From “Unlikely Trio”

by Nick Morgan

This is an excerpt from the beginning of a fantasy short story. The main character, Mocha, uses he/him and zhey/zheir pronouns; Mocha's friend Ash uses he/him and they/them; and Chips uses she/her pronouns.

Mocha sits alone. Mocha likes being alone. He prefers it, even. He is looking up at the starry day, the expanse of stars, and the cool breeze calming zhem. He likes the space zhey now call home. Sitting on the cool grass makes him feel at ease.

“Boo! Hah! Gotcha,” a slightly high-pitched voice chuckles from behind Mocha. He turns to see the familiar short, brown-haired person he calls his friend.

“Ash, how many times have I told you not to scare me like that?” Mocha asks in an annoyed tone, squinting zheir emerald eyes at Ash.

“Uhhh... I dunno?” Ash snickers, moving to sit next to Mocha. He lets his legs dangle over the edge, staring longingly at the other platforms nearby. His fangs glint in the starlight as he smiles, an idea forming in his head.

Mocha notices this and says, “Don't even think about it.”

“Pleeeeeeease,” Ash begs, “I promise I won’t fall again! Pinky swear!”

“No. I can’t risk you getting hurt,” Mocha states.

Mocha left very little room for emotion, and Ash always wonders why. At times when Mocha shows he cares, like now, for instance, Ash always appreciates it. It is a little crack, revealing the loyal and caring person Mocha can be.

“Do you hear that?” Mocha whispers to Ash.

Ash looks around, their hazel eyes scanning the area until they see what Mocha is talking about.

Footsteps are approaching Mocha and Ash, that of a singular person, not a group. The duo can see a person of average height and build, her curly brown hair bouncing around her as she walks. She is adorned in a black battle suit.

Mocha and Ash rise, and Ash fixes his blue jeans while he stands. Mocha pulls his brown shoulder-length hair into a ponytail and adjusts zheir black skirt with gold outlining. The girl, who has an oddly kind face, seemingly recognizes Mocha and starts to run over.

Mocha, recognizing where this girl is from, quickly raises his left hand, and some cyan mist starts whisping and twirling around his fingers. The girl stops. Her shoes have the same hue of cyan around them, and she can’t move them any longer. They are stuck in place, restricting her movement.

“State your purpose and faction,” Mocha says with purpose.

Ash looks at the girl and Mocha curiously. Did they know each other? And what does Mocha mean by a faction? Ash tries to say something, then decides against it. This is serious, no time for silly questions like that.

The girl, on the other hand, looks rather startled. She tries to pry her feet up but to no avail. She notices that Mocha is not holding his signature whip. She relaxes a bit and is now smiling. She can’t believe Mocha is using zheir power on her! It is a once-in-a-lifetime sort of thing for her.

“U-Um...” She starts, “I need your help. And about my faction... it’s the spy faction.”

“I don't think I can help you. Whatever it is, I’m sure you can do it by yourself,” Mocha retorts, obviously not trusting the girl at the moment.

The girl’s face falls, disappointment creeping slowly onto her face.

She is from the spy faction, which explains her outfit. She is new, because of how easily her presence was known by Ash and Mocha. A new recruit.

Ash starts, “What do you mean by faction? Is it like a job or something?”

Mocha sends a harsh glare at the girl, “Yes, Ash, that is exactly what it is. Of course, they send a new recruit after me... from the spy faction no less. I should’ve known,” Mocha mutters. This caused the girl in question to look confused. She quickly shakes her head, trying her hardest to look polite and serious.

The girl reassured, “N-No! I’m... I ran away, like you. I need your help shutting down The Gang! Oh... And by the way, my name is Chocolate Chips. You can call me Chips for short if you’d like!”

Mocha starts to say something, but Ash speaks first.

“That’s wonderful,” they say sarcastically, “Now can someone please explain all of this to me?”

Chips questions, “You didn’t tell them about..?”

“No,” Mocha cuts her off rather quickly.

Another crack. He is worried.

Ash asks, “Can I please know about this? There’s so much you keep secret, and as your friend you know you can trust me, right?”

Mocha sighs, admitting defeat. Zhey explained that a long time ago, he was invited to join a gang. The gang promised protection and safety, and in return, Mocha had to stay loyal and do what was asked of him. He said yes. He joined. And he became one of the best assassins The Gang ever had. But one day, some people who were jealous of his rank and popularity, attacked zhem. Mocha vowed to never go back or be associated with The Gang ever again, for it had broken its promise. He wasn't safe there.

“Whoah... I had no idea. That’s crazy,” Ash says, a shocked expression on their features.

“It would make sense for them to want you back,” Chips starts, “But that’s not why I’m here, please believe me! I want nothing more to do with them.”

Mocha makes a sound of acknowledgment, thinking to himself. Taking down The Gang would be a great task, and realistically, three people can not do it. It would be too much. Unless…

“How much do you know, and what is your proof?” Mocha questions.

“I used True Intentions,” replies Chips.

True Intentions is a power that allows the user to see what people’s intentions are for them or a group of people. Using it without consent is not allowed because it is technically a breach of their privacy. While performing it, the user would see some images describing certain intentions the other may have. A rose could mean romance, a sword means battle, etc. Only people with certain souls understand what the symbols mean, which is the integrity soul trait. Mocha looks taken aback. Surprise and disappointment creep onto his features as Mocha slowly acknowledges what Chips has said.

Another crack.

Mocha regains his posture, then questions, “You know it’s wrong to do that without consent, yet you did it anyway? Did you feel your life was in danger?”

“N-No... I-” Chips mutters, “I just wanted to find out what he was hiding. I didn’t mean any harm in it!”

Mocha sighs. There are countless other ways that Mocha could come up with to figure out the truth. He sends a look of disappointment towards Chips, and she flinches at the look.

Then Mocha shakes zheir head. It’s already been done, no use lecturing too much.

To be continued…