Authors note: bold means characters are speaking Japanese. Enjoy.
Jessica suddenly jerks out of her slumber.
Scarce images remain in her mind. A heavy sigh escapes the blonde's lips. Crawling off the mattress, she ambles towards her closet opposite her bed. She opens the closet door with a long outward push as her eyes are directed to the solid case neatly hidden on the brim of the closet. This box is small in size yet strong, protecting whatever is inside like a knight. The blonde bends down to caress the sliver padlock. A wall that shields whatever is instead from the outside world.
Well, except her. She knows the code.
Lost in thought the blonde continues to caress the lock before bellowing a sigh. Taking a huge gulp of air the blond lightly slaps her cheeks.
"Time to move on Jess," she quietly iterates to herself.
With newfound energy the blonde shuts the closet with a short swoop and begins to gather necessary essentials to prepare herself for school. Towel, hairbrush, toothbrush oh and she almost forgot. What is she going to wear today? Racing to her closet once more she eyes her endless hoard of clothing. As she rampages through her closet the box that has been clogging her thoughts from moments ago has completely dissipated into thin air.
A loud clinging rang through the school signalling the end of first period. Jessica wakes from her daze as the students clutter towards the door. Passively, Jessica places her books into her new forever 21 bag, a faux leather rectangular cross body she received for her 16th birthday last year. Gina, her best friend had bought it for her. She slings her bag onto her shoulder and heads towards the door.
One fact to be known about Jessica is that she absolutely hates history. Though she tries she can't seem to stay awake during a history lecture. Thankfully, Mr. O Brian hadn't noticed her falling asleep or either he had and just gave up waking the girl. That was a still a mystery Jessica hadn't figured out.
Still recovering from the lecture Jessica didn't process a large but fairly slim looking man passing right in front the door. To late to form a reaction Jess bumps right into the man's left shoulder. The blonde staggers a few steps back to regain her balance. "Oof...shoot. I'm sorry."
The man chuckles at the blonde's feathery apology. "Hehe... that's just like you Jess, you're always spacing out." As Jessica takes in her surrounding, she realized who this person is.
"Mark! What are you doing here?" Mark Tuan, Jessica's boyfriend for the past year and a half, ruffles her hair with big gentle hands. He's fairly tall with the blue eyed girl's head reaching his chest. With choppy short hazel hair and forest brown eyes the male sports a long sleeved white sweatshirt with two black trips on the sleeves and camo cargo pants - the ones Jessica bought for him last week.
"To pick you up silly. We were going to eat together? At the cafeteria?"
"We could've just met there you know." Jessica states as she softly removes Mark's hand from her head. Jessica liked Mark's hand though she never admitted it to his face. They were gentle yet corse with the endless guitar lessons he takes after school.
Mark took this opportunity to link their hands together, clasping his hand over the blonde's. "And why wouldn't I want to see my beloved's beautiful face right away?" Mark gushes as they walk towards the cafeteria.
"Didn't I tell you to stop with the complements?" the blonde snaps at him sporting a blush and turning to face the opposite direction, away from Mark. At this, the said man bellows a rich deep laugh not doing any favours for the red-face blonde.
"Oh come on already!" releasing their hands Jessica crosses her arms and puffs her face. Mark's laughs increases till he's unable to contain himself and bends towards the floor, hands on stomach failing to stifle his laugh.
"Hehe..sorry Jess..it's just..you look so cute right now." Mark reassures between laughs. Jessica still not letting up her displeasure refuses to look at Mark.
"Aw come on Jess. I said I was sorry. Look, lunch is on me. Order whatever you want." Mark locks his arm around Jessica's neck. Relentingly, Jessica sighs and agrees on Mark's offer.
"Whatever I want?" Jess asks curiously.
"Whatever you want." Mark reaffirms.
Jessica gives a quaint smile as the couple continue towards the cafeteria. Though pleased the blonde couldn't help but feel the sense that someone was watching them.
"Ya know , Jess? You didn't have to order that much." the Korean-American quakes from his seat, gawking at the blonde.
"You said I could get whatever I wanted and I did just that." Jessica smiles as she wilds down her fifth flap jack. There is one thing about Jessica Herlyns that is known to everyone. This girls loves to eat. Mark chuckles nervously as he stares down at his own emptied tray then back at the girl's.
"I see Jess is at it again." Gina calls out from across the table strolling alongside May, Serena, Cyrus and Ivan all of which were Jessica's friends. They all sat down at their table much to Mark's displeasure. When Jessica catches on to Mark's frown she places a reassuring hand on his arm.
"Next time we'll eat outside." she whispers after gives a wink. This lifts Mark's mood just a smidgen but at least Jessica was trying to help and that was enough for him.
"Uugh! The love birds are at it again." That came from Ivan as he fakes gagging at the romantic display.
"Shut up Ivan!" May swats at the Ivan, startling the boy. "Hey maybe we should leave?" May suggests to the group.
Mark rises from his sit, shocking Jessica and the rest of the crew.
"No wait! Guys, it's okay. You can sit hear. It's fine."
The whole table laughs. Even Jessica lets out a chuckle at Mark's reaction.
Ivan ambles towards Mark and lazily slaps his back in a half apology half reassuring manner. "Hey. Dude. Chill. It was sarcasm."
"That wasn't sarcasm you dunce." Cyrus corrects him, looking rather annoyed at Ivan's misused of the word. The whole table laughs again, this time including Mark.
The group continues the banter for the duration of the break. Ivan cracking the occasionally joke here and there. Mark and Cyrus chatting about their guitar lessons while the girls gush over Jessica's forever 21 bag and discuss about the Echo nightclub they'll be attending next week, down to the tickets and shopping for their outfits for the day. Serena whips out her iphone 4, proceeding to flip through screenshots of dresses she had in mind for the dance. The girls give their opinions with the guys chipping in as Cyrus claims he's an expert in fashion. Jessica absentmindedly stares at the images just being content with hanging around her friends and boyfriend. Nothing can ruin this, right?
Wrong.
A burst of liquid hits the table. The girls jerk with shock, leeping out of their chairs. Mark swiftly places an arm in front of Jessica. The blonde gives Mark a reassuring smile as if she was saying thank you. Assuring her friends were all right, the blonde's blue eyes scan the perimeter for the culprit. It didn't take long for her to find them since they practically revealed themself to the dissonant group. Jessica visibly grimaced. Placing a hand on her temple as if she had a headache.
"Shit...My bad. I guess the can just... kinda burst open?"
"T-Toby..."
Oh Jess was so going to chew Toby out on this one.
"What the hell was that about?" Jessica slams the door of her locker, replaying the little 'accident' Toby pulled in the morning. Or more like a stunt, considering Toby's character. It's the afternoon and classes have ended for the day. As for Jessica's day? She could feel her temple about to crack. The hallways were somewhat empty with a few students roaming around. Some had went home while others stayed for club activities. And Jessica? While her original plans were to go hang out with her friends she's now stuck with the so called blonde dimwit (or so she calls him).
" Hey, it was just a little accident. You know those cans can get really out of hand."
Frankly, Jessica has had enough. Having known Toby for most of her childhood she knows that wasn't a "little accident". Not only did he ruin her morning with her friends but he had the gall to think that his lame excuse would work on her? Now that got her blood boiling. She may be a natural blonde but she wasn't dumb.
"Oh shut the hell up Toby. I know you did that on purpose. For heavens sake, you know you shouldn't use your powers out in the open!"
"What are you? My mom?"
If she could the blonde would've chocked the boy right there and then. After retrieving their orbs back from Magor the gang hasn't heard back from Razzle or the Old Sage nor has there been any unusual natural disasters for quite some time now. Jessica has taken this as on opportunity to return to a normal life. It's been four years and the fair blonde wasn't going to dwell on Gorm for the rest of her life. She moved on like the rest of the gang, well, besides Toby which was evident as he wouldn't leave her alone.
"Anyways..." Toby swiftly moves his arms to the back of his head taking a lazy stance he leans back on the lockers. He stares absentmindedly into space, not focusing on a particular image. "If I'm gonna have these powers might as well use 'em."
"Then go use them somewhere else. Far away from me." Jessica huffs.
"Ouch, that hurts."
"I'm serious."
"But-"
"Dead serious."
Toby was always like this. Between her, Nick and Lucas he'd go out of his way to annoy her the most. Even more so now that their roles as Lords of Nature were over.
An awkward silence ensues. The outside sounds of the other students becomes abundantly clearer with each passing second. The footsteps, the chatter heck even the ticking of the clock is getting louder. Jessica glances at Toby, his glaze still focused straight ahead.
"You know..." Toby commences with his voice taking a more thoughtful approach. "We haven't really hung out in a while, you know...all four of us."
Jessica grimaces. It wasn't that she was completely ignoring them. She does occasionally talk to the others though not as frequently as before, she'll admit that. Despite such, Jessica is still in good terms with them. She does feel remorseful that it appears that she ditched them for Mark and the crew but isn't that part of life? Things change. People grow. All of them have different wants in life, new things they want to pursue. Jessica doesn't want to be tied down anymore and god she wished Toby would at least try to understand this.
"Sigh...Toby we're all busy. School's gotten a lot tougher in the last four years and frankly we don't have time to play 'hero' anymore." Jessica moves to pick up her bag. Hauling said bag onto her shoulder she gives Toby one last stern look. The female blonde wasn't going to entertain him any longer so better late then never to embed this into his thick skull right now.
"Gorm doesn't need us anymore Toby. It's time to move on."
Giving him an apologetic smile she waves him off.
Bored, Nick stares blankly at sheet of paper in front of him. Written on the sheet were suggestions to the student council. Now Nick wasn't part of the student council (he didn't get enough votes. Maybe he shouldn't have applied for president but people can dream?) but he stuck around to help his friend or at least he'd hope she would consider him a friend. A really close friend. And said hopefully close friend sits at the teacher's desk typing away at the chunky computer plugged in to wall right behind her. This girl is Kagami Sugawara, the one he lost to during the student council campaign. Nick is a pretty competitive guy but if he had to lose to anyone it had to be Kagami. As you tell by her name she is of Japanese descent but she had moved to Venture Falls 2 years ago to live with her grandfather who currently run a small restaurant, Shinzuku.
The light from the window hits Kagami's frame. The shadows dance around her pitch black, hair accentuating her round face. Brown eyes scan the screen, following the rhythm of her long delicate fingers as they type. Completely mesmerised in her work, her determination to anything is quite overwhelming even influencing others to give it their all too, clearly deserving of her role as student council president. The rest of the committee members had other business to attend to (as always) thus leaving Kagami alone. Nick didn't mind, in fact he was thankful. It was just the two of them. Nick walks over to Kagami, sheet in hand, as if he's in a trance.
"Hey Kagami, I did what you asked." the male teen chirps, handing over the sheet to Kagami. With a smile, Kagami takes the sheet and scans through it. Her eyes light up.
"Nick, these suggestions are brilliant!"
Proud at having his hard work acknowledged, he smiles back at Kagami. "Hehe...I choose based on budget, efficiency, distance from the campus and overall appeal to the student body. Oh! And the likelyhood of getting approval from the heads. I made sure all of them had at less over 70% chance of getting approved. "
"Wow...you even separated them based on topics too." Kagami continues the read the sheet. Though her face is stern she gives a nod here and there showing Nick her approval of his work.
" A class float-building contest? That'd be great to promote class unity. You've even made suggestions for the next year. Nick you're a genius! " Nick couldn't help but blush at Kagami's compliments.
"Speaking of the report, how's it going?" Nick leans closer to Kagami's side.
"I'd say it's 66% completed. Just a few more words to write, add in your suggestions and a re-read then I'll be done." Kagami explains though her expression changes as she delves deeper into her thoughts. "I might check up on it with you when I get to the proof reading stage though, if you have time that is. " she quaintly ponders to herself out loud, observing Nick for his response. And boy did he give her a response.
"Of course I'll always have time for you." the bespeckled teen proudly states, that is until his brain processed what exactly he said while Kagami's eye's widen. She blinks a few times in obvious confusion, a faint blush apparent on her face.
'Shitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshit'
Nick thanked the heavens Kagami couldn't hear his thoughts. Was that too cliche? Did Kagami think it was cliche? Or was that romantic? Or creepy? Or both?The nearsighted teen ranks his brain to search for the perfect comeback. Kagami's bewildered stare didn't help much either, or at all to be matter of fact.
"Um...Nick? Are you okay?" Kagami asks with her blush still intact.
Time to get back into reality.
"W-w-what I mean is that uh I have a lot of free time lately...Yeah! That's it! With no major assignments and all, I mean we've only still in our first semester and exams are still months away and..uh...yeah! You know? I can make time for you..i-is what i'm trying to say?" Oh how he wishes to smack himself silly for that.
A chuckle escapes Kagami's lips. He's safe, praise the orbs. After her little laughing fit Kagami hoists herself off her sit. Her eyes break contact with Nick's , directing it's view to his sheet on the table. The black-haired teen looks solemn but with a ting of sadness placet on her features. "Thanks, but I know you've been neglecting the Archeology club and other club activities to help me."
Well shit, he just made her feel bad. Before he could go on another tangent Kagami speaks up. "I feel like I've involved you in my mess you know? We haven't had a proper student council meeting in a month and I'm stuck with all of the work. Without your help I probably would've pulled an all nighter by now."
Though Nick did enjoy the solitude of them two working together Kagami did have a point. The Student council wasn't a job meant for two people. Admittedly Nick wouldn't mind if the rest of peanut gallery just upped and quit, leaving Kagami and himself to handle the work. Realistically, they'd be replaced but in an ideal world? It'd just be the two of them, a blessing Nick cherished for the past month.
It wasn't as if they'd never hang out again if they other members return. Kagami's part of his club and they did share a few classes together thus having more opportunities for them to meet outside of the council. Yet that didn't matter to Nick. The time he spent alone together with Kagami were precious to him. The glasses-wearing teen couldn't really pin point why but he felt a sense of belonging around Kagami. It was as if he was talking to his other self, a lost half. Someone who he could truly be himself around. Someone who would accept him, though he'd never admit this to the said girl. Obviously, he'd be against the return of the council but Nick isn't like that. If Kagami wishes so he'd do anything in his power to help.
"I'm doing this on my own volition. You don't have to worry about me." he steps closer to Kagami and puts a reassuring hand of her shoulder. "I've got your back Kagami, we'll fix this together."
The corners of Kagami's mouth start to rise as she grants Nick an earnest smile , truly appreciating him being with her. "Thank you Nick." she chimes as she places her hand on top his hand on her shoulder.
They stay like that for a few seconds but for Nick? It felt like an eternity. The teen swore he could hear his heat beat every millisecond, his palms sweating at the site of this beautiful goddess right before him. Did he mention his palms are sweating? He hopes Kagami doesn't notice.
Wishing this moment would last an actual eternity he doesn't register the knock on the door."Hello? Is anybody there? I was told the student council would be here." With that Nick's intimate moment with Kagami came to a close as the girls spins around towards the voice, breaking the contact between them.
"Oh yes we're here" Kagami replies. The stranger opens the door to reveal himself.
"Lucas?" Nick exclaims.
"Nick? You're here too? Since when were you part of the council?" Lucas was and still is Nick best bro but damn did he ruin his moment.
"He's just helping out while the others are away. So what's up?" Kagami chimes in, preventing Nick from answering Lucas' question.
Turning his attention away from Nick he explains to Kagami the situation. "It's about the Scarlet Oak protest. I'm just checking to see if the buses are ready for Saturday morning."
"Scarlet Oak protest?" the two student council members say in unison.
"Uh...you two don't know about the Scarlet Oak protest? I'm pretty sure I've mention this to the student council before." As a response, the two in question shook their heads. Both were completely dumbfound. Nick knew about the Scarlet Oak , heck ,everyone in Venture Falls knows about it! But a protest? Now that crossed the teen's mind completely. So did Kagami's given her reaction.
"You must know about the Scarlet Oak. The National Tree of Venture Falls? It's been here since the founding of this place. "
"And what does this have to do with a protest?" Nick inquires.
"The officials are planning to chop it down! Something about building a new facility in it's place. We can't let this happen! That tree is a national monume - " Before Lucas could continue on with his tyrant Kagami interrupts with a facepalm, shocking both boys as a huge echo envelops the room. The bespectacled teen was quick to hurry to Kagami's side. Lucas stays put, still in shock by that harsh slap.
"You okay Kagami? That was a hard slap." Nick voices as he inspects the girl's face. Said girl could only reply with an "ow" confirming that slap indeed hurt. Despite the fact that she had bangs, Nick could still make out red hand-shaped mark on her forehand. Lucas stays silent, concerned but also making a mental note not to piss her off.
Reminded the girl was in pain the boy spoke up. "Uh..do you need an ice pack or something?"
Kagami faces Lucas in surprised. She fixes her bangs. "No, no I'm okay it's just that I've forgotten about that."
Kagami removes her hand from her bangs and proceeds to scratch her chin. She gives an awkward smile, clearly taken aback with what happened earlier. "Jenny was in charge of the fundings for the trip."
"Jenny?" Lucas voices in confusion.
"Student Council treasurer." Nick answers matter of fact.
" Sorry Lucas. I'll call Jenny immediately after I get home. I'll definitely get back to you tomorrow I promise." Kagami bows down to Lucas, back completely straight with her eyes pointing directly to the floor. This visibly startling the boy as he jumps. Nick shakes his head at the display. Kagami always does that when she feels at fault.
"Woah! It's cool. " Lucas gently puts his hands on Kagami's shoulders and hoists her up so they're face to face. Nick grimaces but Lucas doesn't notice. "The protest is in two weeks anyways. You'll have enough time to figure it out. Don't sweat it."
"But still.." Before Kagami could finish her sentence a long outward growl rings from her stomach. The two boys laugh. Kagami couldn't help but join in on the laughter as well.
"I guess I've been busy all afternoon I forgot I was hungry." the girl says in the mist of their laughter.
"That means you gotta eat! Let's go out for some grub together. Nick you up for it? "
"You bet. I'm feeling hungry myself."
Kagami chimes in. "We'll go to my place! My grandfather owns a restaurant. My treat."
"Don't worry Kagami, I've got the fundings all sorted out. I'll send the details to Ms. McGuck tomorrow."
" And about the student council -"
"Oh yeah about that. The rest are MIA at the moment but us two can meet up tomorrow if ya want?"
" Sigh...Thanks Jen. I really appreciate it."
"No prob Kagami. Good night."
Jenny hangs up the phone and Kagami leans back on her chair. A large sigh escapes the teen's lips, feeling a wave of confort wash over her. She finally made some sort of progress with the reunion of the student council. Even if she could only get a hold of one member that was more than enough. Plus Lucas's protest is a-okay to commence which leaves less on her plate.
After her little brunch with the boys and saying their goodbyes Kagami went straight to her room to complete her tasks. Kagami was never the type to leave things to last minute. Her mind wanders to the event that happened just a couple of hours of ago with the boys and a smile perks up on her face.
Once they've arrived, they were greeted by Kagami's grandfather, Takahashi Ono. Of course being the granddaughter of the owner the group's order was intended to be free yet Lucas insisted he paid. After a short argument, the group received a 25% discount, that was the least Takahashi could do.
Since this was Lucas' first time trying a japanese dish the elder suggested they try the sashimi. Nick has visited the restaurant before, sometimes with Toby, the entire Tripp family or by himself. Kagami still remembers the first time the Tripp family arrived to Shinzuku. It was opening day and they were one of their very first customers.
Though Kagami didn't want to admit it, it was quite hilarious seeing Lucas struggle with his chop sticks. Kagami and her grandfather where willing to help though their efforts where futile and the elder had work to attend to at the kitchen thus Kagami was left to aid the struggling Lucas. Nick enjoyed his meal and who shot a shit eating grin towards Lucas which didn't help the teen one bit. Eventually Lucas had enough and just stabbed a chopstick into a slice of fish and proceeded to eat that way for the duration of the meal.
The girl quickly scans her brain for any other important tasks she had missed out on. Unlike many others she doesn't depend on a notepad to write what needs to but done rather she'd have a mental notepad. Less paper wasted. Plus her thoughts are way too fast for her fingers to keep up with and considers it pretty good exercise for her brain.
"Lets see, the funds, student council, homework and the report...Ha! the report!" Kagami scooches closer to her computer screen to check on her report. She'd already completed it. That was the second thing to do on her list. She inserts her usb stick into the computer slot and opens the file. Slowly but surely the girl rereads her work for the fifth time, checking for spelling errors, grammar the usual stuff your english teachers would look out for in essays. When the girl felt somewhat satisfied she finally sent it out to Nick via email. With that the teen emerges out of her desk and slumps onto her bed. Too bad she couldn't rest for long as she hears a knock on the door not a moment after . The door opens, revealing a man in his earlier 30s. He had unkept messy black hair and a short goatee.
"Shujin! What are you doing here?" the teen asks.
The man, Shujin Akatsuki, is the head chief of Shinzuku. Kagami's grandfather had met him back in Japan and recruited him to work in Venture Falls. Shujin always expressed wanting to broaden his horizons and travel so he took the opportunity. He currently lives with Kagami and her grandfather in the meantime.
"Ojii-san is out on a business meeting. He told me to tell you he'll be late." Shujin replies.
"And what's with the tray?" Kagami inquires as she eyes the tray of japanese candy he's holding.
Shujin walks into the room and places the tray on her desk. "I've made them in my spare time. You don't eat much so I wanted to give them to you."
"Well I'm not hungry" Kagami plops onto her bed in response. Shujin continues to scold her.
"Hey, you shouldn't be skipping meals! Baka." The older man lighting flicks Kagami's head, seemingly trying to get his point across. Shujin could be a pain in the neck but they've only known each other for 2 years and he's somewhat became a second parental figure to her, more so than her actual parents. They were so busy with work they'd hardly care whether she skipped her meals.
"Hey, what's this?" Shujin's eye drift towards the hardcover book beside the tray. It appears old. The rim was torn off and the pages where a shade a yellow. The cover is decorated with intricate patterns looking like something straight out of a fairy tale. Shujin couldn't help but feel drawn to the book. He scoots closer, arms reaching towards that hardback cover and gently caresses it. If he was some sort of artist nerd he'd be all over these designs.
Kagami seeming to catch on to Shujin's question hoists herself up again and looks towards the direction of the book. "That book? Ojii-san gave it to me as a kid. I've kept it with me ever since."
Letting his curiosity get the better of him Shujin opens the book, though with a hint of gentleness as to not further damage it. Landing on a random page his eyes perk up with bewilderment at what he saw. Text written in english and images of strange creatures interlaced in between. He scans through the book. "Gorm? Gormiti? Is this some kind of storybook?"
"Well kinda. Ojii-san would tell me stories about this place called Gorm. And those strange creatures are called Gormiti."
Shujin continues to scan through the book. To his knowledge this book isn't a storybook, it's more of an encyclopedia of some kind.
"Whoever came up with this fictional world must've been a genius." Or a complete lunatic he'd dare say himself.
Kagami nods her head in agreement. "Those stories are very important to me so I guess I have to thank whoever created them."
"Wait so Ojii-san didn't write this?" Shujin exclaims.
"Nope, he said someone from his childhood told him these stories and gave him that book."
Shujin thought he knew everything about Takahashi. He was almost like a father and a friend, a very close friend but this was the first time hearing about some rando telling him weird children stories.
"Mind telling me one?" Shujin asks.
"Sure! I'll tell you my favourite." Kagami takes the book and flips the pages till she lands on a specific page. This page didn't have any text, just a drawing a five symbols. "It's about the five lords of nature."
Authors note: Well holy shit I can't believe i finished this. This took me a little over a month to write even though it should've probably taken me a week. I'm pretty sure there are mistakes but I really wanted to get the first chapter before the first semester starts so yeah I apologise for any mistakes.
This was a story I was planning ages ago and i final decided to sit my ass down and finally write it. This is the first time I've written a fanfic in ages and i'm really committed to seeing this story through the end. Updates are going to be irregular as hell. I don't know when I'll update but i will write chapter 2 eventually. Though it might take me a 2 months or more.
So uh comment and review. Criticism is acceptable too. I want to improve and get better.
For all you non-weebs out there Ojii-san means grandfather.
See you whenever I update.
Update 10/09/2018: I forgot to add the line breaks.
Update 29/10/2018: grammar, merging paragraphs and shit.