Side Story 1 - The Calm Before The Madness

It was a hot summer day in Celeron, well for the people that were native there anyways. Celeron was an incredibly warm planet, many of its inhabitants adapted to become better to survive the heat, making them more prone to coldness and coldness related illnesses.

"Vincent!" A young girl with black hair, a red streak from the top of her hair to the bottom, as well as donned red eyes. Layla- er well, Layla is her middle name actually. Layla never used her first name after a certain incident. But if you ask, Layla's first name is Priscilla Layla Lancer.

During this time, she hadn't lost her parents in the incident or her bestfriend. Layla was cheery and not ruthless or brutal or violent or- wow there are quite the few words. She called out to a much different Vincent, he had a smile on his face and his baby features were still prominent. As Vincent turned around he smiled brighter when he saw his old childhood crush. Behind Layla was a smaller girl but the same age, she white hair and yellow eyes, but she like Layla had a red streak in her hair.

"Layla! Rose!" Vincent called out to his two childhood best friends.

Vincent was a native to Celeron, Layla happened to be from a successful planet called Zapola, and Rose came from the snow world 'White'. Each of them came together when Vincent had saved Layla from drowning, Rose came along since her family was an old friend of Layla's. The trio never really spoke of their pasts or family situations either.

"Where should we go today?" Rose meekly asked.

Layla put her left hand on her hip and raised her right hand with a single finger, "I know! How about we go over to the new pizza place?"

"Pizza? I guess I could go for that," Vincent shrugged and agreed.

Rose nodded as well, "Sure."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Layla led the way as Vincent followed behind her and Rose behind Vincent.

The party of three walked along the road as a shop vender nearby was trying to swat flies away from his shop. Layla saw this and requested they helped him.

Layla went up to the shop vender and asked if he needed help. The shop vender was touched and handed them the fly swatters. Rose and Vincent seemed a bit too small in theirs, mainly because they were only ten. Layla was taller than the rest of her peers by ten centimeters taller than Vincent. She fit perfectly.

"Alright! Let's swat those annoying pests!" Too bad in about three years she would be calling Vincent that.

As they started Rose made small talk.

"Hey Vincent," Rose whispered softly.

"Yeah?" Vincent responded.

"Do you want to learn color emotions?" Rose questioned.

Vincent thought about it for a while and gave her a grin, "Sure."

Rose and Vincent talked about what color meant what as they swatted flies.

Rose was quite quick on her feet due to the fact that she trained her leg muscles in the harsh snows of White. Vincent swatted many of those bugs since he was used to doing that in his home, his parents weren't exactly the clean type. Layla had a bit of trouble even almost swallowing a fly. But they got it down and earned a star coin for their troubles.

"Nice! Now we can eat at the new pizza place," Layla beamed a smile. Vincent became flustered as he looked away. Rose giggled at her friend's blushing.

Along the way Vincent and Rose kept talking.

"Did you know the blue represents patience according to our Earth Ancestors?" Vincent shook his head.

"My favorite color is red! So is Layla's," Rose kept talking as she felt more and more confident. Rose had an issue in self-confidence and self-esteem.

"What about you?" Rose asked.

"Hmm, I guess it would be orange!" Vincent replied enthusiastically.

"Hehe, orange represents happiness, it fits you really well, you know?" Rose laughed.

"What does red represent?" Vincent had a question himself.

"Red represents courage," Vincent pondered a bit.

"Layla seems to have a lot of that, doesn't she?" Vincent chuckled a little.

Rose turned away, "But I don't..."

"Sure you do!" Vincent lifted her mood. Rose turned to Vincent.

Vincent gave her a small smirk, "Rose, you are definitely one of the most courageous person I've ever met."

Rose seemed to deflate a little though, "But-"

Vincent put a finger to her lips and continued.

"Remember that time I was being chased by those bullies?"

"Yeah? Why?"

"Well, you saved me remember?"

"You were the one to stand up to those bullies and made them retreat!"

Rose seemed to become more rosy, "Thank you Vincent, I needed that," Rose gave Vincent a small genuine smile.

Vincent's heart pounded faster as Layla waved to them.

"You guys coming or not?" Layla called from afar.

"Yeah! Coming!" Vincent called back.

Before he could go over there Rose pulled on his sleeve.

Vincent turned around and Rose gave him a wink and said, "Let's hang out later, just the two of us."

"Sure," Vincent gave her a smirk.

Six years later but two days before the events of chapter one happen.

A lone and desolate grave was planted in a cemetery.

It read.

'Rose Amber.'

'Beloved daughter of Jerry Amber and May Amber.'

'The roses smelled better when you were here.'

A young man kneeled before the graveyard as he planted a sunflower on top of the grave.

"It's been so long Rose."

"Things aren't... the best, but in two days I should be sixteen."

"Sometimes I wonder, what would've happened if I didn't run away?"

"Could I have saved you?"

"Who knows."

"If you're asking about Layla, she's doing okay. I think."

"She still hates me for what I did."

"If only I didn't run."

"What if we had traded roles?"

"Everything would've been better for you, Layla, everyone."

"But instead they got me."

"Plain old Vincent who can't do shit to save someone."

"I know you wouldn't want me to be like this. But everything's too far gone for me."

"The only thing I can do now is preserve and move forward."

"Today I did learn that blue also means perseverance."

"If you're listening Rose. I'm sorry."

Vincent got up from the ground, he was going to live better one day.

No matter what happens, he'll do whatever it takes.