Chapter Text
"Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life.", it's inscribed on the ceiling tiles of this ship's interior. I can't remember who first taught me that saying, but it comes back to haunt me every so often. The abandonment of your past self, that idea, that you are no longer the person you were the day before, or the week before, so on and so forth to memories of birth that no longer exist. A version of you sentenced to a life in photographs. A version of you who is no longer alive, along with their worldview and opinions, innocence, or perhaps, ignorance. But how do you let go? How do you mourn something as it breathes? And when, when will this mourning be for where no current version of oneself remains?
September 27th
"Miss? Miiiiiss....? Would someone go wake her up?" a man squeaked behind a pilot's seat. A thick leather jacket adorned on their dry black scales. It was hard to tell where the synthetic clothing ended and their natural skin began. The lady jolted up, she had been staring at the floor for the past ten minutes. "S-Sorry sir!" A matured, but still hesitant voice responded as she bowed. "Thank you, have a very nice day." She added as she made her way out. "Your life, don't apologize." he grinned from behind the driver's seat.
Sakana walked from the ship's exit, alongside others who were much more familiar with the location she's been sent off to. Brushing shoulders with her as they ignored the rest of their surroundings on their way to work. There she was, in front of all legends that had preceded her for centuries. There she was, in front of the Skylander Academy.
She had been accepted for an in-person interview with a former Skylander, after her letter requesting to join the academy was, still confusing to her, accepted. Having read of these heroes' great tales through all her life she was thrilled, though, only experiencing these legends through literature, she was unsure of how to dress for an occasion.
Elegant, practical, and a touch too confident of an attire for someone of her inexperience to handle. A black wetsuit adorned with lightweight pads of armour. And some hobby gear which conveniently doubles as a weapon, her fishing rod. Inscribed with an elegant golden design with precision only matched in beauty by her home village which made it.
Once she stepped into the entrance she was impressed by the interior-- though she's seen pictures and illustrations of it before it was stunning being there in person, the roof consisted of grey brick engulfed by glass domes peering into the day's embrace into the interior. And whenever need be, there are perpetually lit torches maintaining illumination across the academy's centers, corridors, and individual rooms. Large glass windows on the wall allow the place to have lots of natural beauty, the entire place built up of grey bricks giving way to an aesthetic that of castles built hundreds of years ago, and that goes without mentioning the weighted historical paintings, or the academies larger than limits scale. The entrance only had one floor, though places it branches off into have several stories. There was a man in short stature and humble posture who awaited her. A bipedal eagle dawned head to toe in blue armour which could deflect all worries or the impure of heart. This was one of the most well-known heroes in modern day. A Skylander going by the name Jet-Vac, and after years of being on the frontline fighting evil on his own, he has decided to step down and help Skylanders of the future, and assist in missions. This includes Sakana. As he was the one who read her letter.
“'Morning. chap!" The eagle creature said enthusiastically. Patting her on the shoulder. To be treated so kindly from a well-known celebrity at this point was a strange feeling for Sakana, though she was not one to complain. She was never one to speak up to people of such a high status. Or speak much around them at all. Barely able to let out a breath, let alone a stammered "H..... Hello." that she did manage to let escape her lips. Lacking the confidence to even look in this man's direction.
"Not very open, are we? No worries! People tend to be nervous speaking to us for the first time. I read your letter and I was surprised by how extensive you were-- Perhaps thirty pages wasn't necessary-- but you’ve proven to us great enthusiasm and commitment! Not to mention, Skylanders tend not to be so book savvy these days ... At any rate! I am excited to discuss your application with you!." He'd walk further, he had a lot of confidence in his step, a noticeably good posture. Seeing him so comfortable and able to see confidence and faith in Sakana's abilities despite only being shown anxiety from her ..... Now Sakana is left only with confliction in her own emotions. Conflicting the poor posture, conflicting the fragility in each of her steps.
As both would emulate Jet-Vac's shine of a positive attitude. She was starting to smile, actually. She may be overstepping herself as they'd walk up some stairs, through a few corridors and finally enter a small room. In it was a relatively small table, two book shelves to the left and right of the door, and a porch which provided a view of other islands near the academy. Jet-Vac sat down on the far end of this table and brought out some papers. "Are you going here to stand or have an interview? Come on, sit down!" Jet-Vac would call to Sakana, who immediately sat down. Excited to finally be here for an interview. Due to procrastination it would take her months to build up the confidence to send the letter in the first place, and the letter being responded to so quickly (only a few days) made her endlessly hopeful, hope that trickled down and away when met with the silence, and slow opening of drawers, the mood quieter. Distanced.
"So, let me just take some notes here..." The eagle said
"Your name is Sakana, correct? Lots of Skylanders choose to have an alias for the job for privacy. Do you have one in mind?" Jet-Vac asked her, getting out a pen.
It was.... Ironic. Sakana had never actually let this cross her mind. Of course she knew about the aliases that the Skylanders had, but.... Even getting this far, in her fantasy to be here she skipped this. Instead darting her attention to another corner of the room as she clambered for any name she could on the spot. No, that isn't how you're supposed to have names, that isn't how you're supposed to form an identity.... Jet-Vac only laughed at this. Sympathizing with her confusion.
"I understand, it can be a difficult and big thing to come towards, I'll call you Sakana for now, but if an alias ever comes up for you, make sure to tell me. And I'll be sure to give you a heads up if I have any ideas of my own." he took notes on a sheet of paper he had laid out. Head tilted, curious, but of course unable to tell what he's writing. Or what he has in store, what information he's going to need, such as....
"Here's a straightforward one! Do you know what species you are?" a simple question, but one that asks itself several complications. She couldn't tell why this question caused her distress, hardly anyone in this academy knows what they are. "N-No.... Is.... That okay?" She slumped in her seat, defeated. Jet-Vac would already laugh this off. Continuing his note taking. Assuring her that his own simple written description would suffice.
Humanoid in structure. In fact, proportionately similar to a human to a striking degree. Light blue skin with darker highlights including a runic symbol on her forehead. No hair save for quite extensive eyelashes. In place of hair she has similarly flowy tentacles hanging from her head. Tall, and frail in stature. Such tentacles are also in place of fingers, three on each hand. Shark-adjacent teeth and features resembling lots of aquatic creatures. Cephalopods are the easiest comparison to draw from.
Jet-Vac showed this description to her, to which she'd only nod hesitantly. Her grotesque self-perception was in no way aided by this discussion of her bodies featured.
After a brief moment of silence Jet-Vac went back to his paper, turning it towards himself and getting his next question ready. Topics up for discussion highlighting the attributes valued by the Skylanders team. For every inquiry about ones strengths or weaknesses in equal parts they discussed philosophy, and the strength of her mind. Though all of these questions Sakana would occasionally glance in other directions. She has trouble keeping eye contact with people and soon would stare into other places and let her mind drift. Focus started to dwindle and words became a blur. Eventually, she was reminded of reality.
"Already stated to be a water element.... What are any abilities you'd like to strengthen for your training into becoming a Skylander?" He'd look up to Sakana. "Well.." She opened the case she had brought with her. Opening it and getting out her fishing rod, placing it on the table. The fishing rod was very large, multiple feet long and made out of wood with various metallic attachments, even a handle bar on it. The reel on the fishing rod had a bunch of spikes on it, as if it were a saw. Its vibrancy brought the question of if this was a fishing rod or some form of an advanced magical staff. And all Jet-Vac could do was smile at the weapon.
"My my! I haven't seen anyone fight using a fishing rod for combat before, well, beyond the tall tails of civilians!" Jet-Vac said with great enthusiasm, Sakana didn't know who the bird was referring to but nodded either way. "We'll have to do some research into how we could test, or develop skills using such a weapon. But I am already excited and eager to see what you can do with one of these! Please, are there any other abilities you'd like me to know about?" He added. Sakana nervously raised one of her arms. "One more... Water. I'm able to control it... And summon it." She said, manifesting water a few inches away from her hands and gently moving it around. "Come on, don't be nervous! That's a wonderful ability! Lots of water elements Skylanders have it!" Jet-Vac exclaimed proudly. Getting up and putting his hand out for Sakana, both for her to get up and shake his hand. "Well Sakana, you have shown incredible promise already! Though I don't have any displays of your combat I'm positive they will net good results! I'll get you into a room with some other Skylanders. And I'll run a more extensive test of your abilities tomorrow in the afternoon! Sounds good to you?" He said, keeping the same warm smile. Sakana immediately grabbed his hand and got up "O-Of course!! I-I seriously can't tell you how honoured I am...I... Thank you!!" She said, clearly, way too excited about the role. The suction on her hand was gripping onto the bird's talons tightly.
"Please, save the gratitude for after we've run the test. Can't let anything go to your head!" Said Jet-Vac. Who tried to pull his hand away but it was stuck from the suctions. "Do you mind if you could just..." Jet-Vac laughed to himself. Sakana's face lit up red and her suctions lost their grip quickly. "I-I'm so sorry!! They.. They have a mind of their own, I swear!" She burst out quickly and fearfully as if this small thing would be stopping her from becoming a Skylander.
Her mind filled with thoughts of this being the end of her dream career. Jet-Vac laughed hysterically at this "Not to worry, Sakana! One small thing isn't going to change much. Your grip should be the least of your concerns. Wait near the entrance while I figure out what house you can be put in." Jet-Vac said, walking elsewhere outside of the room. Sakana followed and eventually split paths to go to wait by the entrance as Jet-Vac requested.
The entrance to the academy had its iconic large brown doors big enough to fit even the largest of Skylanders. Though for a fairly obvious reason they'd have it at that size. From outside the door to long inside the building stretched a maroon carpet. And throughout the area she can see branching hallways and doorways to various other parts of the academy or entrances to activities for the Skylanders.
She darted her eyes across all of the beautiful scenery around her for a while until focusing on the maroon carpet. She greatly enjoyed the royal, and powerful feeling emanating from the carpets colour. Maroon, and various other dark shades of red have always been amongst Sakana's favourite colours. And she liked to focus on it. But as she always does, once focused on a particular part of a scene thoughts storm through her mind and she is quickly unable to focus.
She thought back to every word she said to Jet-Vac, all of the anxieties she was shouting, the nervousness and hesitance of her movement and voice, her over excitement at the thought of becoming a Skylander which she so unprofessionally displayed. Tightly gripping his hands without even realizing, how is she going to become a Skylander like this? She's already doomed to fail, isn't she?
Her expression stays the same but her mind falls into a deep consuming spiral of fear and dread of her future due to small aspects of the first impression with Jet-Vac. What once was over-the-brim excitement about what she knew she could become turned into doubt of if this was even a good idea in the first place. And emits her thoughts the same blue-armoured eagle approaches her, smiling.
"Greetings Sakana! I see you've done a good job waiting, though don't worry. Patients will not be something you'll have to worry about often!" Jet-Vac said, the squid creature looked up at him though did not respond. "After doing some discussion we managed to find a place for you to stay in! There are two graduated Skylanders waiting in there already." He added. Skylanders all stay in individual houses spread throughout Skylands. Each house contains 2-8 Skylanders at a time. Usually accompanied by an aircraft. Recently graduated students, or students in training, have houses closest to the Skylander Academy so they can easily go to the Academy for their training.
So if she's put into a house with two other graduates.... Could this mean she's been put in with people more recently graduated? Jet-Vac motioned Sakana to follow him as he walked towards an aircraft they'd be taking to reach her new house. Which took a decent amount of time though Sakana did not get bored from such waiting--she never really has gotten bored from waiting. Her ability to let her mind wander may be an inconvenience at times but it does lead to her being very patient. So a lack of focus can be a gift and a curse. It certainly helps that there are a ton of beautiful islands the aircraft is passing by. Honestly, she didn't even notice much time had passed at all by the time she had arrived at the new house.
Part of her wishes she could have stayed in that isolation just a bit longer. She looks over at her new house. It was a good three stories tall, made up from grey brick and having large stairs climbing up to the entrance. a massive tree that grew around the building, and lots of large windows peaking into the outside world. To her right she can see a beautiful and elegant boat made up from shades of purples and blues.
The enchanting environment all distracted her from moving forward. Jet-Vac didn't pay any mind to the scenery and walked past her on to the stairs "Come on! I know it's a lot to take in but you have people to meet!" The bird yelled out to her. Sakana snapped back to reality and walked up the doorsteps, Jet-Vac opening the door for her. She stepped inside.
_____________________
Sakana walked into this house and observed the interior, fascinated by the more casual living space and interior kept together by those living here. The entrance had wood flooring with a few steps down going to the living room with a cobblestone floor. Past the living room was a kitchen and stairs going upwards. And bright blue windows you could hardly see through. The living room had a bit of furniture and a table, on a couch sat one small inhabitant of the household, who looked up at her as Jet-Vac continued moving forward to introduce them.
"Hello! Thorn, is it?" Jet-Vac said in unwavering enthusiasm. He had only known the inhabitants names after learning about the house, not knowing who was who. Apparently by the immediate correction, he would be corrected. "Nah, this is Pricket. Thorn's upstairs right now if you need him, though!" A frail pink dragon barely any larger than a house cat called out. She was impressed by them speaking, let alone being a Skylander. "We have found a potential new student who will soon start training to become one of our students at the academy so if she passes the test. I would like for the two of you to meet.... Well, she doesn't have an alias quite yet. But her standard name is.... Sakana!" He added, smiling. The only inhabitant of this house both of them knew at the moment, apparently named 'Pricket'. And he had pink horns, he stood on all fours like a lizard though could think and speak like any regular person. Sakana had grown accustomed to the idea of dragons being larger than life, and having a great sense of elegance. The small size of the dragon and more casual body language greatly confused her. The dragon walked over to her and looked up at the squid creature..
"Whoa.... You're a cool one! What are you?" Sheepishly, she looked away trying to think of an explanation, but with a hand on her shoulder Jet-Vac would provide an answer. "She's one of many, as in--no idea! But I can already tell--whatever she is.... She's very impressive."
"Mysterious.....! My name is Pricket by the way--Ooh! We should discuss some of that crazy catchphrasey further detailsey stuffinwhatever while having a drink--tea!! Take a seat, I'll get you some tea! Tea!!" The dragon fluttered away into the kitchen. Sakana was curious how a creature that small lives in here and hasn't gotten accidentally crushed by anything. As Pricket told her, Sakana would take a seat a few moments later and stare at Jet-Vac, not really sure if there's anything she is supposed to do next. The bird noticed Sakana was looking at him, though.
"Well, I best be on my way. Sakana I expect these two to get you acquainted with this house--and I will be testing you on your abilities more extensively next morning. I encourage you get a good nights rest and a filling breakfast." The bird walked out of the door and went to leave. Only leaving them with silence and the high-pitched hissing of the kettle as it ringed.
"Do we have guest?" A deep, gravelled voice silently called from upstairs, much to Pricket's delight. "Absolutely we do! Actually, uh--tea--no we don't what we have is.... a new member of the household! ....P-Probably, we don't know if she'll be accepted." He anxiously laughed off, much to the addition of Sakana's fear, not going unnoticed by the shriveled dragon, he'd soon correct himself. "Tea--U-Uhm--what I mean by that is she's totally going to rock it in the acceptance, she just hasn't gotten it yet--" he gasp with mental confetti
"Thorn!! You should--totally tour her around the house! U-uhm--tea!--Sakana, could you go upstairs and meet with him?" Strange directions, but Sakana would follow them and up the stairs. The cobblestone flooring let marble bleed into it from the stairs, as she climbed up. There were several framed pictures, but.... every single one had cut off fabric within the frames, no people in them.
Reaching the top of the stairs expecting this "Thorn" individual to be at the top, only to no avail. This was, until turning her head to further survey the surroundings. A jolt and a gasp she met with looking to her right and finding him. A seven foot tall creature with black coffee fur and piercing green eyes, same with drooping giant equally bright green claws large enough to tear a person's rib cage clean out. He had a rich and textured pelt, lots of fur. Hardly wearing anything save for pads of armour along his legs, arms, hips, and the top of his head. He resembled more a sketchy beast of the night more than a heroic skylander. The frigid breathing as a reaction to his presence spoke for what she never has the confidence to. Thorn scoffed. "Nice to meet you as well." And thus, without any other formal introduction he walked off to a nearby room. Holding it open. Sakana stared back without motion. He'd tilt his head towards the door. And then again. Then, a third time.
"Well? Aren't I supposed to be touring?"
She hadn't even realized that's why he was motioning her, joltingly, she went towards the door. Still intimidated by this man's strange features, though.
The first room she had been presented with was Thorn's own room. "Never come in here otherwise." He specified. Everything was in boxes, with a few sewing needles poking through. Otherwise the room was completely empty and void of personality save for a cleared off table and a strange mannequin. The second was what he specified to be Sakana's room. Off by the window.
For reasons one can imagine, it had nothing of note in it. But it did have a beautiful mirror dresser. Thirdly was Pricket's room, Pricket didn't have a bed, or a table, or a dresser, or anything in his room. It was just a pile of hats. Of all varieties, too. Top hats, toques, knightly helms, fedoras, pirate hats, even stranger ones like plush turkeys meant to take the shape of hats. All of which are too big to even fit onto Pricket's own head. It was absolutely absurd--like--the hat collection was several feet tall. Thorn had no words or context to provide before or after entering the room and simply moved on to a guest room, then a restroom, and finally, to the third floor.
On the third floor of the house there was training and exercise equipment--she could already tell the noise would impact living on the second floor. And a small room you went to from the training room was an observatory, which also housed some magic equipment and an almost full book shelf. Conveniently, once Thorn finished showing her everything a loud yell came from the first floor. The pink dragon had finished making his tea for everyone, and wanted them all to come downstairs.
Sakana came downstairs and saw that the dragon had already set up the table-- including all of the drinks that he had made neatly put into cups placed on the table, the dragon sat on a large couch, eager to have a conversation with the new member, having a noticeably bright smile.
Sakana sat down on the couch beside him and Thorn sat in a nearby chair all surrounding a coffee table and picking a cup of tea at random. The one Sakana picked up had a honey-flavouring to it. She wasn't the biggest fan of the bitter taste of tea, though wanted to be polite and drank it regardless. The dragon seems notably eager to learn more about her as Pricket looked up excitedly--looking up this high was bound to hurt his neck after a while.
"It's so great to see a new Skylander! What do you have decided so far! Do you have any fighting styles mapped out, tea? Witty remarks against your opponents? By the ancients! How could I forget? Do you have your own catchphrase yet!?" The small dragon walked around on the furniture while talking to her--it seems already he has a hard time staying still--or keeping his mind set on something. Sakana found this funny, but also deeply confusing due to her prior knowledge of dragons. Thorn leant forward placing his tea down. "Pricket she is training to become a warrior, not a comedian. Save the meaningless questions for a later time." The small reptile groaned and laid down.
"Uh... Combat style needs work, but I think I have it decided generally, though I don't have any quips haha.. Being honest? I don't really think I even have a name decided for myself" She said in a noticeably nervous tone, though didn't stutter surprisingly. A few moments of silence, which started to make the squid uncomfortable.
Being in a social space without any social interaction generally unnerves her. So, to break up the silence she looks down to the dragon, smiling, and asks "Could you help me come up with some quips, or a name? From how you're describing it they seem pretty important!" Immediately, the dragon perked up and looked towards her, Thorn rolling his eyes at this. Sakana began to wonder how old this dragon is from how.... Immature he behaved. The dragon became immediately excited and Pricket would begin to suggest a tiresome amount of quips, or jokes to make.
"Redefining sucker punch! Get it, because you have tentacles for hands?"
"Making waves! For you it'd be literal!"
"Reel in the goods! Since you use a fishing rod!"
Eventually the dragon was forcing her to start writing some of them down. After a full hour of this Sakana started to wonder how Thorn had his sanity intact after living with him for.... Who knows how long. Thorn had already left to do training on the top floor, as she could hear wood creaking from him training. With all the tea drank and the dragon...
By some twisted logic still able to talk and come up with new jokes, she had to draw the line and told the dragon that she'd be heading upstairs to get some rest. Pricket, a little disappointed, said he was fine with this and reassured her he'd come up with more over the night. ....Sakana had no doubt about this, dreading waking up the next morning already. She walked to the third floor of the house and greeted Thorn, who was doing a set of curls then stopped to look at her. Then, positioned his focus back.
"Pricket's a bit of a handle, does he ever run out of breath?" She laughed. Thorn stood up and walked towards her "I doubt it, he is an air elemental. He has a good heart. Due to our job, that's a good attitude to have." This made the squid pause as she had never really thought that the job could bring despair to her, she only considered the good that would be brought to others, and any physical risk she could put herself into. None of the mental risk she could face from the job.
"I... Never thought of it that way.. Yeah, I suppose you're right." She said, an enthusiastic voice though she wasn't looking at him, more looking past him, again, eye contact being an issue of hers.
"Confidence, and joy are important. I haven't learned those quite yet." He had his arms crossed. Looking towards her. "But I suppose you have other lessons to learn first, yeah? I'll shut up. You need to get some rest for tomorrow. I'll see you in the morning, and if you pass the test. I'll be seeing you afterwards." After a few moments he'd turn around and go back to his exercise. But before this Sakana would speak up again. "Do you.... Do you think I'll be passing the test?" She asked worryingly.
"No clue. I don't know who you are." He said in a cold tone, getting back to his exercise. Sakana stood there for a few moments, upset and her confidence a bit lower, she went downstairs into one of the rooms, which will now be her bedroom. Getting out her fishing rod case and getting things out of some smaller compartments on the case. She took out a framed photo of her adoptive father, a book with a silhouette of four dragon wings on the cover, a fancy blue pen, and a notebook she used as a diary. She likes to have it to jot down experiences, or archive events of her life. Started as just that, an archival. But now her lengthy paragraphs detailing experiences became therapeutic for her. She heard Thorn going to the shower after finishing his exercise, and the clacks of his armour being taken off.
There after hearing him going to his room. Which gave her a good idea that a decent deal of time had already passed. Though, she was only halfway done writing everything she wanted to for the night. With a bit of disappointment, she knew the importance of what would happen the next day and summed up her experiences briefly . Closing the book and getting into bed. There's always something so comforting, but a little off about going into a new bed in a new location. Only happened during sleepovers for her but it's nothing short of replenishing.
What started as her trying to sleep was interrupted by her thoughts. What started off as simple internal questions devolved into a lengthy internal discussion with herself about... Basically anything. She started to think about the next day, though. And had a lot of fear. According to Jet-Vac, she is showing lots of promise in her spirit, but... What about her combat? What if the test is something unexpected, or is too difficult for her? Eventually, after a long time thinking to herself she falls asleep. Anxious of what fate could hold her the next day.