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  WARRIOR ACADEMY

  FRESHMAN YEAR – EPISODE 5

  HIRO’S FALL

  BY:

  G. L. Rathweg

  Text copyright © 2019 by G. L. Rathweg

  Warrior Academy, characters, names, and related indica are trademarks of © G. L. Rathweg. All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author.

  SPOTIFY LINK:

  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1F2Ef6m9xNKCCAID2pujdt?si=_x-WUKMrTTq91EMPgN5MkA

  YOUTUBE LINK:

  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4EpaEEUcnmcEMGf0e7TJlusOhJzio8C_

  To MMM, you are my love, my heart, and my inspiration. You make me believe in love, life, and magic. (P.S. I love the kitties too.)

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  INTRO TRACK – LOOK BACK AT IT – BOOGIE WIT DA HOODIE

  CHAPTER 1 – LIFE LESSONS

  TRACK 1 –HOLD THE LINE – TOTO

  TRACK 2 – GO!!! – FLOW

  TRACK 3 – I WANT TO BREAK FREE – QUEEN

  TRACK 4 – JACKIE CHAN – TIESTO, DZEKO, PREME, POST MALONE

  CHAPTER 2 – CHOICES

  TRACK 5 – TENDERNESS – GENERAL PUBLIC

  TRACK 6 – FEEL THE PAIN – DINOSAUR JR.

  TRACK 7 – 5 YEARS TIME – NOAH AND THE WHALE

  TRACK 8 – MY PACE – MURRAY

  CHAPTER 3 – TIMES ARE A CHANGING

  TRACK 9 – ALONES – AQUA TIMEZ

  TRACK 10 – HARUKA KANATA – ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION

  TRACK 11 – UNBELIEVABLE – KANA-BOON

  TRACK 12 – NEW TREASURE ISLAND – SAKANACTION

  CHAPTER 4 – ALL THE SMOKE

  TRACK 13 – LAST DINOSAUR – THE PILLOWS

  TRACK 14 – NANDEMO NEDARI – KANA-BOON

  TRACK 15 – THANK YOU, MY TWILIGHT – THE PILLOWS

  EPILOGUE TRACK – THANK YOU! – HOME MADE KAZOKU

  CREDITS TRACK – IT’S GONNA RAIN – BONNIE PINK

  GLOSSARY

  FRESHMAN YEARBOOK

  SOPHOMORE YEARBOOK

  RKP/SNES STUDENTS

  FACULTY

  AFFINITY BALL RULEBOOK

  MONSTER MANUAL

  AFTERWORD

  SNEAK PEAK

  WARRIOR ACADEMY

  FRESHMAN YEAR – EPISODE 5

  HIRO’S FALL

  INTRODUCTION

  INTRO TRACK – LOOK BACK AT IT – BOOGIE WIT DA HOODIE

  The twin brothers, the baby, and the giant once redhaired man sailed away from the tiny island on the tiny boat. They watched the island disappear over the horizon until the volcano, the highest point on the island, could no longer be seen. All three men who just recently were in the prime of their lives now looked like old men. They each had white hair and their skin had become frail and papery.

  The men had stopped the volcano from destroying the island, but the task was not completed without cost. They had saved The Fam and themselves at the expense of their own health. All three of them had over used Affinity Magic and the backlash had taken its toll by taking the years from their lives. Where before the men had bright blue, green, and red manes of hair and glorious beards and mustaches yet now no trace of the luster remained.

  “It was worth it.” The once redhaired man said.

  “You are right. It was, but now our task becomes even harder.” The once green haired twin said.

  “We stay the course, the only thing that changes will be our timeline. Now, we must hurry because I do not thing we will be around as long.” The once blue haired man added.

  “Then let us begin, I can’t wait to see my son.” The redhaired man said with a grin.

  The twins smiled at their friend’s enthusiasm. He had been shipwrecked with The Fam for years and this was his first time coming back to civilization so to speak. Many things had changed but their friends didn’t care. The only thing that mattered to him now was seeing his family, his son. The brothers just hoped he’d still be as enthusiastic when he saw how things had become.

  Chapter 1

  Life Lessons

  The boy stared at the spot where he had lost his friend. All the others were there with him all looking at the same place he was and all wearing the same somber forlorn expressions. None of them had ever felt loss so personal and so close. They were warriors but they were young just at the beginning of their life’s roads. Of course, they knew of death and had killed many monsters but never had the death been so close, so real.

  Silence had been reigning but now it was broken by sobs, gut wrenching, heart breaking sobs that dug into the boy’s soul. The cries were joined in by others and the boy looked at his comrades and watched the wind blow their tears as they fell from their eyes and into the water far below.

  The boy was young and didn’t really know about love and such things, not really, but he knew that he had loved their friend. They all did like a sibling, a member of their own family and Clan. The cries became louder as the rest the boy’s friends joined in. The boy tried to join them, the boy tried to cry, to force the tears to come but none would. Instead, the boy’s face was dry and stoic, his emotion unable to penetrate his armor and show his feelings to the world.

  The cries began to slow and then stop and the one who was closest to the fallen came to the boy. They stared at each other, the boy in agony and the other in fury. The other didn’t see the boy’s pain only his armored façade and it angered them, fiercely.

  “You will pay for this… All of you will pay for this.” The angry one hissed, then turned and left not looking back at the boy or anyone else.

  TRACK 1 – HOLD THE LINE – TOTO

  “All students head to the dormitories in an orderly…” Ichigo Miyamoto’s voice was drowned out as the Neo Rus Empire’s fleet chose that moment to fire their batteries. Cannonballs ripped through the newly minted dawn’s air, overshadowing the din of the alarm’s klaxon cries. Tuki and I watched in growing horror, since my enhanced vision and senses let me see the dozens of fiery explosions blossom before my eyes. I saw the shots before I heard them just a few moments later.

  Luckily for us the ships were all bow facing so that limited the number of projectiles coming our way. That would change when the shark like ships turned broadside to fire.

  “Hiro!” Bron yelled, his voice broke me from my thoughts. “We have to go!”

  His words were punctuated by the now landing cannon shots. Which were bouncing off the school’s force shield, each bang sounding like a giant gong and crashing in a staccato rhythm.

  “He’s right boss, we have to go. It’s not safe here.” Tuki chimed in, echoing Bron’s sentiment.

  Just then Headmaster Miyamoto’s voice amplified and sounded out over the racket of the cannonballs that were smashing into the shield. Each hit causing the invisible dome to flare a translucent blue with every successive strike. Making it look like a giant strobing disco light, accentuating the teacher’s words with every shot.

  “Faculty and students, Defense Plan Lock Down Alpha 1 is in effect! Initiate immediately, details are being sent to your AR-2s. This is not a drill, I repeat, this is not a drill!” The Headmaster commanded, in a loud but calm voice.

  My AR-2 dinged and I spared a moment flicking my attention to the message.

  DEFENSE PLAN LOCK DOWN ALPHA 1

  INITIATED…

  ATTENTION ALL SCHOOLS FACULTY AND STUDENT BODY

  ALL FACULTY MEMBERS FORM DEFENSIVE AND OFFENSIVE BATTERIES. ALL STUDENTS IN GRADE SOPHOMORE CLASS S FORM GUARD SQUADS AND FALLBACK TO POSITIONS A THROUGH D. ALL STUDENTS IN GRADE SOPHOMORE CLASS A AND BELOW, AND FRESHMAN CLASS S AND BELO
W, FALL BACK TO PREDETERMINED SHELTER SECTIONS 1 THROUGH 3, FOLLOW THE ROUTES ON YOUR AR-2S

  I closed the message just in time to watch as every member of The Faculty burst out in different color lights and streaked towards the incoming enemies. Ms. Parker’s aura shined a crisscross of light blue air and dark red fire, Mr. Samson’s was the dark brown of the earth, while Mr. Joker’s was a fluctuating rainbow of colors that never settled on anyone. My gaze trailed over the rest of The Faculty, Mr. Austin’s aura was the pure white of snow and ice, Ms. Smith’s was bright pink like glowing cotton candy, and Professor Strange’s was an almost clear color that looked like a heat haze in the air.

  My fellow classmates and I cheered as The Faculty got into position. Ms. Smith, Professor Strange, and Mr. Joker reinforced the barrier lending magical aid to the flagging shield. While the rest of them shot through the barrier and streaked towards the enemy bringing the attack to them. In just a few seconds, the three attacking teachers were speeding through the sky, dodging the incoming cannonballs and closing in on the ships and ABBAs. When the teachers were almost in range of the enemy things took a rapid turn for the worst.

  Ninja Commandos, I don’t know what else you’d call someone wearing ninja garb that was patterned off green camouflage, appeared behind each faculty member. There were three for each teacher, nine in total, each wielding glowing weapons, which they held pointed at the shield strengthening teachers. They seemed oblivious to their assailant’s presence as they were so focused on maintaining the shield against the enemy in front of them. I looked closely at the weapons and my AR-2 dinged, I glanced at the information in the corner of my eye.

  AFFINITY NEGATION STUNNING ASP

  Weapon Type – Retractable Stun Baton

  Name – ASP

  Class – Unique

  Durability – 100/100

  Upgrades – Affinity Negation, Reverse Affinity Stun

  Known Characteristics – This weapon was created to nullify a person’s Affinity Power and render them incapacitated. Made of the same material as an Affinity Ball this weapon reverses the polarity of the material and instead of taking on the properties of the Affinity wielder, it instead sucks the Affinity Power from those targeted.

  Affinities – Null, Zero Affinity

  I went to call out to the teachers, but the enemy Ninjas acted before I could. Fear gripped me as the Ninjas attacked the teachers in unison. Nine asps flashed out, almost faster than the eye could see, each hitting a different vulnerable spot on a teacher. All three dropped without any sounds but grunts and thuds of hitting the ground.

  Closing the information bubble, I looked at my friends standing by my side and all around us. All of Class S, even Justin and his crew had come within speaking distance. While the other members of the Freshman and Sophomore classes streamed towards the shelters. The exception was the Sophomore’s Class S, who were separated into their A-Ball trio’s and were racing towards the Ninja Commando attackers that had taken the teachers out.

  The Mirror Triplets reached the first trio of enemies, the ones that disabled Ms. Smith, all three struck simultaneously in a perfectly timed ballet of badassery. Meryl, Beryl, and Sheryl each targeted a different attacker, their silvery auras shining like armor around them, then as one they yelled their attacks name.

  “Mirror Triple Strike!” The triplets cried.

  Suddenly, the triplets tripled. Three versions of each girl appeared, separating from the original in a split-second and turning from opaque to fully corporeal. Then all nine flared their silver auras as they struck. Three shining silver kicks apiece blasted into each Ninja Commando. My AR-2 dinged as I watched.

  MIRROR TRIPLE STRIKE (Level – 3) – This attack is a triple threat that can only be completed by members of the Mirror clan. By completed syncing the wavelength of their Affinity Powers, the triplets make mirror images of themselves that are three times the power output of the single member, then their power is tripled again by fusing each members own Affinity Power creating an AP pool that is exponentially stronger. This ability lasts till the triplets AP is expended.

  By the time I flicked the information closed the other Sophomore groups had reached the other Ninjas and engaged them. They were already getting the upper hand with their surprise attacks and use of A-Ball tactics. My group cheered as the Ninja Commandos fell under the Sophomore onslaught one by one, until they were all down and incapacitated. Anna caught my eye and I gave her a thumbs up, which she returned with a fierce and triumphant grin.

  I motioned to my group and gestured towards the Sophomores, then we all ran over to help, our sprites leading the way. I skidded to a stop a few feet before I reached Anna, quickly followed by the rest of my class. The gorgeous girl was directing her fellow classmates and then turned as we reached her. The rest of the Sophomores picked up the dropped asps and moved to help the unconscious teachers, ignoring the downed enemies.

  “What’s the plan sis.” Justin called, walking up to stand next to his older sister and older brother, Blake.

  “We need to get the teachers to the infirmary first thing. Bron, Dwayne, and Blake, each of you grab a teacher then…” Anna began saying, as she finished directing hers and our teams.

  The rest of her words were lost on me though, as another barrage from the NRE ships hit the barrier. The lead ship’s information flashed up on my AR-2.

  NRE FAST ATTACK AIR GUNSHIP

  SHORT RANGE ASSAULT CRAFT – 150 FT LENGTH – 50 FT WIDTH

  ARMAMENT – FIVE PORT AND FIVE STARBOARD BROADSIDE CANNONS, DUAL FORWARD AND STERN MOUNTED AFFINITY CANNONS

  ARMOR – N/A

  CREW MAX – 50

  The Neo Rus Empire’s military is based on the concept that the best defense is a good offense. NRE-FAAG’s are the epitome of this philosophy. Highly armed, extremely maneuverable, and very fast, all at the expense of shielding and armor. Designed to resembled sharks made of iron and wood, they are propelled by an Affinity powered steam engine that can use crew members as fuel to extend its capabilities. These ships are usually used in fast attack squadrons that operate in short range from a base of operations with a longer tactical range. There large armament and ability to hold a large crew make them a very effective at surprise assaults.

  I closed the window and caught my balance. The world shook visibly around us all, as the first broadside of cannonballs struck the shield. This was the largest and strongest attack yet. The ships had turned to their sides and were now firing five more shots per ship. I watched in morbid fascination as what looked like a rain of cannon fire exploded against the shield, causing it to flicker and shake in rapid spasms and bursts. If this kept up, I wouldn’t bet on the shield lasting that much longer. As if echoing my thoughts, Maggie grabbed my shoulder and gestured towards the rest of the group. They were already heading off at full speed with the unconscious teachers over broad shoulders.

  The entire group moved quickly but safely. Anna had us in a formation with the teachers in the center surrounded by the rest of us. Maggie and I pulled up the rear. No one spoke, nothing needed to be said we all knew where we needed to go. Besides, the world around us was speaking plenty.

  I glanced back and saw that Ms. Parker, Mr. Samson, and Mr. Austin were still shining brightly and flying around the group of enemy ships and ABBAs. From this distance they looked like glowing florescent ping pong balls bouncing back and forth wildly through the sky. Even though they were way outnumbered every time they struck another NRE combatant fell from the sky. I grinned and was about to cheer out loud when another ship broke through the cloudbank and my cheer caught in my throat. All that came out was a strangled croak.

  The largest ship I had ever seen appeared from behind the attacking NRE-FAAGs and ABBAs. This ship was huge, easily as large as all the attacking ships combined. It was a steam belching fire breathing dragon of a vessel, replete with cannons protruding from every side and a runway with a massive air control tower on top. I was reminded of the movies my Sensei liked about W
orld War II with their aircraft carriers. This was a flying version of that mixed with a steam powered destroyer.

  NEO RUS EMPIRE BATTLE AFFINITY DREADNAUGHT

  NAME – NRE VLADIMIR PUTIN

  CLASS – LEGENDARY

  LONG RANGE ASSAULT CARRIER – 770 FT LENGTH – 83 FT WIDTH

  ARMAMENT – FIFTY PORT AND FIFTY STARBOARD BROADSIDE AFFINITY COMBO CANNONS, THIRTEEN FORWARD AND STERN MOUNTED AFFINITY COMBO CANNONS, HANGAR FIFTY ASSAULT ABBA

  ARMOR – AFFINITY REINFORCED STEEL PLATING

  CREW MAX – 350

  The Neo Rus Empire’s military flagship. The Putin is a fully functional flying fortress and forward operating base. The Putin has all the necessary equipment and supplies to keep their army and ships supplied for six months. The vessel also has the armament equivalent of an entire fleet of ships. With their fast attack ABABs and FAAGs, they have a blitzkrieg ability that is second to none.

  I took in all of this in a moment, then closed the screen and kept moving, catching back up with my classmates who had also seen the monster ship, and were now moving even faster. Then thunder struck, louder than I had ever heard in my life, so loud that I involuntarily put my hands over my ears, along with the rest of my classmates. Maggie’s eyes were wide as she stared over my shoulder, looking almost comical with her hands covering her ears, I turned following her gaze.

  “You gotta be freaking kidding me…” I whispered.

  Clouds of smoke blossomed from the side of the giant warship, in all the different Affinity colors, that were so large they obscured the huge ship from view. Then I saw the cannonballs streaking in, but these were Affinity powered shots, radiating Affinity Magic. There was ice, fire, earth, wind, and all the other Affinities, I watched them all as they traveled almost in slow motion, with a terrible feeling growing in the pit of my stomach the whole while. Luckily or not, I didn’t have to wait long. The combined barrage of FAAG’s and the Putin, almost a hundred cannonballs and Affinity cannonballs struck the schools shield.