The former "Hero".. -Calamity-

[Cody Travers]

It was a beautiful day on Long Beach..The sun was high..It wasn't too hot..And it was just bearable..Cody Travers stood outside of the Katashi Manor..

The gates were massive..He wore his trademark shirt..His jeans..His white high tops..He didn't know what to do.

It'd just been over a day since Cody met Calamity, her uncle, and her residence..Sure Cody was in no shape to be doing much..Be he wouldn't let them know that..He'd been too much of a burden already.

He pocketed his hands..Handcuffs dangling outside his right wrist. They shone in the sunlight like a sparkling pond of rippled silver.

He waited outside the front gates for Calamity. Unsure of what was going on..They were going to Cody's gym today. And yet..He despised it with utmost antiquety.

Especially the fact that he'd be bringing out Calamity INTO this so called sanctum of his..

Yes..Someplace fit for a hero indeed..

The sun felt nice on his skin..

..I wonder if I can sidetrack her..So that way the gym won't be as busy today..

He waited outside..

[Jenna Scorn]

Her uncle had insisted on driving her, but Calamity would decline...even against her own better judgement. and promised him she'd be fine, and the older man would watch as she'd push past the heavy doors of the manor.

Stepping out into the sunlight, blond strands of hair pulled up into a ponytail, hanging off her shoulder, strands would bounce in curls as she'd turn on her heels to wave at her Uncle who wouldnow stand at the door.

"Sayonara!!!"

His hand would rise, giving a slight wave as he'd stand at the door, watching her turn on her heels and head towards Cody. A Pink tanktop fit snugly on her frame, a black knitted top fit over her shoulders, exposing the lower half of the pink tank top.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

Calamity neared Cody, tilting her head downwords as she'd pull a large pair of white sunglasses down the bridge of her nose to really look at him.

A soft smile on her lips.

"Well, shall we?"

Pushing those sunglasses back upon her face, she'd turn towrds the gates, readying herself to exit. and with one foot in front of the other she went to the gate. Hands unhinging it and that small frame pushing forward, pushing the heavy gate open slowly.

[Cody Travers]

Finally, the waiting was over..it was time to go..Calamity stepped out of the gate and was ready to go down to Cody's gym.."The armies." To Cody, she didn't look half bad..And knew that her uncle would kill him had anything happened to her.

He was rather excited. This was the first time Cody had been out with a girl before. Rather nervous, but eh. What else is new for guys. He wasn't used to girls and well..Dressed in his attire..He knew he wouldn't be all that special.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

"No problem at all. I'm in no rush." Cody said with an approving smile. The sun was bright and made his eyes rather squinted but this was a practical day off in a while.

"Well, shall we?"

"Of course! Ladies first!" He went over and grabbed the gate as she pushed it open slowly. Cody took it full force behind her and pushed it open. Once she and him were through he'd close it shut behind them.

Then..

An idea.

"Hey, I got an idea!" Hopefully a bit of a successful sidetrack.

"The shopping center district is around the gym. Why don't we take some time and do some shopping? Your choice, My treat!" He said with a big grin as the stepped to the street corner.

Sure, why not. They had time to burn. And Cody could withhold any pain in his arms until later.

[Jenna Scorn]

"Of course! Ladies first!"

She smiled, steppingthrough the gate and tothe side as she'd watch cody shut the gate behind her. Clutching her black and pinkJigglypuff purse to her side, she'd reach into the pocket of those cut off jeans of her's.

Those jeans were faded, and frayed at the edges, ended right above her knee and as she took a step forward she'd glance at her cellphone, keeping it close.

A slight jingle could be heard, a chained belt hung from her hips, not to mention a neon pink studded belt as well. And when Cody spoke yet again, she'd look towards him.

"Hey, I got an idea!"

"Mmmm?"


"The shopping center district is around the gym. Why don't we take some time and do some shopping? Your choice, My treat!"

"I don't know..."

She thought on it for a moment.

"I promised my uncle we'd go straight to th gym...."

She had also promisedhimshe'd given him a call as soon as she was out of the gym. Calamity's uncle hadn't thought kindlyof this idea, and had only allowed her to do so becouse she had promised to be careful.

[Cody Travers]

Well, he kinda knew things weren't going to be as planned..So he thought about it for a moment..

"Hmm.."

"I don't know..."

"I promised my uncle we'd go straight to th gym...."

It'd be best not to get on her uncle's bad side..Hoo boy..So he had no choice but to reconsider. Oh well, he tried.

"Alright. No problems then."

A slight pause.

"The gym is on the corner of Baker and Mill streets. Let's go." He said with a smile. Though he wasn't still keen. After this morning's scene he'd try to play better for her.

The streets were busy at around midday. They'd be walking for what almost seemed about 10-15 minutes. They were almost there. People bustled about as they neared the shopping center district. Many crowds went by as people oohed and aahed at the various attractions and such.

Cody did his best not to lose Calamity in the middle of the crowd..Doing otherwise would prove horrible on his part..

They came to one of the street corners with all the clothing stores and thier merchendise about.

He turned around.

"Hey, we're almost there."

He pointed out to the picture of a huge arm lifting a dumbbell.

On it posted. "ARMES' GYM." In huge bold letters.

Walking around it though, big huge bulky guys..Cody kept his wits about.

[Jenna Scorn]

"Alright. No problems then."


She knew better, licking her lower lip as he spoke. Eyes hidden behind those wide framed glasses, eyes flickering towards Cody.

"The gym is on the corner of Baker and Mill streets. Let's go."

"Yes sir!"

She'd playfully salute him, taking a few strides onto the sidewalk, converse skidding against the ground as the two of them would begin to make their way down the sidewalk.

As time would pass, they had ventured into the sopping district. And she'd stick near Cody, eyes wandering over the crowdes of people, over the shops, doing a little window shopping as the two made their way.

"Hey, we're almost there."

Looking up now as she'd pause for a moment, brushing strands out of her face before finally heading to Cody. Keeping in step with him, pressing glasses up the bridge of her nose.

[Cody Travers]

He'd advance to the doors of the gym..All the people he knew there watched on as though surprised that he'd come back from the dead. Cody made sure that Calamity stuck with him. The guys could get rough here..And Cody because rather cautious as they approached the front doors.

Some guys approached Cody, some less bulky, some big as a fucking moose.

"Well, well! What have we here?! Travers! Long time no see!

They already were eyeing Calamity as though she was eye candy..

"Mmrrh..Where's Armando?"

"He's in the back of the gym."

"Thanks.."

Some provacative whistles from behind as Cody ushered Calamity into the front doors. He gave them a rough evil eye as he looked behind him. Some "Ooohs" from the others..Cody blushed a little..But hardly noticable he coughed to cover it up as best he could..

"...Welcome home.." He said to Calamity as the door slammed behind him..

It was a massive workout center, filled with huge guys wanting to bodybuild themselves to greatness!..Ugh..It made Cody sick..The stench of sweat filled the air at an almost nauseating rate..

"Come..Let's get to the back..This place is disgusting.."

As they went down the hall of mats..Power cycles running, weights clanging..Alpha males grunting to become thier so called "Strongest"...A huge wrestling ring resided in the back with guys on the mat going at it.

As they walked by to the back a few of the guys said their heys and hellos to Cody along with the occasional "who's your friend?" questioning.

"Eyyyy'! Travers!" Sounded a low gruff voice. It was Armando, the beefy bodyguard...Like this place needed one..

"Hey.." Cody said with a small wave.

"Where ya been? We've been looking around for ya!" He peered down at Calamity behind Cody. "And who's your little friend?" He said with a chipper smile.

"She's off limits..." Cody said chuckling as he punched Armando in the side of the arm. "Her name is Calamity."

"Calamity, this is Armando, one of the only DECENT guys around here.."

Speaking of which..

"Armando..You seen my keys..?"

"Uh yeah! Hang on i'll go get em for ya! Wait right here!" He trailed off dissapearing.

He looked down at Calamity. With a smile no doubt.

"..It's not what you think..I don't exactly LIVE in this sort of dump..But..My room is over there.."

He pointed to a door with the name "Head Coach" printed on it.

They waited for Armando to return..

[Jenna Scorn]

As soon as they stepped into the building, Calamity could sense the eyes on her. And she realized, for the first timein her life, that this must have been how a small creature would feel, when a circle ofwolves were closeing in.

She licked her lower lip, glancing from side to side Pulling her glasses down, to place them in her purse as whistles could be heard, and she'd smile softly.


"...Welcome home.."

And soon.
the stench was almost unbearable.
A hand would softly place against her nose for a moment, before letting it fall at her side.

"Come..Let's get to the back..This place is disgusting.."

A small nod, fallowing close to Cody. She'd look to the side, catching glimpses at a few of the males who had been eyeing her. she'd look away almost imidetly, glancing towards the floor.

Some of the men were the size of Hiroko.
Others were not, and a hallow feeling began to swell up within her lower belly.


"Where ya been? We've been looking around for ya!"

She'd remain silent, peeking out from behind Cody for a moment to catch a glimpse of this man who spoke.


"And who's your little friend?"

Once notice she'd imidiatly stand behind Cody. Too close actually. Fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as she'dlook about for a moment,only slightly frightened.



"She's off limits..."

Peeking out again.

"Very...very off limits."


"Her name is Calamity."

Oh, ya about that.

I havn't been...completely honest....

"Calamity, this is Armando, one of the only DECENT guys around here.."

She'd peek out again to give a small wave.

"Hi."

Now as the man would venture off, Calamity would step back. Purse hanging from one arm, while her free hand clutched her phone tightly.

"..It's not what you think..I don't exactly LIVE in this sort of dump..But..My room is over there.."

She let her eyes fall on Cody, looking up at him before glancing about the room.

"Heh."

[Cody Travers]

It had been about ten minutes..Cody was rather getting impatient..It was taking Armando an awfully long time to get back with a pair of stupid keys to his room..

And perhaps the keys to his entire past..Locked away in that one room..

He tapped his foot impatiently..

Finally, he came back. Armando finally made his way back to the two of them with Cody's Keys.

"Here you are Travers" He smiled openly. Cody did the same.

"Thanks.." He looked down at Calamity.

"Alright..Now be warned..It's rather..Out of place.." He said with a smile as he began walking towards the door.

"Travers.. A voice came from behind him..It was Armando again. "Are you sure about this..?

"No.." He said dissapprovingly. "..But don't worry about it."

Suddenly, Cody's mood had changed a bit. He went to unlock the door with his keys...

"Wow! Travers nice catch!" Said one of the bulkier fellows..He was bigger than Cody..Much bigger..

"Mind if I have a..proper look at her?!" Cody stopped clicking the keys in the door as the huge guy approached at Calamity. He looked like he was going to grab her or do something perverted..

No less from a bunch of sweaty assholes..

All they cared about was GETTING the girls with thier "Physique".

Cody slammed his fist into the chest of the bigger male. The huge bastard hit the weight machine and into the floor.

"Back off.." He snarled giving the big bastard an evil eye..He would watch over Calamity if it was his last action. He knew these guys..And almost all weren't good..

Cody continued to open the door..

It was an office..Albeit not very big..But it was Cody's "home". A desk sat in the middle of the room..Papers cluttered about on top of the desk.. Two chairs lat in front of the desk..

A single oak dresser would sit in the left side of the room..A couple of Trophies and medals sat there..Along with a framed picture..One that no outside eyes knew about...

It was a picture of Cody..Receving a large golden key, from the mayor of Metro City..When he single handedly defeated the Mad Gear gang..Underneath the picture was a news article.

"TEEN SINGLE HANDEDLY SAVES CITY WITH TWO FISTS!"

Next to the dresser was a stand..With a lamp on it..It was a picture..Of..Just Cody..With two headless figures standing behind him when he was younger...Their faces had been scratched out..

"..Make yourself at home.." Cody said..Unlocking the handcuffs from his hand and tossing them on the table..

He looked within the drawers for his medicene..

[Jenna Scorn]

ooc: Sorry for this shitty ass post. Not in the best of moods, and I currently and pretty drugged up on pain medication.



"Wow! Travers nice catch!"

Eyes blinked, turing on her heels to face the man who had spoken. Calamity was met with the face of a much larger male, larger then she had expected. A brow would rise, cocking her head to the side.

"Catch? I'm not a fish...." A scowl.


"Mind if I have a..proper look at her?!"

"Um, actually...."

She stopped.
Watching as Cody would take care of the situation, a soft smile on her lips as she'd turn towards Cody.

"I could have handled him."

A smile.

And as she stepped into his room, that smile would fade. Suddenly, it all was falling into place. finally realizing what had been wrong earlier, during break fast. She swallowed, letting her feet carry her through the room, taking notice of the picture of cody, receiving the key.


And onto the other picture.
with the scratched out faces.

She was silent.
biting her lower lip and glancing towards Cody as he'd let the handcuffs fall from his wrist.
Glancing at the cuffs for a moment, before looking down at the picture again.

She reached for it, taking it into her hand.
Her fingertips would gently brush against the surface of the picture.

"........I have a few of these."


What?


Scratched up pictures?



Or secrets.


She looked at Cody again.


Both.

"You'll have to let me help you decorate sometime."

Trying to lighten up the mood.

[Cody Travers]

Haunting memories..The fact that Cody had them plastered everywhere in his room..On his desk lay magazines..

Some of them read;

"INTERVIEW WITH "THE HERO"

"FIGHTER FOR THE MASSES"

"A TRUE HERO! BETTER THAN SUPERMAN! HE'S REAL!"

They were all pictures of him on the front..

..Cody looked on as he searched in his desk for his medicine..Opening drawer after drawer..Papers getting shuffled about..He felt an omnious feeling of awkwardness as Calamity wandered about in his room..

He moved to the other side of the room..Over to the brown plaid couch where he slept..Looking frantically for a medicine bottle since it'd be his only sanctum for his arms..

He quickly eyed Calamity who was looking about his stuffy room..

"You'll have to let me help you decorate sometime."

He stopped..

He let out a sigh..

An attempt at lightening the mood..

"..Y-yeah.."

He sat on the couch..

"..It does need a woman's touch now..doesn't it..?"

He trusted her being in his room..He respected the fact that she hadn't said anything until now..He rubbed his wrist that his handcuffs always were latched onto. The feeling began to burn there..

He shook his head..

"..I think it does need some redecorating..It's been this way ever since--" He stopped mid scentence. Slowed down..

And continued looking for that stupid bottle.

He began digging in his closet after getting up from the couch. He thought maybe he left the bottle in his old jeans...

*Crack*

He punched the wall inside his closet..

Memories of those old days were plastered everywhere in his room..

The magazines..

The pictures..

Even a plaque on his wall..

"Awarded to Cody Travers, a hero until the end." it read.

Yeah, right..

Some hero I am..

[Jenna Scorn]

She was silent, listening to Cody for a moment or two. Watching him closely. Her blue eyes scanned him, watching his body as he'd depart from the couch.

She turned on her heels, letting those shoes carry her to the couch. She eyed it for a moment, soon letting those knees bring her downwards to seat herself.

Eyes would glance up, taking notice of everything. and she'd assume they all were parts of Cody, parts of his past. And it was clear to her, that something had happened, something he didn't wanna talk about.


She licked her lower lip, glancing from Cody to the floor.

But if you didn't want to discuss such things, let alone think about them...why would you keep yourself surrounded by them?


As if she was one to talk.
She herself lived in the past.

Everyday.

After all, that house had belonged to Hiroko.



Sad.


She was pulled from her thoughts, jumping slightly in her seat as the heavy thud could be heard. She sighed, looking to the side as she went to her feet, hurrying over to cody quickly.

Hand placed against his shoulders.

"Calm down..."
A soft whisper.

[Cody Travers]

His hand reached into the hole in the wall..He felt Calamity rest her hand on him..She wanted to comfort him..Cody could tell..Of course..Plywood was dull so Cody had no problem grabbing what he wanted from the hole..Out he pulled..A pair of jeans..Old..Unwashed jeans..Yet they still smelled fresh.

He reached into the pockets..And pulled out a bottle of medicene..

"Found it.."

He immediately popped the lid open and took one whole..No water..Nothing..He swallowed it..He began to settle down..

He placed the bottle on the desk..

"I hate this place.."

His hair fell over his eyes as he placed two hands on the desk..

Then he looked over at Calamity..

"..I'm sure you do too."

He began to pace away from the desk..He opened a drawer in the oak dresser..

"This room is of full..Of happy memories..Most people would want these memories for thier own..

..me..

..Coming here just makes me want to kill myself.."

He moved his head away from the inside of the drawer to look over his shoulder.

"..I could have left you outside this room..Letting those bastards out there do whatever they please.."

A small pause..

"..All to keep this in hiding.."

He turned his head back into the drawer and rummaged around more.

"..But..I trust you..Especially with something this big..Someone no one other than myself knows.."

He picked out a box and placed it on the desk after closing the door..

He opened the box..It was full of old items..

His adoption papers..

..The key to the city..

..His old karate belt before it all happened..

[Jenna Scorn]

"I hate this place.."

She looked up at him, pushing a few blond strands of hair from her face as he spoke. So much anger, and so much pain in his eyes, and in his words. She swallowed, looking to the ground.



"..I'm sure you do too."

"........Hai."

A nod, sending those blond strands of hair into her face again.
But this time she left them there.


She hadn't at first.
But now...


She had started to hate California.
As much as she had hated Japan.

so many bad memories...


Winters...Hiroko...

She swallowed.

Finger tightened, fists clenching and unclenching at her sides as she thought.

"This room is of full..Of happy memories..Most people would want these memories for thier own..

..me..

..Coming here just makes me want to kill myself.."


That.

She knew it.

But she would shake her head now.
Turning away from him.

"..I could have left you outside this room.."

She looked up, peeking at him through strands of hair.


"Letting those bastards out there do whatever they please.."

Brows narrowed slightly.

"..All to keep this in hiding.."

She was silent, as she'd glance for the door.

"..But..I trust you..Especially with something this big..Someone no one other than myself knows.."

Head tilted, slightly honored now as he spoke.
A soft smile on her lips.

"A secret such as this...shouldn't be kept inside."

This was true, Calamity knew more then anyone about inner demons.

[Cody Travers]

"A secret such as this...shouldn't be kept inside."

"Actually..It does..Considering my stature.."

He was distraught..He didn't know what to do or say..

"...A few years ago..I went and did something stupid..And I was praised..Highly for it as you can see.."

He took a deep breath..

"..Regardless..Ties between my father and I..The leader of Mad Gear..Broke once I found out who he really was."

And sighed deeply..

"..After he was imprisoned..I went to see him a few weeks later..But I found out something drastic..That he had escaped.."

He picked up the box of things that he'd pulled out of his drawer.

"..I found this in my home in Metro..Along with these.."

He tugged on his shirt showing that it was his father's...And picked up the handcuffs off the table..Holding them out to her..

"..And a note saying he would kill me.."

He looked downward.

"..So that's why i've been living my life like this..In his shoes..Always being nothing more than a shadow.."

He stopped..