"Hey, man c'mon wake up!" A feminine voice shouted amongst the darkness. opening my eyes I was greeted by the harsh light of the midday sun. my vision still impaired by the hands of the meister of dreams I could faintly make out, the grass around me. The vast lake and the angered woman to my left. Utopia my life long best friend sat by me, an angry scowl plastered on her face. she was as beautiful as any day. Short chestnut hair that draped over her left eye. As the sun glistened her Dark skin that was a rarity even among the Luxors. seemed to almost shine like a black diamond. however blotchy spots of missing pigment were randomly placed on her arms and face as if she was designed by a higher power and they deleted the color from her skin of their own accord.
"You overslept you big oaf!" Utopia shook her head. "It's your fault if Hope reprimands us"
"Relax, It's midday we can still make it back in time for daily orders" I stood up and hastily walked after Utopia.
"Don't give me that, Its midday bull, This was your idea you get us out of this!" She gruffed.
"No! This was YOUR idea, You wanted to get drunk and stargaze remember?"
"Yeah at the barracks you dope!" Utopia threw her arms above her head angered beyond belief.
"But you still agreed didn't you!!?" I retorted a fit of angered laughter tainting my voice.
"I was Drunk Hoshi! I Was Drunk!" She said in a harsh stern tone a look of resentment on her face.
"I'm sorry, but it's your fault for agreeing"
"No! It's your fault for even buying that damn sake, and dragging my ass out here!" Utopia said with a huff folding her arms and walking away. "You know somedays make me wish my body was run on auto-pilot"
"Like Demonic Possession?"
"No like listening to K's stories! Of course Demonic Possession you dunce!" Utopia shook her head and continued walking ahead of me.
"Yu I think you're overreacting just a little, I can call Hope and get this all sorted out alright?!"
"Like your Gauntlet will even be able to reach him!" She hissed.
Immediately I tapped a few buttons on my Gauntlet. "Hey Burroughs!" I talked to the large metal gauntlet affixed to my arm.
"Yes Master?"
"Contact Commander Hope!"
"I'm sorry Master it appears as though you are within an area without suitable range"
"Shit!" I grumbled. "Guess we just have to run faster than a bat outta hell"
"Incoming Transmission Master"
"Huh?" I looked down at my gauntlet, at the same time Utopia looked at her's.
an image of Commander Hope's face filled the screen. He had a look of concern that was met with anger.
"Where the hell are you two?!" He roared
"Don't worry captain we're on our way!!" I said rubbing the back of my neck overwhelmed with shame.
"That's not what I asked!" He shook his head and pointed. "Look, You messed up and now I have to dirty my hands to help you"
"We're out by Lake Mikado, We're on our way back though"
"I had a feeling, Just hang tight for a second"
"Why?"
"I feel this is a good time to mention that you two are being switched to a new company, Company 71 headed by Khruschev"
KAAAAAWWWW!!!! A massive bird-like call shook the sky.
"Seems your teacher has found you" Hope smirked a little. "well I'll see you when you return"
"Ah hoy Samurai" A voice called from the sky above as a massive bird-like creature careened towards the ground after us.
Screaming-like children who had seen the boogieman Utopia and I ran like hell.
"CHICKEN MONSTER!!!!!!" Utopia screeched.
Suddenly my body was weightless. I was grabbed by something, pulled into the air. Flying fast over the sky of Mikado.
"Howdy Charges!" The playful middle-aged man said lifting his arm and smiling. "I believe Hope already told you about me"
"Khrushchev?"
"Righto"
This dirty guy was our new teacher? jeez man we are in for a world of hurt aren't we? Messy black greasy hair that pulled up into an even messier bun. the messy unkempt stubble on his face added to the lazy impression I was getting. I took note of his arm.
shaking my head I thought naught of it. He smiled and crossed his legs sitting like a child. He tapped his fingers against his chin.
"I haven't introduced ya yet have I?"
"Introduced to who?"
"The demon you're riding on, He's mine, after all, This my Ruhk named Athazar"
"You raised this thing"
"Hey, Hey watch it with the thing talk alright? he's not a tool he's a living thinking and feeling creature like you or I"
"Alright Alright, I won't disrespect your bird"
"Good!, anyway, we'll be back at the plaza in about five minutes give or take"
"So who's all in our company"
"Sorry Kid I don't do spoilers, they'll introduce themselves"
"Dang it"
Utopia folded her arms and leaned back, her eyes mocking me.
"Don't give me that look!" I groaned.
"what look?"
"The one with your eyes"
"Really narrows it down"
"alright Lovebirds lets settle down shall we" Khruschev chuckled placing his palm to his chin and squinting.
"LOVEBIRDS?!!!" Utopia and I screamed in unison looking at each other with a crimson blush on our cheeks.
"THAT'S MY SISTER!!!!" I yelled
"THAT'S MY BEST FRIEND!!!!!" Utopia screamed covering her face with her sleeves.
"I kid I kid!!" Khruschev chuckled frantically waving his hand around wildly. "Anyway Students, We arrived just thought I'd tell you!" He pointed at the large statue of King Aquilla. In a moment the world got closer and closer every second. we were headed straight for the ground at immeasurable speeds. Krushchev with a wave of his hand calmed the wind. Everything felt calmer, we seemed to be slower.
"That was a trust exercise, ya'll failed" he said bluntly "It hurts you don't trust me"
"YOU TRIED TO KILL US!!!!" Utopia screamed
"WE JUST MET YOU!!!" I yelled in retort.
"Don't worry no harm shall come to either of you while I'm your teacher" He smiled giving a goofy thumbs up.
"T-Thanks I guess"
"Hey don't discredit me for my dress I'm a competent Samurai"
"That's not why I was discrediting you but ok"
"Oh, its the arm isn't it?" Khruschev sighed. "Yeah a lot of people mock me about it"
"S-Sorry"
"Nah Lad it isn't your fault people underestimate me" With a snap of his fingers Althazar began to descend. before long we were mere feet from the ground. When we landed everyone looked at us before resuming whatever activity they were doing. Three young samurai just like us stood in the middle of the plaza next to Commander Hope.
This was it the start of our new lives.