Karai "Kar" Horoshi
Hellcat chopper, En route to Kanto
Affected RPers: Nobody unless you can fly in the sky in the middle of nowhere

I woke up with a snort-like snore and felt like I'd been sleeping. I don't snore, so why did I wake up like I'd been snoring? I had slid halfway down in the pilot's chair and was actually about to fall off it, probably bumping my mouth against the control panel. The others were asleep too. Kinda weird. I didn't even know when I fell asleep. I checked the display and realized only a half hour had actually passed. We weren't even anywhere near Kanto, let alone Vermillion City. This might take a while.

I looked around the chopper, taking it all in because there really was nothing to do. There really wasn't much to it. Just gray metal walls, floor, and seats with straps for us. There was also a nailed down table for what I assumed to be briefings. The chopper control panel and joystick were in the front of the cockpit, with the chair I'd been using in front of it. Chair. A memory bubbled up to the surface. Another life. A happier life, when I was allowed to truly feel things. I looked as an observer, not even remembering what my parents looked like. I never saw them again after I went to school. Either they went on to do their job without me burdening them, or they died somewhere along the line.

Ekruteak City, years ago. A little girl was returning home from school on her birthday, when the phone rang. Her mom picked it up and was suddenly silent. "Yes sir...yes sir....yes sir. Don't worry, we'll explain it to her." Her mom hung up the phone and greeted the little girl with a warm smile. It was her birthday. Nothing goes wrong on your birthday, right? "Karai, we need to talk honey." Mother motioned the little girl to sit in a chair in the living room.

"What is it mom?" She looked at her mother, who was not making eye contact. "Dad?" The father also wasn't making eye contact. This confused the girl, but her mother pulled a small box from a bookcase shelf. She opened it and pulled out an antique coin.

"Do you know what this is?" The coin was tossed into her hands and she caught it. There was a snake engraved on the coin on one side with an H on the other side. The little girl shook her head no.

"This is the 'ticket' to your new life. A life our family is born into. A life you're destined to lead. You will learn much and become strong, but there is a price." Explained her father as the little girl examined the coin and even bit it. It was real gold.

"A price? What kind of price?" The little girl looked concerned, solemn. Confused even.

"You'll find out when you meet Madame Hebijo. Be strong. Know that we love you very much." Her mother hugged and kissed her as did her father.

The family left the apartment, never to return.

A memory. A different life. No. That's not me anymore. That hasn't been me in a long time. The squad woke up and I could now see the Kanto shoreline. We started to change into our Police outfits and masks.