Raine Kurosu's Story

Raine slowly took in deep breathes and looked back at the urban landscape behind her, wind tuggin her jet black hair free from the jacket's hood. She smiled weakly though and stared at the sky. "Such a nice breeze....wish I could fly..." Something flying caught her eye, but quickly dissappeared as it had come into her view. "Odd..." Slowly she got up again and began stretching, not being flexible during parkour had nasty results. As soon as every muscle had been stretched and her heartrate back to normal she took off. Running and leaping down the fire escape, her dress's skirt and loose jacket billowing with the downward draft of wind. A brick wall caught her attention and saw the begnning of her favorite route for parkour. "Hehe, time to beat my old record."

A quick tic-tac in the corner of the wall brought her up in a flash and she dived off the wall dropping into a roll, running as nimble as a deer to the stairs. Quickly she jumped up and slid down the rail and flipped off before coming to land in front of a sparkling fountain, scaring a small child right in front of where she landed. The child had dropped her ice cream and burst into tears. "Ahh....I'm so sorry..." Raine gently took the girl's arm and lead her to a nearby ice cream vendor. "Which one would you like?" Raine said a sweet smile forming on her delicate lips. "Strawberry!!" The girl said ectasticly. "Two scoops!!" Raine repeated this to the ice cream vendor and game the girl her sweet treat. "Be careful okay?" Raine said as the girl walked to her mother, waving happily good-bye to Raine. "Ha....I wish I had a little sister.." At this moment she got a text saying, "Guys I need you over at my house. Make sure you aren't followed" from Connor. "That guy...doesn't he know how long it will take me to get to his house...ahahaha~" Raine said jokingly to herself, before pulling out a map and studying the perfect route to his house. "Well time to set a parkour record to get across town." And at the ice cream vendor's chime of bells she set off.

After an hour of dodging and weaving, with the occasional leap across buildings, Raine had found herself at Connor's house. She turned quickly to see if anyone had followed, which is impossible because she only knew how to completely navigate through the secret alleys and backstreets of town. "Well this better be good..." She wiped the sweat off her forehead, a dirty streak draw because of the motion and rang the doorbell, as well as knocking lightly to get his attention and answer the door.

Connor had been sitting on the couch for about five minutes when be heard the doorbell ring. He went up and saw Raine. "Wow that was quick. Here come in I'm still waiting kn the others. " he said walking back inside. He heard a chirping come from the stables and he turned to the girl. "Um one minute please. " he said as he dashed through the hallway and into the stable.

He saw Stratos and the Leopard fighting over a spot on the top of the rocks. Connor whistled and the two stopped instantly. Connor had minor control over the untamed beasts when they didn't have masters since he was a Rider himself. "Oi what the hell do ya two think your doing? " the two hung their heads in shame. "Its okay just don't do it again okay. " the Hippogryph walked over and hung his head at his master. "Good boy now no fighting okay? " the beast nodded and went the the grass and chirped at the Pegasus noting he wanted to play. Connor rolled his eyes and left making his way back to the living room. "Sorry bout that had to deal with something. " he said apologetically.

"It wasn't exactly easy though Connor" Raine said shakily, her heart rate still pounding painfully from the run. A chirp caused her to stare at his roof. "Odd" She thought.

"Um one minute please" Connor said before dashing inside the house.

"Ah...okay..."Raine said her voice trailing off. "Everyone's always in a hurry I guess.." She quietly stood outside politely waiting, watching the scenery. "I wonder what that chirping was..it would be rude to ask though.." As she was thinking lightly to herself, Connor was at the door again.

"Sorry bout that had to deal with something." He said apologetically.

Raine gave a warm smile. "It's all fine." She said gently. "Though may I come in?" She said giving a small laugh, pushing aside her curiosity for the chirping. "The wind is kinda chilling." Raiine quickly turned though, to see Chozu. She raised her hand in greeting. "Hello Chozu."

Connor heard the door and walked over to and saw Skye and Chozu. "Ah good everyone's here. Now I need to show you three something but in no way shape or form may you tell anyone but this will change your lives okay. " he walked back and went to the door of the stables. "If you three think you can do it walk through the door. " he walked in quickly as the door swung behind him. He watched the beasts stirring but he shook his head. "Calm down they're friends. " he said then sighed standing at the door hoping all three came through.

Stratos walked over to his master and knelt infront of him. Connor rubbed its head and nodded. "I know I miss my brother too. " the Gryphon and Hippogryph were brothers as well and had the same situation as Conley and Regan. It was sad really he and Connor knew that Regan and Connor were equal just as Raion and Stratos. Connor sighed and continued petting his beasts head.

Raine's cat-like curiosity went off at what Connor said. "Well shall we go?" She said to Skye and Chozu as she walked into the house following Connor. She looked around to see where he went and saw the door to somewhere. "Connor?" She said a bit worried as she pushed the door open. The sight that greeted her though caused her amethyst purple eyes widen in wonder and shock.

The landscape or such was beautifully lush with grass and a large pond with some giant rocks. But what really drew her eyes was the beasts or creatures in this otherworld. "Nanni...." Raine said quietly and almost a whisper, all of a sudden forgetting English. She scanned and saw Connor rubbing the head of one of the beasts. Raine forced herself to walk to him trying to keep calm. "What is all this...?" Raine asked gently and tried to keep the shock out of her usual voice.

Chozu stared in awe as he discovered that he was sharing a room with many large, obscure beasts. He stepped into the house unwillingly, trying not to let his sudden fear get the best of him. "Come on, Chozu..." He said to himself. "There's nothing wrong....." Even this he couldn't believe. What were these things? And how couldn't this be wrong? Finally, he spoke. "Connor... What is this?" He watched as he calmed down the animals simply by speaking. He seemed to handle the animals with such ease. If his fears don't cease, Connor would definitely be one to be close to.

Connor smiled then stood up Stratos following insuite. "These my friends are beasts. " he said the Stratos went up to Skye and chirped then put his beak around a lock of the girl's hair. "He likes you Skye. Stratos ease up. " the Hippogryph nodded then let go and ran his tongue on her cheek before going back to his master. "Okay these are beasts my friends. They are older than anyone alive currently. Their race has exsisted since before the dawn of man. They can help make empire or tear them down. But they were made with a flaw. Each beast must have a rider. The beasts will pick humans to become their riders. These four in the room are half of the remaining beasts. They needed riders since they were killed by... " he trailed off the Stratos snapped him out of it by giving him a conk on the head. "Ah yes now they need new riders and fast. You see I am the last remaining Light rider devoured to keeping peace and order. I need help with the Darks who seek destruction. Now you three will help me by becoming riders yourselves. What do ya say? " he said happily as the beasts approached each scanning the humans to see which ones they wanted.

Chozu couldn't believe his ears. Beasts? Riders? It couldn't be...... animals such as these were mythical. Hippogryphs didn't exist. But there it was. Standing before him. Moving... Squawking.... He moved forward in curiosity as Connor continued to speak. "They... They choose US?" He said. His mind was still confused at everything. Perhaps that would explain his fears. His parents always told him that the unknown was the scariest thing that anyone ever had to deal with. And well, the room was full of unknown surprises. Chozu suddenly began backpedaling as a creature seemed to sniff his head, in an effort to get away from it.

Connor listened to Skye and thought for a moment on how to explain. "They are rider who are bent on destruction and power. They now have the other four beasts and the opposites of the lights beasts. " he walked to the Pegasus. "The bison, its rider is an unstable Siva based on attention and wanting fun. " he walked to the leopard. "The bear its rider is psychotic and a cannibal and eats everything it can fit in her mouth. " he went the the pond as the koi surfaced. "The snake its rider is silent very willing but was picked by the snake the only pure evil beast. " he circled back to his own and sat down at the side of his beast. "And the Gryphon a terrible creature and one of the two elites more powerful than the average beasts. " he sighed and a tear rolled from his eye. "The rider is under some type of control for I see no other reason he would do it. " he said sobbing and then stopped himself. "O okay anything else? " he said acting like that hadn't just happened. He was quick to bounce back from emotions and the thought of freeing his brother from whatever curse kept him going.

Raine cracked her neck to ease tension and to resist a an urge to smile at hippogryph getting acquainted with Skye. "So to get this straight we have to ride to ride this creatures and help you defeat a force who loves destruction...." Her voice layered with curiosity and a bit of eagerness. The Pegasus gave her head a hard nudge, which she ignored. "My decision to join however is a yes." A smile of sincerity forming. "I really have no reason I guess in life, but helping a good friend and flying something so otherworldly yet beautiful to save the world is a purpose I would love to have." Raine finished with he usual expressionless face. At that moment the Pegasus roughly grabbed the hood of her jacket and lifted her off the ground. "......Let go please..." Raine was swung around like a rag doll as the Pegasus shook it's head in no. ".....help please..." As she swung around she noticed Chozu backing away from the Koi. "The koi...won't...hurt...you." Raine said as gently as she could as the Pegasus swung her at every word and she was a bit annoyed, she gave it a cold glance to give it a silent order to stop but once again in vain and she continued to flail around like a doll. However she did listen intently on the conversations.

"They are rider who are bent on destruction and power. They now have the other four beasts and the opposites of the lights beasts. "
"Yin and Yang...always opposing, but absolutely needed..." Raine said hauntingly. "Are we going to have to kill them..?"
"The bison, its rider is an unstable Siva based on attention and wanting fun. "
At this Raine felt a strong feeling of anger and rage not her own.

"And the Gryphon a terrible creature and one of the two elites more powerful than the average beasts. " he sighed and a tear rolled from his eye. "The rider is under some type of control for I see no other reason he would do it. " he said sobbing and then stopped himself. "O okay anything else? " he said acting like that hadn't just happened.
"...one question...are you okay..?" Her concern suddenly showing.

Chozu glared at Raine. "I know it won't hurt me..." He said under his breath. Wait.... What's a koi? Chozu looked over into the large pond and saw an absolutely enormous fish staring back at him from the water. He let out a yelp of fear as he stumbled backwards over himself. "That's a koi!? It's.... It's huge!!! ... And it has wings!!!" His mouth was agape as he continued to try to back himself away from it.

"...one question...are you okay..?" Connor nodded. "Yes I am fine " he stood up and saw Chozu and the Koi meet eyes. The Koi jumped out of the water and his mouth enveloped the boy. Connor ran up to the fish and tried to calm down Chozu. "Chozu stay calm he just wants to play. " the other beasts approached, the pegasus went to Raine and the leopard to Skye. Connor smiled knowing that the beasts have made their decisions. He cheered in his head knowing that he had found three capable of leading the beasts. "It looks as if all the beasts have chosen. Skye the leopard has selected you it is fast and fierce also a big eater. Raine the pegasus has selected you, it's dexterity is the only thing more powerful than it's beauty but make no mistake there is a wild colt behind those kind eyes. And Chozu the Koi has selected you wise and the only swimming beast left. Now everyone name your beasts and make them yours." he said walking back to Stratos and jumping on his back.

"Yes I am fine " Raine nodded at his answer, no doubt still worried. "Raine the pegasus has selected you, it's dexterity is the only thing more powerful than it's beauty but make no mistake there is a wild colt behind those kind eyes." As if to prove Connor right the Pegasus shook Raine harder and she slid gracefully out of the hoodie. "Give it back now.." Raine's voice a strained calm, scars on her arms stood out against her pale skin now exposed with the jacket gone. The Pegasus tossed it at her and she quickly slipped it on, the Pegasus nudging her head in apology. Now everyone name your beasts and make them yours." Raine awkwardly patted the Pegasus' nose. "A good name would be...Failynn..?" Failynn whinnied softly in approval and Raine pressed her head gently to Failynn's nose, a small smile.

Within another moment, the fish grabbed Chozu with it's massive jaws again. "GAAAH!"
At this Raine had to bite her lip hard to keep from laughing and walked over to the Koi, now Durushimi. " C'mon now. Spit him out." Raine said gently to the giant fish. "I'll give you some rice and sugar cubes later." She said trying to bribe it. However Failynn whinnied in protest, jealous at the treatment she was giving the Koi. "I'll give you an apple?" Raine said as her beast chewed on her long hair. "But first help me free Chozu." She grabbed One of Chozu's arms trying to tug him away out Durushimi's mouth.

Connor laughed as Chozu was eaten twice by the Koi. He walked over and watched Raine try to tug him out as her own beast protested. hey already were getting a bond. Connor moved the girl back a bit." That won't work here." he said then crouched beside the fish and pinched it right above the left fin. It spit out the boy and glared at Connor. "Take it easy on the boy. " Stratos walked over and nipped Failynn. He stilled wanted to play with the pegasus even though she just got a master.

That won't work here." he said then crouched beside the fish and pinched it right above the left fin. It spit out the boy and glared at Connor. Raine slowly petted the Koi to ease it's anger. "You know in Japanese culture the Koi is good luck. But make it angry at you and you just might bring bad luck." Raine advised. "I think some rice or sugar cubes might make a good apology to Durushimi?" She said remembering her mother's superstitions on koi. Failynn gave a loud whinny and kicked lightly at the Hippogryph. Obviously showing she didn't want to play. "Failynn loosen up?" Raine said gently and pulled out an apple she brought as a snack. She tossed it in between the Pegasus and Hippogryph, Failynn made a swift dash for the apple and Raine poked Chozu. "Chozu? You okay?"

Connor nodded as all of the beasts were finally named. He saw Stratos hang his head ashamed as he was denied by Failynn. "Well since the first barrier of the rider is crossed we now must go to the next level. We must go up. " he said then pulled out his shortsword. He nodded to Stratos and started running as the beast ran beside him. "To the sky. " he shouted then jumped on his friend making them soar into the air. He sat one hand on the reins around the beast's neck the other on the curved sword. "Do the same take to the skies. " he shouted cheerily. He felt the best while in the air as all the beasts did. He saw the eagerness of the beasts wanting to fly with their new masters.

Skye smiles, amused at his little action. 'How cliche' She thought, and looked down at the leopard beast. The two of them exchange acknowledgements, before the two stepped near. Mounting Eriol, the two of them sped into the air like a bullet, right next to Connor's beast. Skye sat up straight, and looked at the two below, her doe and misty eyes twinkling with...happiness? Never had she have so much fun and "excitement" in her life. Skye leaned against the head of the beast, watching it's ears twitch at any noise. Eriol's wings hovered with skill and speed, causing her to feel the need to train.

Without a thought Raine run towards Failynn, a wild idea popping into her head. "Tobū..." Raine jumped, flipping and landed sitting on Failynn as she just took to the air. "Lynn...be nice to The Hippogryph okay?" She whispered into the Pegasus's ear, the beast's eyes twinkled though and lightly cuffed Stratos' head with her wing as she flew by. Raine smiled in apology at Connor and his beast. "I guess it's her way of an apology..? Wha-!" Failynn spiralled into a dive before coming back to height with Connor after a few more spirals. Raine's complexion pale, and she was hugging the Pegasus's neck tightly. "That will never happen again..." She croaked out.

"You know this is kind of odd. That text was a little confusing." Connor shrugged. "Sorry I just needed you fast and only you and Skye and Raine. He said slightly concerned. He didn't want to tell him the actual reason he more of which wanted just to show him. He motioned to the stable doors. "Here come in here I have to show you something." he said rushing through the doors and to the stables where he jumped on Stratos. He whirled up in the air then shouted."Hurry up." he said hastily. He wanted to start training so he could get his brother back and defeat the other Darks, but he would have to have the other be able to fight as well as him.

He knew he and Regan had trained in ariel combat as he trained with his short sword since birth. He was a master at it, and his brother was almost as good but Connor always managed to beat him. He didn't really care and still considered himself equal or lesser compared to his twin.