Green and Red Comet
Chapter 1: Friends!? (Neo meets Corline).
The class is about to start. Students are chattering as they recognize each other and enter the classroom.
In the meantime, Neo is trying to ignore them all as he looks through the window.
The bell rings, and the students sit down as a teacher comes into the classroom.
“Hello, students.” The teacher says as he looks around the classroom at all the students. “For those of you who do not know me, my name is Mr. Matsu Morutori. But you can just call me Matsu.”
The class starts, and as the teacher talks most of the students are looking at their textbooks and the ones that don’t, are just not paying attention, or in one case… Sleeping. The one sleeping is Klast. He is the school’s number one bully and a pain in everyone’s hind. Not even the teachers pay any attention to him anymore.
However, Neo is no exception, at this moment he still looking outside the window paying no mind to his surroundings.
As the class continues the teacher starts passing around the classroom and at some point, he stops next to Neo. Silence covers the classroom while the teacher looks at his notebook and calls up to the student next to him. “Hello, Neo! We meet again!” the teacher starts while looking at the student with destain.
“Hi, Matsu” Neo answered without even looking at him. Yes, Neo and Matsu have met before, in fact, they have been teacher and student for the last 2 years. And in case you are wondering, they are not in the best terms.
“Well, Neo.” Matsu continues. “Since you seem to like this class so much. Why don’t you answer me a little question?”
Here we go again, Neo taught as he heard the question. Ever since he knows about my relationship with some of the heroes, he has been difficult.
“Can you mention three heroes from the War of Knowledge?” The teacher asks.
Neo rolled his eyes as he glared at the teacher. He knows where this is going, neverless he answers truthfully, “Entei, from the Nitsu clan, Kaedy Mishima from the Klatsu clan, and Leon of the beastfolks.”
Everybody gasped as they heard his answers. Murmurs can be heard across the room, “Did he just say Kaedy?” Some students start mocking and laughing and the girl seated not far from Neo just looks at him and smiles.
The teacher turns away from Neo, walks to the board with a satisfactory grin on his face, and says, “Well, I guess you got two out of three.”
Neo knowing what is coming just turns his head and continues looking outside the window.
“Although he is not entirely wrong with Kaedy. We all know, that Kaedy is not considered a hero. She is more considerate, an ally.” The teacher says as he turns his head back to Neo and makes a small stop to see his expression. However, seeing him looking back at the window, paying no attention to him, makes his anger flares. And so, he continues. “Well… While Kaedy did help during the War of Knowledge, she was also part of the enemy group, The Questalens. And we cannot forget that while she was with them, too many of our warriors and even more, citizens died at the hands of this group. So, you see. For that reason, she is more considerate… an ally. And a traitor among the other enemy groups, I might say. But never a hero.”
Neo keeps looking outside the window as the class continues paying no attention to the teacher’s rambling.
After a while, the bells ring. Teachers and students leave the classroom. Students go to lunch in the cafeteria, while teachers go to the teacher’s lounge room.
*****
Matsu enters the lounge room, salutes the other two teachers in the room, and continues to salute the headmaster.
“Say, old friend. Why do I have to take care of the graduation class this year? Why do you keep insisting on me to take care of this oddball of a student called Neo” says Matsu to the headmaster as he gets closer to him.
“Hmm… Did something happen again?” the headmaster asks as he turns and looks through the window to see Neo walking into the cafeteria.
Chills fell down Neo’s spine as he felt as if he was being watched. Neo stops and looks at the windows only to see the headmasters looking at him. The chills became fear as he turned back his face and kept on walking.
“He is the son of an old friend of mine. Why?” The headmasters say not looking back at him.
“I see… Well… I am not sure why, but he tried to protect Kaedy’s name back in my classroom. The same happened last year, but when I tried to correct him, he just did not care. But there is something about him. Something, that whenever I see him, it makes me believe that I am the one in the wrong.” Matsu says to the headmaster with a little doubt on his face.
“Hmm… Do not worry. I think is just some teen stuff. but just to make sure, I’m gonna have a word with him. So, why don’t you call him right up”, the headmaster replies as he smiles and looks at the teacher and takes a sip of his coffee.
“As you say my friend,” the teacher replies as he bows his head to salute.
*****
Neo is eating in the cafeteria when a girl gets close to him. “Hi Neo, is this seat taken?” the girl asks as she sits.
“Nope, I am done. Is all yours” Neo responds as he stands up walking out of the cafeteria, not even looking at the girl.
As soon as Neo steps out of the door, he hears three guys seated close to the door start talking about what happened in the classroom. The first two were alike, they seemed to be twins. Their body sculpts were alike. They were skinny, around 5.11 feet tall, and dressed in the school uniform. The first one, the one on the right, has the school jacket close. The other one, the one in the middle, was dressed in a school jacket, however, his jacket was open, and a yellow shirt showing. The third one, however, was a big dude, around 6.4 feet tall, with an impressive body constitution.
Neo looked at the guys and continued walking as the two skinny guys jumped in front of him. The third guy just stood by looking at Neo, as if he was waiting for Neo to have some kind of reaction, however, there was none.
“Well, well, well, you weren’t thinking about letting us talk here to ourselves, don’t you?” The skinny guy with the yellow t-shirt says.
Neo stood quiet in front of the guy. His face shows no expression.
At that time, a girl walks out of the cafeteria, “Still causing trouble guys? Klast, Form …Streagon.”
“Shit, Corline.” One of the brothers thought as the other replied, “Trouble? We do not know what you are talking about. We were just saying hi to our friend here.”
“Friend? Do you even know what those are? And more important, why aren’t you properly dressed? You might get some trouble for that.” Corline says as she passes through the two brothers.
“Oh, right. Sorry about that Miss President,” Klast replies as she passes him.
“Well! Neo, right,” Corline asks as she gets closer.
“I… I am… Yes,” Neo replied wandering, as the girl continued moving forward.
“Hi, my name is Corline. I’m this year's graduation class president”, the girl said as she got closer to Neo.
Neo didn’t reply, he was stunned, as he admired the pure white skin, her long straight dark black hair, her delicate body fit on a perfectly suited uniform, and a pair of mysterious cool grey eyes that felt like they could see through you, see your future, your past, or your whole life.
After a moment of waiting, the girl gets to Neo and smiles saying, “Well… hi Neo? I’m here because the headmaster wants to speak with you, and he asked me to show you the way. He mentions something about you getting lost in the pass”.
Neo came back to his senses as he heard the word, headmaster. However, he did not reply.
The girl looks at Neo, thinking that he is in fear of the headmaster, she smiles and pulls him by his hand saying, “Don’t worry, the headmaster is not that bad”.
Neo and Corline walk away from the guys, as they continue to move forward Neo shakes the girl's hand and blushes.
Corline looked back and said, “Uh, well… I’m sorry about that.”
“Oh! Do not worry. I guess… I have to thank you for helping back then”, Neo says while following the girl.
“Oh, don’t. Those guys always do the same. They are always getting in trouble. It's like they never learn” Corline replied.
“But... Next time, I do not need the help, I think I can solve my problems on my own” Neo says in a straight and sharp voice.
Corline looks back and keeps on walking slowly saying, “You guys are all the same. You always think you can solve everything with violence.”
“You see, there are some problems that need to be taken care of from the roots. And as soon as possible, otherwise they will spread or grow stronger. But I don’t expect someone who can just drift through life always knowing what’s ahead to understand.” Neo said roughly.
The girl stops, looks back at Neo, smiles, and keeps on walking as she says, “Interesting, it seems like we’ll be spending a little more time together, Neo Tigerso of the Wild clan.” Corline replies as she looks back to see Neo’s reaction.
Neo turns red and a small grin forms on his face. He
then looks back at Corline and says, “I didn’t expect less from a Dreamseer.”
“Good” Corline asks as he gets close to Neo's ear, “’Cause… you know how many people will love to know what happened to the great heroin Kaedy? More importantly, do you know how many people would kill to know that she has a son, and that son is alive, walking among humans like nothing ever happened.” She pauses as if looking for an answer on Neo’s face, then she continues, “I think not… so, from now on will be spending a little time together, so why don’t we become friends, son of heroes? Any way we are here.”
Neo's expression turns grim, and he replies as he walks through the door, “Whatever… Do as you like, I don’t care. Besides, I got better things to do.”
*****
The door opens as Neo walks into the office.
“Neo, come on in, take a sit,” the headmaster said joyfully standing from his chair as if he were showing some respect to Neo.
As soon as Neo got seated, the headmaster started asking, “Say Neo, how do you like your new group?” And without letting Neo answer he continues, “Have you made any friends lately? Have you made any friends at all? Have you met someone you like? I think you need some friends.”
Neo was about to answer when the headmaster continued.
“You know, it has been 5 years and now I wonder, for how long do you think I can hold?”
Neo stood quiet in front of the headmaster. He knows what the headmaster is talking about, however, he rather not answer his question.
“Well Neo, I heard you were… defending Kaedy’s name during class?” the headmaster says piercing Neo with his sight. “You know, we have been through this before. And you know that we all know the contributions your mother made during the war. I mean, do not get me wrong, she was a great help during the war. however, she is not, and will never be, considered a hero because of the crimes of war committed by the organization she belongs to. So please, if you plan to graduate from here like your mother wants you to, why don’t you just hold whatever it is that you want to say about your mother or your father? Jeez or even you. Because every time you say something about it, they come to me, and they are starting to ask questions that you know I cannot answer.” The headmaster says as his tone keeps on rising, and then continues. “So, tell me Neo, for how long do you think I can hold? You know, if it was not for your father, I have never made a deal with your mother no matter how much she had helped in the past. But I guess your mother has changed. You are a good guy so please help me a little here, ok? Oh, and I am not asking for a favor, this is an order. Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes, headmaster,” Neo replies as he stands.
“You are dismissed.” the headmasters say waving his hand as Neo starts walking to the door. “Oh! And Neo?” The headmaster calls before he leaves.
“Sir” Neo says stopping without looking back.
“Why don’t you try to make some friends this year; it will make your stay… easier”, the headmaster says as he takes sit. “And mine too” the headmaster adds in a low voice as Neo walks out the door.
*****
One Week Later:
Corline sees Neo sitting at a table and walks towards him.
“Hi, Neo where were you on Saturday? ‘Cause you know, I went to your dorm room but you weren’t there” Corline asks in a somewhat angry tone as she gets close to Neo.
“What? You tortured me all week. Now you wanna torture me on the weekends too,” Neo replied.
“Torture? What are you talking about? I thought we were having fun.” Corline says giving Neo an angry face.
“Fun? You call that fun? You stick to me like glue, in the cafeteria ask for something to eat and then you have me paying for it. Not to mention the ice cream shop, the Italian restaurant, the clothing store, some books in the library, and even stuff for your room from the department store. If things continue like this, people will start thinking we are a couple or something” Neo said complaining.
“So, what? Let people think whatever they want to think, is not like they are going to hurt you” Corline replies as she sits beside him without a care in the world.
“You know, I am beginning to think you are enjoying my pain.”
“Why you said that? I mean, am I that ugly, that you do not want people to think that we are a couple? Corline asks with a sad face.
“I…W…Well… No! You are not ugly. It is just that… I don’t want people to think the wrong way.” Neo says as he tries to console her.
“Good, because just now, on my way here, I heard some people saying that we look good as boyfriend and girlfriend,” Corline said with a big smile on her face.
“WHAT? WHO IS SAYING THAT?” Neo yields without hesitation smacking both hands on the table as she says those words.
Suddenly Neo starts sensing an evil aura and when he looks down, he notices that his hands are on top of Corline’s hands and that the evil aura is coming from her.
That is when he realized her hands were on that place when he roughly smacked the table. Neo without thinking took her hand and kneeled as he started saying, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, it is my mistake, I did it without realizing and…? Neo
senses the evil aura has vanished, he looks up and sees that Corline's face is all red.
He looks to the sides just to see that everyone around is looking at them.
“No, no, no, no, no, this is not what you all think. I’m just trying to apologize.”
Neo said nervously as he stood up and started waving his hands and pointing at
him and Corline. However, people continue walking as he tries to explain, paying no attention to what he has to say. In desperation, Neo turns to Corline and yields, “This is all your fault,” As she just smiles with an awfully cute face.
*****
Two Weeks Later:
Another week has passed, and Neo hasn’t been able to train at all.
“I’m gonna train, and this time you ain’t stopping me” she heard the voice as it landed at her, then the figure turned around and walked away… While the figure can’t be clearly seen, Corline recognizes the voice and body shape, it is Neo.
…Blood is dripping on the floor while the Neo runs toward a strong opponent. He gives his all to defeat the mysterious strong warrior, but as he comes close to the warrior, the strong warrior extends his arm back, preparing itself to hit something with all its strength. Neo is rushing forward as the other warrior shoots his arm forward leaning his body showing his monstrous muscles and allowing her to see its face. Only one person in all the Tiger-Dragon has the body fitness to be that person… It was Streagon.”
Corline, wakes up from her dream, “That dream again, I got to do something to stop it,” she says as she stands from her bed.
*****
Corline runs to Neo’s place, as she sees Neo prepared to go out, she yells from the distance as she runs toward him, “Neo, how are you? Where are you going?”
“Damn, here we go again,” Neo says as his face turns serious.
Corline gets to Neo and says with a smile on her face “What’s wrong Neo? You don’t look so good. I know, how about, we go to the ice cream shop? Ice cream always makes people happy.”
“Oh…no we don’t, last time I went to that place you ate five ice creams and I ended up paying for them.”
“Come on, but is our day off”, Corline says to Neo as her face saddens.
“Sorry Corline, even if you put that sad face, you are not gonna stop me this time…” Neo says as Corline interrupts him.
“But I just wanna…”
“Corline! I’m gonna train, and this time you ain’t stopping me” Neo said yelling at Corline, then he turned around and walked away.
Corline was stunned as if she had heard those words before somewhere, those words echoed in her head. For her, time stops, she wants to move but her body does not respond, even when she wants to tell her friend about the dangers that await him, she cannot move at all. So, she just stood there, seeing her friend go as tears began to flow down her face.
*****
Neo gets to his destination, an old training ground north of the Tiger-Dragon, in there he gets ready to start training as he senses someone is looking at him.
Paying no attention and concentrating on the training, Neo moves to the training ground. However, as soon as he got outside the shelter of the buildings, he sensed a massive flow of energy moving straight to him. He dodges by jumping to the right. However, the impact of whatever it was, creates a big blast of dirt and dust that doesn’t give Neo any room for a counterattack.
As the dust dissipates a big figure starts to take shape.
“You know, I was starting to wonder when you were gonna show up… Streagon,” Neo said as the big figure started walking out of the cloud of dust.
“Hmm… Pretty confident, don’t you think? But I got to say, you are as good as I expected” The figure said as he showed his face.
“What can I say, I learn from the best and well… I hope you are too, at least to help me warm up” Neo said, as he smiled at Streagon.
Streagon’s face turns ugly on the provocation, and he replies as he dashes out the dust throwing a back punch at Neo. “Oh, I’ll do more than just warm you up. I will beat you down to a pulp!”
“Good then. Don’t expect me to hold back.” Neo said as he prepared himself.
*****
Corline, still in a daze, is looking up the stairs to the training ground when she hears a big explosion. Looking up she sees a cloud of dust going up. In panic,
Corline rushes to the place where the explosion is. When she arrived, Neo and
Streagon was already fighting each other. The female student in shock, not knowing what to do just falls to her knees, her mind racing, searching for a solution.