The sun shone high and bright, showing no mercy to the pail... to me, luck was though since we chose the cargo cart that had a roof. Our dazzling city was disappearing into the distance as the train zoomed into the deep desert. Fortunately, this train is automated and only stops at certain factories and stations. Unlucky thing, though, is that it moves so fast that I can't jump off and hope to survive now that it's at top speed again... however.
"Hey, Liam, you gotta get off the train."
"What?"
"Listen, with your miso, you can teleport with or without current momentum. In other words, you can get off fine. You can't teleport people, so I'll just have to wait."
"I'm not doing that."
"Liam, we are headed to The Playground. That's real gang territory. Everyone living there has serious hate towards Kara-no-goki's, and for good reason."
"I have a mask."
"But what if it comes off? You'll be killed."
"I'm not going to ditch you, Hida. Not with you hurt like that. You won't survive either."
He was right. Between that kid's explosion and when he pulled me up, my leg was probably broken. I won't be able to walk... not far anyway. Liam grabbed a duffle bag behind him. I guessed that was the leftover gems from the heist.
"Hey, let's play a game," he said enthusiastically. "Two truths and a lie. One of us says three facts about themselves, and the other guesses which is a lie." He sat next to me at the cart door, dangling his feet over the blur of rubble and track below.
"Fine, you start."
"Okay... uuuummm... I love eating cakes, I once tried becoming a singer, aaaannd I love heavy metal music."
"Everyone loves cake, dude, and you have too many skull t-shirts, so those two are true."
"Yep. Guess I made it too easy. Your turn."
"Fine. My favourite colour is red, I hate K-pop, and I think school is fun."
"Oh, please, nice try. You do love red. You hate schoolwork just like the rest of us. It's just that you have no choice but to be a top-classman or lose your scholarship and move back to The Playground. And you actually secretly like K-pop, 'cause I see you dancing when you hear Reol's 'The Sixth Sense' playing. That's two lies... You cheated."
I looked at him and laughed. "True winners make their own rules. How'd you know the K-pop thing?"
"I like to pay attention when I can... okay, my turn. I can play the guitar..." There was a long pause.
"I was once actually friends with one of my cousins, and...I doubt...I doubt my dad...is really my dad," he said grimly...looking beyond the horizon.
"It's...it's the guitar, you don't have calculus on your fingers. Guess it's me, I used to hate you and wanted to kill you, then you risked your life to save Hisashi, I think my parents are disappointed in me for betraying their heroic legacy by becoming a criminal...and I hate dogs."
"You actually love dogs," we both laughed a little. I put my head on his shoulder and sighed. "We are both so messed up, huh?"
"No kidding," I responded. "AAAAAAH, DAMN."
"What's wrong?"
"My leg, I-I think it's broken."
"How'd you not notice before?"
"Maybe the writer forgot that this was an important plot point."
"What?"
"Joking, I think it was the adrenaline. Must have distracted me from the pain, and when you yanked me up would've been the last straw. Looks like you're carrying me."
"Don't worry, I got you."
A few hours passed as we watched our home get further and further away. To pass the time, we talked about all sorts of things: school, relationships, and dreams for the future. Around high noon, buildings came into view as that all too familiar toxic smell of dying hope burned through my nostrils. As we went past the first few house's we could tell what was really going on because, to be honest, house would be an all too kind description for what those things looked like. Each "house" was just a shipping container cut up and welded to another. A death cloud of smoke so thick it would make any environmentalist lose all hope hung over the jam-packed sewer line they call streets. it was so full of pollution that it plunged the area into a dark, storm-like aesthetic. Despite all of this negativity and hardship, almost everyone there was lively. Kids played soccer in one corner while others played hide and seek, old men and women sat together reminiscing, and bikers hung out together playing music. Sure, you could sense the pain and hunger in the air, but you can also see how much everyone tries to make the most of life here...home sweet home, I guess. The train finally came to a halt at a local station, and hundreds of mothers with their young came rushing for survival supplies. Liam helped me up as I grabbed the bag, and we quickly shuffled out. We began looking for a way to get home, but I knew that wouldn't be easy. In a place like this, vehicles are rare unless you are a gang member. With a road as messed up as this, not many cars would survive, but a dirt bike would be king.
"Alright, we need a bike to get out of here, and unfortunately, I only know of one place to get it..."
"Hey, if it's an option, we should take it."
"It belongs to the Ruff Riders."
"Rough Riders?"
"Biker gang. This has been their area for 40 years, but they're still relatively small. We can steal a key from one of them and ride out before they know."
"Sounds good to me."
"And keep your mask on, you may not be famous, but if someone recognises you, we are dead."
Limping in Liam's arms isn't easy. He isn't the most gentle person, but I could tell he was trying. He kept on squeezing me too tightly, probably worrying that I'd fall, but I didn't have the heart to tell him to stop. Eventually, we reached the local diner, probably the only brickwork building in this part of The Playground. It had neon lights with multiple symbols of Ruff Rider legends of all, back when I was a kid, I'd visit at night to see the punk tapestries and wonder what they were like. Sweet never liked my curiosity about them, however. To the left side of the diner was a parking lot with maybe thirty motorcycles at the ready.
"You see that Quad bike, the rider usually leaves his keys in the front left rim. Grab it and let's go."
"What if they come after us? Let me flatten their tires first."
"Alright, but be fast. We don't want Ahiga or Hanola finding us."
"Well, I'll be! Ain't this somethin'?" Said a deep and husky voice, almost country-like. As I turned to see who it was, fear gripped me. I instantly tried to run, but I just fell to the ground thanks to my leg. My body wouldn't stop shaking as the tall, big, big-bearded man walked up to us.
"Well, I'll be! Ain't that Ms Shitarin? I'll be damned. Last time I laid eyes on ya, you was just a lil' thing. How's your brother doin' these days?"
I tried to answer, but my voice was gone. I can't believe he still recognized me after all these years, even through the mask.
"Hey buddy, we're not looking for trouble, but if you try anything...I'll knock you out," Liam said finally.
(Damn it, Liam, as usual, he can't read the room. Even from a visual perspective, it was like watching a Pug challenge a Bulldog.)
"Phantom, quiet. I'm sorry, Ahiga, we were just looking for a way home and..."
"...And you thought stealin' that idiot Hibiki's bike woulda worked, that's m'a girl."
"Y-You're not mad?"
"Mad, nah, I'm furious..." My heart stopped, and I clenched my fist (okay, if I grab some sand, I can throw it in his face and make a break for the bike. Liam should be smart enough to join me in running, or at least help me get up...who am I kidding, it's Liam, he'll probably take this as a fighting opportunity. Damn it, am I really going...going to die here...here of all places" "...furious that ma girl would'n come and visit me after all this time. Life's been tough lately, thanks to the other me's, people lost trust in me."
"I'm sorry." My fear subsided, and I finally relaxed (he is using a nicer personality right now; we got lucky.)
"Anyway, go ahead'n take it, boy could learn a lesson or two from this, but on a more serious note."
His voice became deeper and more stern, "I heard you Dragons, botched a mission last night, but managed to keep some of your prize." his accent changed and sounded more British. "That wouldn't happen to be the bag now, would it?" Liam put the bag down and took out three discs. I instantly shot him with a don't you dare stare and he put them away.
"Fine then," he gave me a smug look, "Plan T it is."
"Oh, please no!" I exclaimed.
"HEY PEOPLE OF THE PLAYGROUND!" Liam ran into the middle of the street and began gathering people.
"I am the leader of the Phantom Dragons. We recently came from a raid in the main city and sadly lost some of our prize money for you."
"For us?" asked a lady with a baby in her arms.
"Yes, but we managed to save about two million worth of jewels. I wish to pass it on to your leader, Ahiga. He will safely convert it to money and use the full two million to buy food and start farms for this land, for this money is for the people. For too long have we suffered under the oppressive rule of the Kara-no-goki's. We may not be able to save you, but we can ease your pain."
The people began to celebrate and cheer. Liam walked back to Ahiga and smiled.
"Thank you for helping me put food on the plates of your people instead of buying new motorbikes. Gear's let's go."
We immediately got on the quad bike and rode off before Ahiga could collect his thoughts.
The countryside was beautiful, even in the smoke-filled hell and shantytowns all around, I could still see some form of beauty, it's not something I can describe, but someone from here would understand. Still, though, if only I could burn it all away and give these people a second chance. (damn, what Liam did was reckless, maybe I should say something....nah, at least he played his cards right with the one million...wait... didn't he say two million... no, he's not that dumb...right?)
"Hey Liam."
"Yah?"
"That bag was the smallest."
"And."
"And only the two biggest could hold two million."
"Yep."
"That means there's only one million in that bag."
"Yep, and Ahiga will have to make up the difference once he takes it to the jeweller."
"YOU IDIOOOOOOT." I said while face-palming.
"Well, it's too late now," he said while giggling.
"Liam Kara-no-goki, stop the bike." he parked us by a dying tree. On it hung the three, rotting, unrecognizable corpses. "Do you have any idea how much danger we were in. We could have died. Did you ever take a moment to consider how dangerous your actions can be? You can't just challenge anyone you like and expect to get away with it."
"I'm sorry, but he pissed me off. Besides, even if he says there's only one million worth, nobody will believe him."
"That's not a good reason...aggg damn it. At least we are still alive, just think more carefully before going full Liam, okay. One of these days, your choice might get someone hurt, or worse, killed."
"Okay, I'm sorry." We got on, then began to ride again, then something dawned on me.
Soon, we made a stop to change out of some of our gear. Getting back to the city undetected would have been hell, but Liam spent enough time looking at Kara-no-goki guard routes to know how to avoid them; in fact, he planned some of them, so we managed to reach home just fine and met up with Hisashi.
"Hey, guys, glad you're all safe," said Hisashi.
"We almost weren't, we got stuck in The Playground and had to steal a bike from the Ruff Riders....We also lost the money....I'm sorry." I responded.
There was a long pause as the air became thick with anxiety.
"... you faced a challenge and made it out okay, that's all that matters," he sighed. He may have honeyed his words, but I could see the fear in his eyes.
"HEEEEEYYYY IT'S UUUUUSSS!" shouted a small boy with short black hair and milk chocolate color skin. He looked almost Indian-Chinese but not quite. He was accompanied by a tall woman with light brown black hair and white skin and plenty of...assets.
"Keep it down, Yato, or do you want me to ground you again?"
"I'm sorry, I just got excited, Vesta."
"Hey, it's you guys, Dragons...meet Vesta and Yato. Bloodwork and Shockwave, respectively. They helped us at the bank remember." Said Hisashi.
"Hey, wait....I think I've met you before."
"Ya, you have, Vesta was your new school doctor. She was at the dodgeball game with you." Said Hisashi
"WHAAAAAT?" Liam and I said in unison.
"Hi," she gave us a sweet smile and a wave. It felt like the sun's gentle embrace enveloped me, holding me to keep a promise, to never let go.
"Anyway, Hida." Said Liam, "You can't go to school."
"What, why?"
"WHAT KIND OF CHILD ARE YOU! You can't walk; you need to rest. If you aren't in top condition, you might put us and worst of all yourself in jeopardy. You need to stay home. I'll help look after you during the weekend and get Terra to send you homework, okay...so please." he knelt down on one knee and looked me in the eye with concern, "Please get better."
"...fine." I sighed.
"Yato will help," said Vesta in her silk-like voice.
"Wait, what?"
"You're the reason she got hurt in the first place. You could have let me take care of that guy's blast, but instead you butted in. Now pay your debt to her...or else."
"Fine."
A few days passed as I was in recovery. Despite being a bit of a brat...much like our fearless leader, Yato was extremely helpful. He did blow up my kitchen table a few times, but he soon learned that hell hath no fury like a hungry Hida. Sweet kept asking how I got hurt, so I told him that it was an experiment gone wrong with a bottle rocket. Somehow, I think he didn't believe me. He was, however, extremely welcoming to Yato, and Vesta's constant visits to check up on my leg helped ease the mood. It's strange, she'd show up, help, and disappear around the house, then leave. Maybe she was worried about Yato. Liam Stuck around till Sunday morning, then left for home. I could see the light in his eye die a little when he began walking home. Days went by fast, and soon it was Thursday.