Nova’s still out of reach

City lights dance from Cherry City glowing in the quiet night. “Did you boys have a good time?”

“It was definitely an experience.”

“Yeah, what Taro said.”

“I know your mother is so proud to see her boys becoming men. It’s always great to see your kids making changes in their surroundings.”

Unlocking the door, a bleak breeze rushes from their home. “It’s exactly how we left it.”

Lightning strikes, and Vanula walks down the street. “Good to see you all made it back.”

“How long have you known about us?” says Pai.

“I’ve known about you two since you both were born. Your mom was a sweet woman.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No, I wanted to check up on my students after everything. I just left Kel's place, nice folks of hers.”

Car lights shine past Vanula. “I’ll see you all at class tomorrow, we’re preparing you to move up in the ranks. Quick question, do you guys have any good games?” The front door closes, and Pai shuts the blinds. Taro closes the curtains together.

“Come on guys don’t be like that,” cries Vanula.

Cherry blossoms leap away from thick hundred year old branches. Blossoms break down spreading throughout the city like casting a spell.

Drool drops on the pillow, a puny alarm shakes, hitting the ground. The sun shines on Pai’s sought marking. “That was much needed.” The closet door opens. “You can say that again,” says Sola.

“Beautiful morning, isn’t it... Wait, why the hell are you in my closet?”

“It’s nice and cozy there.” Sola stretches. “Didn’t they offer you a room in the dorms?”

“Yeah, but I don’t need all that space, being in here reminds me of traveling in the pod.”

“How long were you in there?”

“A long time.”

A little smoke clears under the door. “Come, guys, breakfast is ready downstairs.”

“Taro, You knew she was in my closet.”

“Yeah, that’s what she insisted on.”

“Taro, your damn flames are burning up my carpet.”

“Oh shit, I didn’t notice.”

Victor pushes Taro in, eating pancakes. “Mr. Z can make some good ass pancakes!” Her pancakes disappear, Pai teleports running down the stairs, stuffing his mouth. Mr. Z. pours coffee.

“Pancakes always wake you up.”

“Save me some,” cries Sola.

“There's more coming in, don't worry.”

Taleen drops in the backyard. Zack Zack rushes in stuffing her mouth with bacon, Kel walks through with Apollo and Blake.

“Hey, don’t rob all the bacon, Zack Zack.”

“Sorry, but it’s so goddamn good!”

“Taro, I need some help back here.”

“I’ll help too,” said Victor.

Apollo grabs the last muffin. “You bastard, I wanted that,”

“I just saw you eat four.”

“Well, maybe I want five, snow-head!”

“What did you say? You wanna go, hot head?”

Kel’s winds smack their heads. “Shut up and eat.”

“I can’t now, I think my jaw is broken.”

“Good luck, everyone.” Mr.Z. waves. Taleen boosts over clouds, and Zack Zack drinks some orange juice. “That was some damn good food, I know what he's been doing over retirement.”

“I wonder who’s gonna be teaching us,” says Kel.

Taleen hovers into the hangar. Pulling their chairs back, the bell rings. Kel opens the window, filling the calm winds inside.

Juzu steps in grabbing chalk. Juzu writes: Guide to off-world missions. The projector shows a map of the continent Chtimum. Pins cover the outskirts near Cherry City.

“I need every dot here to be erased before you can venture off. You’ll have plenty of time to improve yourselves. I’ll prepare you all before you venture from C-Three. There will also be a trial for the role of captain coming soon. Vanula will have more info on that.”

“I’ll decline that right away,” argues Zack Zack.

“That doesn’t sound too bad, honestly,” says Pai.

“Indeed it does.”

“For now, Blake is the only Underdog here. For the rest of you, there’s still work to do. Clear all the missions and gain your Vader travel IDs for space travel to visit other corps throughout the seven systems.”

“We have a lot of allies.”

“That means we have many enemies too,” says Apollo drawing portals.

“He’s right, because of that we’re here to get stronger and learn. Remember, in this life of ours, someone’s always searching for something, wanting fulfillment. I can’t promise that you all will find what you really want, yet don’t listen to me. Just keep pushing forward. I don’t care if you’re sick, sad, furious, or dead, stay pushing.”

The lights turn off. “Let's go over the first mission everyone, we’ll leave for it next week.” Ghost trigger glows on Taro. “Looks like we got a lot waiting for us out there.” The arrow spins on Apollo’s fingertip. Sooner or later, we’ll cross paths in no time.

Essence and wind combs Kel’s hair. Who would’ve thought I’d be fighting along with everyone? This power is awesome, I wanna keep learning from it. Lightning sparks on Blake’s hand. Watch me, bro, I’ll train hard to wield this power, without you worrying anymore.

I wanna see all the spaceships from different systems. Man, this food is putting me to sleep. Zack Zack passes out. Pai points to Sola. “I’m coming for that spot, so you better give it your all.”

“Those are my words, let’s see if you can catch up with Danika.”

“I don’t need her, I can do this alone.”

“Is that right? You're on Pai, don’t cry when you lose,” argues Sola.

Pai laughs. “Whatever you say, Princess.”

“These seats will be full because people from all over will be able to join this class. Form bonds together, protect the helpless and each other. Let’s go over our approach for the mission.”

Nova is the gamemaster, the tides of chaos will wash out the weak. War is part of all being’s nature. Nova could be a myth, and still, it shifts all star systems. Gain God's power and change everything to how you want it. Do whatever you must to hold Nova.

Water drips off indented rock sickles, bouncing into puddles. Faint sunlight fades through cracks. Seven black orbs float above pillars. “Bombast was destroyed, interesting. It was a good test.”

“Yes, I agree, let's continue to play with them.”

“In my opinion, they would’ve already been dead right now. All we had to do was send two there.”

“There’s no need to rush, we have plenty of time. If we rush into things, there’ll be detrimental effects. We didn’t spend all our time on this just for things to die out. Our only purpose of life is to throw everything into how we see fit, which we will achieve.”

Variety of essence and rain flickers over hundreds of sleeping Bombast. “Yes, yes…Just let my babies sleep for now. I can get more out of my babies…Please, we could use a better opportunity for my babies.”

“Settle down we will…Beings will swarm across great lengths to obtain something, yet if it’s not what they imagined, they selfishly want something else, not seeing the next step forward. All systems will learn about our change, facing all emotions to the rawest. Your reality will shift, it doesn’t matter how you react to Nova. It's out of everyone’s control. Nevertheless, those rules don’t apply to us.”