Somehow, I had this feeling. It was coming, but I still don't know how to react.
"What do you mean?"
I was concerned. About her a little. Very much about myself.
"Well."
Riruru was tense. It was serious. I could tell. Anyone looking at her face could.
"The Metropians are at war," she said, her hands gripping her knees so tight her knuckles went white. "And we're… losing."
Shit. It's a big one, as well.
"What do you mean?"
I didn't want to know. But I had to. Didn't I?
"About, 4 months ago. After we had successfully migrated to geopia, we were happy. We were living pretty peacefully in a world with only non intelligent species around. But. It wasn't long lived."
"What happened?"
"Just a month ago. We were attacked. Turned out, we weren't the only one. There were others there, just...Hidden. We tried peace negotiations, but it only resulted in blood."
That planet. Have I heard about it?
Koya-Koya… the mining colony where kids could leap through the skies. Birdopia… full of winged people fighting hunters. Animal Planet… talking dogs and cats with cities of their own.
And that wasn't even half of it.
Underground kingdoms. Mirror worlds. Dinosaurs. Space pirates.
I've lost track of how many times I've almost died before homework was due.
It's crazy how I'm not even surprised anymore.
"What were they like?" I asked.
"They looked similar to Earth… animals but different. Some stood on two legs. And… used something called magic as well."
She has no idea how LESS that narrows it down.
"No I mean. That's fine but. Any names or special traits or titles they use?"
"Uh. Well, they were... I don't know. We didn't have time to study them. But. I can share something else"
I, don't wanna listen. Being honest. But I can't stop her midway, no?
"The inhabitants weren't all attacking us. In fact, we helped some as they were escaping from the attackers themselves.They said something about... The swordsmaster Nobita-niyan failing to stop them. That's why, I came to look for your help."
Wait.
What?
So they do know about me? Or maybe an alternate me—no, wait. Swordsmaster? Nobita-niyan? Wasn't that… a gadget? Weren't we just screwing around with causality again thanks to the time machine or phone booth?
I rubbed my face. This was above my paygrade.
"Riruru, I think you've got the wrong guy. Swordsmaster Nobita? That sounds like a hero from one of those storybooks, not me. I can't even cut paper straight."
I'm not lying. Did you see how i beat him? Pathetically. That's all you need to know.
"BUT!"
She's getting dangerously close now.
"No. Maybe you're right."
She looked down. Her hands were shaking. She was... Desperate.
"I. My personal are dying. I just thought maybe... Humans will help us. Like they did before."
She's looking at me hopefully.
"I see."
I get up, then pull out a map from my cupboard. And mark at a place.
"This is a police station. If you explain your condition and convince them they might help you."
I force a smile out, patting her shoulder.
"Best of luck!"
I nod. And go to my desk, starting to open my notebook.
I couldn't look back. But i knew she was shocked. I'm sorry. I know I'm cruel and coward. But doraemon isn't here anymore.
"Thanks."
She left, Her wings spread wide, catching the light as she turned away. It should've looked majestic. Instead, all I saw was how heavy they looked, dragging her down as she left me behind.
Wait, wings? Oh yeah. She had them, no? That happened.
"Nobita!"
Mom. I looked down the stairs.
"Yes, mom?"
I replied. I hope she didn't hear us.
"Is there someone else in your room?"
"No mom. I'm just listening to music."
"Music, cartoon, comics, books. That's why you never had any friends since childhood."
She turned back to her room. I returned to mine as well.
"Except I did. Hope you remembered them."
I've got exams coming up in a week time. I'm still behind in maths. And I-
"Sigh. I hate this"
Water glided down my forehead. I'm sweating. Too much. I hate this.
That's how it goes every time. Next thing I know, I'm in a war for people who might as well not exist for my life. Life's fine here. Good marks. No fights. Peace. Food. Entertainment. A family. Why should I endanger my life for something that's definitely out of my league?
"-sigh-"
Is that okay? She helped us.
"3:45 pm, huh?"
I guess I'll complete my homework then.
But then —
-THUMMMPPPP!-
Earthquake?
Kidding
I knew better. I've seen that kind of cover-up before. but my hands won't stop shaking.
Dreams again — Doraemon, Shizuka, Gian, Suneo, all in a battlefield, calling his name.
Except this time, I'm not moving. He's frozen. I'm frozen.
"Hm?"
A crow? Did it drop something on the window? I should check.
A folded note under the window. Not from Riruru — from someone else. Just a few words:
> "Swordsmaster. If you won't come, we'll make you."
Tch. My stomach sinks. They know I exist here.
I ransacked my closet.
Behind the old comic stacks and test papers, I've hidden some of Doraemon's "forgotten" gadgets — the ones Doraemon never properly reclaimed. Or left for me as a 'parting gift'. I wished i never had to use them anymore.
Whenever i do it makes me feel like doraemon failed.
But there's not much choice here, no?
"Found them!"
Small things: the Air Cannon, the Hopter, maybe even an old repell cloth that never worked right.
"I should go-"
Shit. I'm shaking.
I'm hesitating. I know what it'll lead to.
Holding them means I'm getting in a fight not meant for mw. . My first instinct is to put them back, pretend none of this is real.
But I can't do that, right?
"…Damn it."
I pocket the gadgets, pull on a jacket, and mutters to the pathetic shaking loser:
> "If I can't fight… maybe I can at least find out what the hell's going on."
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Hey there everyone! Author here. Didn't expect chapter 1 to get as many views as it did. It's my first story so i might be clumsy around the bits but i hope you, if you like or want to, can point them out. Keeps me motivated. I hope you enjoyed the chapter though!