Welcome to Gaia! ::

been working on variations of this for a while. first two chapters comment, critisize, critique (god I"m tired) italics are thoughts this is long

A boy in blue pants and a white t-shirt opened the door to office 732, stepping inside. The man at the desk seemed to be in his late twenties. Short light brown hair, a casual green collared shirt. The man was flipping through papers, tossing folders left and right over the desk. He set his hand on his cheek, pondering for a second before he opened a drawer on his right, calmly flipping through the contents.

“Ha! I found it,” called the man triumphantly, placing the file on the desk. The click of the door as it hit the frame took the man’s face from the file, “Oh sorry, you must be Sikatsu, right?” asked the man leaning his elbow against the desk.

“That’s me,” answered Zae, walking forward and extending a hand, “Zae Sikatsu,”

Not exactly organized is he

“Mario Rainaldi, pleased to meet you,” said Mario, accepting Zae’s hand, “Mario if you would. Please take a seat,” offered Mario, motioning with his hand to the chairs in front of the desk.

Zae removed the bass guitar case, revealing a pair of drumsticks held in a pouch on the underside of the case. He leaned the case against the seat, sitting down and relaxing in the seat.

“You’re quite the interesting person I see, do you play?” said Mario, glancing up from the file.

Yeah, his file says that interesting doesn’t cut it

“Huh, oh the guitar? It was one of the courses I took, I’m not the greatest but I can play. Drums too.”

“Hmm, pretty cool,” Mario paused for a moment,” Three auras?”

“Yeah, nothing too interesting,”

“Actually that’s pretty interesting. Full control?”

“No, not really. I know some of the stuff but I’ve been told I’ve got a long way to go,”

Well considering he had three auras to master, he’s a quick learner. Of course his file says he should be.

“Hmm, interesting. Well, I guess I’ll get started, full intro. Welcome to Advent Academy, though the academy is located in Japan we are a multi ethnic school. Unlike some boarding schools, you basically live here, yes there are holidays, but only if you register to leave. Here at Advent Academy, we have, in basics, our own city. Communities, malls, parks, buildings, traffic. We’re trying to simulate life, where everyone is equal. Not everyone here has auras, all the students do, but some adults don’t. We have regular classes, extra curricular classes, and aura classes. Housing is different, and as a student you pay no charge for anything, but that’s about it. It’s kind of confusing because some of the stuff defeats itself but you get used to it after a while,”

“Sounds simple enough when said,”

This outta be fun

“It’s just like life outside, without the negative. Seems like just the right environment for you, since you haven’t been outside in, what is it, ten years, or even home for that matter,”

“Yeah, I’ve only spoken to two people for ten years since I was 3. I only started talking to more people last month, it was a reintroduction class when I was notified for transfer,”

“Wow, ten years. Must have been tough?”

“Mostly, though I don’t remember anyone before I got there,”

“I think you’ll like it here. But before you go I have a present for you, everyone else got a present so I’ve gotta give you one. Follow me.” Mario stood up, motioning for Zae to follow.

Zae shouldered his guitar case and the pair stepped out the door and walked down the hall. Mario pulled out a key from his left front pocket and opened the door down the hall, stepping in and closing the door behind them. The room was a weapons armory, not for modern weapons but for old weapons, claymores, bows, spears, knives, katanas; most any weapon other than the gun was in the armory.

“Pick one,” said Mario, motioning towards the weapons.

Zae stepped forward, glancing at the weapons racks, the cases, and the stands. He reached out for a specific bo, expertly swinging and spinning it until he was satisfied.

“I think I found it,” said Zae, holding the bo on his shoulder.

“I’m guessing-“ started Mario.

“Yeah, I know I know. Bye, the bye though, what’s this for?” asked Zae.

“Ten years after the research of auras began, the aura community decided to have annual competitions between each other, all over the world. In this great competition, only one teams gets to go down as the best, and only one person gets to go down as the greatest. Fun and drinks for the aura community,”

“Sounds fun,”

“It is. Fights, matches of whit, team fights, survival. Just fun and games. You are allowed more than one weapon, though only one is provided,” Mario checked his watch, “oh boy, seems I need to cut this meeting short. Let’s get you a holster for the bo, you can attach this to your guitar case,” Mario handed Zae a piece of leather, “place it over the bo and attach it to your case, the holster will make a six inch hold on the case and you can place your bo there. You can tear that holster and it’ll repair itself. I see you’ve already arranged your drumsticks. You live close to Itsumo Park. The address is 3786 in the park district on Nakushita street,” Mario extended a hand, “Nice to meet you Zae, hope we meet in the future,”

“Likewise Mario. Do you mind if I break a window?”

“No not at all,”

"See ya," said Zae, breaking through the seventh story window. Zae dove out the window, shattering the glass as he passed through. He pulled the pole from the holster on the guitar case, slamming it into the ground to control the shock and he fell the last six feet. Zae replaced the bo back in its holster, stepping away from the crater in the concrete he had left.

Ow, that hurt

Zae walked away from the registrations building, walking down the main street to Itsumo Park. It had been a long time since he was outside, ten years to be correct. The fresh air, the bright lights, they were new real sensations. Not pictures or paintings but the real thing. Zae walked over to a tree, caressing the bark, the leaves, enjoying every new memorable sensation. All he had ever remembered was a white wall room, no windows, no natural light, no real outside, just a white interior that he could never escape from; that up until now he would never have a reason to escape from. Crisp autumn air, the clear air, and the sensations of no boundaries. A new sense of awareness and being entered Zae, as he closed his eyes and embraced the crisp autumn breeze. Zae took in a deep breath, cherishing the fresh air. Almost as if he were learning to breathe, he couldn’t help feeling happy.

“Hey kid, you’re new here, right?”

“Yeah, but I usually don’t answer to kid, my name’s Zae.” Zae turned around and saw a boy, maybe a couple years older than he was, black jacket on, tall, broad shoulders, looked like a muscle builder. Slicked back brown hair, large hands and arms.

“Doesn’t really matter to me except the fact that you need to be broken in,”

Zae curiously raised an eyebrow, “What?”

“I wanna fight you, aura battle,” said the other boy, his face suddenly turning serious.

“Do I have the liberty to not accept your challenge?” asked Zae placed his hand on his neck.

“I’d prefer you didn’t,”

Hehe, I’d be able to see why you wouldn’t accept. New kids are always easy to break in.

“I’m feeling happy, I accept,”

“First one on the ground loses,”

The other boy began using his aura immediately, surrounding his arms with magma and hurling streams of lava out of his hands. Zae grabbed a something from his case, running at the other boy and easily dodging each stream of lava. As Zae got close he jumped into the air and brought his weapon down on the other boy, to find that he hadn’t pick up his bo, but instead he had picked up his guitar!

What the heck!!!

Zae slipped the guitar strap over his shoulder, slamming down a chord and hitting the whammy bar, amplifying the sound as it left his guitar and directing it at the other boy before he hit the ground. The other boy flew through the air, slamming into a tree and falling to the ground unconscious.

Zae took the guitar off his shoulder, spinning it in his hand and then holding it behind his back, “Woops, wrong one,”

A man stepped forward, “You’re the winner of this match, it’s very rare you see someone win against Jared their first try. See you around,”

The kid’s amazing; he’s got such great speed and strength. Jared’s around two hundred pounds, not including the weight of the magma on his arms. The kid sent him flying, probably not even at full power. And he was dodging the lava like it was nothing, having complete fun along the way. Who is this kid?

Zae walked over to the case, tucking his guitar inside and shouldering the entire package.

Whoa, where’d he come from?

Zae walked through the park, coming upon a large house shaded in trees near the street. Zae grabbed onto the top of the fence, swinging himself over the top and landing with a thump. On the other side of the fence Zae found a small waterfall, about ten feet high. The waterfall was a branch stream of the river that ran through the park. The stream ran through the yard, and left under the fence. The rest of the yard was covered in trees, grass; small rolling hills dotted the yard, creating shadows across the grass. Zae walked forward, admiring the garden near the water as stepped onto the walkway and walked into the house.

“Hello, I’m the new resident. Anybody home?” called Zae, walking into the room and removing his shoes.

Zae picked up his shoes and stepped onto the wood floor, walking into the empty lobby and staring out the front window. The world out the window was different from the park. There were trolleys and cars, cement and glass windows. Tall buildings and metal, a different world, a different life, in it’s own sense.

“Who’re you?”

Zae turned around, “Hey, I’m Zae Sikatsu, the new resident here,”

The boy was Zae’s age, longer black hair that stopped at his neck. Brown eyes, an unbuttoned khaki shirt over a black t-shirt and blue denim pants, “Oh I didn’t know you’d be coming this early,”

Zae looked out the window again, “This is early?” Zae raised an eyebrow; it couldn’t have been earlier than eleven in the morning.

“Oh, hehe,” the other boy closed his eyes in a big grin, looking down and ruffling his hair, “sorry, I read the part of your file they gave us. It’s Saturday and that means celebrate, no classes for us. Bye the way, I’m Kale Stephens,”

Not really a strange guy, for not having been outside for ten years he acts pretty normal

Zae took Kale’s outstretched hand, “Nice to meet you,”

“Ah, it seems I’ve forgotten my manners, is there anything you need, drink, food, anything?”

“I think a glass of water would do thank you,”

“Okay, I’ll go grab a glass,” Said Kale, turning around and walking into the kitchen.

“KYYYYAAAAAHH!!!” A blast of energy hit Zae in the head and he flew to the side. Zae unhooked his bo as he fell, slamming the tip into the ground and balanced his weight against the bo and raising his legs of the ground. Another blast hit the bottom of the bo and Zae fell. He twisted in the air caught himself on his left hand and his feet. He held his bo on his back, and looked up from the ground.

Outside the doorway was a girl with long black hair that grew past her shoulders, She was wearing a pair of blue denim pants, and a green sweatshirt, her hand was extended at Zae.

Kale walked into the room, “I hope I’m not interrupting something,” he was carrying three glasses obviously having heard the commotion, “What’s up Mingmei?”

“Who’s this, I told you, we’re not having anyone over today. Do I need to remind you that there’s a new resident, oh wait,” Mingmei looked toward Zae and gave a smile, “Sorry, sorry, you’re the new resident aren’t you?” Mingmei walked over to Zae, extending a helping hand.

God, I feel like an idiot now

Zae took her hand, standing up and putting the bo back in its holster, “Thanks,”

Kale stepped forward, “Here’s your drink,”

Zae took a glass, “Thanks, man, I haven’t had water in forever,”

“What?” asked Mingmei, taking a glass from Kale.

“It was part of the program I was in, instead of having regular drinks they gave me scientifically made energy booster drinks as an alteration to the data. Not like I needed it I collect enough energy every day,” answered Zae, slowly taking a sip of water. The cool liquid slid down Zae’s throat, creating sensations that Zae could barely recall.

“Well, Teshi and Asimah are out shopping, Tempeste is studying at the coffee shop, and Raeka is over at the gym. Would you like us to show you to your room?” said Mingmei.

“Ok,” replied Zae, taking another sip of water.

Mingmei turned around and headed out the doorway, again revealing the yard. Mingmei lead the way up a flight of stairs and onto an overhanging walkway. She walked past the second flight of stairs and into the room next to them.

“Well, this is it. Home,” said Mingmei, turning so Zae could look.

Zae walked in a smiled, “hehe,” he chuckled lightly, “Home,”

The room was decorated with colors he only had just begun to experience, greens, and blues, yellows and reds. The room was decorated well. There was another door to the inside hallway, across the room from the other entrance. A door split the two-part room. On one half there was a futon and a closet, and on the other side was a table and a desk.

“Well, I’m above you and Kale is just down the hall. You should be able to find things easily. Just call if you need,” Mingmei smiled and left Kale and Zae.

Zae took off his guitar, finding a stand he took out the bo and put the case on the stand, placing the bo behind it.

“I’ll take your glass,” Kale said, extending his free hand.

“Thank you,” Zae gladly gave him the glass, “I like it here,”

“Yeah,” replied Kale, “It’s nice here, life isn’t the hell you get at other places”

Zae turned towards him, “What?”

Kale chuckled, “I keep forgetting you haven’t been out in a while. Not everyone likes auras. In fact some people have gone to the extent of grouping and attacking schools. This is one of the better places; we don’t get attacked very often. And if so it’s more of a political attack than anything else”

Zae nodded, “Oh, I didn’t realize we were… disliked”

Kale smiled, “No problem man,” Kale slid open the door to the hall, “I’m just down here if you need me,”

Zae smiled, “Thanks Kale,”

The door slid closed and Zae was left to his own thoughts. Zae opened the closet and found an assortment of clothes, running his hand along the hangers before closing the door and taking off his white t-shirt and blue denim pants. He pulled on a pair of black baggy pants, slipping into a pair of black shoes. He pulled on a blue t-shirt and pulled a green collared shirt over that, not buttoning it.

Ah, that’s much better. No more cheesy stuff, now it’s the real deal.

Zae grabbed the case and placed the bo in the holster, walking onto the outdoor walkway and shouldering the case. Zae grabbed onto the railing, flinging himself over and landing in a crouched position. He stood up walking to the main entrance and walked through the sliding door, entering the outside atmosphere of the city.

A car sped by, a trolley on the other side of the street stopped at the crosswalk. Zae walked down to the stoplight and crossed, walking across the street and stepping onto the sidewalk. There were students, adults; it was just like a city. Then a cool blue blast followed by a yellow ball of energy came out of nowhere, shattering the glass above the walking people.

(new chapter)

The scene was amazing, there was glass everywhere, falling down in a single torrent. Two people had caused the commotion; they were down a busy street, flying in the air towards each other. As they collided into one another the glass dissipated in the air, almost as if it were shattering itself and disappearing. Then someone jumped from atop the damaged building, soaring through the air and onto the building across the street.

Air aura. I do the same thing and no normal person could soar like that, unless they were using two different auras. But who is that person?

Zae stood on the sidewalk, continuing to watch the battle. The collision had caused a shockwave to ripple down the street shattering glass and concrete. But it never hurt people. The shockwave was countered above the people, and the glass began shattering in again. Zae had watched all this, more interested in the man on the building than in the two fighters.

I think I get it. They fight, but instead of realizing what they’re doing to they’re backgrounds they have someone else take care of it. Isn’t that kinda pointless? I mean, in the real world, if they fight, wouldn’t they be killing and injuring hundreds? If this were to happen in the real world they’d be shot down almost immediately.

“It’s complicated isn’t it Sikatsu?” Zae looked to his left to find a girl standing next to him, taking a sip out of a steaming cup, “Mingmei called me and told me you had a guitar and a bo on your back. Not too hard to discern from the crowd considering your just as tall as the bo is. Come on, join me for a cup,” She walked into the building behind them.

Zae followed, chuckling to himself as he opened the door. The café was small and dimly lit, but it adhered to a warm atmosphere. While sitting down Zae took time to observe the girl. She had long blonde hair that stopped past her shoulders, a pale complexion and hazel eyes.

She sat down, taking a sip out of her drink before setting it down. She leaned forward from the back of her chair, placing her arms on the table and leaning on them, “I’m sorry I didn’t catch your first name,”

“Zae,” Zae replied, blinking once, then leaning back against his chair.

“I’m Tempeste LaRoche. Pleased to meet you,” Tempeste extended an arm across the table.

Zae took the hand, “The pleasure is mine,”

“You are quite the gentleman. But I do agree with you, anyone would be shot down immediately, if such action were to take place outside of the grounds,”

He’s quite the enticing person. He’s not totally naïve but it’s obvious he’s not aware of everything in the world.

“Then why have them do it? It seems irrational,”

Tempeste chuckled, “Simple answer, the aura tournament,”

Zae looked confused, “But still, destroying things and wreaking havoc, why?”

“Ah, I see,” Tempeste smiled and recognized his confusion, “We are not wreaking havoc for the sake of destruction. We may not realize the damage we deal, but that is why we come here. We train and learn to control our aura. The two outside, they may be strong, but as far as we saw they have not learned to work on certain areas of their aura. In example all you saw were aggressive tactics, there’s also manipulation, defensive tactics, suppression; the list goes on quite a ways,”

Zae nodded, “Okay now I get it, it’s just that they haven’t got everything down,”

Tempeste smiled, “That’s one way to put it,” Tempeste stood up and walked over to the counter, grabbing two drinks and handing one to Zae, “I hear you haven’t had a wide variety to drink,”

Zae grinned, “What is it?”

“It’s a chai tea latte with a little pumpkin spice. Try it,”

Zae took a sip of the warm liquid, closing his eyes and pausing as he took in the taste, “Hmm, I like it,” He smiled slightly, and then began to chuckle.

Tempeste raised an eyebrow, “What’s wrong?”

Zae grinned, “It tickles and feels good,”

Tempeste was confused, “What?”

Zae answered, “I don’t really know how to explain it. It’s just this really warm and fuzzy feeling inside, I don’t know if it’s just me or the drink,”

It finally hit Tempeste, “You mean to tell me that you’ve never had a warm drink before?”

Zae smiled and nodded, “Not as far as I can remember,”

It started as a small giggle and then the both of them turned it into a laugh. It wasn’t like a laugh at someone, but more like a laugh between friends whom had remembered a funny memory, or found a new one to cherish.

A boy walked up behind Zae, “Hey you’re the kid who beat Jared aren’t you?”

Zae turned around and found himself looking at a boy who looked about ten years old, he had light blue eyes and light brown hair. The boy was smiling.

Zae smiled back, “Who’s Jared?”

The boy’s smile turned into a grin, “The boy you beat, in the park. Jared Nelson,”

Zae thought hard but couldn’t come up with anything, “Do you mean the guy with the magma aura?”

The boy’s eyes lit up, “Yeah that guy,”

“I guess I beat him,”

The boy raised his eyebrows in shock, “You guess you beat him? Jeeze to put it bluntly you beat him! He never touched you,”

Zae shrugged, “Thanks, I guess,”

“I’m Shawn, Campbell,”

Zae smiled again, “Nice to meet you Shawn, I’m Zae Sikatsu,” the boy smiled and walked off and Zae turned to face Tempeste, “What’s the story behind Jared?”

“Oh Jared? He’s one of the top seventy-five contenders for the intramural aura tournament. Of course he gets most all of his wins with new kids. You’re the first new kid to beat him. Of course, you’re the first transfer we’ve had from the Aura Research Institute in three years,”

“Why haven’t you had any transfers from the A.R.I. recently?”

“The last one we had kind of, well, I guess you could say she was a bit unstable and it kind of scared the authorities in the government and in the academy system,”

“What was wrong?”

“She hadn’t been introduced to the social development program before she was transferred and it seriously affected her ability to work in a new environment,”

“Oh, I wasn’t told,”

Tempeste smiled lightly, “You might want to watch out behind you though. The guys at the coffee table over there started to watch you and tighten their circle when Shawn talked about Jared,”

Zae looked back to find a group of boys huddled together, shooting glances at him as if observing his every movement, looking for something. One of them got up, and walked over to Zae, “So you’re the kid who beat Jared?”

“So I’ve been told,” said Zae. The boy looked like he was sixteen years old. Unlike Jared he was thin and didn’t look very muscular, taller with an open light orange and white collared shirt and a red t-shirt under that.

The boy smiled softly, “You want to fight?”

Zae grinned, “Outside if that’s okay,”

“Okay,” said the boy, grinning and walking out side as Zae followed him.

“Do you have any terms you’d prefer?” asked the boy.

“No not really,” replied Zae.

“Is the first one out cold okay?”

“Fine with me,” Zae smiled softly.

“I’m Blake Castel,” said Blake extending a hand

Zae accepted the hand, “I’m Zae Sikatsu,”

“Well then shall we?” asked Blake, pulling out a hanbo from in his sleeve and taking up a fighting stance.

Zae nodded and smiled, pulling the bo out of its holster and taking up a fighting stance as well. The sidewalk seemed to be less crowded, less people, more room to fight. Zae struck first, thrusting forward at Blake’s chest. Blake blocked the thrust, sweeping the bo aside and striking inwards towards Zae’s body. Zae felt the sting of the hanbo against his chest and his eyes widened as he flew back into the café wall.

“What the?”

Blake grinned, “Shockwave. I can create shockwaves on any surface. When I made contact with you I sent one through,”

Zae’s breathing began to slow, “Oh, I see. That’s quite the advantage. But I don’t see why you wouldn’t just use your advantage more. Why not set the stakes at first one on the ground. You’d win each time,”

“You beat Jared, that deserves some respect,”

“Ah,” said Zae nodding and then getting up “Thank you,”

“No problem,” answered Blake.

Zae attacked again. Using the distance of the bo to his advantage and striking at long distances. But Blake had the advantage because no major damage could be dealt at such a long range without the proper weapon. Zae thrust forward again from the end of the bo, this time moving his body farther up the bo and swinging it around from the end like a bat. Blake ducked under it taking advantage of the heavy strike and hitting Zae three times. Blake Set off shockwaves at each point of contact, building up so much force that it sent Zae flying backwards.

Man, this guy’s good, I didn’t expect to be receiving so much damage from the shockwaves. But I’ve got to strike back. I could transfer to jo style instead and see what happens there.

Zae grabbed the center of his bo, twisting it and letting the two halves separate. It’d be more close range now. Zae attached one of the halves to the holster attacking with his jo in a downward strike. Blake blocked the strike, countering with a strike to Zae’s shoulder. Zae blocked with the jo, swinging his leg up into Blake’s head and finishing the kick with his other foot coming across Blake’s face. Blake staggered back, rubbing his now sore cheek.

Jeeze, I think I know how Jared feels now. That hurt.

Zae landed and began attacking again, swinging the jo in a backhand headed at Blake’s head. Blake ducked, taking advantage of Zae’s open chest he rammed his free hand into Zae’s chest, setting off a shockwave on his chest and sending Zae across the street. Zae recovered before he hit the building, slamming into the building and leaving a crater set into the wall. Zae walked away from the wall and held his head in pain.

“Whoa, that shockwave sure packs a punch,”

“Yeah,”

Zae chuckled, “But I think I know how to beat it,”

Blake raised an eyebrow, “How?”

“Like this,”

Zae threw the jo at him; it flew through the air straight and in control. Blake dodged the bo, ducking under it as it hit the wall behind him, “Sorry but no not really,”

Zae sighed, pulling the other jo out from the holster and sprinting across the street. Blake parried and dodged each blow, weaving around Zae’s weapon and then landing a hard blow on Zae’s shoulder and his stomach. Zae flew back and landed on the hard concrete, winded.

Zae got up again, this time bringing the strikes closer in and using both ends of the jo to his advantage. Zae struck with the right side and found himself blocked, then used the other side of the jo. Blocked again Zae used his legs, kicking at Blake’s ribs, He found himself block by Blake’s arm. Blake attacked this time a downward strike aimed for Zae’s head. He found himself blocked and kicked Zae while setting of a shockwave against the jo and Zae’s ribs. The jo flew out of Zae’s hands and Zae flew back again.

The jo and the bo are too heavy; I need something lighter and quicker. Wait a sec, that’s it!

Zae stood up and grabbed his drumsticks from the case, setting the case down and taking up another stance. Blake grinned, ”You seem to be preceding your fight. But if you lose no harm done. I’m one of the top twenty-five contenders. But considering how many waves you’ve taken this is turning out rather interesting,”

I’m surprised at how long this kid has lasted; most of the waves I’ve landed would send Jared to his knees.

Zae returned the grin, “Thanks, you’re putting up a pretty good fight but I can’t place it. The only strike I’ve landed is the kick,”

Blake nodded, “I have heightened instincts. That’s why you haven’t been able to land one on me except for the kick. I knew you were going to attack my body but I wasn’t expecting you to go for my head. The more logical place would have been the chest,”

Zae smiled, “But with the way your body was positioned you would have pivoted out of the way and landed a blow. I chose the place you couldn’t go without. Your head,”

“Ah I see,” said Blake, nodding his head again, “Shall we continue?”

Zae smiled, “Sorry,”

Blake answered, “Oh no problem at all,”

Blake attacked, swinging his weapon at Zae’s head. Zae blocked with his drumstick, bringing the other one into Blake’s chest and swinging it across his shoulder. He continued to attack, swinging the drumsticks into Blake. The continuous strike against Blake’s body left him bruised Blake ducked under an attack to his head and thrust forward at Zae’s chest, landing a blow and setting off another shockwave against Zae’s chest.

I never thought I’d do this, at the very least not against a new kid.

Zae got up again, excited. He was getting there, slowly but surely, He was exceeding Blake’s instincts because he was using two weapons. Four if you included the three kicks he had landed. Blake stood straight and then took another stance; this one was different from the previous. Zae attacked with a swing from the outside. Blake parried the attack, grabbing the other end of the hanbo and swinging it out at Zae. Zae dodged and swung at Blake’s neck with the drumstick. Blake ducked and swung the weapon out at Zae making contact with Zae’s wrist.

What the?

Zae pulled back his wrist and found he was bleeding. Blake’s weapon had changed. It wasn’t the hanbo any more it was two kodachi. The two-kodachi blades had been tucked in next to each other and the handles had made up the body of the hanbo. They were equal now, except Blake had the deadlier weapon. Blake attacked, using a stab motion. Zae pivoted out of the way to be met by the other kodachi. Zae blocked the attack with his drumstick. The kodachi pierced the drumstick, imbedding itself in the wood. Zae let go of the drumstick, grabbing onto Blake’s wrist he pulled away, swinging his leg up into Blake’s chest and then pulling the arm over his head. Zae took his other drumstick and struck Blake in the back of the head, Blake’s body slumped down unconscious.

Whew, glad that’s over.

A woman walked out of the café, “Good fight, the entire café enjoyed it,”

Zae smiled, “Thanks,”

The woman took Blake in her hands and then she disappeared, leaving behind a single green leaf that solemnly floated to the ground. Zae walked over to his case, putting the case on and throwing the drumsticks in a nearby trash. Zae picked up his two jos, placing the ends together and twisting them together to make his bo. Zae walked into the café, placing the bo in its holster and walking over to Tempeste.

“So how’d it go,” asked Tempeste leaning forward on the table again.

Zae let out a breath, “I didn’t realize that guy was so good, I can see why he’s in the top twenty-five,”

Tempeste grinned, “How do you think you did?”

“I’m still standing here so okay I guess,”

Tempeste giggled, “Mingmei called, she wants you and I to go home so you can meet everyone else,”

Zae smiled and re shouldered the case, stepping out of the café and walking with Tempeste across the street. It was back to the park, the trees, the grass and the leaves.

“What’s up Zae?”

“Huh,”

Tempeste sighed, “What’s wrong. You’re not acting so hot,”

“It’s just that…” Zae trailed off.

“Tell me,”

“I didn’t go full with Blake,”

Tempeste looked quizzical, “Why?”

It was Zae’s turn to sigh, “I could have killed him if I did,”

Sorry about the grammar, it really isn't my strong point sweatdrop Which parts are really really bad?