The 12- Step Hero Cycle (I never named it after making it for class ;P)

Step One- “My child, my child…” The weakened voice of Serena echoed through the ruins of what once was Ganghana while she held her silent son. The boy, Youngnam gazed up at her with bright, innocent eyes. He was but a mere year and a half and was already losing his family.  The sounds of marching was sounding louder and louder as the Matoki (those who had rendered the planet in its current state) neared. Serena, with her last burst of energy, dragged herself over to the final escape pod. “My child, my child…” she whispered once more before sending him off. The flash of the departing pod attracted the Matoki to where Serena stood, a man dressed in black form head to toe, with dark hair and eyes to match stepped forward with a smirk as he held up a pistol to the woman’s chest “Farewell Mrs. Serena”. A final shot sounded and every thing went quiet. That was the first time Youngnam had cried as he watched the scene unfold while being sent away, his last memory, those cold, dark eyes.

--20 Years Later—

Step Two- Youngnam groaned as he woke with a blazing headache. He felt as if a monster was about to tear it’s way out of his poor head. He had become used to this though, through the years he had become a heavy drinker and his life nothing like that expected of a prince, especially that of a GANGHANA prince. He lifted himself from his make shift bed which was comprised of a mattress and torn sheets. He stumbled into the kitchen as he laid his head onto the counter, intent on taking yet another nap. Though his plans were interrupted by the annoying buzz of his phone. He ignored it and finally the ringing ended. Youngnam let out a content sigh though. Yet again, the loud ringing of his phone, which seemed to become even more aggravating with his intimate hangover, interrupted the silent atmosphere. Youngnam slammed his palms onto the counter as he lifted himself and walked over, reaching quickly to lift the loud device.

            He pressed the answer button and raised the phone to his ear ‘Youngnam here….” “Ay! How’s my Nammie?” came the playful and mocking voice of Seunghyun on the other line. He had been a best friend of Youngnam almost since the latter had crashed into his family’s old Seoul apartment 20 years ago.  “Aish… What do you want?” he asked in an aggravated tone. Seunghyun stayed silent on the other line. “Hello?” he sighs “Seunghyun, what did you want?” he asked again in a lighter tone. “Well, I wanted to invite you to come out with me and some friends tonight! But with that attitude you would just ruin the party” There was an obvious pout in Seunghyun voice. Youngnam didn’t mind since he honestly didn’t to tag along. “Oh! Did I forget to mention that Minyoung was going to be there?” Seunghyun chuckled as he added. He knew his friend had had a crush on the girl since they were young but never had the courage to confess to her.

            Youngnam sighed in defeat “At what time?” Seunghyun did a small victory dance as he heard Youngnam speak “We’ll meet at Eden around 8” with that, Seunghyun hung up. Youngnam put the phone down as he went to make himself a meager breakfast. He sat on the couch and began to eat as he switched the television onto a random channel. ‘I still have enough time to work this hangover off’ he thought to himself as he laid his head back and let out a soft sigh. His eyes falling shut, letting everything else fade away into his pitch black slumber.

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            Youngnam made his way into the club, even though it was one of the top clubs in Seoul, he visited so frequently that the bouncers would let him in without thinking twice. He sighs as he saw Seunghyun waving him over. He dragged his feet over to the group though quickly transformed into a much more presentable Bang Youngnam [in Asian names, the last name comes before the first] as the sight of a very flattering Minyoung. “Yo, Nammie, wassup?” Youngnam stayed quiet as he sat “OH, Youngnam! I haven’t seen you in a while. How have you been?” He was suddenly bombarded by questions from a very bubbly Minyoung. He couldn’t help but smile as he spoke to her.

            Youngnam and Minyoung seemed inseparable at the club, already having been there for about 3 hours, they were sitting at the bar, talking and laughing. He couldn’t help but marvel at the girl’s beauty and kindness; he stayed quiet as he thought to himself. He was finally going to confess. “Yah! Youngnam. Are you even listening?” Minyoung was waving her pale hand in front of his distant glare. “Hmm? Oh yeah, just, uh… Thinking!” he said with tense and raised shoulders. They drooped down as he let out a loud sigh “actually Minyoung… I have something to say. I-“ His speech was suddenly cut by a loud crash from the other side of the club. Soon there was uproar of terrified screams, soon followed by the sound of crashing glasses and stamping feet as people began to run. Youngnam held a very confused Minyoung as he saw a wide-eyed Seunghyun running towards him “Run, run, run!” he grabbed Minyoung’s arm as he attempted to pull them away from whatever had caused the scene at the club.

            They ran through multiple rooms at the club, finally ending in the cellar. The room was silent except for the heavy breathing coming from the three as they tried to catch their breath after running for god knows how long. “What was it?” Youngnam asked a terribly shaken Seunghyun “I- I don’t know… They looked like regular people but… they killed everyone in sight like wild monsters…” he attempted to erase the image from his racing mind. “What do y-“ Minyoung was cut short as the cellar door was slammed open. Six men walked in, all wearing blank or masked expressions. They approached slowly, gazes set on Youngnam.

            One of the men raised a pistol towards him and shot, a bright lime shaded orb zipping towards Youngnam, his eyes widened as he moved quickly, the orb just barely skimming his shirt. His eyes widened as he made his way back as others neared him. Soon a battle was unfolding, Minyoung and Seunghyun watched wide-eyed and shocked as they saw their friend fighting off the six men. The masked men became enraged as they fought, inhumane snarls and cries coming from them as they attacked the man. Soon, his shirt was torn as one clawed at him and as the torn clothing fell to the floor, the six men froze. A tattoo of a golden, snarling wolf was printed on his chest. Their eyes widened, this was no ordinary man, he was not only Ganghanian but as well, Ganghanian royalty. They stood back and some began to flee but were stopped by an enraged Youngnam. As he attempted to lay more injuries on them, one reached for the one that Youngnam seemed to be attached to, Minyoung.

            She shrieked and kicked as they brought her in front of them, claws tracing patterns across her neck as she took a deep, panicked breath. Youngnam stopped in mid swing of his fist as he dropped it down in defeat. He looked down as he clenched his fists but before he could think of a plan to save Minyoung from the weird men, her cry echoed out “Youngn-!“ Everything went black as a sharp pain pain hit the back of Youngnam’s head, sending him unconsciously to the ground.      

            When Youngnam awoke he was frantic. “Minyoung? Minyoung!?” he looked around as he shouted, ignoring the barely bearable pain in the back of his head. He felt a pair of hands, which belonged to Seunghyun; meeting his solemn gaze “They took her…” Youngnam’s eyes widened as he let out an angered and pained scream that echoed throughout the hospital.

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Step Three- It had been three weeks since Minyoung had gone missing. Youngnam was sitting on the couch, funning his fingers through his dark, greasy hair with a sigh. “C’mon man, you know we can’t go after her, whatever those things were are too dangerous, they will most likely kill you AND Minyoung. If they haven’t killed her already…”

            “Don’t say that!” Youngnam screeched as he lifted his friend by the collar. After a moment he let him down with a depressing sigh. “I’m sorry…” He looked down as he rested back onto the couch. He knew his friend was right, was risking his life and his friend’s really worth saving this girl? He groans in frustration as he leans back and closes his eyes. Before he knew it, he was sleeping once again.

Step Four- There was a knock at door, waking Youngnam from his short nap. “Coming!” there was another knock “I said I’m coming!” he shouted in a groggy frustration. He opened the door, his vision blurry since he was still adjusting to light of day. Though he could still make out the features, they were that of an older man, crows’ feet clawing at the end of each of his squinted, emerald eyes with a tangled white bush that he called a beard. They seemed familiar for some reason. But why? As Youngnam stood there in a hazy thought the older man lifted his old, withering hand to rest it on the man’s forehead. As it came in contact many visions, or lost memories invaded Youngnam’s mind.

            “Mr. Yagami, this is our son, Youngnam” A deep voice spoke as the older man bent down to look at the young child with a oft smile “Why hello there Youngnam! I am Ryuk Yagami! A friend of your fathers!” he smiled widely. “I will be your mentor once your older, and I promise that you shall become the strongest warrior in all of Ganghana!” They young child giggled and stirred in his mother’s arms as the man spoke, even though he was young, he seemed to understand everything that was going on around him. This boy was special, and Ryuk knew.

            Youngnam shook his head as he came back to reality ad stared at the man wide-eyed. “Your… from Ganghana?” he spoke in a barely audible whisper. The man nods, his eye smile showing brightly to the man. “And I am here to help you”

            The two spent months training, Ryuk taught the man how to fight with his incredible strength in reflexes.  He would watch Youngnam train endlessly day and night. “Oh Youngguk… If only you could see your son now...” he murmurs quietly with his soft eye smile, his gaze shifted up to the ceiling as he spoke to what no human or living being could see, the spirits of those whom we’ve lost.

After four months worth of training, Ryuk found Youngnam ready to face the Matoki. In all his years he had met many of the devilish creatures, all coming and going, leaving a weep seeking disaster in their wakes, though none as seemingly brutal as this. Since they had come, almost all of both Korea’s had been taken over by the brutal creatures. Mangled corpses littering the streets, no one could trust the the other since the creatures seemed so much like any other human, unless they were angered.

Step Five- “Are you sure you want to do this?” Seunghyun looked over at his best friend with a worried gaze. He had been attempting to talk the man out of this insane attempt for almost five months now. He knew that the stubborn man wouldn’t change his mind but he always had to try. Youngnam shook his head “You know I have to… If I don’t stop them then no one will” Youngnam began to walk out the door as Seunghyun caught his wrist. Both stood there in silence for a moment “Be careful alright?” Youngnam nods “And kick some Matoki ” he smiles sourly as Youngnam smiles as well and heads out into the crimson painted streets.

Step Six & Seven - Youngnam walked silently through the streets. He wore contacts that made his eyes match the Emerald hue of all the other Matoki. He had been studying them with the help of Ryuk, learning how to act, speak, and be one of these vile creatures. A he neared a building the read “Blue House” which once housed the president of South Korea though was now taken over by whomever leads these Matoki. Youngnam shivered at the thought of the leader. If these things were already so cruel then how cruel was their leader? He hissed their formal hellos to guards as he headed inside the office. Once inside Youngnam wandered around the buildings, each building progressed in standards of neatness. The first building that he had entered on was one that looked like a tornado had run through with everything torn apart and thrown around until you could barely see the floor underneath all the rubble. As he progressed up each of the houses, they became neater until he reached one that was nearly spotless. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he figured that he was finally able to find the leader, though soon the relief was once again replaced with tension and fear of these creatures and what he was to see.

            Suddenly talking was coming from behind the door he could make out about 8 separate voices. He listened quietly until one particular voice made his heart stop and his breath hitch ‘that voice…’ 

            “Farewell Mrs. Serena.”

            Youngnam shook his head to try and forget that moment as he attempted to focus on the task at hand. He turned again and peeked open the door slightly as he looked over at the group. Leaning in while keeping his weight on the door, his gaze shifted over each person in the room until it landed on Minyoung. “Minyoung!” he whispered and tried to gain her attention before slipping and falling into the room. All eyes lay on him until a shout “Intruder! Protect the King!” Seven stood and stepped forward, the eighth: the man that wore that familiar face and played that voice that he learned to hate so much, had stayed behind them, hiding but still with a playful smirk playing across his features. This enraged Youngnam as he stepped forward, passing his fist across of the first man in his way. He shouted in anger as he took on each man, not noticing that behind them all, someone was holding a pistol, similar to the one that had taken Serena’s life long ago. 

            Youngnam fought for what felt like hours as he grew tired, though refusing to stop until he heard that shot. He waited for the pain to take over but it never did, instead, a loud thud echoed throughout the room. Youngnam looked down only to see Seunghyun near to death on the floor. Crimson droplets flying from his mouth as he coughed repeatedly. “NO!” Youngnam kneeled down quickly, forgetting the others around him as he picked up his injured friend and looked for a way out. Blinded with rage and the pain of the thought that his friend might die because of him, he slammed though each of the Matoki guards forgetting about Minyoung as he ran through the exit and into the empty streets of Seoul.

Step Eight & Nine- “C’mon, just don’t close your eyes okay?” Youngnam said softly as he lowered his injured friend onto the couch. Every time with weakened boy would try to close his eyes, Youngnam would make him open them” Though coughs that sent crimson droplets in every direction, Seunghyun looked up at his friend and smiled a soft, pathetic smile “I’m just very tired… let me rest alright?” he tried closing his eyes again but Youngnam wouldn’t let him “Dude… I’m done here…. It’s your job to go and save everyone, mine was just to make sure you did good” he coughed again as more and more crimson droplets showered his chin and friend “ It’ll be alright… you didn’t need me anyways.” He grasped his friend’s hand “Promise me you will win” Youngnam nods through his tears as he holds his friend close. Finally Seunghyun’s eyes fluttered shut for the last time. His fist opening slowly in his friend’s hand and something blue fell to the floor.

            “Seunghyun? No!” Youngnam shook him violently through the tears in an attempt to wake him. For the rest of the night, he stayed there, by the pale corpse of his once insane and hyperactive friend. He refused to sleep; in hopes of somehow the other man would wake. When morning came, Ryuk made his way over to Youngnam, finally getting the depressed man to stand. As he did his eyes fell upon the blue object that had fallen out of Seunghyun’s hand the night before. He kneeled down and picked the object up, noting that it was a USB drive and lowly handed it to Youngnam.

            It had taken Youngnam a few days to accept the loss of his dear friend. He sat silently with a lifeless glare in front of his laptop as he inserted the flash drive. Suddenly dozens of files lite up the screen. It took him almost the whole day to read, and by the end his determination had built up again. As he read through the files he saw that the Matoki were looking for a power source to help fuel their already dying planet Mato. Every recourse typically used on Earth was virtually useless to the Matoki but, finally they seemed to have found a source, the corpses of any beings seemed to somehow power and satisfy the plant’s lust for blood. Everything that Youngnam learned about these Matoki only made him hate the creatures more.

            Youngnam began to take out more of the smaller units of the Matoki Empire throughout the year. Finally around New Years, he was ready to once again face the ‘king’. The one who has taken everything good in the young man’s life and not thinking twice about it. Youngnam walked quietly through the snow, a storm was pending and the streets were lined with feet of snow since no one was there to clean it up. He trudged successfully through it all and finally after a three-day hike through the almost abandoned capital, he made it back to the Blue house. The image of a dying Seunghyun replayed in his mind as he neared the building whose walls were becoming a faded blue.  Entering in silence and swiftly taking out any guards in his way, Youngnam made his way to the final building that housed both the King and his captive Minyoung.

            He neared the same door he had the first time and leaned his head against it as he heard familiar murmurs. Without hesitation, Youngnam kicked the door open. He pulled pistols from the Holts on either side of his belt and soon enough was just left with the king. “My, my! Look at our little Youngnam! All fierce and ready to take on the evil Mr. Himchan for killing my mommy and daddy? Or is it because of that worthless human? What was his name? Seugnho, Sangcho…” Youngnam’s eyes burned with tears as he ran forward with a scream, shooting at the man who wore the same smirk over 20 years years ago when taking Youngnam’s precious mother’s life, along with the rest of the Ganghanians.  Himchan easily dodged, his smirk playing across his features. This continued until Youngnam was on his last bullet. He stood there gasping for breath as Himchan neared him with a smirk, he held out his own pistol but with the enhanced bullets. One shot and he would never see the light of day again. Himchan smirks as his finger reaches to pull the trigger but is cut off by another shot. Before Youngnam could register what was going on, Himchan was on his knees in front of him, clutching his injured side. Behind him was Minyoung, holding a pistol with a shaky grip. She dropped the pistol and ran over to Youngnam, hugging him tightly and crying into his shirt, soaking it with her tears. He held her for a moment before stepping forward with his pistol to Himchan’s chest. “Long live the king” he said with a smirk before pulling the trigger and sending Himchan’s lifeless body to slump over on the floor. He walked away with Minyoung in tow, feeling the relief of having finally killed the man who had caused him so much pain.

Step Ten - Youngnam walked back with Minyoung tucked quietly against him. They had been silent the whole way back but it didn’t seem to affect either one of them. They were just glad to be in each other’s Company, or so they thought. Suddenly a sharp pain came in contact to Youngnam’s side, causing him to double over and fall to his knees. His hand came to his side, only to realize that a blade handle was sticking out of him, he looked up at Minyoung in shock only to see her return it with a cold gaze, a psychotic grin tugging at her features “ M- Minyoung? Why?” With that Youngnam’s who body slumped to the ground, his already torn clothing soaking in a blood of his own blood, heart taking it’s final beat, then silence.

Step Eleven- Youngnam’s eyes shot open as he looked around, noticing he was in his room. He began to stand but was left flinching and falling back down due to the pain in his right flank. “Be careful, you are still weak!” He looked up to see Ryuk with his familiar glowing eye smile. “You sure are lucky! I found you just after that little weakling of a heart of yours flunked out! But I wasn’t going to loose you!” He chuckles and rests some fresh bandages on the nightstand.

            “Where’s Minyoung?! She-“ “I know, she is the QUEEN of these versatile beasts” Ryuk cut him off as he grunted at the thought of the girl. “She called down almost the whole Matoki Race! They practically have full power over the whole of Earth!” He explains everything that had happened while Youngnam had been unconscious. Youngnam’s heart shattered as he heard the man’s words. What had happened to the girl he used to love so much? Was she even real? He sighs and shakes the thoughts away.

            “She is still in the Blue House if you wanted to know” Ryuk said as he left the room. Youngnam nods and sighs as he continues to rest, thinking of a way to stop this beast. He spent the next many weeks, thinking of how to get to her, how could he when the streets were now flooded with these creatures and more guards than ever before? He groans in frustration until there was a loud static on the television. He turned curiously as the announcer spoke “And next week there will be a parade, with Queen Jee Minyoung. The news went on about the parade and soon, Youngnam had a idea.

            A week later, Youngnam was set and ready to take on the ‘Queen’ of the Matoki. He pulled up a mask that matched those of the guards who was guarding the float that Minyoung lay in. He silently made his way up, somehow going unnoticed until he reached the back, where Minyoung was. He walked towards her with a burning glare “And who gave you permission to-“ suddenly Minyoung’s cheek was burning from a slap that she had gotten from Youngnam’s palm. She looked up in surprise, becoming even more shocked as he removed the mask, revealing who it really was “Y- Youngnam… y- you died… I saw you… I- I KILLED you” He shook his head and smirked “No, I killed YOU” before she could say another word, Youngnam lunged forward with the same knife that Minyoung had used on him. She slumped forward, lifelessly.

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Step Twelve- It has been thirty years since the incident with Minyoung and Himchan. Youngnam was now a happy father of four, with a Ganghanian wife. He lived back on Ganghana now after having found his own way to bring life back to planet after going through hundreds on non- lethal ways that he had gotten on the files from Seunghyun. He smiles at the thought of his friend and hopes that he is watching over along with his mother and Father.

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