CH. 29 - And the Missions Begin!

The next day in class, they all sit and wait as Teach, Nazuna and Nobody stand before them with excited, proud looks.

Nobody "I hope you all rested well because it's time we take you to the next level."

The class begins to get excited themselves as Killian looks confused.

Killian "What's the special occasion?"

Phoenix "You dork, it's about our evaluation."

Killian "Ohh got it, right."

He nods as Phoenix smiles and shakes her head.

Nobody "Exactly. Today you receive your classifications and ranks."

Teach "With all your performances yesterday, even against the corrupted androids, you've done way more than earn it."

Nazuna "Before we get into all that, why don't I explain a little of what happens next-"

Wolf "Wait, Nazuna?"

She looks at her surprised as Wolf has a serious look on her face.

Wolf "About the other person who came to the academy yesterday. After we were released from the infirmary."

The class begins to whisper amongst themselves, remembering what happened. Wolf squints her eyes a bit almost as if demanding an answer.

Wolf "Who was that?"

Teach's eyes sharpen a bit as he looks over as Nobody who just lightly nods in response. Nazuna sweats a little as she smiles awkwardly.

Nazuna "Well… we're not entirely sure…"

Wolf's gaze softens a bit, disappointed by her answer.

Nazuna "But from what we gathered, the two situations yesterday had nothing to do with one another. I promise, we are doing all we can to make sure you all are safe and sound-"

Nobody "Not that you're supposed to be."

Nauzna looks at him surprised as he steps forward. 

Nobody "You came here to become strong, right? Don't let some random attackers strike fear in your souls."

The class stares for a moment before smirking and snickering. Alston throws her arms back behind her head.

Alston "Not that I was afraid to begin with."

Killian "I was only wondering who it was that broke the law and attacked innocent students."

Tadashi smirks and pushes up his glasses as Yoko gets an excited look.

Yoko "Yeah! No fear in sight, only vengeance!"

They slam their fist in their hand. Teach sighs a light sigh of relief as Nobody gets a prideful look.

Nobody "Good. That's what I wanted to hear. Now, shall we continue?"

Wolf slides down in her chair a bit with a frustrated look on her face.

Wolf "I just wanna know who's ass I'm gonna kick…"

She says under her breath as Phoenix watches her from the side of her eye before smiling a soft smile and focusing on the teachers.

Nazuna "After you receive your ranks from Nobody, you will be given a chance to design a combat outfit of your choice."

Teach "Don't hold back, we've got all the resources you could possibly need."

Nazuna "Right. Then, we will decide your partners based on the ranks you receive and assign you an easy mission as a means to integrate you into the ASA's system as full fledged agents of the academy. And finally, later, we will get you all set up with your final dorm living arrangements with your new partners. No more community living!"

The class gets excited.

Dante "I kinda liked the community living."

Wolf "Yeah, me too. Felt homey."

Nobody "Now, let's get started."

He says with an intensely excited look. It fades to black as they prepare themselves.

Nazuna "Now remember, your ranks are decided based on your performance. You will all start as Tier 1's among the agents here. Hunters are the more sharp witted, focused partner while Vanguard are the strength of the partnership. Together you will be an unstoppable pair!"

Nobody "To begin…"

Yoko begins to strap on tall platform combat boots that go up to their knees. Long baggy shorts with cloth chains hanging off the sides. A cropped black muscle tank top and black fingerless arm sleeves going up to their elbows. 

Nobody "Vanguard Yoko Tatsuo and your partner…"

Moshiro slides on her black and grey monk gi before strapping on her large red boots. She then wraps a long black striped grey scarf around her neck, taking a moment to press it gently against her mouth.

Nobody "Hunter Moshiro Ken. You two will be sent out to retrieve a relic from a shrine out in the deserts of District 6. The staff used to once be used to provide prosperous gains from farms but one day became dangerous and caused an overgrowth of plant life. It was sealed away in the shrine as a means of minimizing damage but now it seems to be activating once again. Get it and bring it back to us."

He says as it fades to a bright, hot day in the desert where Moshiro walks and Yoko hovers next to her, panting and sweating.

Yoko "Blegnh… Why does it have to be so hot?.."

They groan as Moshiro keeps her composure. They walk a bit until they enter a small canyon.

Yoko "Do you think it'll be cooler in the shrine?"

Moshiro hums a bit in response but keeps her eyes focused ahead. Yoko then brightens up quickly and looks at her excitedly.

Yoko "Ooh, do you think they'll be traps and stuff?? That would be so cool!"

Moshiro squints in silence before stopping and looking at the wall of the canyon, Yoko hovering past them as they continue forward.

Yoko "Hey, why'd you stop?"

They then bolt back to her with an excited look, noticing the large spiky vines growing out of the wall.

Yoko "Woah! You think that's the entrance?"

They ask excitedly while Moshiro shoves her hand into the ground with a huff before pulling out a stone the size of her and placing it in front of the vines. 

Moshiro "Shh…"

She shushes Yoko with a very slightly annoyed attitude before gently placing her hand on the stone. She then snaps her wrist and sends the stone hurtling through the vines revealing a path through the wall. Yoko peaks their head through the tunnel.

Yoko "Cool."

Moshiro smirks just a bit as they begin to walk through but suddenly, the vines begin to quickly reform behind them.

Moshiro "Run!"

She shouts as the vines shoot out from all angles, closing the tunnel they rush through. 

Yoko "Hold on!"

They shout before grabbing Moshiro and flying out of the tunnel at high speed, it closing up behind them. They both tumble over a bit but Moshiro manages to land on her feet while Yoko slams face first into the ground.

Yoko "Oof! Ugh…"

They groan as Moshiro stands and looks around.

Moshiro "You're pretty quick when you fly, huh?"

Yoko lifts their head off the ground with a proud smile, covered in dirt.

Yoko "I'm glad you noticed! I'm pretty proud of it!"

Moshiro smirks a bit before stepping forward, Yoko dusting themself off.

Yoko "Why'd we get sent to the worst place? It's all dirty and hot, a guy like me isn't built for this kind of terrain."

Moshiro "I thought dragons were supposed to be tough."

Yoko gets offended.

Yoko "We are! And I'm the toughest one there is! I think.. Anyway, don't you look down on me, lowly human!"

They pout while stomping over behind Moshiro. She stops before a large fountain where a tall staff with a glowing crystal at the tip sits. 

Moshiro "That's it. Just like Professor Nobody said."

Yoko "True. He did say that."

Moshiro steps into the shallow water of the fountain as Yoko looks into the fountain with a conflicted and worried look. Moshiro turns around and looks at them with a confused look.

Moshiro "What's wrong?"

Yoko "Um… I don't think I can handle getting my feet wet while also being dirty while also sweating from all the heat.."

They say with a little look as Moshiro droops a bit.

Moshiro 'So much for toughest there is…'

She thinks before turning back towards the staff and marching to it.

Moshiro "Just stay there then. I got it."

Yoko "Hehe okay, human!"

They wave as Moshiro sighs. She then reaches up at the staff and hesitates for a moment.

Moshiro 'This is too easy… Shouldn't something like this be more heavily guarded?'

She thinks before grabbing the staff and pulling it out with ease. She looks around but nothing happens as she grasps the staff with both her hands and looks at it.

Moshiro 'To be fair, Nobody did say this was a retrieval mission. Maybe there wasn't supposed to be a fight?'

She thinks before turning around to head towards Yoko. Yoko looks around admiring the area around them and the shrine they are inside before stopping at one of the 3 pillars holding up the stone ring above the shrine. They cock their head to the side and examine it with a confused look.

Yoko "Was that pillar always there?"

Moshiro stops and looks in the same direction before realizing one of the pillars is no longer in the same position it once was. Her eyes widen as the ground begins to rumble. Yoko gets a shocked look while keeping balance.

Yoko "Woah! What the Hell??"

The pillars then start to crumble away as large stone golems, double the size of either of them, begin to emerge, each one holding a shield and club. 

Yoko "That doesn't look good. And they're not even real! Just fake like those androids, no fun!"

Moshiro "Yoko! Take the staff!"

She shouts before throwing the staff at them. They turn quickly before jumping up and catching it in their arms. 

Yoko "This is the thing they want, huh? Well then…"

They then wrap their tail around it and crouch down, ready for a fight.

Yoko "Come and try to take it from me!"

The three golems begin stomping towards them as Moshiro rushes out of the water. 

Moshiro "Yoko, run! We don't need to fight, we just need the staff!"

Yoko looks at her disappointed.

Yoko "Whaaat? That's even less fun. Uh oh-"

She then tackles Yoko over, narrowly avoiding an incoming club smash. Yoko smooshes on the ground as Moshiro looks back with a stressed look on her face. 

Moshiro 'I've gotta buy time to let Yoko fly out of here! But can I do it?..'

She thinks swiftly before charging forward at one of the golems. 

Moshiro "I've gotta try..!"

She jumps up and pulls her arm back as white serpent scales form on her arm as if a tattoo appears. They glow a bit as she speaks.

Moshiro "White Hollow… Bellow!"

She shouts as she slams her palm against the shield of the golem and upon impact, a deep vibration rumbles throughout, shattering the stone shield to pieces. Moshiro's eyes widen as they shine a bit with pride.

Moshiro "I did it!.."

She's then immediately snapped out of it as the golem swings its club down at her, smacking her out of the air and following through to the ground.

Yoko "Ah Moshi-"

They shout but immediately stop when the dust begins to clear and they see Moshiro pushing back against the club, struggling and bleeding a bit but not giving up.

Moshiro "Get… the staff… outta here!"

She shouts as Yoko nods, quickly understanding. They then look up with a surprised look as the two other golems slam their clubs down at them. Yoko dashes into the air with their wings spread out wide.

Yoko "Two against one? That's not very nice!"

They say with a toothy smile. They then swiftly and cockily dodge swing after swing from the two golems.

Yoko "That crap's way too slow! You'll never catch me like that- oh."

They look over and see both golems charging them with their shields raised preparing to bash them. They slam their shields together, smashing Yoko between them causing the staff to go flying into the air from their tail. Moshiro looks up surprised before grunting and shoving the club off of her. She quickly gets to her feet and runs over before diving to catch the staff just above the ground. She then dashes off away from the golems. 

Moshiro 'That was close! Nobody said to never let the staff touch the ground, otherwise it'd start sprouting overgrowth everywhere!'

She thinks before the same golem slams its club down in front of her, cutting her off. Between the other two, Yoko shouts out as they shove the shields back away from them. 

Yoko "Trying to smoosh me like I'm some kind of bug?!"

They shout before transforming their arm into their large clawed beast arm.

Yoko "I'm no bug, I'm a dragon!"

They shout before slashing at the golem. It puts its shield up but Yoko simply cuts through the shield and the golem's entire body like a knife through butter. The golem falls to pieces as the second swings its club down at Yoko but they quickly dodge and slash its arm off. As the club falls down, Yoko grabs it and pulls it back.

Yoko "You've gotta learn to share!"

They shout before slamming the large club down at the golem, smashing it to pieces. Moshiro dashes to her feet with one hand on the staff and the other pulled back with the white markings appearing again.

Moshiro "Yoko!"

She calls as she prepares for another attack.

Moshiro "Hollow White Bellow!"

She shouts, slamming her palm into the golems thick leg, crumbling it to pieces causing it to fall to one knee. Yoko quickly follows up with her command and swings the club back.

Yoko "Heads up!"

They shout one last time before slamming the club upon the golem's head, crushing it and the club entirely leaving nothing but a large pile of stone. Moshiro pants for a moment before relaxing her body realizing all the golems are dealt with. Yoko flies down next to her with a smile on their face.

Yoko "Well, that was more exciting than I expected."

Moshiro "Sloppy at best."

She says, looking at the staff in her hands. Yoko looks a little unsure of what to say before getting an idea.

Yoko "No way! For a human, smashing stone is quite impressive. I know plenty of humans who can't even do that."

Moshiro "No you don't."

She says while walking away. Yoko looks upset before getting another idea.

Yoko "Oh, I know! Why don't I fly us back? That way you don't have to walk!"

Moshiro stiffens up and looks a bit scared.

Moshiro "No… I think I'd rather walk…"

Yoko "Nope! C'mon, it'll be fun! Let's go!"

They snap their wings out wide before wrapping their arms around Moshiro's waist with a tight grip. Moshiro looks shocked and anxious.

Moshiro "Yoko, wait! I… I'm afraid-"

Yoko then dashes high into the sky with intense speeds, giggling while Moshiro screams.

Moshiro "OF HEIGHTS!!"

She screams as they fly off into the sky.

Eventually, they make it back to the ASA and into the South Range, Southpaw's mighty valley office. Moshiro is bent over, leaning on her knees as she catches her breath by one of the arches before the forest. 

Yoko "Scared of heights, huh? You really should've told me that before I took you flying."

Moshiro "I tried but you were ignoring me!"

She shouts while aggressively shoving the staff into Yoko's hands before sighing and marching forward.

Moshiro "Whatever. Let's just turn this stupid thing in."

They both approach Southpaw's desk as he stands next to it on the stone platform.

Southpaw "Back so soon, are we? I knew you two would be perfect for the mission!"

Yoko "Yep. Ah, you can always count on a dragon to save the day."

They say with a proud and smug smile, holding the staff tightly.

Moshiro "We did our best."

Southpaw "You did great! The staff is in perfect condition. It'll be much safer here at the academy than out there where anyone could get it. Thank you-"

He says while reaching for the staff but before he can grab hold, Yoko let's it go too soon, dropping it on the ground. All their eyes widen as the staff completely snaps in half on impact, the magic fizzling out. They stand there stunned for a moment before Yoko and Moshiro scream.

Yoko/Moshiro "WE TOTALLY BROKE THE STAFF!!" 

Southpaw sighs while rubbing the back of his head.

Southpaw "Well, that's unfortunate. Oh well, no use in crying over spilled tea as they say."

Yoko looks up at him confused.

Yoko "Whose tea did you spill?"

Southpaw continues, ignoring their question.

Southpaw "The important thing is the staff can't be used for trouble anymore and you made it back safely. I hope the Shrine Guardians of Palhorn didn't give you too much trouble."

Moshiro "No trouble."

She says nervously, a bit unsure how to feel due to Southpaw's quick shift in attention.

Yoko "Yeah, none at all!"

Southpaw "I'm glad. Getting the staff out without damaging them too much can be a tricky task. They are a monument to the shrine's magnificence and a big part of its culture after all."

Suddenly, Yoko and Moshiro's faces drop at his words. They jump back and whisper amongst themselves.

Yoko "Oh crap..! What do we do.??"

Moshiro "Nobody didn't tell us about that..!"

She thinks back to the mission assignment.

Nobody "Now get in there and retrieve that staff!"

Moshiro "Understood."

Moshiro and Yoko walk away from the class as Nobody sits at his desk. Once they leave, Nobody gets a wide look.

Nobody "Wait, there was… What was it? Ah, nevermind, it must not have been that important then."

He says nonchalantly. 

Moshiro "Damn him…"

Yoko "What should we do..?"

Moshiro "Tell the truth I guess… We gotta own up to it…"

Yoko "Good idea… He probably won't care just like the staff…"

Moshiro nods. They stand up and face Southpaw who looks a little confused. They both take a breath in but before Moshiro can speak, Yoko speaks first.

Yoko "It was all her idea. She said destroy them."

They point at her as she looks shocked.

Moshiro "No I didn't! And you destroyed most of them!"

Southpaw then smacks Moshiro on the head with an angry look, leaving her on the ground with a bump on her head. 

Yoko "Haha! That's what you get!"

He then smacks Yoko twice leaving them unconscious and face first on the ground mumbling nothings.

Southpaw "That's what you get for destroying them and lying about it."

He says while tapping his ear at them. He sighs and shakes his head.

Southpaw "Unfortunately, with both the staff and shrine destroyed, you leave me no choice but to fail you two."

He says as they both get up quickly.

Yoko/Moshiro "Whaaat??"

Moshiro "No, I can't fail my first mission!"

Yoko "I am a great dragon and you're just a human! Who are you to say I failed anything!"

They shout as Southpaw gives them a stern look.

Southpaw "Go on back to your dorm room and get cleaned up. Your professor will discuss the mission with you."

He commands as they both get disappointed looks. Down the hall, Yoko floats along as Moshiro walks.

Yoko "Owie… he really hurts huh?"

They say rubbing their head.

Moshiro "Don't talk to me."

Yoko "What?? Why not??"

They trail off as they exit the South Range.