Short Stories

Internal Bonds - Edge

I can't believe it. This entire time they had a plan for me. A plan for me to be alone and destroy. My every move, my every moment a part of some grand scheme. Worst of all they used my brother as a guinea pig for this project. They killed him. All he's ever done is train me and all they've ever done is manipulate us. Plot against me growing to bear my own will and him a life of his own. If there is one thing I hate most in this world it is betrayal and I won't betray my family. Not for anyone. - Edge

[Edge's mind]

Edge and his unborn brother Katsu sit across from one another in meditation. Edge was frustrated and it was quite clear to his younger brother.

Katsu: Your focus is broken today. Try to calm down.

Edge: I know you're right I just can't shake a feeling.

Katsu: Well we are brothers. When something bothers you it bothers me. What's wrong?

Edge: I don't really know. I've never felt like this before. An anger yet...

Katsu: You finally see him as the selfish heathen he truly is?

Edge: What?

Katsu: Don't play stupid with me. Your mentor, the heartless Gyro. You finally see him for who he truly is. His "lesson" given in pure cruelty.

Edge: My anger grows far beyond his lesson. I wasn't strong enough to do my part.

Katsu: Lesson? An entire village has fallen before your very eyes. Something he could easily have stopped! You call that a lesson?! He doesn't care anything about us!

Edge: You speak stern but out of rage. You're too emotional. Trust me it infuriates me more than anything and I have no intention of further training under him but his goals have not been selfish. It doesn't matter what he cares about. My goal is power, my goal is strength to protect those that I care about.

Katsu: Too emotional? Do you realize how much you sound like him right now? In our bond of brotherhood you should know by now that I look out for your best interest. I know before my only goal was to take over and get to the outside but now I rest and work for the same thing you do. What about the people who only seek your weakness?

Edge: There will be no holes Katsu. Not in our bond and not in my strength. Anyone who thinks they can show me one will have a fight on their hands. I've grown, matured. I'm on my own now. We've got to be ready for anything. I've got to be strong enough.

Katsu: Someone's coming. Someone familiar... It's time for you to wake up.

Edge: Rest easy Katsu.

Katsu: Oh no I'm with you on this one. Meditation can wait.

Edge nods as he awakes from his meditation. He'd rested in a marked cave that had been well furnished. The markings were familiar and he was compelled to stay within. He'd stayed more than a couple nights. Months even. He quickly stands and heads to the entrance where two very well known and well missed people stood.

[Tatsumori Shrine]

Kasumi: You made it... How I've missed you my child.

Jaegar: You look stronger than before. I'm proud.

Edge struck by surprise and Excitement could barely speak but immediately began to tear up. Edge is certainly not one to get choked up but with years of believing his parents dead he did not have a mind for proper response.

Edge: M-mom? A-am, am I dreaming?

Katsu: (No Edge It's really our parents. They're alive!)

Kasumi and Jaegar hug Edge as he falls completely into tears. Though he also began to laugh.