Eizoku Kage

Static buzzes in the background as the late afternoon air settles. The sun slowly starts to dip forming an orange glow in the sky. Scene view focuses on the radio in the wooden cabin as music pours into the room. Zero is seated, polishing off his dark blade. A bottle of alcohol sat on the table used for cleaning as he used the alcohol soaked rag to rub along the blade. Holding the blade’s handle firmly in his grip, his reflection within the black blade's golden rim as his eyes cascaded down to the Tyrian crest etched into the rim of the handle.

Over the music, there is a faint buzzing located next to the radio as the transmission plays through. Placing the blade down onto the table top, he crosses the room to the radio, fingers catching against the knob as he begins to turn the volume down, only pausing as he listens to the music that comes through. Stopping - his features began to change, brows knitting with some recognition as his hand reached up towards his head, clutching his forehead as he stumbled back a step. Vision blackening as the song rings in his head over again before fading. Opening his eyes, he blinks a few times as he hears a voice come through the transmission.

Kai: “Commander Zero.”

Zero: “….Kai” he regains composure, breathing out heavily

Kai: “Your cargo arrives at zero four hundred hours. The Liberators won’t be doing a sweep.

I’ve managed to bypass the cameras with a friend on the inside.”

Zero: “Good.

Do you have the new communicator placed in the cargo exchange?

Tadashi and Daisuke will be in hiding during the exchange when security is preoccupied”

Kai: “It’s all set. The question is, are they?”

Zero: “They came a long way in just a single week.

You’ve taught worse soldiers more in less time - I’m sure you’ll manage.

History will eventually repeat itself if we don’t step in and stop it.”

Kai: “As long as they steer clear of the Emperor for now, there shouldn’t be a problem.”

The door opens as Tadashi and Daisuke enter, still panting. The power glider clung to Daisuke’s waist. A few fresh cuts paint their features - Daisuke’s are shallow, whilst Tadashi’s are deeper and more pronounced. However, despite its depth and how recently it has been applied, it’s already stopped bleeding.

Zero: “Cadets”

Daisuke and Tadashi: “Commander Zero, Sir.

You summoned us?”

Kai: “Tadashi, Daisuke. Pleasure to meet you. We will rendezvous outside the Libertarian station - at the end of the platform. Do not, I repeat, do not pass through the main entrance, Liberators will be keeping guard.

You should arrive 20 minutes after boarding.

I’ll get you onto Liberty's streets”

Zero turns to address Daisuke and Tadashi

Zero: “You’ll be staying with Kai.

Follow his orders to the letter.

In the field, his word is as good as mine. Which, considering your record…” He sighs. “Just follow his orders, alright?

The new communication link should allow us to check in, but in the meantime you train and get stronger. Infiltrate the city and form the rebellion that Kai has awoken”

Kai: “You better. I might not put you in The Hot Box like Commander Zero, but our enemies will not hesitate to put you six feet under”

Daisuke and Tadashi: “Yes, Commander”

Zero: “Kai will be holding the Tyrian crest. Do not wander off to explore Liberty on your own. Isolation is tantamount to death in hostile territory. Stick together and make Liberty see truth”

They both nod, Zero looks through them.

Tadashi: “Do you believe we will be able to conquer?”

Zero: “We may not be able to erase history, but we can change which has yet to be written.

You, Tadashi, will be the pillar that blocks the fire”

Tadashi puffs out his chest, nodding enthusiastically

Zero: “Say goodbye to your loved ones, Cadets. You won’t be seeing them for a while.”

Daisuke & Tadashi: “Yes, Commander”

Zero: “Today is the last day you spend as Cadets. Once you set foot on that train, you will be soldiers”

Tadashi: “Yes Commander. I understand.

Always, for Tyranny”

Tadashi and Daisuke form the salute.

There is a moment of silence until they’re dismissed.

A Bittersweet Goodbye.

Shoto: “Psstt…Tadashi, Dais….”

Tetsuya’s fist collides into the top of his brother's head causing the boy to flinch before ducking as they hear the door open.

Tetsuya: “I told you to keep quiet, dumbass” he whispers.

Tadashi and Daisuke step down the wooden staircase reaching the bottom as they both glance back up at the cabin. Rustling can be heard as Shoto moves from the large water barrels, tripping over a plank of wood that has been stationed to the front of the barrels. Grunting, Shoto falls into Daisuke. Tadashi catches Shoto by the back of his collar, but Daisuke is the one who is face first into the grass.

Shoto: “Shi… Sorry Daisy”

Daisuke lifts his head, groaning as he rubs his nose.

Daisuke: “Don’t I have enough scars already? Or did you want to add another there, Shoto?”

Shoto: “Would’ve given you a kiss, but I wanted to give you something more permanent to remember me by” he chuckles as rubs the back of his neck, realising quickly that Daisuke was still on the ground, he offers his hand out. Tadashi looks over the barrels.

Tadashi: “I could sense you, Tet”

Tetsuya: “Psh, what I'd give to have your senses. Gods, the things I could do with them…in battle, of course.” he rolls his eyes, stepping over the plank of wood that Shoto tripped over.

The four begin to walk back through the market square, passing over the river. Located by one of the stall windows is an outdoor photobooth, a hung parasole sheltering it from rain.

Shoto: “Are you taking anything with you?”

Daisuke: “The glider, a few other things from my room…not much… oh and the photos we took this summer”

Shoto sniggers

Shoto: “Oh that picture! Nori got sick shortly after that…”

Testuya: “Mother wasn’t happy. She ate the whole crumble that was sitting cooling on the window ledge. She needs to stop being such a glutton!”

They start to laugh. Tadashi remains quiet as they walk through the village.

Daisuke: “We will still be in contact. Kai created a new device for long-distance communication”

Shoto: “It’s not the same, though” he whines.

Tetsuya: “Have faith, Brother. We’ve got some strong warriors here” he muses, showing off his guns.

Tetsuya grins as he walks between Tadashi and Daisuke, wrapping his arms across their shoulders, leaning enough to pull Shoto in.

Tetsuya: “Don’t you dare get caught - else I’ll have to come over to kick your asses.”

Daisuke notices Tadashi being quiet.

Daisuke: “You’ve not said much since Zero’s…”

Tadashi: “Oh?” he pauses

“I guess, I’ve just been thinking about the journey and when we get there” he pauses again, glancing up at the starry sky, they were brighter tonight. Stopping as they reached the home, he looked up at the larger building.

Tadashi: “Do you think this will have all changed when we return?”

Tadashi then looks down the hill from where they walked, overlooking the view, in the distance ‘The Inbetween’ looks like a large shadow.

Daisuke: “As long as we make it back in one piece, what will it matter? Nothing stays the same”

Tetsuya: “Alright, enough of this sappy bullshit. It’s your last night at home, you better enjoy every last second. Come on, Mom made Burgers!”

They head inside the smaller brightly coloured home next to the children's home. The lights illuminate the home.

The four sit in the kitchen, smiles on their faces as they tuck into the delicious burgers Tetsuya and Shoto’s Mother had made. The night ending in celebration and laughter, fireworks paint the sky before fizzling out, colouring the sky red.