"Craig!" called a long dark-haired woman with beautiful eyes and a warm smile. Out came a small dark-haired child in a white t-shirt with a black stripe down the middle holding a teddy bear wearing a red cape with an S on the back from around the corner. "I'm not Craig, I'm Super Craig!" said the child with a look of glee on his face as he ran into the arms of the dark-haired woman she twirled him around in the air before bringing him in for a tight hug and peck on his forehead.
"Alright Super Craig!" she said letting out a soft laugh "Could you be a super son and get your father from the other room? Dinners' just about ready." "Okay, Mom! Never fear, Super Craig is here!" said the little tyke as he leapt out of his mothers arms and ran to his parent's bedroom.
A dark-haired man was sleeping in the bed, clean-shaven in a suit and tie still snoring away peacefully. Craig snuck into the room carefully without a sound made before he leapt on top of the sleeping dark-haired man waking him up. "Gotcha!" said the kid as the man looked over at him laughing. "You got me for sure there Craig. This is the second time you've been able to sneak up on me without waking me up first this week kiddo." said the dark-haired man as he picked up Craig by the leg like he plucked a carrot straight out the ground.
"You're becoming a little Ninja!" Craig laughed "Ninja Craig could be next week I'm Super Craig now! And Mom says dinner's ready." "Alright Super Craig let's go eat then." said the dark haired man as he flipped his son up and carried him back into the kitchen.
"What did you cook up honey?" "Cr-I mean Super Craig's favorite!" "Ramen!" said Craig with a smile as his father sat him down with a steaming bowl in front of him. "So how was school today son?" Craig's smile disappeared as his cape fell down on its own. "I don't really think the other kids in class like me very much Mom." he said quickly stuffing his mouth with noodles.
"What makes you say that?" "They always leave me out of things..." Craig looked down as he ate a bit more food but right as he did that his mom got up, picked him up and held him closely. "I'm sorry that school isn't the best for you right now honey but sometimes a little bad will come before a little good. It will be alright." She then gave a peck on his forehead and sat him back down. "Now finish up and then you can have dessert after we give you a bath." "Ok mom."
"How was work honey?" said the dark-haired man as he was cleaning up the dishes. "It was alright darling. The office gave me a new case to start dealing with today. It's gonna be a bit stressful to handle." she said with a mouthful of ice cream. "I can take over your half of the chores as long as you need me to. It won't be too much, the only issue is that Craig could get a bit lonely. He seems to be having trouble making friends at school." "You're right Jack, maybe we could get him into some after-school activity or something to give us more time and help him make some friends?" "What about martial arts? You used to love that as a kid Erin." said Jack as he placed another plate into the dishwasher. "That's a great idea! We'll ask him tomorrow morning or when we pick him up from school. Our special little man is gonna love it!" Erin said before she and Jack embraced
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"Mr.Macklewood, Craig peed on himself!" said a blonde haired little boy as he raised his hand and pointed at Craig. The classroom began to erupt into laughter pointing and laughing at Craig now with soaked pants. "No I didn't, Caden just poured water on my pants he's lying!" said Craig trying to fight back swelling tears. "Alright class settle down. Now Craig, come with me now so we can get you changed." said the teacher as he motioned for Craig to follow him with a slight smirk on his face. As he got up, still embarrassed, Craig looked back at Caden as the blonde haired kid smiled and pulled his eyelid down while blowing a raspberry at Craig, as he was escorted out of the room by the lanky older man.
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"How was school today?" said Erin Warren as Craig put on a forced smile. "It was fine. Someone spilled water on my pants in an accident so I had to go get changed." Erin knew immediately that Craig was lying but didn't want to press him further on it. "Oh honey I'm sorry that happened but your father and I have been wondering." Erin said while she looked in the rear view window to check in on Craig's reaction. "How would you like to take martial arts classes after school?" Craig's eyes lit up with a brilliant spark as he heard those words as Mama Warren grew a gigantic smile on her face in seeing her son radiate so much joy. "Yeah!! Thanks Mom!" Craig beamed with happiness as Erin Warren continued on the drive back home.
The very next day Craig and Erin entered the dojo. He looked around as he saw other students there training. Looking at the matted floor and walls adorned with dragons and all sorts of symbols he couldn't fully recognize but was fascinated by. Craig's eyes were shining with wonder as he watched these older kids spar doing movements he's never seen before.
"Hello there!" said an Asian woman maybe a few years older than Erin. She was wearing a traditional white gi with a jet black belt and a few stripes on it. "I'm Sensei Aiko. Are you here to sign up your son for some Taekwondo classes here? " Aiko said with a bright smile. Craig looked at her with curious eyes and she radiated an aura of kindness and warmth. She was almost the complete opposite of Mr. Macklewood but still, he was nervous. Craig quickly hid behind his mom's leg only slightly peaking his eyes out to look at the beautiful and strong woman before him and his mother. "Yes, this is my son Craig. He's just a bit shy." "H-Hello" Craig managed to chirp out from behind his mom. "Hi there Craig! Are you excited to learn Taekwondo?" said Sensei Aiko "I'll talk with your mom to help set up your lessons! Here Nathan will show you around. Nathan!" A child around the same age as Craig would walk forward in his gi with a white belt on, He had dark brown hair and piercing red eyes and a smirk. He stuck out his hand towards Craig as he continued to hide behind his mom's leg, still nervous.
"Hey, Craig right? I'm Nathan, just trust me and follow my lead around here!" he said as the two boys shook hands.
"O-Ok." said Craig as he followed Nathan across the dojo to explore what this place could have for him.
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12 Years Later
Craig would wake up from his slumber groggy. His hair was long and shaggy, dark circles around his eyes in an old T-shirt that may be a size too small. He gave a long stretch out before scratching his head, parting his hair away from his eyes before snatching his glasses off the bedside table. He'd exit his room to walk towards the bathroom spotting his dad passed out on the couch still in his shirt and tie from work. The apartment was small and a little cluttered but still relatively neat about as much as this family could pull off. Night shift again huh dad? I'll handle Mary today then so you can catch a break. Craig opened the bathroom door to then see a small child, a girl about 10 years old, brushing her teeth.
"Mary, how many times have I told you to lock the door when you're using the bathroom?"
"Good morning to you too Craig." said the little girl. Her hair was long and a little scuffed up and she was wearing a white T-shirt with a black stripe on it. Craig scowled at his sister's growing sass and sarcasm. He didn't know where she got it from but the fact that it's developing this young causes a wave of stress to wash over him like a cascading tide.
"Good morning, just lock the door please. You don't wanna get walked in on and you don't want others to walk in on you."
"Craig it's fine with just us three here and I always lock it at school." said Mary as she grows more and more annoyed with Craig's constant nagging.
"Lock it if you're using it no matter what. If you're just washing your hands that's fine, anything else just lock it." Craig said his annoyance at his sister's carelessness growing.
"Anyways scoot over, I need to brush my teeth too, then I'll go grab some cereal for us and we can watch Stan, Stanford and Stanley." "Fine, can you help me with my hair too though?." "Yeah but you'll have to do it on your own in a few weeks. I'm not gonna stop by everyday just to help with your hair." said Craig with his cheeky smile. I wish I could. I just can't, not now at least. He loved helping his sister with almost everything pretty much, as much as his dad did, maybe even a bit more seeing Mary safe and content was all that really mattered wasn't it?
Craig put on his hoodie and grabbed his duffel bag, opening it to check for his gi and for his camera for work. "Mary come on lets go!" Craig said as he was then writing a note for his dad. Just gotta make sure he knows last time he almost had a heart attack when I didn't let him know.
Mary rushed out to the door as Craig opened it as they were about to set out for the day. Mary was excited to go see Craig at work because she liked some of his coworkers and liked seeing the photos that Craig took. "Is there any way that you could just drop me off before you go to taekwondo?" Mary asked very cautiously
"Uh sure is there any particular reason why though?" Craig asked back, slightly concerned. This was new to him but it wasn't a complete shock. "It's just that you kind of scare me a bit when you're sparring." Mary said a bit sheepishly. The Craig she saw when he fought was very different from the brother she's grown up with. Craig, taken aback and a little disappointed, noticed the pause he took and stammered out a quick response. "O-Oh I didn't know I'm sorry I won't take you there again then. I'll just drop you off back home during my lunch break."
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"Sensei Aiko, is what Nathan said true, is the dojo really closing?!" said Craig desperately hoping that what Nathan told him was a lie, desperate to hear that one of the last gifts his mother gave him in Taekwondo lessons wasn't going to go away just yet. Sensei Aiko now had a few gray hairs and crows feet under her eyes. She's aged but beautifully since meeting the young Craig. She looked at Craig exhaustedly. "Yes Craig, unfortunately our landlord has sold the building to a new owner. We couldn't negotiate with him again for a new lease. We have to close now." said Sensei Aiko, composed or at least appearing as such.
"Is there anything we could do? I don't wanna lose this place." said Craig, still desperate for a chance, even a small one for this dojo to stay. "No. I'm sorry Craig." "Great, I can't train under my favorite teacher anymore now this day just keeps getting better and better." "How do you think I feel about losing one of my favorite students? But Craig since this is the last time you'll ever be here, I want to give you something." said Sensei Aiko as she motioned for Craig to follow into her office.
Aiko pulled out a small engraved box from her desk. "I was hoping to give this to you after a tournament win but I guess now that's a dream long gone." Craig looked at the box curiously. He was transfixed by it, he couldn't look away; it was like whatever was in there was directly calling to him. "What is it?" said Craig, still captivated. Aiko opened it revealing a small silver statue of a dragon, it looked ancient clearly but still all put together. "A gift that has been passed down in the dojo for generations. It was passed down to me and now I'd like to pass it down to you, the Silver Dragon Statue. It's been said to bring good luck to those who hold it." said Aiko warmly.
"And now I would like you to have it." Craig looked up somewhat guiltily. "Sensei this is beautiful thank you but I don't know if I can. I don't think I'm worthy, why not give it to Nathan inste-." Aiko cut him off with a reassuring look. "Craig, you were always one of the hardest working and most disciplined students here, even if it took a while for you to get there. You are worthy, never let yourself forget that. You've earned it." said Aiko "Thank you Sensei. I'll take as much care of it as I can." Craig bowed before his master as Aiko then pulled Craig in for a hug. "Craig, I'm proud of the young man you've become. You'll do well in college just remember who you are. "
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Craig arrived back home to see his dad gone from the couch and Mary watching cartoons on the TV. "Work?" he asked his sister. "Work. He dropped off takeout before he left though your favorite spot." "At least that'll be one thing working out in my favor today." he said as he walked into his room briefly to drop off his satchel on his bed before running to enjoy his favorite Chinese takeout meal.
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Craig laid in his bed peacefully as he slept. His snoring broke up the silence of his dark room. The moon shone in the night sky, the sole thing illuminating the dark city of Cifer. The moonlight broke through the darkness and shone on that gift from master to student. Suddenly light pierced through the darkness of Craig's room. The glow emanated from the silver dragon statue slowly enveloping the room in a bright white shine. Suddenly Craig started to toss and turn as the dragon glowed. Eventually, Craig woke up and looked over at the statue, still groggy and sleep-deprived. He rose up out of his sheets with his eyes still closed and walked over to the window.
"Stupid moonlight. I'm trying to sleep." he muttered, still basically asleep before he shut his blinds. The statue then stopped its glowing as Craig then turned back around to his bed then collapsed onto his sheets falling back into a deep slumber as the lamp in his room briefly flickered on and off on its own.
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Craig woke up once more to a loud noise. It sounded like a bear roaring in the middle of the forest. He groaned as he pushed his hair out of his eyes and reached for his glasses on his desk. He slightly took his glasses off and back on as he noticed something. He could see the time on his clock without his glasses now he looked at his glasses curiously before resting them on his table before hearing that annoyingly loud sound again coming from the other room. Craig considered himself to be a somewhat heavy sleeper. It's one of the many things he inherited from his dad. He first checked his window outside and saw nothing out there, not even a bird or cars yet. He then checked the living room and found its source lying on the couch as per usual. His dad's snores, Craig looked at his father confused as to how it woke him up this time.
Ok, that's also weird. I already got used to his snoring back when Mary was born. Whatever, it's probably just nothing, maybe just the stress of the dojo closing. Craig walked over to the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Then as he washed his hands he finally took a good look in the mirror.
His jaw fell to the floor as he noticed how everything just changed. He examined himself closer, his cheeks had scale-like patterns on them almost like his old acne scars. He examined his mouth as well. He had fangs now. Not just his canines looking more sharp, he had actual fangs. He then took a closer look at his hands, his fingernails, he had claws. Craig was about to scream before just barely containing it a small whelp in the bathroom.
"What the fuck?"