Danzaiver no Densetsu:

A hero like no other!

Prologue One: The stage to a grand play is set

The city of Tokyo, populated by millions of people. Stars twinkled sadly down to the city that cast an unnatural light of neon colors. Nocturnal citizens crowded around street corners talking about recent events of thefts and conspiracies. However, even these quick witted people didn't know of the recent jewelry heist. The thieves didn't think anyone else knew about the theft either.

But someone did.

Comic book mangas told of his heroic deeds. Video games were created so companies could use the popular hero to make millions. Children would not know their times tables and be able to guess the name of their savior. Police officers were in mixed decisions on whether they should arrest him or help him.

The three thieves jumped across rooftops toward their home destination. One stopped, already too late to be alert to another presence. Atop a neighboring building stood a figure in white metallic armor that shaped his figure well. A helmet rested atop his head, a blue visor covering his eyes. As his blue cape flapped in the silent night wind, a playful grin graced his face.

"Thieves stop where you are!" the figure ordered in a clear voice. Everyone turned in his direction like so many have already done that night."Now that I have your attention scumbags, would you kindly set the bag of priceless antique jewelry on the ground and allow me to escort you to the nearest police station? Let me tell you. It will be easier in the long run."

"Screw you!" One yelled, pulling out his pistol. The leader, the armored figure concluded as the others followed suit. These were the type of criminal that annoyed him the most. There were the creative ones that spoofed a motif. He had to keep from chuckling as he remembered the group of cheerleaders that sported turtle masks. There were the ones that didn't wear any masks. And then there were the ones that used clothing to hide their faces.

"And these ones use the cliched ski masks...Just my luck." He covered his face with his gloved hand and shook his head, pitying his foes.

His eyes widened as a bullet ricocheted off his left shoulder. Looking from the shoulder to the unlucky criminal that held the gun, his left hand slipped down to his belt and seized his gun. Spinning it around cowboy style, he shot the fool who sought the pre-emptive shot.

"You shot him!" the third criminal that stood beside the leader was shaken. "You're supposed to be merciful!"

He jumped from his building and down in front of his foes. "I am merciful." he answered. "I warned you...and the gun was on stun."

Both reached for their pistols. He smiled and sheathed his gun. Reaching over his left shoulder, he drew the hilt of a sword. Both men laughed at the hero's efforts of self-defense. The smile was still plastered on his face, like that of a porcupine preparing a surprise of spines against a predator.

A trail of white light exploded from the hilt forming into a straight sword of light. "Still want to play around boys?"he asked, getting into his stance. "You might not be so lucky as buddy down there."

The leader didn't allow the psychology to affect him. His friend had been defeated and sat on the rooftop awaiting arrest. "What are you doing Keisuke!" The leader demanded angrily, glaring at him.

"Keisuke? That means..." The figure tore the mask of the leader's face. His eyes widened and then narrowed. "Yami." he muttered, looking at the black haired pale faced schoolboy. A tattoo of a green snake encircled his neck.

Keisuke looked at them both and then delivered a low blow to the figure. He clutched the area of attack in pain as Yami retreated, leaving his henchmen and prize behind. "I'm sorry Danzaiver." he murmured. "But the punishment for quitting is worse than jail."

"I'm not interested in you." he growled in reply, grabbing the bag of jewels. "Get out of here. I never saw you Keisuke. But if I catch you with Yami again, you'll be arrested too."

He nodded and watched Danzaiver leap after his leader. Getting up, he pulled off his mask and wiped the tears running down his cheeks. "I've already found out what I must do." he concluded and went down the fire escape, forgetting the stunned friend.

---

"Seigi! Seigi, Haku! Wait up! Hello? Oh no, not again!"

A school girl dressed in a blue skirted sailor suit with a red ribbon on the dress approached her raven haired friend. She ran a hand through her copper brown hair and realized her friend was shaking terribly. "You're not sick again, are you?" she asked concerned.

"Must have been the sushi you made me yesterday?" Haku replied with a weak grin, rubbing her sweaty pale skin.

The girl sighed, relieved that the humor was still there. "So what has you all shaken up my dark blue-eyed compatriot?" she asked, swinging her book bag.

"I saw Leiko beating up Keisuke-kun, Natsumi." Haku answered. She spoke of her other childhood friend. The blond, green-eyed fifteen years old was well built and the leader of a local gang called the Grey Wolves. "He told me Keisuke was a member of the Black Serpents."

"Sweet little Keisuke? Mouse boy? No way. Leiko must be jealous of all the time you're spending with him." Natsumi laughed loudly as they walked outside to the garden for their break.

"I saw the marking."

Natsumi's brown eyes widened as she stopped. "The tattoo?" she asked.

Haku nodded, staring at the ground aimlessly. "The black serpent on his arm." Coal black bangs covered her eyes as she tried hard not to cry. "He was using me to get to Leiko."

"Who cares? Someone like that you don't need in your life." Natsumi explained with a smile. "In fact," she stepped in front of Haku and placed her hands on her shoulders. "This is a blessing in disguise!"

Haku shook her head. "Keisuke is trying to get out of the gang though, and he told me so when Leiko was beating him up. I feel...as if I failed him somehow."

Natsumi sighed and shook her head. Haku had one of the lowest self esteems she had ever encountered. "I'll be back. Numai-san wants to trade notes with me about a class he missed."

After Natsumi left, Haku was left to wander the garden. A hand touched her shoulder and caused her to jump in fright. "Relax. He's taken care of." said a loud male voice.

Haku turned around to see two boys. One was face down on the ground and the other was Leiko. "Leiko?" Haku switched glances from the boy on the ground to Leiko. "What's going on? Who is he?"

"A Black Serpent." Leiko replied casually, placing his arms behind his head. "No thanks needed. A kiss on the cheek would be great though."

"Chauvinistic as usual." Haku retorted. "Our childhood friendship was over when you founded the Grey Wolves. I hate gangs. I'm not anyone to be friends with. Do yourself a favor and get lost."

"You let Keisuke and Natsumi near you. Why not me?" he asked in curiosity.

"Do they solve problems with fists?" she answered his question with another. Not expecting an answer she turned and ran away.

"Ouch. Cold Haku." the young leader commented. "Really cold..."

---

Rose petals decorated a small grove of the garden. It was one of Haku's favorite places to go to when she needed a good cry. When she saw a couple necking in her favorite place though, she had to retreat to her second favorite place. Her cherry blossom grove was however occupied by another couple. Her stress level was rising and out of frustration she went into the garden's bathroom facilities.

Sitting in one of the stalls, she cried to herself. Natsumi was her only friend in the whole school. Leiko was a thing of the past. Keisuke was a mistake that she had allowed to happen. Why the Black Serpents always used her to get to Leiko, was a joke. They always seemed to think the two were a couple when they were the total opposites of each other. Leiko was boastful, uncultured and not someone you could invite to a dinner party. Haku was a shy little ghost that one could immediately miss in a classroom. She was distant and tried to stay out of everyone's way.

She pulled out two photos from her skirt pocket. One was a trading card of her hero, Danzaiver. She always dreamed that he would someday pick her up one night and show her how not to be shy. In return, Haku would tell him of the love she had for him and that he would return the confession with a kiss. Fantasy was something that was frowned upon.

The other photo was that of herself ten years ago with an eight-year-old boy and a baby boy. She was dressed back then in a black dress which made her skin look even more pale. The boy had brown hair cut below the ear and was gelled up to be spiky. He wore a blue soccer jersey and had a soccer ball in hand. She admired Danzaiver for many reasons but one special reason was for his likeness to a boy that saved her life.

There was acar accident on the highway. Four people were killed that night. Both couples were parents to two children. One child was heavily wounded and scarred. One managed to escape with only an arm injury. The third car that had caused the accident held the criminals inside.

Haku laid on the bed hooked up to various machines that she had never even heard of. She had lost a lot of blood that night and was scarred from head to toe. A boy, spiky brown hair that was now a mess and soft blue eyes walked in. His soccer uniform was dirty and tattered.

"Wow. You were messed up good." he commented lightly with a smile on his face. The boy approached the bed with his right arm in a cast. Haku smiled in reply. The boy nodded understanding with an odd mix of maturity and adult understanding. "My name is Hino Kokoro. You must be Seigi Haku, the daughter of Seigi Jotaro. He was the one who refused that deal that was in the news. Sorry, I won't talk about him."

"They said that the ambulance with the blood you need won't make it in time because of the Winter blizzard. Lucky you, I'm your blood type!" Kokoro laughed.

Haku's eyes widened in surprise. "My grandma and grandpa agree don't worry. I wasn't really hurt in the crash but who cares about a broken arm? It'll be healed up by soccer season." He grinned boyishly.

He's so mature, she thought in admiration, like he's already an adult. "Your aunt adopted you by the way. Seigi Yuri? Yeah." the boy nodded to himself. "My grandpa adopted me and my grandmother adopted my little brother Takara. Don't ask why. It has something to do with the training my grandfather is giving me."

"I plan on being strong and noble when I grow up." Kokoro raised his left arm in the air. "Consider it a promise! I'll be the greatest hero ever!"

Haku blinked as he linked his pinky with hers. He smiled genuinely and during the operation was trying his best to be calm. "Looks like we'll be connected. Our destinies entwined. You'll know the hero when you see him."

Danzaiver. Haku believed in her heart that this was the hero that young Kokoro spoke about. He was strong, noble and was a child's perfect role model. She smiled to herself as an amusing thought came to mind. Maybe he wasn't the greatest role model. He did perform dangerous stunts and placed himself in danger every day.

Satisfied with her good cry, Haku got up and stepped out of the bathroom. She was met by a great force that bumped into her. Falling onto the ground, Haku winced and shook her head. The photo had fallen in front of her, she went to reach for it and was beaten by the one who bumped into her.

"Where did you get this?"

Haku looked up to a boy dressed in the blue school uniform with a senior crest engraved on it. His brown hair was cut below the ear and gelled up in an overly-familiar way. His serene blue eyes looked over her, almost as if he were trying to figure out who she was. "This is mine." she answered quietly. "A picture of a good friend of mine. G-Go away. I don' t think I know you."

The boy frowned and reached into his pocket. Haku's eyes widened when he revealed his own copy of the photograph. Reading her expression the boy smiled and returned the picture to his pocket and outstretched a hand. Once she was helped up, Haku stood there stiff not knowing whether she should hug her old friend or shake hands.

"Hino Kokoro at your service milady!" He bowed gracefully like a samurai of Feudal Japan that Haku loved reading about. "Seigi Haku. It's been a long time!"

"I didn't know you went here." she said quietly, her eyes not meeting his. A shaking fist was raised up to her mouth, biting her knuckles nervously.

"I did and always had. We're in different grades so maybe that's why. You also hide yourself very well. Are you doing okay Haku?" Kokoro asked concerned, placing two hands on her shoulders.

Her fist lowered and she sniffed, shoulders shaking. "It just...seems like everything is wrong Kokoro-chan!" The older boy was not the least bit surprised when she started to cry into his chest. He hugged her tightly and stroked her hair.

"Once school is finished with today, I'll pick you up at your house. Seven all right? We can talk then." he offered to her.

She nodded and backed away from him. Opening her school bag, Haku found a pen and paper and wrote down her address. "Thanks Kokoro-chan. There's just so many things to talk about."

---

After dinner, Haku dressed herself in a white blouse and violet dress. She then tied a black ribbon in her hair, signifying her still mourning of late parents. She wondered to herself why her heart was beating so face. The color of her cheeks had even returned.

"Kokoro saved my life once." she said quietly, looking at herself in the mirror. "He can save me again right? From all of the depression?"

"Haku! He's here!"

The voice of her Aunt Yuri filled her ears and after tying her opal pendant around her neck, she made her way down the winding staircase. Her guardian Seigi Yuri was the older sister of her late father. Grey hairs decorated her long fine black hair tied in a high ponytail. Yuri had inherited her brother's company and had sold it to continue her home lifestyle. She had bought the large house for both her and Haku. If it was to cheer Haku up, it did nothing whatsoever.

The regal woman stood in a cotton blue sweater and blue jeans. Haku admired her aunt for being a human of a powerful figure. "Thanks Auntie! Don't worry he won't bring me home late!" Haku gave her aunt a quick kiss on the forehead and ran out the door.

She was met by a Kokoro seated on a motorcycle. He was dressed in a white muscle shirt underneath a blue jacket and wore blue jeans. A blush filled Haku's cheeks as she didn't know what to expect. He passed her a helmet and she strapped it onto her head. "Where are we going?"

"A tour around the city and then this cute little café I know about." he answered as they sped off.

"Is this a date?" she shouted above the sound of the roaring motor.

"Could be." replied Kokoro with a wink to her. Haku's cheeks warmed up again. And she wasn't the least bit worried about it this time.

Haku had first thought a tour around the city would be fun. But it occurred to her after an hour that a trip everywhere around the city wasn't what she had in mind. However, she tried to think to herself with as much positiveforce as possible. This is Kokoro! He must have a good reason. He wouldn't just drag her out like this would he?

I wish something exciting would happen, she thought tiredly closing her eyes, something to spark things up.

Kokoro's motorcycle jerked to a stop causing Haku's head to crash into Kokoro's back. "Kokoro-chan what's going on?" she asked rubbing her eyes.

"I don't know...wait..." Kokoro looked alarmingly ahead. "Do you hear that?"

Haku took off her helmet and strained her ears to hear what Kokoro heard. Alarms...gunshots...screams. "Kokoro...it sounds like a robbery?" She asked him.

Kokoro smiled and ruffled Haku's hair. "Right. You're pretty good." Haku blushed again but regained her composure due to the circumstances. Kokoro dismounted his motorcycle leaving Haku there to balance it. Seeing this, Kokoro flipped the kick stand down and laughed lightly as Haku relaxed. "Sorry." he apologized.

"Where-"

"To see what I can do. Don't worry. I'm trained in first aid so maybe I can help. Take care!" Kokoro turned and ran toward the scene, pass the traffic jam.

"But-"

Kokoro stopped and looked back at her. "Maybe you'll see Danzaiver!" he grinned and ran again.

"I was going to say I know first aid too but it looks like I'm guarding the bike." Haku said to herself and sighed. Bike duty, ugh. She looked up at the sky and noticed a white streak jumping down onto the street. "Danzaiver?" she asked quietly.

He was chasing a robber from the bank that had ran in her direction. Haku started to get off the motorcycle, keeping a careful eye on the distance that was slowly disappearing between her and the robber. He pointed a gun at her and shouted "Don't move!"

Haku froze in place and looked from the robber to Danzaiver. She continued to stare in disbelief as the robber wrapped and arm around her neck and pointed a gun to her temple. "You move one inch closer and I'll shoot!"

She choked and tears of fright slid down her cheeks. Where was Kokoro? Where were her friends when she needed them?

"Danzaiver..." Haku whispered pleadingly.

"I'll get you out of there, promise." he told her with confidence.

It was one thing to daydream about being rescued by the man of your dreams. It was another to actually experience the chances of surviving the encounter.

---

Chibi-Ake and friends

Episode One: Ake-chan's disbelief!

Terminology: ( ) actions ' ' thoughts

Ake: I can't believe it! (Ake sits on the couch with the sixth Harry Potter book)

Haku: (walks in) What is it?

Ake: They killed him! (cries chibi buckets of tears)

Haku : (raises eyebrow) Killed who? 'I'm comforting my creator who is a chibi and one third my height?'

Ake: My favorite character! WAH!

Haku: (rolls eyes) Right. How about your speech?

Ake: (continues to cry) I hate Snape!!! 'At least my writer's block was cured, hmm, lets make Haku work'

Haku: As if playing damsel wasn't enough this chapter! Ugh. (folds arms across chest) This story like many others is being redone. Well...So far only Scarecrow Kakashi and Danzaiver no Densetsu. Ake greatly appreciates criticism and laments how she has never received a flame yet. Rants will still be coming too. School isn't here yet and what's there to rant about in the summer besides tourists? (raises eyebrows again seeing Leiko with a sniper gun and laughing maniacally) We here at Studio Tenshi are but simple muses of Ake's head. Especially the Danzaiver characters since we were the first (sees glare from Yumi, Mikazuki and Nozomi from the other stories) Hah! (sticks tongue out and runs away from the mob)

Danzaiver: (randomly appears sitting beside Ake) Chibi-Ake and friends are glimpses into our beloved author's head. Scary isn't it? Inside a chibi's head? Whew...We're done Haku. We've explained everything!

Haku: Right! (stops and disappears in a poof of smoke)

Danzaiver: (looks to Haku) Favorite character died? I fear for this story if she uses this idea...(Goes poof too)