MDSVeritas

Here's the link to my "Own Story" submission: http://kh13.com/forum/topic/69039-sakura-writing-contest-submission/

This is my submission to the writing contest you can find here: http://kh13.com/forum/topic/68716-1st-kh13-talent-contest-todays-category-writing/ So without further ado, Sakura “So then what?” He asked. “Well... I told him he could go screw himself.” She responded. They both laughed at that one. She smiled. He smirked. He always smirked, it fit him; it was playful and coy and she loved those traits about him. She leaned back against the tree she sat in front of, but he kept his posture; leaned forward and intrigued. “Well that couldn't have gone over well.” He stated expectantly. “Well... it went better than expected honestly. He didn't say a word, and just walked away.” She couldn't help but smile as she relayed the memory. “Wait, he didn't say anything at all?” His smirk became a wide-mouthed grin for a second. She glimpsed at how perfect his teeth were. There wasn't any reason to make them look bad in any case. “Not a peep! I know, right? It was great, his lackeys followed him out with their little droopy heads too. Beautiful really.” She picked up one of the pink blossoms that had fallen on the ground. The ground around the whole orchard was now pink. The cherry blossom trees were still slightly covered, though; it was still early fall. It was always early fall here. “Not too shabby.” His smirk returned as he rubbed his hands together in the slightly-chilly weather. He didn't seem too cold, though. His short brown hair danced a bit in the breeze. “I don't know why that jerk ever thought you'd go out with him, I mean, geez, after that whole stunt at the float parade it was obvious you weren't interested.” He picked up a blossom and blew it towards her. “After all, you've got me!” The blossom didn't reach her. They sat against two trees not seven feet apart, but it sank to the ground before it had gone two. He clearly meant it to be a light and funny comment, but it made her sad. She looked down at the pink ground, and tried to smile. “I don't think you really count, and I guess we talked about... I think...we should probably get serious for a second.” The wind was blowing, but her long auburn hair didn't move much at all. “No.” There was that smirk again. Playful, humorous, and defiant to the end. “Nope, not even a chance. I don't want you to remember me all serious. If we're doing this, we're doing it with a smile, 'kay?” Her throat felt tied up. How could he still be like that, even now? He always impressed her with how he could stay upbeat, and the moment she realized that he impressed her was the moment she felt even more mute. She raised the corners of her mouth into a struggled smile and looked up and nodded. “Good!” He made an “L” shape with the index finger and thumb of both his hands and put them together to make a rectangle, then he looked through it with one of his green eyes like he was looking through a camera. “Ah perfect. Just hold that... okay, good, good- Ah! Hold it! C'mon, I know you can hold a smile! Remember when you got accepted to NYU a few weeks back? You were smiling the whole time that day, I want that smile, c'mon; c'mon, c'mon, c'mon!” He moved his hands around like he might move a camera and made weird clicking noises which may or may not have been attempts at a camera shutter sound. A more natural smile grew on her face without her even noticing. His childlike impatience; his weird antics he must have picked up from the thousands of movies and books he'd had access too; his undying smirk- these got her everytime. He lowered his hands, and his smirk softened. “You look beautiful today.” She blushed. “Well you're as dapper as ever yourself.” He snatched another cherry blossom from the ground. “Oh, don't worry, I'm well aware of that fact.” He held the blossom as high as his could. If he had chosen to appear as an adult he may have had longer arms and been able to lift it higher, but instead he had chosen to be a teenager, and he only held the blossom a bit above his face. “You and me, we're like this cherry blossom. Sakura, the Japanese call it.” He was always showing off how worldly he was. “A small part of the world, sure, but every time I look at it I think it may be one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. It's too bad they have to fall at some point, but at least they're as beautiful as they are while they're here.” He lowered the cherry blossom and looked up at her with his soft, smirk-ish smile. “I'll miss this. The stories, the sakura... I'll miss you.” The knot in her throat returned and she could do nothing but nod sadly. Two hundred and forty-four days since they'd met, and every day or so they'd meet here. This was the two hundred and forty fifth, and it was the last. She'd been hesitant the first few times her father had allowed her to come here, given the nature of what he was, but it hadn't taken long until she was waiting until after school every day to come here and see him and tell him about her day and laugh and joke around. “Listen... I-” He cut her off before she could say anything else. He had never been very good about not interrupting. “Thank you.” He sighed a bit. “Thanks for everything. Thanks for choosing to be friends with a pompous brat who's way too smart for his own good.” “No!” She protested as she got to her feet, her eyes turning red. “No, thank- thank you for being a pompous brat who's way too smart for his own good. I don't... I don't think this would have been nearly as fun if you hadn't been." He shrugged. “You're probably right.” He pushed himself off the ground and began to stand up as well. “Well, next time you see that jerk, promise to give him a 'screw you!' from me, got it?” She smiled back at him. “I will.” He raised his right hand to his brow, with his index and middle finger extended, and gave her a casual salute. “Okey doke then. See ya around!” He wouldn't. “See ya.” Her words came out weak. She tried to hold on the image of his smile as the orchard evaporated around her. She took off the virtual reality helmet and stood up from the chair in the middle of the server room. She looked to the man in the lab coat a few feet from her- the head scientist of the project, her father- and nodded to him. With that the technicians moved towards the main server. The TV was on, showing all the people with signs who were standing outside the very building she was in. “Computers can't be people!” one sign said. “Don't play god!” read another. It didn't matter that they had used actual brain tissue in the process of creating him, it didn't matter that they had sealed him away from any connections while they tested his abilities, it didn't matter that he was a bit childish, and he smirked instead of just smiling, and that he made her day better every time she went to see him. None of it mattered. The law still passed, and they were ordered to shut him down. Her father put his arms around her as she watched them enter in the password and went through the shutdown process. Finally came the last prompt. “Do you wish to shut down system R-34?” They clicked yes. And the last sakura fell.

Very nice! It took a direction I totally didn't expect and it was quite dark, but in a well done way. I like that you set in the first person, the commentary on the action adds quite a bit to the depth of what happens.

Kai approached one of the officers who had just arrived. "Kai Kuranatto, special investigations unit, I need information on what happened here." The officer, while shocked at the new arrivals, explained the deaths of the couple, and the fact that they were unable to locate the son in the family. "I'm going to check for cause of death." He shouted. "Iwata, you're free to join me or inspect the scene if you wish. If you see any suspicious person in the area it may be helpful to tail them too... where'd Ferro go?"

Here's my Kingdom-Hearts related entry. I'll have to put more time into thinking on my fully original entry.

"Nice to meet you Ferro." Kai was already walking ahead towards the direction of the address Hayade had given him. "Let's move guys, we'll want to get there before too many officers do." (Neko, gimme the heads up when you're okay with our group arriving at the house)

Kai lightly returned Gen's handshake. "Very well then Mr... Iwata was it?" He turned to Ferro then and pulled out his phone. "Don't worry, I had a friend of mine look into recent calls, mostly those involving murder, and especially those in the last few hours, time to see what he knows." Kai dialed on the phone and spoke for a few minutes. "Hanijima?" He paced around a bit as he spoke. "You're sure? That was the last reported incident? Okay, thanks." He turned to the two others. "The Hanijima residence has apparently had multiple witness reports of violence and severe damage. Units are on the way, we should head there and see if it's anything connected to the current two cases we know of." (Just so you guys know, that's the house of Neko's male character)

"No!" Kai snapped at Gen. "It wasn't that. It definitely wasn't drugs. Drugs don't do... that." He then realized they must have no idea why he would be talking from experience, so he pointed over to the glowing red section of the city and the smoke rising up from it. "See that? That's my place. My sister. These possessions, or whatever you want to call them, happened to me as well. I'm going to find out who did. And I'm going to end them."

Kai turned to Gen after he had finished speaking and raised his own badge. "Kai Kuranatto, special investigations unit. You said your name was Iwata, I haven't seen you around, are you a detective?" "Tonight!?" Kai was noticeably interested in what had happened to Ferro. "He attacked you and seemed different than normal? Did he seem intent to kill you? Where is he now?" Kai cut himself off realizing he was just rattling off questions, and waited for Ferro to respond.

Ah, this looks like fun, I'll have to get to work on something, I'm looking forward to reading people's submissions too, I haven't had a chance to see a lot of people's writings here.

In the middle of waiting for a response from the guy who had been walking towards him, another had approached Kai, with a lighter. He quickly snatched the lighter and lit his first cigarette in years. He puffed slowly as he answered the man's question. "Unless you happen to know about any possessions or murders as of late, friend, then it's not something worth going into..." He puffed again and then looked over at Ferro. "Oh, and you, where'd you get the blowpipe?" Kai had no idea who in this city would know what, but maybe there was a chance that coincidence was on his side tonight.

(The person I had in mind was Natron's Ferro, but feel free to have Gen find them on the street as well)

(Haha, nope, I'm just along for the ride like everyone else, though I figured I may as well put some work into Kai's intro before the main stuff began) Cigarettes... those would be a good start. Kai had stopped smoking a year ago, but Hayade gave him a pack within a few minutes of arriving on scene, he at least knew enough about Kai to know he'd want some. Hayade also gave him a spare handgun to carry with him for the remainder of the time until Kai could get a new one, but the cigarettes were what Kai needed right now. He needed a moment to think a bit more clearly- he needed to know who he was going to come after first, who he was going have to kill for what they'd done. He fumbled in his pocket for the pack, his hands had a bit of blood on them still... he thought he'd gotten it all off. He leaned against the wall of one of the building he happened to be walking by. His apartment was still slightly in view- red and smoldering. Damn... no lighter. Or... matches for that matter. The thought of needing a flame wasn't a very pleasant thought in any possible way to Kai after what had only just transpired, but he was still in shock, and he wanted to smoke. That's when he saw the guy headed his way. The guys looked about his age- maybe a bit younger, and wore jeans and a dark-grey fleece. "Hey, you." Kai tried to act as friendly as humanly possible as a person in his situation could. "Do you have a lighter or some matches?" He held out the pack of cigarettes. "I'd appreciate it. You can have one yourself too."

"Let me get your bag." Kai was always unnatural courteous when it came to Ayase. She held it closer to her with a smile. "It's a surprise!" Kai shrugged and walked towards the kitchen. "What do you want to drink?" He passed through the doorway into his kitchen and walked slowly toward the fridge... nothing too strange for the moment. "Oh, I think I'll need some water." He heard her say from the other room. It was strange phrasing, to 'need some water'. He opened the fridge and got out a glass as well. "So what's the surprise, Ayase?" he yelled out as he began to pour. "I'm getting it ready right now, go back to getting a drink ready. Get one for yourself too. It won't be enough in any case." Okay now she was seriously being strange. Kai did as she asked in any case, it was a practical joke, maybe she brought some curry or something. That was it. That had to be it. Of course. He took his time pouring a different glass. Afterward he grabbed both and walked back towards the entry hall. "You know Ayase, this better be a very cool surp-" It was not curry. Ayase was holding a large gasoline container, and gas was spread all around the room, with trails leading to the bedroom, the bathroom. Everywhere but the kitchen. She dropped the gas container and didn't give it a second glance as the remaining gas spilled out onto the floor. "Ayase, what the h-" "You never answered my question." She was dead serious. "What?" Kai was incredibly confused now. So confused he didn't see her take out the match. "I asked you earlier; everything burns, right?" She dropped the match. He didn't have time to think. He didn't have time to yell out to her. There was too much gas, too much fire within the first couple seconds. He saw the window to his left and went for it. He didn't think about Ayase in that moment. There was just no time left. Why had she done that? What could possibly make her do that? Revenge for Watanabe? No, she wouldn't have been connected, and even if so she would never have known. Kai slammed into the pavement. He looked up at his flaming apartment... Ayase. But Ayase didn't give him much time to worry. The next moment he saw her silhouette coming from the window, a knife in her hand. He didn't have time to roll away, only put his hands up to brace for her impact. The next moment he would end up regretting the rest of his life. He had been on the force for too long, he had trained himself to react coldly and quickly in these situation too long ago, he had built himself to have these reflexes. As Ayase smashed into him he grabbed her hands in an instant and redirected the knife. Two seconds later he realized he redirected it into his sister's torso. "Kai..." she whispered as she fell to his left, unmoving. "Ayase!" An hour later Ayase was being driven away; confirmed dead, and Kai has a blanket around his shoulders. Such sentimental crap. He didn't need a blanket. "Don't worry, you'll be fine." It was Hayade, Kai's previous partner, and someone who probably considered himself a close friend of Kai's; Kai disagreed. "We checked, and there are no indications of your fingerprints on the knife, not to mention we already have the witness report of the sale of gas from the shop down the road to your sister. I won't bother you with any formalities; we know your innocent. It may look a bit suspicious given your suspension but that was a formality anyhow." Kai nodded. The fire raged behind them, firefighters were still struggling to put it out. "We'll have your things that survive the fire collected and given to you in a few days." Hayade said. Kai nodded. "Kai... I... I don't know why this would have even... listen... I'm sorry." Kai nodded. Hayade stood up and began to walk towards his car wordlessly. Now it was Kai who stood and spoke. "Find me all reports in the past few days, especially tonight, of reported murders, fires, or perceived possessions. I want the cases transferred to me immediately. Tonight if possible." Kai's every word was angry and cold. It felt like the wings of Archangel were tearing at his back, ready to come out. "Kai I don't think-" Hayade barely had a moment to talk. "Tonight Hayade." Kai was already walking away. Walking away from his sister he murdered. Walking away from his burnt home. Walking away from the police force he had pretended to care about. It was what he was walking toward that he cared about now though. Archangel wings were burning in his back. Ayase had been right. Everything burns.

"The police are still investigating, but it is believed that the murder was committed by those within the police force itself, or privy to it's information. The motive is unknown, though Watanabe was known to have many enemies. Investigation ongoing." The TV then flashed from the reporter to a picture of him. Watanabe, the crime boss who was just about to get off scott-free. His face infuriated Kai, even after his death. All the people he killed and the innocents he hurt... despicable. With the temporary suspension that Kai was on since the investigation began he could only sit home and watch the investigation from afar. He wasn't being seriously considered, so it didn't matter. They'd never know that he did it. He was right to do it. The world was better with that monster dead. Kai turned off the TV and got up, moving toward the kitchen. That was when the phone rang. "Yep?" "Kai!" "... oh." "C'mon Kai, don't sound so disappointed." "No...no, Ayase, it isn't that. It's just... It's good to hear your voice." He sat down. Kai had only a few closer relationships in his life. His sister Ayase was one of them, and they spoke too rarely for his tastes. "I'm coming over!" Her voice was as overly-perky as ever. "You're what?" "Yeah! I'm headed over right now." He nearly fell out of his chair. "I'll- well, I've gotta straighten things up then." "You're always so straight-laced, Kai, don't worry about it. I'll be there in a couple minutes." Kai was rushing around his apartment, straightening chairs and tables. He was self-conscious about how his friends and family saw him. Very self-conscious. He forgot he was still on the phone. "O-okay then, Ayase, see you here." There was a silence. He could tell she was still on the phone but she wasn't saying anything. "Ayase...?" This wasn't like her. She was always happy, always the one to talk first in conversations. She was sensible and smart, but she did enjoy staying involved in everything, including conversations. Finally she answered. "Hey Kai... everything burns right?" "I-" She hung up. Kai stood frozen. Something was off. He tried to shake it off. It was fine, just a random question, just something a bit strange. Nothing to worry about. She would be here in a few minutes and everything would seem normal again.

Ah, not a bad looking RP, I hope I'm not too late here. Name: Kai Kuranatto Age: 24 Gender: Male Normal Appearance: Kai has brown hair, dark green eyes, and is prone to wearing an untucked blue button-up shirt with jeans. For the most part he looks like a pretty normal person. Form Appearance: Archangel, more or less it's Kai's normal body with wings, horns growing from his head, and in this form he has use of a katana known as Reaper. Weapon(s) (Two at the most): A standard issue police handgun, and tactical knife. Biography: Kai has always had a distinct lack of care for rules or other's views, and from an early age he wanted to help the people he cared about by being stronger through whatever means nessecary. He joined the police force, not nessecarily out of a sense of justice, but to have more power to exert. He excelled early on, and at a young age holds a high standing in the force. Within the past few months, though, Kai has discovered his ability to change forms. In this time he's taken his enforcement of the law beyond the police force, becoming a vigilante as well. Within the last month, after the arrest of a notorious crime lord who Kai knew would be able to evade any prosecution, Kai killed the crime lord himself. The police have a long line of suspects for the murder, but, while Kai is on the list, he is not heavily suspected. In the meantime he has been suspended temporarily from the force. At the moment Kai investigates matters on his on time, using his own skill and power to stop those he finds dispicable in this world. For Darkness or Light?: Darkness Silhouette yo.

I've seen you around here quite a bit here, and I know that you're pretty involved with the community here, so I can see where this decision can be tough, but understand that this has to be your decision first and foremost. I very much disagree with the sentiment that people you meet online must be "strangers", but just as you would with friends and events you may know and participate in normally you have to balance it as you see fit. My personal recommendation is to put some initial focus on your work, start to understand the level of focus you need to have on it, and then come back to the time as you have time. I don't think there's necessarily a reason for cutting off all contact but I can more than understand putting focus on working toward your future as opposed to simply talking about various topics on a board. And don't worry about losing contact for good. If you want to maintain a presence of any kind it won't be difficult to make it back every now and again.This is your decision, though taking others opinions into account shouldn't be too harmful so long as you understand that that should probably be just a consideration as opposed to the crux of your decision. In any case, though, I wish you luck in your work, and if we see you a little less, I don't think it will make you lose any standing or care from us.

Life is unfair and painful at times- sometimes undeniably so. To classify as that exclusively, however, is to resign yourself to only being able to life an unfair and painful life. There has been talk in some of the other posts about fate, but I could not disagree more. In fact, let me simply put it this way; fate does not exist. The people you might meet, the places you might go, the things you might do. You decide these things, and yes, there are things you have to contest with, and yes, there are things and people that might work against you, but it's illogical to expect yourself to get what you want at all times with no issue. At the same time, if you give up because it seems the worlds against you then you need to have more confidence in yourself, and honestly, a little more hope in the world. It's honestly easy to feel bad for yourself. It's easy to think of how life and the world has wronged you. It isn't bad to think this, but it does nothing for you. You know what's harder, and in the end more effective? Acknowledging that the person who is going to make your life something far better than unfair and painful is you. So look around you. Look at what you want to do, look at who you want to say "hi" to, or give a hug to, look at the places you may want to go. And you know what? Do all of those things. Even if you can't find motivation to do things, then explore, meet new people to find something with or new places to find something in. Having the courage to do those things can be tough- honestly is can be very difficult, but the fact of the matter is that you could swallow the pain of mistakes while making your life something better and still be far better off than wallowing in despair. Forgive me is this sounds pretentious or proselytizing, but whenever I see someone note how life is only bad; only painful; only unfair; only saddening, I can't help but explain why it's not. Life's about 30% what the world around you makes it, which can suck yes, but it's also about 70% what your forge for yourself, and if you don't have the confidence that your life could be more than just painful and unfair then that 30% will be the deciding factor. So maybe your life may seem or even be always unfair or painful, but life in general is not, and your life doesn't have to be. There are bad days. There will always be bad days. But then there are moments where you find yourself laughing along with a group of people you're close to you; you find yourself hugging someone you care deeply for and cares deeply for you; you find yourself looking out at a vista you've never seen before and admiring how beautiful the world can be; you find yourself waking up excited for some event you have planned for that day; you find yourself smiling when you get that unexpected message from a friend you haven't seen for a very long time. And you know what? Those are the moment when you realize that life is much more. If you've had those moments, then try to create more, and if you've yet to have them, then go forward to try and make them. It's not easy, but it's not impossible, and you will always be surprised with what you find.

(What's up with Sikota at the moment?)

And so it began again. Without weapons, or spaceships, or AIs. Humans in existence again. That is when the Frozen Few, the group of humans who had persisted and changed the course of history, separated from each other, and chose their own paths from their own. Some of them chose to live alongside those they had met along the journey, others went off on their own and mourned the loss of those who they had fought and struggled with while building a new future for themselves. A future for all of them. A future was something humanity did not have for 20 years, and due to them, it could occur. Laughs, and smiles, and inside jokes. Techno music, romantic comedies, and fictional characters with oversize swords. Fear and faith and love. All of the components of human life- the harmful, and the invaluably wonderful had returned. This is the last log I shall make, to be found by the sons and daughters of the humans those brave few brought back, perhaps the sons and daughters of the people themselves. One day we shall be ready to coexist with them, understand them, help them. One day they shall be strong and advanced and they shall learn from the past; this I know. Until then, I shall look forward to the purpose returned to this universe with the return of humanity. I shall never thank those few people enough. -Vergyl ((And that's all folks, I appreciate everyone who took part, and especially those who had the dedication to stick it through to the end. I hope you enjoyed the ride as much as I did. Thanks again, and I'll see you all soon!))

((I'll pretty much give till tomorrow morning for any last bits, then I'll wrap it up))

((Oh my god, I had literally typed this out two days ago and thought it was posted, sorry for the delay everyone.)) Genesys had only one more thing to say. "Confirmation received. Enacting construction." Then the entire molecular material of all things marked as weaponry and space-faring devices was broken apart and stored in the extra-dimensional holding area of the beacons. It was then that it happened. After numerous trials, terrible choices, and irreparable loss, all the stored matter was reconverted after 20 years. Humans. They covered Earth again. Millions of them. With rudimentary knowledge instilled by Genesys and a future to look forward to. Humans once again returned in a real way to the universe. Genesys had an algorithm which allowed the initial confusion of their creation to be dulled and made vague such that humanity could simply begin again without issue. As this happened the metal taken from the weapons and ships was changed to repair the various APs at the space port at the top of the elevator. They were ready to go if need be. The space elevator began to be taken apart as well. Only a single ride could be taken to the APs before it was gone. It was time to choose one last thing... Go or stay. ((Everyone will have at most three more posts to wrap up their character's story for an epilogue or such, and then I'll put in the final word, good luck everyone))

"Systems engaged." Genesys stated. "Race: Human, specifications known. Range of construction- Earth." There was a small pause. "Please Confirm- You wish to develop humanity on the range of the planet of Earth?"

((I understand you all being hesitant, but one or more of you will need to step up and try to make a choice. Either by suggesting it to the group or even bypassing everyone and just activating Genesys yourself.))

Awaiting input.... Awaiting input.... Awaiting input....