and her parents were completely devastated. She suffered from after effects right up until she died in great pain.
DECKER:
Yeah, I heard. It’s pretty screwed up, but there’s not a whole lot anyone can do ever since Mighty died there’s been a power vacuum on the streets, and then Golden shows up and it’s like the great uniter.
NITROS:
What do you mean?
SHIRO chimes in nodding his head in understanding.
SHIRO:
Money is the cause of and solution to all of life’s problems. If the gangs were ready to fight for supremacy, all someone needs to do is toss ‘em a little cash or a money making venture and they’ll eat out of your hands. If this Golden is as potent as he’s saying, then the reason why I didn’t sense any sort of dissention is because everyone is on the same side –the one of cash, the almighty.
DECKER:
Bingo. Thing is, no one really knows much about where the Golden came from –it was just the same old on the streets one day, and then the next people are getting cranked on gold.
NITROS:
DO you have any leads, Decker?
DECKER’s eyes dart around the room as if he’s checking for someone before he answers.
DECKER:
You know how Sunnyday Projects was burnt to the ground a little before you and Dyna ended up at the base right?
SHIRO glances over at DYNA, he’s aware of where the name came from –Kirati Sunnyday, an activist who worked with disadvantaged children in the ‘shore, and that something had happened to it, but isn’t too clear on the details as most people have written off the area as a lost cause and as mentioned before, the media gives a negative spin on things even if they may not necessarily be true. DYNA nods and without turning to SHIRO answers the unasked question.
DYNA:
Sunnyday Projects was the site of a gang confrontation that started for some stupid reason no one remembers, and ended with what could politely be called a crater in the ground. Most people stay away from that place as it’s a reminder of just how wrong things can go, but…
DECKER grins.
DECKER:
If I were moving in to the neighborhood and up to no good I’d want some privacy, ya dig?
NITROS:
Gotcha Decker. You still got our storehouse key?
At this DECKER sits up at attention, all joviality gone replaced instead with alarm.
DECKER:
Y—yeah. Though what the hell are you planning on doing, bro?
A smile creeps up DYNA’s face as she realizes what her twin brother is alluding to.
DYNA:
Ohoho, I like this idea Nitros, I like it a lot.
NITROS:
If the base and the police won’t bring the boom, then we’ll just have to ourselves.
DECKER sweats at this and shakes his head disapprovingly.
DECKER:
Bro, listen I know how you feel but rushing into trouble is a Dyna move, not a Nitros one.
NITROS stands up and pounds his fist into his open hand.
NITROS:
You’re either part of the solution or the problem, Decker. I’m not going to stop you from doing what you have to do to survive, but at the very least you don’t outright kill people. Whomever brought Golden into our midst doesn’t care about human life and has no place in my town.
DECKER frowns at NITROS’s comment and sighs, producing a key from his pocket and handing it to NITROS.
DYNA:
You had it with you?
DECKER:
I came ready to talk you out of this, not your brother. Not much I can do if he wants to go holy Pegasus on ‘em, but dude be sure to forget you know me if things get screwed up.
DYNA winks and smiles.
DYNA:
The Twin Tigers don’t “screw things up”, so no need to worry.
DECKER:
That just worries me more.
TO SHIRO.
Be careful man, I’m not sure why you’re involved in this but you’re liable to die if you stay in bad company.
SHIRO:
I’ll take my chances.
DECKER:
Your funeral.
NITROS strides out of the room, his sister and SHIRO following after him, though SHIRO stops and as the door closes can’t help thinking DECKER is hiding something as he enigmatically watches them leave…
***
Sometime later, they have arrived at an abandoned warehouse and make their way to the bottom floor where NITROS uses the key he got from DECKER and opens a door that leads to a small array materials such as empty containers, tape, wires, and empty bottles. NITROS passes these and opens up a box on the floor as DYNA opens a side panel and takes out a backpack. SHIRO watches as they load what seems to be objects about as big as CD cases into the bag, as SHIRO examines the bottles.
SHIRO:
So uh, you guys do this often? When you were back here I mean.
NITROS answers without stopping what he’s doing.
NITROS:
Since I’m a pyromancer I don’t have the luxury of having a weapon constantly on me, and if I get caught in a downpour I’m screwed, so Dyna and I started putting together tools to make up for that.
He holds up one of the small silver CD-cased things allowing SHIRO to see it.
NITROS:
These are stickies. They have a rubber grip on the edge which makes them easy to hold, and they produce explosions when I can’t bring the fire. They’re not exactly legal in the strictest sense of the word, so we left them behind when we became cadets, but a time like this doesn’t allow us the luxury to be picky.
SHIRO leans against a wall, crossing his arms as he does so.
SHIRO:
I’m not at all adverse to kicking ass and taking names, but do we have some sort of plan here? I’m not trying to go in ten deep for them to roll up with eleven.
NITROS:
Shiro, I get what you mean, but we have to make the primitive strike. It won’t be too long before people start figuring out we’re here and then we’ll lose the element of surprise, which is essentially all we have here.
DYNA:
Besides, if they’re operating in secrecy in a place like this, it means they’re not trying to attract attention. Perfect for a mini militia like us to sweep in and storm the joint.
SHIRO:
I suppose….though I still feel like we should get a little more info.
NITROS stops and appears to be considering this.
NITROS:
Y—yeah, I got kind of heated and didn’t think about that.
He turns to DYNA.
NITROS:
We’ll take some of the weapons, but head to Sunnyday Projects to spy. If we need to bring the heat---
DYNA pouts.
DYNA:
Yeah, yeah I know, okay? I honestly think it would have been much more fun the other way, but whatever.
She glares at SHIRO.
DYNA:
And here I was thinking we understood each other.
NITROS grins.
NITROS:
Thanks Shiro, I needed that.
SHIRO:
Hey, no problem. After my time away I learned cooler heads will prevail…until a fist in the face is necessary.
DYNA:
Someday you really do have to tell us where you went and what you did.
SHIRO:
Maybe if I feel like it.
They pack their bags and head off, to Sunnyday Projects. Meanwhile in an undisclosed location, a phone rings and a human woman picks it up. She is in an office of some kind –with the kind of lighting that would be acceptable in another location but is only jarring here as it swings between being too bright and not bright enough. She nods at whoever is speaking and purses her lips upon hearing a particular bit of information, breaking into a smile and after the speaker is done.
WOMAN:
I didn’t think I’d be this fortunate at all, much less this soon. Thank you for the information –you will be compensated appropriately…..just leave everything else to me.
She hangs up the phone and rises from her seat, her features clear. Her tan skin and brown hair are close in hue, but slightly different as her hair is closer to chocolate brown and therefore darker than her skin tone, her lips full and pink as she strides forward, her white gown fitted to her body, around her hips a silver belt with three rounded objects. She opens the door to her office to a dingy storeroom where a large man in a three piece suit, black hair, tan skin and eyes hidden behind shades stands like a statue on the left side of the doorframe that he is nearly taller than.
LADY:
Harumo.
He crosses his arms and stares down at the woman.
HARUMO:
Yes, Doña.
LADY:
It seems we have esteemed guests on their way. Do bring them to me so we may have a meeting.
HARUMO:
Of course.
LADY:
Oh, and don’t be afraid to rough them up a little…I do believe a little tough love may be necessary.
HARUMO smirks at this and nods.
HARUMO:
Understood.
LADY:
You can see if our newest “customers” will serve you well.
HARUMO nods and strides away leaving the lady behind, her smile equal parts sinister as it is enigmatic. Meanwhile SHIRO, DYNA and NITROS have shown up in Sunnyday Projects –and as described earlier it really does look like a crater –parts of buildings are conspicuously missing, holes are in the soil all over, and the unmistakable smell of burning smoke covers the area. SHIRO had never really considered just how much lasting damage bombs could do, but now he takes that into advisement for the next time he picks up a bomb…
NITROS:
Stay alert. While they probably don’t know we’re here, we also don’t know where they’re lurking so…
SHIRO:
Gotcha.
DYNA nods and the three slowly comb the area looking for leads. This is made more difficult as they’re not exactly sure of what they should be looking for and the constant state of weariness of their surroundings. SHIRO peers over at DYNA and heads over to her –
SHIRO:
Uh, bad timing I know, but I gotta know…why aren’t you in the same class with your brother?
DYNA blinks and tilts her head.
DYNA:
Acknowledging its bad timing doesn’t make it any better.
SHIRO glares as she stifles a laugh.
DYNA:
Sorry, sorry, I love giving boys a hard time. To be honest, I probably could have made it in over Nitros if I wanted to, but he’s the type who can only get into something when he’s forced to.
SHIRO:
Forced to?
DYNA:
Nodding.
Like look at him now. Focused, determined, steadfast –he’s only able to be like this when he’s got to be. Otherwise he settles into this kind of….I dunno, niche? So as his older sister, I gotta push him to be the best he can be. So I bowed out of class Zero and let him take it, settling for the other class instead.
SHIRO:
I see….yeah, this isn’t like the guy I know from the base.
DYNA:
I think a lot of it has to do with you as well.
SHIRO:
Me? What did I do?
DYNA:
You’re all of those things I mentioned, just all of the time. It’s a real shot in the arm to be around someone like you, whether it’s as a friend or an enemy. Though it makes me wonder something –why would someone like you be at the base?
SHIRO:
Huh? What do you mean?
DYNA:
It’s just---
Before she can finish that sentence, they hear an explosion and NITROS yelling, and dashes off to him with SHIRO in hot pursuit. When the two arrive, they find NITROS surrounded by a group of BOMBERS, a large man in a suit behind them. SHIRO wills a bomb as does DYNA, but there’s something wrong here –the bombers stand tilted to the side, some hunched over like animals, while others breathe raggedly clearly exhausted but on their feet. Although they are of different genders and ages, they share one commonality –their eyes are glowing golden.
SHIRO:
What the hell is going on here?!
NITROS turns to them and shouts.
NITROS:
I was investigating when I got surrounded! Be careful, while I was able to fight off a few, they’re scary strong! I think they might be under the influence!
SHIRO:
Under the influence….wait…you don’t think…
DYNA growls.
DYNA:
I’m beginning to think Decker might have left off a little bit on his explanation of what’s going on here.
SHIRO:
That’s what I was thinking too. Let’s go bail your brother out!
DYNA nods and they dash forward to the scene, SHIRO jumping into the air using a wind bomb and landing in the middle with a dab and pose to summon the power of electricity as DYNA ducks under a bomb from a bomber and responds with one of her own. To her surprise the explosion behind her is twice the radius as usual, nearly sending her flying from the impact.
DYNA:
It makes their bomb power stronger too?! You’ve gotta be kidding me!
She’s about to retaliate when the thunder bomb explosion freezes everyone in their places.
DYNA:
GAH!
NITROS:
S-S-S-SHIROO!!
SHIRO:
Sorry! Still getting the hang of this!
HARUMO who’s watching narrows his eyes and digs in his pocket for something while watching the bombers fight, NITROS using the stickies to create distance between him and his opponents, unable to use his pyromancer techniques due to the opponents being civilians.
NITROS:
Of all the people to come up against….good thing I packed these!
A bomber suddenly rushes up to him, and with a shout clocks him on the back of the head with an unexploded bomb, knocking NITROS out.
DYNA:
NITROS!!
SHIRO notices this and turns his attention on the group, willing another thunder bomb to stop them in their tracks as they lift NITROS on their shoulders and prepare to take him away.
SHIRO:
Not on my watch you won’t!
He rushes towards NITROS, leaping on Bombers to advance until he’s hit in the chest with something and falls to the ground.
SHIRO:
What the hell?!
He glances upward and sees HARUMO with his finger extended as if he had just flicked something at him, and looking down SHIRO sees a vial and needle bounce harmlessly away.
SHIRO:
What did he do—
A flash of golden light burns in SHIRO’s eyes, and he falls backward dizzy.
SHIRO:
What the hell is….
Suddenly he feels energy pouring through his body and the unrestrained need to use it. To use everything and then go searching for more, more, more. He wants to use himself until right before there’s nothing left and do it all over again. To bomb, to destroy to embrace the fire he had been stifling for so long and let it consume him whole…it’s an alien train of thoughts that SHIRO experiences and is at the same time a spectator for –he watches himself from far away rise to one knee about to do something, and although he’s not sure what it is, he’s sure it’ll be unpleasant. SHIRO –the spectator one leans down and tries to pull SHIRO –the real one back but he shrugs his hand off his shoulder.
SHIRO:
Dude, wait! What are you doing?!
He then drowns in darkness, unable to see what happens next.
DYNA stares at SHIRO whose head is down, as he remains unmoving.
DYNA:
Shi—Shiro?
SHIRO is still on one knee as he raises his head and glares back at DYNA, his eyes golden, a bomb of immense power forming in his free hand. Unsure of what will happen next, DYNA is frozen in place.
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.