Tanoshii and Zola talked together for hours every day. By the end of one week of doing this, they already knew everything about one another. Neither of them could keep secrets from each other. Zola was very happy about this; she had never really had a real friend before, and she had to admit that she liked having a friend.
One paticular afternoon, they couldn't think of anything to talk about, so they sat in silence.
Tanoshii, out of the blue, shuddered.
"Vhat is zhe matter, Tanoshii?" Zola asked, having noticed.
"I dunno...it just seems TOO quiet" he muttered, looking around carefully.
Zola nodded, "It does seem too quiet. It is very ominous" she agreed.
As Zola concurred, a black car pulled up to the lonely white building. Stepping out, a girl dressed entirely in white stared up at the building and flipped her black and purple hair over her shoulder. Walking up to the door, she knocked delicately.
Immediately, Sora opened it.
"Good. Less than a second" she said, smiling. It wasn't a happy smile, though. The evil in her eyes brought out the true nature. She was more wicked than good.
"Welcome. We've been expecting you, Miss. Please, come in" he said, leading the mysterious girl in and down the hall.
"Though, I suppose you weren't expecting me for another week or two, were you?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.
"No, we weren't. Why are you here so early, praytell?" Sora asked, looking over his shoulder at her.
"Because I have something to discuss with Zola. Where is she?" she asked, looking around at the white walls.
"She's with Tanoshii. Follow me" Sora said, leading her down a hall. At the end was the door, which he opened.
Zola jumped up, but Tanoshii stayed seated. It wasn't as though he could easily and quickly get up anyhow, with his hands cuffed behind his back.
"Thank you, Sora. You are dismissed" the girl said, waving him away.
He bowed, and backed out, closing the door.
Tanoshii squinted at the girl; she looked oddly familiar.
"So this is Tanoshii Yamato" the girl said, walking over to him and kneeling down in front of him.
"Who are you, and why do you look so familiar?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Captive boy, don't be stupid. She IS Abunai. She controls everyzhing. She is zhe head of everyzhing zhat ve do. She controls us" Zola said, blushing slightly.
Tanoshii's eyes widened, and the girl nodded. "Yes, I am Abunai. Though it's not my real name, I much prefer it" she said, standing up. She walked over to Zola, staring into her eyes. "Zola..." she whispered.
"Yes, Miss?" Zola asked nervously.
"As you know, I know about everything you do. Everything. Did you think for one second that you could ever keep this from me?" she asked, frowning.
"K-keep vhat, Miss?" Zola stammered, her eyes flicking around the room, rather than making eye contact.
"You and Tanoshii. You no longer want to kill him. You are sympathizing. And it is reflected in your performance. You no longer wish to kill anyone else. You've gone soft, Zola. And I know it" she said.
"Vhat are you going to do to me?" Zola asked scaredly, her eyes extremely wide.
"Zola, we can't afford to let you go. You would rat us out, and stop the conquering of everything. The entire universe, I mean. But then again, we can't keep you here. If you're not going to do your job, you are useless to us" she said airily, checking her nails.
"Wait...don't tell me you're going to kill Zola!" Tanoshii said, his eyes now wide.
She just laughed, and Zola fought back tears. The laugher echoed around the empty room, penetrating Tanoshii's mind like nine inch long nails.
"Until i can think of a way to do it, you're staying here with Mr. Yamato. Expect not to be here by the end of the week" the girl said, pulling Zola's hands behind her back and cuffing her with the same kind of handcuffs that Tanoshii had. She pushed Zola down, and walked out of the room.
Zola landed heavily, and for a moment she just sat there, before bursting into tears.
Tanoshii's angry look softened, and he sighed heavily. "Oh, Zola. I'm so sorry. This is my fault" he said sadly.
"No it's not! It's my fault! I just had to go bad, didn't I?!" Zola wailed, tears streaming down her face.
"But it's fate. You can't change the past, after all. Unless you go back in time. But that's dangerous. Anyhow, we'll find some way out of this, I'm sure" he said, edging over to her.
*
Destiny, being bored and stuck at the office one afternoon, played around on her computer. She checked her e-mail, and found that she had one from an unrecognized adress. "Who could that be?" she wondered, raising her eyebrows, "I'll open it anyhow. It can't be a virus. I have a massive firewall" she clicked on it, and read the message.
"Dear Destiny,
It is a pleasure to have contacted you after so long. Of course, it's been ten years. I would be surprised if you recognized me. I have to say that it is an honor to finally be back on Earth. Surprised? Don't be. You'll know what I mean soon enough. I would just like to take the time to tell you, though, that I am the one who killed your parents. Not Zola, as you previously suspected. Put all the blame on me, my friend, for it was my plan. Every bombing. Every invasion. All of it; mine. I AM Abunai. Though that isn't my real name, it's the one I'm most well known for. And in case you want to trace this e-mail, you can't. It's routed through several planets. One again, a pleasure"
Destiny raised her eyebrows once again. "Who the heck is this? Are they really Abunai? Of course they would be. No civillian knows about Abunai. And how do they know I suspected Zola?" she thought.
At home with Annelise later, Destiny discussed the mysterious e-mail.
"Well, that's weird" Annelise said, after reading it.
"I know! How do they know? Who is it? Should I know?" Destiny asked, looking confused.
"I think you should know. After all, they obviously know you very well" Annelise said, folding the paper it was printed on in half.
"That's the freaky part. I didn't tell anyone I suspected Zola. I barely even said it! How did they know?" Destiny asked, still puzzled.
"That's a question that has baffled scientists for centuries" Annelise giggled.
"No, a question that has baffled scientists for centuries is; is there an end to the universe, and if there is, what's on the other side?" Destiny asked, raising her eyebrows so high that they disappeared into her hair.
"Yes, a very interesting question. Any comments?" Annelise asked.
"Nope. I don't care whether the universe is endless or not, and what's on the other side. All I care about right now is who this person is and why they're here" Destiny said, crossing her arms.
"Maybe you'll never know. Maybe they'll kill you before you even see them" Annelise said, rather morbidly.
"I don't even want to think about that" Destiny shuddered.
*
The girl who was supposedly Abunai ended up in Sora's office, sitting next to him.
"So, when re we going to put our plan into action?" Sora asked airily.
"Not yet. I'll give it a little time. They'll think everything's clearing up. Of course, when the soldiers get here, then we will attack. The Earth forces won't know what hit them. It will be fabulous!" she said, throwing up her arms excitedly.
"Ooh, good plan! You always have the best plans" he smiled.
"I know" she said, very full of herself.
"How, exactly, did you get so smart?" he asked curiously.
"Well, it's a very touchy matter, but I guess I could tell you" she sighed.
He leaned closer to her in anticipation.
"My parents had great expectations for me, even before I was concieved. They wanted a perfect child. So, the entered the DNA splicing program. They created me, literally. I was to be perfect. Smart, pretty, athletic, and strong; more resilliant than normal people. Everything a parent could want in a child. Of course, they didn't know I was going to be evil. They also didn't plan on me having a twin" she explained.
"Twin?" he asked, raising a single eyebrow.
"Yes, a twin. At first, when they found out, they were not happy. They had only wanted one daughter. But as time passed, they became unaware of me, focussing all their attention on my innocent sister. That gave me time to plan. Time to turn things in my favour. So, when I was sixteen, I killed them. I blew up our appartment, making sure that my parents were there. I had planned on my sister being in the building as well. Unfortunately for me, she was with her friends. I hadn't seen my family for years, so even when she heard my name she didn't recognize it. It did help that I had wiped her mind of any memories of me earlier. I still don't think she knows she has a twin. It will be a surprise when I tell her" she concluded.
"And...might I ask who this twin is?" he asked curiously.
she just laughed, "All in good time, my friend. All in good time"
*
The next morning at work, Destiny came to realize that she had mountains of paperwork. As she sat, signing and re-signing papers, she stared out the windows at the beautiful day outside. "I wish Yasashimi would let me leave" she thought, blinking heavily.
"Migoto..." some whispered, behind her.
She quickly whipped around, to find Yasashimi standing there, smirking. "Oh, sorry Sir. Was I zoned out again?" she blushed, rubbing the back of her neck embarrassedly.
"Yes, you were. Is this really about staying inside, or are you still worried about Yamato?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
She nodded, "I suppose it's Tanoshii. He's always in my head; it's hard to concentrate" she said.
"Maybe you should take a vacation" he said.
"Vacation? But where on Earth would I go?" she asked, raising her own eyebrows.
"Who said anything about Earth?"
*
Sora pursued the girl, to continue to get her story. "So, why did you not stay with your family?" he asked her, still very curious.
"Well, that was simple. They were too obsessed with my sister to even pay attention to me. So, one night before my ninth birthday, I ran away. Not before wiping my sister's mind of every thought about me. Every memory. She had no idea who I was. Then, I left.
"I somehow ended up on the planet of Ban'nin, very far away from Earth. The ruler, Queen Ayashii, found me and took me in. She could give me all the supplies I needed to have revenge upon my parents for basically abandoning me, and to my planet for forsaking me and all those like me. She didn't even question me when I asked her if I could use her army.
"And now...my plan is going to distroy this awful planet, and all those who inhabit it, including my sister. All I have to do is say the word, and the troops will tear this place to pieces. And to make sure there are no more DNA experimentations on any other planet, I'm going to take control of all of them, as well. it's perfect!" she explained it all, laughing rather maniacally at the end.
Sora looked surprised, but didn't question her strategies. After all, she was the leader for a reason.
"Tanoshii..." Zola said quietly, the tone of urgency in her voice.
Tanoshii remained asleep, curled up in a corner like a car.
She pulled herself over to him, and poked him softly. "Tanoshii...vake up..." she said.
He merely twitched.
She jabbed him in the ribs and yelled "Tanoshii! Vake up, moron!"
He sat straight up, almost slapping her in the face. "What do you want, Zola?" he asked, gingerly touching his side where she'd poked him. "That's going to leave a bruise..." he thought, wincing.
"I can hear zhem. It's so quiet zhat I can hear zhem. But it isn't good. No, zhey plan to destroy zhe entire planet. It's not looking great" she said, looking sad.
"Hey, I'm still working on it!" he smiled.
"You don't seem to be vorking very hard..." she stared at him coldly out of the corner of her eyes.
He grinned embarrassedly, "Well, I'm working on it quite slowly, to say the least"
"Vell, at least I've done vhat I can. So zhey can't kill you" she said, nodding.
"Oh? What did you do?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.
"I..." she began, but the door opened.
"Not...another...word" Sora said dangerously, suddenly behind Zola.
She slowly turned her head, to come face to face with an old fashioned shot gun. "Umm...v-vhat are you d-doing?" she stamered, her eyes wide. Suddenly her heart was pounding so loudly that she was sure everyone in the room could hear it.
"You are plotting. We can hear you if you can hear us, you know. And since we can't kill him..." Sora said, smirking.
"Wait!" Tanoshii said, noticing Sora's finger sliding closer to the trigger.
"Wait? For what?" Sora asked, lowering the gun.
"I have something to do, before you do. Could you give us one last minute? Just one?" Tanoshii asked, looking up at Sora from the floor.
Sora rolled his eyes, and walked out. "One minute" he said, closing the door.
Zola wailed, knowing her time had come.
"Zola, don't worry! You and I both know that this is for the better! we know that if the police ever caught you you'd never EVER get out! And sweetheart, it's better than suffering" he said comfortingly, wrapping his arms around her.
"Oh Tanoshii...you are so sveet...I love you" she said, looking straight into his eyes.
"I know you'll be just fine, Zola" he smiled, staring back into hers. Suddenly his eyes widened, as she kissed him.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, closing her eyes.
"I guess it's only once..." he thought.
The door opened again while they were stuck together, and Sora laughed. "Yeah, get it over with. You'll never do that again, believe me" he said, smiling rather wickedly.
Zola pulled away, tears forming in her eyes again.
"I'm so sorry, Zola" Tanoshii said quietly.
"I know you are. But it's okay. I vill be fine, like you said" she smiled, letting go of him.
"Fond fairwells. Well, might as well say mine. Good-bye Zola, you traitor" Sora said, grabbing her wrists.
She winced; the tight cuffs had left red welts on them.
"Bye, Zola" Tanoshii said, smiling weakly. Though his eyes were welling up as well.
A single tear slipped down Zola's cheek, "Good-bye, Tanoshii. I love you" she said quietly.
Sora held the barrel of the gun up to her head, his finger resting dangerously close to the trigger. He pulled back the rest of the way, and Tanoshii looked away. The bang was temporarily deafening to him, but he could clearly hear Sora's cruel laugher and the dull thud of Zola hitting the floor.
*
Destiny dragged Annelise with her, on her vacation to Mars. While she stared out the window of the jet, Annelise refused to look, clinging to her seat tightly.
"Are you alright?" Destiny giggled, looking over her shoulder at Annelise.
"No. I think zero G makes me sick" Annelise muttered, a slightly greenish tinge covering her face.
"Are you telling me that you've never been to space before?" Destiny asked, her eyes wide.
Annelise merely shook her head.
"You're crazy! Everyone I know except for you has been at some point or another!" Destiny said incredulously. She paused for a moment but Annelise didn't answer, "And I know for a fact that all my old friends, including Tanoshii, game with me on our grade four class trip to Venus" Destiny added.
"Well, good for them. I've never been, I have no. Big deal" Annelise said, shortly. Changing the subject, she smiled, "So exactly how long have you known Tanoshii?"
"Well, he and I went to the same school since kindergarten, so I guess I've known him since then" Destiny shrugged.
"What was he like back then?" Annelise asked curiously.
"Oh, he was a little BRAT! He was loud and annoying, and hated the girls. Though they all loved him, because he was the cutest boy in the class. I never did, though. I only saw his annoying...ness. But he grew up" Destiny giggled at the memory of it.
"I've always wanted to work with little kids" Annelise said dreamily.
"You should open a private school! For brilliant children" Destiny grinned.
"No, to every child. Every child can be brilliant if they work at it" Annelise said, nodding sharply.
"Good point"
Mars was the model planet of the solar system. Peaceful and clean, it was known as a pedestrian paradise. Lots of interesting sights and sites to see, lots of interesting places to go.
"I want to live here when I retire" Destiny sighed, as they stood on the top of the tallest building on Mars; the Antei Tower.
"Me too" Annelise agreed, smiling.
"Hey! We could start your private school!" Destiny grinned.
"Yeah! that would be fun!" Annelise nodded, smiling brighter.
"That is, if we make it to that age. At the rate this war is progressing, I doubt we'll be old enough to retire before we die" Destiny sighed.
Annelise nodded, looking over her shoulder. "Hey, this place looks familiar" she said, raising her eyebrows.
"Yeah. It's the place where my only picture of my family was taken" Destiny said, smiling slightly.
"Oh, that one you have on your desk? D'you think that there's another person in the picture?" Annelise asked.
"Yeah, it looks like there should be, doesn't it?" Destiny nodded.
"Yep. It looks like they got burnt out of the picture" Annelise said.
Destiny and Annelise went shopping, splitting up but keeping in touch via cell phones. "Where are you now, Annelise?" Destiny asked, using the walkie-talkie function on her phone.
"I'm at the North end of the main floor. Where are you?" Annelise answered.
"I'm on the top floor, at the South end. It's really deserted" Destiny said, looking around.
"Well, that's because it's almost closing time. I mean, we have been here a while" Annelise said.
"Guess you're right. Should we start heading back now?" Destiny asked.
"Sure. Meet me at the main doors whenever possible, okay?" Annelise asked.
"Sure" Destiny echoed, turning off her phone. She set down her shopping bags and stuck it back in her purse. Her hand brushed something cold, and she realized she'd put her laser in there. "Okay, what was I thinking?" she asked herself, pulling it out. She wasn't afraid anyone would see her, because there was nobody on that story other than her.
She heard footsteps however, as though many people many people were coming towards her. She hurriedly put her laser back in her purse, and picked up her bags.
Though she realized that was a bad idea when she was surrounded by many soldiers, all dressed in white. "What...?!" she yelled, annoyed with herself for not seeing this coming.
As they were instructed to, the soldiers immediately attacked her.
Predicting the trajectory accurately, she dodged the shots easily, running up to those who had shot at her. One of them she kicked in the head, causing him to fall flat on his face and not get back up. The other two she pushed against the wall, causing them to hit their heads hard and pass out.
Instantly, she was caught in a cross-fire as they all started shooting at her at once. Some of them fell to their own allies' shorts, but most of them stayed up, pursuing Destiny's movements.
She ran in between the two lines, back and forth, while pulling her laser back out. She shot at a few soldiers, but one of them was smart and shot the laser out of her hand. It didn't break but slid behind enemy lines, so she couldn't reach it. "Damn!" she muttered, frowning.
She ducked behind a large pillar, attempting to come up with a strategy. "Okay...if I can get one of the fallen soldiers' guns, I can keep shooting at them. But that;ll take some fast running" she said quietly to herself.
She peeked out, and planned her best route.
When they all looked over at her she zipped out, to the closest fallen soldier. She took the gun from him, and turned on them all. "So this is why Yasashimi had us trained with all weapons" she said, shooting at them.
The good thing was that the gun was completely automatic, so she didn't have to pause in between shots. She knocked most of them down, until there was only two left. But she only had one bullet left.
"Damn it!" she said loudly, frowning. She shot at the one she saw more as a threat, watching the bullet rip through the sweet spot of his supposedly bullet-proof uniform, and the blood, blossoming on the front of his uniform like a rose. She turned to the other, who was aiming at her.
"Finally" he said quietly, pulling the trigger.
She moved slightly, and the bullet missed it's original target, her heart. But it still hit her.
White-hot pain errupted in her side and she doubled over, her hand over the wound. Despite the pain she was able to retain her bearings, though just barely.
The remaining soldier left her to die, alone amongst his fallen allies.
Destiny squinted, her vision blurring. "No Destiny...don't pass out... you'll die if you do..." she told herself, reaching for her cell phone. She found it, and flipped it open, quickly dialing Annelise's number.
"Hello? Destiny?" Annelise answered.
"Yeah...hey" Destiny smiled weakly.
"Oh my gosh! What happened?! You sound terrible!" Annelise said worriedly.
"Big fire fight up on my floor here... oh man, almost everyone is dead. No civillians, though... Annelise they shot me...please get help up here. Call the police and the ambulance, too... I don't think I can keep myself concious much longer" Destiny explained as well as she could.
"Oh...! Destiny hold on! I'll be right there sweetie!" Annelise said. Over the phone, Destiny could tell she was running.
"Thanks Annelise..." She said softly, holding her hand over her mouth. She pulled it away momentarily, and noticed it was covered in blood. "It's really bad..." she said, coughing, "I'm coughin' up blood here"
"Oh come on!" Annelise cried, running up the stairs, which was faster than the elevator.
"I'm not lying Annelise" Destiny said, coughing again. She put her hand back over the wound in her side and fell over, not able to hold herself up on her hands and knees anymore. The door to the stairs opened on her left, and she snapped her phone shut.
"Destiny!" Annelise shrieked, running over to her.
"Annelise..." Destiny said, attempting to sit up. She slipped in her own blood though, and fell back down. "Ouch..." she said quietly.
"Oh...my gosh. Destiny I don't want to alarm you but you're as white as their uniforms...if you don't get some medical attention soon..." Annelise said, ripping her brand new top and pulling off Destiny's. She winced at the sight of the wound but carried on.
"You're going to be okay, though. I know it" she continued.
"I know...I will. Because you're here" Destiny said weakly, flinching as Annelise applied pressure to the wound.
"Okay, I'm going to call now. You stay with me, you hear?!" Annelise said, whipping out her phone.
Destiny nodded, closing her eyes.
"Don't die!" Annelise said, dialing.
"I won't..." Destiny said softly, slipping out of conciousness.
