Short Stories

[Tawsie]

I tend to do a lot of short stories or stories I don't have time to finish. So I made this thread to stop any clutter in the FF section. This will contain all work I have done or will do. Not all, but all on the PC.

This was my English story in First Year (4 years ago)

When will it end? The hate and suffering which plagues this world. The violence, cruelty and starvation. Why does it have to be this way? Why does death have to loom over everything ominously? This world is rotten.

Freeze city was the most rotten. Everything in the town reeked of crime and murder. The streets were stained with blood. Freeze city had the highest number of precincts, a record breaking amount actually, but only a handful of the police were not crooked. The Police running Freeze city was just a clever visage, encircling the city. The real mayors of Freeze city was the gangs. The Gangs ran everything, each had his own section of the town and each gang was equally feared. There were only 4 gangs. The Rakuen, Wolves, Kaizoku and Shinigami

The Rakuen are a gang who believed their part of the city would be a paradise for all thugs and petty thieves. In fact, Rakuen was Japanese for paradise. The Rakuen was run by Lee Rain, a ruthless man who believed everything he done was for the good of his part. Lee tolerated no insubordination for his inferiors, destroying them without a moments thought and using his age of excuse of, “Anyone who hinders paradise, isn't one of us.” He had no children or wife, his work was his passion and paradise, his dream.

The Wolves are a different breed of gang entirely. They never travel in groups of more than 3, many called them 'packs'. The Wolves were ruthless and used all means necessary to secure what they needed, even at the cost of a fellow member. Nothing is known of the leader, other than his name is 'Lone Wolf'.

The Kaizoku are not a gang entirely, they are freelance pirates. Naming their gang after the Japanese word for pirate, they are the only gang who will step foot in another territory. Raping the women and pillaging houses. This was the most hated gang, at least by the other gangs. The leader's name was Edward Teach, he named himself after the infamous 'Blackbeard'. He often referred himself to the legend of Blackbeard, claiming it would take more than 5 shots and 20 stab wounds to stop him. It rumored that Edward Teach has been shot 7 times and stabbed 25, although this is only a rumor. A terrifying one at that.

The last gang is the Shinigami. The Shinigami are regarded as absolute death, anyone who crosses their path shall have the judgment of death bestowed down upon them. Shinigami means God of Death in Japanese and their whole gang is shrouded in darkness. The leader, if there is one, has never been sighted or has there been any records of a leader mentioned. This is a truly frightening gang.

I am a simple journalist working on how gang culture has destroyed our fair city. I, like every other citizen of Freeze city, harbor thoughts about bringing justice on to the police and all the gangs but I, like every other citizen, lack the physical power to do anything about it. The whole world is rotting, some places it isn't so visible but some places it is. Here is one of those places.

I currently reside in the Wolves' part of town, the west side. I live in a one room apartment that only has electricity three days a week, it is all I can afford. Taxes are different in every gang territory and the Wolves like money just as much as the other gangs. There isn't much work for a journalist here, no gang likes to divulge any secrets and the residents keep everything to themselves, in fear. I work at a small building for 6 days a week, the small building is run by the Wolves, it is used to get all of their messages across. I have to type their messages up and print them, then leave them at the designated location. A small box at the corner of every street. It is a 16 hour job and the pay is bad.

Oh, I almost forgot. Your reading my memoirs and you know nothing of me, sorry. My name is Kiba, just Kiba. Yeah, its my first and last name. I didn't know my parents when I was younger, as the Kaizoku pillaged my district and took my Mother away, my Father died fighting. I am 20 years of age and have a slim build. I am a fairly fast runner, well thats nothing to brag about because everyone has to be a fast runner these days. 'The fast survive and the slow die' is a slogan that is being used to scare the kids these days. I have black messy hair, it often falls in front of my eyes, but I don't mind, I think it makes me look rather mysterious. I have red eyes, I am told they are rather piercing and scary but I like them, I don't see what the problem is. “Red eyes are the sign of the devil. The devil harbors within you boy!” I am frequently told from my neighbor above me, although she is old and I take no notice of her. I am roughly 5'11 and weigh 150 pounds. I look rather weak but I can kick fairly good. I don't use my hands in a fight because I need them to write and type with, so my feet are all I use. I smoke several cigarettes a day, mostly because cigarettes are cheaper than food and it helps take my mind of the lack of food I suffer from. Anyway, back to the story.

It was 31st of January 2018, a terrible Wednesday. I left my apartment as 6am, to go to work, the street was full of life. I closed the door, not locking it because a lock is useless in this time, a waste of money I never had. For that reason, not many people had a lot of valuables. I had a black suit on with a white shirt. I unbuttoned the top button, because it chaffs my neck, as I began walking down the street. “Devil boy!” My neighbor yelled from above, I turned around slightly, so I was walking backwards and put on my biggest, forced smile. “Good morning to you as well, Ms. Stripe!” I waved my right hand back and forth, as a look of disgust spread over her face. She scowled and went back in her home, closing the window after her. I began walking the right way again, I hated that old woman but I endured her never the less, there was enough people to hate without hating people in the same situation as you, or worse.

You see, when you get to a certain age, the Wolves will sell you to another gang or a food processing factory. You didn't have a choice in the matter but were expected to go without a fuss, you weren't needed alive. A lot of the food we eat nowadays is made from old woman like her. I actually heard they were coming for her next week, poor horrible thing.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my packet of cigarettes, reaching into another pocket, I took out a lighter. I used my thumb to push out a cigarette from the edge of the packet, I lowered my head and enclosed the cigarette with my lips. I then placed the cigarette packet back into my pocket and raised the lighter up to my mouth, forming a shield with my hands, I pushed down on the flint and then pressed the gas, my cigarette was lit. I was now at my place of work, the door was already open and I entered. “I'm here, Joe!” I yelled, as I heard a grunt from the back. Joe was the only other worker in the shop, recently renamed Wolf's Brain, he couldn't speak but he was an alight guy for most part, albeit slow. I sat down at my desk and pushed the computer on, Joe was busy moving boxes in the background, I payed little to no attention to him. A beep followed by a whirring noise told me my PC had kicked into life, I waited for the blue screen to pass and for it to get on the desktop. After 5 minutes it eventually got onto the desktop, I sighed in relief. A little envelope in the corner had told me that I had gotten my latest work. I clicked on it and it opened up a bigger screen. The E-mail was called “The Wolf Howls Tonight” and it was sent by “Bane”, I double clicked it.

It read;

My lowly worker,

I care not how your life is going and won't waste my time asking. All that matters is you are the one who was chosen to get the Wolves' noble word across to our loyal public. Be privileged that that right is yours and yours alone. What follows is what you will have to get out to the people.

My dear prey,

Fear not the howling of the night, as the Wolves you fear so much are closer than you think. Time passes slowly for those who are running out, those of you know who you are and we will be coming. Time is of the essence when you are young and we Wolves need to take cubs under out wing. It is now mandatory for you to enlist your children and hand them over to us, or we will take them. I think you know what fate lies in wait for you if you chose not to enlist them and ignore this. Our great leader has decided on a new law, 'No one shall be out after 9, unless you have official business.' so a curfew has no been implied. 6Am to 9pm is the legal time for you to be out, if you are out after that. Hmph, all I have to say is; 'Beware of those who stalk the shadows.”

Although you, Kiba, are exempt from the curfew but most go home after your work here is done, the stalker don't spare those who take advantage.

Bane

He was an egotistical maniac, but what he said worried me deeply. What he meant by “Time slowly passes for those who are running out” eludes me, they're is a deeper meaning in there and I intend to find it. I opened up the suitable program and began to type the letter in the usual font. I finished fairly quickly and printed out 200 of the documents. I gathered them up and began to walk out the shop. “Bye Joe.” I smiled politely, as Joe ignored me and continued moving boxes. I left the shop and stopped, what about Joe? Why wasn't he exempt from the curfew or mentioned as a loyal follower, could he be next?

 

[Tawsie]

The next few are from my anime phase, this one is from Bleach though.

Soul Wrought of Terra Corrupt

"Good Morning, Ichi-go!" Ichigo raised his head from his pillow, letting out a yawn before, Crash! He was smacked in the face by his Dad. Ichigo quickly turned, red faced. "What do you think your doing! Is that a way to greet your only son!?" Ichigo bellowed, as his Father smirked, raising one finger in the air. "Its the only way for the number one fatrher to show his affection to his son!" Isshin called out triumphantly, as he looked down at Ichigo, smiling incontrollably.
"What kinda messed up way of parenting is that!?" Ichigo replied, as he got to his feet and walked towards Isshin.
"Its the best!" Isshin remarked as he elbowed Ichigo in the face.
"Oh you wanna go, huh!?" Ichigo exclaimed, as him and Isshin began to fight. Punches, kicks, headbutts, arm locks and legs locks were on display until Ichigo's door burst open.
"You two! What are you doing!?" Karin yelled, "Yuzu is waiting patienly downstairs to eat, while you two are up here fighting like a bunch of kids!" Ichigo and Isshin stopped fighting, looking red-faced as the turned to Karen.
"I'm sorry." They both muttered in unison, bowing their heads.
"Good now come down stairs and eat." Karin said, turning and leaving the vicinity of Ichigo's door and then down the stairs. Isshin was first to his feet, walking to the door, he stopped and turned around. "Remember Ichigo..." He began but was cut off as Ichigo flew towards him, kicking him in the jaw.
"Shut up! I don't want to hear any of your messed up parenting advice! It doesn't work!" Ichigo shouted, stomping on his father's body as he said this. Ichigo grunted before leaving and going down for breakfast. Isshin slowly raised his head, "Mother, why do I have to take this kind of abuse? Has our kids out grown me?"
"Get down here Dad!" Karin yelled from the bottom of the stairs, causing Isshin to spring to his feet, rush out of Ichigo's room and leap down the stairs.

The Kurosaki family was now sitting at the table, eating breakfast on a Saturday morning. The TV was on but no one was paying attention to it. Karin was concentrating on her food and Yuzu was doing the dishes from making the food. Ichigo and Isshin's were locked on one another, they appeared to be having a silent food eating contest. "Jeez, why can't you two just get on?" Karin remarked, looking up from her food.
"Yeah, you two have been fighting more and more recently." Yuzu agreed, as she had finished the washing up and returned to the table.
"Its his fault!" Ichigo and Isshin said at the same time, springing up from the table and pointing at one another. "Hey, its your fault! Stop copying me!"
"We now interrupt you to bring you an important news bulletin!" The reporter on TV said, breaking up the commotion in the Kurosaki living room, as all attention turned towards the TV. “It was just down here that the incident has occurred.” The news reporter explained, as she walked backwards, facing the camera. They both stopped and the camera changed from her to an empty street. “Hey, I know that street.” Yuzu exclaimed, “Its where everyone shops but why is it empty? Thats strange.”

“As many of you may have noticed, this is the busiest street in all of Karakura town but today it is unusually empty. Why? Because all of the shoppers mysteriously vanished.”

“What!?” Ichigo exclaimed, he had began to suspect follow play from a Hollow.

“Yes, that right. Everyone vanished in an instant at the same time, leaving behind all that they were doing but there is something strange about that too. All of the victim's belongings seemed to be piled in a corner on the opposite side of the street.” The reported pointed and the camera switches focus, showing a pile of bags, food and various other belongings. Ichigo left the living room at this point and headed for his room. Isshin watched Ichigo leave from the corner of his eye. Ichigo entered his room and closed the door behind him, immediately moving to his wardrobe and opening it. He pulled out a pair of ragged jeans and a sleeved t-shirt. “Whats up Ichigo? Where are you going?”

Ichigo turned around to see the talking teddy bear, Kon. “I'm going out Urahara's shop, something strange is going on in town. A whole street of people vanished.” He explained, quickly putting his clothes on.

“Since when did you care about what happened outside of your duties?” Kon teased, as he smiled mischievously.

“I don't know, to be honest.” Ichigo replied, standing still and staring at the ceiling, “I have just been getting this feeling lately.”

“Your pathetic.” Kon declared, raising one of his furry paws, “I ought to knock that Ginger hair off of you shoulders!” Ichigo spun around at the last moment and dived for Kon. Kon leaped in the air, dodging Ichigo and landing on Ichigo's head. “Your also useless.”

“I don't have time for this.” Ichigo sighed, as he quickly turned and grabbed Kon by the head. He rummaged in his desk and pulled out sticky tape, he smiled. “Hey Ichigo! Don't you think about! I know where you sleep!” Kon threatened, as Ichigo swiftly stuck him to the wall, placing a final piece over Kon's mouth. Ichigo grinned, taking in a deep breath, Kon began to try and wriggle free but it wasn't happening. He knew what was coming next. “Yuzu! Why is your doll in my room?” Ichigo shouted, as Yuzu began walking up the stairs and then into Ichigo's room.

“Your right.” She said, taking Kon off of the wall. “Why did you stick him there?” She turned around but Ichigo was already out of his room and at the front door. “Where are you going?” Isshin questioned, Ichigo quickly turned around.

“Its none of your business where I go.” He replied coolly, as Isshin glared at him. Ichigo turned and opened the door then ran out.

Ichigo grinned a little as he ran down the street, taking the necessary turns to get to the Urahara Shop. “Aaaahhhh!” Ichigo stopped dead, the shriek of a young boy rung out through the day but no one else seemed to stir. “A spirit!” Ichigo thought, as he turned and ran towards the scream. It was in the local park, a little boy was being chased around by a worm-like Hollow. “Not now! I'm in a hurry!” Ichigo complained, as he grabbed his gift from Soul Society and exited his Human form, into a Shinigami. “Bad news Hollow. I have no time to play!” Ichigo said, swinging his sword through the air and rested it gently over his shoulder. “This ends now!” Ichigo declared, swinging his sword and leaping into the air. With one fell swoop, he chopped the Hollow's mask in half. The Hollow then began to break into little pieces and disperse, it's soul had been cleansed. The little boy had stopped running and looked at Ichigo with a mixture of awe and horror. “Don't worry.” Ichigo began, “Your going home.” He walked forward, spinning his sword around and planting the base of his hilt onto the boy's forehead. Ichigo removed his Zanpaktou and placed it on his back, it was instantly re-covered in bandages that matched his hilt wrap. The little boy disappeared in a ray of blue light. Ichigo got back into his Human form and made his way to the Urahara shop.

Ichigo made it to the Urahara Shop in a matter of moments after his encounter with a Hollow. He placed his hand on the wall and began to catch his breath. “You're late.” A familiar voice said, Ichigo peered towards the shop and saw Ishida standing there, dressed in his Quincy attire. Chad was standing next to him. “Shut up. What are you guys doing here anyway?” Ichigo asked, as he had caught his breath and began to walk towards the shop. “There is a problem, Kurosaki.” Ishida said. “You seen the news, didn't you?”

“Yeah, I did. Thats why I am here.”

“We both did too. That isn't normal, something is going on and we have to know what it is before we are neck deep in what ever it may bring.”

“Well said.” A voice from behind Ishida called out, Urahara Kisuke appeared a moment later. “I'm glad you all came here. We have a problem...”

 

[Tawsie]

My One Piece phase.

Behind Closed Doors

Prologue

The Grand Line was a sea of great mystery, adventure, wealth and romance. Every pirate dreamed of making it to the Grand Line and surviving. The Grand Line had many islands, each with their own magnetic field, rendering all compasses and other navigating equipment used in the four other seas, useless. Instead, a Log Pose was required to roam around the Grand Line. All of the islands of the Grand Line are unusual, each has its own time line. Some may be in the future and some may still be prehistoric. The Grand Line was also a sea of dreams, Raftel being the center of all those dreams. Raftel was the last island of the Grand Line, the island where Pirate King Gold Roger left his treasure, One Piece.

The Straw Hat crew consisted of 5 members, each with their own special talent and each with the burning desire to fulfill their dreams.

Monkey D Luffy was the captain of the crew, he had eaten the Gomu Gomu Devil Fruit, he was a rubber man. This made Luffy invulnerable to all physical attacks but, like all Devil Fruit users, Luffy would lose all control of movement in the sea and sank to the bottom. Luffy's dream is to become the Pirate King and obtain One Piece. Luffy has a 30 Million Beli bounty on his head, the first step has been taken.

Second mate was Roronoa Zoro. Zoro was once nicknamed 'Pirate Hunter' Zoro, but he never endorsed the name himself, he only hunted pirates as so he could survive. Zoro was a practitioner of the Santoryu, the sword style. One in each hand and one in his mouth. Zoro strives to become the number one swordsman in the world, defeating Dracule Mihawk is what he has to do in order to achieve this.

The Navigator is Nami. Nami's navigating skills are unrivaled, she can easily draw maps of her surrounds and plot our crucial points in the sea bed. Nami is also a thief who specialises in stealing from Pirates. She uses a wooden pole that can be broken down to three pieces. Nami's dream is to draw a map of the world.

Ussop is the Sharp Shooter. Ussop uses a slingshot and a variety of different ammo. Ussop creates his own ammo, whether it be a pinball or a Sure-Kill Fire Ball. Ussop is also rather gifted in telling tall tales. His dream is to become a Man of the Sea.

Sanji is the chef of the crew, making sure everyone is eating healthily and trying to avoid anyone getting scurvy. Sanji was a chef at the floating restaurant Baratie but had a dream to find All Blue, the chef's haven.

Luffy and the gang have now began their venture across Reverse Mountain, about to enter into the Grand Line.

End Prologue

“I can't believe it!” Luffy exclaimed, as he clung onto the ornament of Merry. “We are finally in the Grand Line!” Merry was racing up the mountain, the force of all four seas was behind Merry. Each of the crew members, except from Nami, was peering over the edge, watching as Merry cut through the water below and sprayed water in all of their faces. Everyone was excited. “After this mountain, we are in the Grand Line!” Nami yelled, as she gripped the banister and laughed.

“I will meet him here.” Zoro said confidently.

“M-m-maybe we should turn back?” Ussop stammered, as his bottom lip quivered slightly.

“No way Ussop! I bet there are a lot of fine ladies here!” Sanji shouted, above the sound of water.

“Sanji! Pervert!” Luffy bellowed from the front of the ship, a wide smile across his face, as he rocked back and forth under the ship's force.

“You rubber bastard...” Sanji began but was cut off as the ship reached the top of Reverse Mountain. Time seemed to stand still, as the crew stared out from Merry at the Grand Line. A calm blue sea as far as the eye could see. The ship dropped and landed back into the stream, going even faster than before.

“Secure the rudder, make sure it doesn't move at all! I don't want to crash into the rocks!” Nami yelled, quickly turned around and waving her arms in the direction she desired everyone to go.

“Right away, Nami!” Sanji shouted lovingly, as he raced to the hull and grabbed the miniature top of Merry's head. “Marimo, help me out!” Sanji barked at Zoro.

“Your doing fine, Love Cook.” Zoro retorted, as he gripped the banister next to Nami.

“Bastard, get away from Nami!” Sanji yelled.

“Make me, Love Cook!” Zoro baited, moving slowly closer to Nami, Sanji was about to let go when, “Sanji, don't you dare let go of that!” Nami bellowed. Sanji instantly gripped tighter and Zoro burst out laughing. “Don't encourage him.” Nami said, striking Zoro in the head.

“Why you...” Zoro began, through gritter teeth.

“Oh, I forgot. Luffy secure the sails! If you don't, the mast will break!” Nami shouted sheepishly, a smile spreading across her face.

“Nami! How could you...” Ussop began, tears streaming slowly down his face, but he was knocked over my Luffy.

“Rocket!” Luffy yelled, grabbing onto the mast. Ussop began to untie the sail from the bottom and Luffy wrapped it up. “Hey guys, I see the end of Reverse Mountain!” Luffy yelled, leaping into the crow's nest. He was right, soon Merry passed out of Reverse Mountain and into the Grand Line, floating gently across the ocean. Screams of merriment and joy could be heard from below, as Luffy jumped down.

About 30 minutes after the Straw Hats entered the Grand Line, everyone was now calm. Zoro was sitting in the Crow's Nest, napping, and Sanji was cooking dinner. Luffy and Ussop had advance on Nami, who was at Luffy's special seat. “Which way to we go now, Nami?” Luffy asked excitedly, as Ussop had a confident smile spread across his face. “I know from past experience that we go that way from here, that is if you want a challenge!” Ussop said confidently.

“Awesome! You've actually been here! Ussop! Awesome!” Luffy exclaimed, dancing around Ussop. Nami looked down at her compass, in awe. The needle was spinning around like crazy, not staying in any direction for any amount of time. “Umm..we go that way.” Nami said pointing, the same way as Ussop, left.

“Ussop, its just like you said! You are awesome!” Luffy admired, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Ussop.

“Yeah, you see it was a good idea to bring me! I know this land like the back of my hand!” Ussop boasted.

“This is the sea, idiot.” Sanji yelled from the door to the kitchen. “Dinners ready.” He walked back into the kitchen.

“Dinner, oh yeah! Dinner, baby!” Luffy began to sing, racing to the kitchen. Ussop followed after him.

“The way you behave Luffy, it would seem like you haven't had anything to eat ever.” Ussop noted.

“I haven't had anything to eat since breakfast!” Luffy complained.

“Thats totally normal!” Ussop yelled.

Nami was last to enter the kitchen, she looked worried. “What is the matter, Nami?” Sanji asked, smiling at her politely.

“Nothing at all Sanji.” Nami smiled, sitting down at beginning to eat, looking at Luffy wolf his food and Ussop stare in awe at Luffy.

“Is Zoro coming?” Luffy asked, biting a chunk of meat from the bone in his hand.

“I dunno about Marimo, but don't talk with your mouthful. ****ty rubber man.” Sanji replied.

“Good, I'm eating his!” Luffy said, stretching across the table and grabbing Zoro's plate. Luffy cleaned it in a few moments. The door opened and Zoro entered.

“Too late Marimo, Luffy just devoured yours.” Sanji mocked, smiling as Zoro's jaw dropped.

“Luffy you bastard!” Zoro yelled but was knocked off of his feet as a shock wave went through the ship. All of the dishes fell and they all broke.

“What was that?” Sanji said, as everyone rushed outside to see.

Merry had crashed up onto the shore of a dark island, shadows were moving in the distance, getting closer and closer. Dots began to appear, fire was present with them. “What are they?” Ussop stammered, as the figures drew nearer.

“Adventure!” Luffy yelled.

“If they want to fight, bring it!” Zoro said cockily.

“Nami, allow me to show you my burning passion of love.” He said, kissing Nami's hand before putting on his waist coat. The figures had come into view. They appeared to be just normal humans, dressed in nothing but simple cloth.

“Who are you?” Nami asked, as someone stepped forward.

“We are the people of Yojimbo island!”

 

[Tawsie]

My Naruto phase, a 3 chapter story I may finish one day.

The Hidden Village of Cloud Arc

Chapter 1; Desperate Stranger

The rain was the only sound to be heard. The soft tapping on the rooftops surrounding and the sound of it bouncing off of the ground or forming large puddles. The town was deadly silent, no sign of trouble, no sign of anything. Yet guards still patrolled the town, looking after what seemed to be the one area. Around they went, one after another, each carrying a flaming torch. They were darkly dressed, face masked and silent. You would not have been know they were there if they weren't carrying the dark torches. No one in the town seemed to acknowledge their existence, going on with their everyday life, ignoring that one area, as if it wasn't there.

The moon was full, shining down onto a field containing a lone tree. There was a cloaked figure standing under the tree, looking downwards, as the rain landed on his and then dripped off. The field was not far from the town, perhaps maybe half a mile, but that field was a forbidden place to be, allowed to enter only by permission, although this figure had no permission. The figure looked up, peering from under his hood at the full moon. There was a glint of its reflection in his black eyes. The figure looked down again, removing his hand from his side and outstretching it. The rain began to drop onto it, several times, before sliding off. “Its time.” The figure said quietly.

The figure softly pushed off of the tree, breaking into an undetectable sprint, as he headed in the direction of the Village. Quick and swift, weaving his way in and out of the trees nearby. The figure came to a sudden halt at the edge of the forest, standing in the forest's shadow, looking out at the various torches in different locations. The torches showed where the guards were located, and revealed where the blind spot was. The figure left the forest's shadow and rushed to the city wall, pressing hard against it, making the shadow produced as small as possible. The figure looked out, watching for when a guards shadow was directly above. The figure waited for several moments until one guard had finally reached the desired location. The figure reached behind himself, looking for something, the hand returned shortly afterwards, clutching a kunai tied to a thin wire. The wire was barely visible to the eye and would be hard to detect, but still, this was a risky maneuver.

The figure crept out from the shadow, as much as possible without being spotted by the guard, and began to swing the kunai around with the wire. The kunai was now a blur to the human eye, seeing it fit, the figure cocked back his arm and then threw it forward, hurtling the kunai towards the guard. The night fell silent once more, the torch the guard was carrying had been dropped and it rolled off the edge of the wall and fell to the ground below. The guard fell to his knees before softly dropping face first onto the top of the wall. Blood began to stream down the wire and onto the figure's hands. The figure stepped forward, getting closer and closer to the wall, putting out the torch in his wake. The figure was pressed against the wall once more, placing one foot onto the wall as he began to pull himself up, the guard's lifeless was now pressing against the edge of the wall, able to give way at any time. The figure hurried, reaching the top of the wall in minimal time, releasing the wire and rolling the guard's body off of the wall.

The figure had gained entry undetected, briskly walking along the top of the wall before leaping down into the grass courtyard below. Again, there was dots of firelight surrounding the figure. Hiding behind a nearby bush, the figure was able to estimate where each guard was positioned. The figure was on the move again, pushing through the bush and walking in the shadow of the wall, hiding his presence and keeping a weathered eye on his surroundings. A yawn was heard nearby, the guard across from him was tired, yawning continuously and complaining to his comrade. “Why do we have to guard it?” He complained, looking to the side at the comrade.

“Its a very important item, someone might try to steal it.” His comrade replied, showing signs of fatigue in his voice.

“I've been here 10 years and not once has someone attempted to steal it. I'm just saying, we should slack up on guard duty around here. The old man is paranoid, ain't no one coming to steal it nowadays. Barely anyone knows of its existence.” He said again, making sure his point got across.

“But still, the reason there hasn't been an attempt in 10 years is because of the security. The fortress and this door is impregnable. Ain't no one getting past us or near the old man.” His comrade said proudly, tapping on the heavy wooden door at his right. The first guard chuckled slightly, before leaning on the heavy door.

“True, maybe there is need in this. The pay ain't that bad either, the old man has too much money, with no heir.” The first guard's face lit up under the torch light. “We could 'liberate' some of it for ourselves.” The first guard continued.

“Just what are you suggesting?” His comrade replied, sounding intrigued.

“Well he has more money than he knows what to do with and when he dies, which will probably be soon, it will all be scattered. So I say, why not grab some for ourselves? Its not like he will notice.” The first guard replied, a sly look upon his face as his comrade pondered his proposal.

The figure had become tired of listening to this conversation, not willing to wait until 6am for the next shift change. The shadows would be gone by then and he would lose his only defense against what seemed to be an army. The figure once again reached behind the cloak, pulling out a windmill shuriken this time. A glimmer of red was seen from under the hood, only a glint. The figure made himself higher, lowering the shuriken to his waist, before throwing it. The shuriken sliced through the air and made a slight whistling sound, as the two guards broke mid-conversation, with no answer. The first guard spotted the shuriken but could do nothing about it, as it had already cut his neck. The first guard staggered around for a second, alerting his comrade's attention. His comrade rose to his feet, to check on him, but was viciously cut down by the same shuriken. The figure stepped out from the shadows and retrieved his shuriken, turning and pushing open the large gate slightly, just enough for him to slip through. The figure closed the gate after himself.

What lay beyond the gate was a lone cottage, watched vigilantly by the surrounding guards on the wall. This cottage was the home to the precious artifact that the figure was seeking. The figure removed two smoke pellets from his belt and quickly lobbed them over the wall. They were set off instantly, as soon as they made contact with the ground. The smoke rose and rose, demanding the guard's attention, the guards all looked, wondering if it was the first break in attempt in 10 years. The figure dashed from the shadows in the midst of the confusion, darting to the cottage and sneaking in through an open window.

A sound of loud heaving was heard, it was of a man sleeping, taking heavy breaths at that. The figure ignored him, making for the furthest room in the small cottage, being as quiet as a mouse. The figure slid open the door quietly and entered, leaving the door open for his departure. The figure saw an ebony box, laying on a purple velvet pillow, that was situated at the other side of the room. The ebony box and pillow were positioned in an indent in the wall, the indent consisted of the finest polished wood. The figure stepped forward, being careful to look for any traps, although a sneaking suspicion in his mind told him not too. After all, there hadn't been a break in attempt in 10 years, why place pointless traps? The figure stretched out, about to lay a finger on the box. “Ninjas aren't as impressive as they used to be.” Said a hoarse voice from behind.

The figure turned around, surprised by the hood hid it well. The figure stared at the old man, standing there in a white suit, with white hair and a beard that was tucked into his belt. The man had lines in his face, wisdom lines, he was a wise man. The figure stared at him from behind the hood, eyes fixated on the man, half afraid and half surprised. Surprised at the fact that the old man had detected him and tracked him down. “Have you been following me?” The figure grunted.

“Me? No. I was sleeping until you woke me up. Not a very good thief or ninja.” He replied, insulting the figures skills. “Might I ask who you may be?” He continued, staring intently, as if he was trying to decipher what the shadows hid.

“Why?” The figure replied, curious as to why the old man was so interested.

“I like to know the name of the person I kill. If I don't, I won't be able to etch it on my chest.” The man said, undoing his belt and pulling back the upper half of his white suit. His chest was scarred with many, many names. The figure scoffed, to the old man's dismay.

“I shall tell you my identity.” The figure said, raising his hands and lowering his cloak. “I am Uchiha Sasuke.” Sasuke continued, staring at the man.

“Ah, an Uchiha? Ain't killed one of them in a while.” The old man scoffed before rushing at Sasuke.

 

[Tawsie]

The rest of chapter 1


Sasuke readied himself, deflecting the first punch by the old man and going for the kick. The old man quickly pressed both hands on the ground, connecting his heel with Sasuke's jaw. Sasuke staggered back, spitting out a mixture of blood and saliva, before regaining composure. The old man launched another vicious assault, coming at Sasuke with a kunai. One after another, each more vicious than the last and each would have ended Sasuke's life. Sasuke had luckily dodged each of them and managed to disarm the old man, pressing the old man's kunai up to the old man's throat. “Yield.” Sasuke said, pressing the kunai a bit harder, watching as blood began to trickle onto his hand. “Never!” The Old Man declared, spitting in Sasuke's eye. Sasuke released the old man, wiping the saliva out of his eyes and pushing his hair back.


Sasuke hadn't intended to get serious but he could not have this old man ruining his shot at getting what he came for. Sasuke stepped back, spacing out his legs a little, smiling. Sasuke reached in the back of his cloak and pulled out his Chokuto. He then raised his hand, tilting his wrist a little, as the sword was horizontal across his body. “Its over!” Sasuke declared, rushing forward and cutting the man's arm off. The arm fell with a thud, as blood began to squirt out. The old man was in shock, not sure whether to scream out or run away. Sasuke turned rushing forward again, this time, cutting off the old man's leg. The Old man flopped to the ground, crying out in pain. Sasuke spun the handle of the Chokuto in his hand, until the blade was pointing downwards, above the Old Man's head. Sasuke grinned, driving the blade down through the Old Man's head, as blood splattered up, covering Sasuke in specs of blood here and there. Sasuke didn't care. He wiped the blade of the Chokuto on the Old Man's white robes, before he sheathed it again. He, once again, turned his attention to the ebony box.

Sasuke walked to it once more, stretching out and lifting it up, prying the box open. There was a piece of paper in it. Sasuke picked up the piece of paper and dropped the box, the lid came apart from the rest of it. Sasuke glanced at the paper, it read;

Hey Sasuke,

You didn't make your interest in the Dragon's Claw private. As well you may know, you have a lot of enemies. Enemies willing to go great length to stop your ambitions and beat you at any chance. You haven't given many chance to be beaten lately but you gave many to stop your ambition. This but one mere gesture. If you want it back, however, you may come to the Hidden Village of Cloud. I will be waiting there, along with all of the other people you have scorned. The decision rests on your shoulders alone, do what you will, but know this. You will never be forgiven and always be hunted. Take that into consideration and come, don't ruin the fun.

Anger spread across Sasuke's face, he crumpled up the note in his hand and threw it aside. He was going to the Hidden Village of Cloud and he was getting his exact revenge. Itachi will have to wait. This, for the moment, is more important.

Chapter 2, History of the Dragon Claw

“The Dragon's Claw?” Sasuke said, his voice resounding around the empty room. He was leaning against one of the walls, staring at a hooded figure standing directly in the center. “Yes, an very rare Ninja item.” The hooded figure replied.

“I'm not interested in rare items.” Sasuke scoffed, his voice deep with boredom.

“It isn't just any Ninja item, it has...special powers.” The figure replied, trailing off slightly at the end of his sentence. A small glint was seen from under the hood, eyes fixed intently on Sasuke. Sasuke had his eyes closed, arms crossed and Chokuto slightly away from its case, for quick grabbing in case things got messy here. “It is said to grant the user unbelievable power, fueled by hatred and revenge. In the hands of those people, it works best.” The hooded figure continued, watching with glee and Sasuke's interest spiked.

“I had not heard of such an item.” Sasuke replied, relaxing again against the wall.

“I am not surprised, not many know of its existence, and those that do, dare not speak of it. The walls have ears and the doors have eyes. It is not safe to talk about it in public.” The figure said, hyping up the item to extraordinary heights. “It is why I had arranged to meet you here, in a secluded location and decided to have it delivered by a beggar.” The Figure continued.

“Why do you know of such an item then? If it is a secret discreetly kept, it raises the question of how you would know of it.” Sasuke replied in an accusing tone.

“ You do not know much about me, not as much as I do you. You do not know what I have done or even who I am. You still haven't told me why you accepted the invitation, why was that?” The figure said bluntly.

“How does 'spur of the moment' of the moment grab you?” Sasuke replied smartly, slightly opening one eye to see the reaction of the hooded man, albeit he could see nothing.

“That does not sound Uchiha Sasuke, the Sharingan Master.” The figure cockily replied.

The last sentence stirred something inside Sasuke but he decided to play it cool, not showing the figure his annoyance. “Sharingan Master? I will not accept such a trivial title.” Sasuke scoffed, a glint of red appeared in his eyes.

“Aren't you curious as to why I know your name?” The figure replied, almost sounding shocked that Sasuke didn't inquire further.

“I do not care. You would have to have heard of me or known my name before you send me an invitation to the ludicrous meeting. The means of how you know my name isn't important, as to why you called me is.” Sasuke said coolly, unfolding his arms and placing his right hand on the hilt of the Chokuto. The pushed his hand down and a crack was heard, the metal of the sword was gleaming brightly in the dimly lit room. “If I had cared as to why you knew my name, I would have beaten it out you by now.” Sasuke continued, opening his eyes and showing his Sharingan .

“But you have not, which means you are interested in the item I speak of.” The figure replied, Sasuke stayed silent. “Excellent.” The figure continued. “I had wished that this meeting would be of great interest and benefit to you, after all, I was a close friend of Uchiha Madara and most of the Uchiha clan. It is only natural for me to help one of their own.”

“Don't associate me as 'just another Uchiha' I am Uchiha Sasuke, the true genius of the Uchiha Clan.” Sasuke angrily said, although he never moved from the spot.

“Thats not what I have heard...” The Hooded figure began.

“I don't care what you have heard. Tell me about this Dragon's Claw, or this meeting is over, along with your life.” Sasuke interrupted, his threat unnerved the figure.

“Hmm. Very well. This item was created over 200 years ago, it is made from a strange rock that was found as a mountain base.” The figure began.

“What was so strange about it?” Sasuke asked.

“It seemed to glow red and exude chakra when it was surrounded in conflict, as was what was happening over who should keep the rock. The Village Head got sick of the bickering and decided to put an end to it.” The figure said. “He hired all of the Village's Blacksmiths to each take a piece of he rock and carve it into 10 pieces, all which resembled claws.”

“I get why it is called Dragon Claw for the claw shaped piece but why is it called Dragon?” Sasuke asked, his interest was keen but his senses were on alert.

“Whenever it was surrounded with conflict, the chakra it exuding was a dark red, which was said to be hotter than Dragon's fire. Hence the name.” The Figure replied. “The 10 claws were placed in the Village head's home but it was an Ill omen, for the rock was never meant to be split. It caused terrible things to happen, as the Village was set alight many times, crushed by landslides and the earth even split underneath it. It was a state of emergency. The previous Village head had been killed in a fire caused by the 10 claws and the new Village head feared his fate would be the same. He ordered for 9 of the claws to be destroyed, leaving one for if an emergency ever happened. But the other 9 claws could not be destroyed.”

Sasuke scoffed a little, as the hooded figure took a break from his story, it was a short break. “The Blacksmith's hammers were shattered by the Claws, one strike after another only led to hammers being broken. No form of Jutsu worked on them either, they were unbreakable. The villagers had had enough of everything. His weak leadership and the bad omens brought to them by the Dragon Claws, they packed up and left. But before they left, the Village Head gave each band of Villager's one of the 9 Dragon Claws, keeping one for himself. The Bands of Villagers never made it to their new destination, as the Dragon Claws caused their demise. In turn, the Dragon Claws were forgotten, as if lost chapters in a book.” The hooded figure retold.

“What became of the one held by the Village Head?” Sasuke asked, in a dull tone, as if all belief he had in this story had vanished.

 

[Tawsie]

The rest of chapter 2

“The last Dragon Claw granted the Village Head a prolonged life. He was angry towards the Villagers, who abandoned him, and the Dragon Claw fed off of that, burning him more and more every day. Eventually, he raped a wandering young girl, causing the young girl to be pregnant, creating his off spring. When the baby was born, he took the child and killed the young girl, raising the child as his own. This child later became known as the 'White Fang', not many know the truth behind his name but it was because he had joined himself with the Dragon Claw. His father had died and he was the last remaining to know about the Dragon Claw. He aged, the Dragon Claw's effects seemed to dull, as he aged quicker than usual, becoming old and frail very quickly. As to this, he retired from being a Ninja and built himself a house.” The hooded figure broke off, going silent for a moment. “The last Dragon Claw is in that house, although it is no longer a house, more like an impregnable fort.”

“But didn't he merge himself with the Dragon Claw?” Sasuke said, trying to poke a whole through this elaborate story.

“The Dragon Claw would only stay joined as one with him as long as he felt a never ending hatred and urge for revenge. He got older and frailer, these feelings faded away down to the depths of his soul and the Dragon Claw separated itself from him. The White Fang then placed it in an ebony box, ebony seemed to be the only material that can negate the effects of the Dragon Claw, the White Fang had only discovered this recently.” The hooded man explained, taking a deep breath and then relaxing.

“So, this is what you wanted to tell me?” Sasuke said, pushing softly off of the wall and taking a few steps forward, to the center of the room.

“Yes, for I wish for you to take the Dragon Claw and use it for your motives. I sense your hatred and urge for revenge, it was clear the moment you stepped in here. It almost suffocates me. I had originally intended to kill you but decided to honor my Uchiha ties. The Fort lies north of Konoha, in the midst of a small village. It is guarded by over 200 men and they are heavily skilled. There hasn't been a break in attempt in 10 years.” The Hooded figure answered.

“And how exactly do you know this?” Sasuke scoffed, as the hooded figure stepped to his feet and removed his hood. He was an old man, white wisps of hair fell down either side of his cheeks and there was virtually no hair on the top of his head. You could see the whites of his eyes, he was blind. The Old man began to unbuttoned the hooded cloak he had on, revealing a tinted red top on underneath, he lifted it up. “I know because It was I who made that attempt, enticed by the rumors and legend, I foolishly went for it. Only to be struck down by the White Fang.” The Old Man sighed, revealing a large scar all the way up his chest. The scar was a dark red. “This is the power of the Dragon Claw.” The Old Man finished, lowering his top and casting off his cloak.

“Go now.” The Old man whispered to Sasuke. “Get the Dragon Claw and fulfill what ever ambition you see fit.” Sasuke turned and left the room, stepping out into the darkness of night. He smiled, putting on his own cloak and raising the hood, making for the Village North of Konoha.

Sasuke was awoken by a rough bump in the road, he shook his head slightly. Coming to terms of where he was. Sasuke peered out of the back of the carriage, he was near the Hidden Village of Cloud, near border patrol. “I have been having that dream more recently.” Sasuke thought to himself, as the carriage came to a halt.

“Whats in the cart?” One of the Patrol said.

“Nothing out of the ordinary.” The Cart driver replied.

“I have to look.” The second Patrol officer said, sounds of footsteps drew nearer.

“No!” The sounds of the Cart Driver leaping from the cart and rushing to catch the Patrol Officer.

“Stopping my business is an official offense, don't make this a bad thing.” The Officer warned him, the Cart Driver groaned, he had been pushed to the ground. Sasuke readied himself, crouching in the cart as he saw a hand pull it back...

“Great Fireball Technique!” Sasuke bellowed, releasing a gigantic fireball from out the back of the cart. The Patrol officer screamed in pain, as backed off, alight in the dark night. Sasuke leaped out from the cart, to find the first patrol officer looking at him. “Talos.” The Patrol officer said to Sasuke, his eyes fixed intently on him.

“What?” Sasuke snapped.

“My name. Don't you want to know that name of the name who is about to kill you?” Talos replied. Sasuke scoffed.

“We'll see about that.” He replied sharply.

“Whats yours?” Talos demanded, as Sasuke scoffed again.

“Uchiha. Uchiha Sasuke.” Sasuke replied.

Talos rushed forward, quickly removing a kunai from his pouch and throwing it. Sasuke quickly stepped to the side, snatching Talo's kunai by the hilt and threw it back, all in one swift movement. Talos dodged with ease and continued to move forward, Sasuke pushed forward too. Talos threw a right but Sasuke blocked it with his forearm, pushing Talos' arm away and landing a kick in the gut. Talos staggered back but grinned.

“Your no slouch I see.” Talos smirked, “I may actually have some fun here.” Talos rushed forward, unleashing an onslaught at Sasuke. Sasuke seemed to be able to block most but he was hit more than a few times. “His hits are like rocks.” Sasuke thought to himself, being staggered back from one of the hits. Sasuke steadied himself. “Phoenix Fire Technique!” He yelled, taking a deep breath and blowing out at timed intervals, causing sparks of fire to fly all over the place. “Don't underestimate me!” Talos yelled, leaping into the air and twirling, an array of weapons came from his body. Most were melted from the heat of the flames but Sasuke was hit by a kunai in the shoulder. “I'm not just a lowly guard.” Talos said, smirking uncontrollably as he landed back on the ground. “I'm only here to kill time!”

Chapter 3, Duel on the Highway

The full moon was alone in the sky, as silence fell over the road. Sasuke stared at Talos with intensity, ignoring the sounds of the cart driving scurrying into the cart and driving back down the road. Talos smirked, rushing forward again, Sasuke followed suit. They collided mid-way, Sasuke blocked a right from Talos but Talos blocked Sasuke's kick. Talos pushed Sasuke back, quickly pulling out a shuriken and tossing it. The shuriken cut through the air and hurtled at Sasuke, who quickly maneuvered out of the way but it was a diversion. Talos sprinted forward and leaped into the air, his foot connecting his Sasuke's face. Sasuke flew back, hitting the ground and rolling a few feet, a cloud of dust surrounded him. Sasuke got to hands and knees but quickly had to roll to the side as Talos was on his tail again, attempting to drive his heel into Sasuke's lower back.

Sasuke quickly got to his feet, unsheathing his Chokuto as he rushed forward, swinging as hard as he could downwards. Talos dodged and Sasuke's sword got stuck in the ground. Talos smirked, rushing forward and kicking Sasuke in the jaw again. Sasuke released his grip on the hilt and staggered back, quickly spitting out a mixture of saliva and blood, before rushing back to get his sword but it was now in Talos' hand. “Nice sword this.” He mocked rushing forward, slashing to the side. Sasuke leaped back, his chest millimeters away from the razor sharp blade. Talos went again, one swing after another, pushing Sasuke further and further down the road before the sword connected. Sasuke let out a cry of pain, leaping back and dropping to one knee, his hand across his chest.

Blood seeped out from between his fingers and onto the dusty road. Talos laughed out loud, “You are weak. I had heard a rumor that the Uchiha Clan were formidable foes, well what was left of them. You've let me down, umm, what was your name again?” Talos scoffed, leaping forward again, preparing to bring the sword down onto Sasuke. The sound of metal clashing rang out, breaking the silence. Sasuke had his hand in the air, gripping a kunai tightly, as Talos held the Chokuto. Talos was pushing down hard, trying to end Sasuke but Sasuke wasn't ready to give up. Sasuke removed the hand covering the wound and raised it up, taking the kunai out of his other hand. Sasuke winced, the Chokuto had stabbed into his open palm. Sasuke closed his hand, smirking. “Great Fireball Technique!” He bellowed, raising his free hand and blowing out a tremendous fireball. A look of shock and horror spread across Talos' face, as the Fireball hit him in the gut, causing him to release the Chokuto and fly back. Sasuke got to his feet and pulled the Chokuto out from his palm, he opened and closed his hand a few times, making sure he still had full control of it.

 

[Tawsie]

The rest of chapter 3.

“The next time you hear my name, it will be on your death bed.” Sasuke threatened, as Talos got up, he was slightly burned. Talos outstretched his hand and placed it over the burned regions of his body, his hand became lined with a bright green colour of Chakra. Sasuke gasped, “Your a medical Ninja?” Talos gasped.

“I have dabbled in it a little.” Smirking as he lowered his hand and the wound was now closed up. He stretched both of his hands out in front of him, wisps of chakra began to dangle from his body. They were suddenly snapped into place, hugging his figure as a pale purple glow could be seen in his eyes. “Count yourself special, you are going to be the first to see this technique!” Talos yelled, a sudden gust of wind began to blow from, coming from behind Talos. Sasuke raised his arm, shielding himself from the wind but watching Talos in shock, he had never felt chakra like this.

“Denizen of Darkness: Blade of Chaos!” Talos exclaimed, as all the wind seemed to rush back towards him and his chakra rushed out, meeting the wind head on as a bright flash shone out, causing Sasuke to close his eyes. The light dimmed and then faded away rather quickly. Sasuke re-opened his eyes, looking at Talos. Talos was crouched down low, right leg in front of his left and both hands raised slightly higher than his head. He was grasping what appeared to be a lance but it was shades of purple and black, constantly moving, as if it was filled with liquid. “Is that it?” Sasuke sneered, raising his Chokuto, so the tip was level with his eye, he rushed at Talos.

Talos spun his weapon above his head, dropping it onto his shoulder and then leaning forward, it slid off and became lodged in the ground. He slapped his hands together, Sasuke stopped in his tracks. “Eternal Bonding of the Dark Flames!” Talos exclaimed, watching as his weapon split in half and shot at Sasuke. The pieces were then covered in a dark material, swaying as it moved. “Oh crap!” Sasuke yelled leaping forward and taking a slash at a piece of the dark material, his sword was repelled by it. Sasuke was pushed back by the force of the dark material, placing one foot behind him and one hand on the top of his sword, for support. He began to push back. “I'm having this much trouble with one piece?!” Sasuke exclaimed, trembling as the rest of the pieces collided with his sword. Sasuke began to sweat, his pupils got smaller and he began to panic. His sword was being pushed back against him. “Thats enough. Break!” Talos bellowed, as the dark materials began to shake, eventually splitting. They turned into small fireballs, Sasuke really began to panic. The fireballs began to lick at his sword, heating it up gradually and increasing the heat for Sasuke. “No choice then.” Sasuke sighed, he lowered his heat a little, averting the flame's temperature. He raised his head again and his Sharingan was activated.

“I didn't think I'd have to do this for a punk like you.!” Sasuke yelled out, as a red chakra began to exude from him. “Chidori Nagashi!” Sasuke's sword burst into storm of lighting, clashing with the flames as they slowly extinguished. Sasuke stepped back, breathing a heavy sigh of relief before lowering his sword to his side. “I see, you negated the effects of the flames with lighting. Risky but it paid off.” Talos sneered, his expression then changed, as he noticed the change in Sasuke's eyes. “Whats happened to your eyes?”

Sasuke smirked. “These? This is called Sharingan.”

“Sharingan? Whats that?” Talos replied, very interested in this new development.

“Its my Blood Line Limit, exclusive only to the Uchiha Clan.” Sasuke replied. “But I am not going to stand here and explain to you exactly what it does, come at me and see!”

“Don't use such strong words, Sasuke. They make your weakness more apparent.” Talos calmly replied, pulling the rest of his weapon out from the ground. Talos gripped it with his left and in his right, fist facing downward, as his chakra encased the weapon. “Change, Sword of Darkness.” Talos yelled, as his weapon began to slowly change shape, gradually forming a sword. Talos gripped the hilt and smiled, running towards Sasuke.

Sasuke widened his legs slightly, crossing the sword over his body, as Talos leaped forward. The sound of the two swords clashing was deafening, as Sasuke and Talos pushed hard, trying to break the other one's footing but it seemed that nothing was happening. “A stalemate?” Talos chuckled. “How boring. Black Hole.” Talo's sword shattered, the pieces quickly stuck to Sasuke and began to expand at a rapid pace. Sasuke squirmed, trying to get the black pieces off of his body. “What are these!?” He cried out, as he tried to pull one off but it spread onto his hand. Talos grinned, sitting down onto the ground. “Darkness.” Talos simply replied.

“What is it doing?” Sasuke demanded, as the darkness had now spread to the ground, encasing his legs in black clay, bounding him to the ground. Sasuke's upper half was beginning to stiffen.

“Darkness is gravity. To be precise a high gravity power substance, which will pull you into the ground and crush. Once fully encased that it.” Talos calmly explained, as Sasuke's upper half was fully encased and it was slowly moving up towards his neck.

“No! Please! Stop! I'm not ready to die, please!” Sasuke pleaded, tears rolling down his face, as the darkness was spreading up over his chin. It spread over his mouth and entered his mouth, going down his throat. Sasuke's tears turned into dark specs as well, as his eyes were finally covered, along with his hair. “Too late.” Talos replied, laughing afterwards.

The darkness encased Sasuke began to slowly shrink, going further and further down. It looked like it was going down a hole but it was just being compressed by the darkness. In a matter over moments, Sasuke's whole body had disappeared. Talos raised his open right hand, “Liberation!” He cried out, closing his fist. The darkness suddenly closed, rising into the air and forming a ball, out fell Sasuke and his Chokuto. The Chokuto was bend out of shape. Sasuke was stiff. His legs, arms, neck, ankles, wrists, fingers, toes, ribs and spine were all broken. Blood was dripping from his mouth, his internal organs had been crushed and reduced to nothing but a fine red liquid. “It was fun whilst it lasted.” Talos complained, as he got to his feet and made his way back to the gate.

 

[Tawsie]

My English Essay

Imaginative Essay

Total Control


“When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the
government fears the people, there is liberty.”
Thomas Jefferson

A world of freedom is a world we will never know. We will never have
our own thoughts, never feel our own feelings. Deprived of the right to
live how we want. Prisoners from within our own minds.

It all came about from fear and paranoia. The Government backed
themselves in a corner, making bad decision after bad decisions, the
aftermath always devastating the public. The idea to move underwater
and live in Atlantis caused a mass of deaths, lots of people drowned.
The Government feared rebellion, fearing that they would be overthrown,
everyone involved would be hunted down and be put to death, or worse,
be publically humiliated. A Government official could never lose faith,
it had been proven before, and many have committed suicide.

After weeks of thinking, the whole Government had halted everything
else, trying to think of a way out, a way to survive. It came to them
from the research department. Nano machines had been in development for
sometime, in means to fight cancer, AIDs and to make their security
system safer. The idea was revolutionary but ethically wrong. They were
long past ethics, desperate, the best idea they had was to give them
all Tax refunds.

A chip, a single chip, inserted to the child upon birth. The chip
containing nano machines. Once the chip had been inserted, 5 days after
birth the chip would melt because of the heat in the brain, allowing
the nano machines to be unfrozen, allowing them to run through the body
unnoticed, unhindered. These nano machines weren’t for destruction or
protection, they were for control.

The nano machines would send live feed back to the Government master
computer, updating them on body temperature, feelings, thoughts, mood,
pain, how close they were to crying, IQ and everything they wished to
know. Using there eyes as a means to look into their life. Seeing
everything they did as they did it and knowing everything they wanted
to do before it was done.

It was brilliant, simple, yet so brilliant. The Government was
overjoyed, immediately mass producing chips. The Government decided to
raise the age, originally wanting everyone to give the chip but the
Technical department explained that people over 50 couldn’t handle it,
they would just give in. The dully obliged and made it mandatory for a
shot, under the pretence of anti cancer. That was partly true anyway.

The idea was massively expanded and revised after that, anyone over 50
would have a different injection, an injection that would limit their
lives to just 80 days after the shot. The nano machines were re-
programmed, they were now able to control thoughts, release endorphins
to change moods, change ambitions, make sure no one gets sick, make
sure everyone gets a job, a job that would benefit the Government. You
would live in the place where you were told to live, eat when and what
when you were told and only moved or ran away when you were needed in
another organisation.

Nano machines were no being produced in pairs, love being decided
before you were born, love at first sight impossible now. Your partner
was now chosen on a catalogue number. Of course you wouldn’t know this,
you would think that needle was for cancer, was to protect you.
Thinking all these decisions was of your own accord, your ambitions
your own, your dream job yours, your lover you own. Unfortunately it
was not.

New Government officials were decided at birth, given a different kind
of nano machines at birth, nano machines that contained a set of DNA
exactly matching a predecessor of the Government, changing that
unfortunate baby to the person who the DNA was extracted from. The
Government immortal, no one the wiser, this would never end.

Soon after that same Government took over the world, everyone had nano
machines in them, wars ceased and the World became peaceful. No one now
remembered the world before, history was re-written and everything seemed
to re-begin when the Government had first implanted the nano machines.
The Government had now become Gods in the eyes of the public, the giver
of life and the savior of life. There had never been a case of cancer
since.

Fear had pushed the Government back, fear created by them and they had
pushed back harder. Hard enough to take over the world, to keep them
immortal and to ensure no one would stand in the way of their rule. The
public drugged and brain washed, the Government at peace and relaxed.
Why shouldn’t they be? After all, they had achieved total control.

 

[Tawsie]

I found my old hard drive and found some really old stories. So the next few stories will be from the old hard drive until further notification.

NARUTO!

Sasuke lay on the grass, a gentle wind was blowing through the town, relaxing Sasuke as he lay there. Sasuke eventually nodded off, entering a world of dreams….

Sasuke was standing, surrounded in darkness, as he warily looked around. Sasuke heard a faint noise, like someone running down a corridor, as he reached down and slipped his finger through the ring at the top of his kunai. Sasuke heard the noise get closer and closer, as he silently took out his Kunai and raised it to his eye level. The noise stopped, as Sasuke sensed someone’s presence nearby. Sasuke squeezed harder and harder on the kunai, as he quickly turned and threw it. The kunai seemed to move in slow motion, ripping the fabrics of the darkness, revealing a rocky wasteland.

Sasuke looked around at the jagged rocks and the dust in the air. He turned to see someone who he had never expected to see here, Uchiha Itachi. “I never thought you’d show your face again.” Sasuke said bluntly, realising Itachi was holding onto the kunai he had thrown. “Foolish little brother.” Itachi mocked, as Sasuke turned to face him. “Foolish? I think not. Revenge driven, maybe? But there is only one way to find out.” Sasuke smirked, lowering his head, allowing shadows to engulf his face. He tilted his head up a little, revealing the faint glimmer of Sharingan. Itachi had already activated Sharingan and was half way through unbuttoning the top of his Akatsuki coat. Itachi now had his arm out and was ready to fight. “Come.” Itachi said bluntly as Sasuke sniggered, raising his head fully and charging at Itachi.

Sasuke leaped into the air and threw a kick, easily blocked by Itachi. Sasuke dropped to the ground and threw a punch, with Itachi evaded and returned with a knee of his own. Sasuke staggered back, holding his gut, as saliva dripped from his mouth. Sasuke sucked it up, wiping the remnants of saliva from his lip. Sasuke got straight again, rushing into to Itachi and throwing a shuriken, it was caught. Sasuke ducked, avoiding the shuriken being thrown back at him. He rushed forward, throwing a punch but it was blocked by Itachi with an open hand. Sasuke contorted his body and threw a kick, Itachi blocked it with his knee. Sasuke then threw another punch but Itachi grabbed his wrist and twisted him, throwing him away easily.

Sasuke landed on two feet, skidding backwards and kicking up more dust as Itachi lunged at him, wrapping his hand around Sasuke’s throat and throwing him into a rock. Sasuke coughed as the dust got into his throat. Itachi leaned closer towards Sasuke. “Your not an Uchiha, your weak. Members of the Uchiha Clan are not weak.” Itachi remarked, ramming his knee into Sasuke’s gut one more time before releasing the grip over his neck. Sasuke fell limply to the floor before receiving a kick from Itachi. Sasuke slams against the rock, wheezing and gasping as the debris and dust float aimlessly surrounding. Itachi threw a punch but Sasuke’s eyes opened quickly. “Watch me disappear!” Sasuke smirks, as a gust of leaves seem to engulf Sasuke as the leaves seemed to take away a part of his body each. “Genjutsu of that level will not work on me.” Itachi explained.

Part 1

Itachi turned around, surveying the landscape with his Sharingan, searching for Sasuke’s location. “There.” Itachi whispered softly, quickly forming the tiger and horse seal before raising his hand to his mouth. “Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!” Itachi bellowed, breathing out glimmering chakra before it reached his hand and was converted into a dazzling flame. The flame grew bigger and bigger until it was now a round ball, standing there, looking daunting. A small flame lined person was spotted as Sasuke leaped to the left, dispelling the Genjutsu and patting his clothes, putting out the fire. “An Uchiha technique.” Sasuke smirked, staring at Itachi with an untameable fire in his eyes.

Sasuke rushed into Itachi, both arms flailing behind him as he leaped up in the air. Sasuke then drove down, one foot in front of the other with one leg bent at his side, attempting to his Itachi but it was not to be. Itachi grabbed Sasuke’s ankle and began to swing him around, Sasuke grinned. Sasuke quickly planted his hands on the ground and contorted his body, bringing his right foot crashing into the back of Itachi’s head. Itachi released his hold on Sasuke’s ankle, as Sasuke regained composure, smiling at Itachi. Itachi stepped forward, further unbuttoning his Akatsuki robe further before he threw it away. He was still wearing his old ANBU outfit. “Getting serious?” Sasuke mocked, his eyes glimmering under the beating sun.

Itachi quickly formed hand seals, untraceable by even Sasuke’s Sharingan. Puffs of smoke appeared next to Itachi as the quickly disappeared, revealing another three Itachi’s. The four Itachi’s stared at Sasuke, hatred in all of their eyes. “Sasuke-kun, your time is drawing to an end. You have not fulfilled my hopes for you and have now become obsolete to me needs. You will die here, this bed of rocks being your graves and the mountains around, your tombstone.” The four Itachi’s chimed in harmony, as an uneasy looked spread across Sasuke’s face. He was not able to detect which one was the real one. Sasuke was shocked as he was now surrounded by three of the clones, one stood back, performing hand seals. “Not good.” Sasuke said uneasily as he leaped into the air but was violently hauled down from the air and tossed down to the ground. Sasuke groaned, keeling over under the pressure of the slam. Sasuke gasped, began to breathe heavily, as the last of his air escaped him.

Itachi had now cut down his shadow clones to two, one standing close whilst the other was a little bit away, hands stuck in one seal formation. Sasuke weakly looked over, “Oh crap!” He shouted, springing up and narrowly avoiding the exploding shadow clone. Sasuke then began to run down the narrow ridge, stopping and seeking cover behind a rock. Panting heavily, Sasuke peered around the corner, looking for any signs of Itachi. There was no signs. He let out a sigh of relief, as he took a break. “Konoha Senpou!” Itachi called out, driving his foot through the top of the rock before ducking down to the ground and taking the bottom, Sasuke’s eyes glimmered. Sasuke had managed to dodge Itachi’s attack, although he narrowly did it. Sasuke leaped back, crouching down and putting his right hand on the ground for support as he caused dust to stir up. Sasuke was halted, looking up, he saw Itachi standing behind him. For the first time, Sasuke was afraid.

 

[Tawsie]

A DMC Story
The city of Fortuna. Peaceful and religious, nothing goes on here without another knowing. Nothing until tonight. The rain falls lightly, flooding Fortuna's street with a small water current, barely noticeable to anyone walking on it. The streets were silent, a curfew had been imposed a few years back. After 9pm, anyone out at that time was arrested on the grounds of “about to do something evil.” Taverns were made to close at 8:30, to allow patrons enough time to make it home at time. Yet, one man walked the streets alone. His footsteps echoing through the streets and into every alleyway. The moon was alone in the sky tonight, not a star or cloud in sight, nothing. A Demon's Gate had been opened. This was the reason for this particular man to be out at this time. Since he was not from this town, he had not known about the curfew and say no problem about being out at this time. This, after all, was what he considered early. A reflection of the moon was swaying back on forth on his back, the moon appeared long and slender on the blade of his sword. A red leather cloaked kissed the ground with each step he took. He cockily swaggered forward, each footstep resounding through the streets and alleyways. “Geez, having to come all the way out here to do some crappy job! There has to be someone able to take out such a weak demon!” He complained, rotating his arms backwards to try and get more limber, he was still stiff from the nap he took on the way down here. “The fee isn't even good, dammit, making me take such a crappy job.”

“Dante, you have to take this job! Pizzas aren't free you know!” An angry Trish exclaimed, slamming her hands off of the desk. “I don't wanna take it.” Dante argued without enthusiasm, as he continued to stare down at his “Rides” Magazine. Trish stomped around the desk and pushed Dante's legs off of it. “Hey, chill.” Dante said, his eyes still focused on his magazine as Trish moved forward and plucked it from in between his hands. “Aww, come one. I was just getting into the article.” Dante complained, sitting up in his chair and staring at Trish.
“How can you be 'getting into the article' you don't even own a car!” Trish smirked.
“Hey, don't knock my dream.”
“Your dream? Pathetic excuses as usual. Your leaving tonight for the job.”
“No I'm not.”
“You are or I'll call every Pizza place in a 10 mile radius and tell them to not even sell you a slice.”
“You wouldn't dare!” Dante worried, sitting up in his chair, as Trish moved over for the phone.
“I think I'll call Mario's first, it is the closest one after all.” She taunted, pushing the first 3 number of Mario's. “Ok, I get it. I'll go.” Dante gave in, getting up off of his chair and getting Rebellion off of the wall before picking up Ebony and Ivory. “Why don't you take Sparda's sword?” Trish asked, putting the phone back down on the receiver. “Its a demon sword and I'm not a demon.” Dante replied coolly, “Anyway, its too big to look cool with. It would totally ruin the image I've got going.” Dante smiled, making his way for the door.
“I wouldn't be so proud of a poor, pizza eating Demon hunter image, if I were you.” Trish replied cockily.
“Ouch, that might have hurt my pride if you were serious.” Dante quirked, turning and smiling at Trish.
“Nothing breaks that ego, huh?” Trish mocked.
“Only my sword.”
“Funny. The car picks you up soon, go to the station to kill time.”
“Pointless, but I can't stand you anyway.”
“Now, whose joking?”
Dante turned and pushed open the double doors, leaving Devil May Cry.

Dante made a right the end of the street, heading to where the lowest number of street lights were, Devils liked darkness, or so he hoped. Dante calmly walked down the street, still stretching as he checked out the rooftops, or all the houses and quickly scanned the alleyways at either side of him. “Eventually, another human.” Dante thought to himself, as he caught the outline of three figures on a rooftop near the end of the street. Dante placed his right hand into his coat and removed Ebony from its holster, he had noticed the Demon at the end of the street also, it appeared to be opposite the humans. “Looks like its the Devil's dinner time, I should invite myself, I love dinner parties after all.” Dante smirked as he picked up the pace. He stopped outside the alleyway, where the Demon was hiding. One street light remained, it was flickering on and off, the buzzing of the light disturbing the perfect peace, now that Dante had stopped walking. Dante raised Ebony above his head, slightly angling his arm and fired. The bullet shot through the air and pierced the light, continuing to get lodged into the building behind the light. The glass fell softly onto the cobbled street. “He should come out now.” Dante thought to himself and, of course, he was right. Panting could soon be heard, a figure could be made out from with in the shadows, the sound of four feet coming closer and closer. Until a dog-like demon stepped out from the shadows, green saliva dripping from inside its mouth. “Acid, huh?” Dante noted.

The Demon Dog smiled, revealing a mouthful of teeth, at least twice the amount of teeth a normal dog should have and each seemed to be sharper than a katana. The Demon appeared to have fur, but it was slicked down, almost as if it was caught underneath its thick, slimy skin. “So this wasn't always a demon? A dog, poor Fido.” Dante joked, as he holstered Ebony again. Dante used his free hand to stretch over behind him and grab hold of Rebellion's hilt, pulling roughly, dragging it to his front and gripping it with the other hand. Dante held his hands at the same level as his hips, the sword was tilting upwards. “Come scruffy!” Dante mocked, smirking cockily. The demon growled before letting out a loud bark at Dante, who leaped to the side and watched as the sound of the bark tore a whole in the building. “Surprise? I hate surprises!” Dante began but he was interrupted, having to leap to the side to avoid the Demon's bite. Some of the Demon's saliva landed on Dante coat and began to burn it, “Man, now I have to get new clothes!” Dante growled, getting to his feet and raising his sword up, “Now, I'm ****ed!” Dante charged forward to the Demon. Dante and the Demon clashed in the middle of the street, as Dante pushed forward at the Demon, whilst the Demon tried to bite through Dante's sword, the acid saliva dripping onto Dante's hands and burning holes into them. Dante winced as the acid touched his bare skin. “Go to sleep Doggy!” Dante yelled, pushing forward harder on his sword, cutting through the Demon's mouth and eventually through his whole body. Dante placed his sword back on his back, turning to see two halves of the Demon dog littering the center of the street. “It was tougher than I expected. Maybe I should have been called in?” Dante remarked, before turning and heading down the street, back to Devil May Cry.

Hushed whispers could be heard from the rooftops, above where Dante had beaten the Demon Dog. “That is Dante the Demon Hunter?”
“ Yes, your Holiness. That is the man who has S-S-S-S-Sparta's blood coursing through his veins.”
“His form isn't all that special, maybe the Sparta was not so strong?”
“Silence, I will hear no ill words about our God, Sparta the Dark Knight.”
“Your right, forgive me your Holiness. I would be proud to have him in my army.”
“He won't be in your army, C-C-C-C-Credo. He will be used to help us.”
“Thats right Agnus. The Saviour is coming.”

 

[Tawsie]

Half a DMC Story

The unquenchable thirst. The engulfing blood thirst. The threat of death. Looms every nearer for Nero. His life was shocked when a unfortunate events occurred. Now he is left with a deformed right hand and alone. His only friend and family member is gone and he has no where to go. The only thing keeping him on his feet, out of the ditches and alive is his desire for power. A voice at the back of his head, begging, pleading, demanding power. Nero is compelled to obey, he cannot shut it out. It only silences after it has absorbed, but only for a while. Human power no longer suffices, what can the voice demand now? Is there anything else?

2 years after his Mother was killed, Nero turned 12. He has survived by drifting through towns, making his presence unnoticed, living as a ghost. Haunting the alleyways and preying on the drunkards. Living like this is not really living at all. He has gotten stronger though, a lot stronger than he was, each passing day he gains new strengths. His arrogances grows, the pain feels better, the voice gets louder. Nero is a prisoner to his own mind, obeying the voice, well more like a slave now. Nero has been warped to urge power as well, his attitude has been molded into that of a perfect soldier. He is untouchable. He has now drifted up a motor way, staggering a little, the pain in his stomach his only companion. "Food. Food." Nero moans, conversations begin in his stomach, the familiar growling, aches. Hope arrives in the form of a diner, not too far away from him. Half a mile would be the best estimate, it has become Nero's goal. At that moment, he only lives to get to that Diner. He often does this, changes what he wants out of life to keep him alive. He would use anything in his power do that even stupid little things like getting to a Diner.

Another Half

“Mr Dante.” Hard knocks came from behind a wooden door before a painful screeching sound could be heard. The double doors to Devil May Cry had been opened by Dante’s regular pizza boy. “Its your Pizza.” The young acne ridden boy stepped forward clumsily, it appeared that pure luck was the only thing that stopped him from tripping over his feet. “Here you go.” The pizza was dropped on Dante’s desk next to his feet, the Pizza Boy sniffled, taking a deep breath before he wiped his nose with his sleeve. Dante peered at him from over his magazine. “Put it on my tab.” Dante replied simply, raising the magazine back up to cover his eyes. The Pizza Boy sighed heavily, before turning around and walking back out. The sound of his door closing echoed through Dante’s store. An assortment of Devil Arms, gathered through out all of his missions, were placed on the wall. Dante closed his magazine, pulled his feet from the desk and then placed his magazine on the desk. He reached for the pizza box and pulled it forward, pulling it open and taking a deep sniff of the pizza. Dante grabbed a slice and pulled it, a fringe of cheese began to drip from around the pizza but Dante took a bite regardless, making no movement as the hot cheese dripped on his exposed neck.

This was an unusual thing for Dante, well two unusual things, the first was peace and quiet and the second was that he could eat this pizza to himself. Trish had gone away for a few days, all Dante had to do was give her a loan of Sparda’s sword, Force Edge. It was a fair deal in Dante’s eyes, he loses a decoration for a while but gains all the pizza he could eat and all the alone time but because of this, it was boring. Dante wanted to go out to hunt demons but he had received no phone calls, no orders, no money.

 

[Tawsie]

Nero Story

“Rain? The sky is crying again. Why does the sky cry Mother?” a young silver haired boy asked, turning to his Mother before looking back up at the sky, raindrops landing on his face and then rolling off onto the ground. The boy was holding his mother's hand as they looked out on the country side, the sound of gentle rain has washed away any other sound, it was pure tranquility. “Because God is crying, Son.” His mother replied, facing the young boy and smiling before staring at the sky like him. “Why does God cry Mother?” The young boy asked again, staring up at the sky, as if he was trying to find something. “I think God cries because he is happy. Happy to see all of us, who were created in his own image, flourishing under his watchful eye. I could compare it to how I will be when you are all grown up, Nero.” The woman replied before tugging on Nero's arm, kneeling down slightly and embracing him.

Nero continued to stare up at the sky, many thoughts crossing his mind. “Huh? Whats that?” Nero said, breaking one hand free and pointing up into the sky. A small figure seemed to be standing among the clouds, watching everything that went on below. “Whats what?” His mother asked, releasing Nero from the embrace and following his hand to where Nero was pointing at. His Mother's expression changed instantly. “He..He has come for me!” His Mother panted, the figure seemed to be getting bigger and bigger, it had began to come down. “Nero, run! Don't look back no matter what happens!” She yelled, kissing Nero on the forehead and pushing him forward. “Survive no matter what! Do what needs to be done! Please! Just live!” His mother yelled, as Nero entered a confused haze.

His vision became distorted, he became disorientated, everything seemed to go in slow motion for him. Fear flooded him slowly, as his Mother screamed words he could not make out, whilst his vision rested on the advancing figure above. Closer and closer until it touched down on the edge of the hill. Nero's mother fell to the ground, attempting to crawl away but the hooded figure rushed forward, breaking both of her ankles. She called out in pain as Nero scrambled away, falling to the ground, fear clouding his vision. He tried to get up but couldn't, he began to scurry away, his hands and feet both pressing on the ground as he occasionally looked back. A silver glimmer standing tall against the gloomy sky, a katana.

A moment of blindness, a scream echoes all around. The grass is stained red. In a split second, Nero's mother has met her end at the hands of an unknown assailant. Nero let out a piercing scream, anguish blinding him as he stood up tall. His head facing up, eyes closed, his tears blending with the rain. He stupidly caught the attention of the masked attacker. Nero opened his eyes again and, to his horror, the Masked assailant was standing in front of him. Nero quickly turned and tried to make a run for it but his collar was grabbed and he was threw down to the ground like he was nothing.

The Katana was sheathed once more, concealed again underneath the cloak, as cowered on the ground, raising his hands in a futile defense. “P-p-p-please don't kill me!” Nero whimpered, his bottom lip quivering and his whole body in a state of fear. “Foolish young one. I would not stain my sword with the blood of the likes of you!” The Hooded Assailant bellowed, Nero let out a short whimper, tears continued to stream down his face. “However, all that I have been hunting lately hasn't been up to the challenge, so how about I let you live in exchange for something?” The Hooded Assailant bargained, Nero looked up instantly, a glimmer of hope could be seen in his eyes. “Yes. Anything!” Nero quickly replied, his Mother's last words resounding over and over in his head. “Ha, its a deal.” The Hooded Assailant grabbed Nero's right arm and pulled out a smaller dagger from inside his cloak. “Wait...What are you doing? You said you'd let me live!!” Nero cried, as the Hooded Assailant smiled and quickly cut off Nero's right arm, stopping at the elbow. Nero fell backwards, using his left hand to dig into the grass, trying to pull himself away, as a trail of red liquid was left behind.

“Do not run child.” The Hooded Assailant said. “For I have a gift for you.” Nero turned his head slightly, just before he was yanked up off of the ground and force fed a small tablet. Nero coughed and hacked before he crashed onto the ground. Nero began to feel a burning sensation in his right arm, Nero stared at it in horror as red stems began to grow out of it, forming the shape of a hand.. “Be grateful child. That arm wields tremendous power, after all, it has HIS blood in it.” The Hooded Assailant noted before he disappeared.

Nero ignored his disappearance and the new arm he received, instead, he rushed towards his dead Mother's body. Dropping to his knees at his side, he stared down at her, his tears dripping onto her blood stained face, half of her body was a few feet away from the other. Nero got up and retrieved the other half, placing them next to each other. He let out short whimpers, tears streaming down from his face, as he grabbed her hand with his left hand and squeezed it, not daring to touch her with his right hand, feeling it was not worthy but grief won over in the end. As Nero bent over, cuddling into Mother, before a blinding blue light appeared and then quickly disappeared. His Mother was gone.

“More...Power...Give...Me...More...Power!”

Nero looked around scared, wondering who had said that, where the light had come from and where his Mother had gone. A lot had happened in a short space of time, he yearned for a break.

“You...Need...My...Power...You...Have...To...Feed...Me...More!”

“Who said that?” Nero whimpered, almost scared, hoping for no reply.

“Fool...I...Am...You...We...Are...One....I...Am...Your....Thoughts....We...Are...One!”

Nero's new obtained right hand began to glow as a blue liquid filled it slowly, Nero began to feel new and old sensations. New sensations of power and old sensations of his Mother's touch.

“She...Was...Unsatisfactory...We...Require...More...Give...Us...More!”

Nero felt himself change, arrogance began to creep into his pure conscience. He was changing.

 

[Tawsie]

The Outcast

I may as well tell you a little about me. My name is Miguel, I am 12 years old and I live in Mexico. I’m average height and weight and have matted brown hair. Now I know from you reading this that you have taken a stereotypical view of me. You know, with the sombrero, the poncho, the sandals, the bushy moustache and that I only eat fajitas and tacos. I bet you have already given me the day job of a Mariachi. Right?

Wrong. I’m the exact opposite of that, I wear rags and have from little to nothing to eat. I live in a run down little hut, which has one room for everything. It never used to be like that, we used to have something. Us, me and my Dad, we used to have a small but honest business. We sold necklaces, rings, bracelets, hair clips, anything that could be made from sea shells. Anyway, it went belly up.

Don Corneo took over as Dictator of Mexico and the taxes soared to phenomenal heights. We couldn’t afford to pay it and he took our business first. The taxes were so bad that hotels imposed extra fees for using anything. If you couldn’t pay your taxes, you were thrown into jail for four days, a warning of sorts. That’s what happened to my Dad, he left me on my own for four days, as he faced punishment for both of us. If you couldn’t pay your taxes a second time, they took your house, that’s what happened to me and my Dad. ‘Why would you vote for someone like that?’ is a question that is probably running through your mind, well the answer is we didn’t. Don used fear and money to get to where he is today, his connection with the American mafia came in very handy.

At first bodies of other politicians running began to appear, although they seemed to have died of natural consequences and most people brushed it off as an illness. The murders were being set up to positions that were not suspicious and held no means for the Police to even think about getting involved. The American Mafia is truly a scary thing, wiping you out without a trace.

My Dad passed on soon after we had our house taken away, he left me alone. The reasons for his death was simple, he died of starvation. He couldn’t earn enough money to pay for the high priced food, he often tried to steal some but this usually resulted in him being beating to a pulp. Each time he tried to get more food and each time he was beaten. I could do nothing but watch from the shadows as he crawled back and shared his spoils of victory with me. He counted it as a victory because he got what he had set out to get, food but he never got enough food. My Dad gave all of his food share to me, I was hesitant to take but he continued to tell me that he had sneaked some during the day, I believed him and ate his share as well. It was all okay until I noticed how thin and frail he got, how much longer it took him to recover from the beatings, how he would barely talk and cried constantly. His body had began to eat itself and he was a goner. I would always mourn the passing of my Dad as the one moment that gave me the will to live on, to make sure his sacrifice was no in vain.

I have been alone ever since that night, four years ago, surviving basically the same way he did. I was proud to do it but something had to change, you can’t stay a thief in the world of the Mafia. This is how I escaped from my old life and began a new. This is my story.

It started on a scorching hot July day, I was strolling through the market place, kicking dust up with my feet and staring with envy at all those people who could afford food. My stomach growled before it cramped up, I had learned to keep walking even if the pain of hunger was almost unbearable, I was to never let them know I was suffering. My eyes moved from side to side, looking at all the food positioned on the stalls, listening to all the shop keeper bragging about their food. It was about lunch time.

I walked over to the nearest stall, it was a fruit one, the red apples seemed to gleam in the sun. “Get away from here, beggar!” The shop keeper growled, staring down on me with hate, “I have no time for Outcasts.” I looked up at him through my hair, smirking slightly as I kicked one of the stalls legs, the stall collapsed and I grabbed as many apples as I could carry and began running. I looked over my shoulder, checking to see who had followed me, when I saw the shop keeper, chasing me down to get his merchandise back. It didn’t want to be caught so I cut into a nearby alleyway, it was an alley I had never went down before but I thought I would take a chance. Sprinting into the dark alley, I thought that this was the best place to hide, if I can see in front of me, neither can he, right?

“I know your in here!” He shouted, as I quickly found a place to hide behind a dumpster. “Your trapped, you little beggar! This alleyway has no exit!” My hopes sunk, I was going to be found and I couldn’t get out, this is going to hurt but it was time to live up to the family reputation. I got to my feet slowly, dragging my feet into the light as I stared at the shop keeper. I smirked, “Gimme the best you got.” I taunted, I never should have said that. He lashed out, beating me until I lost consciousness. I obviously didn’t get off with the beating after getting knocked out, he still continued to kick me, or so I was told by a passer by later on.

I awoke several hours later, I wasn’t in the alleyway. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust but I appeared to be in a rather small room, the room was lit by one candle position in the middle of the room on top of a box. There was a small plate of food next to the box, I was starving and decided to start eating it. I ached all over, it was really hard to even move but my need for food overcame my physical pain. Every bite of food was like biting into concrete, swallowing it felt like I was swallowing a piece of glass. I eventually finished the small plate after 15 minutes and I heard the door open, I hadn’t noticed the door before but it seemed to be at the furthest corner from me. I tried to get up but I had a few broken ribs and the pain was unbearable, I pushed myself up slightly and rested on the wall. An old man stepped into the room, he had white hair and a white beard. His face was wrinkled, piercing blue eyes stared down at me, I felt mesmerised. “You took quite a beating.” He said, taking a seat on the other side of the box, the shadows dancing across his face as his breath caused the candle to dance. “I took you away after he was finished and brought you here.” He continued.

“Thanks.” I muttered, breaking the stare from his eyes and looking down at my hands.
“Its ok, you can relax here. This is a place for children like you.” He smiled kindly.
“What do you mean ‘like me’?” I replied, a hint of anger in my voice.
“For children who have lost their way in life. For those who cannot afford to eat and for those who wish to leave here. Do you wish to leave here?” He answered, his voice still as calm as it was when he first entered.
“Yeah, I want to leave here!” I blurted out.
“That’s good to hear. I guess I will include you into the party.” He exclaimed.
“What party?” I replied, my curiosity getting the best of me.
“Well I have gathered up several more outcasts, you don’t mind me using that term, do you?” I shook my head and he continued. “It is people of different ages who have all met hard times because of the Don’s ruling. We all plan to go to America and start afresh, I have added you to the list who wish to come.” I smiled weakly, feeling that this man cared about me slightly, enough to take pity on me and take me to America.
“Thanks, I would like to come very much. Are the other members here?” I asked, wanting to see who else was coming.
“Yes, they are through that door, waiting to meet you.” He replied, pointing to the door behind him.
“Why are the waiting to meet me?” I asked, wondering why anyone would want to meet me.
“Well, truth be told, it wasn’t exactly me who spotted you getting beat up. It was another member, he told the other members of you and they strongly suggested I add you to the party. I had no choice but to agree.” He smiled, giving me the thumbs up sign.
“What may I call you?” I politely asked.
“No need to be formal now, I too would like to know your name. My name is Dan.” Dan replied, smiling again.
“I see.” I replied. “My name is Miguel. I would like to meet the other members now.”
“That can be arranged.” Dan smirked, getting to his feet and going to the corner and removing something. It was a set of crutches, to help me move. “Here.” He said, outstretching his arms, I took the crutches and he moved over to help me to my feet. I positioned a crutch under each arm and began to go to the door.

 

[Tawsie]

Rest of that one



Dan was there first and he opened it for me, I walked through to see a larger room than the one I was in but it was the same kind of room. There was numerous boxes with candles on top of them position around the room. My eyes adjusted to the sudden light increase and I was able to make out four more figures, they were all moving towards me. Soon 2 boys and 2 girls were in front of me, examining me. There is 2 young children, a boy and a girl and two teens. “Now everyone, this is Miguel. Miguel is the one we rescued and has agreed to come with us to America.” Dan explained, as the room was silent. “Miguel, this is Steve, Carol, Kate and Luffy.” Dan said, pointing to the teen boy then teen girl and then the young girl and finally the young boy. “Nice to meet you.” I stammered, feeling embarrassed that I couldn’t outstretch my hand to offer them proper greeting. Their expressions all changes to smiles, as the younger kids walked forward and hugged my legs, the teen girl kissed my cheek and the teen boy patted my back.

They all seemed very happy to meet me, it was a good experience. “Hi, I’m Luffy and this is my big sis, Carol.” The young boy smiled, releasing my leg from his hug.
“Its nice to meet you Luffy and Carol. How did you get the name Luffy, it seems pretty unusual.” I asked, as Carol stepped in.
“Well when I found him, he was just a baby. He had no name and no clothes, so I decided to let him choose his own name. Since I always hated mine I thought it would be a nice change. I got him a book a while back, it is called Romance Dawn. The main character is called Luffy and he took a shine to the name.” Carol answered, holding up a tattered book. The words ‘Romance Dawn’ were fading on the front.
“Found him?” I said, wondering why she would use that word phrasing.
“Yeah, we aren’t related by blood but I am still his sister and he is still my brother. Blood isn’t that important anyway. Isn’t that right?” She explained, smiling at Luffy. Luffy smiled back and nodded his head.
“Are you two brother and sister?” I asked, pointing to Steve and Kate. They nodded and smiled, Kate hugging Steve’s leg.
“Its getting late and we should all go to bed.” Dan smiled, looking at all of us. “Our plan will be re-scheduled one week to allow Miguel some time to rest up and recover.” Everyone nodded and smiled excitedly, although I felt guilty.

The next week was the happiest week of my life. Regular meals were great and to have the meals with someone was even better. We became like a family, playing jokes on one another and talking about things that were meaningful. Everyone talked about the trip to America, they couldn’t wait to start afresh and leave Mexico behind. The plan was fairly simple and basic. Dan had a contact who had a license to enter and leave Mexico at will, Dan’s contact was a drug dealer for the American Mafia, delivering the goods to Don Corneo every week. The van we were supposed to go in was never checked for that exact reason and it was seen as an opportune moment to go. Dan had assured us that nothing would go wrong and we had no reason to doubt him, we were finally going to leave.

It was exactly a week after I had arrived and I was woken up at 2am. Dan had entered the room, where we all slept and woke us up individually. Everyone had went to bed around 6pm although only one of us got to sleep, the rest were to excited. We all got out of our beds quickly and silently, quickly getting dressed and grabbing the little belongings that we had, we left our residence. The streets were pitch black, less that half the street lights were working and the ones that did constantly flickered on and off. It was the perfect way for us to sneak up to the border. We were jogging up the street, I was falling behind because I was not fully recovered but I dare not to burden anyone with my troubles, I just continued and tried to not get too far behind.

We were to meet Dan’s contact at the border at 3am, he was leaving Mexico at this time and it was the only chance we had to get in the van. We eventually got to the border and had 10 minutes to spare. Everyone was instructed to be quiet by Dan, as the Border patrol were striding up and down, making sure no one would attempt exactly what we were attempting. My heart was in my throat as excitement welled up in my stomach, I couldn’t wait to leave here and enter the Land of Dreams. A van suddenly came into view, its headlights were piercing and illuminated all of the shadows before it, it was Dan’s contact. He pulled up beside the Border patrol and got out of his car to greet them. Dan ushered us all out of the shadows as he paced along the street and pulled open the doors to the back of the van. He moved his right hand back and forward frantically, signalling for all of us to get in, we all obliged and crammed into the back, Dan followed in and closed the door. We were all sitting in an empty van, daring not to breath in case we were found out, there was white power littering the floor of the van.

“Everything is ok, you may proceed.” A border patrol officer stated.
“Thank you.” Dan’s contact replied, as the sound of the door slamming and the gate creaking open were heard. Everyone’s heart began to race as the van’s engine kicked into life and the van started to move through the gate. In a few hours we would be in America, starting our new life and getting another chance. It was like a dream coming true. Dan still insisted that we were all silent during the journey, not to give his contact a headache, as his contact had been working hard all day with Don, and everyone knows Don is the most annoying person in the world. We all remained quiet, breathing softly and getting comfortable, the youngest ones fell asleep and I got bored. Staring into the darkness of the van had relaxed me, relaxed me enough that I could fall asleep and I did.

I was awoken by a violent stop. The van had made a sudden halt and I was filled with fear, had we been found out? Had we crashed? So many questions rushed through my head as the front door of the van opened and then slammed shut. Footsteps on gravel could be heard at the side of the van, edging closer and closer. The door was pried open and a young man stood there. The young man had brown hair and blue eyes, standing at roughly 5’10. “Is this the next batch Dan?” He asked gruffly, as Dan got to his feet and made his way out of the van. “Stay here for a moment.” Dan instructed, leaving the van and standing next to the man. “Yeah, this is the next batch.” He answered, as the man with brown hair surveyed all of us. “They look like good workers.” He noted, as my heart sank. What does good workers have to do with living our dreams in America?

“Yeah, they are good workers. After all, they have no parents and have lived off of the streets. Determination is ripe with this lot. Not like the last lot.” Dan said seriously.
“Yeah, your right. Last lot was a bunch of spoilt brats. Always calling for their parents and doing little to no work.” The brown hair man agreed.
“What do you mean by work?” Steve asked, having gathered his courage for the last few moments. The man with the brown hair laughed loudly.
“Should you tell them our should I?” He asked.
“Well Steve, it is as simple as this.” Dan began. “You were all outcasts of Mexico, living off of the streets, fighting for survival and I saved you but saving you isn’t free you know. So I sold you as slaves in America.” I felt like crying, we had all been tricked and it showed on everyone’s face, except the two children who were two young to understand what was going on. Steve got to his feet and rushed at Dan. “You jerk!” He yelled, raising his fist but Dan threw the door forward and it hit Steve, knocking him back and knocking him out. Carol rushed to him, tearing a bit of her t-shirt and using it to stop the blood that was leaking out from Steve’s head. “How could you do this?!” I yelled, as Dan looked at me calmly.
“Its my job, don’t feel to bad. I have done this about 5 times now. Your not the first and you won’t be the last.” Dan smiled, I couldn’t get up to hit him because I was frozen to the spot. My world had come crashing down around me for a second time and I couldn’t handle it. I began to cry. “I think its about time we deliver these children to the plant.” The brown haired man said, as Dan nodded. “I look forward to doing business with you again.” The brown haired man reached into his pocket and took out a small envelope, he handed it to Dan. Dan opened the envelope to reveal a large sum of money. “It was good doing business with you.” Dan cackled as the door was slammed shut.

Over the next 10 years, we all served as slaves. The youngest were beaten to death by the slave workers, because they wouldn’t work or they got tired to easy and were always taken breaks. Steve became paralysed, he tried to defend little Kate and he was beaten almost to death, he now lives in a hospital. Carol was sold on to be the wife of some Mafia associate, so she got out. As for me, I am still here. Toiling hard everyday, wishing to go back to Mexico. An outcast is better than a slave.

 

[Tawsie]

Am I....dead? What happened? How did this happen? Darkness eternal, blind, my sense of direction gone. Butterflies in my stomach, falling into an eternal pit of darkness. I must be...dead. There isn't any other reason, no place like this is on Earth. I can't be eternally falling, can I?

Light? Is that a beam of Light? It must be. I'm sure of it! Its getting closer, bigger, engulfing me with every second passing. Is there something in the light? Is that me? It is! Who is that with me? Why is can't I see there face? A mask? Is that a gun? It is! The moment of my death? Murmurs? I can hear murmurs! Clearer, there becoming clearer! “Hand me your wallet!” Wallet? I don't have a wallet, I'm only 16. “Give it to me, now!” Pain? Whats this pain I feel in my chest? I'm being prodded with the gun? “Last warning! Give it to me!” But I don't have anything to give! It Burns! I fell to the ground? Is that blood!?!? Hey, don't run away! Call an ambulance, I don't want to die! Don't leave me to die! Bastard. So thats how it happened. Why was I shown this? Am I in my mind? I can't be, only Heaven or Hell await those who are no longer alive. I can't be in my mind, it goes against anything I was ever taught! Another light? What is it this time? Huh, my school? What does my school have to do with this? Oh, this is where I was taught. Is that my Religious Education teacher? So he did have a comb over, I knew it. Wait, the murmurs are back, better listen. “When one dies, his life will be weighed out on the Scales of Fate, if ones good deeds and thoughts towards others outweigh the negatives, they will be granted access to God's Abode, Heaven. If not, eternal damnation awaits those who are welcomed by the Devil!” But what happens to those who don't go to Heaven or Hell? Hey! Wait, don't fade away on me now!

Dammit, its gone. I wish these butterflies would go away, I'm getting pretty sick of them. Another light? Butterflies! What the hell do I want to see butterflies for!?! I'm floating in ****ing darkness! Get them away! Hey, maybe I'm getting the hang of this thing, whatever I want to see I get to see. I think thats how its working anyway. He-he, now what about Angelina Jolie naked? Aha, the lights back but....NO!!! I don't want to see that thing, you! Put some pants on dammit! Close my eyes, close my eyes! Crap, I can't! My Family, I want to see my family! Good...The light has disappeared, that was like a nightmare. Ah, here comes my Family, wait...Why does my Dad have an axe? He going upstairs? Shouldn't he be out in the garage? That things dangerous. Where is my Sister and Mother, oh there they are. Why have they all gathered outside my room? Wait, why is she counting down? 3,2,1! No! Don't go into my room! Stay out! Run me! RUN! Ahhhh! Dad! That hurts! Stop! Not my arm! Ah, look at all the blood! This is a nightmare! Hey..wait. Did I just say nightmare? Family and nightmare, crap. I brought this on myself. Darkness, I want to see darkness! Leave my legs! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Not my other one! Know please! Look, I'm begging! Have some mercy! Mother, Sister, stop kicking me! Get off of my head, I hurts! Not Dad, stay away from my head! I need that! Please! Wait...Its fading? Yes, I get to live, I get to live!! Ah, back in darkness. That pain was unbelievable! It was so real, I felt everything that happened. Why is this happening! Where am I?!? I just want to go....Wait..Stop. You don't want that to happen again remember. Make sure you think of something that can't go possible wrong. Ah...I got it. I'm lying on fluffy white clouds looking up at a clear blue sky. The light is returning. I see the sky but wait, why can I see the fluffy white clouds too? I'M FALLING! CRAP! I forgot! You can't lie on a cloud! Please let me live! Someone save me! Take me to a hospital! Huh, static? Really, Am I watching a TV? “Now look at me please?” Huh, someones here? But where? “Just look slightly to your left sir.” Ow, why does it hurt. Why can I only tilt my head? “If you can't do it, it is quite understandable sir. You did fall 40,000 feet. I'm surprised your alive.” I did? How can I be alive after that? Wait, that means I fast forwarded to when I was in hospital, maybe... “Sir, you shouldn't try to move.” Huh, why? “You may not have noticed but the fall was so severe that it pushed all of your limbs back into your body, causing a massive injury. We had to amputate all of your limbs and hips. Your penis is gone too and you have a bag for your bladder. You won't ever speak again, so try to waste energy screaming. No one will hear you.” What!?!? If all that is true, then what is the point in living..Wait...Did she say...Hey! You! Woman! Give me back my penis! Dammit! Huh, its fading again...
Another light? I didn't say anything. Is that a box? Why the hell would it show me a box with a pickle in it? Wait a minute...that isn't a pickle! God dammit! Its my penis! They've put it in a pickle box!?!? Its gone green for God's sake! Some hospital this is! That better not get sent to McDonalds! Now I'm ****ed! Good for nothing hospital! Yeah, thats right! You better fade! I never want to see that again! You know...the darkness is kind of soothing...wait. What the hell am I saying!?!?! I'm trapped in darkness, floating or something and all I can think of is getting relaxed...I must be losing my mind. Yeah, thats it, losing my mind. But didn't I try to say that I was trapped in my mind? Maybe I'm in limbo, yeah, I saw myself die from that mugger. I don't remember the mugger but I saw it so it must be true. But what about the hospital and free fall? Getting attacked from my family? All these make me consider that I am in my mind. Maybe I survived the gun shot, maybe I'm in the hospital right now, yeah, I bet there is some snotty doctor walking around my bed, making noises as if he knows what he was doing. How great it this? I actually get pictures to go along with my story. I bet my hair is all greasy and I move like once a week. My family must sit around my bed all wearing sad expressions whilst my Dad pressures the doctor for a false answer about when I will wake up.

Wake up? Why didn't I think of this sooner! I could be in a coma! Yeah, thats right! Man...I must be mad...wishing that I was in a coma but then why would I have been given the chance to roam free in this darkness. Maybe everything I have seen so far has been the power of my imagination? Maybe I can unlock the full potential of my brain, become some sort of super human! I said super human, not Superman..Geez..It must be my imagination. So that means I may be able to unlock my hidden potential. Now..how do I search my mind for hidden potential? Oh, the light is back! Yeah baby! Super Human here I come! What? Grrr! Don't **** with me! Meet the wall you stupid plastic thing! What the hell is oozing out of it?!?!? Its damn nasty! Don't come near me! Don't make me step on your ass! Hyah! How do you like me now, huh! Nasty, get of off my shoe, hey get off of my hand! Ahh, its growing on me! Get off don't cover me! Wait! Wait! Leave my face alone! I can't see if you do that! Its turned white? I can remove it! Stupid blanket! Don't do that again or I will cut you to shreds! I don't need scares like that! I suppose even the darkness is better than that blanket. Ah, the darkness is back...finally. This is like hell! Aww, crap! I went and said it. Right on cue, theres the light. Damn its hot and this giant gate doesn't nothing for the surroundings! About time it opened! I'm a guest you realize that, a guest! Even Hell has to have some manners! Wait, wait, just close the gate. I don't want anything to do with a giant devil dog! “Leave now, Mortal! The likes of you are forbidden in this land! You, who are powerless, have no place in this world!” Wow, I've never seen a talking mutt before. Y'know if you entered a Dog Show, I'm sure you would come first. Come to think of it, do you want to be my dog? “Ha, how foolish. A mere Human making a mockery of me. One must not value his life.” Easy Fido, How about I take you out for a walk? “Silence, I will hear no more!” Wow, he now don't go trying to....What the ****! You bit my arm off! Give it back you flea ridden pest! What, my other arm! This is beyond a joke, I oughta kick your ass! My legs, now your pushing it! I'm going to bit your ****in' head off! Wait, leave mine!

Dammit...back in the darkness. I suppose its better than being with that dog. But it is strange that I came back here, maybe I can't die here. Wait...whats this feeling in my chest. “Clear!” What? Who said that? “Clear!” Answer me dammit! “CLEAR!” I said ****IN ANSWER ME! What? The darkness is leaving, its being drained down a giant sink hole? Wait! I'm going too! Crap, I have to hold on to something, anything! ****, theres nothing! Where am I going! I can't leave here, I had just gotten used to it! Argh! Whats the light? Why is it so bright? What? A hospital, why am I here? “Mother! Father! He has awoken!” Stephanie? Why are you here? Where am I? “Don't try to talk because you can't.” A doctor, where the hell did you come from! Your a creep...hey wait. Your the Doctor from that place! The one who put my Penis is a pickled box! I'm gonna rip your...wait..somethings not right. WHERE THE **** ARE MY ARMS AND LEGS!!!! Damn, where my Penis?!?!? No, this can't be happening! Fade! Fade! Fade! FADE! “He's going into shock! Everyone out! Nurse get in here!” Finally, I see the darkness. “Don't you dare leave this world!” **** off Doc, no one needs you anymore. When I go back to the darkness, I will rip your penis and put it in a jar! Count on it....

 

[Tawsie]

The FF Fic.
http://forums.devilmaycry.org/showthread.php?t=7528

 

[aka958]

O.O i read these another time now it is 01:52 AM so i really need to get a nap