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NetStar Chronology - Chapter 23 |
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Green was walking around the base of Altimiller, searching and searching. He managed to sneak along the trail of two Ghosts, and concealed himself whenever they started getting wise to his presence. They could stand the cold weather, but Green was having trouble adjusting. The Ghosts had dark pink undersuits, so he knew who he was going to face; but he didn't like the idea of it. He followed them up to the Great Bridge, where it was much harder for him to be stealthy. He used his Scout Concealment, to make himself invisible. But there was a short time limit, and that was making him nervous. They eventually reached Pink, and passed her a large crystal formation of ice. The ice glew constantly.
"This is it, Azurinite." Pink said. "Good work, boys."
The two Ghosts grinned.
"And, we've had no interruptions from the NetStars, for once." One Ghost said cheerfully.
"Call it a stroke of luck, I guess." The other Ghost shrugged. "Shall we head back to base?"
"Yes." Pink nodded, then passed Azurinite back to the Ghost. "Take this back to base. I'll catch up to you later."
They nodded, then flickered out and disappeared.
"I know someone's there." Pink looked at the invisible Green. "So, you can stop using that trick, now."
"You're sharp, as usual, Athena." Green reappered in a burst of leaves.
"I didn't know who it was, mind you." Pink said modestly. "I just knew that someone was there."
"I see you didn't hesitate in securing that item." Green sighed, mostly relieved.
"I wanted to avoid conflict. No use fighting, if it isn't necessary. I don't have the item in my posession, so you have no reason to fight me."
Green frowned a little.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Well... I don't think I could fight you, even if I did have a reason."
"You had no problem fighting me in training." She gave him an odd look.
"Well, that was different. I suppose I could fight you, or my other friends, to the extent of practice. But anything more... and I just can't. It seems like I'm still all messed up from being in The Empire."
"It's been almost a month, Miyamoto." She frowned. "But, I can't say I blame you. Maybe... maybe if I hadn't attached myself to you, you wouldn't be so messed up."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, think about it. When we were on the same side, I tried making everything better for you. I made you feel more comfortable, and I gave you someone to confide in."
"Yes, and I'm very greatful." He nodded.
"But, now that we're opposing each other, those memories will still be with us. You oppose our ideals, do you not?"
"Well, yes."
"You oppose our ideals, yet you cannot bring yourself to oppose me. We've become too attached to each other."
"That in itself can be seen as a form of betrayal." Green looked away. "Even though I am a NetStar, I'm still friends with a Captain of The Empire. But..."
"And even though I'm a Captain, I'm friends with the leader of the NetStars..."
"I don't see you as a Captain, though." He frowned. "When I look at you, I'm reminded only of all the good times we had."
"As am I. Why can't I just see you as the enemy?"
"Why can't we just move on?" He looked at her again.
"It is over? What has posessed us to cling hold to each other, despite our differences?"
"I can't turn away, Athena."
"I can't push you back, Miyamoto."
"No matter how hard I try..." They both said simutaneously. "I can't deny you!"
They both embraced the other, holding each other tightly. They stood like that for a moment, then let go of each other.
"But, we know it is forbidden." Athena frowned once more.
"I'll work around this." Green told her. "I'll just... fight the other Captains!"
"But, won't everyone be suspicious?"
"We can stage our fights... as long as they look convincing, our allies should have no reason to persecute us."
There was a moment of silence.
"I look forward to the day our conflict ends." Pink smiled.
"As do I." He smiled back. "Who knows? Maybe it will be the two of us who brings The Empire and the NetStars together."
"That sounds wonderful. Miyamoto, thank you for having this talk with me. I really appreciate it, and I want to tell you that..."
Her communicator beeped.
"Well, that was damn convenient." She scowled, then pressed the button. "Hello?"
Report back to base, Captain Pink. Supreme's voice told her. I have received word that your Ghosts retrieved Azurinite. Good work!
"I'll be right there." She sighed.
Is something bothering you?
"No, not really. I'm terminating the connection."
See you when you return.
She ended the connection.
"Well, it's become a habit for the fates to interrupt us." She sighed again.
"We'll meet again, though, right?" Green asked.
"Yes." She nodded, then looked directly into his eyes. "It is inevitable that we meet again. Until next time."
She disappeared in a gust of Wind.
"Ugh..." He bowed his head. "How did things get so complicated?"
Green disappeared in a rush of leaves, and reappeared at his house. He walked inside, and found Yellow asleep on the couch. He nudged her, gently, to wake her up.
"Huh?" She opened her eyes. "Oh, hey Miyamoto."
"I thought you were with Light."
"I was. Until he decided to leave me behind. He's too intent on finding his siblings." She yawned. "And I really don't blame him."
"That's true. Have you heard from the others?"
"Terra's going to sleep until supper. She lost against Vincent, and the battle left her ragged. I haven't heard a word from Yamato. You think he's okay?"
"I'll give him a call."
Meanwhile, back in Kotobuki forest, Blue was still asleep. His commmunicator beeped three times, before he woke up.
"Eh?" He pressed the button quickly. "Yamato, here."
You're okay... Green's voice said. That's a relief.
"Okay is an understatement... I got rocked by Captain Eddie."
'Captain' Eddie?
"That's right." Blue growled in disgust. "He's been promoted to Captain. Man, how did they become so powerful?"
I guess they just trained harder than we have. Return to base. Everyone else, excluding Light, is here.
"Right."
Miyamoto, out.
The connection was ended. Blue disappeared in a blue flash, and returned to the house. When he entered, Yellow and Green were waiting on the couch.
"Hey, there." Blue waved wearily.
"He really did a number on you." Yellow frowned. "Come here, Yamato."
He walked over to her, and she planted a palm on his chest. Her healing energy flowed through him, and he got a tingling sensation throughout his body.
"Thank you, Charlotte." He smiled.
"It's not a problem." She blushed a little, charmed by his smile. "But, it is getting close to supper time. Can you go wake Terra?"
"Okay." He nodded, then hollered. "Hey Terra!"
"I could have done that..." Yellow winced, then headed into the kitchen.
Red walked into the room, and yawned.
"Oh, hey Yamato." She greeted. "You look like you've seen better days."
"Well, look who's talking." He smirked.
"I lost." She stuck her tongue out.
"You aren't alone on that one." Blue sighed.
"How'd you fare, Miyamoto?" Red asked Green.
"The Ghosts took the item away, before I could get to them. I guess you could say I lost, as well." Green told her.
"I do have good news." Blue said. "Well, some good information."
"Let's hear it, then." Red told him.
"It appears The Empire is plotting to revive another Guardian. This time, the Guardian of Vengence."
"Oh!" Red blinked. "That's how I knew about Emberwave! It's in a set of five artifacts, Emberwave, Azurinite, Staticpulse, Briarpatch, and the Flute of Harmony; which brings them all together."
"This sounds awfully familiar." Blue squinted.
"The Guardian of Destruction had been sealed away by the Guardian of Defense, for reasons unknown. However, the Guardian of Restoration sealed away the Guardian of Vengence, on an earlier date."
"Uh huh." Blue nodded. "Still sounds like history is repeating itself."
"But, there's one thing I'm forgetting about the Guardian of Vengence." Red rubbed her chin. "If I could just remember..."
"Don't let it trouble you." Green told her. "I guess as long as The Empire doesn't have the Flute, we'll be okay."
"Supper's ready!" Yellow called from the kitchen.
"Let's go eat, for now." Red said.
They all headed into the kitchen, for their meal.
 Shin-Maruku · Fri Dec 14, 2007 @ 12:23pm · 1 Comments |
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