Without You, There's No Need

Chapter 1

As the basketball game dragged on, Dr. Neo Periwinkle Cortex couldn't help but yawn. He always hated basketball (finding the game boring), but his only son was apart of the team and his only daughter was a cheerleader. His wife, Cynthia Cortex, was watching with him (also bored). Chloe and Kenai Cortex were both 17 years old, they were fraternal twins. Chloe was the oldest, finally getting out of her shy stage and became a beautiful teenager. She had long brown hair that was pulled back into a messy ponytail, green eyes, wearing her cheer leading outfit which was a dark blue shirt with white embroidery, a light blue skirt with pearl embroidery and white shoes.

Kenai was the youngest, also out of his rebel stage and becoming a handsome teenager. He had short brown hair with some sideburns, brown eyes, wearing a dark blue jersey with a white number 7 on it, a pair of light blue shorts, and white shoes. Kenai was captain of his basketball team, The London Seahawks. The Seahawks emblem was on the front of his jersey as it was on Chloe's cheer leading outfit. Cynthia was proud of her two children becoming athletic, as was Cortex. But they weren't too fond of basketball, being the English people that they were. 'It makes them happy,' Cortex thought, as he looked up at the scoreboard.

The game was currently tied at 42 a piece with just 15 seconds on the clock. Kenai set up his team for a three pointer that he knew would end the game. Kenai's best friend, a seventeen year old boy by the name of William, passed the ball to his captain. Kenai bounced the ball and while he was trying to keep the guardsman away, gave the ball to Yvette, another friend of his. Yvette took the shot with a second to spare, winning the game for the Seahawks. Everyone in the stands was on their feet insantly as the team lifted up Yvette, the won to win the game. Yvette laughed as Chloe hugged her brother from behind.

"Congrats little bro," she said, happily.

"Thanks big sis," he replied, smiling.

Cynthia came over, wanting to be that embarrassing mom that Kenai dreaded. Luckily though, Cortex cut her off rather quickly.

"Great game, son," Cortex commented, offering his hand.

During those teenage years, Cortex knew it was embarrassing for the kids to have them hugging and kissing all of the time. Cortex respected that decision but it was hard for Cynthia to make the adjustment.

Kenai shook his dad's hand and stated, "Thanks dad."

"Hey Chloe, Kenai," Kenai's coach called. "Party at the house. You comin'?"

"Sure," Kenai and Chloe said at the exact same time.

Cynthia was about to tell them to be careful in an embarrassing way before Cortex cut her off again.

"Just be safe and be home by curfew," he warned.

"We will dad, don't worry," Kenai reassured.

"He always does," Chloe pointed out as the two of them went over to the coach.

As Cortex and Cynthia watched them go, the science and ethics teacher couldn't help but wonder what that smell... He had been smelling that same smell for about five years and he still didn't know what it was. Cynthia looked at him and saw his puzzled face.

"Is something wrong," she asked, worried.

"No, I'm fine thank you," he answered, a bit too quickly.

Truth was, he wasn't fine. He just felt like something was missing. He couldn't put his finger on it but something was missing. Maybe it had to do something with that smell...

...

That night, Cortex was reading a book. The house was quite as everyone was in bed and he was in the sitting room with only one light on. Cortex turned the page as a blur of orange crossed his eyes. Cortex perked up, thinking he was seeing things. It was happening more and more, to the teacher's disliking. Why was it happening? It didn't make much sense to him.

"God help me," he whispered, thinking he was going insane.

...

The very next morning, Cortex was on campus after a good night's sleep. He was currently teaching his ethics class, having a discussion with his students, as per usual.

"Alright class," he said, gaining the attention of his students. "Now, I want to ask you all something that we can debate upon. Opinions are welcomed and there will be no points taken away for it." He paused and saw that his students were looking directly at him. 'That got their attention,' he thought before taking a deep breath. He asked, "Is it possible for a man with a perfect life to feel like something is missing?"

"Why would he think that," a male student suddenly asked. "He's got the perfect life, right?"

"But even those with popularity want something more, as if they are missing something," Teresa stated.

"But they all want more money," a female student argued.

Cortex waved his hand, bringing his class back to the front of the room.

He responded, "While you all have very different points of view about this subject, it seems we are divided. That is to be expected, even outside of these learning walls. There's always a good answer and there is always a wrong answer. Just like there will always be good and there will always be evil."

Just then, the doors of the classroom blew open as the wind blew in, surprising the students and Cortex. That's when he heard a voice that sounded familiar...

"CORTEX!"

Cortex turned as he saw a magical mask floating at the door of his class. Cortex squinted before his eyes widen as he panted with fear. The students quickly got up, scared as they ran around the magical mask. The magical mask paid them no mind as it floated towards the stunned professor/doctor.

"It can't be," Cortex breathed. "You're that mask I saw in my nightmares! Uka-Uka!"

"And I am here to kill you," Uka-Uka stated, firing a magical energy ball at Cortex's head.

Just as he was about to duck, a blue light caught his attention as a Dragon Pulse saved him from utter disaster. Cortex looked and instantly gasped at what he saw...

...

Wishmaker1028: And there is the start of our newest story. Hope you liked the tension thus far and the cliffhanger! Anyways, please read and review! And always think outside of the box!