Varron (A Work In Progress)

[Maverik]

Some of you will know about this, many of you will not. This is a pet project I've been working on for some time now (Yes yes... I know I've been extremely lax with it...) Before now, I've kept it within a small circle of friends, but now I figure, "What the hey? Maybe this'll give me some motivation to continue the damn thing!" So, I present to you all, that which I could not bring myself to post back on the old Xin board...

It's loosely formed around the event's that happened in Varron, including many characters from the board. Don't expect it to be 100% faithfull to yours if they appear, as it's my own thing, not an exact archive of the events. Also, please don't ask to be featured in it. If I need to use your character, they'll show up. Otherwise, my list is pretty cluttered as it is, and I can't make everyone look awsome.

The purpose of this is to get me off my lazy ass and finish the project, so those who read it, PLEASE leave comments, even if they are little more than a boot to the arse. The more people I see reading it, the more compelled I am to write it.

So without further adue, I present...

Varron

Prologue: New School Order

“Suck it up kid… You deserved it” a powerful voice commanded the rather small student. The freshman quivered, tensing his body as he curled tightly into the foetal position upon the cold classroom floor. Seemingly impervious to the display, the teacher towered over him with a look of disgust drawn on his cruel face. “When I tell you to stop talking in class… You better goddamn do as you’re told” He turned to the rest of the class. It was their first lesson of the year as high school students, and the poor kid had become an example to the rest of the class.

The days of suspensions and expulsions had ended. High school students had become so violent in the past few years that gangs literally ruled the establishments that they were enrolled in. And so, a new system was implemented to keep the students in check. No more student rights. No more second chances. The teachers would take up arms and fight back. Corporal punishment ruled.


Class end was singled by the loud ring of the old copper bells that were placed along the halls of every floor. People filed quietly from their classrooms, not stopping to talk to each other or take so much as a second look at the school itself. The freshmen had just been introduced to the way things worked… And the usual curiosity found in every new student no longer existed within these children. At least, not for now…


“Seems the sheep found the Shepard to be a cruel master” One senior said quietly to his friend. He was shorter than the average student of his age, standing only 5’7’’ tall. His friend was sitting comfortably, isolated on the other end of the phone line. “I wonder just how long it will take them to crack Masa?” He asked, although rhetorically.

“Things will heat up. Don’t you worry your little head” The disembodied male voice replied simply. “The usual people will start the usual trouble… And then we’ll be able to step in and salvage what’s left. Just like every year.” He said confidently.

“I suppose we should get things started then… I want to see how they react to ‘him’.” The small student grinned as he said this. Only the first day, and already Shamino Warhen had the year planned out. “No mistakes” He stated simply as he punched the disconnect button, not waiting for so much as a response.

Shamino Warhen… If only from the way he dressed, it was obvious that he was no normal student. Perhaps it was his top of the range cell phone. Or maybe it was the blood red suit with tie… Whatever the reason, he was obviously not another run of the mill kid. In truth, he was what the faculty referred to as a fighter. And a damn good one at that.


At the same time, an incident was taking place a few levels above… Two students wrestled across the ground in a very rag tag attempt at fighting each other. To the gathered onlookers, it seemed that the fight was a result from some petty argument gone wrong.

“You take that back!” One yelled trying to hit the student beneath him. However, the two of them were such an entangled mess of limbs that it was rather ineffective.

As a result of the small ‘would be’ brawl, a crowd had circled around the group, many students trying to get an eye in on the spectacle.

“What’s going on here?” An authoritive voice questioned through the masses that formed the circle. Suddenly, the group thinned greatly. Some, realizing that the fight was now over, left to look for something else to do. Others, left for the sound of a disgruntled teacher was the last thing they wanted to hear.

“M-Miss Feldman! We… He… I mean…” The student on top of the squabble tripped over his tong as he tried desperately to make sure that he was not left with a black eye and a bloody nose because of the infraction against the school rules.

Jennifer Feldman. Vice Principal, businesswoman and the object of most schoolboys daydreaming fantasies. Her gray tweed business suit was buttoned up the front, and seemed a size too small for her figure. Her bust threatened to break free from the tightly woven threads, and this only added to the image. Her skirt seemed to almost tie her legs together, and sat rather high on her thighs. Her blond hair was woven tightly into a bundle at the back of her head, with a single pin through it. Her thinly framed glasses and clipboard finished off the whole look with certain finesse.

“I can quite clearly see what has happened here young man. Now, you two get up to my office pronto, and thank the gods that it wasn’t Mr. Bankston who found you.” She told them with a stern gaze.

“Still playing the good guy eh Jennifer?” A male voice spoke with certain disrespect. Jennifer sighed and turned slowly to see who she already knew to be standing right there.

“Not in the mood Angel…” She said slightly irritated. He was someone that she had to deal with a lot during the last few years. Someone who made a point of making trouble of himself.

“Please Jennifer… Call me Dark like everyone else won’t you? Angel is dead” He said with a certain twisted smirk.

Dark was someone who stood out in a crowd. The first thing someone would notice about him was his leaf green hair, which he hid under his bowlers cap. Though it did a rather bad job of it. His clothing was a rather expensive looking business suit, with spit shined shoes and a tie to complete the ensemble. He even finished off the outfit with a well-carved cane. If not for the crazed look in his eyes, he might have been mistaken for a well-mannered upstanding member of society.

“I’ll call you by your street name, Angel, when you call me Miss. Feldman” She said with a twist in her lips. “Now if you’ll excuse me… I have some trouble makers to deal with.” She said as she turned on her expensive red high heel, walking up the stairs.

“Such a feisty woman you are Jennifer…” Dark said quietly under his breath. “But someone like you is just begging to be dominated… And sooner or later… It’s gonna happen…” He smirked a sickening smirk as he turned back to the crowds of students that were still bustling about the halls, talking, opening and closing lockers. A second loud ring resonated throughout the school building, signifying that the next class was to start…


Varron. A new school with no morals. Where the strong survived and the weak fell victim to the plans of others. Twelve stories of classrooms, three sections of building… And a whole lot of trouble.

But this would not be like every other year. This one would be different… The very next day, there was a new student scheduled to transfer into the school. Someone unlike the others. Someone who held no allegiances. Someone who would affect the lives of everyone they met. A new student… Known only by the name… Maverik.

[Maverik]

Chapter 1: They Call Me Maverik

Varron. It seemed so peaceful this early in the morning. Birds chirped happily to each other, the gentle breeze rustled the restless leaves of the trees. And the chatter of freshmen filled the courtyard. It seemed almost as if it was a nice place to be. Like someone had filled the usually foul air with freshener.

“It sickens me to think that these kids run free around the city after school hours…” A gruff voice spoke through a still burning cigar. “They should be locked away until they’re old enough to learn some freakin manners” He added, taking another drag on the tobacco. The gym teacher, Mr. Bankston was real unruly type. He was the kind of guy who had a tendency to believe that even the corporal punishment method was too lenient. Built like a tank, and a face like a pit bull, he rarely met complaints against his rulings.

“You can think what you want Frank… As long as you remember that your power ends at that gate” His companion for the morning was an odd match. Jennifer Feldman’s views on the new system could not have been farther from his if she tried to make them. She for one despised the violent solution. ‘Violence will only bring about more violence!’ she had protested at the board meeting before it was decided to implement the new system. But she was sadly in the minority with her beliefs.

“If I had my way, those kids’d be getting boots put up their asses every time they coughed the wrong way.” Frank said with a toothy grin.

“Then let us be thankful you don’t…” Jennifer countered, smudging his pride somewhat. It was times like these that she was glad to outrank most of the other staff on campus.

“Excuse me…” A new voice crept into the ears of the two staff members from behind. Not too deep, but obviously that of a senior student. And yet, it was an unfamiliar voice. Both teachers turned to face this student, being quite curious as to why they had not been informed of any transfer students.

The young man stood a clear six-foot nothing, and so he was just a bit taller than the stocky gym teacher. This was enough to cause a grimace to cross the stout man’s face. His hair was neatly tied back into a ponytail, which reached the base of his neck. But possibly the most notable feature of the young man was the pair of sunglasses that covered his eyes, shielding them from the sight of others.

“Yes? Are you lost?” Jennifer asked quickly, not giving her surly companion the chance to interject. She smiled kindly, trying to give an appropriate welcome to the new student.

“Ah… Yes it appears I am…” He responded slowly. “I’m afraid-” He began to try to explain his situation, when he was cut off.

“Then you’re not as stupid as you look! You should be afraid!” Frank tried to show that intimidation was the order of the day as far as he was concerned. “Now let’s just get something straight newbie! You are an unworthy speck who doesn’t deserve our time. In here, if you break the law, you deal with us. We ARE the law!” Seeming satisfied that he had set the rules straight, he quietened. But he left his unrelenting grin across his face.

“Well then Mr. Law… Would you mind pointing me in the direction of the sign in desk?” The new student asked in a rather sarcastic tone. Jennifer couldn’t help but cover her mouth to stifle the slight chuckled that this response had brought about.

Mr. Bankston grew red with anger. Not only had this ‘little punk’ just made a wise crack to him, but also it had made him seem weak before Miss. Feldman. An offence he was not about to let go unpunished…


Frank Bankston reacted quickly for a stocky man such as himself… He pulled his arm back, readying himself to throw an almighty punch, packing the power of a bull behind it. Jennifer’s eyes widened with worry as this happened. She knew he was about to flatten this new child on his back, and most likely keep him there for the rest of the day. But Frank moved too quick to be stopped… However, perhaps she wouldn’t have to even try…

The student bent backwards, arcing his spine with seemingly little effort, as the fist passed harmlessly over his chest. Both teachers’ faces came to show shock as the child avoided the assault as though it was second nature to him.

“Easy there big boy…” He said now raising his palms to show that he didn’t want to start a fight. This seemed only to infuriate Frank, as he pulled back for another devastating punch. But the new student simply twisted his body to the side and throwing his arms backwards, avoiding the attack and angering Frank further.

He thrust a hard jab forwards, which was parried with the grace of a dancer. The new student moved as though he were a gymnast going through his movements. Ducking the powerful haymaker that swung dangerously close to the top of his head it became obvious that the teacher was exhausting his energy supply with such wasteful movements.

“Quit dancing boy!” Frank yelled, infuriated that he had not yet managed to lay so much as a finger on this troublemaker. He tried to mix things up somewhat as he threw his leg around with a kick to his target’s thigh in an attempt to sweep the students legs from underneath him. But this attempt ended with about as much success as the previous attempts to inflict pain upon the child.

The student thrust himself into the air on somewhat of an angle, causing his thigh to travel along the same path as the boot, barely escaping the attack. He landed the next stage of his handspring with one hand, vaulting himself back into the air and coming to a stop in a crouched position as his knees absorbed the shock of the landing.

The student’s right hand lay dormant upon the hard soil on which he crouched. His head did not rise, but rather, he seemed to stare intently at the ground between his feet. “Give it up… There’s no way you can win this…” The figure warned.

Frank’s nostrils flared as the boy spoke. A crowd was beginning to form, onlookers gawking at the scene before them. A very bad situation for a teacher like Mr. Bankston. Half his power was driven from the fear he inspired in the hearts of all who had saw him coming… A fear that this… This ‘boy’ was single handedly destroying before his very eyes.

“Give up?!” He cried indignantly. “Mr. Bankston does not give in to the whims of a foolish child like you!” He once more assumed his position of power in an attempt to intimidate this problem into non-existence. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem that such tactics were as effective as they may have once been…

The student merely sighed, knowing that this was not an argument he could win… It was a matter of pride for this teacher. And as such, he was never going to allow his grip to lessen upon that which he believed he held.

Talk was cheep, and Frank was all out of change. He clamped his hands together, creating a sort of giant hammer, which he swung over his shoulder. He ran towards the defiant child, his arms prepared to strike down hard upon the crouched boy. Frank was going to teach him a lesson he would never forget… Or at least… That was the theory anyway. But alas… Things rarely go as we plan them…

As Frank charged towards the boy, he failed to notice the slight change he had made in his stance… He still stared intently at the ground… But his hand had now curled into a fist. A fist he intended to use.

The blows had not even been exchanged, but a voice spoke from the flock of students. “The new guy’s already won”. A familiar tone to any who had gone to the school for long enough. Shamino Warhen looked down the bridge of his nose, glancing at the spectacle over the rims of his red tinted shades.

It took only seconds. The big guy pounded his feet hard into the ground as he vaulted his arms off his shoulder, and swung them down at the slim student. But it was a pointless effort. The boy had already left the ground, as a track runner would the starting line. The sledgehammer attack overshot the boy as he fired like a bullet into the chest of Frank Bankston. The boy’s fist drove deeply into the stomach of the teacher, causing a gut wrenching exhale of air.

Frank’s hands unlocked and fell limply onto the back of the new student. He had been heavily winded, and gasped for air. The boy simply slid out from under the hunk of gym teacher, allowing Frank to grab his stomach and fall completely to the ground. There was an eerie silence among the surrounding group. It was the first time anyone had publicly fought a faculty member, and won…

“Humph…” Shamino scoffed quietly. He pushed the small circles that barely covered his eyes up the bridge of his nose as he surveyed the aftermath. “Frank is the first to fall… Times are changing” he quietly muttered to himself.

The boy simply stood there, looking over the quivering mass that had been the loud-mouthed hot head only moments ago. Brought to his knees by a single blow. A gentle hand laid itself upon the boy’s shoulder.

“That took a lot of guts… Taking on Frank like that…” The female voice half congratulated. Jennifer patted the shoulder gently as she turned to the masses that had gathered. “Everyone to class. Now.” She commanded. Although the students were hungry for more, they knew that crossing a teacher themselves would only spell trouble. And so, grudgingly they complied.

“Tell me… What’s your name?” She asked, now turning her attention back to the still nameless boy.

“They call me Maverik...” He said slowly, his eyes still fixed upon Frank’s struggling form. He looked almost sad for what had transpired. Regardless of how deserving the teacher may have been…

“Well then Maverik… You should go to the sign in room… They’ll give you a time table, and point you in the direction of your first class.” She said with a smile. “I’ll take Frank here to the infirmary.” She added, hoping to give him a little piece of mind.

[Maverik]

Chapter 2: Mysteries

To take on a teacher and win… This had been unheard of before that day. But now, the news had spread like fire through a gasoline factory. Everyone whispered of what had happened. To try and kill the plague where it was, the faculty had set a new rule, stating that talk of the incident was prohibited. But whispers continued to be heard through the corridors as the children gossiped about the event.

At the epicenter of all the rumors and whispered truths, stood the new student. Never had a transfer received such attention so soon after arrival. But then again… Never had a student beaten a teacher. It was not that it was an impossible feat. But those who were capable were laying in wait. Preparing for the right moment… Some waiting to take back the students rights. Some preparing to bring as much chaos as possible unto the school… The others? They just wanted to make sure they were there to minimize the damage.

“So you’re the kid who took care of Bankston?” A female voice echoed through the hall. So far, everyone had avoided speaking to Maverik. They were either too worried about his reaction, or preferred to see what he would do on his own. He didn’t respond however. He just continued to go about his business, intending to leave this girl to her own devices.

“Don’t ignore me!” The girl shouted angrily at Maverik. She marched up behind him and grabbed hold of his shoulder, yanking him around to get a better look at his face. “You’re new here… So I’ll give you a little slack… This time…” She told him with an impatient glare. “My name is Victoria Rose Alexander!” She proclaimed rather proudly. “And further more… I’m the school captain.” She added, once more glaring up at Maverik.

It was the irony of this fact that made Maverik finally take a more serious look at the self-proclaimed school captain. Her attire didn’t seem to fit her position, but it certainly suited her personality. Her cloths were tight fitting, and her hair was thrown about in a hazardous spiked fashion. Sitting on the bridge of her nose was a pair of red tinted thinly framed sunglasses. Maverik thought she looked like a ‘biker chick’, with her leather gloves, combat boots and net stockings. An imposing image to be sure.

“You look more like a punk than an authority figure…” He muttered, though directly at her. Victoria’s eyes narrowed at this. It was obvious that things were going to be rocky from the very start.

“Look here kid… In case you hadn’t noticed… This isn’t exactly the most pristine of schools…” She retorted, placing her hands firmly on her hips. “Being school captain more often than not requires the ability to kick a student’s ass to deal with them properly.” Perhaps what happened next was unavoidable… Perhaps not. But whatever the case…

“So I guess that means you’re here to ‘deal’ with me then?” Maverik asked, raising an eyebrow towards the aggressive Victoria.

“I’m beginning to think that may be the only way to deal with the situation…” And as soon as those words left her red lips, she struck out with a powerful round house. But all did not go according to plan. Maverik grabbed hold of that large and imposing boot upon impact, and in one fluid movement, he pivoted and swung her to the side, crashing her into the lockers that lined the halls.

“I don’t fight girls…” He said simply as he let go of the leg, and turned away. Victoria stood dazed and a little off balance, but finally regaining her focus, managed one final look at the back of the mysterious new student, his pony tail swinging as he turned the corner and disappeared down the stairs.

“Could have fooled me…” She muttered to herself, feeling the side of her head where it had hit the locker. Pushing herself off the steel objects, she kicked one of the lower cabinets, denting the door slightly.

“Now do you really think that’s the sort of mannerism you should be showing to the other students?” Jennifer’s voice flowed from the nearby empty classroom just to the side of Victoria.

“Everyone’s in class at the moment…” She said in a surly voice. “Not that they would pay attention to me anyway…” Her mutterings were mostly ignored by the teacher as Victoria slumped her back against the opposite wall, propping one leg up and staring aimlessly at the floor. Jennifer knew of the girl’s doubts about being able to make any kind of a difference, but she tended to act like those didn’t exist. It made it easier to convince Victoria of the same then.

“He’s a bit of a mystery isn’t he?” Jennifer said changing the focus of the conversation. “One minute he’s a quiet reclusive kid… The next he’s a dangerous fighting machine…” She crossed her arms over her chest and leant her shoulder into the doorframe.

“There’s been talk of a revolution… An uprising against the faculty… And he seems to be at the helm of the operation…” Victoria added, still not looking up.

“Did it look like he was the kind of person who would willingly start something like that to you?” Was the response she got. “I’d say he’s being used as a reason… Not a means.” Jennifer had a habit of projecting her opinions. And a worse habit of being right.

Victoria stood silent a few moments before finally responding… “Maybe you’re right… But I still don’t like it…” She pushed herself off the wall and approached Jennifer, finally looking her in the eyes. “I’m not going to let anything happen… And if dealing with this new student is what it takes to prevent an incident… Then that’s what I’ll do” She told the Jennifer with determination in her eyes.

“You’re just a 19 year old girl… You don’t need to place the weight of the world on your shoulders…” Jennifer tried to remind her.

“Sometimes the only way to get stronger is to do just that Jennifer…” She replied quietly. “It’s just something that we can’t change” The last words she spoke. No reply could be given to comfort her, and so all the kindly teacher could do was step aside, and watch the young girl start to walk away.

“The board wants you… So you should probably go see them as soon as you can…” She added finally. Vaguely hoping for a response. But none was given. Victoria simply left up the stairs, headed for that very place.


“How would you like your coffee sir?” Varron was a unique place. A small town that appeared like a large city. Both the hustle and bustle of a metropolis, but at the same time, it held the quaint little things like a coffee shop everyone knows, and the florist down the corner from the hospital.

“Sir?” The woman at the counter repeated, as her customer seemed a million miles away, thinking on matters beyond those of the small store in which he stood.

“Oh? Sorry… Black with 2 sugars…” The man who stood at this counter seemed both out of place, and completely at home at the same time. His long red hair hung free against the back of his polo shirt. The bags under his eyes indicated that he had been getting far below the sleep his body craved, and the coffee he ordered was proof that he had little intention of rectifying this issue any time soon.

As his beverage was served to him in a small styrofoam cup, he clipped a cover on top so as to keep it from spilling while he drove. “Thanks…” He muttered quietly as he dropped some change on the counter from his pocket that amounted to roughly the right price.

He left the building and slipped himself into his sports car. A blue Cadillac XLR convertible, custom made, and very expensive. He slid the cup into the center console of the vehicle, and turned the key.

Somehow, driving always helped him think. See the bigger picture. And most importantly… Helped him to concentrate on matters that needed attending to. Matters like the rumours of an uprising caused by the students.


32 hours earlier…
“Ever since a new transfer arrived… The talk has been escalating…” Shamino’s voice calmly spoke through the speaker of the red haired man’s cell phone. “Bankston didn’t stand a chance against him.” He added with equal calm.

“So what you’re saying is that you can’t handle this on your own?” The man asked his unseen friend.

“Chose your words carefully Shinato… Remember, you’re redemption hangs in the balance over your every move… I just thought I’d give you the chance to save that sorry excuse for a reputation you have… But if you don’t want that chance…” He paused intentionally, knowing that he had pulled all the right strings to get his puppets to dance.

“Just tell me where and when…” He replied, though with somewhat of a disgusted tone. Dealing with Shamino often left a bad taste in his mouth.

“Good boy… Soon enough, people will remember the great Kazuki Shinato for his defeat of the new student… And not for… Other things…” There was a click, and the phone disconnected.


Kazuki had been going through strategies and plans for the last 32 hours. He couldn’t afford to let anything go wrong. Not if he was going to have everyone forget his sorted past… But the trouble he was having, was that this new student… This, Maverik… His past seemed non-existent. It was like the sky had just opened up one day and spat him out…

“Damn it… People don’t just appear… He had to come from somewhere… Anywhere…” He thumped his steering wheel with the base of his palm. He wasn’t even driving anywhere specific. He was just driving… “I need somewhere secluded to think…” He noted as he looked on to see the sun diving deep into the horizon, casting the sky alight with reds and oranges, lining the mountains with a curious purple.

It’s a funny thing about someone who’s driving without a destination… They always find somewhere to stop. And this case was no exception. As Kazuki drove about aimlessly, he came up to a street he had never been down before. Nothing too special about that. But he felt drawn to this street. Like there was a reason he should go down it…

Kazuki was not one to resist subconscious urges… And so, he followed the almost magnetic pull, and drove down that street. Sure enough, he found reason to stay. A large neon light loomed over a small establishment, wedged between some office buildings. The sign was simple, yet effective. Two pool-cues crossed over each other on one side, and a bottle of beer on the other. In between these symbols read simply ‘Li’s’.

“That’ll do.” He said aloud with a smile. He opened the car door and closed it with a certain care, quite absentmindedly leaving the coffee in its holder. Kazuki had just found himself a far better drink, and he wasn’t about to take coffee instead.

As the door swung open, an inviting aroma of spirits, smoke and pool chalk filled his nostrils. “Hey! We haven’t seen a new face around here in quite some time” a female voice piped from behind the counter.

“Yeah. An this one’s a looker too” another girl said with a twist of her hair. Kazuki semi chuckled as the girls tried to bait him into spending all his cash on them. It was an old and well used bar tending trick.

“No need for the tried and true ladies... I already have every intention of emptying my wallet tonight.” He told them with a wave of his hand as he dropped himself upon the nearest stool. He pulled a $20 from his breast pocket and slid it across the table. “Whisky on the rocks…” He told the girl directly in front of him who was almost subconsciously pushing her chest toward him.

The hours passed, and the glasses piled up. Yet still he had no answers. He had run over every detail he could think of. Every last speck of information he had managed to dig up. But nothing was of any help.

“Caucasian… 18 years old… 6 foot tall…” He murmured to himself in his inebriated state. “Hometown unknown… Nationality unknown… Last known school…” He paused. “It’s a public school in Japan…”

If there was one thing he knew, it was just how easy it was to break into the Japanese public school systems. “Well now… With the way you hid your past… There’s got to be something worth digging up…” A smile crept across his reddened cheeks.

He threw down a $10 to tip the girls and dashed out the door. “With any luck… I won’t even have to damage Shamino’s goods…” He began to chuckle like a little kid at the prospect of finally freeing himself from his own past.

A dark cloud was beginning to loom over Varron. Plans were being set into motion, and tensions were running high… It was only a matter of time before something snapped…

[Maverik]

Confused? During my time without internet, I gave the chapter structure some tweaking and realised that I was breaking up the chapters somewhat early. The same story is still there in the above, it's just been condenced into larger chapters.

The first half of this chapter may seem familiar to anyone who's already read everything up till this point, but I assure you, the rest of it (which would have been chapter 5) is new.

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Chapter 3: A New Day

Screams… The absolute horror of a burning building becoming so much more real than ever thought. Flames licking the rafters, eroding away at the unsuspecting wood that held the house together. A mother cries out as her children lay just out of reach, their bedroom doorways blocked by debris.

An outstretched hand quivering at the entrance. Nothing he can do will save them now. A small child’s tears quench nothing… The rising smoke would soon attract the firefighters. There is nothing to do but run… Run, and run and run…


Maverik awoke suddenly in a cold sweat. That same nightmare had haunted him for the last 6 years… He had learned to cope with the burden it presented… But it never made those flames feel any less real.

He sat slowly in his bed. A cheap sleazy motel was what served as his home for now. He had nowhere else to stay, and the rent was nothing he couldn’t cope with. It was a horrible place… But it was a place to sleep, and that’s all he needed.

In the corner of the room slumped a large duffle bag. That was his true home. Everything he ever needed was in it. Cloths, money and his… Personal effects. He harbored a lot of secrets, and many were contained within that simple looking sack.

He slid slowly out of bed, leaving it in its current sorry state, and quietly took a shower. The heavy drumming of the water as it pelted his skin could not however, drown out the lingering sound of those screams. He just knew it was going to be one of those days.

After getting dressed and leaving the establishment behind him, he knew he had a few hours to kill before school started. It was only just breaching on 6 am, and the sun was only now beginning to poke its bright face over the distant mountains. There was never much open at such a time, and so it seemed walking about aimlessly was once more on his very short to-do list.

Maverik was wanderer by nature. He was rarely able to stay in one place for long. He liked to believe that he was doing so because he wished to be alone. To be left to his own world. Or perhaps it was because he never felt that he had reached his destination. But whatever the reason, his feet swept him at the whim of the wind. And as always happens when one searches for nothing, he found exactly what he had intended to avoid…


Victoria had not been sleeping to well since she had met that new student. Something about him didn’t feel right. Something was different about him, aside from the obvious fact that not many students had ever directly fought a teacher. And beside that, the student body had become restless as a result… They no longer followed all rulings without question… And perhaps more importantly, the key figures in that faceless mass were beginning to move. It was a dangerous chess game, and it seemed all the pieces were in place for it to begin. “All they needed was a catalyst… A key event to trigger everything…” She murmured to herself as she slowly advanced from her apartment towards that very school.

A chance meeting was an inevitability now. Not because they both moved towards the same destination… But because the paths they had laid out before themselves ran parallel. One seeking to bring order to the population… The other, seeking to destroy it. Two different solutions to one undeniable problem. Who was right? A question that would most likely be lost to the ages. No, the more appropriate question would be… Who would succeed?


Footsteps. The tell tale sign of another beside oneself. Each saw the other not so far off as they arrived at the end of the long block they had both walked. Neither wanted to speak, though they knew that the silence was worse.

“An early starter huh?” Victoria spoke as they stood on the curb, awaiting the green man’s entrance upon the traffic light.

“There is a very fine line between an early start, and a late ending…” Maverik replied somewhat cryptically. It was this sort of thing that irritated the young lady profusely, but for the moment, she managed to bite her tongue.

“You’re a reckless liability… Your actions not only endanger yourself… But the entire student body” She told him rather bluntly. The light did not change despite the lack of any vehicles passing the intersection. There was little to do in a secluded town so early in the morning, and so most of the population slept.

“If I am attacked, I will retaliate. A simple philosophy. But one that has kept me alive thus far.” He countered casually. “Whether my self preservation results in problems for you and your kin is of no concern to me…” He added, waving her off as the light finally signaled that it was safe to cross.

“Why you…” She started to storm after the darkly clad adolescent. “You impudent little shit!” She gruffly grabbed the back of Maverik’s collar and jerked back the 180-pound student. In his dismissal of her, she had totally caught him off guard, tearing him to the ground. “You don’t care what happens to us?! You’re just some transfer student who could care less about where he ends up?!” She loomed over him with a deathly glare in her eyes.

“Yea, I’m just some transfer student. But if a transfer student such as myself can so easily break apart your happy little fantasy, then I have to wonder what was holding it together in the first place” He said curtly, ignoring the now red signal only moving to prop himself up on his elbows.

Victoria’s eyes flared, and she swung her leg up high. Maverik made no move to stop the deadly axe kick until the very last second, when his arms finally shot up and crossed over each other, catching the blow with what seemed to be very little effort.

“Face it. The winds of change are blowing, and you’re the only one still pathetically holding onto the paper pile of the past.” He told her through serious eyes, then throwing her leg to the side, sending her spinning towards the ground. He stood up and dusted himself off, catching the girl’s rise out of the corner of his eye.

Like lightning, Maverik’s palm struck out at Victoria, as she had attempted to charge him. However, his hand stopped just short of her throat. Victoria froze, stunned by the speedy movement. “I told you before… I don’t fight girls…” He said blandly as he withdrew his hand and walked away.

“That… That insolent brat!” Victoria cursed under her breath moments later, just now regaining her senses.


Meanwhile… There was movement on the school roof… A male figure that punched and kicked at the air about himself, exhorting grunts and the occasional empowering shout, making his movements larger and more powerful with each blow to the invisible opponents that surrounded him. A spinning back kick and a roundhouse later, the figure saw someone approach the school. “Maverik…” The smooth voice breathed, a sly smirk crossing his lips.

Below, that very transfer student approached the large building. Seeing that the lock for the door had long since been destroyed, he gave the double doors a gentle push, letting them swing open with loud obnoxious creaking. Ignoring the sound, Maverik entered the halls nonchalantly. It wasn’t like anyone would try and give him trouble for arriving at school too early. In fact, as he predicted, there were some students already dotted sparsely around the building. Mostly the book worm types, getting in some studying away from the hectic morning routines of their families.

Maverik ignored these students mostly, as they seemed too afraid to actually talk to him. He didn’t exactly know where he was headed, but he figured that if he walked about for long enough, he was likely to become more familiar with the school itself. And so he slowly walked the near empty halls, turning a def ear to the whispers he could hear muttered about him as he passed small groups.

Before long, the sound of leather shoes began to click behind him, the soles tapping loudly against the tiled floors. “So, you’re the infamous Maverik then?” A smooth and arrogant voice called out from the other end of the hallway. Maverik stopped, but did not turn or react to the words. “I’ll tell you what I see… I see a worthless transfer student who got lucky in one fight…” The snide remark was enough to cause the student to his head and glance back at his confronter. “So now that you got this big bad rep… What are ya gonna do with it hmm?” He continued to probe, hoping for a reaction.

“I’m not gonna do anything.” Maverik replied coolly. “I’m gonna sit down, shut up and do my work like we’re supposed to…” He added, casually sizing up the student. “If you have issues with that philosophy, go take it up with your own ego, cus mine isn’t gonna bite back like your begging.” He scoffed slightly as he turned his head to round the corner he had been approaching.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” The man yelled as he ran up towards Maverik, sliding out in front of him. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?” The man’s red hair was unkempt and his fringe gave him a somewhat crazed look. One that belonged to Kazuki, the last student to cause any real mayhem before Maverik’s arrival. “I thought that we might be able to have some fun… School won’t start for a few hours yet…” His eyes gleamed in the overhead lights. “Let’s play ‘who gets to take the day off’. If I play just right, it’s gonna be you. After all, they make allowances for morons who go and get their legs broken!”

As his words ended, he suddenly shot out a very powerful kick, colliding painfully with Maverik’s leg, forcing him to bend over and shield the burse from further injury. However, as he bent over, Kazuki firmly grabbed the sides of his head and crushed the bridge of Maverik’s nose with a sharp knee strike. He tried to yelp in pain, but all that emerged was a gargle as the blood rushed like a torrent down the back of his throat. His eyes blurred and his face was covered with blood. Quickly forgetting the pain in his shin, he firmly placed his hands over his nose and fell backwards. “Feh. That’s it? You didn’t even try and block that!” Kazuki shouted as he delivered a swift kick to Maverik’s stomach.

He doubled over again, one arm coming across his stomach, feeling as though he had just been shot. Kazuki shook his head pitifully. “Man… Anyone coulda taken out that out of shape sports star wannabe. You just had to be the smart ass who actually tried.” He was so disgusted with such an easy win, he spat on Maverik’s kneeled posture.

“Fuck… You…” Maverik managed to squeeze out between gulps of air and blood. A grin appeared across Kazuki’s lips. This was what he wanted to hear. It meant that his opponent hadn’t just given up… There was still a bit of fight in him.

Kazuki leaned in, cupping his ear. “I’m sorry… What was tha-” He tried to say, but unfortunately for him, Maverik had managed to lever himself into a more spring like crouch. As Kazuki tried to taunt him more, he launched, shoulder tackling the red head and throwing him backwards into the ground. An “Oof!” escaped past his lips as the air was slammed right out of his chest.

“I said… Fuck you…” Maverik repeated, now beginning to recompose himself. Kazuki staggered back to his feet, a smirk crossing his lips.

“Now that’s more like it…” He quipped, wiping the saliva from his lips. Kazuki stood, his face a reflection of what he was feeling, enjoyment. He charged towards Maverik, balling his fist close to his chest, and in an effort to deliver an uppercut to his opponent’s rib cage, he sent the fist upwards in a directed assault on Maverik’s ribs.

Maverik was slowed by his injuries, but not so much that he was unable to catch the fist in a downward thrust of his open palm. The sound of their hands slamming together was a loud crack of flesh and bone, causing both arms to feel the brunt of their own attacks. Maverik followed through with the downward thrust by bringing his left arm down hard against Kazuki’s forehead, jolting his brain and giving him an almost instant migraine.

Kazuki stumbled back in a slight daze, and felt the bottom of Maverik’s shoe drive into his chest as Maverik threw out a side kick, sending him back a few feet through the air before crashing into the ground, and for the second time, felt the air gush out of his lungs.

“What the hell is your problem?” Maverik asked, now feeling fatigue take over in the face of his rather extreme injuries. “All I did was defend myself against a teacher who was abusing his powers” He said justifying his actions.

“Hehe… You just don’t get it do you newbie…” Kazuki chuckled. Planting his arms against the ground, he heaved himself up into a sitting position. “When you fought that dumb ass… You didn’t just beat a teacher… You proved that their authority was challengeable… You showed everyone who’s been abused for so long that it is possible to fight back… And more importantly…” He took a deep breath and looked towards the ceiling.

“More importantly? That seemed pretty damn important…” Maverik coaxed, now curious as to what the other student might have to say.

“More importantly… You gave the people who already knew all that an army…” Kazuki said with an exhausted grin. His head throbbed and his chest ached, but he was happy. It was a sensation he hadn’t felt in a long time…

“So my actions have caused some kind of revolution for you guys?” Maverik asked in almost disbelief. “What stopped these ‘others’ from fighting back sooner?” He asked, figuring that if he could open the masses eyes, so could anyone else.

“Because… Everyone knows how heavy they are… The teachers won’t touch them… It would just be a random beating, not a defiance of power.” Kazuki said with a knowing wink. He then slowly turned to his side and used his arms to leaver himself to his feet. Slowly, he approached Maverik, one hand gently cradling his aching skull.

“So where do I fit into all of this? Am I some martyr? Or have I simply painted a bulls-eye on myself for punks like you to take pot shots at?” He asked, now straightening himself up.

“You? You’re just the hot new thing in town. The buzz will die down eventually. Me? I’ve got my reasons for attacking you. None of ‘em are personal and none of ‘em concern you.” He said simply. “I will tell you this though… Keep your ears peeled. Some of those heavier guys I mentioned will probably be lookin to topple you from your throne a little early. Just so’s you know.”

He turned to leave, but was stopped momentarily. “Wait… You’re a heck of a fighter… What’s your name?” He asked, rubbing his still broken nose gently.

“Names Kazuki. And you ain’t too bad yourself” He returned with a somewhat cheesy grin before turning back to the hallway and slowly disappearing.

“I’ll remember that name…” Maverik said with a small grin. Then, with a gentle arm placed around his stomach, he set off in search of the nurse’s office.

[Kazuki Akimoto]

Me like. Me like much. Though I see you're using the original version of Kazuki for the story, from back in the day...Man, it's like looking in a mirror..... ^^

Enjoying, man. That's for sure.