One Month Since Summoning Day, Makoto, Age 16
With a yawn and a stretch, I got up and ready for the day. I stepped out onto the balcony of the beach house I had rented for my stay in Turtle Bay. Took a good chunk out of the allowance the King gave me but I figured the boys could use a break after that fight. They were still asleep so I had to tip toe around them as I made eggs and bacon. Glad to see the one consistency between our worlds is pork. Eventually they woke up and breakfast was served, "You guys ready to enjoy our vacation?!" I asked with clear enthusiasm to keep their spirits high
"Shame it's just the three of us but yes! Let's enjoy ourselves for once" Jaune declared with equal joy. Glad his bizarre obsession with the princess didn't overtake everything. Still, it was disheartening when all Ryan did was mutter a small prayer and dig in. He didn't even slow down to taste it, as if he had no interest in eating with us. When he was done, he put his dish away
"Thank you for the food," He said in a very soft, dejected tone that was totally different from his normal uncaring voice before he left out the door
"I've never seen him so bummed," Jaune noted, slowly chomping on the bacon
"I'm sure he'll cheer up soon," I said with a smile. It was certainly a beautiful day out, the climate changing to something almost similar to that of a tropical resort with palm trees and sandy beaches. Small cabins lined the southern end closest to the beach while a booming shopping district made up the bulk of the area and race track to the west. I fully planned for us to visit it all. But it didn't feel right without all of us, "I'm gonna go get him. Wanna meet up in the shopping district?"
"Sure, good luck getting him though"
I was already off as he was speaking, using my Mer Eyes to hunt for him. He was off on a rockface overlooking the beach when I finally did find him. I rushed towards him, finding him doing push-ups, sit-ups, pretty much every exercise you could imagine. Seeing his muscles bulge from his shirt was actually rather impressive. I always thought beneath that jacket, he would have been more scrawny. I watched him for a while in a bit of a daze until he finally stopped, "Enjoying the show?" he asked, clearly trying to joke with me like he did at the lab
"D-Don't be ridiculous! I'm just a bit impressed is all!" I argued, turning away to hide the burning sensation I felt on my cheeks, "Besides, you'd do the same if it were a chick working out"
"Actually, I probably wouldn't. I never cared much for that stuff," He answered as he put his jacket back on and approached me, "Now did you need something or can I get back to training?"
"You know this is meant to be a vacation right? I passed it by King Thaddeus and he agreed"
"Yeah well the King can stuff it," He answered, "If I don't get stronger, what if we fight Riley again? I'll be helpless every time. I can't feel that again"
So that's what this was about. I knew what he meant though, feeling helpless, unable to protect someone. I sat down beside him, "My mother died when I was young, giving birth to my baby brothers," I told him, letting out a sigh. I hadn't told anyone about it. It's not exactly a fun subject but if it can help him, I can let him know, "I was unable to do anything, just sit in the waiting room because a little girl shouldn't be made to see that. I love my brothers, but every time I see them, I can't help but think of that helplessness. But you know how I get past it? She always said the house may burn in ten years but it's standing now"
"The hell does a burning house have to do with it?"
"Just think it over. You'll know," I assured with a smile. Of course I knew the answer but telling him wouldn't work as well as just letting it click. Having said my peace, I hurried to the shopping district, not wanting to keep Jaune waiting. As expected, he was surrounded by fans but eventually managed to slink off back to me
"I take it you had no luck?"
"Maybe. I didn't stick around long," I answered with a slightly nervous expression, "It's fine though. Guys don't like shopping right? We can do this first then I can call him". It actually felt somewhat good. Back in my world, I wasn't big on shopping. I was too busy watching after Ryuji and Kuroko and if I did go shopping, it was for them. I also liked the clothing here. It looked so old timey but with a modern tinge to it, even some of the more expensive ones making use of the holographic technology to make them appear like whatever you want, not sacrificing comfort for looks. Something like this should break the market but knowing King Thaddeus, I'm sure he thought of something. I bought a nice blue adventuring set with such a functionality, change the top color to a nice navy blue because I felt it went well with the black black pants and brown corset that held everything tightly together, "How do I look?" I asked, striking one of the many poses I made during my transformation
"You're gonna make Ryan drop dead when he sees you," Jaune said, seeming somewhat smug for some reason. Again, my face flares up for some unknown reason. I mean, yeah he's attractive but he can be a total jerk. I'm not one of those girls right? I shrugged it off for now, instead going to the next location on our itinerary, the race tracks. It was a massive colosseum similar to the Egyptian Hippodrome with people riding Qraptors around the track, "So you've got a plan?"
"Yup! Cover me," I answered and ran off. I then pressed the button on my bracelet, "Worlds Combine, Heroes Unite," I whispered as to not attract attention. Once the world shifted around me, I could be as loud as I wanted, screaming as my body flipped on its own and the suit appeared on me, "Grace of the Mermaid, Hero Blue!"
Ryan, Age 15
I was still training, shifting into my Hero Form to practice with my Baphomet Set. As much as I hated losing, I've gotta admit 'Shifter' sounds a lot cooler than just 'Bracelet'. Maybe I'll come up with a better name soon. But my main focus was getting stronger. According to Riley, Draconic Presence specifically works on weaker foes. Even if I'm not fond of the other two, I don't want to see them hurt. If a hero can't protect everyone, what good is he? If the Reds I loved in my shows couldn't protect their team, it would crush me. While I was shadow boxing, practicing my punches and kicks, I suddenly got a call on my suits communicator. Why would Makoto be shifted right now? I wasted no time picking up, "Makoto, what's-"
"Ryan, we need you over here now! A group of Shadows hit the race tracks! Jaune is down! We need yo- Ah!" She screamed out in a panic. Worried, I hurried to the race track, summoning Ric to fly me there. I didn't question how, I just went. I flew directly over the race tracks before landing in the middle to see...people cheering as the races came to a stop
"Where's the emergency?"
Makoto, Age 16
While Ryan was turned around, I immediately tried to tackle him only to be flipped onto my back. Okay, dumb idea to do that to the guy who's on edge. I turned back, letting out a nervous giggle, "Sorry. I had to get you here some how"
"What do you mean? Where's Jaune? Is he okay?" He asked to as just on queue, Jaune came out with a variety of snacks, including popcorn. He slowly began to piece this together and rolled his eyes, "You tricked me"
"Yup. Now come on!" I cheered, dragging him back into the stands for the race to continue. It was quite a skeptical, especially when the ground beneath them started to float into the sky and the Qraptors had to use their wings to propel themselves onto the broken track pieces. However, Ryan wasn't paying attention, instead having his head dug into that journal, "You know you can try to have fun, right?"
"Reading can be fun"
"Yeah but you're not doing it for fun," I said, reading right through him with ease. Eventually, I snatched the book away, "I'll hold onto this until our vacation is done"
"The hell you will!" He argued, reaching for it but I held it just barely outside his grasp. He would keep trying though, eventually making us both fall out of our seats with him on top of me, "Hand it over!"
"No thanks!" I snapped back as my hands ducked and dodged around his to keep the book from him. It wasn't until we both heard the laughter and whispering of the crowd that I realized more people were watching us than the race itself. With rosy cheeks, we quickly got up, not even looking at each other as I pass the book back to him, only for him to shove it right back. Once it was done, we walked out, our embarrassment quickly fading and replaced with joy. This was the first time the three of us really hung out and truly enjoyed ourselves
"Well, where to next?" Ryan asked
"What? Not going to ditch us to go back to training?"
"The world won't end if I take a second to myself," He answered with a small smile, "That's what you meant right? About the burning house?"
My eyes widened in surprise. I guess he wasn't the meat head I thought he was, "You catch on quick. Alright. Let's hit the beach!"
Meanwhile, Xandric, Age 115
We all waited in Ritto's lab in nervous anticipation. We didn't have a clue what he had planned when a civilian entered the palace. We watched from behind the glass as father discussed the proceedings, "So this is your method of making new generals?"
"Correct! Shadows can only do so much but sending the same leaders will only tire them out. Now observe. By converting the Darkness, of which our island is in no short supply of, into a gaseous state, I have found that the results are far different from merely making humans into demons. In fact, in a high enough concentration, a demon can ascend beyond their current form!" He boldly declared before releasing a purplish mist into the chamber. I had to close my eyes as I saw the flesh tear, only able to hear the screams of pure agony as the body transfigured into something else entirely. All the while, Ritto giggled with pure glee, "Now time for my own little touch," he muttered in an ominous tone and shoved his hand into a slot on the terminal. A pinkish purple aura excreted from him and into the room, mixing with the Darkness. Yet nothing seemed to change. Inside was the same bulky...thing, a massive bull head, fur that covered his whole body and almost comedically large arms. His clothes were torn as flakes of skin laid on the ground
"What was the last part for?" Father asked, unconcerned? How is he okay with this? Volunteers or not, we shouldn't be doing this to our own people. We have Shadows for fighting and Leon, the Hell Heroes and I as their leaders
"Oh, just a little spell I made to deal with their precious Goliaths," Rito answered with a laugh, "Now rise my monster!! Rise O' Minoduarous!" He declared as the beast roared out. I looked to father who simply smiled
"Arm him and send him with a battalion to the Heroes' location"
Makoto, Age 15
The beach trip went surprisingly well. Jaune was relaxing, taking in the sun while Ryan swam far out into the sea. It was genuinely impressive how far he could go before coming back. It wasn't like the place was empty though. We had to be mindful of families, couples and friend groups all playing games and building sand castles. I mostly just walked around collecting shells though. They all formed unique shapes you would never find in our world so I'm sure Ryuji would like them when I got back, "This is what you call having fun?" a voice asked and I jumped into the air, nearly dropping the shells
"Not funny, Ryan?" I huffed
"It was kinda funny," He teased. Before looking away with a red face. I immediately new why. Guys really seemed to like swimsuits for some reason. But he wanted to tease me earlier, so I did it right back
"What's wrong? Do you have heat stroke?" I asked, acting innocent as I checked his temperature only for him to snatch his head away
"Sh-Shut up! You know what's wrong!"
"You're right. Still, I didn't take you for the type. What? You got swimsuit magazines under your bed?"
"Oh hell no! My sister would kill me!" He blurted out, covering his mouth. I didn't know he had a sister. My confusion quickly turned to curiosity and the words 'Do Tell' must have been written all over my face. With a sigh, he went to grab a towel and we sat down, "You told me about your mom so I'll entertain you. Ask away"
"Well for one, what did you mean when you asked me 'What home'?" I asked, remembering when he first tried to teach me. He seemed hesitant but nodded and proceeded to explain
"I technically have a home, but the family I live with, isn't mine," He answered, "I live with the cop who arrested my dad and his daughter. You can imagine how much I hated that"
Suddenly it makes sense, the cynicism and hatred for authority. I would probably be the same if they took my dad. Is it rational? Of course not but there are some situations where rationality just doesn't work, "What did you dad do?"
"That's the thing, he didn't do anything. He was at work. But there were no other suspects. Someone had to have killed my mom and they weren't going to believe the kid saying the monster did it," He explained, his voice cracking a little. I gently grabbed his hand, trying to comfort him
"You don't need to say another word if you don't want to"
"Nah, it's fine. What's done is done," He assured with a shrug but I could tell it hurt, "Anyway, Hailey was my 'sister'. She tried to be nice to me but I kept pushing her away. I was just an angry kid who couldn't help but be pissed at her for what her dad did. Eventually, she got sick of me and we haven't talked since,"
"Well, how about you try making up with her?"
"I've tried. But a point came that she was tougher than me and I value my life," He answered with a nervous chuckle, I gotta admit though, I didn't think you'd do all this. You seemed so tense when we first met"
"Well, I still kind of am. But hearing the voice and using my magic requires me to relax so I'm trying to get better. Plus I just don't like seeing other people upset. You should've seen the lengths I went to for my brothers when something made them cry"
"Well if you can calm yourself the way you did me, I think you'll be fine"
We just killed time from there, talking about our lives and it was actually really fun. Seeing him nerd out about games and anime was really endearing. Suddenly, I saw a flash. We froze and stared at each other before turning to the flash, looking at Jaune like a dear in headlights as he held a holo-tool
"Didn't think you two would take off for a date"
"Jaune. You have five seconds to hand it over..." Ryan threatened and stood up as fear overtook us both. It was like staring at the Grim Reaper himself. Jaune Storm Stepped away with Ryan hot on his trail. The further he got, the less intense the fear got and it actually became somewhat funny as I watched. I couldn't contain my laughter as I watched the cat and mouse game unfolding with Jaune zipping away and Ryan pulling out his Goliath to keep up. The fun continued for at least another hour until a hole opened up in the sky. We knew what time it was
"Guys!!" I called out but they had already seen it, "Ready?"
"Ready!"
"Worlds Combine, Heroes Unite!!" We exclaimed and did what we always do, Suit on, Flip and make a crater, Helmet on
"Passion of the Dragon, Hero Red!"
"Power of the Storm, Hero Yellow!"
"Grace of the Mermaid, Hero Blue!"
Once the transformation was done, we got to work. Jaune worked on evacuating the beach while the Dragon and Mermaid Goliaths created a perimeter to make sure no Shadows get out and nobody came in. All the while, we fought off the Shadows. They were fairly easy with us all having our weapons now and some slight control of our magic. We destroyed them by the dozens but suddenly, I felt something grab one of my Styx Whips followed by being dragged into the attacker's grip. I could make out a massive bull-like being before my eyes shut. I screamed in pain as I was caught in a bear hug, "So these are the 'heroes' keeping my people trapped. I'm going to enjoy watching the life leave you!" he declared but eventually, I managed to open my eyes despite the pain and use my Mer Eyes to find a weakness. I flailed my arms as little as I can and use a whip to precisely strike the joints between his arms and shoulders. He roared and let me go. The moment he did, I kicked off him to flip back to the guys
"Who is that?! Doesn't look like any general we've fought," Jaune noted
"He's...human. Enhanced but clearly human"
"So they're kidnapping humans?"
"No, he said we're keeping his people trapped?"
"We can think about it later. For now, we need to take this bull to pasture!" Ryan declared. That was probably the cheesiest joke I didn't even realize he was capable of making. Regardless, we all charged in with Jaune blitzing him with consistent Storm Steps, slashing at his chest before being hit by the beast's hammer. I tried to restrain his arms only to be sent flying, hitting Ryan who tried to go in to strike
"There has to be a weakness or something!" I exclaimed but the boys just seemed intent on trying to hit it until it went down. It shook off their strikes and slammed them into each other. If I didn't catch them, they would have been launched to sea several times over. Watching its movements though, I noticed how slow it was and using my Mer Eyes, I made a discovery. Besides the massive bull head, the body was a slightly enhanced human's just like I said but taking a look back though, the muscles were too much. The bones were barely able to support them. If anything, the fur is acting like a cushion so they don't shatter, "Ryan! Light him up!"
Confused, Ryan did just that. He shot a ball of fire directly at the chest, burning the fur. His Baphomet Set was made of fire but the magic field containing it made it much harder to light something up like that. The monster roared and tried to hit him but I struck the nerves again with my whips, "Damn it!! Stop doing that!!"
"I'm sorry you don't know how a fight works!!" Ryan mocked before rapidly punching his now exposed chest. The bones shattered with each blow, causing the muscles to collapse in on themselves. The beast collapsed, barely able to stand up, "There. Ya done?" He asked, clearly out of breath but then the beast not only stood up. Its body healed and not only that, it started to expand. I quickly snatched him away so that he wouldn't get crushed as the monster grew to the size of a mountain, "Now that's just unfair"
"I'm sorry you don't know how a fight works," The monster bit back as its massive hammer went to crush us. Our two Goliaths broke the perimeter to attack but were easily swatted away. Ryan and I quickly got inside, using our link to improve their proficiency
"You okay, Mera?"
"Indeed...It will take more than that to keep me down," Mera said, clearly exhausted. It could've been worse though, her new massive shiny metal blue body could take the hits better than her original. Jaune Storm Stepped up, slashing at the beast's chin but let's be honest. If two giant metal robots didn't make a dent, what could he do? He then landed on Mera's head, right next to my cockpit
"Would be really nice if Thundaga was here right now"
"Three separate wouldn't work. What we need is one massive unit. A Titan," Ryan said in a bizarrely dramatic tone. he was really getting into this hero thing
"You're joking right? Not only are we down one, but they can't just do that!" I argued
"Are you sure?" He asked before throwing out his hand, "Oh Mighty Goliaths! Heed my call and unite to destroy the evil that would do this world harm!" He exclaimed and at first, nothing happened but then from nowhere, a bolt of lightning fired at the monster. Jaune quickly turned, seeing the Storm Goliath fly in from seemingly nowhere
"Hey you overgrown rooster! When did you get here?"
"I don't know but I'm glad I did!"
"Now time for the fun part. Unite!" Ryan called out and the Goliaths began to change. Mera's fins split off from her and her body condensed and split into something resembling legs. The Dragon Goliath's mouth opened wide, revealing a face as its winged arms went shifted to its back, creating a sorta metal cape. Its tail moved around to where its right arm once was with Mera's fines attaching to make an axe. Lastly, the Storm Goliath's body came apart, its wings splitting off. The rest of the body attached itself, making a left arm with a bird pauldron. The wings then came back together to form a shield. Jaune and I looked around, finding ourselves in a massive cockpit with three seats in a sorta ranking position with me in the number two seat, Jaune in three and Ryan in number one
"Where are we?"
"In our new Ultimate Weapon, the Heroic Titan!!" He boldly declared. How was he able to do this? Eliza never mentioned this function but it was certainly impressive seeing the Goliaths combine
"What the-?! Ritto never mentioned this!" The monster exclaimed in shock "But it doesn't matter, I am Minodaurous! I will charge ahead and create a path for all Demon Kind!" he declared before running at us horns first. Jaune was confused but used his controls to dig in the left leg and raise up the shield. I then swung the axe that made up the right arm. Still he pushed us back, almost into the main town but once our footing was gained we managed to push him back, blocking the swing of its hammer and countering. When it tried to ram us, we locked it in place with our arms and tossed it
"Finishing Move: World-Splitting Chop!!" We declared, seemingly knowing what to say for some reason, as we jumped into the sky, blotting out the sun for the demon as our arms rotated clockwise until the axe was over our head before splitting it in half with one mighty chop. We then turned around as the beast exploded, "Heroic Titan!"
Once the dust settled, we returned to the cabin for dinner. It was awkward. We didn't even know what happened. Eventually, Jaune finally asked the question, "So, do you plan to tell us what that was all about?"
"Huh?" Ryan asked, seeming confused
"Please don't feign the fool, my friend. Did Eliza tell you that could happen or what?"
No, I just sorta... Thought about it in my head and it worked," He explained, seeming a bit unsure himself. Come to think of it, how did he get his Goliath here so quick in the first place. I took one last sip from my tea before speaking
"We need to get you back to the capital. Now"