CHAPTER 54: PINEAPPLE SLICES

It's dark, the atmosphere melancholic, and there are 3, nice, Pineapple slices on a plate, situated on top of a cabinet. A White Earbud enters an ear, and sounds come about.

"... Liz here. As always."

"... regarding the new, "Void Killer", and why we're sheltering him."

"... The Skill, "The Void", is a scary and strange one.

"... Those with the power can be possessed by a devilish entity."

…

In a Cerulean news studio, Liz and a female interviewer are seated on tall stools.

"... So, Ms. Liz, when you first joined the Guardians, how was it?

She thinks for a moment, then smiles nostalgically.

"... Damn. I remember everything… We all joined the organization at the same time, and were really, really distant at first. But that's a super common thing with new groups of people, so I didn't think about it for too long.

…

11 Guardians enter their base (Zizin and Zeph haven't joined yet.) Right away, without words, they go off to claim their rooms.

…

"And once we fully realized we live together, and started going out on missions and stuff, It didn't take long for all of us to become really good friends… Minus, Rimin. He was kind of a weirdo and refused to get along with us…"

Liz lets out a tiny giggle.

"Anyhoo, then Zeph and Zizin joined the group and our connections got even deeper."

…

March 7th, 12:44 AM. It's super sunny. All the Guardians are at an exquisite Beach, dressed appropriately, set up, and ready to have a blast.

…

Raskan, Mausho, and Kofron are in the radiant water, excited, and holding flamingo floats (The ones you can put on.) They're watching a wave come closer.

Mausho: … Are you guys ready!? I think it's gonna be a big one!

Kofron: I'm super ready!

Raskan: Me too!

The three buddies quickly set their floats on the water and attempt to get and sit on them, struggling goofily for a moment but managing after. They're seated sprawled, and their thrill increasing; Now, they wait and wait for the wave to hit them, which has grown way bigger. Shortly thereafter, it forcefully arrives and Mausho is overturned right away, and lost in the water.

Meanwhile, Kofron and Raskan got lucky, being on the tide sweet spot; So now they're riding the wave, very delighted, and swiftly being taken to shore. Where they crash and get up, laughing and cheering.

Kofron: … That was awesome! Thanks for showing us this, Mausho!.. Um… Where'd he go?

They turn to the sea and chortle. Mausho's legs are foolishly sticking out of the water like he's doing a handstand.

Raskan: NOOOOOO! Mausho died!

…

Iza and Osora are standing close to each other in clear, pleasing, and shallow water, seriously scanning it; While Zeph's nearby, doing the same. Abruptly, Iza gasps, smiles vivaciously, and speedily sticks her arms into the sea. Then she pulls out a Blue Crab and a giant Lobster, each taking up a hand. She's giggling and showing them off to Osora, who's happy.

Iza: This one's Hubert and this one's Jeremy!

Osora: Nice!

He looks back at the water.

Osora: Watch this, though!

And lunges into it. Right after, coming up with a Pufferfish in his palms. Iza's overjoyed.

Iza: Cute!

Osora raises it to the sky, presenting it like it's a divine baby.

Osora: This is Gleebo!

Iza: Gleebo!

As the two pals admire Gleebo, very violent splashing can be heard which then dissipates. Confused, they turn to where it came from, and Zeph's walking up to them, pulling and tightly holding the tail of a big shark as it squirms around.

Zeph: … What's up, guys?

They're dumbfounded.

Iza: You caught a shark!? Dude, you're awesome!

Osora: Yeah, you're definitely the best hunter here.

…

Shima, Sosa, and Zizin are over at the coarse and golden sand, where they're building a tall (like 12 feet) and poorly done sand castle using children's building tools; Attempting to break the record of the largest one ever made. They stare at their work, hopefully.

Shima: … Wow, it's pretty rough, but I think we might actually be able to break the record!

Sosa: Indeed. We just need a little more and we'll do it.

They focus on the tippy-top of the castle.

Shima: … We need to put more sand up there, but how?

…

At this time, the three are huddled, diligently discussing a plan.

Shima: So who's doing what? What's doing who?

Zizin: I should be the base cuz my tentacles can help hold!

Sosa: … No. You should be in the middle, so your tentacles can grab tools from the bottom and hand them to the top.

Zizin: Huu! You're right! Good call, Sosa!

Sosa: … I should be the base, I've got the strength to hold you both… And Shima should take the top, she's the most delicate.

Shima: You're putting a lot of pressure on me, guys.

…

Presently, right next to the castle, the three idiotic buddies are standing stiffly on each other's shoulders, creating a human ladder of sorts. Which is working.

Sosa's the strong foundation, Zizin's in the middle, his job being to have his tentacles pass sand from the bottom to the top, and Shima's at the said top, where she needs to carefully place the material in order to reach the height required for breaking the world record.

Anyhow, they commence the construction. Thus, Sosa hands a small bucket of sand to a descending tentacle, which it grapples and takes to the other, who then rises and hands it to Shima.

And after a brief pause, she cautiously inches her arms and the bucket closer to the castle top. Ultimately placing the sand down, and a moment later, the entire palace collapses.

The three buffoons stare at the sad mound, shocked; But burst into laughter right after.

…

One's been eaten, so there are 2 Pineapple slices left on the plate.

"... Rinka Shitamoto."

"... Who's got a heart of gold."

"... possessed by said entity."

"... It killed using his body."

"... I beg all of you to treat this boy as normal, he is not at fault. We Guardians are."

…

The interviews' continuing; Liz is still smiling endearingly, and can't seem to stop.

"... You know, I'm really glad we've all gotten so close… This group of talented and endearing individuals has made me and others the happiest people alive countless times, and I love them with all my heart."

…

It's Christmas Eve, 11:22 PM, and it's freezing in the Guardian's base. For that reason, all the familiar ones are innocently sleeping, snuggling carelessly under a giant, Beige blanket in the living room; Looking like a bundle of Bananas and flourishing in each other's warmth and affection.

…

Another one's been eaten, so there's one last Pineapple slice left on the plate.

"... I understand it will be difficult."

"... associated with tragedy."

"... But what if it was you? Or someone you knew?"

…

June 15th, 6:12 PM. All the Guardians are at a vibrant, brilliant, and vast Arcade.

…

Liz, Defei, Osora, and Xika are spread out around a prepared and playable pool table, looking sedate, eyeing each other, and sticks hidden. Next, the game begins; Defei brings out his cue, enters the perfect position for striking, and strikes. The white ball crashes into the others and they disperse, none are made in.

Defei: … I didn't make any in on purpose, just trying to give y'all a chance. I could have made all of them in, honestly.

Osora: No, you couldn't have, buddy. Now, watch a master at work.

Osora reveals his cue which has a gun scope attached to it, everyone's dumbfounded and about to laugh.

Defei: Dude!? Why does your shit have a scope!?

Osora: This is my strategy, don't mind it.

Liz giggles slightly.

Liz: Don't mind it? This is absurd!

Osora titters and quickly gets into hitting position, his stick inches away from the ball. Then he presses a barely noticeable button on the bottom of his cue which suddenly and violently launches the tip of it via a spring. The ball is blasted, off the table and into the wall, where it leaves a huge hole.

Everyone, including Osora, is dumbfounded again, and about to laugh again as well.

Defei: DUDE!?

Liz: … Osora. Are you serious?

Osora: … I didn't think it was gonna be that strong.

Defei: … Dude.

They're all smiling awkwardly, then they all crease up.

…

The last one. The last Pineapple slice is taken by a hand. By Rinka's hand, and is moved to his uneasy mouth. Moreover, he's still watching Liz's video on his phone, the device held up by his other hand, and his uneasy eyes completely focused on it.

"... fought hard to repossess his body."

"... preventing further deaths."

"... another massacre occurs…"

"... We will kill him, and then ourselves."

Rinka shifts a bit as the topic of the video does.

"... Please continue to trust us."

"... We understand if you lost it after our latest operation."

"... The Skillers caught us off guard."

"... Failed horribly…"

"... Errors of all calibers are glued to life, they can hit us like a pillow or a train, and they matter. But something matters more, and that is how we respond to that impact."

"... We are responding accordingly."

"... Shitamoto donated Black Blood to us."

"... We've grown stronger."

"... more skilled."

"... We will completely destroy the Skillers!"

TO BE CONTINUED…