//------------------------------// // A Memory // Story: Gidget Chronicles // by Ninyn //------------------------------// Gidget woke up wrapped in bandages from the waist up. She tried to rise but a wave of nausea washed over her quickly causing her to vomit on the side of her resting spot. "Careful now miss. You haven't fully recovered yet. You took quite a beating from that Exion," a male voice spoke. Gidget looked around and she saw a man sitting with a half bandaged face with a tattoo lining down the visible side of his face. Gidget blinked, "W-Who are you? And... Where are my friends?" she asked. The man stood going to what looked like a sink limping as he walked. "Your friends I believe are still looking for you in the caverns across from here. I have left a trail for them to find this place in due time, and to answer your other question. I am Slate. I was once wielded by Revan Arrow after Shin Ryu had been stolen from him. Now I reside here on The Isle of Night in peace. I enjoyed the times I had here," he said. Gidget blinked, "Your weapon?! And you were wielded by Nightshade?!" she cried. Slate nodded, "Yes. When I was broken Revan reformed the hilt and remaining piece of my blade with a piece of ore he found while training here. Though I was made whole I never was quite able to properly heal in my humanoid form," he said. Gidget frowned, "Why didn't you remain with Nightshade?" she asked. Slate put a glass of water on the side table next to Gidget, "It all started during the battle I had been shattered. It was my decision and request after being reformed. Revan didn't argue and accepted my terms. I was to remain here for any who needed guidance or aid. I am merely a post in the road leading others in the right direction," he said. Gidget blinked, "I'm looking for a way to save Nightshade. He's been captured and taken control of by a dark being. I need something of his to help snap him out of the beings control," she said. Slate turned towards her his grey eye turning dark red, "Do not try and hide any details Ms. Cogsworth. You're hiding your true intentions from the rest of your company and it will be a very high price for what you wish to do. I understand your feelings and I do not think your reasons are for the wrong, but you should take into consideration the events you might put into action if you succeed in your quest," he said. Gidget paled looking into the man's eye, "I... I can't tell them... Even if I told them they wouldn't understand... It's not fair..." she whimpered. Slate's eye reverted back to stone grey as he sat back in his chair taking a sip of his own glass. Gidget looked up sadly, "Please... I know it's a tough choice... But please... Can you help me?" she asked. Slate sighed softly, "First I must show you what I was told to show to any who came before them," he said tapping her forehead. Gidgets eyes widened as a flash of light lit the cave. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gidget stood with Slate at the edge of the Isle of Night. Gidget looked around curiously eyeing the area. There was ship debris all throughout the sea's waters. Fire still burned across some of the planks. A figure was swimming out of the water with something on his back. Gidget ran over trying to help and saw that it was a younger Nightshade and... Ninyn! A cold wave crashed through her mind watching the scene. Ninyn looked so frail and small. The boy was pale and Nightshade was performing CPR on him. Ninyn soon started coughing and spitting up water. "That's it, that's it! Come on little guy!" Nightshade said. The young boy started crying and screaming as if in great pain. Ninyn rolled over clutching his stomach crying fiercely getting sand all over his ripped clothing and blood covered skin. Nightshade frowned pulling the boy into his arms, "Hey it's ok... It's ok little guy you're safe now... I promise..." he said rubbing Ninyn's back. Ninyn tried pushing away but Nightshade over powered the boy's strength keeping him in his arms. Nightshade rose to his feet and began walking back towards the direction of the cave Slate had put Gidget in. Ninyn soon passed out in Nightshade's arm during the trip. Nightshade sighed pulling out Slate, "Come on my friend I need your aid," he said. The large grey blade soon took human form and a more complete healthy version of Slate stood at Nightshade's side, "What can I help you with sir?" he asked. Nightshade smiled, "Go grab some onion and those herbs we found last week on the other side of the island to me. I'm gonna start healing the boys wounds. I'm going to need something to restore color to his body and drain any excess fluids from his body. The ship he was on was a ship for cargo. When you get back I'll return to shore and see if there's anything I can salvage from the depths," he said. Slate nodded, "Yes sir. Right away," he said. Nightshade turned towards Ninyn, "And Slate hurry back... We're probably going to have company very soon," he said. Slate eyed Nightshade closely and nodded as he walked out the cave entrance. Nightshade sighed heavily, "What a life I live huh dad?" he asked aloud. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Another flash and Gidget was soon back in the cave entrance looking at a oddly discolored Slate. Gidget frowned, "Is everything alright?" she asked. Slate coughed and wheezed a little looking up as he drank his glass of water. Gidget frowned watching the man as he downed another glass of water until his color returned. "Forgive me. It's been quite some time since I've used that technique. It drains a lot of the energy I've been imbued with. Master Revan made sure I could recharge and teach others the lessons they need to know before carrying on," he said. Gidget nodded slowly, "Is there any way I can help?" she asked. Slate chuckled softly, "I have one more memory that I can help you. The only thing I ask of you is to learn from the memories," he said. With another tap on the forehead Gidget spiraled into a void. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was darker than she had seen the island in the last memory. There was the sound of energy blasts and people screaming in the distance. Gidget ran fast towards the spectacle. She saw Caster's fire and a counter attack of green lightning and fire! Caster lay against the side of a mountain pinned by a bronze sword through his shoulder. A man with short brown hair stood holding a black blade with green writing on the blade! The man held Shin Ryu!! "At last I've got you pinned where I need you. It's time to say good bye to the resistance!" the man cackled. A woman was screaming bloody murder and a young man was knocked lying unconscious on the ground near the beach. Obviously these were Nightshade's other comrades during his fighting in this realm. Gidget eyed the battle curiously. A white blast hit the man square in the back and he fell off the mountain dropping Shin Ryu! Gidget caught site of Nightshade dashing across the cavern wall catching the blade in midflight. The young warrior landed on his feet pulling the bronze sword free of Caster's body. "Sorry to keep you waiting guys, but you know the story. The hero of the hour always arrives in the nick of time!" Nightshade said smiling. Caster stared wide eyed at his cousin in disbelief, "Wha-?!" Nightshade held up a hand silencing him, "Now's not the time. Let me handle Trenox," he said as his eyes turned gold. The man named Trenox jumped up high glaring at Nightshade, "HOW DARE YOU!!" he roared. Nightshade rolled his eyes and threw the bronze blade at the raging man. Trenox caught the blade and lunged at Nightshade. Nightshade drew forth Slate and blocked the first strike and came across the back with Shin Ryu knocking Trenox back. Trenox growled and sent a blast at Nightshade but another white blast deflected Trenox's blast! "Sorry dude but I can't let you harm big bro's friends!" A small voice called out. Trenox turned to see a young man with short black hair with pine green eyes! Trenox turned to Nightshade, "A son?" he scoffed. Nightshade smiled and kicked the man in the face hard knocking down the chasm and jumping down after him. Trenox landed on his back hard coughing up blood. The man glared at Nightshade with utter rage. Nightshade smiled, "Sorry to disappoint you bro, but I'm no dad and you're not an uncle. That there was Ninyn Yamanakou. I found him amongst a ship wreckage. He's my adopted younger brother," he said smiling. Trenox roared and slashed forward with his blade but Nightshade easily blocked it and drove Trenox into the side of the mountain. Swiftly turning Nightshade brought Shin Ryu forward running Trenox through the abdomen pinning him to the mountain! Trenox roared in agony as Shin Ryu's abilities burned away at his insides! Nightshade growled, "You shouldn't take things that don't belong to you bro. Shin Ryu is very angry with how you've used him," he snarled. Trenox laughed as Nightshade pulled the blade free kicking the man to the ground. "More silent than the night... Heh... And far deadlier than ever before... Almost like a shade. You've changed Revan," he chuckled. Nightshade looked at Trenox then at Shin Ryu and Slate and took a deep breath, "I may have changed... But I did it for the one's I cared about and the future I wish to bring to this world," he said. Trenox spat at him trying to grasp his blade, "I and Lord Bane curse your name. The name of Revan Arrow is nothing but a disgrace to the Arrow name!" he choked. Nightshade smiled softly, "Then no longer shall I remain Revan Arrow. From this day forth I debut my name to this island and your analysis. I am now Nightshade The Gallant. Sworn enemy of Bane and his exion armies. I am there undoing," he said. Trenox grabbed his blade but Nightshade's eyes flickered with light as he brought his foot up kicking Trenox in the face. The sound of bone cracking could be heard and Trenox no longer moved. Ninyn, Caster and the others slowly joined Nightshade in the chasm holding their weapons at the ready. They saw Trenox lying on the ground speechless. Nightshade turned putting Shin Ryu in its rightful place on his hip, "Don't worry he's very much alive. I only knocked him out," he said. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Moments later Nightshade had guided his friends to the cave Gidget herself was resting in and helped them load up their ship with supplies and resources. The crew immediately welcomed Ninyn as family. Before Nightshade left he drew forth Slate bringing him into human form, "Listen Slate... I have to return to the battle without you... One day I'm sure you'll be needed here... I need you to stay behind. I noticed after our battle with Trenox you were cracked. You are an excellent weapon and friend," he said. Slate smiled and nodded, "I understand sir... I promise I'll continue on. You have my word that I'll help all I can who venture through," he said. Nightshade smiled and nodded, "Thank you my friend. Farewell," he said. Gidget and Slate watched as Nightshade began to leave the island and the cheers of excitement of a new battle ahead for the headstrong warriors. The surroundings began to fade away and Gidget returned to the presence. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gidget looked at Slate who was yet again sweating heavily. Gidget looked at the man and frowned and thought back to Nightshade's words and abilities during the memories. She stood slowly and put her hand out focusing on the energy around them. Slate blinked and looked at the girl and felt a tingly feeling as he shifted from human form to sword form! Gidget dropped to her knees breathing heavily, "Alright... That's step 1," she said.