Celestial Saga: Yoshiblue

[yoshiblue]

Spoiler!

Yeah, the candle was just Ijiraku being silly. As for her looking like family, it was an after thought of her after thought. You get so caught up in making your own character, you overlook the other possibilities you take in the process. In this case, Ijiraku creating her own self/identity, then realizing that she could look like Bitol's mother while she's at it. So that came later. She's also kind of fed up with Leanna's antics. So she now plays the field much more aggressively than she did in Bitol's story.

Who knows about what will happen to Armon though. I have an ending for him and Aroni, but I don't plan to use it because I want this to develop organically. So whether he sees the light or drowns in the surrounding culture is anyone's game.

Lastly, I went with present tense because it takes place around the same time Yadira was stuck in space during the epilogue. So I figured, why not? Heh.

[Sacrificial]

Spoiler!

After reading the previous page I kinda want a (new) character relationship chart hahaha. I know the people but I keep forgetting all those details.

[Zorafim]

Spoiler!

No kidding. He has so many characters.

[yoshiblue]

I sloppily put together a tree for my story. Hopefully it is understandable, and that I didn't forget anyone.

Spoiler!

[Sacrificial]

I take its read from bottom to top? And holy crap 9kids. What a beast :3

[yoshiblue]

Its either/or. I started from the top and worked my way down, then included stuff I couldn't fit down at the bottom. There are a few more characters, like Noreen and blondie, but I didn't include them because they didn't have any sort of family relations to show off.

[yoshiblue]

- Extra -

Spoiler!

(Optional Music)

Doing as Yoshi’s mother requested, Kreszentia and Yoshi went out of their way to go the training room to practice the way of the double blade before the start of their exam. Along the way they ran into Kazamir, their dewmen friend and group Ranger, who had just arrived from having a great breakfast back home. With blue ice cream in hand and a brand new sniper rifle looking weapon attached on his back, he was informed of the two’s destination and agreed to join them in the training session. He too needed some time to get use to his weapon, which first started with how to get his rifle past an elevator doorway.

As soon as the doors opened up on another floor, and after Yoshi had given the sign that the coast was clear, the trio sprinted down the hallway at full speed. While they did, Kazamir hummed a random tune the other two couldn’t recognize but admitted it sounded familiar. Running down gold lined white corridors, past fancy wall fixtures and over freshly waxed marble tile; a bead like device attached to Kreszenita’s wrist shimmered and glowed under the bright lamps and blue wall lights. Given to her as a gift from Yoshi, it appeared to the second piece to the double blade Yoshi’s father had given her. Along with the underside acting as a storage device for the weapon, the double blade compressing to a smaller size when unused, it also came with a panel that allowed her to access communications, news, inventory, time, place and several other handy features that could prove useful; as she didn’t wear glasses.

Running past the equipment, locker and study rooms, the trio stopped in front of a large door, the third of the ten installed in the wall, and watched as Kreszentia mumbled something about wanting a guaranteed empty room. Being a massive gate of two toothed slabs pressed together to block the way, Kreszentia immediately moved to the large orange panel next to the door and tapped away.

“I thought we were going to the training rooms?” asked Kazamir with arms crossed and a corner of his mouth pulled down towards the floor.

The dewmen boy of black hair leaned back a little and stared up at the large zero three painted above the gate. In the meantime, Yoshi held onto her chin and fiercely examined the floor. Deep in thought, she tapped her foot and spun once.

“I wonder what weapon I should use for the exam?” she whispered to herself, pacing left and right.

“Well you are going as a Fighter right?” asked Kazamir.

“Yeah.”

“Then use the knuckles you’ve been always wanting to use. I don’t think we will need a healer that badly anyways. Thought a Bouncer wouldn’t hurt.”

“I don’t know,” Yoshi said with a hum.

“Hush please,” interrupted Kreszentia, who was still focused on the orange touch panel. “I will need complete silence if I am to remember the authorization code to this room.”

Kazamir swung around to look at the silver newmen. He walked forward, stood next to her, and looked at the panel she so strongly poked at.

“What are we using the room for?” he asked with earnest curiosity in his voice.

“I know where we are going.” Kreszentia started to squint and talk more slowly. “So I am taking us . . . somewhere . . . where we can . . . got it,” she suddenly said loudly. After that she glanced at Kazamir and finished, “We are going someplace where we can get used to the sand and heat.”

Lillipa?” said Yoshi over Kazamir’s shoulder.

(*optional music*)

The silver hair newmen tapped at her arm and project a map from the bead like device on her wrist. On top a blue holographic map stood three large pillars in front of a large square building. Looking at it a brief moment, she spun it around with a gentle finger so it would face the others and looked up at them.

“There were missions that took place on a particular mining base there. Tower defense they called it. That is what we are doing. If we are lucky, we may witness even our parent’s younger selves taking part in it.”

Kazamir’s hands shot outward. “Whoa, whoa,” he shouted. “We barely know how to use our weapons and we’re already jumping into live simulations? Is that even a good idea?”

“Training dummies are hardly much of a challenge. They neither fight back nor move. This is why we are using this,” she said, patting the gateway’s frame. “We know the basics, so this will prove to be a far better teacher.”

Yoshi stepped forward, pushing Kazamir’s shoulder aside, and confronted the newmen. Smiling slyly she said to Kreszentia,

“How did you learn how to get into these things anyways?”

“As your father’s assistant, I get to watch him every time he enters into one of these rooms. It appears he has other shenanigans in store for use at some point in the future. So I suggest you brace yourself for that. In the meantime, the room is ready for use. We may now enter when ready.”

Yoshi hopped and pointed forward. “Alright, let’s go,” she commanded.

“Yeah,” smiled Kazamir. “Let’s do this.”

“By the by, I know who will be joining our exam as well. Would you like to know who it is?”

[stukasa]

Spoiler!

Somehow, the image of those three running down the corridors with Sonic music playing in the background seemed like I was reading the end credits to a Sonic game. Don't ask why, that's just the feeling I got when reading it.

I see they are still using VR training simulations in the future! I only featured them once, way back in Chapter 3 of my story sequel. I didn't mention whether the simulations posed any actual danger to the participants, though.

Also, I noticed at least one spoiler in that genealogy tree. I won't mention it, however...

[yoshiblue]

Heh, forgot it was tuesday.

- Extra -

Spoiler!

Several feet stomped on the ground when a large black and white CAST entered a small office room. As a large CAST having served many years in ARKs, he was used to the shouting the instructor gave the children when they dropped out of their orderly formation. The children couldn’t help it though. For when the massive CAST stepped into one of the brighter fixtures planted along a translucent tactical wall, the robot’s body was engulfed in a holy aura and his importance grew with it. The black portions darkened and the yellow robotic accents glowed. If he wasn’t an important person, then he sure looked like one. Both in expense and appearance.

Following the CAST also entered a newmen of red hair and a large sword. Fancy in attire, both the Durene and Borchard family crests pinning his cape near his collar, he casually moved past the CAST and wink at Kreszentia, Noreen and Yoshi as he passed by. Kreszentia and Yoshi gave him faces of disgust in return. Though they wanted to complain about him, they knew they couldn’t. Not right now anyways. Finally the large robot took his place in front of the desk and returned a salute similar to that of the children’s.

(Optional Music)

“Greetings, sir,” the instructor began, shaking the robot’s hand. “I’m glad you could make it today.” Afterwards he turned towards the four kids; Yoshi, Kreszentia, Kazamir and Noreen; and held up a flat hand. “Kids this is your baby sitter, Sergeant Major MultiCore. He will be filling the role of supervisor for your exam. So I expect to see you give him your upmost respect at all times.”

MultiCore bowed and stood straight again. Though he didn’t move or look at anyone in particular, Yoshi couldn’t help but feel he was watching her the whole time. In the meantime the instructor moved his hovering hand behind the CAST and introduced the second man leaning against the wall.

“Along with Multicore will be your supervisor in training—”

“Henry,” the newmen smugly interrupted. He push off the wall with his back and leaned forward, resting his chain on top the hilt of his blade. “Henry Borchard. One of the best Hunters you will ever find in ARKs. But we can . . . talk about that later if you want,” he finished, winking at the girls again.

The instructor let of a sigh and confronted the newmen boy.

“Yes, yes, I’m fully aware of who I’m representing and what limited powers I have here,” groaned Henry.

“Then I would advise you get your act together.”

Henry looked up at the corner of his eye and shook his head as if the instructor was an idiot. He then readjusted the position of his sword and responded, “Look, unless we want to be here all day, let’s just continue the introductions and get this over with.” After that he said in a more serious tone, “We can finish this discussion later.”

Henry and the instructor glared at each other for a moment. Not wanting to stand around all day, and to keep everyone’s pride intact, MultiCore uttered a loud cough to distract the two.

(*optional music*)

To this the instructor instantly swam away from the newmen and moved next to MultiCore again. “Right,” he said, as if nothing ever happened. “MultiCore, these are your babies. Starting from the left we have Kazamir Vadim, a surprising member of the team for he has some of the best marks among the Rangers we have the pleasure to teach here. Next we have Kreszentia Borchard, a very talented Fighter with several achievements to her name. Yoshiblue . . . you may want to be careful with her. She tends to be very sporadic in her performance and has yet to settle down with a specialty. Finally, we have Noreen Doganova. A dedicated hunter, who you will find, has quite the throwing arm on her.”

Kazamir beamed with joy. Noreen clasped one of her arms and swayed in place. Krezentia patted Yoshi on the back. Yoshi tried to look away and blushed in embarrassment. She didn’t know how the CAST felt about her lack of performance or what kinds of stories he has heard of her.

“Yoshiblue,” said MultiCore in a ponderous voice. “I’ve heard much about you from your father. He is also reason for my being here. As your supervisor, I look forward to see how all four of you will perform. If you are in need of advice, I will gladly share what I have to offer. Also…”

MultiCore turned to the desk behind him and summoned a large weapon case. He opened it up and took out a set of blades. Returning to Yoshi, he stepped forward and offered them down to her.

“Make no mistake, these blade are not from me. Though your parents want you to be who you want to be, I cannot have you haphazardly running around using every weapon under the sun. Thus for this exam, you will be a Bouncer. You may use a gunslash as you please, however I want to see you sticking with these blades.”

“Yes, sir,” Yoshi replied, stiffly accepting the blades with slight hesitation.

“Making use of her heritage,” added Henry. “Clever. I look forward to seeing this. I want to see how much mix blood gimps what could have been a worthy newmen.”

Everyone ignored him expect for Noreen and Kazamir.

“I am aware of what it means to be a Diga hybrid,” said MultiCore. “So don’t push yourself out there. Let the blades help you. These blades may look standard issue, but your father modified them himself to match gear used by experienced operatives.”

“Yes, sir.”

MultiCore turned to the instructor.

“Good, I will take it from here.”

The instructor nodded and faced the children.

“Good luck, everyone. Dismissed!”

[Sacrificial]

Oh dang I gotta hurry up.....