Flash's POV
So this is what happens when I'm being myself... Focused heavily on any threat to myself or my family. Looks like another threatening trial that the Goddess knows, but decided not to tell me for the sake of finding my own destined fate.
I was unable to sleep last night, unable to think about nothing but the intruder. What he demanded of me, and the consequences if I didn't accept... It made me incredibly sick to my stomach...
I woke up, did my daily morning routine earlier than usual. Only this time, I was alone, not with my younger sister and brother. I quickly packed the things I needed and hurried to school for another day of exams, today being Maths, Geography, and Biology. I had no intentions of worrying or being concerned, especially not for the rest of the week.
"Morning Flash!" Microchips greeted as I walked up the steps, "you look like a mess. Is everything alright?"
"... No..." I answered, "It's not..."
"Oh dear, all night studying?" Micro looked concerned,
"Yeah. It's the subjects I'm being a bit concerned about." I answered. Yes, it was true. I did have problems with Biology, though my Maths was pretty average. But make no mistake, going through Eu's classes in school and after really did help, just like I told Mr Shiota. But the intruder was a bigger picture for me, and I sure as hell can't tell Micro, even if he's my closest friend. "But I'll pull through, we always do."
"Heh, it's great to hear that confident tone of yours behind that worried look. Always thinking differently. Good luck to you!"
"Yeah... Good luck to me. I'll need all I can do to get through this."
Walking into the exam room was like approaching a battlefield, occupied by the most frightening enemy. For me, I'd assist and work together with my allies alongside important intel in order for a secure advance, but because of the exam, it was every soldier for him and herself. Each has their own enemies to defeat, and when it came to confronting the questions, there is a hit and miss. Hit, and you've got another point of survival. Miss, and you'll end up with a bullet lodged in your chest with a side of excruciating pain.
What Mr Shiota said, and the sermon from Minister Victor was true. There were many things that we can't do on our own. And because of that, as I've put trust in the Goddess, I've been relying a lot on my teachers, regardless of who they are, to understand how X does Y, and how to apply it on my own. Professor Eu, Professor Python, even Ms Lita. Even if I may not have done well in my past exams, I've always trusted and given it my all in their words, asking for when I don't understand or find some concepts a little grey. That's exactly what I aim to prove as I shoot down a platoon of faceless soldiers with plenty of maths symbols adorning their helmets.
When the exam was over, and I handed in my paper, I grabbed my food for recess, and sat outside in the grass, hastily thinking about how I was going to march across the Biology battlefield. Not paying attention that Micro came to me again, this time bringing Sandal and Bulk with him.
"Hey Flash, you really need to chill." Sandal spoke first, "otherwise you're just going to end up feeling plenty of despair. Not good for your spirit you know."
"I know..." I sighed, "it's just... I've felt like I've really lagged behind on my studies."
"Hey!" Bulk placed a hand on my shoulder, "we're not even graduating yet! It's not the SAT's, so even if we don't do well, we'll always learn from our mistakes! Right, you two?"
"Of course! Failure is the mother of success!" Micro agreed while Sandal nodded. Huh, I guess for a pessimistic guy like you Sandal, you sure do smile for your friends.
"Yeah... Yeah, you're right." I nodded in appreciation, "thanks for cheering me up guys."
"Hey!" Micro laughed, "that's what friends are for! Do you want to study together then? I know my bio from back to front."
"Sure, let's do it!" I accepted and spent time together doing Biology. Yeah, I really value my friends but if I told them what was really happening, they would be worried themselves. They would say forget it, but that's not easy or possible. It's something I can't throw onto them, especially right now.
When Mr Shiota came along, boy it was a surprise. I thought of him as just another teacher, and that I'd give him the same amount of intention and trust that I would to all my other teachers and the principal. That changed when I learnt that he was an assassin, and related to Korosensei of all people. Believe me, death is something I take into heavy priority, as I lost both my parents to that. I know they're in a better place, but I'll have to live right now without them. To have a sudden attack in a Demilitarized Zone, and for my Mom to visit him too! I will never forget the day when the army officials came to me during Military School and showed me the letter of that news, and learned that there was nothing I could do to save them. To live and learn from that, I made sure that I would never leave the game of death to chance. Especially if the players were me, my siblings, and my friends.
I trusted Mr Shiota more than I ever could from Week one of his appearance. I was dead set on retreating from Windcaller when we ran off his trail, but when Mr Shiota came, I was willing to trust him and take him down, and down he did, at the risk of his own life. That changed my entire perspective of an assassin, especially one that values and is aware of how precious life is. He was a teacher that not only I could rely on for my Neighponese learning, but also a way to survive the game of death. It was his courage and self-sacrifice that I gave all my damndest to make that plan and give Windcaller a second taste of defeat.
But little by little, I remembered who I was dealing with, and suddenly I cannot forget the potential danger of when he sent us the file of Assassination 101, brought Ms Yada and Coach Justice to CHS, experienced his special Clap Stunner, and read my mind regarding my thoughts about allowing Professor Eu to do her duty as a teacher. The conversation on the CHS message board was the final push that tipped my trust in him over the cliffs when Cheerilee told me that he has kept a record of not just Thunderlane, but almost everyone who's a part of the Tutorship Club. I began to perceive him as a threat and laid my studies aside so I could work out what to do with him... The result? I was able to change my thoughts at a moment's notice, and maintain a steady breath and composure. That's what you get when you are part of a military school.
But maybe... No... I was wrong to have done that. What happened with that intruder... His demands and consequences... Despite what I have said to him, he's... He's the only one that has the experience for this situation, the experience that I trust. Perhaps I should tell him what has happened, right after I have to mow down the merciless onslaught of giant vicious insects.
I really wanted to be alone for lunchtime, but I remember what I thought about back then during the Biology exam, and had to go. Course, I knew that there were going to be other things that will come up, and one of them was the concern of my other set of friends.
"Hey, Flash." Soarin walked over to me, "are you feeling alright? You seemed to be in a bit of trouble at recess until your best friends showed up."
"Huh? No... I'm fine, don't worry." I answered,
"You sure?" Rarity was the next to come up, "but when you were leaving the Biology exam, you had a worried look again. As if you lost something."
"It's something personal, don't worry about it," I answered,
"Really," Fluttershy jumped up, "it's okay to tell us about it. I've done so before, so can you. What's the problem?"
"I said not to worry about it. We've got our exams to deal with, we can always talk about this at the end of the exams. I promise."
"You promise?" Fluttershy asked, her eyes locked onto mine.
"I... I promise." I nodded. For a moment there, I felt a wave of bliss wash over me, and I felt peace for a little while.
"Yay!" Pinkie jumped for joy, "why not a little tune from your guitar as well? It will lighten the mood!"
That sentence made me lose my cool and I slammed my fist on the table, causing everyone to cease what they were doing and look at me. I stood up with a begrudging glare at a tiny-eyed and shaken Pinkie, but then I realised what I was doing, and calmed down.
"Sorry Pinkie." I apologised for my outburst, "there will be no guitar... Not anymore..." I lowered my head, "not... anymore!"
"Flash," Mr Shiota chimed in, "do you want to go outside and talk?"
"Y-Yes sir," I nodded, a rock of sadness hit me in the gut as I walked towards him, and out the door, followed by the gazes of the many students sitting in the same class with me.
"Hey Flash, are you alright?" He asked me as he took me to the Languages department, currently empty.
"S-Sir, why don't you read my mind?" I sniffed, "you can probably tell after all."
"I would but... At a time like this... It is better for you to confess yourself rather than wring it out of you."
At times like these? No... But...
"Then if you want me to start, I can tell that you really need my help, despite what you had said. Can you carry on from there?"
Alright then... You asked... That's enough encouragement for me to answer...
"Is that so huh?" I spoke on the phone, "you are really putting lots of effort into your studies now."
"What can I say?" First answered, "You're not the only one who needs to do his best!"
"Alright then, just remember to come home for dinner!" I laughed as I ended the phone call. The first day of exams down, and I'm super confident about it! Almost so much that I'm beginning to worry Mr Shiota... If only he knew... Actually, I think he already knows. Guess it's working. I should focus on developing it further, and then I'll work on my Biology and Maths! I devoted one and a half hours in remembering my past experiences in military camps, such as breathing techniques, psychological warfare, and some past embarrassing moments that scarred me for life, hypothesising and testing it from the knowledge I know about Mr Shiota. Then I spent 2 hours working on my Biology as I promised myself while remembering the knowledge of microorganisms and the structure of a microscope as Professor Eu drilled into me.
But when the sun came down and it was time for dinner, I got a bit worried. This wasn't the first time both my siblings went out to study with their friends, and they would normally be back by 1800 hours. It's 1805, and they were always a stickler for time. I was about to grab my coat and go find them for a stern talking to until I heard the doorbell ring. Phew! A bit late, but a relief they were safe!
"Ah! Welcome back!" I opened the door to greet a tall man dressed in black.
"Why thank you!" A completely unrecognizable voice replied. "Even though we've never met."
"Wha!?" I gasped once I found out that the person I opened the door to was not my siblings at all, and before I could react in a split second, he was faster than that to deliver a quick blow to my head, knocking me unconscious.
As I regained my senses I found myself restrained to my bed with a rope, while the man dressed in black sat comfortably on my chair.
"Wh-What the hell are you doing!?" I roared, "let me go!"
"Ah, a courageous spirit!" The intruder spoke in an unnatural, low, cartoonish voice, "sadly, it doesn't hide your sense of fear."
As I looked further at him. Something hinted me about this intruder's identity. Dressed in black... And the Neighponese word for that was...
"Kuro... You're Kuro!!!" I yelled, "You're the one who sent that threatening letter to my teacher! You're the one who set his apartment on fire! You're the one... Behind the damned tentacles!"
"Ah-ha, very clever too. Flash Sentry was it? That's what I like about you!" The intruder chuckled, "in that case, let me make this quick. I'm sure you know what I want you to do."
"Convince him to go back to Neighpon!? I'd rather die than betray him!!!" I roared,
"Are you sure?" Kuro asked, "even if you had doubted him today? About his assassin methods?"
I froze, how did he know about that!? Damn... Is he bluffing, or is he serious!? Either way... I've got to accept the worst and continue.
"Even if I did... It's only between me and him! I won't harm his job or obstruct other students for my own suspicions! He may be an assassin, but he still carried his intended duty as a teacher, he's proven that for the past 6 weeks!"
"So you do hold trust in him despite questioning his motives, how very admirable." Kuro answered, "and that's why I have a backup plan. You are loyal indeed, but who should you be loyal to?"
"Spit it out and be done with it!" I yelled.
"Now now," Kuro laughed again as he looked around the room. "Being hasty is no good, let me teach you how to take things slow, and with obedience... Hey! What's this?" Using the rollers on the chair, he moved himself to where my guitar is and gently picked it up. "It's a very nice guitar you've got there. You're a musician huh... Reminds me of some friends back when I was in my teenage years."
"..." I stared angrily at him, as he strummed the strings a little.
"Now... What was I thinking? Oh, that's right! To teach you what it means to be slow and obedient!" Kuro cackled, and swung the guitar down, splitting it in half. But he didn't stop there. Again and again, he slammed it to the floor with a monstrous force until the red guitar I've been playing for my entire life, was no more but a mess of mahogany, maple, strings, pickups, knobs, and machine heads. I could even see parts of a cutie mark shattered with the wood. One I know very well.
"Well, that certainly was rocking!" Kuro clapped his hands with joy, "hope that was a fun show!!!"
"You..." I growled. Words can not describe the absolute wrath I am feeling right now.
"Oh dear, looks like I plucked a nerve. Did that Guitar mean a lot to you? In that case..." He pulled out a smartphone, "perhaps a hack like you can now understand your situation!"
"Mmph! Mmph!!!" A mellow sound of help and desperation came flying from that phone. My eyes widened even further, there's no mistaking that sound.
"I'm sorry... Can any of you remove a gag from one of those twits?"
No...
"Big Brother!!!" A sharp voice pierced my throat, "help us!!! Please!!!"
NO!!!
"Help us Flash!!!" The mellow sound belonging to that first voice became clear. It sounded young. Almost mistaken for a girl's voice. "Please!!! You got to stop him!!!"
"NO!" I yelled. That young voice was First Base. And that second sharp voice? That's Scootaloo!
"Now let me repeat my question. Who will you be loyal to?" Kuro continued, "your teacher? Or your siblings?"
"You bastard!!!" I swore at him, "I will never forgive you!!!"
"Uh uh uh!!!" Kuro waggled his finger, "remember what I said about being too hasty? In fact... You assumed that I wanted your beloved Neighponese teacher to get straight outta Equestria, that's not the case..."
"What!?"
"No. I want you to give him the utmost full respect and trust in your ongoing exams. Don't make him worry."
"Why the hell are you so obsessed with him!? Why are you preventing him in stopping a threat!?"
"Ah ha..." Kuro gave me a wide sharp grin, "I tell you again. He is the threat, not my project. I want you to make sure he's not so worried about you so then... My associate can finally get his revenge."
"You plan to kill him!!!" I continued my mental raging line.
"Hey, I gave him that chance to leave. He didn't take it." Kuro shrugged,
"You'll never get away with this. No matter what... You'll never take him down!" I threatened,
"Of course. I won't underestimate him, that's why I have you." Kuro answered unfazed. "Now... If you fail to keep my first request or tell any authority figure about what is happening. Your beloved siblings will end up like your guitar, and keep in mind, I don't discriminate any material thing. That includes humans."
"You are an unforgivable monster!!!" I roared at the top of my lungs, "a heart sunk in evil, too big for your alias! I will never let you escape!!!"
"Perfect, Perfect!!!" He laughed as he pulled out a butterfly knife and sliced the ropes restraining me in one wide slash. Taking no chances, I threw myself at him, with no holds barred.
"I will strike you down!" I roared as I swung my leg at him.
"Uh uh uh!" He waggled his right index finger at me again as he blocked my leg with his left arm without any effort. "Then you might as well call me by another name. How about... Mystère Malum?"
"It doesn't matter! Rrrah!!!" I yelled as I jumped with my other leg and swung straight to his face.
"Take a break!" Mr Shiota commanded. From the sounds of his voice and his breath, he seems to be thrown aback by what happened too. And from the looks of things, I can see veins appearing on his skin.
"I... I see... This is a really bad situation you are in..." He answered, "and... Yes. I can also see your history."
"That guitar..." I cried,
"Like with a lot of your things, it carries so much value to you more than anyone else." Mr Shiota finished, "The guitar you've always played belonged to your departed mother. A memento of her days as a pop band, and memento to you of her honour and memory. All smashed and obliterated beyond repair, with nothing that can replace its worth. I'm so sorry Flash... Now, please continue."
"We fought for a while, then he pulled a military-grade smoke bomb on me. I've trained for such things, but I'd never think he'd hold one. He used that to escape. Leaving me and what used to be my guitar behind."
"... And despite his threats, you came to me. Not just because you would 'rebel' as we humans naturally would but..."
"You know me, Sir." I finished, "it's because I trust you, having experience with death and murder."
"The game of death is truly dangerous, and life is extremely precious." Mr Shiota continued, "and you know what? You are right to have put your trust in me. Thanks for telling me that you still have that trust, especially when you were hiding that from me yesterday. Students will not be harmed on my watch. That also goes for your loved ones."
"Thank you, sir..." I shook his hand, "I... l put my full trust in you again."
"Trusting an assassin. I can understand how dangerous it is... I won't let you or the other students down." Mr Shiota assured, "now let's go back."
And so, a little of my concern has gone away after telling Mr Shiota. As he found out, I will always trust those who are experienced in whatever situation. And then... And then... I should start learning from him too. But before that, I have one last battlefield to clear for this day, Geography. I've also made sure for Mr Shiota to read, that I may have average scores across most main subjects, but there are three that I excel in; Geography, History, and Religious Studies. If music was a subject, I'd be good at that as well. As I said, I have always put trust in my friends and teachers. Studying the map, marking important landmarks and coordinates, and keeping an eye on enemy positions. The stealth mission went through without fail. And this time, I felt so confident.
And once school was over, it was time to go home. I left the school building with a smile on my face, assuring my friends that I was truly alright, that I have accomplished yet another day of exams, and seeing Mr Shiota, Ms Yada and Coach Justice near the grounds entrance. Mr Shiota nodded at me, and I nodded back, making sure he never goes back on his promise.
Yes. I truly felt my worry end after the second day of exams... But... It came back when I realised that I would be alone in my house, doing my study, and eating dinner; My siblings were held hostage.
I felt deeply upset once again...
Completing the second day of exams with satisfactory results wasn't the only accomplishment. Once again... I drove around Mr Shiota... Even when I said that I would trust him. When he looked concerned about me, I omitted one thing... And managed to hide it from his skills.
During my fighting with Kuro, or Mystère as he calls himself, he was able to fight and talk to me at the same time. He struck a deal: Give respect and trust in Mr Shiota, and my siblings will be taken care of with no harm. That was one half... The other unmentioned half...
"You could have knocked like before..." I firmly suggested.
"Well good evening to you, Flash Sentry." Kuro's cartoonish voice laughed, "pardon the intrusion, but surely you can eat dinner after our daily dust-up." I could hear his knuckles cracking, "Shall we?"
"What about my siblings?" I demanded,
"You'll have to satisfy me first!" Kuro giggled, bearing his fanged teeth, and revealing a nasty glint with his eyes.
"You will regret toying with me!" I yelled with wrath as I turned around, and threw myself at him once again.