Stalking Mr. Miyagi
Summer 2021, Week 2
Tuesday morning
The Port, Port Victoria
Isaac Crysentine
It was the morning of the next day since Isaac saw the truck. He arrived at Port Victoria with his bike, ready to chase down the garbage truck when it did show itself. The Department of Sanitation typically uses the southern entrance/exit to move its fleet of vehicles around, so this is where Isaac was parked, waiting. At 9 am, he saw the garbage truck with that same identification number leave the Port premises, with the same elderly man riding on the back as all garbage truck workers do. Now. Isaac rushed towards the truck, confident in his abilities to keep up with it. It's a good workout to increase my endurance, too. It didn't take long for them to reach an incredibly long alleyway just outside the port. Trash from sailors on temporary leave and from the Port Workers spending time at the restaurants sure does create quite a fuss. As the man reached for the garbage bins, Isaac ran up to him, having left his bike hidden behind some trees. "Excuse me! Excuse me! Could I have a minute?"Akira Kakimoto
The man was already caught off guard and recognized the kid as the one from yesterday morning in the alleyway. He got defensive, knowing the kid had seen him use his powers. "What do you want?" he said, in a defensive tone.Isaac Crysentine
Isaac, not having thought ahead to the idea of approaching an Evo who wants to stay hidden, quickly corrected himself and offered out his hand. "Hi, my name is Isaac Crysentine. I'm sorry for scaring you, and, well, let's just say I saw something yesterday. I'm not here to hurt you or do any harm. Believe me, I've been hurt and gotten my ass kicked in ways you could not believe. That is why I need help. I need a teacher. I'm like you, too," Isaac held up the palm of his hand upwards, creating small flickers of flame in his palm. "I need help, I don't know if you can help me, but I don't have anyone else to turn to."[x1 Basic, -0 EP]
Akira Kakimoto
The man stared at Isaac, mildly impressed at the kid's ability to utilize flame. So he is like me. He pondered the decision staring at Isaac for about a minute before saying: "No." As he did, with wave of his hand he siphoned out all the liquids and water out of all the trash down the street, and called it all to him at his feet, moving around like the hurricane about the eye of a storm. It wasn't enough to splash the kid by any means, but it did get his jeans a little wet. "I can do what you think I can do and more. But I don't take on students. I'm not a teacher, and I don't want to be responsible for training the next villain of this world." I don't want to fight someone like Ragnorak again.[x1 Basic, -0 EP]
Isaac Crysentine
What the fuck? "Ah, I don't want to be a villain though. I want to be a hero. I want to save people and do the right thing." Isaac said all this with a slight glee, but also a seriousness to prove he was dead set on this dream. I'm not going to let this man tell me what I'm going to become.Akira Kakimoto
The garbage truck moved down a house, and Kakimoto leisurely collected the bin and threw it into the arm. "I've fought villains, boy. I..." he lowered his voice, not wanting the driver to hear him. The noise of the truck's engine drowned him out enough at this point. "I fought Ragnorak and his gang in the final battle. It was hell on Earth. I don't want to contribute to something like that, something that might bring about the same fight."Isaac Crysentine
This guy? This guy fought against Ragnorak in Illinois? "You have to teach me, please! I don't have anyone to teach me about my powers. I got attacked by that Blood Bolt guy a few nights ago at the dorm, and I don't know what to do. I have to get stronger to protect myself, but also my family and just people in general so he can't hurt them like he did to me and the students who died. I want to protect people, and I want to put an end to Blood Bolt." Isaac was more serious than ever.Akira Kakimoto
This boy got attacked? Hmmm. Kakimoto never had a student, but he did know how to fight. He knew how to use his water well. It was a power that he gained when the world was at the height of the Cold War. "You got attacked, you say?" Without a moment’s notice, Kakimoto pushed his palm outwards and all the moisture, dew, and water on the concrete in the immediate area lunged at Isaac. It was streamlined to be thinner, faster, and some might say even sharper. I must test this boy's mettle, or just see what he can do.[x1 Minor, -1 EP]
Isaac Crysentine
Isaac only realized the water was coming halfway through. What the hell? That was silent. Quickly, he tensed up and shot what were modified to be incredibly hot flames at the water to evaporate them. He only managed to get a quarter before they almost reached him. Shit, this is it, I'm going to get impaled and I'm going to die. This is it. This is... The water turned into almost soft puddles, splattering him slightly all over his shirt and face. The man had changed every single one of his attacks last minute to something calm and docile, and the impacts themselves felt like small puddles of water being thrown at you by a toddler. What....[x3 Minor, -3 EP]
Akira Kakimoto
The man didn't react, remaining motionless, his palm now in a stance with his other two arms. It was one of fluidity and harmony, almost like the gentle waves on a calm morning sunrise. "You have much to learn, fire kid. Elemental users must become the element themselves. They must move and fight and even breath as one with their power. You are flimsy. Sloppy. Untrained. Too eager to get strong. You must start with yourself before you can start with your power." The man walked behind the truck, leaving the now-splashed kid speechless. "Come to my home in Lakeview, my address is 4598 N Williams Street. Be there tonight at 8 precisely. I won't tolerate early arrivals or tardiness." This is how teachers are to students, right? The man loaded the last bin and dropped it back in its place, before he himself got on the back of the truck and hit the side, signaling for the all-clear. "My name is Akira Kakimoto, but you may call me Mr. Akira or Sensei." And with that, the truck drove off, leaving Isaac standing in the alley completely dumbfounded at what had just happened.Royal Metro Library, Old Towne
Isaac Crysentine
Isaac was on his way back from the Port area after having gotten Kakimoto to agree to teach him. There was still so much he didn't know about his powers, and Isaac still felt at a loss. Andre had told him about this book he found on elemental powers, and he knew it probably came from the Royal Metro Library in Old Towne. Seeking some more answers before his first lesson tonight, Isaac would attempt to get some sort of help with the resident Evo in the library. Somewhat nervously, he walked up to the front desk, and asked the receptionist "Is it possible if I could get a meeting with the resident Evo? I have a few questions about... stuff."Lavrentis
The librarian nods, calling for the head librarian. Another one today, I feel very popular they think to themselves. "Hello, I am Lavrentis, the head librarian. You were asking for an Evo?"Isaac Crysentine
So this is the head librarian? "Hello there, and yes. My name is Isaac Crysentine, and I have some questions I want to ask you about, well, personal matters. Is there somewhere we can talk privately?" Isaac was trying to be as polite as possible while also trying to control his eagerness to learn about his powers.Lavrentis
"Hello, Isaac. Nice to meet you. If you're wanting to learn more about Evos we have a whole section devoted to them - away from the general public, relations being what they are, and the news being what it is." They come around the desk, to lead the kid up. "It's been a while since I've been so requested, but it's nice being able to do my area of specialty as well." They pause, going to grab their information notebook. It could be handy for what's about to happen, they figured. And maybe they could learn something themselves. "After me, yes? We're going up to the third floor."Isaac Crysentine
Isaac walked inside to see a relatively nice and ornate room, though he didn't think too much of it. I guess I can start asking now? "So, I guess I should show you what I can do, at least on a miniature scale since this is a library and all." He held out the palm of his hand upright, letting a small flame comparable to a matchstick ignite. "I can control, manipulate, and generate fire. I'm keeping it really low right now, but this is far from the extent I can do. And, well, I need some guidance."[x1 Basic, -0 EP]
Lavrentis
They nod, and he can tell that they are doing their very best to not be upset at an open flame near books. "So, elemental, and a bit of emotional? At least in terms of control?" They ask. They open up their little book, flipping it to the elements page. "How do you want your guidance? I can impart some knowledge about control, some knowledge about getting the fire different colours, and some general history about elemental-based powers, with some focus on fire as well." They pause. "If you're willing to share, some of what I can do is record like...your story. How you've found it, what struggles you have, and how you've already taken some steps to avoid it. It can help the next fire Evo who comes by my office, as well as other elementals."Isaac Crysentine
He laughed slightly, putting the flame out. “Would it be possible to get all of that? And, how public would this story be? Would it only be to other Evos? Other elementals? If that isn't possible, I'm perfectly fine with simply understanding more about control and general history of fire elementals. There doesn't seem to be too much, and the little there is on record is simply limitations and basic descriptions."Lavrentis
"It's mostly information filtered through me. So, I can use your story and categorise it into different parts. The fire part, the elemental part, and how you recognised it part. Hopefully with enough stories and histories we can paint together a bit of how we are formed." They shrug. "As I am the central pillar of information, they'd come through me - and as it's mostly Evos who want to know, your story is hardly likely to come in front of the eyes of a nonevolved person." They then gesture to the room. "This whole room is filled with other Evo publications. It's organised by which power it is." They explain what they explained to Andre as well, with the organisation.Isaac Crysentine
"I think I can do that." The next 10 or so minutes was Isaac giving a general rundown of his powers, how he discovered them during a fight against his school bullies and unleashed them, hurting them in the process. How he realized the capabilities of his flame power and the potential for good or evil. "And that about sums up my fire. I honestly don't know that much about it, besides what I have told you just now." Isaac let his mind wander to the rest of the room, gazing at all the Evo books and the like. "I think this will be really useful, thank you! Would it be possible for me to check out a book as well?"Lavrentis
They nod, writing down key words they'll be able to decipher later when they go over it and reread new information for the day. "As you learn more, if you want to come in, please do. If you find yourself busy, that's understandable. I'm glad you're figuring things out - being an adult is hard." They smile a bit. "You need to have a library card, of course, but yes, feel free to browse the room and check out anything you need." They pause, giving a playful glare before grinning. "Any scorch marks on my books, I will find you, and I will not be happy." They are joking...mostly. probably. He seems like a good kid, but better to be firm right off the bat with someone just discovering their powers. "Come down to the main desk when you're done, and I'll get your card set up."Isaac Crysentine
"I do, in fact, have a library card, given to me by St. Maria's," Isaac smiled mischievously, taking it out from his wallet. "And I promise, I won't burn anything. Unless someone starts a fight here, in which case that it would be self-defense and I am really, truly sorry about everything. I'll... I'll go get my books now," he scurried off, realizing the nervous look on the librarian's face turn to slight disbelief as he went on and on with the sentence. Ok, upper sections, better control over my techniques. Isaac glossed over, and his eyes landed on one book in particular: "Elemental Evos: Control and Growth". That's different than what Andre gave me, anyway. I'll read this after my first training session tonight with Mr. Akira, and we'll see how it goes from there. Without a moment’s notice, Isaac slid back down the tall ladder he had climbed on and back down to Lavrentis. "Ready to check out!"Lavrentis
They nod, barely having had the time to leave the kid was so quick. "Down to the main desk then, you are aware of our return policy?" They ask, just because the university gave out cards didn't mean the students always used them. They make their way down a few levels to the main desk.Isaac Crysentine
"Yes, I do happen to be aware of the return policy, the University filled us in before they gave us our cards. Thank you for all your help! I'll be reading a lot of these."Lavrentis
They nod. "Just remember about the fire thing, ok?" Looking around, and seeing some other, non-obviously Evo folks. "Bonfires are not the place for borrowed books." They give a sly wink and send the kid on his way.Akira Kakimoto Home, Lakeview
Isaac Crysentine
That night, Isaac traveled across the William River and back to almost his old neighborhood. Lakeview, Victoria Field, and the Centre were all congregated on this section of the city, and he felt relatively comfortable getting around the area. 4598 N Williams... now where is that exactly. Isaac's Google Maps was helping him navigate, though the streets were familiar enough to the point where he was only half-relying on the app. Here we go. Before him was a simple, small, bungalow house with a nice little yard and a couple small trees scattered throughout. It was a small, respectable home, something Isaac thought suited Mr. Akira and his personality. Hesitantly, he walked up to the front door and rang the doorbell, awaiting a response.Akira Kakimoto
Kakimoto would hear the doorbell ring at exactly 8 pm. Just as I told him, at least he listens. With a groan, the old man got up from his chair and checked the peephole to make sure it was in fact the fire kid. Yes yes, it is fire kid. Slowly, he unlocked the door and put on a small smile. "Welcome, welcome, come in. There is much to talk about, and I want to get to know you most of all." Mr. Akira led the young man into his backyard, where he told him to stand and face him with his legs slightly spread out. "Now, tell me, what do you want, who are you, and what do you want from me. Answer wrong, and I will kick your ass." Kakimoto held his hands behind him slightly, palms out with water visibly moving about them.Isaac Crysentine
He gulped, choosing his next words carefully. I guess he still doesn't trust me, but he's probably strong enough to do a lot if he let me into his house like this. "Like I said earlier, my name is Isaac Crysentine. I'm a student at St. Maria's, and I was the reason the attack on the university took place. Blood Bolt came for me, you know, the electricity user. I had never fought before, and never used my powers to hurt someone until that day. Bolt beat me, completely, and he killed 3 people in the process. The only reason I am still alive and standing here is because the police arrived at the scene. I am here because I want you to teach me how to control my powers, how to defend myself, and how to protect others. I want you to teach me how to fight."Akira Kakimoto
Kakimoto listened intently, digesting every detail. "So, he might be hunting you then? And you have the nerve to come to me, without any concern for what that could mean for me?" He was furious, but in an instant, he managed to calm himself. He remembered what he was like in his youth, lost with his powers and completely unsure as to what he could or should do with them. If it wasn't for my grandpa, I might very well be like fire kid. Kakimoto collected himself, and let the water dissipate from his will. He walked up to fire kid and placed his hand on his head. He had bowed his head out of shame when Kakimoto burst at him, and the old man could feel the young one shaking with tears. "I know what it is like to be lost, to have no true control or abilities with your powers. To not know how to fight. I don't know what it's like to watch people die when you are at this point, or to be hunted down like a castaway dog." Slowly, the shaking stopped, and Kakimoto could sense fire kid relaxing. "I will train you as best I can. We only just met, but somehow, I feel like I have to make sure you succeed, otherwise terrible things are going to happen. You will learn more about me as we go, but for now, all you need to know is that I can use water much the same way you use your fire, and that I fought against Ragnorak many years ago. So, trust in what I will teach you, fire kid, it is the wisdom of a survivor of what brought the world to hate people like us."Isaac Crysentine
Isaac sniffled, feeling like he was finally understood in the world. Not that Andre didn't understand him, but his powers were nothing like his. Andre could pack more power in a punch - that was the point of his power almost. Isaac could probably do something like that, but at the cost of breaking his hand in the process. Right now, though, all he felt was comfort in knowing that Mr. Akira would be teaching him to control his powers, and to learn how to fight. "Thank you. Thank you," is all Isaac could say in the moment.Akira Kakimoto
Kakimoto let the moment go on for a little longer, before stepping back once more and nodding his head at Isaac. "Now, we will train, if only for a bit since my back is killing me after today." Mr. Akira stretched, and then locked his eyes with fire kid. "Before your power can grow strong, you yourself must be in tune with your power and your surroundings. My grandfather taught me that water users must flow and move in harmony, relaxing our emotions and letting the current of our power take hold. For a fire user, well..." the teacher drifted off into thought, imaging the shapes and movements of fire. "...we might not be so different. Fire is a controlled, confident, and maybe even aggressive element. But there can be such a thing as warm and welcoming fire as well. You must control your emotions, Isaac, and imagine yourself as not only an unwavering flame but as a confident, adaptable one dancing about in the dark. All I will be teaching you will be applying my water knowledge and abilities to you, and from there you must grow on your own, Young Isaac."Isaac Crysentine
The fire user lifted his head and listened intently to everything Kakimoto had to say. Become an unwavering, warm, and powerful flame, one that cannot be put out. He sat down cross-legged, imagining himself as such. He let the warmth of fire wash over him, filling his sense. He let the image of flame dancing against the dark, giving the only visible light in the area. He let the power yet calm of such a fire burn into his mind, the penultimate goal of his desire and quest to grow strong to protect others and himself. As Isaac was doing this, a flame began to engulf him physically. Fire began to sprout from his fingertips and arms, but that was the extent of it. He felt it, and suddenly lost himself slightly out of fear of setting Kakimoto's house on fire.Akira Kakimoto
Mr. Akira laughed at the college student for freaking himself out and then proceeded to explain what just happened. “You were tuning in with your power, Isaac. It resides within you; all you have to do is reach inside and become one with it.” Kakimoto stood back, somewhat realizing the sheer amount he would have to teach this kid to properly fight and use his powers. “There is much to learn, come. You have become aware of the mentality necessary to become strong, but you have yet to grasp it. I will no longer have you do it, and you must learn it on your own. All it requires is concentration, resolve, and listening to the finer movements and necessities of your fire. When you feel you are ready, you may tune in with me, and I will judge you for myself. Now, as for the combat, you can learn normal self-defense combat. However, with powers like ours you can use them to amplify your attacks and even attempt new ones. Come at me with what you got, Isaac. Hand-to-hand combat but use your powers if you like.” Akira held his hand out as if taunting the young boy.Isaac Crysentine
With great intent, the young man readied himself. Move like your power. Become an unwavering flame. Isaac would then instantly send streaks of fire at his teacher, moving about as controlled yet confident as he could. His footwork, although flimsy, would let him channel fire through the ground to Kakimoto, and he would attempt to get closer with every attack.Akira Kakimoto
The teacher, on the other hand, was calm and fluid in his motions. Almost gracefully, he whisked water from the dew of the plants and moisture of the air, and easily blocked every single attack Isaac sent at him. "Control your breathing, Isaac. Think before you move. Every movement in a fight must be calculated and precise. Your powers are your partner, not just a tool." As Isaac got closer to Mr. Akira, the older man entered into his own modified hand-to-hand combat stance. Using water from nearby water bottles, he casually created what were essentially water whips which could be hardened into ice at a moment’s notice. "We must be creative with our combat, Isaac. That is the greatest challenge of elemental users. Such a vast array of utility and possibility, with no clear or restrictive path we must walk down. You must choose your own path, Isaac, one where you can fight with solely your powers." Kakimoto would proceed to unleash endless attacks at Isaac, forcing him to dodge as best he could while getting cuts and bruises all over him.Isaac Crysentine
What power. Barely managing to dodge, Isaac processed everything the old man said. My own form of combat, solely using my power? He thought back to the samurai sword, but that was more utility rather than using his own power. Thinking back, he realized that answer was in is face all along. That's it! As the next attack from his teacher came, Isaac jumped in the air and ignited his Fire Feet, but this time it would be different. He let the fire burn hotter, brighter, and stronger than before, while still controlling his speed and allowing himself to hover in the air. At the same time, he calmed himself and imagined himself as the unwavering flame once more. I have to get in close. Isaac had done this before, in his fight against Bolt, but this time he would do things a little differently. As he flew towards his teacher, the older man was slightly thrown aback at the prospect of flying with fire alone. Once Isaac was within reaching distance, he quite literally charged his fist with fire while, at the same time, using fire to propel his fist even faster against his teacher. It was a floppy, uncontrolled jab, but a jab with power and heat behind it, nonetheless. After this, I'll kick him harder than when I kicked Gr-[x1 Normal, x1 Minor, -4 EP]
Akira Kakimoto
"Too easy, too predictable." The man sidestepped the punch, and before Isaac could react, he used the water whips to tie Isaac and bring him crashing down into the ground. The momentum and power from his Fire Feet didn't help, and in fact caused a temporarily large amount of pain. "Young Isaac, you have much to learn still. However, this is a start. I can already tell you are improving from when you started out. Come, fight me again. There is still much energy and power left in you." The old man held the water whips at his side, allowing them to move as if they were waves caught in a night breeze. He then saw Isaac get back up and charge him instinctively, going for a roundhouse kick with his accelerated Fire Feet. Am I going to enjoy tearing this kid apart.Isaac Crysentine
3 hours passed. Every few minutes saw Kakimoto towering over Isaac after he had come at home fruitlessly. Isaac busted out every move he could think of - Fire Feet, powered punches, roundhouse kicks, funnels of fire, concentrating all his fire into one point and literally shooting it, rapidly increasing the temperate of his fire to create more firepower and have more oomph to his flames, even imbuing fire into sticks and random objects scattered in the yard, everything. But Kakimoto was fluid. He moved like water, breathed like a gentle tide, and was able to swiftly drift to wherever Isaac was not. He can become water. He is truly one with his element. At this point, Isaac was spent, and all he could do was lay on the ground, breathing helplessly. The oxygen in his body was incredibly strained at this point, and while there was oxygen in the air the actual energy stores he had inside of him had been incredibly consumed. I can't even stand up properly at this point. Slowly, though, he did in fact get back up, and readied himself to come at Kakimoto once again.Akira Kakimoto
"No, no more training. We are done for today." And almost as if he wasted no breath, the teacher dropped the hours-old water ships back into the ground and returns all dew and moisture to the plants and vegetation on the ground. "You must learn to become one with your power, Young Isaac. Become the unwavering flame you are so desperate to nurture and imbue." The old man walked over to Isaac, putting his hand on his shoulder. "Come back tomorrow, same time same place. In the meantime, focus inwards. Become one with your power. That is all." The old man left to go back inside, dismissing Isaac for the night and sending him home.
Type
Record, Historical
Medium
Digital Recording, Text
Authoring Date
June 29, 2021
Authors
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