Gacha Gacha Hero

“All I’m saying is that we shouldn’t be so quick to show Luke’s abilities off to the King.”

“But this could be our grand pull here. Think about it. Our child only pulls the best possible summon result. That’s amazing.”

“It is, for now. It’s too early to tell if he’s the chosen one or if he’s only lucky. Luke turned thirteen only a few months ago. What if his special summons wear off? What if he gets stage fright? Think of how embarrassing that would be, for us.”

*Ka-Caaaw*

“See? Bec agrees.”

“I think you might be right. If Luke really does have the best summoning ability then we have to make sure. We need to perform more evaluations. We need to find the best way to use his powers responsibly. We can’t let some strangers exploit our own son after all.”

“No no. Not some strangers.”

“We’re his parents after all. We need to be certain that our son’s gifts don’t become a burden and that they benefit the whole family.”

“That’s right. The whole family.”

*Caaaw*

“Bec agrees.”

#

Luke sat on the other side of the fence leading to his home. He pulled his knees into his chest and hugged his arms around his long lanky shins.

“Bonjour.”

Luke looked up. There was a giant owl two meters tall standing on the sidewalk next to him.

“You’re not a real owl are you.” Luke said.

“Why do you say that?” The owl asked.

“Your beak doesn’t move when you talk. Your feathers are made of felt. And even though your pants are made to look like a pair of owl legs I can see a blanket stitch running across the bottom.”

The Outfitted Owl-fit looked down at their legs and examined the stitching. This was difficult because the big glass eyes on the front of their costume were really only good for looking straight ahead.

“You’re a very observant young boy.” The Outfitted Owl-fit said. “Just like an owl. Owls are very observant too. Did you know that?”

“Hmph.” Luke pushed his chin into his knees.

The person dressed in an owl costume sat down on the sidewalk next to Luke.

“Quel âge avez-vous… Ah, désolée. How old are you?”

“Thirteen.” Luke said into his legs.

“So you are still a child.”

“I’m not a child! I’m a teenager.” Luke pouted.

“Pardonne-moi. I did not mean to upset you. You are… very tall for such a young man.”

“That’s right.” Luke stretched out his legs and sat up straighter.

“If you were un hibou, an owl you would be an adult already.”

“Is that right?”

“C'est vrai. There are many owls that only live for as many as fifteen years. The smaller ones such as burrowing owls might only live as long as eight. Then there are the large owls. Such as the great horned owl. Those owls can live for as many as forty years or more.”

“You like owls a lot huh?” said Luke.

The felt head of the owl costume rotated to look at Luke.

“I do.” said the Outfitted Owl-fit. “That’s part of why I came here. I’m a visiteur to your town. I was trying to find the city gate but I think I took a wrong turn somewhere. I was hoping to find someone to give me directions but there don’t seem to be many people around today.”

The Outfitted Owl-fit looked up and down the deserted streets.

Luke picked up a pebble and threw it into the street.

“Yeah. There’s not a lot of people around today. Everyone was gathering in the center of town to meet the King.”

“I see. And what about you?” The person in the owl costume asked.

“I didn’t really want to go anyway.” Luke sniffed.

“Are you lost as well?”

“No. I live here.” Luke pointed over his shoulder.

“This is your home? Do you not want to go inside?” asked the owl.

“Nah.” Luke pulled his knees up to his chest again.

The glass eyes of the owl costume started at him. The person on the other side chewed their lip.

“Then maybe you can assist me?”

“What do you mean?”

The Outfitted Owl-fit stood up. “I am still trying to find the city gate. If you do not mind I would appreciate if you could show me the way to the edge of town.” They held out a felt tipped wing. “And if you do then I will be happy to share with you more owl facts.”

Luke looked at the person in the owl costume that was asking him to walk to the edge of town all alone with them.

“Okay.”

#

“Don’t you want to go as well?”

“No.” Ash looked at the ground. “You know how our dad feels about royalty.”

“That’s right.” Luke kicked the dust with his foot.

The two boys stood in the yard in front of Ash’s house. The noonday sun doddled across the sky overhead. A cool breeze shifted the leaves on the trees surrounding the small family cottage.

“What do you think they’re doing?” asked Luke.

“Who?” said Ash.

“Anyone. Everyone. All the townies who went to see the King.”

“They’re probably lining up in single file so they can kiss the King’s butt.” Ash puckered his lips.

“Eww. Gross. Stop it.” Luke held up his hands in front of his face.

“They’ll kiss his butt and lick his shoes and then they’ll all stack themselves into a big human pyramid so that he can fart on them. Fart fart fart.”

Ash stuck his hand under his armpit and squeezed.

*Fart*Fart*Fart*

“Gross.” Luke shoved Ash.

The two boys laughed together.

“I kinda wish that we could go.” Luke looked back towards the city gates.

“Yeah. And we could fart on the King. Give him a good one cheek squeak.” Ash laughed again.

“Sure. But just to see the King. Like everyone else in town. So that we don't get left out.”

Ash rubbed his chin. “Huh, you’re right… it would be annoying if everyone else had something to talk about and we didn’t.”

“And what if we brought something.”

“Like what?”

“Like a gift.”

“A gift for the King? Don’t let dad hear you talking about that.” Ash chuckled.

Luke squeezed the thumb of his left hand with his right.

Ash pulled on his sleeve. “Fine. What did you have in mind?”

“Actually, I heard one of the Guild craftsmen talking once. I think I have an idea.”

#

“We’re very pleased that you have taken the time to visit us my King. It means so much that you would come all the way out here to the edge of the Kingdom just to see our town.” Mayor Letterman bowed.

A massive steam powered carriage thirteen meters long was parked in the center of Star Town’s marketplace. The top of the carriage had been propped open while one entire side had been folded down to create a makeshift platform. The carriage was ringed by a layer of porters, manservants, and Capital Guards. In every other corner of the marketplace citizens of Star Town crowded in to get a look at the carriage. As they watched, the King strolled onto the platform and waved to the crowd.

*Enthusiastic Cheering*

Several porters hauled a large treasure chest almost as tall as the King was onto the stage beside him. The chest had little wheels on the bottom that allowed it to be rolled in any direction.

The King waved his hands. “Hello Star Town. Here’s some money!”

A porter handed him a modified airbow with a thick cone mounted on the front. The King aimed the airbow into the crown and pulled the triggers. The cone on the front exploded and sent a shower of paper notes out into the crowd.

*Mercurial Cheering*

“Haha. That’s right. Everyone loves me.” The King chuckled.

The Mayor stood back up. His gubernatorial nutcracker clacked on the chain around his neck.

“The citizens of Star Town are the most loyal and hard working people in the entire Kingdom.” said Mayor Letterman.

“Of course they are. It’s wonderful to meet my subjects face to face and heart to heart.” The King slapped Mayor Letterman on the chest in an overly friendly manner.

The King leaned over and scooped a handful of coins out of the open chest that was next to him. With a flick of his wrist he hurled the coins into the crowd.

All of the children, and a few of the less self conscious adults, scrambled on the ground to pick up the coins.

Mayor Letterman rubbed his thick neck. “You certainly know how to win over the crowd my King.”

“Well you can tell them that their King cares deeply about their welfare.” said the monarch.

“I’m sure the people know that sire.”

“Sure. But here’s a purse of money so that you tell them anyway.”

The King handed the Mayor a purse full of coins.

“Of course sir. I will be sure to make an announcement.” said the Mayor.

“Be sure that you do.”

The King passed him another purse full of money.

“Uh… you are too kind my King.”

“That is true. Make sure you tell people.”

The King shoved another purse into the Mayor’s hands. Mayor Letterman frowned down at the growing collection of wallets he was holding.

“Really my liege. I’m going to do it.”

“I know you will.”

Another purse was stacked on top of the others.

“Your, uh, generosity is welcome, but not necessary sire.”

“The thing about generosity is you can never have too much.”

The King produced another purse from his pockets and tucked it in between the Mayor’s elbow and shoulder. The Mayor was trying his very best not to break out in a panicked sweat.

“Why don’t I let you bask in their adoration… alone.”

Mayor Letterman shuffled a few steps back as the King waved another purse of jingling coins at him.

The King leaned over and put an elbow on the chest beside him.

“What a day.” he mused. “My appearance is probably the most exciting thing to happen in this town for years.”

“Come on. Get out of my way. Make room you shiny can openers.”

A small boy, covered in dirt, was shoving his way through the crowd. He made his way to the circle of Capital Guards stationed around the main carriage.

Ash hobbled to the edge of the circle of Guards. The barely conscious body of Luke was draped over his shoulders. Luke’s head bobbed up and down.

Thirteen year old Jack watched from the edge of the stage with his father. “What the…”

“Hey King!” Ash shouted. “We have a gift for you. Hey you! In the crown! Did you hear me?”

The King smiled. He turned ever so slightly towards one of his manservants. “Have that child-”

“Unless you're afraid of two little children or something.”

The King retained his smile.

“... brought up onto the stage.” said the King.

The circle of Guards parted. Ash, carrying Luke, was allowed through. He climbed the stairs leading to the raised platform that was the side of the carriage. Ash was panting for breath by the time he reached the platform. Jack met him on the stairs.

Jack hissed at him.

Ash hissed back.

Ash stuck his chin out at jack.

Jack stamped his foot down on the stage.

“Ahem.” The King cleared his throat.

The Star Town marketplace hushed.

Jack stepped back behind his father.

Ash stood at the edge of the platform. His mouth was very dry for some reason.

The King adjusted his sleeves, smoothed down his eyebrows, and examined his nails.

“You have something for me, is that right?”

Ash tilted his head at Luke. “It was his idea.”

Ash reached for his left pocket, stopped, then reached for his right pocket instead. He pulled a dull stone out of it. The stone was about as large as a grapefruit with splotches of red and black igneous rock decorating the outside.

“For you.”

The King raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. He tossed a coin at a nearby manservant. The manservant stepped down to retrieve the stone.

Thirteen year old Ted poked his head around a corner in the marketplace. “What is that?”

Thirteen year old Lilly raised her eyebrows. “That’s a geode.”

“What’s a geode?”

“It’s a type of volcanic rock.”

“So it’s only a rock?”

“Yes. But it’s also the ultimate summoning gift. A geode forms when a hollow stone fills with gas or water. Over time the hollow area gets filled with crystalline deposits. What makes a geode special is that even though the inside is filled with crystals there’s no way to tell from the outside. The surface of the stone makes it look like any other rock. You can summon a geode like any other stone, but the only way to know its true value is to crack it open and look inside.”

The King accepted the stone. He turned it over in his hand. The stone was grimy and dun. Its dark surface reflected no light or promise.

With a *Sigh* the King drew a small rock hammer the size of a pencil out of his pants. He examined the geode and selected a spot. With a bored *Snap* of his wrist he brought the hammer down on the geode’s shell.

A hairline fracture split down the side and ran in a perfect circle around the circumference of the geode.

The entire gathered town waited in anticipation as the King put his hands on either side of the cracked geode.

As the geode was opened an uncanny light spilled out. Six million seven hundred thousand four hundred and seventeen crystalline flakes arranged in a fractalized snowflake pattern glittered inside. The crystals themselves were so flawlessly reflective that they somehow managed to be even brighter than the ambient light of the environment around them. Most of the gathered townsfolk had to shield their eyes. And even though light is only electromagnetic waves *the people gathered in the marketplace {would later swear that they could (Hear) the sound of sunlight being} broken into a rainbow of colors*

“That’s incredible…” said the King in absolute awe. “I've never seen anything like- Gaah!”

A rock pigeon flew down and hit him in the side of the head.