Liners PDF - Chapter One & Two

Chapter one “Nicko, wake up!” Nicko heard a muffled voice say. “No, I want to keep sleeping,” Nicko said while turning over. Nicko felt his body getting warmer and his breathing becoming more difficult. Nicko slightly opened his eyes. Nicko sat up fast. Nicko looked around, thinking that he was suf...

Chapter one “Nicko, wake up!” Nicko heard a muffled voice say. “No, I want to keep sleeping,” Nicko said while turning over. Nicko felt his body getting warmer and his breathing becoming more difficult. Nicko slightly opened his eyes. Nicko sat up fast. Nicko looked around, thinking that he was suffocating, and saw a fire in his room. Nicko’s eyes shot open. It didn't take too long for Nicko to find the source of the problem. “Alex stop, I'm up, I'm up!” Nicko yelled. The fire faded, and Nicko walked out of his comfortable, smallish, medium, room, downstairs and into the kitchen. Nicko looked at Alex with a look of anger. Alex tried to conceal her chuckles but broke and started laughing. “I'm sorry Nicko, mom told me to wake you up any way possible,” Alex said, trying to catch her breath. Nicko rolled his eyes then started laughing, pointing at Alex. “What's funny?” Alex asked. Nicko pointed at Alex’s messy hair. “Your hair looks like a bird’s nest, it's a hot mess.” Alex laughed, “I know.” Nicko went to the bathroom. Nicko got halfway there before he heard a “snap.” Nicko's vision obscured and he let out a loud groan, “Dang these small rubber bands.” Nicko looked through his bangs and finished his journey to the bathroom. Nicko entered the bathroom and went to the mirror. Nicko smiled and looked in awe at the newly formed marks on his face. Alex appeared next to Nicko, with her combination of red and blond hair in front of her paleish face. “So Nicko, need a new rubber band?.” She asked him. “Yea.” Nicko responded. Alex handed Nicko a thick hair tie and they both styled their signature styles; A long, thick braid in the back for Alex, and a smallish, medium, ponytail in the back for Nicko. “Nicko, when are you going to switch up your hair colors?” Alex asked. Nicko thought for a short time, “I don't know, my orange and black is kinda iconic.” Nicko responded. “Now please exit the bathroom. I gotta use it.” Alex left the bathroom leaving Nicko alone. Nicko took his shirt off revealing a series of random scars on his right chest. Nicko ran his hand over them thinking back, three weeks ago to when he gave himself those scars. Nicko looked at himself and shook his head. He thought to himself. Nicko took a deep breath and thought about her, Bianca. Nicko thought back to their conversation. A tear fell down Nicko's right eye. “Bianca.” Nicko muttered. Nicko reached inside of his pocket and took out his phone. Nicko looked over the text messages of him and Bianca. Nicko scrolled through the messages remembering the jokes they shared and the deep conversations they had until Nicko came across the source of his pain. Nicko started to read, “Hey Bianca can I ask you a question, it's SUPER important?” Nicko read. “Yea what is it?” He read. “Could we go hang out, and hold hands sometime?” Nicko read. “What? Are you trying to tell me something?” Nicko read. Just reading those words made Nicko sad. “I like you…” Nicko read. “Oh, is that so?” Nicko read. Nicko clenched his phone harder. “Yes! I really do, I think we'd look good together, I know how to treat women with respect and I'm fun to be around.” Nicko read. “ Ummm, listen Nicko, you are a nice person, it's just that you aren't my type and quite frankly, you aren't the best looking.” Reading that made Nicko question himself. “What am I doing wrong?” Nicko asked himself. Nicko looked through his and his friend, Dontrell, messages. “Hey Nicko, you won't believe what Bianca posted on her story.” Nicko read. “What she post? I can't find her account, did she block me?” Nicko read.“ Nicko read the screenshot of Bianca's story, It was text over Nicko's confession, the words were “I can't believe that he had the nerve to ask me out even after friendzoning him for almost two years now.” Nicko was holding back tears. Nicko thought about how bad his life is. “Maybe I should finish the job.” Nicko though. Nicko started lightly crying. “But, I have the best adoptive family anyone could ask for.” Nicko thought. Nicko knew he was adopted, he knew at the age of five. I mean, when you have dark skin and the rest of your family has almost snow white skin, it shouldn't take too long to put two and two together. There was a knock on the door. “Nicko, baby, are you alright in there?” Nicko's mom asked. Nicko quickly wiped his tears and put his shirt back on, “Yes mom, I'm okay, I was just coming out of the bathroom. Nicko left the bathroom, and sat down at the kitchen table with Alex, Mia, and their mom. "Nicko do you know what this means?" Alex asked. "I can finally join you and Mia in being Lineros?” Nicko asked, already knowing the answer. “Why are we just sitting here? Let's go see what my power is!" Nicko yelled while rushing out of the back door. Nicko waited in the backyard, a backyard so big you could build another house in it. until Mia, Alex, and his mom stepped outside. "Ok, how do I figure out my power?" Nicko asked. "Ok, first your heart needs to beat fast then it's kinda like this feeling of adrenaline, just find it then poof you have your power," Alex told him. Nicko looked at Alex with a face that said "Run that past me again, I couldn't quite understand it.” Mia let out a sigh," Basically your heart needs to beat extremely quickly then the power comes to you." Nicko shook his head. "Now how am I supposed to have my heart beat extremely fast?" Nicko asked them. "Like this!" Alex yelled. Alex's marks shone a mixture of red and orange, and massive flames shot out from Alex's hands at Nicko. Nicko's heart started racing, and he managed to jump out of the way in time. "Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!" Nicko exclaimed, hands out in front of him. Nicko stood up and was swept back by a strong gust of wind. Nicko looked over and saw Mia's marks glowing Silver. "Sinful slivers!" Mia exclaimed as little card-sized spots of wind started spinning faster and faster. The wind shot out and bombarded Nicko. Nicko flinched and covered his body, and the wind cut his arms, legs, and some of his torso. Nicko's heart rate steadily increased. "Fireball destruction!" Alex yelled. Nicko watched in horror as a giant ball of fire churned and grew in size in Alex's hands. "Is she trying to kill me?!" Nicko questioned himself. Alex threw the massive ball of fire at Nicko. Nicko had to do something, but he couldn't. Nicko got down, closed his eyes, and placed his hands out. Nicko braced himself for the inevitable damage that was to come, all he could think about was something to hide behind, maybe a wall of some sort. Nicko opened his eyes and saw a wall of hardened red crystal. Nicko saw the red wall stopping Alex’s giant fireball. Just then the fireball exploded, the wall shattered, and Nicko was sent flying. Nicko rolled off of his back, struggling to stand. Only silence with the sound of his heartbeat. Nicko looked at the amazed looks on Alex, Mia's, and his mother's faces. "Nicko, that was awesome!" Alex yelled. Nicko flashed a smile. Nicko slowly stumbled towards his family but collapsed. Chapter Two Nicko woke up on his bed with a major aching body. After collecting his bearings, Nicko looked at his hoodie. "Man, this hoodie was custom made." Nicko complained. Nicko stood up and noticed a bag right next to his bed. Nicko looked in it and took out a note. "Sorry for burning/cutting your clothes! Got you a new outfit,love-Alex Mia. Nicko smiled,changed clothes and slowly made his way downstairs. "Nicko, how does your body feel?" Alex asked him. "My body? It doesn't hurt anymore, it just feels fine." Alex shook her head and got Nicko some water. "So did you guys find out my power?" Nicko asked curiously. "We don't know what it is at the moment, but it was like this liquid-ish stuff,it wrapped around my massive Fireball Destruction move and compressed it, then it exploded." Alex said with a slight chuckle. "Awesome." Nicko said. After a short wait in silence, Nicko's stomach started growling. Nicko walked towards the fridge and peeked inside. "Sweet, I still have danishes left." Nicko said, grabbing three danishes. Nicko sat down on the couch next to Alex and started on his danishes. Nicko finished his danishes and fished his phone out of his pocket. "I was out for a few hours, wasn't I?" Nicko asked, looking at the time on his phone. Alex shook her head. "Mom went to work and Mia went to the park with her friends and since I didn't receive a mission yet, I thought I'd stay here with you." Nicko smiled. Alex stood and walked towards the front door. "Nicko you coming?" She asked. Nicko got up and followed his sister out of the door. "Where are we going?" Nicko asked. "Just wait." Alex said with a chuckle. Alex started walking down the sidewalk and Nicko followed. After walking for about twenty seven minutes Nicko and Alex arrived at a huge plaza and stood in front of the big, Wide building. "Nicko,this is where you get your official Linero license." Alex told him. Nicko and Alex walked in the building and Alex and Nicko were swarmed by all the people there. Nicko didn't like being surrounded by all of those people,in fact it made him anxious. Nicko's heart started beating and a bright flash of crimson red reflected off of everyone's face and they all backed up. It didn't take Nicko long to know that the glowing was coming from him. When everyone uncrowded Nicko and Alex his heart slowed and the light faded. Alex looked at Nicko. "Nicko, was that some sort of warning flash?" Alex asked. "I don't know, it just happened." Nicko said, taking deep breaths. Nicko and Alex continued their "quest" to get his Linero permit. "Now we need to take this elevator." Alex said. The elevator's doors opened and Nicko and Alex flooded inside. After a short wait Nicko and Alex got off at the top floor. Nicko and Alex walked down the hall into the farthest room on the left. Alex opened the door and was instantly greeted by everyone in the room. "Hey Alex!" A boy said. "Welcome back Alex!" A girl said. Nicko couldn't think with all the greetings being given to Alex. "Why are they showering you in praise?" Nicko asked Alex. "Because I'm just that guy." She responded, "You'll earn praise too once you get stronger and complete missions." Nicko scanned the room. Nicko counted four boys and three girls(not counting Alex). "And who is this?" One one of the girls asked Alex. "This is my little brother Nicko." Alex responded. "He's trying to get his Linero permit." The girl looked over at Nicko in observation and Nicko looked back in an observation of his own. Nicko noticed her features, long crimson hair, a shade between Alex and Nicko, but favored Alex a tad more, intense dark red eyes, and a kinda short build, but could tell she was way older than Nicko. "Okay, you look strong.” Ember announced. “Her voice, it's like a combination of a raging fire and a calm flickering flame. "So can he get it or not?" Alex asked. "Of course Alex, he just has to pass the test." She said with a snicker. "Ok Ember." Alex asked. "Ember? That's her name?" Nicko thought. "Nothing special, just a little fight with me." She said Alex looked at her with a face of eagerness. "This will be interesting to watch, he just got his powers today and you don't have to worry about burning him." She said, smiling. “What do you mean, “I don't have to worry about burning him”?” Ember asked Alex. Alex flashed a smile, “See, Nicko is special, your fire won't really do nothing to him in the long run.” Alex bragged. “I'm not special, not at all.” Nicko responded. Ember looked at Nicko and Nicko’s heart fluttered. Ember looked away and pressed a button and the room they were in started to rise high into the sky. The room climbed higher and higher until it was high enough to see the whole plaza. The room then expanded. Nicko looked around and noticed a giant "glass?" Box surrounding the room. Ember cleared her throat which caught Nicko's attention. "Ok Nicko this room is fifteen times the size of a boxing ring and since you're Alex's younger brother, I expect great things from you." She told Nicko. Ember's marks started glowing the same shade as Alex's marks had. "Annnnd she has fire!" Nicko said, panicking. "Fireball times four!" Ember yelled as four basketball-sized balls of white fire were created, swirling around her forearm. Nicko's heart raced; it felt like it was going to explode. Ember flung her arm forward and one after another the fireballs were racing towards Nicko. Nicko jumped over the first one, then slid to the right after the second one, he swatted the third one away with his hand,and kicked the fourth one away. Ember looked at Nicko with amazement and smiled. "Fire move number 2, Flaming Burner!" Ember yelled and a swarm of fire was launched at Nicko. Nicko was caught in the flaming attack and felt his skin burning, it didn't take long for him to remember that white fire is the second hottest fire. Ember made her attack subside. Nicko protected himself as much as he could, holding his hands out in front of him. Nicko winced and looked at his burned hands. “Most definitely third degree burns.” Nicko said. Ember looked over at Nicko’s hands, “Should we stop?” Ember asked him. Nicko declined and closed his eyes and concentrated on nothing but his hands. Ember watched in surprise as Nicko’s hands started to heal. Nicko opened his eyes and with one determined look the battle was back on. Ember placed her hands on the floor, but Nicko knew what was coming next, he saw Alex do this same move a few times. Ember cloaked herself in white fire and dashed towards Nicko. Nicko crossed his arms and braced himself. Ember collided with Nicko. Nicko wrapped his arms around her and with one swift movement Nicko tripped her and they both landed on the ground. Nicko threw a punch and it connected with Ember's face. Ember held out her hand and a stream of fire raced out, rarely missing Nicko. Nicko rolled away and Ember stood up and placed her hands into the sky. Nicko let out an agitated groan, he knew what was coming next, it was Alex’s favorite move: Fireball destruction. Nicko remembered his success with this move and with his luck he might die. Ember threw the giant fireball. The flames engulfed Nicko and with the explosion it caused Nicko to crash into the wall of the arena. Nicko stood and stumbled but managed to keep balance. Nicko’s vision was blurry and his ears rang. Nicko looked over at Alex then at his burn marks.  Nicko quickly healed himself and gave himself a wake up slap and focused on Ember. Nicko ran towards Ember. Ember placed her hands out infront of her and shot out flames. Nicko saw that coming and slid under the flames. Nicko tried to catch her in a scissor hold but Ember jumped, dodging his attack. Nicko quickly stood up and dashed towards Ember. Nicko and Ember locked hands and started pushing each other. Nicko thought back to his wrestling drills and used what he learned. Nicko clubbed Ember in the back of her neck, and with one swift movement, Nicko dropped to his knees, grabbed both of Ember's legs, pivoted his weight to one side, and took Ember to the ground. Nicko fell on top of Ember and she managed to roll on her stomach. Nicko thought of another wrestling technique that he learned during his four weeks of wrestling at school. Nicko snaked his right hand under Ember's right armpit and held the palm of his hand on her neck. Nicko threw his legs to the right and dug his toes into the ground pushing him forward. Nicko forcefully made Ember roll on her back. Nicko squeezed while trying to hold his body on Ember's successfully pinning her. Nicko’s heart raced as he looked into Ember's eyes. The battle came to a stand still and Nicko and Ember still locked eyes. Ember cleared her throat and Nicko snapped back into reality. Nicko loosened his body and Ember managed to roll away. Ember stood in front of Nicko and smiled. “This battle is over.” Ember announced. The room lowered and went back to normal. "Judging from what I saw, Nicko is around an intermediate rank liner, his regeneration capabilities, ability to adapt pretty quickly, his sheer willpower, and his wrestling experience will make him an extremely strong Linero, brother, and person." Ember told Alex. Alex nodded her head. Nicko tried his best not to smile but it shone through. “Now, It's time for your Linero card picture.” Ember told him. Alex and Ember lead Nicko into the photoroom where his picture will be taken. Nicko soon got his picture taken and his information on his Linero card. Nicko observed the card in awe. It had all of his basic information under his picture, kind of like a drivers license. His height:6’0, his age: 15, his weight; 145 lbs, his eye colors: Dark brown. Nick and Alex returned home exhausted. "Alex, why is Nicko covered in scratches and ash? Their mom asked. “Well mom. Nicko just got his Linero license, and on top of that, he is an intermediate rank linero, and he didn't even use his powers.” Nicko smiled a little. There was a knock on the door and while Alex and their mom continued to conversate, Nicko went to open the door. Nicko opened the door and was met with Mia holding grocery bags full of party supplies. “Happy Linero day?” Mia yelled. Nicko and Mia walked back to the living room. “So how did it go?” Mia asked Alex. “It was epic! Nicko was fighting Ember and whatever Ember did to Nicko, Nicko healed it like it was nothing, and he was dodging her fire attacks like they were moving like a sloth! But he did get caught with her Flaming Burner attack, but obviously healed it like it was a paper cut. Then he tried to catch her with a leg lock but missed. Then he used a wrestling move and took her to the ground, sure she wasn’t really trying, but Nicko did extremely well, but of course, I did better.” She said winking at Nicko. Nicko groaned, “Just because you are the living definition of being “overpowered”, doesn’t mean nothing.” Nicko told her, smiling. “But Nicko, you must’ve forgotten, I am the strongest Liner Emperor, I am the strongest person in the family, I am the “Prodigy”, I am the strongest in the country, state, heck even the world.” Alex said, voice getting louder. Nicko’s marks started glowing, “Alex, can you fight me? I want to get even stronger!” Nicko asked. Alex accepted marks started glowing too, and a “challenge” was issued. Chapter Three  “Hey! You two take it outside and away from my house!” Their mom yelled. Nicko and Alex walked out of the front door, Nicko followed Alex to a park with a giant glass arena. The arena was occupied by six people. “Is it a battle royal going around in there Alex?” Nicko asked his sister. “No, it's actually a one versus five.” Alex responded. Nicko’s eyes widened, “A one versus five?” Just then, a bright flash of light blue filled Nicko’s eyes and an explosion filled the glass arena. The door of the glass arena opened and out stepped a boy who was shrouded in smoke, a boy kinda taller than Nicko, with dirty blond hair, light skin, and light blue layed back eyes. “Is that Keylo? The electrokinesis emperor?” Nicko asked with amazement. “Yo, Alex!” Keylo said, waving his hands towards Alex and Nicko. Alex and Nicko walked towards Keylo and they all went inside of the arena. “Alright, what we doing?” Keylo asked Alex and Nicko. “Nothing, me and Nicko are going to do a quick little sparring match.” Alex told him. “Okay! Well, imma stand off to the side and watch. Keylo said standing in one of the corners. Alex’s marks started glowing and almost as a response, Nicko’s marks started glowing. Alex started slowly walking towards Nicko, emitting heat from her body. “Alex, you’re using heat emission?” Keylo asked. The glass arena started heating up, Nicko started sweating profusely and it didn’t help the fact that he was wearing sweatpants and a hoodie. “Alex.” Nicko said, wiping sweat from his forehead. Alex was deathly silent, slowly approaching Nicko, the closer she got the more heat Nicko felt. Nicko started to feel dizzy. Nicko knew he had to do something. He ran towards Alex and threw a punch. His fist connected and the punch landed in Alex's face, but Alex didn’t do anything. “Did she even feel that or is the heat getting to me?!” Nicko thought to himself, panicking. Nicko and Alex eyes locked. Nicko winced at a pain in his stomach. Nicko slowly looked down and saw that Alex’s knee was in his stomach. Alex removed her knee and Nicko slouched over. Nicko slowly stood up only to then be kicked away. Nicko rolled across the ground, body aching. Nicko stood up but couldn’t see Alex. “Nicko!” Alex yelled. Nicko quickly looked up at the sky. Alex was aiming a kick towards Nicko’s head. Nicko managed to roll away at the last second. Nicko watched as Alex’s kick broke the floor of the arena. Nicko picked up some chunks of the floor. Nicko started to throw the pieces of floor at Alex. Alex started dodging the pieces of floor that Nicko was throwing at her. Nicko took a deep breath and threw his biggest chunk at Alex. As soon as the chunk of floor left Nicko’s hand he ran behind it. Alex caught it with both of her hands leaving and opening to Nicko to attack. Nicko used his momentum to aim a well placed tackle at Alex’s legs. Alex and Nicko fell to the floor. Nicko threw himself on Alex and tried to work himself into a hold on her. Nicko noticed that the arena wasn’t as hot as it was. “Alex stopped her Heat emission.” Keylo said. Alex kicked Nicko away and they both got to their feet. Alex charged Nicko and grabbed his legs. Nicko sprawled and freed his legs. “I have full control over her now.” Nicko thought. Nicko pivoted his weight and side stepped on Alex's right. Nicko clubbed Alex’s neck and pushed her to the ground. Nicko landed on Alex and Alex scrambled to get on her stomach. Alex's marks started glowing and she heated up again. Nicko winced in pain and accidentally let go on her neck and she was able to get up. Nicko gave up ground and they stared each other down. “Fire move number 1, fireball times four!” Alex yelled. Four fireballs surrounded Alex. “Go!” Alex yelled, the four fireballs ran towards Nicko. Nicko kicked one, dodged the second one, swatted the third away, and crushed the fourth in the palm of his hand. A smile grew on Nicko’s face, the adrenaline rushed through his body, he felt–invincible! Nicko’s marks flashed extremely, Alex groaned and covered her eyes. Nicko took that as a sign and unleashed a roundhouse kick at Alex. Nicko’s leg made contact with Alex’s stomach and Alex stumbled back. Nicko jumped and reeled back a punch feeling confident that he would land the hit. A small smirk appeared on Alex’s face. Alex caught Nicko’s fist. Alex started spinning furiously, and Nicko felt his hand hurt with almost unbearable pain. Alex suddenly let Nicko’s fist go. Nicko flew and slammed through the wall of the glass arena. Nicko slowly stood up and shook his head. Nicko’s fist started hurting, reminding him of the pain Alex inflicted on him. Nicko watched as his burned fist started to heal. “I guess the adrenaline rush is speeding up my healing.” Nicko thought to himself. Nicko walked back into the glass arena, ignoring the giant crowd of people in the park watching him. Nicko blood running down his hand. “Why won't this wound heal?” Nicko questioned himself. “Flaming burner!” Alex yelled as a giant stream of flame shot out from her hands. Nicko held his hand up and a small wall of his blood materialized in front of him protecting him from Alex’s attack. The wall disappeared as soon as Alex’s move faded. Nicko picked up a chunk of glass and cut himself on his other hand. “It's my turn.” Nicko announced. Nicko threw blood in the air then froze it. Nicko thought of the blood turning into small spikes and the blood did turn into small sharp spikes. Nicko held his hands in front of him. “Now then, I guess it's my turn, Blood move number 1, blood shards!” Nicko yelled as the spikes of blood raced at Alex. Alex dodged them with ease. Alex held her hands up in the sky, “Alright, let’s try that again–Fire move number 5, fireball destruction!” A small fireball grew in Alex’s hands. Nicko held his hands up and the blood shards turned back into a stream of blood. Nicko moved his hands towards Alex. The stream of blood wrapped around Alex’s fireball stopping it from growing. Nicko crushed his hand together, “Blood move number 2, blood compression!” Nicko commanded. The blood surrounding the fireball started to shrink in size. “More! I just need to destroy it.” Nicko thought to himself. Nicko started concentrating. “My power depends on my will power.” Nicko realized. “Compress!” Nicko yelled, using all of his power in the command. The fireball continued to shrink. The whole park was quiet, the only noise was Nicko’s heavy breathing. “Everyone run!” Keylo yelled to all of the spectators. It was a roar of commotion as people started running away from the arena. Nicko dropped to his knees and the giant fireball exploded engulfing Nicko in the explosion. Nicko was sent ragdolling across the ground, slamming into a tree. “I quit.” Nicko said, catching his breath, covered in burns and steaming. Alex quietly approached Nicko with a solemn expression. “Dang Alex, how much power did you put into that attack?” Nicko asked, looking at his burning skin slowly and painfully healed. Alex held out her hand with a giant smile on her face, “Nicko, that was amazing, also I put five percent of my power into that first attack and around twelve percent into that second attack, tho i’m surprised that you were able to block the first one and even more surprised that you neutralized the second.” Nicko looked over at Keylo who was looking at him with amazement. “Oh right, Keylo, for some reason Nicko can heal extremely quickly.” Alex informed Keylo. “Nicko, Keylo, wanna go get danishes?” Alex asked the pair. “Of course.” Nicko yelled. Nicko slowly stood but quickly fell over. “You okay Nicko?” Alex asked her little brother. “Yea I'm fine.” Nicko responded. Nicko tried to stand again but fell. Keylo walked over to Nicko and picked him up on his back. Alex, Keylo, and Nicko(On Keylo's back) walked from the park to the best pastry store in town(Emperor's Pastries). Once Alex, Keylo and Nicko entered Emperor’s Pastries they were almost instantly surrounded by loads of people. Nicko felt really nervous and his marks started to slightly glow. “Alex put her hand on Nicko’s back, “Nicko please don’t flashbang everyone in here.” Nicko’s marks stopped glowing. Once everyone settled down and the line moved. The group quickly ordered and paid for their danishes. “Keylo, you can put me down now.” Nicko told him. Now that Nicko was fully healed, he could walk home and continue to enjoy his danishes. A small and quick buzz filled the group's ears and Keylo checked his phone, “Ahh, looks like I got a mission, you two keep going, imma finish this and be back for dinner at you guy’s place.” Keylo said, approaching Alex and giving her a kiss. Alex smiled and Nicko couldn't help but imagine the same scene but with him and Bianca. Nicko, Alex, and Keylo split. “So Nicko, what do you wanna do now?” Alex asked Nicko. Nicko thought for a moment, “Not gonna lie, I wanna go home.” Alex and Nicko started on their path to their home. When Alex, and Nicko got home, Nicko went upstairs and fell down on his bed. It wasn’t twenty seconds before..“Nicko!” He heard his sister Mia call. Nicko let out a small grumble. Nicko reluctantly walked down the stairs and into the living room. “Nicko, my friend Joseph’s little sister would like to go on a date with you!” Mia said, voice almost squealing. Nicko’s heart started to beat faster and his marks started to glow. “What's wrong Nicko? You don't want to? If you don't, I'm not gonna make you.” Mia said,reassuring Nicko. Nicko shook his head, “Yea, i'm interested, what's her name?” “Her name is Corrissa.” Mia told him. “Corrissa, Corrissa, Corrissa.” Nicko thought to himself. Then Nicko remembered, Corrissa was somebody from his school, in fact, he kind of knew her, she rode the same bus as him. “So when is the date?” Nicko asked his sister. “Tonight, it's happening tonight, precisely at 9:00 sharp.” She responded. Nicko walked upstairs thinking to himself, “I don't wanna go, but this gives me a chance to forget about Bianca and hopefully find someone that'll love me for who I am.” Nicko convinced himself. Nicko continued to talk to himself and checked his phone’s clock. “It’s 8:40!” Nicko yelled out loud. Nicko scrambled to get his outfit and rushed to the bathroom and took a shower. Nicko got dressed, combed his hair, lathered in lotion, and accidentally flashed himself with his marks? “AHHH CRAP!” Nicko yelled in agony, while stumbling around the upstairs bathroom. Nicko’s vision slowly returned but was still a little blurry. Nicko tried walking down the stairs missing the third step and falling down the rest of the flight. THUD, THUD, BOOM, BAM! Nicko finally hit the floor. “Ow, I can’t believe I fell down the bloody stairs.” Nicko said, holding his left shoulder. Nicko stood up and his vision fully returned, looking around and noticing that everyone in the house (Including Keylo) was looking at him. Alex let out a small chuckle, Mia and their mom let out a gasp, Keylo looked at him with confusion. “Nicko what happened?” His mom asked. “Alright, I was getting ready for my date, I was checking out my marks in the mirror and I somehow flashed myself, I was stumbling over the place, then my vision slightly returned and I tried to walk down the stairs, huge mistake, and I fell down the stairs like a retard.” Nicko told her. Alex started laughing. Their mom shot her a look and Alex stopped laughing immediately. Nicko checked his pocket for his phone. “I left my phone upstairs!” Nicko exclaimed. Running upstairs, Nicko scrambled everywhere for his phone. Nicko heard his phone ringing so he followed the sound. “Not in the bathroom, or in one of the closets.” Nicko said, finally returning to his room. The ringing got louder. Nicko saw his phone on his pillow. Nicko angrily picked up his phone, Alex was calling it from downstairs. Nicko answered the phone, “Thanks Alex, I found it.” Nicko hung up the phone and checked the time. It was 9:00 on the dot. “I'm late!” Nicko panicked. Nicko sprinted downstairs towards the door. “Mia I’ll call you, make sure to answer the phone!” Nicko yelled while running out the door. Nicko ran down the street, calling Mia. “Hello? Mia? Where am I supposed to be going?” Nicko asked Mia. “The name of the restaurant is the “Ballistic City Restaurant'', just use your phone as a gps, we made a reservation for you and her, and Alex and I sent you some Skryies, 130 to be exact.” Mia told him then hung up. Nicko searched the directions of the “Ballistic City Restaurant” and followed them. Nicko ran down three streets, took five turns(one right, four left), and he arrived at the Restaurant ten minutes late. Nicko caught his breath and casually walked to the front desk of the restaurant. “Hello sir, would you like to make a reservation or do you already have one?” The lady at the front desk asked him. “Uhh, yes, I have a reservation.” Nicko told him. “Okay then, I just need your first and last name.” She informed Nicko. “Nicko Bowman.” Nicko told the lady. The lady then turned to her computer then started typing and scrolling, “Aha! Nicko Bowman, your table number seventeen, it's in the front.” She told Nicko. Nicko walked inside the dining area and was instantly intimidated, people were wearing all formal clothing while he came in an outfit that he wore everyday! Nicko followed the table numbers until he found table number seventeen, there he saw Corrissa sitting at the table. Nicko calmed down and slowed his breathing. “Hey Corrissa.” Nicko said, sitting down across from her. “You came to our date wearing that, why?” She questioned him. “Umm yeah I did, I really wasn't sure if this was forreal or just some joke my sisters wanted to play on me.” Nicko answered. A slight smile appeared on her face. Nicko picked up a menu and looked at it. After a while a waiter approached their table and asked for their order. “What would you two like?” The waiter asked. Corrissa started “I’ll take the giant hog burger please.” She said.” “I will take the giant clam chowder with extra calamari please.” Nicko told him. The waiter left and it was just Nicko and Corrissa. “I noticed you got your marks” She asked Nicko. “Yea I did, I got them yesterday actually.” Nicko said smiling. “So what's your power?” Nicko asked Corrissa. “My power is earth, so what is your power?” She asked him. “I don't completely know what my power is yet.” He told her. “Ooo it's a mystery.” Corrissa joked. The waiter came with their food and placed it in front of them. Looking and smelling the good looking food made Nickos' mouth watered but Nicko couldn’t fall for the temptation, he had to wait until Corrissa took a bite out of her food. When Corrissa took a bite from her burger Nicko started on his chowder. The food tasted so good, and his marks started to shine. Corrissa started to smile. “It tastes good doesn’t it.” Corrissa asked Nicko. Nicko shook his head. After they completed their meal the waiter came back to take their plate and bowl back and a new waiter came. “Anything else?” The waiter asked. “Yea can I have three of the super danishes?” Nicko asked. “And I will have the three layer cheesecake.” She told the waiter. The waiter wrote the order in a little notebook and left to the back kitchen. “I can’t wait to see how these danishes taste, I mean if their other food tastes like that then the danishes must taste better.” Nicko said to himself. The waiter came back with their desserts. Nicko’s marks started glowing then started glowing brighter with the first bite of his danish. So-your marks-glow-when you get happy?” Corrissa asked Nicko between bites. “Yea kinda like that I guess, it mostly happens when I feel strong emotions.” Nicko told her. “Like when I feel really happy or really mad or really anxious, that's when my marks glow really bright.” Nicko told her. A waiter walked past their table and Nicko flagged him down. “I would like the check please.” He told him. The waiter shook his head and walked off and a few minutes later the waiter came back with the check which totaled to 90 skryies. Nicko took 90 out of the 130 skryies Alex and Mia gave him to cover the check. Nicko and Corrissa walked out of the restaurant, exchanging contact information, Nicko and Corrissa went separate ways. Nicko used his phone’s GPS to get back home. Nicko got back to the house extremely sleepy. He ignored all of his sister's questions and layed down in his bed. Happily texting Corissa. Nicko felt good about her, she was going to be the one that fixes Nicko, or so he thought, (The relationship didn’t even last for six days, before she broke up with Nicko to go back with her ex.) Nicko woke early and went outside to train. Nicko cut his hand and made a small knife out of blood, then some blood shards, then a blood shortsword. Nicko also did some full body workouts. Nicko let some of his pent up rage out and cut an oak tree in half with a blood slash. “Nice one! I can do better though.” Alex said, watching Nicko from a window. Nicko ignored it and let a little more of his pent up rage loose and this time Nicko touched the tree with his hand and a giant layer of blood spikes shot out of the back. Nicko looked in horror and amazement. Nicko called that move “Blood lotus” and decided that it would be his special move. Nicko forced the blood back into his body. Nicko walked back inside and sat down in his room. Nicko changed his clothes and walked into his house, and sat on the couch next to Alex. “ Nicko thought to himself. Nicko let out a sigh and Alex looked at him. “Nicko it's okay, you'll find someone that’ll love you forever. “I know.” Nicko said, crying on the inside. Nicko’s phone chimed and after checking it his marks started to glow bright. “Nicko, what’s got you this excited?” Alex asked him. “The Ice Cypress concert starts at 8:00 tonight, it’s 1:54, and I paid for front row seats, and I bought a V.I.P pass! This is gonna be so epic!” Nicko excitedly said. Alex laughed, “So that's why you need 50 skryies from me?” Nicko nodded. “I knew that's why I bought you some things.” Alex told him. Nicko couldn’t think straight. Reaching into a bag of somesorts, Alex pulled out a white and blue hoodie with the words “Ice Cypress,” on it. “Is this?” Nicko asked her. Alex nodded, “A custom Ice Cypress hoodie just for your concert? Yes it is.” Nicko’s marks grew slightly brighter. “Alex, I wanna go all out for this concert.” Nicko told her, “Can you dye my hair white and blue?” A smile appeared on Alex’s face, “Finally a new color, I’ll do it at 6:00. What colors are you thinkin?” She responded. Nicko thought for a short time, “White and blue.” Nicko responded. Nicko walked back to his room upstairs and jumped in his bed. Nicko placed his phone on its charger and tried to rest but couldn’t, his heart was racing too much. Nicko got up and walked to the upstairs bathroom and looked in the mirror trying to imagine himself without his signature orange and black hair. Nicko brushed his teeth, put on deodorant and washed his face, “Nothing I can do with these eye bags.” Nicko told himself. Nicko walked around the second floor endlessly making sure he was perfect for tonight. “Oh I almost forgot!” Nicko exclaimed. Nicko rushed out of the door and ran to the nearest store. Nicko searched high and low for glow sticks and glow wristbands and blue and white hair dye. After purchasing the items, Nicko dashed off to the house. Nicko walked inside of the house and checked the time. “2:35,” Nicko said to himself. Nicko decided to lay on his bed and chill out, but he slowly drifted off to sleep. Nicko was shaken awake by Alex. “C’mon Nicko, let's wash the dye out of your hair.” Alex instructed. Nicko followed Alex and washed his orange and black hair dye out of his hair. After washing the dye out of Nicko’s hair, Alex dyed his hair all white, then added blue tips. After a short struggle Nicko’s hair was fully dyed the same color as the lead singer Haruka’s hair. Nicko took a rubber band and tied his hair back up in his small ponytail. Nicko wanted to look in the mirror at his hair, but he did not dare to look, if he did, that would spoil the outfit. Nicko asked Alex for the time,it was 6:00. Nicko walked to the living room, fished his new hoodie from the bag and placed it over a black and orange tank-top. Nicko put on some matching baby blue sweat pants with white accents and a pair of white and baby blue shoes. Nicko looked in the mirror and the outfit did go together nicely, if Nicko did say so himself, and he did. The only gripe about it was that Nicko’s skin wasn’t pale like Haruka’s, in fact Nicko has a dark brown, clean skin complexion. Nicko took two dark blue glow sticks and two light red glow sticks and wrapped two red and blue glow sticks on his wrists. The concert started in another hour. Alex tossed the car keys in her hand, “Nicko hop in, I’ll get you there in time.” Nicko nodded and ran upstairs, and moved his bed over, pulling up a floor board. Nicko grabbed his V.I.P ticket and ran downstairs. Alex and Nicko got in the car and Alex started driving. The car ride lasted 30 minutes until they approached the dome that Ice Cypress was performing on. Nicko’s marks started to shine, his heart felt nervous. “My first concert,” Nicko said under his breath. Nicko got out of the passenger seat and walked towards the dome. Nicko turned and waved to Alex. Alex hunked the horned and drove off. Nicko walked to the back of the line and waited. Nicko felt nervous, his stomach dropping lower. Nicko took deep concentrated breaths. Nicko continued to wait. Eventually Nicko came up to the admissionser, “Ticket?” He said holding his hand out. Nicko shakely reached inside his pocket and placed his ticket in the admissioner’s hand. The admissioner read the ticket and let Nicko in. Nicko looked around and saw hundreds of seats all in rows and different elevations. Nicko noticed that all the lights were on. Nicko walked around until a staff member escorted Nicko to his seat. Nicko sat in his seat, the best seat in the house. Nick sat smack dab in the middle of all of the rows. Nicko looked around and saw some other people walk in and take their seats. Nicko watched as a girl with pale skin and dark blue hair peek through the curtain. Nicko looked around but figured that no one else saw what he did. Then all of the members from Ice Cypress peeked from behind the curtains with big smiles on their faces. They didn’t say a word, just looked over at the crowd. Nicko and a girl with white and blue hair, pale skin, and big curious eyes made eye contact for around fifteen seconds before she smiled and hid behind it again. Nicko knew who that was instantly, “Haruka.” Nicko mumbled. Nicko saw Haruka and she winked at him and his body shivered and his marks slightly glewed, “Yep, I’m in love.” Nicko said to himself. Nicko felt a tap on his shoulder. Nicko looked back to see a staff member. The staff member held a white and blue card out to Nicko. Nicko grabbed and read the card, “Backstage pass! For the customers who bought the V.I.P tickets.” Nicko read outloud. “Wait, does this mean I can go backstage and meet Ice Cypress.” Nicko asked him. The man nodded and Nicko felt his soul leave his body. Nick turned back around only to lock eyes with Haruka again. Nicko’s marks started to glow and Haruka winked at him. Nicko's heart would not slow down. After a few more minutes, The lights dimmed and smoke machines activated, casting smoke all over. Nicko settled in his seat and Ice Cypress jumped from behind the curtain. Nicko watched intensively as Ice Cypress playfully ran and jumped all over the stage. The main performance began, starting with their first ever song; Ice purgatory. Ice Cypress started dancing and singing on stage and the crowd went MAD! Nicko appreciated the fact that they sung the song in english, it made it way more enjoyable. Nicko clutched his glowsticks and mirrored their choreography, well he mirrored Haruka’s choreography. Nicko sang along with Ice Cypress. His eyes were glued on Haruka. After the first song, Ice Cypress told everyone to stand up. Nicko and every other person stood up waving their glow sticks and yelling around. The members of Ice Cypress put their index fingers in front of their lips and the crowd went silent. “Who here is our biggest fan?” Haruka asked over her headset. The crowd roared with yelling and cheering. Ice Cypress shushed the crowd again and took sunglasses from their pocket. “Alright everyone! Under your seats are sunglasses! Show your support and let those marks shine!” Haruka yelled. Nicko reached around and took the sun glasses from under his seat and placed them on. Nicko saw other peoples marks glow and he let his marks glow. Haruka pointed into the crowd, finger scanning over everyone. Then she stopped on Nicko and his heart started racing. Nicko’s marks flashed extremely bright and the crowd went silent. Nicko’s marks stopped shining and Nicko knew he did something. Nicko took the shades off and flashed a nervous smile. “Hey you there! You, “Haruka”! Since your marks shone the brightest, you get to pick the next song we sing!” She explained. Nicko knew what song he wanted to hear and to get his point across. “I want Ice Cypress to sing Haruka!” Nicko responded. Haruka looked at Nicko for three seconds and Haruka clapped her hands, “Alright! “Haruka” has requested us sing Haruka next.” Haruka announced. The crowd roared again. “All right, then its settled!” Haruka said. Ice Cypress started performing again. This time switching between Korean and English. Nicko sang along on the English parts but not the Korean parts because he doesn’t know Korean. Nicko and the rest of the crowd started waving their glow sticks around with a passion. The crowd started jumping up and down when Ice Cypress did. Haruka walked along the edge. Nicko didn’t know what it was but he held his hand out as if reaching for her. Haruka crouched and grabbed Nicko’s hand. Haruka kept singing and their eyes met. “Man you’re so beautiful.” Nicko found himself saying under his breath. Haruka winked at him and they let go of each other's hands but kept eye contact. Nicko almost had a heart attack. After the second song Ice Cypress went behind their curtain and said that they’ll be back in ten. Nicko took that time to go to the bathroom. Nicko stood and his legs wobbled. Nicko slowly walked around the bowl and found the restroom. Nicko went in, did what he went in to do, washed his hands and left. Nicko started drinking at the water fountain. Nicko saw someone approaching him. Nicko looked up and his heart raced. “Hey Haruka,” Haruka told Nicko. Nicko nervously smiled. “Hey Haruka, also my name is Nicko,” Nicko responded. “You mouthed something to me.” Haruka told him. “Oh, I said you were beautiful.” Nicko responded. Haruka’s face turned a light shade of red. Haruka looked at Nicko’s hoodie, ”I love this hoodie, can I wear it for our next two songs?” Haruka asked him. Nicko nodded and took off his hoodie and handed it to Haruka. Haruka slipped into Nicko’s hoodie, “Thanks “Haruka.” She said, Haruka turned around and walked off. Nicko reached out for her and tried to speak, but couldn’t. Nicko dropped his hand and took some breaths, deciding to return to his seat. After returning to his seat Nicko noticed how cold it was. Nicko slightly shivered. Nicko waited patiently for Ice Cypress to return. The lights dimmed and Nicko perked up in his seat. “Alright people, let's get these last two songs over!” Haruka yelled at the crowd. Nicko’s eye’s glittered as he saw Haruka in his hoodie. Ice Cypress started singing their last two songs; Burning ash and Bright bones. Nicko watched as Haruka danced and sang all over the stage. Nicko wished that he could see her perform everyday. Nicko danced and sang together with everyone else in the crowd. After the bumping last two songs were over, it was time for people who had access to the V.I.P. passes to go backstage. Nicko got up and followed around thirty people who lined up at the curtain. Nicko decided to stand in the back of the line. A bouncer walked up and down the line, looking at tickets. After getting his ticket checked and it being his turn, Nicko walked backstage. Haruka approached Nicko and took his hoodie off. “Here you go,” Haruka said, handing Nicko the hoodie. When Nicko touched the hoodie it was damp with sweat. “I don’t think that I’m going to wash this hoodie.” Nicko jokingly said. Nicko and Haruka laughed. “Haruka, would you like to-” Nicko stopped, his stomach sinking. Haruka nodded, “Of course I would love to.” Nicko smiled. Nicko and Haruka spent the rest of Nicko’s time talking about random things together. Nicko walked outside and called Alex to pick him up. Nicko arrived back home and went to bed. Nicko woke up and went downstairs. Nicko grabbed some breakfast and sat on the couch next to Alex. After a few hours, Nicko walked down the street and turned into an ally that led to his hangout spot, the top of a roof. Nicko sat down and chilled out. Nicko heard something in the alley next to his chill out spot. Nicko stayed there for the entire day, enjoying the view and being alone. Night fell and Nicko returned home. Nicko took his hoodie and shirt off and went to bed. Chapter Four Nicko opened his eyes, walked downstairs and saw a girl with pale skin, bright curious eyes, white hair with baby blue tips and a kind warm smile. “Hey, Nicko.” A feminine voice says. Nicko jumped and stared back at eyes that were staring at him. Nicko let out a shriek, “Ahh! What are you doing here?” Nicko yelled. Haruka let out a small snicker and Nicko quickly covered his body in his cover. Haruka continued to chuckle, “I’m a big fan of your sister so I reached out to her and explained some things and she let me see you. I didn't know that you were still sleep. Also, I love your room decorations, my face is everywhere. You even bought the calendars. And do you always sleep hugging your body pillow?.” She asked him. Nicko reluctantly nodded. “Awwww that's so cute.” Haruka told him. Nicko filled with embarrassment. Haruka sat on Nicko and gesterd Nicko to sit next to her. Nicko managed to hold up a conversation until breakfast was ready. Nicko, Alex, Haruka, Mia, and their mom all sat at the table. Breakfast was potatoes, giant ostrich eggs, and emperor salmon. Haruka ate her food without haste. “Thank you for the food mrs.Bowman, but I really have to leave before my group mates and manager start to worry about me.” She said, putting her plate in the sink, she quickly walked towards Nicko, gave him an unexpected peck on the cheek and rushed out of the door. Nicko stood up and walked to the doorway. “Bye, love you Nicko!” She yelled while running down the street. Nicko was too shocked to say anything back but managed a nod. Alex nudged Nicko, “So, that's your girlfriend huh?” Alex asked Nicko. Nicko shook his head, “I guess, but why was she so cold?.” Nicko wondered. Nicko brushed it off and walked back upstairs and went to lay back in his bed. The rest of Nicko's day was kinda boring. Nicko’s alarm went off and he jolted awake. Yawning, he slowly walked to the bathroom to get ready. He brushed his teeth, combed his hair, got dressed in a different black and orange outfit, ate breakfast, and walked to his bus stop. Nicko stood there lost in thought, thinking about how epic this week off of school was, he got his powers, fought Alex, meet Keylo again and the other Line emperors, fought two Line emperors, ate good food, get stronger, eat danishes, and somehow made a korean idol fall for him. Nicko felt like “The man”. Nicko’s bus came and he walked up the mini flight of stairs, while walking down the aisle, Nicko was getting looked at by everyone. Nicko took a seat in the midsection of it, a little towards the back. Nicko’s friend Dontrell got on the bus and sat in the seat across from him. “Bro what the hell happened to your hair? And you finally got your marks! It’s about damn time.” He said, giving Nicko a handshake. “What's your power?” He asked. “Hemokinesis.” Nicko told him. Dontrell looked at him with a blank expression, “Bro shut your nerdy ass up.” Dontrell said. (Nicko and Dontrell were good friends, in fact they talk to each other like that all the time.) “Mybad, let me explain this so yo dumbass can understand, so basically I can control my blood mentally.” Nicko explained, “And the extent of its power is my how much blood I use and my will power, also I guess rage increases the potency of my powers.” Dontrell looked at Nicko and shook his head. Nicko found a semi-comfortable position in his seat and managed to go to sleep on the bus. “NICKO!” Nicko jumped up, “We finna get off of the bus.” Dontrell told Nicko. Nicko stumbled up and walked down the bus aisle and into the school building and stood in line to get his badge checked. After getting his bag checked, Nicko and Dontrell walked to the cafeteria to eat breakfast(Again). After Nicko got his breakfast he sat down with his other friends. A notification on Nicko’s phone went off. Nicko reached into his pocket and checked on it. “Ice Cypress just posted a new video with five hundred thousand views and four hundred thousand likes all ready?!” Nicko said under his breath. Nicko looked around and put his headphones into his phone and watched the new video that Ice Cypress posted. It was each song they performed at the concert. Nicko scanned the video and saw when he got to pick the song and when he was reaching out for Haruka. Then the video transitioned to a post concert interview. Haruka was being interviewed and Nicko couldn't understand anything she was saying because she was speaking in Korean, but he was able to read the English subtitles. “What was going through your mind the whole concert?” The interviewer asked her. Haruka responded telling him that she really wanted to put on a good show. “So what about the boy that reached out for you and you grabbed his hand? What made you do that?” He asked. Haruka turned a light shade of red. “The boy who reached out for me? It was this look in his eyes, a look far beyond admiration. As for him reaching out for me all I can say is that he is a little cute.” Haruka responded. “And what about the hoodie you were wearing during your last song? How did you get it? Shurly that belonged to the boy that reached out for you? He questioned. Haruka let out a small smile, “The hoodie? I got it from him, he didn’t give it to me, I requested to wear it for our final two songs.” She answered. “Yep it's about me.” Nicko said. Nicko turned his phone off and let out a sigh under his breath, “Perks of being a korean idol's boyfriend I guess.” The bell rang and Nicko walked to his first period class determined to make it there first. Nicko ran up the three flights of stairs in his school and down the hallway to his class. “First again!” Nicko said proudly. Nicko took a seat at his desk. “Oh Nicko! You finally got your marks!” His biology teacher mr.Ihydrox said to him. “Better late than never.” Nicko responded. Soon class started and it was going like how his biology class went everyday; learn the lesson, answer the questions that mr.Ihydrox asks, and do the worksheet while listening to Ice Cypress music. A notification popped up on his screen, “Haruka Aoikoi followed you back, Haruka Aoikoi sent you a message.” It read. Nicko tapped on the notification and saw what Haruka texted him; “Hey Nicko I’m coming to bring you something.” Nicko was confused. “What do you mean?” He texted back. Nicko went back to listening to their song until Haruka came on. Haruka was one of Nicko’s favorite songs ever. Nicko sat there and bobbed his head to the beat until Haruka texted him again. Nicko reached inside of his pocket and opened the message. “Call me?” Nicko read. Nicko raised his hand, “Mr.Ihydrox, can I go to the restroom please?” Nicko asked his teacher. Mr.Ihydrox nodded his head, and Nicko ran out of the class. Nicko called Haruka and they talked. “What do you mean you’re bringing me somthing to school?” Nicko asked her. “Don’t worry, I got permission from your mom to deliver it to you.” She responded. Nicko began to protest with questions but Haruka cut him off saying that she loved him and would be there soon. Nicko left the bathroom and walked back to the biology room, opening the door, he walked into the classroom and everyone started looking at him. “Well isn’t it Nicko, with a different hair color too?” This girl named Marvlah asked. Nicko rolled his eyes and tried to ignore her. “Nicko speak to me when im talking to you!” She demanded. Nicko walked to his seat and started working again. “See! This is why you’ll never have a chance with Mara now!” She perpousfully yelled. The entire class looked at them, some people laughing and others looking bewildered. Nicko chuckled, “Well I have the best girlfriend that ANYONE can ask for.” Nicko responded. Marvlah’s face expression changed, “Who is it?” She questioned. Nicko shook his head. “Thats what I thought, you don’t got no girl!” She said. Nicko sat down and went back to working. Nicko got lost in the songs untill felt a chill presence behind him. Someone took off his headphones and Nicko looked behind him. Nicko’s marks flickered, “Haruka?” He exclaimed. Haruka reached inside of a bag she was carrying and handed it to Nicko. The whole classroom gasped in disbelief, “Is that Haruka?” One person asked. “It sure is!” Another person answered. The whole classroom, including Marvlah, surrounded Haruka and Nicko. “Can I get your autograph?” Many of Nicko’s classmates asked. Haruka polietly rejected, “Just came here to give my boyfriend some things.” She explained. Haruka gave Nicko a kiss on the cheek and left. The whole class was flabberghasted and Nicko couldn’t help but nervously smile and laugh. When Nicko returned home, he instantly jumped into his bed to rest. Alex burst open the door, “Hey Nicko wanna go to this tournament with me, Keylo, and Ember?” She asked Nicko. Nicko shook his head, still half asleep. “Great!” Alex said leaving. Nicko went back to sleeping. Nicko continued to sleep, body drifting into uselessness and boom it happened. Nicko couldn't move his body, he was fully awake but his eyes were closed. “Sleep paralysis? Again?” Nicko said to himself. Nicko stood there surrounded by an infinite void of darkness. Nicko looked around, nothing. Nicko heard a faint cry, like a baby. Nicko walked around the void looking for the source of the sound. After walking for some time Nicko approached a glass tube filled with purple liquid with a baby inside. The baby’s screaming increased and Nicko covered his ears. The baby’s black hair started slowly turning gray. Nicko walked over and touched the glass tube. Nicko saw his reflection in the tube, a small chunk of his hair turning gray. The tube exploded and the purple liquid flooded the void, Nicko couldn't breath, he couldn't move. The water drained, and Nicko struggled to catch his breath. Nicko felt a sharp pain in his side, he pulled up his hoodie and shirt and saw a giant gash running down his side, his wound wouldn’t heal. Again his body hurt, again, again, again, again, again, and again. Nicko fell to the floor. Nicko looked around the void and nothing was there. Fire started erupting from the ground. Nicko’s body started burning, the pain was unbearable. The fire faded and a giant tornado took Nicko. Nicko was ragdolling around inside of the tornado and smacking into the things the tornado took with it. Boom!, Bang, Thump, Bang, Crash! Nicko was thrown out of the tornado and rolled across the floor of the void. Nicko was covered in bruises, cuts, and burns, his body hurting more than anything, tears rolling down his face. Nicko struggled to stand. And in front of his face was the tube with the baby in there again. The tube broke and the baby was launched into the sky. Nicko found the strength to jump. Nicko caught the baby, safely looking at the baby. Nicko noticed a few things about the baby: A birthmark in a rough shape of a heart on his left shoulder, and a birthmark on the right side of his stomach. “What is happening with this baby?” Nicko asked himself, gently rocking the baby. The void started shaking and Haruka’s voice cut through the silence. “Haruka!?” Nicko yelled while looking around. “Nicko!” She called. Nicko saw her, a faint version of Haruka. Nicko ran towards it, yelling her name. Nicko got closer, almost touching it but it disappeared. Nicko awoke and sat up. Nicko took some time to collect his thoughts. “That baby had to be me, it had the same birth marks.” Nicko told himself Nicko pulled up his sleeve and looked at the same birthmark on his left shoulder and the one on his stomach. With deep breaths, Nicko thought to himself; “I really gotta get more sleep, I be so tired that I can't even willingly control my own body.” Nicko got up and started his day like normal, but the worst thing showed up to ruin his day, Boredom. Nicko walked around his house bored out of his mind. There was nothing for him to do. Nicko decided to walk to the library by his house. When he arrived he sat at a table near the front and put on his headphones. Nicko texted Haruka “Hey Haruka I’m at the Julus Mavis Library can you come?” Nicko waited patiently for Haruka to respond. Nicko’s phone chimed and his eyes lit up. Nicko opened the massage and his eyes sank. “Sorry I can’t come today. Got a photoshoot and autograph signing today, hopefully, some other time?” The text read. Nicko's feelings were slightly hurt but he understood perfectly. Nicko went back to vibing until his phone started to ring. Nicko thought about ignoring it, but decided to answer it. “He-” Nicko managed to say before he was cut off. “Nicko! Come to the hero agency ASAP!” Alex quickly said before hanging up the phone. It took Nicko around twenty seconds to process what Alex told him. With a long over exaggerated sigh, Nicko got his belongings and started walking back home. It took Nicko thirty minutes to walk to his house then another twenty three minutes to walk to the agency, mainly because Nicko made three wrong turns and got lost. Nicko opened the door of the hero agency and walked to the front desk. The lady at the front desk took a quick look at Nicko then back at her computer. “What do you need?” The lady asked Nicko. “I need to see the Linero Emperors.” Nicko told her. “Yea everyone “needs” to see the Linero Emperors.” She responded. “Lady, I really need to see the Linero Emperors.” Nicko pleaded. “Im was requested by Alex and Keylo.” Nicko told her. “Yea, and I'm the strongest person in the country.” She said sarcastically. Nicko let out an agitated sigh. Nicko took out his phone and called Alex. “Hello? Alex? A lady at the front desk wont let me go upstairs, can you talk to her?” Nicko asked. “Yea, I got you Nicko, just hand her the phone.” She told him. Nicko handed the lady his phone. After some back and forth conversation from the lady and Alex, she gave Nicko access to the top floor and Nicko boarded the elevator. The elevator opened and Nicko made his way to the Linero Emperor’s main room. Nicko approached the door and slowly opened it. Nicko stepped inside and saw all the Linero Emperors staring at him, Standing in a long row, their eyes focused on him, with serious expressions on their faces. Nicko noticed a mid-statured middle aged man stinging in front of them. Nicko’s stomach sank and his heart started racing. “Nicko Hemokama!” A deep loud voice broke the silence. Nicko’s heart raced faster. Nicko looked at the person speaking. It was an extremely tall man, probably 7'0, extremely muscular, with a stoic face, and big broad shoulders. “For your crimes against Liner Emperor Alex, your life will have to be taken.” He said. Nicko’s heart beat faster, his marks started glowing. “We’re joking.” Alex said, and with that all of the Linero Emperors started bursting out laughing. Nicko was shortly confused, but after thinking about what happened, he realized that it was a prank that Alex and Keylo most likely came up with. Nicko saw a person step from in-between them, “Hello Nicko Bowman, please forgive the way my Linero Emperors behaved, allow me to introduce myself, I am Mihato Keskay the leader of this country’s Linero system.” The middle aged man informed him. “Woah.” Nicko said out loud. Keskay let out a bright smile. “Nicko Bowman, thanks to a recommendation from Linero Emperors Alex, Ember, and Keylo, you have been chosen to join the Liner emperor worldwide battle royal with Liner emperors Alex, Ember, and Keylo.” He told Nicko. Nicko replayed his words in his mind then shook his head. “What is this WorldWide Linero Emperor Battle Royal?” Nicko asked. The guy explained, “It’s a battle royal for Linero emperors and pseudo Linero emperors to see which country has the strongest group of Linero emperors.” Nicko shook his head again. “Before you accept, you must have a hero name.” Keskay told him. It didn’t take Nicko more than fifteen seconds to decide on a name. Nicko pointed to the words on his hoodie. “Ah, I see, well then.” Keskay turned around, facing all of the Linero Emperors, “Meet, Nicko Bowman, or, Hollow.” He said. The Linero Emperors started clapping their hands and celebrating. “Now, you being Alex’s little brother, I expect great things from you, Hollow.” Keskay told Nicko. Nicko looked over at Ember, remembering those same words that she told him. “The battle royal will be on the 16th of August, so that leaves 14 days for you four to train.” Keskay said pointing at Nicko, Keylo, Alex, and Ember. Keskay walked over to Nicko and handed him a ring with a spike on it. “For your powers.” Keskay said, winking at Nicko. Nicko put on the ring and Keylo, Alex, and Ember kneeled down, fists on the floor, Nicko quickly joined them. “Yes sir, Mr.Keskay!” Keylo, Alex, and Ember yelled. The group of four stood up and made their way to the door to leave. Chapter Five  “Alright guys, we are starting our training ASAP!” Alex said. Nicko, Keylo and Ember shook their heads. “I'll meet you guys at the glass arena at the park.” Keylo said, running far far ahead. Nicko was impressed by his speed. Ember looked at Nicko and chuckled, “You know that's not kylo's max speed right? That's him going half of his speed.”. Nicko blinked. “What!?” He exclaimed, “How fast can he run?” Nicko asked. “At most with the Mark adrenaline boost 55 mph, and without 25 mph.” Alex told him. Nicko started thinking to himself. The walk was kinda quiet but eventually they arrived and it didn't take long for everyone to surround them asking for autographs and pictures. “Everyone settle down!” Ember yelled, “We are trying to train for something, everyone can either leave, or stay here and watch, the choice is yours.” The crowd of people stood around the glass arena. Nicko couldn't believe that Ember had a side like that in her. The group of four walked into the glass arena. “Hmm” Nicko heard Alex say. “ How about a team battle?” Keylo asked. Nicko, Alex, and Ember agreed. “So what are the teams?” Nicko asked. After some thinking Keylo spoke, “I’ll take Nicko.”. “Sure, Ember, you are with me.” Alex said. Keylo and Nicko walked to one side, while Ember and Alex walked to the other. Nicko’s heart raced and he got nervous, looking out of the arena to see all the people watching and recording him made it worse. “Hey Nicko, its okay, you have the best partner in the world, me.” Keylo said, pointing at himself. “And also, if anything goes south, I’ll make sure to protect you because you might be our way to win. So listen up Nicko, you and I both know that your sister will try to use her favorite move, and just do what you did last time, got it?” Keylo told Nicko. Nicko shook his head and with that Nicko’s, Keylo’s Alex’s, and Ember’s Marks started glowing. Nicko and Keylo looked at each other and shook their heads. Nicko and Keylo took off running, Keylo pulling ahead. Ember and Alex held out their hands and blasted a load of fire out. Keylo and Nicko both easily dodged the attacks but had to give up the ground they closed. Keylo held his hand out and shot out a burst of lightning at Ember. Ember jumped and aimed four fireballs at Nicko. Nicko dodged them then used the ring to cut his arms. Keylo ran behind Nicko, while Nicko placed his hands on the floor. Giant blood spikes shot out from the ground. Alex and Ember dodged out of the way. “Keylo, distract them for me.” Nicko told Keylo. Keylo jumped over Nicko and rushed towards Alex and Ember shooting lightning balls. Alex and Ember dodged them while Nicko made a blood tentacle and snaked its way around Alex’s left leg. Nicko used the blood to pick up Alex and swing her around. The tentacle slammed Alex into the walls and ground of the glass arena, and then it threw her into Ember. “Nice Nicko!” Keylo told Nicko. Ember and Alex placed their hands on the ground and dashed at Nicko and Keylo cloaked in fire. Nicko made a giant blood wall to stop Ember and Alex. Nicko dropped the wall towards Alex and Ember. The wall almost caught Alex and Ember but they jumped and rolled away just in time. The battle came to a standstill, both parties recovering their breath. Alex and Ember stood up and conjured fireballs around them. Alex and Ember held their hands out and the fireballs flew towards Nicko faster than he ever remembered. Nicko dodged three of the fireballs but the other five collided with him. Nicko slid across the floor. Nicko slowly stood up, “Nicko are you okay?” Keylo asked Nicko. Nicko Shook his head and Keylo dashed off to fight Ember. Alex held her hands above her head. Nicko watched in determination as Alex charged her Fireball destruction attack. Nicko looked over at Keylo who was locked into a fist fight with Ember. “Hey Nicko! I'm putting thirty-five percent of my power into this attack, get ready!” She announced. Nicko collected all the blood on the floor of the arena. Alex threw the giant fireball and Nicko wrapped the blood around it like they did in their last fight. Alex and Nicko yelled with determination, the fireball wrapped in blood increasing and decreasing in size. “Nico look out!” Keylo yelled. Nicko looked over and saw four fireballs running towards him. “Lightning move number 5, thunder mobility.” Keylo calmly said. Keylo thundered past the fireballs, lightning coming from his legs. Keylo protected Nicko from the fireballs. Nicko used a little more blood to make a wall in front of Keylo and himself. Nicko yelled, and the fireball only shrank. Alex snapped her fingers and the fireball exploded and engulfed the entire arena in a giant shockwave and light. When the dust settled only two people remained standing inside of the now broken-glass arena; Nicko and Keylo. Nicko and Keylo stood victorious while Alex and Ember were laying down on the ground. Nicko and Keylo held their hands up in triumph as Ember and Alex stood up dusting their clothes off. “Ahh! Alex! Why’d you do that!?” Ember questioned Alex. “My Bad Ember, just got caught up in the moment you know?” Alex asked. “Well you being caught up in the moment made us lose.” Ember complained. “Well, that's gonna be another few hundred skryies,” Alex said with a chuckle. “They need a Linero Emperor-proof arena.” Nicko said. Keylo’s stomach growled and Ember rolled her eyes, “Keylo you're always hungry.” She said, smiling. Keylo shook his head and started to speak before the rumbling of Nicko’s stomach cut him off. They all laughed and left the park. “So where are we going?” Nicko asked Alex. “Obviously, we are going back home,” Alex responded. “So we are going back to our house or?” Nicko asked Alex. “No, we all are going back to our house,” Alex told him. The walk to their house was pretty challenging, mostly because Nicko’s body was tired. The group soon arrived at their destination. “Alright you two, just wait out here for a sec,” Alex told Keylo and Ember. Alex and Nicko walked into the house and Alex explained what happened. After a short conversation, Keylo and Ember were allowed in. “Hey Nicko, mom says there is a surprise upstairs in your room for you,” Mia told him. Nicko got excited and raced upstairs. Opening the door, Nicko’s heart raced. “Haruka?” He questioned. Haruka smiled and shook her head. Haruka walked closer for a hug but Nicko moved away out of habit. Haruka looked at Nicko confused. “Oh, sorry, I don’t really like people hugging me, but I can make an exception for my lovely girlfriend,” Nicko said, holding his arms out. Haruka embraced Nicko, it felt weird but Nicko got used to it. Nicko noticed that she felt cold. Like a cool night in the winter. It made Nicko happy. Nicko and Haruka sat on his bed and continued to talk. “So what are you doing here?” Nicko asked. “Well if you must know, after the photoshoot I had some spare time, so I thought I’d come over here and surprise you, but you weren't here so Mrs.Bowman let me stay here until you got back, anyways I saw what you've been up to,” Haruka explained. “Oh that's cool I guess, but you saw what I've been up to?” Nicko asked. Haruka nodded and reached into her bag. She took an obsidian black laptop and located a video that was shot at the park. Nicko observed the video looking for anything he could’ve done better. Nicko took mental notes; should’ve kept Attacking Alex, should’ve been more in sync with Keylo, etc. “So, how many different Linero’s powers did you fight up till now?” Haruka asked. Nicko thought for a little bit, then used his fingers to count, “So, I fought Alex and Ember, two fire users, Mia, the only wind user I fought, and Keylo is the only lightning person I fought.” Nicko said, looking at his fingers. “So how did your photoshoot go?” Nicko asked her. Haruka smiled. “My photoshoot went fine,” she pointed to one of Nicko’s walls. Nicko looked over and saw a giant signed photo of Haruka making a heart shape with her hands. Nicko almost lost his mind. “Other than fighting, what have you been up to?” She asked him in return. Nicko explained everything that happened, from being at the library to meeting all of the Linero Emperors, to meeting the leader of this country’s Linero Emperors, to his recruitment for the battle royal, and his tag-team fight. Haruka looked at him in complete awe, “Nicko! You meet ALL of the Linero Emperors and the leader of this country’s Liner Emperors!? You even fought two of the eight Linero Emperors? And fought beside one of the Linero Emperors?” She questioned. Nicko nodded and a thought popped up inside of his head. “Wait right here,” Nicko told Haruka. Nicko walked downstairs and started talking to Alex, Ember, and Keylo explaining how someone upstairs wanted to meet them. Alex, Keylo, and Ember followed Nicko to the front of the door. Nicko slipped into the door and stood in front of it. “So, as you know, my sister Alex is a Linero Emperor right? Well then you’ll love who you are about to meet.” Nicko stepped to the side and Alex, Keylo and Ember flooded inside the room. Haruka and Keylo and Ember stood in shock, the silence was thick enough to cut it with a knife. “Haruka these are my friends, Keylo and Ember, or Susanoo and Cinder if you want to go by their hero names, and Keylo and Ember, this is Haruka.” Nicko said. “I'd never thought that I’d see them in person.” Haruka said in shock. Nicko stood beside Haruka while introducing the group. Nicko felt Haruka’s hand crept down his shoulder and grabbed his hand. After a while, Nicko’s hand started hurting and he pulled it away. “Ahh! Your hand is so cold!” Nicko exclaimed. Nicko looked at his hand and noticed that it was covered in a thin layer of ice. Nicko looked at his hand, then looked at Haruka, then back at his hand again. In the middle of all the commotion no one noticed Mia enter the room and quickly become part of the commotion, and even if they did, they wouldn't have cared. Nicko’s outburst shifted the atmosphere from quiet to slightly cheery filled with giggles and laughs. After a while of talking they all learned more thing about each other from asking basic questions; Haruka’s power is ice, which explains why every time she touches Nicko, he feels cold, Keylo is 18, Alex is 19, Ember is 20, Mia is 18, and Haruka is 18, Keylo is six foot four, Nicko is six foot even, Alex is five foot ten, Ember is five foot seven, Mia is five foot eight, Haruka is five foot eight, Nicko’s favorite dessert is strawberry bearclaw danishes, Keylo’s is pineapple upside down cake, Alex’s is lemon meringue pie, Ember’s is mochi, Mia’s are cookies, Haruka’s is plain and strawberry cheesecake, Nicko’s favorite fruit and or vegetable is watermelon, Alex’s is pomegranate, Keylo’s is pineapples, Mia’s is pears, Ember’s is strawberries, Haruka’s is cucumbers, etc. “So, Haruka Aoikoi is your girlfriend?” Keylo asked Nicko. Nicko nodded his head holding back a smile. Nicko felt a cold presence on the left side of his cheek. Nicko’s cheek got cold suddenly, after feeling his cheek he soon realized that Haruka kissed him on his cheek. Nicko couldn't help but smile. Alex and Keylo looked at each other and kissed each other on the lips. Nicko looked at them with a blank expression, “Alright get out of my room.” Nicko jokingly said. Everyone flooded out of Nicko’s room and lined up at the table waiting for dinner. After eating their dinner, Nicko and Haruka went up to his room, Alex and Keylo went to Alex’s room, and Mia and Ember went to Mia’s room. Nicko plopped on his bed and Haruka took a seat next to him. Nicko started to scramble around the room furiously for the TV remote. Nicko let out a satisfied “Aha!” after he successfully found it. Nicko navigated his smart TV apps until he found the one he was looking for. “Perfect,” Nicko said happily. After a while Nicko found the movie he was looking for; Godzilla King Of The Monsters. A big grin grew on Nicko’s face when the movie started to play. Haruka cuddled next to Nicko as he wrapped his cover around them. A little halfway through the movie Alex opened the door and signaled for Nicko to come with her. Nicko wiped his eyes, put on his shoes and hoodie, and followed Alex. Nicko walked downstairs where Alex, Keylo, and Ember were waiting for him. Alex, Keylo, and Ember walked out of the house and into the empty field at the back of the house. “Oooh, super cool night battle?” Nicko said. “Yall ready for this?” Alex questioned the group. Everyone nodded. “Alright, it will be the same team as last time, but since we need it, the rules are to fight until you can't no more.” Alex explained. Everyone nodded. Nicko and Keylo started walking away from Alex and Ember. “So, Keylo, what's the strat?” Nicko asked. “Same as last time, but we need to be more in sync,” Keylo informed him. “Here i'm going to let you in on a little secret.” Keylo told him. “What is it?” Nicko asked. “Just breathe.” Keylo told Nicko. Nicko looked at him blankly. Soon enough, both parties were facing each other. Nicko could barely see Alex and Ember but could kinda tell them apart. Nicko heard the rustling of grass and looked over and saw two people walk next to them. “Hey Nicko!” Haruka said, waving at Nicko. “Haruka? What are you doing here?” Nicko asked. “Oh yeah, Alex recruited me and Mia as support members or so to say,” Haruka explained. “Okay Haruka, what can you do?” Keylo asked her. “I can use my ice to freeze people, trap them, heal, and lots of area of effect attacks,” Haruka told him. Keylo slammed his fist into his palm, “Yes! This is perfect.” “Also Nicko, your other sister, Mia, is on Alex and Ember’s team, so be ready!” Haruka told him. “Alright, new strat.” Keylo told the two. “We move in a triangle, me and Nicko run in front, me on left, Nicko on right, and you run behind us in the middle, use your ice powers to separate Alex, Ember, and Mia, you know, divide and conquer. But we have to be in sync. It's a no brainer,” Keylo explained. The battle started. Both parties ran towards each other. Keylo, Nicko, and Haruka in their formation. “Haruka! Now!” Keylo yelled. “Ice move number 3, ice spikes!” Haruka yelled. Giant ice spikes started sprouting from the ground in between Keylo and Nicko as they ran. Alex, Mia, and Ember jumped out of the way. “Wind burst!” Mia yelled, using a burst of wind to send everyone flying back. Everyone surrounding Mia rolled across the ground. Nicko stood and was three feet away from Ember. “Looks like it's us two again,” Ember said. Nicko nodded, “Yeah, I guess you could say this is a round three.” Nicko and Ember rushed each other and started exchanging blows. Nicko blocked her punch, then tried to counter with a kick, but was too far away. Ember moved in closer and Nicko moved back. Kicks were thrown and punches were received on both ends. Nicko pushed Ember away and cut his arm using his ring. Ember jumped and conjured four fireballs and shot them at Nicko. Nicko made a blood shield and protected himself from the onslaught of fireballs. Nicko took a deep breath and bolted towards Ember. Nicko dodged fireballs and slid to close even more distance on Ember. Ember used her flaming burner attack but Nicko ducked under it while keeping his momentum. Nicko made a blood ball in his hand and touched it against Ember's stomach. “Blood move number 3, Blood force!” Nicko yelled as the blood ball popped in his hand, sending Ember flying around four yards away from him. Nicko closed his palm, surprised that he just learned a new move of his blood powers. Without hesitation, Nicko froze blood in mid-air. Nicko made the blood turn into blood spikes, “Now! Blood move number 1, blood shards!” Nicko yelled. Ember rolled out of the way. Nicko readied another blood force and rushed towards Ember. Nicko was suddenly blasted back by a huge gust of wind and was sent rolling across the ground. “What happened?” Nicko questioned. Nicko looked as he saw silver marks glow in the darkness. “It was Mia?” Nicko thought. “I can't see any of her attacks, it's too dark,” Nicko complained. A thought of realization shot into Nicko’s head; he couldn’t see Mia’s attacks because they don't produce light, and his and Haruka’s powers also don't produce light! Nicko stood up and shook his head. Nicko steadied his breathing and rushed into battle again. Nicko started closing in the distance between himself and his opponents only to be thrown by Mia’s wind again. Nicko saw a bright fiery orange in the corner of his eye. Nicko looked to the left and saw Alex holding a giant fireball. “Who is getting fireball distruction-ed?” Nicko wondered to himself. Nicko watched as the giant fireball started moving. Nicko followed the trajectory of the giant fireball and noticed that it was headed towards Keylo. The giant fireball exploded with Keylo inside of it. Keylo was sent flying, slamming into the ground. Nicko rushed over towards Keylo. Nicko helped Keylo stand then Harka slid across the ground in front of them. Haruka stood up with a determined look on her face. A small grin spread across Keylo’s face. Keylo held the palms of his hands at the sky and shot off a thick beam of lightning into the clouds. “Keylo, why did you do that?” Nicko asked him. “Dont, worry Nicko, this battle is about over.” Keylo responded. “Hey Haruka! Come here.” Keylo told her. After whispering in Haruka’s ear, Keylo took Haruka by her hands and spun furiously as Nicko watched in confusion. Keylo threw Haruka high into the sky. Haruka made a certain jester but Nicko couldn’t quite make it out. Haruka started falling, and Nicko started to panic. Alex and Ember aimed fire attacks at her, but she dodged them in mid-air by using the moment of the ice she produced to change directions. Haruka held her hands out and ice erupted from her hands trapping Alex, Mia, and Ember in their tracks. “Yes!” Keylo exploded. Keylo held his right hand into the sky, “It’s about time for this battle to be over!” Keylo yelled. Keylo aimed his hand at Alex, Mia, and Ember, “Ultimate lightning attack! Come from the heavens and boom! Thunder dragon! Inazuma!” Keylo commanded. Lightning flashed and Nicko looked up. Nicko’s eyes were filled with awe as he watched a dragon made from pure lightning twirl around in the sky and fly around, almost like it was playing. The dragon twirled and flipped in the air before coming and striking Alex, Mia, and Ember. A massive explosion went off and everyone was sent flying back. Nicko was stuck in horror as he was launched over into some nearby trees. Chapter Six Nicko woke up in the same tree he flew in. Nicko looked around, vision blurry, body aching and sore. Nicko fell out of the tree and landed on his shoulder. Nicko stood, and dusted off of his clothes. Nicko looked around and saw the field he was thrown from; about twenty yards away. “My god I was thrown far.” Nicko said. Nicko tried to recall the events that happened. “That battle was intense, Keylo’s lighting dragon was more intense, no, me getting thrown this far was intense.” Nicko told himself. “But I do want to know who won the battle.” Nicko wondered. Nicko reached into his pocket and looked at his phone. A satisfied look came across his face after seeing it surprisingly undamaged. After ten or so minutes, Nicko made it back to his house. Nicko walked into his room and saw Haruka fast asleep in his bed. Nicko walked over to her and gave her a kiss on her forehead and got a change of clothes; the same colored hoodie, undershirt, and sweats that said hollow on the hoodie and undershirt. Nicko changed his clothes and walked downstairs to ask Alex who won their fight last night. Nicko sat on the couch next to Alex. Nicko was going to speak but their phones chimed and they looked at each other. “Nicko, we’ve got missions!” Alex yelled in excitement. Alex and Nicko checked their phones and were assigned their missions. “My mission is at the Toshiro bridge?” Nicko asked out loud. “Yea the Toshiro bridge, the one mom drives over to get to work? The one, I'd say twenty minutes from here.” Alex responded. Nicko started thinking about the bridge she was talking about. Nicko nodded. “Well my mission is around an hour away from here, let's make haste,” Alex said. Nicko looked at the information about his mission. Nicko read the description of the mission and his blood ran cold. “Hostage?” Nicko said out loud. “Oh, you got hostage?” Alex asked. “You have to tread carefully, Nicko,” Alex told him. Nicko nodded and Alex and Nicko ran out of the house and ran down the street. “Nicko!” Alex yelled. “Make your heart beat faster and make your marks glow, you will get an adrenaline boost and you’ll run faster,” Alex explained. Nicko started breathing heavily and his marks glowed. Alex and Nicko started picking up speed running down the sidewalk. After running for a short time, it was time for Alex and Nicko went separate ways. Nicko kept straight and Alex went west. Nicko continued running, following the directions to the bridge thinking about one thing; the hostage. Nicko made it to the bridge in forty three minutes. Nicko ran up to the bridge and saw a group of police officers and bystanders. Nicko walked up to the police officers. “Nicko Bowman, intermediate Linero.” Nicko said, showing the police officer a picture of his Linero card on his phone. The police officer shook his head and Nicko walked through the caution tape and farther on the bridge. Nicko noticed how big and wide the bridge was. The bridge was two football fields long and two football fields wide. Nicko looked around, heart beating faster Nicko heard a whistle sound coming from the east. Nicko looked over to the right and saw something flying at him. Nicko jumped to the left, dodging the item. The item hit the bridge and bounced off of it. Nicko turned around and picked it up, “Is this a throwing needle?” Nicko asked out loud. Nicko looked up and noticed that the bridge was being actively covered in fog. Nicko couldn’t see five feet in front of him. Nicko looked around him, slightly panicking. Nicko kept walking and eventually came across a horrific sight. “A car?” Nicko asked himself. Nicko crept closer to the car and looked in it. Nicko let out a gasp and jumped back. “Those are dead bodies,” Nicko said to himself. Nicko looked at the bodies of two people; a middle-aged woman with black hair, dark skin, wearing a shirt that turned into a skirt and bluejeans and a boy not too younger than Nicko who had blond hair and pale skin, he was wearing a black and green shirt, with black cargo shorts.. Nicko took a closer look at the bodies and saw slash marks on their throats, bruises and what looked to be throwing needles lodged into them. Nicko took a moment to breathe. Nicko heard more coming in his direction. Nicko dodged one, then another, and another. Nicko looked around and yelled for the attacker to come out. Nicko watched as a shadow started approaching him. A man stepped out of the fog holding a knife to a little boy's throat. Nicko looked at the little boy, he had black hair, a skin complexion similar to Nicko’s, a black and blue striped shirt, blue jean shorts,cuts and bruises on his body and looked fearful. Nicko looked at the man, who was wearing an army fatigue tang-top, with matching jean pants, black combat boots, with slick backed hair. Nicko looked at the man with anger. “Let him go!” Nicko demanded. “Or what?” The man questioned Nicko, laughing at him. Nicko started walking towards the man. “Come any closer and I’ll kill him just like the rest of his pathetic, worthless family.” The man told Nicko. Nicko stopped dead in his tracks with a look of anger. “Good, now put your hands up,” He demanded. Nicko reluctantly put his hands up. The guy reached into a pouch on his thigh, took out several throwing needles, and threw them at Nicko. The needles lodged themselves in Nicko’s arm. Nicko winced in pain. “Didn’t I tell you to keep your hands up?” He asked Nicko. “You think I'm just gonna stand here and let you kill me?” Nicko questioned. Nicko removed the throwing needles from his arms. “How about you stop hiding behind that child and let's settle things like men,” Nicko yelled. Nicko kept his cool and came up with a strategy. Nicko closed his eyes and made his marks flash bright. The guy let out a groan and Nicko rushed him. Nicko broke the boy free from the man's grasp. Nicko held the boy in his arms and ran. “Are you okay?” Nicko asked the kid. “Yes.” He responded. “What's your name?” Nicko asked him. “My name is Xander.” He responded. “Well Xander, my name is Hollow, and I'm here to save you,” Nicko assured him. Nicko heard footsteps coming from behind them. Nicko put Xander on the ground and told him to run straight and not to stop. The kid started running and Nicko turned to face the man. Nicko heard more needles coming towards him. Nicko dodged them, but his breathing started to get more difficult. He got close to Nicko and started swinging it around, “You took the kid from me? You little shit, now it's time for you to die!.” The man yelled. The man threw a punch and Nicko was sure to dodge it but he didn’t. Nicko felt his face. Nicko used the blood on his arms to make a ball in his hands, “Blood Force!” Nicko yelled, blasting the man back with the blood ball. Nicko took labored breaths. Nicko jumped, dodging a group of needles coming his way. “Why can’t I breathe in this fog!?” Nicko yelled in frustration. The man laughed. “You thought this was fog? No, it's smog.” The man corrects him. “Your breaths will become more labored while you are in here, which will make your movements slower.” He added. The man threw a canister over at Nicko then threw a needle into the canister. The canister blew up sending Nicko back in an explosion. Nicko bounced and rolled away. The explosion hurt and Nicko slowly looked up, seeing Xander with tears forming in his eyes. “Xander? I told you to run!” Nicko commanded. The man threw another canister then another needle. An explosion set off and both Nicko and Xander were sent flying. Nicko lay on his back, looking around for Xander but he couldn’t see him. “Xander!” Nicko called out. Some of the smog cleared and he saw the man holding Xander by the throat covered in slight burns. Xander struggled to breathe. “Put him down!” Nicko demanded. The guy laughed and put his knife up. The guy stabbed Xander in the side of his stomach with a needle. “I'm just going to torture him while you can't do anything to help him.” He said with a smile on his face. Thoughts bounced around in Nicko’s mind, unpleasant thoughts. Nicko stood up and wiped his mouth and with no words he rushed towards the guy. The guy threw Xander to the side and drew his knife. Nicko rushed at him, with no fear. Only one thing was in his mind, the verse of a song he listens to; “A hero’s not afraid to give his life.” Nicko ran towards the man with no plan on dodging or stopping. The man changed his grip with the knife, “Do you know how many lives I took with this hand, little boy?” He yelled at him, but Nicko didn’t care, the only thing that matters is Nicko touching him. The man stabbed upwards, the knife lodged itself towards the side of Nicko’s stomach. Nicko didn’t flinch, in fact, it felt like a little prick. His face remained serious, Nicko managed to touch the man's chest with his right hand. Nicko felt blood creep up his sleeve and on the palm of his hand, “Ultimate blood move, blood lotus,” Nicko calmly said. “Do you know how many lives I plan to avenge with this hand?” Nicko calmly asked him. The man opened his mouth as if trying to respond, but giant blood spikes erupted from the man's back in a rough lotus shape. The man died on the spot and Nicko watched in sadness as the man's marks started to fade. “I forgive you for your actions, maybe if you hadn’t decided to let the anger in your heart, we’d probably be comrades.” Nicko prayed. The smog lifted slightly and Nicko looked around for Xander. “Marco?” Nicko called out. Xander responded “Polo!” Nicko followed the sound of Xanders voice and found him hanging on for dear life on a part of the bridge. As Nicko bent over to grab Xander, he heard something beep. Nicko grabbed Xander’s hand and pulled him up. “Are you okay?” Nicko asked Xander. Xander nodded his head, then pointed out the knife in Nicko’s stomach. “Xander run quickly, and please listen to me,” Nicko told the kid. Xander nodded and started running off of the bridge. Nicko coughed and spat out blood, Nicko could taste the blood on his breath. A fake smile appeared on Nicko’s face and he fell to the ground to try to rest. “It’s not over yet.” Nicko determinedly said. Nicko stood up, stumbled back over to the man's body. Nicko picked up the man's body and started stumbling off to the direction he came from. Nicko stumbled to the edge of the bridge just before where the smog stopped and placed the man's body down. Nicko turned around and went back into the fog. Nicko came across the car and took the body of what he assumed to be Xander’s mom where he took the body of the man. He did the same with the body of what Nicko assumed to be his older brother. The fog faded and Nicko walked safely off of the bridge. He saw Xander with the police and paramedics, waving with him. Nicko stumbled over to Xander. Nicko smiled as he walked closer to Xander, “I did it kid,” Nicko boasted. Xander nodded his head. “Is he alright?” Nicko asked the paramedics. They confirmed that he was okay. Nicko coughed a little blood again and gestured to his injuries. Nicko was laid on a stretcher and placed in an ambulance. Nicko felt the soft rattle of the vehicle and the kinda odd smell. Nicko closed his eyes to rest. Nicko opened his eyes and looked at the tv on the wall of his hospital room. A news report of his mission was on, with headlines, “New Linero battles Gill showas and saves child from Death.” Nicko couldn’t wait to hear the awesomeness of his very first mission. “Rookie rank Linero, Hollow, fought a tiresome battle on the Toshiro bridge earlier today, this brave young Linero went above and beyond in his duties, rescuing a little boy named Xander, whos family was killed by Gill, Hollow showed no fear in his battle with Gill, we have a detailed summary of the entire confrontation between Hollow and Gill courtesy from a bystander.” A news reporter said. The tv cut to a shot of a person and an interviewer. “You were there during the entire scuffle on the Toshiro bridge right? The interviewer asked. The man nodded. The man started talking, “So first there was a car crash on the bridge, then the man got out of his car, out of rage he killed the boy’s mom and older brother and took him as a hostage. The police showed up and the man made this fog when some police officers ventured onto the bridge, gunshots rang and from the sound of it, the police were killed. the man must’ve thrown their bodies off of the bridge. Then the police called the Linero system and had a Linero requested. After a while I thought the Linero wouldn’t come, but here he did, a kid who stepped onto the scene, I was thinking to myself about why they sent a kid our way, but after seeing him enter the bridge so calmly, I put a little faith in him. The boy walked onto the bridge and the fog became more dense, so much so that we couldn’t see in it. we heard commotion, screaming and bangs on the bridge, then a loud crunch and when the fog cleared, there was three bodies lying side by side, the mans, the mom, and the brother. Who ever that kid was, he was no joke.” He explained. Nicko thought back to the battle. “I killed someone?.” Nicko asked sadly. Haruka turned her head, “Nicko, you’re awake!” Haruka exclaimed. “Haruka, I killed someone.” Nicko repeated. Haruka looked at him with a sad face, “I know Nicko, sometimes you have to, if you don’t, they’ll kill you,” Haruka explained. “How many people did you kill?” Nicko asked Haruka. “Me? I killed three people, I didn’t do it just because, I did it because I had to, I was ordered to, It’s part of the mission.” Haruka answered. “I see.” Nicko said with a sour look. “But hey, if you didn’t kill him, he definitely would’ve killed lots of more people.” Haruka said, trying to cheer Nicko up. Nicko replayed the final moments in his head. From Gill lodging his knife inside of Nicko’s stomach to Nicko touching Gill’s chest with his hand and taking his life. Nicko looked at his right hand, “This was the hand I took his life with,” Nicko said. Haruka held his hand in her’s, Nicko missed the cold touch of Haruka, it made him feel at ease. “I’ll go get everyone,” Haruka told him. Haruka left the room and Nicko returned his attention back to the TV. Nicko laid down lost in thought. Replaying the events of his first mission, he still couldn’t come to facts with himself. “Welp I’m a murder now, but hey like my philosophy says, Don’t trip on things that happen right now in your life or anytime in your life because it won't matter in two-hundred years or so, in two-hun