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Episode 9: I Think Covert Ops Are Supposed To Be Stealthier Than This…

Open to RAIKO taking a casual stroll down the street, doing that reclining elbows-up pose protagonists love to do in anime

RAIKO: Ahhh, it feels nice to get out of the house every now and then! Man, I’ve spent so much of my life here, it’s hard to think that I’ve never been able to just walk around the city on my own until now…

Her relaxed tone shifts to contemplation

RAIKO: Geez, they kept me locked up in that joint for how long? And when I finally did get out, I got locked away somewhere else.

Then it shifts into frustration

RAIKO: Still can’t believe those bastards threw me under the bus like that! I swear, they only kept me around for my ability!

And then sorrow

RAIKO: Maybe that’s just the way it is. I mean, even the crew I’m running with now only brought me along because I seemed “useful”. Hell, the only one who even bothered to hear me out was Mizuro…

And then she tries to circle back into relaxation

RAIKO: Oh well, no point in dwelling on it now. Guess I just gotta deal with it…

But falls back to frustration instead

RAIKO: But why me? Why am I the one who has to deal with this?! Everyone else gets to go on walks, see the sun, feel the wind! How come I can only do that stuff now?!… Am I still trapped?

RAIKO hears a voice come from behind her to answer her question and stands there in shock when it says…

VIKTOR(smug): Nah, you’re free as a bird right now, but I'm sure we can still find a decent cage for you!

RAIKO quickly turns around to see who it is, but becomes even more alert when she realizes that no one is there. Then she hears him from behind her again

VIKTOR: Oh, but don’t worry about staying with us for too long though! Once we’ve confiscated your power you’ll be free to go again!

Tension rising, RAIKO looks around frantically trying to find the source of the voice, and then she looks up to see a man in a trench coat sitting above her on the roof of the building, dangling his right foot without a care in the world

RAIKO: Who the hell are you?!

VIKTOR: That’s not important right now. Instead of worrying about who I am or why I’m here…

VIKTOR jumps down from atop the building and lands right in front of RAIKO. When he pops back up from his landing position he leans in closer with a menacing grin on his face, unsettling her a bit

VIKTOR: you should be worrying about how you’re gonna beat me.

Cue intro

RAIKO takes action, stepping back and then going in for a right hook. VIKTOR dodges her first attack and effortlessly catches both of her subsequent attacks, which are left and right hooks respectively. RAIKO tries to shake loose, but VIKTOR’s grip is too strong

VIKTOR(still smug): Woah! Hey! Calm down! Why don’t we just talk this out like civilized adults? I’d rather not have to hit a lady.

RAIKO: Get the hell off me, CREEP!

RAIKO releases a sudden burst of electricity to repel VIKTOR, but he stands there unphased by it as if it had simply bounced right off of him

RAIKO: What the-?!

VIKTOR: Surprised?

RAIKO tries once again to blast him away, this time using a far more potent attack, but once again VIKTOR just tanks it like it was nothing

VIKTOR: We’ve got all your info in the database, Raiko Akemi, so coming up with a countermeasure for your power was child’s play! A drug that gives my skin partial rubber-like properties is more than enough to completely nullify your ability!

VIKTOR pulls RAIKO into a headlock; his left arm holding both of her arms behind her back and his right arm wrapped around her neck

RAIKO: Ahg- what is this bullshit!?

VIKTOR: Now now, no need to get upset! Look, I’m just here to capture you and your new friends is all, but let me tell you something; if you get sent back to P.Corp, they’ll rip your power from you. Y’know, the “one thing that makes you useful”? The “only reason they brought you along”?

RAIKO: What the fuck!? How long were you listening to me?! There’s no way that shit’s legal- you can’t do that!

VIKTOR: You forget one thing, Ms. Akemi; you’re a wanted criminal! The law doesn’t care about you! You can cry all you want, but no one’s gonna help you out here.

RAIKO tries to call for help, but as soon as she opens her mouth VIKTOR morphs one of the metal finger guards he’s wearing into a steel muzzle to cover it. RAIKO struggles to get loose, but VIKTOR’s hold is too tight

VIKTOR: Y’know, I understand where you’re coming from. I also sometimes feel like those around me only see me as an asset. A tool. Something they can use however they see fit and put away when they’re done. So how about we make a deal? You tell me everything you know about the other three you escaped with, and I’ll see what I can do about the whole “power stealing” thing, okay? Maybe we could get you a job a P.Corp instead, eh? You’d make a pretty good guaaaard~! We need another one anyways after what you guys did to Zach.

VIKTOR reshapes the muzzle into a finger guard to let RAIKO speak again

RAIKO: You’re fucking crazy if you really think I’d sell them out just to keep my powers! There’s no way in hell I’d put them through that!

VIKTOR: Oh don’t worry, their powers are safe. We just wanna study them is all! We’ll run some tests on them, do a couple of experiments, maybe open them up a bit, but at the end of the day, they’ll be fine! The only one who stands to lose something here… is you.

RAIKO thinks about her options for a bit, reconsidering her current values. Should she really be looking out for these people? She’s only known them for about a week or two. They only brought her along for her power. Topping it all off, KASAI’s constant presence is pretty annoying too

RAIKO: Well, if that’s how it is, then…

Cut to YANZO chilling on the rooftop of HEMAL’s Facility, drinking some apple juice, when suddenly the bright and sunny sky is blocked out by massive dark clouds. An ENORMOUS lightning bolt strikes the middle of the city, and a startled YANZO spits out his apple juice while scrambling down the stairs as rain starts to pour down from the clouds. Cut back to RAIKO and VIKTOR with smoke rising off both of their bodies, RAIKO still trying to break free from VIKTOR’s grip

VIKTOR: Still trying to fight, huh? Nah, I get it, loyal to the end! I’m the same way! Guess we’ll just have to torture the information out of you instead. Didn’t want it to come to this, but you leave me no choice.

VIKTOR starts reforming his finger guards into multiple sharp objects which he then begins to tauntingly flourish in front of RAIKO’s face

VIKTOR: Last chance, little birdie! Sing for me…

VIKTOR slowly glides one of the morphed finger guards down RAIKO’s face, letting a drop of blood escape her cheek

VIKTOR: …or I’ll make you cry.

KASAI: Little birdie? I dunno, she seems more like a shark to me.

VIKTOR: Huh?

VIKTOR turns around to see KASAI, MIZURO, and YANZO standing there, ready to fight. He grabs a nearby pole and reforms it into three large metal bands that forcefully bind RAIKO to a nearby wall

VIKTOR: Well what a surprise, you brought them all to me! Of course! That wasn’t an attack, it was a beacon! Man, this makes my job so much easier!

MIZURO: Who the hell are you?

VIKTOR: Well, seeing as we’re all here and I’m about to take you in anyway, I might as well introduce myself! My name is Viktor Raizen, and I’m here to put you back where you belong.

YANZO: “Back where we belong”? You wanna rephrase that?

VIKTOR: I know what I said!

RAIKO: Can you guys cut the chit-chat and beat him already?

KASAI: On it!

KASAI dashes in while heating up his hand, intent on delivering a burning blow to VIKTOR’s face, but VIKTOR ducks under the punch and delivers one of his own to KASAI’s gut. VIKTOR’s hand stays there for a moment before his finger guard suddenly extends into a long metal pole, launching KASAI back and further injuring his gut. KASAI stumbles back a bit while clenching his stomach before steadying himself between MIZURO and YANZO

VIKTOR(smug): Careful! You shouldn’t just blindly rush into a fight against someone you don’t know anything about! If I wanted to, I could’ve ended you right there!

KASAI(through gritted teeth): Oh yeah? Try me.

KASAI nods to MIZURO and YANZO, and they nod back. MIZURO starts gathering as much of the water in the area as he can into a pressurized ball, and YANZO quickly forms some hardwood armor for protection as he and KASAI both rush VIKTOR at the same time. YANZO reaches VIKTOR first and goes for a left jab to his face, but VIKTOR simply places his hand on the torso section of YANZO’s armor and makes it form a wooden fist that hits YANZO square in the jaw.

He tosses YANZO behind him as he refocuses on KASAI, who’s starting to understand how VIKTOR’s power works. Just before he reaches VIKTOR, KASAI tosses a fireball at his left foot to distract him, but VIKTOR counters KASAI’s move by kicking him in the chest with the foot he was aiming for. VIKTOR then swings his pole and lands a clean hit to KASAI’s face, forcing him back once again

KASAI(thinking): Shit, this guy’s good. His reactions are honed to a T, there’s no way to get through!

KOAL: You’re holding back.

KASAI(thinking): What?! No I’m not! Why would I hold back here?! He’s got Raiko hostage!

KOAL: You won’t win like this. Why not do what we did last time?

KASAI(thinking): NO! WE ARE NEVER DOING THAT AGAIN! HEROES DON’T KILL!

KOAL: Then we are doomed to fail. He moves too fast for us to dodge his attacks normally, and the rainfall would put you out in an instant if you were to flame morph. It was nice knowing you, Kasai.

KASAI(thinking): No, I’ll find another way.

YANZO: KASAI, MOVE!

KASAI, bewildered by YANZO’s shouting, looks around and notices that while YANZO was on the ground he gathered enough vines to grip VIKTOR’s legs and hold him in place. He ducks out of the way as MIZURO unleashes a heavy torrent of water on VIKTOR, who cuts through the vines quick enough to just barely evade the stream as he turns to face YANZO

YANZO: Damn it!

VIKTOR: Clever thinking, but not clever enough I’m afraid!

VIKTOR goes for a left kick to YANZO’s face, but YANZO grows a tree underneath himself in an instant, dodging VIKTOR’s kick and causing him to full force slam his shin into the tree

VIKTOR: Ah! Shit!

VIKTOR’s kick leaves a sizable indentation on the tree, but also seriously hurts his shin. MIZURO forgoes the long-range combat idea and shifts into mid-range, forming a sort of water whip in his left hand and stepping forward

MIZURO: (to KASAI) Stay on the offensive, I’ll cover you.

KASAI: Got it!

VIKTOR quickly turns to see KASAI and MIZURO approaching, then firmly grasps a section of the tree. He reforms part of the tree into a decent-sized club and separates it from the tree, then he chucks it at KASAI and kicks the tree in the vacant spot where he had formed the club from, causing it to snap and fall. MIZURO cracks the club out of the air with his water whip and keeps going. VIKTOR gets out of the way of the tree as it topples over; bringing YANZO, who lands right in front of MIZURO and KASAI, down with it. Stopped by the fell lumber, they help YANZO up as VIKTOR takes a moment to stretch a bit

VIKTOR: Y’know, you guys are pretty tricky, but you’re way out of your league here. Look, we could end all of this right now if you would all just hand yourself over to P.Corp, okay?

KASAI: Fuck that!

YANZO: Wait, P.Corp? Those are guys who captured us?

VIKTOR: Oh, you didn’t know? I assumed you were well aware of exactly who you’re dealing with.

YANZO: No, that doesn’t make sense. P.Corp doesn’t just take in anyone who gains a power, they capture criminals! Why the hell did you guys take US in?

MIZURO: Well I can’t speak for the two of you, but I know I’ve never committed a crime in my life!

KASAI: I haven’t done anything either!… Well, nothing that they would know about anyway!

VIKTOR: Huh, guess that IS kind of odd. Oh well, my job is to capture you, not to question the word of our CEO.

KASAI(thinking): Tch, this is getting us nowhere! What do we do?!

KOAL: You could always stop holding ba-//

MIZURO: I’ll handle it from here.

MIZURO steps in front of KASAI and YANZO, brandishing his water-whip. KASAI and YANZO both look at MIZURO, then nod to each other and back off

MIZURO: He’s an excellent fighter and a quick thinker, but in this weather, I have the advantage. You two just stand back, that way I can focus on taking him out.

YANZO: You got it.

KASAI: Give him hell, Zamu!

RAIKO: Be quick, the rain’s gonna clear up soon!

VIKTOR: Ah, a classic, one-on-one fight! Now THIS is getting me excited! Alright, chosen champion, show me what you’ve got!

MIZURO: Huh, I guess this could be likened to a champion fight! In that case, I’ll make a special note of this duel in particular.

MIZURO flourishes his water whip while he speaks, pulling it taut as he finishes

MIZURO: Help me see what a proud warrior getting his shit kicked in looks like, would you?

A cheeky grin stretches across VIKTOR’s face

VIKTOR: If you insist, water boy!

And his respirator mask suddenly closes

VIKTOR reforms part of the toppled tree into a baseball bat, and then he reforms some of his finger guards into a studded metal covering for the bat. VIKTOR does a fight-provoking gesture to MIZURO with the bat, and MIZURO readies his whip. There’s tension in the air as both warriors stand there for a moment, reading each other.

MIZURO makes the first move, cracking the whip to the ground and kicking into the air as he approaches VIKTOR, spinning viciously with the whip. VIKTOR uses his bat to guard against the whip, which then grabs his bat and attempts to rip it out of his hand. VIKTOR quickly morphs one of his remaining finger guards into a covering for both his hand and the bat’s handle, making it impossible for MIZURO to get the bat out of his hand. VIKTOR pulls back on the bat, bringing MIZURO towards him. He swings it at MIZURO’s head, but MIZURO just barely dodges the swing. 

VIKTOR quickly brings the bat over his head, but when he tries to slam it down on MIZURO he manages to catch the bat with both hands. With his free hand, VIKTOR goes for a palm strike to MIZURO’s chest, but MIZURO blasts VIKTOR away with a high-pressure burst of water from his mouth.

As VIKTOR stumbles back, MIZURO quickly pulls a small wave of water from underneath VIKTOR’s feet, causing him to fall over. MIZURO then encases his fist in water to add extra weight to it and goes to land a knockout blow to VIKTOR while he’s down, but VIKTOR rolls out of the way in the opposite direction of RAIKO, who notices that he has started to make some distance between them. In one swift motion, VIKTOR rises from the ground

RAIKO(Thinking): This whole fight he’s been sticking near me to make sure the others don’t go for anything extreme, but now he’s trying to get away! Wait, then that means-

RAIKO: Hey, Mizuro! I think his drug wore off! Get him over here so I can zap his sorry ass!

KASAI: You ever try NOT blurting out your plans!?

RAIKO: Shut it, brightburn! C’mon Mizuro, we got this!

VIKTOR: Oh yeah!? Let's see you try!

VIKTOR holds the bat out to his side and reforms it once more. The bat becomes thinner and longer as the metal studs and pieces gather at the top and form a curved blade. Once fully formed, VIKTOR flourishes his new scythe a bit before reentering his battle stance

VIKTOR: From the intel we gathered, we were able to piece together that you guys have a sort of revival technique. We also concluded that they’re most likely tied to the powers you got from that space rock; otherwise, Hot-Head over there wouldn’t even be here! With that being said, I think it’s about time I stop holding back!

YANZO: Careful Mizuro, he means business now! You can’t give him any leeway, otherwise, you’re dead!

MIZURO: Tell me something I don’t know!

Recreating his water whip in his left hand, MIZURO gathers and condenses some water into the fingertips of his right hand, loading high-pressure ranged attacks into each one. Just as VIKTOR did, MIZURO also flourishes his weapon and gets ready to fight one last time, determination burning in his eyes

MIZURO: I’m ending this fight, right here, right now!

Cue outro

To Be Continued…

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Episode 8.5 Character Descriptions

Mysterious Girl - Akimara(20Y):

5’6’’, average build, slightly dark brown skin, long flowing black hair with a large bang covering her left eye, peering glaucous-blue eyes, thin eyebrows, and a mysterious symbol as her left eye’s pupil.

Wears a light gray hoodie with black accents and a black hood, a dark-gray turtleneck under the hoodie, dark-gray jeans with the ends rolled up above her ankle, a pouch attached to her left pant leg at the midpoint of where the thigh is, and steely-blue sneakers with black accents.

Dragon Punk - Itazuka Uwaki(24Y):

5’11’’, silvery light-blue skin, spiky short hair with a fade that’s blue-gray on his right side and dark blue on his left, sharp yellow eyes with black sclera, dragonic wings and tail, and simplistic dark blue tattoos resembling mountains coming up from the bottoms of both his cheeks,

Wears a long black coat with red fur around the collar part, bandages that wrap around his right arm and exposed torso, a black leather belt with a silver buckle, ripped denim jeans, and black and white sneakers.

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Episode 8.5(short): Think Of It More Like… Expanding Territory

The camera quickly pans up from the sidewalk to reveal SKINNY and BIGGIE, here in Toar City!... Wait what? They’re both standing side to side with their chests puffed out and hands on their hips. SKINNY takes in a deep breath, fully embracing the change of scenery for him

SKINNY: Ahhh, smell that fresh Toar air, Biggie! Who’da thought we’d ever make it ta Toar City?

BIGGIE: But weren’t we forced to come here since the boss kicked us out?

SKINNY: Geez, it’s always the little details with you Biggie! can’t you just learn to relax and smell the roses every now and then?

SKINNY leans over to a nearby floral arrangement and wafts in a big whiff of the flowers

SKINNY: Ahh, smells like paradise…

BIGGIE: …Those are peonies.

SKINNY: And look there you go again with the details!

BIGGIE: Aren’t you allergic to peonies?

Cut back to SKINNY’s face to see that his nose has swollen to the size of a tennis ball

SKINNY: Dat’s not important. What really matters is that dis place is a whole new land ripe for exploitin’!

BIGGIE: I’m pretty sure there were other thugs here before us, Skinz. If we keep doin’ what we were up to in Conveyor Town on someone else’s turf then we’re done for!

SKINNY: Hey you’re thinking about it all wrong, Biggie! We’re not bargin’ in on someone else’s turf, think of it more like… expanding our own territory!

A cheeky grin stretches across SKINNY’s face as he says this. Diluted fantasies of taking over the underground of Toar City start to play out in SKINNY’s mind

BIGGIE: Oh no, Skinz, you got that look in your eye again!

SKINNY: What? I’m just happy! I’m not allowed to be happy now?

BIGGIE: I just really think we should lay low for now until things settle down, Skinz!

SKINNY: Ya worry too much, ya big lug! The fruits here are ripe for the pickin’! Like…

SKINNY quickly scans the area before his gaze lands on a mysterious looking girl in a gray hoodie a decent ways ahead of them

SKINNY: That one!

BIGGIE: Wait, Skinz!

SKINNY dashes off before BIGGIE can get his words out, forcing him to follow suit. They start tailing the girl for a bit, waiting for her to wander into the wrong place, but start to get impatient as she never does

SKINNY: Hey Biggie, you notice how we’ve been tailin’ this chick for hours now and she still hasn’t wandered into an alley?

BIGGIE: Wasn’t that usually Trench’s job?

SKINNY: Oh yeah, guess I hadn’t thought about that. We’re gonna have to do this stuff without Trench now!…

BIGGIE: …

SKINNY: …

BIGGIE: …

SKINNY: …I-I don’t know if I’m feelin’ up to this anymore, Biggie.

BIGGIE: Wha- but just a moment ago you’s was all excited about these “fresh opportunities”. What’s got you so bummed now, Skinz?

SKINNY: Well, you me and Trench were like three peas in a pod Biggie! He was like a brother to me!

BIGGIE: Seemed to me like he’d rather be anywhere else.

SKINNY: I don’t know if I can do this without him, B! It just wouldn’t be right!

GIRL: Would you quit wasting my time and show yourself already?

Shocked by the sudden realization that the girl knew they were there, SKINNY and BIGGIE jump a little before slowly peeking around the corner they were hiding behind. They see the girl’s back is still turned to them, but just as they start to come out of their hiding spot a dragonic looking delinquent with punkish clothes and bandages wrapped around his torso jumps down from a nearby roof

PUNK(Cynical): Damn, and after I went through all that trouble to stay hidden too.

SKINNY and BIGGIE dive back around the corner, hoping they weren’t spotted

SKINNY(panicked): Who the hell is he!? When did he get here!?

BIGGIE: Seems like he was following her too. Think he had the same idea?

SKINNY: Damn, how many people are tryna mug this chick?

BIGGIE: Enough for her to expect it apparently.

They peer back over the corner to catch a glimpse of what’s going on, but are caught off guard by the sight of the newly trashed area, the punk groaning in pain on the ground, and the girl casually walking away as if nothing ever happened

SKINNY:…

BIGGIE:…

SKINNY:… Y-Yeah, it’s probably best if we lay low for now.

Cue outro

To Be Continued…

[feza-errata]

Episode 8: You Ever Get That Feeling of Looming Dread? Crazy Stuff.

KASAI, all too excited to share what just happened (refer to episode 7), bursts into the Training Room where HEMAL is back to his zen meditation position

KASAI: GRAMPS! YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED!

HEMAL: You spoke to your Leech through your mind?//

KASAI: I SPOKE TO KOAL THROUGH MY MIND!- Wait, how’d you guess?

HEMAL: It’s one of the perks of establishing your mental link with your Leech. Now that you two can communicate through thought alone, you’ll have a much easier time understanding what you can do.

KASAI: Follow-up question; why are you sitting down again?!

HEMAL: So we can continue your training, of course!

KASAI: Wha-? I thought we were gonna spar a bit after I took out the trash!

HEMAL: You thought I was stretching so we could fight? I was just loosening up a bit since we’d been sitting still for so long. These old bones just aren’t what they used to be, y’know?

KASAI: Oh, COME ON! I’ve been sitting around all day waiting for some ACTION! Can’t you give me just one match? Please?

HEMAL: No.

KASAI: Why?! What’re you, scared? C’mon, gramps! I know your brittle old bones can’t take much, but I’ve been DYING for a bit of fun! Look, I promise I won’t go too hard on ya, so can you just-//

HEMAL: Not to be rude, Kasai, but I could kick your ass hogtied in my sleep.

KASAI: Oh yeah? Prove it!

HEMAL: When I do, are you going to sit down and listen?

KASAI: “When” you do? Oh, now them’s be fightin’ words! Alright, IF you win, I’ll shut my mouth and do your stupid meditation thing for however long you want, but if I win then YOU gotta fight ME no matter what whenever I say so! Deal?

HEMAL: Deal.

Both HEMAL and KASAI walk to opposing sides of the room

KASAI(muttering to himself): Heh, I’ll show you what happens when you mess with me, gramps!

HEMAL(also muttering to himself): He has no idea what he’s in for.

As the two of them get into position, the Training Room registers them both as sparring partners and displays their health bars on the screen. KASAI gets into his usual battle stance, but HEMAL just stands there looking bored as all hell

HEMAL: You’re absolutely sure you wanna do this, Kasai?

KASAI(cocky): What’s wrong, nerves getting the better of you? Don’t worry, I’ll make it quick!

HEMAL: Suit yourself.

The countdown starts on the screen. 3. 2. 1. GO! KASAI takes the initiative and dashes in at high speeds, reeling back his fist as he does. He lands a clean hit on HEMAL right in the face! But HEMAL just kind of stands there, unmoving. For a second it seems like HEMAL doesn’t even notice that KASAI had hit him in the first place. It’s as if he had just punched a wall!

KASAI(thinking): What in the-?!

A bit surprised and confused, KASAI jumps back a bit before going in for a massive flurry of punches and kicks. Blow after blow, kick after kick, all of these solid hits land, but none of them seem to have any effect on the old man.

KASAI(thinking): Why don’t you fall!?

KOAL: This bodes poorly…

HEMAL unflinchingly takes the entire onslaught and remains completely unphased; meanwhile, it’s kicking in for KASAI that he may not have what it takes to fight HEMAL yet.

KASAI(thinking): Alright then, take THIS!

KASAI steps back yet again and tries to poke HEMAL in the eyes this time, but he lands a swift blow to KASAI’s gut and then knocks him down to the ground with a quick elbow smash. The screen displays KASAI’s health at 50% and HEMAL’s at 99.9%

KASAI: AACK! DAMN! Okay okay, you win! Geez!

Fanfare plays in the distance and HEMAL is announced the winner by the A.I.

HEMAL: Then we can continue with your training?

KASAI: FINE! But I’ll pay you back for this one day, I swear!

HEMAL: Yeah yeah, just sit up already so we can get started.

KASAI tries to sit up, but is stopped in his tracks by an immense pain in his back. He doesn’t scream or anything, but his face shows how much it hurts and a lone tear falls down his cheek

KASAI(weakly): …Bit of a problem with that.

Cue intro

HEMAL: Oh c’mon, I didn’t hit you THAT hard, quit being such a baby!

KASAI fully drops back down to the ground to avoid further pain

KASAI: Yeah right! Even just trying to move HURTS LIKE HELL now!

HEMAL: Well in that case, this’ll be a great opportunity to help you understand another aspect of your powers.

KASAI: And that would be?

HEMAL: A Leech can give its host absolute dominion over an element, but what they consider an element is pretty vague. You were lucky enough to get fire, and with it, you gained potentially unrivaled pyrokinetic abilities.

KASAI: I’m writhing in agony on the ground here and you want to give me a lecture?

HEMAL: Pyrokinesis can be used in many ways; one of which is healing.

KASAI lays there for a moment with a look of disbelief and confusion on his face

KASAI: Healing? Healing? Really? How the hell am I going to heal with FIRE?!

HEMAL: Our powers are very similar, Kasai. Instead of some form of matter, like Mizuro or Yanzo, we both have control over a form of energy. I’m able to heal my wounds by absorbing light and transforming the energy into matter. Considering that you too can transform into your element, you should also be capable of regenerating with it.

KASAI: Wha- I can BARELY transform my HEAD right now! There’s no way I’d be able to control a transformation well enough to do that!

HEMAL: Figure it out. It’s sink or swim here, Kasai!

KASAI: I can’t transform and there isn’t any fire around here to absorb! Hell- I don’t even know how to absorb in the first place!! I didn’t even know that was a possibility until you said something about it!

HEMAL: Well, I don’t know what to tell you. I can’t help you out here. This is a vital skill for you to learn on your own.

KASAI: But I’m sure the room can help me! A.I.! SPAWN A NUR-

HEMAL quickly covers KASAI’s mouth with his hand

HEMAL: Not another word! You fix this on your own!

A.I.: Could not find data for a “Nur”. Please try again.

HEMAL: We’ll teach you about absorption later. For now, you’ll just have to use whatever energy you already have.

KASAI(thinking to himself): “Whatever energy I already have”? What does that remind me of?

KOAL: I believe you’re thinking about how Raiko uses her ability to burn away her fat and build up more charge.

KASAI(thinking): You’re right! If she’s able to do that with electricity then I could copy her technique and gain enough energy to regenerate by overflowing my power! Sorry Raiko, but I’m stealing your move!

KASAI starts trying to burn away at specific parts of the body, entirely unsure of where and how much to burn. KASAI ends up tossing and reeling from the pain, and from HEMAL’s point of view it looks like he’s is just trying to power through the pain and stand up, so he plants his right foot on KASAI to keep him down

HEMAL: C’mon, don’t give up yet! I know you can do it!

KASAI(thinking): Shit, I don’t know where most of my fat tissue is stored!… Guess that only leaves me with one option…

Suddenly, KASAI’s entire body starts to heat up. HEMAL notices and jumps back as KASAI suddenly bursts into flames! KASAI burns every part of his body at once in an attempt to build enough energy to regenerate it all. He cries out in agony from his self-destructive move and after a while, he collapses back onto the floor, charred and burned

HEMAL: Wha- you‘ve burned yourself to a crisp?! Kasai, what are you thinking!?

Then, as KASAI lays there motionless on the floor, loads of small patches of flames start burning away at the surface layer of dead skin, like how an active ember would slowly burn away at a dead leaf. Eventually, KASAI emerges from his charred cocoon completely restored, but entirely exhausted

KASAI(exhausted): I… I did it…! It hurt like hell… but I did it!

HEMAL(a bit disgusted): …Maybe we should phone it in for today.

KASAI: Definitely.

Cut back to P.Corp. We’re in a meeting room with SHAM and VIKTOR who are both enjoying some tea made by HENRY

SHAM: Ahh. You see this is why I could never fire you, Henry. You’re the only one who can make my tea the way I like it!

VIKTOR: Yeah, I’ve never really been much of a tea guy, but this stuff REALLY hits the spot!

HENRY: Happy to be of service to you.

HENRY does a small bow and retreats to the back so that SHAM and VIKTOR may talk in private

SHAM: Y’know, no matter how many times I ask, he absolutely refuses to tell me how he makes this tea so good! I’ve even threatened to fire him over it in the past, but no matter what he would never give up his secret.

VIKTOR: With tea like this, I really can’t blame him! The guy must be performing some sort of ritual or something!

SHAM: Yes, Henry can keep a secret very well, but I need to know if you can do the same.

VIKTOR: Oh? You’re trusting me with something that serious?

SHAM: Yes, I am, and I want you to swear to me that everything said in this room stays in this room.

VIKTOR: Woah, really pilin’ on the pressure here, huh? Okay, I swear on my life that no one will know a word that was said here.

SHAM: Good.

SHAM produces a file filled with the artistic interpretations of KASAI, RAIKO, YANZO, and MIZURO as well as a couple of photos of HEMAL and documents containing RAIKO’s personal information

SHAM: As you can see, Mr. Raizen, our Intelligence & Investigations Division has already uncovered a sleuth of information on our escapees. They were able to scan the guards' memories and produce nearly perfect interpretations of them.

SHAM gestures to the documents about RAIKO. VIKTOR is impressed by how quickly the I.I.Division was able to put the file together, shocked by the detail of the interpretations and documents

VIKTOR: Man, those guys work fast!

SHAM: Indeed. Now then, we found that one of the four escapees was Raiko Akemi and have tracked her location to somewhere around this area in Toar City.

SHAM uncovers a map of Toar from underneath the other papers and points to the circled area

SHAM: Using cam footage around this vicinity, we were able to determine that the other three escapees have been frequenting this area as well.

VIKTOR: Question!

SHAM: Yes?

VIKTOR: You said that there were four escapees, right?

SHAM: That is correct.

VIKTOR: Then what’s with this guy?

VIKTOR confusedly points to the pictures of HEMAL, unsure as to where he fits in with the escape

VIKTOR: Why is he in the file?

SHAM: Well, Mr. Raizen, someone had to have been helping them from the shadows, otherwise they wouldn’t have been able to evade security for as long as they did. I personally concluded that one of the possible candidates for their little infiltrator had to have been an old colleague of mine, one Hemal Gigs. It certainly doesn’t help his case that this area also happens to be where he keeps one of his most powerful creations.

VIKTOR: And that would be?

SHAM: He calls it the “Training Room”, and he made it using technology he stole from me years ago. With that thing in his possession, as long as he has a bit of data on someone, he can fight them again and again and again until he knows exactly how to beat them. On top of that, it also gives him access to anything he might ever need to get stronger, whether it be physically, mentally, or even spiritually. A truly terrifying tool for the enemy to have. Gigs and I have some very personal unfinished business, so it makes sense that he would stage an attack on one of my buildings to get back at me. Raizen, I have chosen you specifically for this mission because Hemal doesn’t know that you work for me. He likely hasn’t bothered to learn your weaknesses, so if you do happen to cross paths with him, use that to your advantage and don’t give away anything about your powers. He’s a fast learner, so prioritize taking him out, understood?

VIKTOR: Don’t worry, Mrs. Sham. That old geezer won’t know what hit him!

SHAM: I’m serious, Raizen, take him out as quickly as possible- kill him if necessary- just Don’t. Mess. Around. Okay?

VIKTOR is caught off guard by the genuine concern he hears in SHAM’s voice, but quickly shakes it off and recomposes himself

VIKTOR: Right, I’ll take this seriously. If he and I should cross paths on this mission then I’ll use everything I’ve got to put him down.

SHAM: Thank you. Now then, since you’re heading to Toar tomorrow I’ll tell you everything we’ve managed to gather on them here.

Upon hearing he’d be heading out tomorrow, VIKTOR’s composure cracks a bit

VIKTOR: Wait, TOMORROW?! I thought I’d have more time to prepare!

SHAM is already pulling out more files to show to VIKTOR

SHAM: Sorry it’s on such short notice, but we need to get you out there ASAP.

VIKTOR: B-b-b-but I-!…

Cut to black

VIKTOR(dejected): I had plans this weekend…

Cue outro

To Be Continued…

[feza-errata]

I did it again.

Double upload time!

[feza-errata]

Episode 7 Character Descriptions

Ashley Shamana(40Y):

5’11’’, Silky glaucous blue hair tied up in a bun with darker tips and some loose hair resting on her right shoulder, piercing golden eyes, light brown smooth skin, and thin eyebrows.

Wears a formal dark purple suit, a black tie, glasses with no bottom frame, Dark grey formal pants, a black leather belt, and black formal shoes.

Viktor Raizen(21Y):

6’0’’, fit and toned, short gray distinguished hair(like lieutenant Hank from Detroit), slight stubble, fierce red eyes, and peachy white skin.

Wears a long trench coat with metal accents, no shirt, dark gray pants with metal knee guards, dark brown steel-toed boots, metal finger-guards, and a respirator mask. The respirator mask opens and closes like MGR Raiden’s mask, allowing him to flash people with his signature menacing grins.

Power: Reformation - Viktor can morph any inanimate object he touches from one shape to another. This power requires an understanding of the molecular build-up of the object in question, and with proper training, he could potentially use it on living beings.

Character provided by Gino Plays

Koal(??Y):

5’9’’, Tan skin, sharp red eyes, large blue triangle mark pointing downward under his left eye, and long slick black hair that reaches down to his lower back.

Wears a basic orange t-shirt, dark denim jeans, black shoes with red accents, and a necklace with some weird symbol hanging on it.

Henry(25Y):

5’9’’, Short brown hair that fwips upwards, white skin, and cautious brown eyes.

The whole black business suit get-up with a matching black belt and a red tie, black aviator sunglasses, and an earpiece with a microphone that extends to his mouth.

Power: Tea Time - Henry’s power allows him to make really good tea without adding anything to it… Well, anything aside from the water and the tea-bag.

[feza-errata]

Episode 7: The Mind Is A Really Weird Place, Okay?

Cue Intro

Open to a training session between KASAI and HEMAL in the Training Room. Both of them are sitting on the floor with their legs crossed, seemingly meditating. HEMAL is completely zenned out, but KASAI is getting frustrated

KASAI: Uuuuuugh! C’mon gramps, what does this have to do with training my power? I’ve got pyromancy, not psychokinesis! Shouldn’t this work the same way regular exercise does?

HEMAL: Kasai, meditating like this is a very important part of your training. You must first look within yourself and understand your power, only then can you master it.

KASAI: But I’ve been training my power just fine without meditating! Why do I gotta waste time with this shit now?

HEMAL: Powers could be likened to limbs. They are extensions of yourself, and without a proper understanding of them, you will be lost. Most people gain their powers pretty early on, so they have their whole lives to get used to them; you, however, have only just recently gained your power. It’s like suddenly growing a new body part overnight! You must first understand this new limb of yours before you can use it effectively. Only then will you be able to master it.

KASAI: As I said though, I’ve been doing just fine without this! We’re wasting time sitting here doing nothing!

HEMAL: Patience, Kasai. Sure you’ve been able to call upon your powers before, but your control over them is questionable at best. If you had better control, then that Mizuro Replicant wouldn’t have done so much damage to you! If you can understand your power, then you can develop and use it much easier.

KASAI(embarrassed): Wait, you saw that fight with the replicant!? Ugh, this place has a recording feature, doesn’t it?

HEMAL: Focus! Remember how you couldn’t charge your ranged attacks fast enough against the replicant? Your charging was too slow, and he quickly closed the distance that you’d created. If you had better control over your ability then you would’ve been able to keep him back with ease.

KASAI: Alright, fine! I’ll do the stupid meditation thing…

They both sit there meditating for a bit. HEMAL easily re-enters zen while KASAI struggles to keep his focus

KASAI(frustrated): Rrrrrg! What am I even supposed to focus on here!? This makes no sense! How am I supposed to “understand” this thing if I’m just sitting here thinking to myself!?

KOAL: I believe he wants you to focus on me.

HEMAL: Focus on your Leech, Kasai. The first step to understanding your ability is properly connecting with its source. Now, close your eyes and imagine you’re in an empty room.

KASAI: But I AM in an empty room. Did we really have to go to the Training Room for this? Just being here makes it hard for me to calm dow-//

HEMAL: CLOSE YOUR EYES, NOW.

KASAI: Okay, geez! Closing them!

KASAI sits upright and closes his eyes. HEMAL starts to describe the scene and we see it play out in KASAI’s mind

HEMAL: Now imagine you’re in an empty room. There is a door across the room, and someone is knocking from the other side. Go to the door and let your guest in.

KASAI: Nah, the door’s unlocked! I shout, “come on in!” and they open the door-//

HEMAL: WILL YOU TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY FOR TWO SECONDS?!

KASAI: Alright, okay, I’m walking to the door!

HEMAL: It’ll take you 15 steps to get from where you are to the door. I will guide you through each step by counting down from 15 to 1. Ready?

KASAI: Yeah, sure.

HEMAL: Okay, 15, we’ve taken our first step. 14, moving forward. 13, not too fast. 12, taking our time. 11, no need to rush. 10, approaching the door. 9, the knocking is getting louder. 8, one step after the other. 7, closing in now. 6, almost there. 5, you hear them calling for you. 4, just a few more steps. 3, so close now. 2, reaching for the doorknob. 1, opening the door. And who do you see on the other side?

KASAI opens the door to reveal a lone figure standing there in the inky black void. The figure looks like KASAI

KASAI: Me?

KOAL: No, it’s me.

KASAI(surprised): AH!

Startled, KASAI falls out of meditation and we cut back to the real world

KASAI: GODDAMN, DON’T SCARE ME LIKE THAT!

KOAL: Well who did you think was on the other side?

KASAI: NO ONE, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE AN EMPTY VOID!

KOAL: Well it was before I showed up.

KASAI: Wait, so you’ve just been floating there that whole time?

KOAL: Yeah…?

KASAI: WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY ANYTHING, KNUCKLEHEAD?!

KASAI quickly re-enters his meditative state and we see his mind again

KASAI: C’mon, get in here!

KOAL: Oh, okay.

As KOAL enters the room it starts to morph and shift, as does he. The room grows larger and brighter, and KOAL gains a more unique appearance. He still looks like some sort of off-shoot of KASAI, but with his hair down, red eyes, and a mark under his left eye that looks like a large upside-down triangle

KASAI(surprisingly calm): What’s with all the wibbling and wobbling?

KOAL: I’m not quite sure, but I believe our minds are linking now.

KASAI: Huh, weird.

HEMAL: You’re surprisingly calm considering what you’re seeing right now. I remember when I first tried linking with my Leech, I freaked out before the process was complete and had to start over from the beginning.

KASAI: Honestly, this sight is somewhat calming to me. I don’t know how to explain it, but it feels a lot cozier than what I saw before, y’know?

HEMAL: Hmm, that may have to do with the type of Leech you’ve got. A flame Leech must evoke feelings of warmth and comfort in one’s mind, fascinating!

KOAL: Well, Kasai, I think it’s about time I properly introduced myself!

KOAL clears his throat, stands upright, holds his hand out, and opens his eyes

KOAL: Hello, my name is Koal! It’s nice to finally meet you, Kasai!

KASAI gives KOAL’s hand a firm shake

KASAI: Likewise.

The room’s morphing begins to slow down and eventually comes to a full stop

KASAI: Oh? Are we fully linked now?

KOAL: It would appear so.

HEMAL: Your mental landscape has stopped warping, I assume?

KASAI: Yep.

HEMAL: Then your mental link with your Leech has been fully initiated. Congratulations! Though this is only the first step of many, it is undoubtedly  the most important one.

We fade back into the real world as KASAI opens his eyes to see HEMAL now doing some stretches

KASAI: Okay, so now what?

HEMAL: Now, we get to your REAL training!

KASAI: YES! FINALLY! SOME ACTION! Okay gramps, what’s first?

HEMAL: Well first I want you to go and take out the trash.

KASAI: Huh? OH! You mean you want me to fight a replicant! Okay! Where is it?

HEMAL: No no, I want you to go and take out the actual trash.

KASAI: Ah, the real thing, got it! Where even is Zamu though?

HEMAL: What part of “take out the trash” do you not understand?

KASAI: Wait, you were serious about that? On god? For real?

HEMAL: Completely serious.

KASAI: …

HEMAL: …

KASAI: …

HEMAL: WELL IT’S NOT GONNA TAKE ITSELF OUT! GET GOING!

KASAI stomps out of the training room muttering stuff under his breath

HEMAL: AND YOU CAN’T TALK WHILE DOING IT!

KASAI: WHAT!? WHY?!

HEMAL: BECAUSE I SAID SO, NOW GET TO IT!

KASAI(storming out): THIS IS BULLSHIT!

KASAI thinks to himself as he’s getting the trash

KASAI(thinking): Who does he think he is? Making me get the trash when I’m trying to train… RIDICULOUS!

KOAL: He has to have you doing this for some reason, right?

KASAI(thinking): Nah, he’s probably just too lazy to do it himself…

KOAL: Hmm…

KASAI(thinking) & KOAL: …Wait a second-

Cut to the outside of the P.Corp Building where we see a limousine has pulled up to the front. An important-looking man in a black suit steps out from the right side of the limo, realizes the building is on the left side of the car, runs around the back of the limo to the other side of it, and opens the door for an even MORE important-looking woman in a dark purple suit to emerge from the limousine

V.I.P.: It has been a while since I’ve checked in on P.Corp, hasn’t it? Henry, have the driver park around back; we’re going to be here for a while.

HENRY: Right away, Mrs. Sham!

As HENRY points the driver to the back, SHAM walks into the building. She immediately notices the giant hole that YANZO made on the third floor. While she’s examining the hole, a HIGH-LEVEL GUARD is forced by a couple of other HIGH-LEVEL GUARDs to greet her

H.L.GUARD#0405(clearly nervous): Ah hellooo, Mrs. Sham! It’s been some time since you last visited the main P.Corp building in person! How are you today?

SHAM: Care to explain what happened here?

SHAM gestures to the hole

H.L.GUARD#0405(clearly more nervous): O-OH! That?! U-umm it’s nothing really! I mean, I know it looks like major damage caused by total incompetence, but it totally isn’t!

The HIGH-LEVEL GUARD flashes an award-losing smile with a thumbs-up and SHAM is unconvinced

SHAM: Uhuh. So who are the ones responsible for this?

H.L.GUARD#0405: W-well the Low-Levels have just finished clearing all the vines out, and let me tell you there were A LOT of super-tough vines to clear, but now we’re getting the building team in to-//

SHAM: I meant who CAUSED the damage. (sighs) Just show me to the cameras.

H.L.GUARD#0405: Okay so about the cameras…

SHAM: They were hacked, weren’t they?

H.L.GUARD#0405: …Yeah…

SHAM: Of course. I guess an artistic interpretation is our only option then. Make it so!

H.L.GUARD#0405: Yes ma’am! Right away, ma’am!

SHAM: Oh, and one more thing…

H.L.GUARD#0405: Yes, ma’am?

SHAM: I assume this is the case, but I want to be absolutely sure here; it was an escapee who made this mess, right?

H.L.GUARD#0405: Yes ma’am. In fact, there were four of them working together!

SHAM: Four of them? I see.

HENRY comes in from outside, his suit ruffled and speckled with leaves. He joins SHAM’s side but seems to have somehow exhausted himself outside

HENRY(panting): Finally parked the limo, Mrs. Sham!

SHAM: Henry?

HENRY: Yes, ma’am?

SHAM: Get Viktor down here.

HENRY: VIKTOR?! R-right away, ma’am!

HENRY runs off and we flash-forward to him meeting up with VIKTOR. VIKTOR sits with his back to the door in a dimly-lit room filled with a bunch of seemingly random objects. We see him pick up one of the objects from the pile on his left, hold it for a bit, and then place what looks like one of the Low-Level Stun Batons in the pile of them on his right

HENRY: Viktor? Viktor Raizen?

Without turning around, VIKTOR raises his left hand to stop HENRY before he can say anything else

VIKTOR: Hold up, I remember the voice, but only vaguely. Let me guess… Harold?

HENRY: Nope.

VIKTOR: Harry?

HENRY: Nope.

VIKTOR: HECTOR!

HENRY: It’s Henry, sir.

VIKTOR: Ah, of course, Henry! That was my next guess. Anyway, what do you want? As you can see, I’m very busy.

VIKTOR gestures to the large piles on his left and right

HENRY: The boss wanted to see you.

VIKTOR: Mrs. Sham? When was the last time she called for me; three years ago? What’s she been up to all this time?

HENRY: Oh, you know, business as usual.

VIKTOR: I wonder what’s got her ruffled enough to call for ME again! Oh, wait, it’s the escapees, isn’t it?

HENRY: I believe so, sir.

VIKTOR: I’ve heard a lot of rumors about them! Apparently, they were strong enough to take out Zacharias during their escape…

VIKTOR finally gets up from his table and turns to face HENRY, illuminating his face with the light from the door as a battle-hungry grin stretches across it

VIKTOR: Let’s see if they can live up to the hype!

Cue outro

To Be Continued…

[feza-errata]

Episode 6.5(short): The Legendary Silver Dragon!... Can’t Seem To Catch A Break.

SEEKER launches KASAI into a small store across from the alleyway, planting him in the wall. KASAI cries out in pain as SEEKER floats higher

SEEKER: You’ve made a huge mistake, Fezatsu! Thanks to that little application you sent to the Defender’s Recruitment House, we have everything we need to put you on the Official Villains Watchlist!

KASAI: No PLEASE! YOU CAN’T!

KOAL: Kasai, we need to get out of here, NOW!

KASAI: But-//

KOAL: NOW!!

KASAI gets up and tries to flee, but SEEKER immediately flies in

SEEKER: I’M NOT THROUGH WITH YOU YET!

RANGER: SEEKER!

SEEKER goes to land a devastating blow to KASAI, but is stopped when a flash of black light suddenly appears in front of him and strikes back at SEEKER with a terrifying burst of dark electricity. SEEKER is sent flying back into the alleyway, and KASAI looks up to see JINSHU standing before him

JINSHU: I knew I’d find you here… Kasai.

KASAI: … Do I know you?

JINSHU: WHA- IT’S ME! JINSHU! REMEMBER, FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL?!

KASAI: I can barely remember what I had for lunch yesterday, you think I’m gonna remember someone from way back in elementary school?

JINSHU: (sighs) Fair enough.

KASAI: Well thanks for the save!

KASAI runs off into the distance

JINSHU: Wait hold up!

KASAI(far away):  ‘ppreciate it, Jean-Shoe!

JINSHU: …aaaaaand he’s gone. Just when I finally found him too!

JINSHU turns back to face THE DEFENDERS with a vengeful glare in his eye

JINSHU(pissed): You’ve all got some serious explaining to do… Wait, did he just call me Jean-Shoe?

BREAKER suddenly bursts forth from the rubble (and SEEKER) that had fallen on top of him, ready for action

BREAKER: ALL RIGHT, JEAN-SHOE OR WHATEVER YOUR NAME IS! I DON’T KNOW WHO YOU ARE, BUT IF YOU WERE PROTECTING THE ROOKIE THEN YOU’RE PROBABLY ALSO A VILLAIN!

JINSHU: A villain? Is that what you think he is? No, Kasai would never give in to evil.

SEEKER: It is in his nature!

SEEKER gets up, still a bit shocked from the massive electric strike that JINSHU dealt to him earlier as it continues to course through him and restrict his movement

SEEKER: A soul like his is naturally evil! Even if you can’t see it, I KNOW that in the end, he will only cause death and destruction! I’ve seen it with my own eyes! A future riddled with chaos and calamity! A DESOLATE LAND THAT MAY ONLY SPREAD EVEN MORE RUINOUS DESPAIR! And he alone stands at the helm, ruling with an iron fist…

DEFENDER: So his soul wasn’t the only thing you looked at, huh?

DEFENDER and RANGER step out from under DEFENDER’s Protective Bubble as he deactivates his shield

RANGER: “A future riddled with chaos and calamity”? Goddammit Seeker, why are you always holding this shit back!?

DEFENDER: Now, Ranger, calm down-//

RANGER: NO! I’m tired of this! EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. there’s some sort of big, world-ending disaster this DUMBASS just sits there and says NOTHING ABOUT IT! He was right here! We were in peak condition! We could have taken him out with ease! IT’S NOT LIKE WE CAN SEE THE FUTURE! IT’S NOT LIKE WE CAN LOOK AT SOULS! WHY DON’T YOU EVER DO ANYTHING!? DON’T YOU GET IT!?- THIS IS WHY SUCCESSOR-//

DEFENDER: ENOUGH!

RANGER is interrupted and a bit shaken by DEFENDER’s sudden shout. She had only ever seen him like this one time before, hiding his storming emotions behind his heroic visage. A single tear rolls down DEFENDER’s cheek as he speaks

DEFENDER: I’m sure that Seeker has his reasons. He’s had more experience than any of us- seen countless futures and battles and outcomes- surely he did what he thought was for the best…

JINSHU: Oh yeah right! What he thought was for the best!? How does he know that the future he saw THEN wasn’t caused by what he did TODAY, huh?!

BREAKER: ARE YOU QUESTIONING DEFENDER!?

JINSHU: YES, I AM! In fact, I’m questioning all of you! I’ve known Kasai since we were young! His whole life he’s only ever had one goal, to become a hero that people could look up to! And I know for a FACT that he would NEVER abandon his dream! Because it was that same dream that inspired me all those years ago… Before meeting him I was content with just living out the life my parents wanted for me. A life free of dangers or worry, but then he came along with his speech…

We’re taking a trip down memory lane now

JINSHU: He was so passionate about his one, solitary goal that it changed my whole view on life as it is! Everyone else laughed at him and said that he could never do it. At first I though it was ridiculous too. Year after year he would give the same speech over and over and over again, and every time he was just as determined and passionate as the last! It only ever got worse for him as the years passed and he still had no semblance of an ability, but no matter how much they teased him, no matter how personal it got, no matter how much it hurt he kept on going! IF HE OF ALL PEOPLE CAN’T BECOME A HERO, THEN NO ONE CAN!

We’re back from memory lane and JINSHU’s hair has gone from a bright blonde to a fiery red, with his eyes changing to match

JINSHU: It was because of his passion and determination to see his dream through that I took a vow to protect him at all costs, so I’ll fight all of you tooth and nail if it keeps his dream alive!

THE DEFENDERS, all in their usual positions before battle, sit there for a moment letting JINSHU’s monologue sink in

SEEKER: I know what I saw, boy. My visions are never wrong. Maybe you’re right about our involvement in the future I saw, but it doesn’t matter. Nothing can change the outcome. He will be a tyrant. That is the undeniable truth… and his irredeemable future.

SEEKER starts hovering towards JINSHU, but is stopped by

DEFENDER: Seeker, we’re done here for today.

SEEKER floats there in silence for a bit before turning around and rejoining the other DEFENDERS. RANGER calls in all of THE DEFENDERS’ respective vehicles (because of course they each have their own themed vehicles) and they all take their leave

JINSHU: …Seriously though, Jean-Shoe?

Cue outro

To Be Continued…

[feza-errata]

Episodes 5 & 6 Character Descriptions

Defender(31Y):

6’5’’, white skin, defined muscles, average build, short blond hair, and blue eyes.

Wears a superhero suit that basically looks like a combination of Captain America and Invincible with a full open face part and a hole in the top for his hair to flow through. The suit is blue, a tight fit, and has a multi-pouch belt. Also carries around his signature Defender Shield which is a technologically enhanced white and blue chevron shield.

Power: Defensive Bubble - Defender can spawn a perfectly spherical force field around himself. Pretty typical force field stuff like damage to the shield causing strain to its creator and all that jazz. Defender can only determine the bubble’s size upon activation, and can’t change it while it’s out; if he wanted the bubble to be smaller or larger, he’d have to remake it.

Breaker(27Y):

6’0’’, tan skin, bulky build, bald, brown eyes, and surprisingly defined cheekbones.

Wears a superhero suit that covers his entire body and has the same texture as The Shocker from Spiderman. His suit has white lenses for his eyes, is all red, is blocky, and has his signature Breaker Blocks on the outer portions of his forearms. The Breaker Blocks are large red rectangular devices with an explosive mechanism similar to Sundowner’s shield things.

Power: Jackfist - Breaker’s fists can rapidly extend and contract in similar fashion to a jackhammer.

Seeker(45Y):

6’2’’, Alien X from Ben 10, but without the spikey head parts.

Power: Ethereal Prominence - Seeker can interact with the ethereal plane, allowing him to pull off all sorts of ridiculous feats with just a thought. For example; he can fly, fire beams, create shockwaves, create clones, and look into people’s souls and futures.

Ranger(29Y):

5’8’’, peachy white skin, small nose, cat-like dark brown eyes, flowing dark green hair with leaves sticking out in random spots, toned muscles, and freckles.

Wears a modified ghillie hoodie which allows her to blend in with most environments, matching pants, hiking boots, and a half-mask that covers the upper part of her face.

Her weapon is a modified green and black compound bow. She carries a quiver for her bow which contains an assortment of specialized arrows.

Power: Tracking - In order to activate her ability, Ranger must first hit someone with an arrow. When activated, Ranger’s ability allows her to track her target, sniff out any potential weak spots on her target, and guide any subsequently fired arrows towards her target. Whatever her arrows hit is marked as her new target.

Successor(20Y):

5’10’’, average build, dark tan skin, pixie-cut style black hair with gold tips, sharp nose, and round green eyes.

Wears a superhero suit very similar to Defender’s outfit but mostly gold with a white cape.

He doesn’t have a signature weapon since he mostly relies on his power.

Power: Succession - Successor’s power allows him to copy and enhance someone else’s power(he can only copy one power at a time).

Kasai’s Dad - Guido Fezatsu(48Y):

5’11’’, Thin but toned, brown skin, handlebar mustache, short black hair that fwips up in the front with a fade on the left and right sides, and inviting blue eyes.

Wears a black biker jacket with a red undershirt, a white belt, black leather pants with white accents, and black leather boots.

Power: Guess Who - Guido’s power lets him turn himself and anyone else he’s making contact with into silhouettes of themselves.

Kasai’s Mom - Vira Fezatsu(49Y):

5’7’’, Albino, long hair, sharp eyes, and a cross-shaped scar on her left cheek.

Wears a black biker jacket with a yellow undershirt, a white belt, black leather pants with white accents, and black leather heels.

Power: Smokebomb - Vira can instantly teleport herself and anyone she’s making contact with to a nearby location, but doing so creates a sudden puff of white smoke where they once were. Her power can only teleport people to places that can be reached by normal means, so she can’t teleport someone into an inescapable box or something like that, but she can teleport up ladders or even use it to safely descend a long fall. Her teleport range is about 100 meters.

[feza-errata]

Episode 6: A Once In A Lifetime Opportunity!

Open to THE DEFENDERS striking their signature poses with SEEKER on the far left looking off into the distance, RANGER on the far right casually resting on her knee, BREAKER on the inner left doing a weird open claw crouch stance, and the titular DEFENDER on the inner right with his shield up. The camera rests on THE DEFENDERS for a bit, then zooms out a little to show KASAI on the side grimacing at their group pose

KASAI: Okaaaaay… So! Now what?

BREAKER: FALL IN, ROOKIE! DON’T YOU KNOW?! WE CAN’T START UNTIL EVERYONE’S DONE THEIR SIGNATURE POSE!!

KASAI: Wha- WHY!? It’s a waste of time!

RANGER: It’s only a waste of time if you drag it out like this.

DEFENDER: Now, Ranger, we’ve been over this; our group poses inspire our fans and raise our morale! They’re just as essential as a good night’s rest!

SEEKER: Pose, rookie.

KASAI: FINE, I’ll do the stinkin’ pose…

KASAI, still off to the side, gets up on his left foot, raises his left arm in the air, and crossed his right arm over his chest

KASAI: Can we go now?

BREAKER: HMM, I THINK IT NEEDS A BIT MORE PIZAZZ, YA KNOW?

DEFENDER: It’ll do for now, but if you want to be a Defender then we’re gonna have to work on that enthusiasm!

DEFENDER, BREAKER, and RANGER all laugh for a bit while SEEKER glares at KASAI, judging him for his lackluster performance so far. KASAI looks away, embarrassed

DEFENDER: Ah, nothing like a good laugh to start the day! Alright everyone, let’s move out!

EVERYONE: RIGHT!

A time-lapse/montage plays and we see THE DEFENDERS (and KASAI) are still out patrolling as the sun is setting in the distance. KASAI is noticeably annoyed by the lack of real action in his first outing

KASAI: So… patrols, huh? Are they, uh, all usually like this?

RANGER: Nope, not really. We usually bump into someone trying to disturb the peace, especially on Saturday mornings. It’s been unnaturally peaceful today.

BREAKER: MAYBE SOMEONE’S ALREADY GONE OVER OUR USUAL PATROL ROUTE?

SEEKER: Wait! I may have just found our daily perpetrator! A poor old lady is being mugged nearby!

DEFENDER: Good job, Seeker! Lead the way!

THE DEFENDERS (and KASAI) arrive at the scene and witness the mugging taking place in a suspiciously long alleyway

BREAKER: THERE THEY ARE!

Despite BREAKER’s loud shouting, both the mugger and the old lady seem to have somehow not heard him

KASAI: Well that’s odd…

RANGER: Right? Usually, people can hear Breaker coming from a mile away.

BREAKER: HEY!

SEEKER: And if they don’t hear him then they can definitely smell him.

BREAKER: HEY!

DEFENDER: REGARDLESS, there is an elder in need of saving! DEFENDERS, MOVE OUT!

Everyone dashes ahead into the alleyway except for KASAI, who stays back at the entrance

KASAI: There’s no way in hell that they didn’t hear Breaker!

KOAL: Yes, and our “perp” over there has been mugging that “old lady” for quite some time now.

KASAI: This whole situation reeks of-

As THE DEFENDERS reach the middle of the alleyway, a bunch of shadowy figures jump down from the rooftops to surround them

KASAI: IT’S A TRAP!

THE DEFENDERS are on guard as they look around and assess the situation. They’re surrounded by shadowy figures in the alleyway, and there are even more unidentified people waiting above them. KASAI tries to dash in and help THE DEFENDERS but is stopped when two of the figures from above land right in front of him. Oddly enough, KASAI appears to be somewhat familiar with these two figures

KASAI: Ah! Well, this is awkward! Didn’t think I’d have to fight you guys on my first day as a hero…

One of the two figures speaks up

???[m]: Yeah, small world! Right, son?

Cue intro

KASAI: MOM! DAD! What’re you guys doing out here in Toar City?

KASAI’S MOM: Things were getting kind of dicey back in Wae, and it got too risky to stay there, so we packed our stuff and the whole gang moved to Toar! You’d be surprised how easy it is to ambush people here!

SEEKER notices KASAI just standing there, talking with the two figures

SEEKER(thinking): What the hell is Fezatsu doing!? Having a casual chat with the enemy?! I knew it, he’s nothing but villainous scum- RIGHT DOWN TO THE CORE! You think THIS is enough to stop The Defenders, Fezatsu? THINK AGAIN!

KASAI: Well, sorry about this guys, but I’ve got a job to do…

KASAI’S MOM: Oh don’t worry about it, sweety-pie! It was nice just to catch up with you!

KASAI’S DAD: Think of this fight as a sort of, uh, initiation into the hero world or whatever! It’ll be sort of symbolic; like, you can’t let anything get between you and your dreams(!), or something like that.

KASAI: You guys are the best!

KASAI and his parents get ready to fight each other

KASAI: Now, get ready to EAT DIRT!

SEEKER: FEZATSU!

SEEKER, floating above the crowd, creates a massive shockwave that knocks everyone back, including the other DEFENDERS and KASAI, and also causes some noticeable damage to the walls of the alleyway. All of the figures disappear in a puff of smoke, leaving only THE DEFENDERS, KASAI, and the tension that lingers in the air. In the blink of an eye, SEEKER is suddenly in front of KASAI, absolutely fuming with anger

SEEKER: I knew you were nothing but SCUM! Only a COWARD like yourself would stage an ambush like this!

DEFENDER: Seeker, you’re saying the rookie set this up?!

BREAKER: SAY IT AIN’T SO, ROOKIE!

KASAI: Wha- why would I-?//

SEEKER: DON’T TRY AND WORM YOUR WAY OUT OF THIS ONE! I SAW YOU STANDING THERE, CASUALLY CONVERSING WITH THE ENEMY!

SEEKER projects his memories for THE DEFENDERS to see, and sure enough, KASAI was just standing there talking with two of the gang members

RANGER: Rookie, what were you…

KASAI(sweating): I swear, it’s not what it looks like! T-they’re my parents!

SEEKER: Of course, I should have recognized sooner. A pitch-black soul like yours doesn’t come naturally, it’s the result of evil origin!

BREAKER: SEEKER, YOU LOOKED AT HIS SOUL? WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL US ABOUT HIM EARLIER!?

SEEKER: I wanted to see how long he could keep up his little facade before trying to stab us in the back! Unsurprisingly, it didn’t last very long!

KASAI: I SERIOUSLY WASN’T TRYING TO-//

SEEKER: ENOUGH! NOT ANOTHER WORD OUT OF YOUR DISGUSTING MOUTH!

DEFENDER: And to think… this whole time I was so excited to have finally found someone to take Successor’s place…

RANGER(somber): Don’t worry, Defender. He had us all fooled.

KASAI(desperate): JUST LET ME-!

SEEKER launches KASAI into a small store across from the alleyway, planting him in the wall. KASAI cries out in pain as SEEKER floats higher

SEEKER: You’ve made a huge mistake, Fezatsu! Thanks to that little application you sent to the Defender’s Recruitment House, we have everything we need to put you on the Official Villains Watchlist!

KASAI: No PLEASE! YOU CAN’T!

KOAL: Kasai, we need to get out of here, NOW!

KASAI: But-//

KOAL: NOW!!

KASAI shakily gets up and tries to flee, but SEEKER immediately flies in

SEEKER: I’M NOT THROUGH WITH YOU YET!

RANGER: SEEKER!

SEEKER goes to land a devastating blow to KASAI, but is stopped when a flash of black light suddenly appears in front of him and strikes back at SEEKER with a terrifying burst of dark electricity. SEEKER is sent flying back into the alleyway, and KASAI looks up to see JINSHU standing before him

JINSHU: I knew I’d find you here… Kasai.

KASAI: …Do I know you?

JINSHU: WHA- IT’S ME! JINSHU! REMEMBER?! FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL?!

KASAI: I can barely remember what I had for lunch yesterday, you think I’m gonna remember someone from way back in elementary school?

JINSHU: (sighs) Fair enough.

KASAI: Well thanks for the save!

KASAI runs off into the distance

JINSHU: Wait hold up!

KASAI(far away):  ‘ppreciate it, Jean-Shoe!

JINSHU: …aaaaaand he’s gone. Just when I finally found him too!

JINSHU turns back to face THE DEFENDERS with a vengeful glare in his eye

JINSHU(pissed): You’ve all got some serious explaining to do… Wait, did he just call me Jean-Shoe?

Cut to KASAI who managed to make it back to HEMAL’s place and is spamming the fuck out of the buzzer to get in

KASAI: Ahh, c’mon c’mon! OPEN UP!

The door slides open to show a gleeful HEMAL there to great KASAI

HEMAL: Kasai! How did your first day as a hero go?

KASAI: NO-TIME-TO-TALK-LET-ME-INSIDE!

KASAI rushes into the building flying straight past HEMAL and heading straight to the Lounge in a panic. In the Lounge, YANZO & RAIKO are playing a fighting game

RAIKO: Damn! How much do you play this game!?

YANZO: Not much, I’m just really good at fighting games in general. You should see me in Guilty Ge-

Then KASAI busts in

KASAI: AAH! THIS IS NOT GOOD THIS IS VERY VERY BAD!

YANZO: Well I wouldn’t say she’s that bad at it.

RAIKO: Oh shut up! He’s not even talking about the game!

YANZO: What’s up, Kasai?

KASAI: MY LIFE AS A HERO! UP IN FLAMES! BURNING TO ASH I TELL YOU!

RAIKO: Stop yelling man, we’re right here!

KASAI: RAIKORAIKORAIKORAIKORAIKO!

RAIKO: What!?

KASAI: SOMEONE SAVED ME AND STOLE YOUR MOVE!

RAIKO: WHAT?!

KASAI: BUT THAT’S NOT IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW!

YANZO: Then why bring it up?

KASAI: BECAUSE I’M FREAKING OUT HERE, YANZO!

YANZO: Why?

KASAI: THEY SAID THEY WERE GONNA PUT ME ON THE OFFICIAL VILLAINS WATCHLIST!

RAIKO: Wait, WHAT!?

YANZO: Okay okay, slow down. Tell us everything that happened from the beginning.

KASAI: Okay, well…

Fade to black as KASAI tells the story of what happened, starting from his application. When we fade back in we’re joined by both HEMAL and MIZURO who decided to listen in

KASAI: …So yeah, that’s what happened.

MIZURO: That whole situation escalated pretty quickly.

KASAI: Yeah…

HEMAL: You know, Kasai, I told you that soul of yours would make it difficult to become a hero. And it certainly doesn’t help that you come from a family of notorious criminals.

KASAI: WELL WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO ABOUT THAT, HUH!? It’s not like I chose to be born with a soul like this or parents like these!

YANZO: If you’re on the watchlist then how are you gonna become a hero? Once you’re on that thing, it’s pretty much impossible to get off of it. Honestly, it looks like you may just have to give up on that life altogether.

KASAI stops for a moment, contemplating whether or not it’s even worth it to keep on chasing the life of a hero, but then he clenches his fist, grits his teeth, and looks ahead with a newfound resolve

KASAI: No. I refuse to let my dream die here! I’m not gonna let some stupid watchlist keep me from my goals! What do they know, huh!? I’ll show them I can be a hero REGARDLESS of what they say! I’LL SHOW THEM ALL!

RAIKO: Now THAT’S the spirit! Stick it to ‘em, Kasai!

MIZURO: Yeah, the spirit’s there, but how exactly are you going to “show them”? You can’t just go around acting like a hero. Most places won’t even let you in now since you’re on the Villains Watchlist.

KASAI: I, uh… yeah I don’t really have an answer for that.

HEMAL: Well, Kasai, seems like you’ve officially bricked. All you can do now is end your turn and pray to survive. Don’t worry about it too much though, I’ll be here to lend you my aid.

Upon hearing this, KASAI takes a second to think. The answer he’s looking for is right there in front of him

KASAI(to himself): Your aid…

And then…

KASAI(realization): Wait, no!

Everyone’s full attention snaps to KASAI as he stands up in sudden realization, seemingly having found a way out of this mess

KASAI(confident): I’m not out of options yet, I’ve still got one last ace in the hole! One last card to play! One last trick up my sleeve!

YANZO: And that would be…?

To everyone’s surprise, KASAI’s burst of confidence quickly turns into a sudden shyness as he attempts to reveal his plan

KASAI: O-okay, so, I know we all haven’t really known each other that long, but…

YANZO: Yeah?

KASAI: S-so, uh, for me to become a hero… I-I’d need you guys t-to… um…

MIZURO: Go on.

KASAI(stammering): I-I-I w-would n-need you guys t-to-//

RAIKO: OH WOULD YOU JUST SPIT IT OUT ALREADY!?

KASAI: I NEED YOU GUYS TO FORM A TEAM WITH ME, OKAY?!

There’s a momentary pause as KASAI’s genuine request quiets the room

KASAI(embarrassed): Y-yeah- I knew this would be too much to ask you guys- don’t worry about it, I’ll-//

YANZO: Ok.

KASAI(shocked): Huh?

YANZO gets up from his seat

YANZO: I said ok, I’ll join you.

Impressed by YANZO’s confidence, MIZURO relents a smile and stands up too

MIZURO: I’ll join as well.

KASAI: W-wha-

RAIKO remains seated, but leans back in her seat and puts her hand up

RAIKO: Yeah, count me in too! I mean, I’ve got nothing else to do, so why not?

KASAI starts to tear up

KASAI: Y-you really don’t have to- seriously- I get it if you guys don’t-//

YANZO: Don’t make me say it again, man.//

RAIKO: If I didn’t want to join then I wouldn’t have agreed!//

MIZURO: This is prime material, there’s no way I’d give up an opportunity like this!

KASAI is overwhelmed by everyone’s responses and his words are caught in his flowing tears

KASAI: You guys…

He pauses for a moment, then looks back at everyone, more determined than ever

KASAI: You guys are the best!

Cue outro

To Be Continued…

[feza-errata]

Episode 5: Man, I Hate Interviews!

The opening shot shows HEMAL, KASAI, MIZURO, RAIKO, and YANZO hanging out in the lounge and talking amongst themselves. HEMAL’s relaxing on a recliner chair, KASAI’s leaning against the wall, MIZURO & YANZO are sitting on the couch, and RAIKO’s leaning over the back of the couch between them

YANZO: That’s some good news. For a second there I thought I was going insane!

RAIKO: Right? I mean, a strange voice in my head telling me to choose violence isn’t exactly the most comforting thought…

MIZURO: Hemal, why didn’t you tell us about this earlier?

HEMAL: I had just assumed that you would all figure it out on your own. I wanted you to form natural relationships with your Leeches instead of me just telling you all about them, so I decided to let you all talk with them personally. There’s still a lot we don’t know about them, but if we befriend them before merging then we have an easier time learning about them! Kasai! Why don’t you tell them what you learned from your Leech?

KASAI: Hm? Oh, you mean the Leeches fading into our subconscious or the weird eggs they’re gonna make us piss out?

RAIKO: They WHAT!?//

YANZO: Eww.//

MIZURO: Disgusting!

KASAI: Yeah, and not only is it gonna be super painful, but then your Leech won’t be able to revive you anymore either! And to make it even worse, they can do this up to three separate times!

YANZO: Damn, that’s gonna suck.

MIZURO: “Gonna suck”? I think it’ll be a bit worse than that! I mean, how is an entire alien egg going to fit through the human urethra!?

KASAI: Oh don’t worry about its size, these things will be super tiny. They’ll flow right out with your piss.

RAIKO: Then what makes it so painful?

KASAI: They’re really sharp, give whatever liquid they’re in salt-like properties, and you piss out a metric shit-ton of them.

MIZURO: Well, not looking forward to that!… Wait, Hemal, does that mean that you…?

HEMAL: Yep, all three times. There’s no warning before it happens, and even if you DO try to numb the pain in any way, the Leech will be forced to bring you into peak condition, so it won’t matter. Trust me, I tried everything to avoid the pain after the first time.

YANZO: That’s rough…

There’s an awkward silence for a bit, then a low grumble emanates from YANZO’s stomach and RAIKO springs up as she suddenly remembers something

RAIKO: Hey, Yanzo, you eat yet?

YANZO: Now that you mention it, no, I haven’t.

A wry smile stretches across both RAIKO and KASAI’s faces

RAIKO: Well then, MIZURO! You can’t just leave this poor, hungry child to starve, can you?//

YANZO: Not a child.//

RAIKO: TO THE KITCHEN!!!

KASAI: THE KITCHEN!!!

MIZURO: NO! NOT HAPPENING! THERE’S NO WAY IN HELL I’M-

The scene cuts to everyone in the kitchen with MIZURO at the stove flipping pancakes. Everyone’s enjoying themselves!… except for MIZURO, who looks absolutely dead inside

KASAI: Damn, you were right, blondie! These things really ARE good!

RAIKO(joyful): Yeah! They’re even good enough to stop me from bashing your head in for calling me blondie again!

YANZO: Where’d you learn to make these things, Mizuro?

MIZURO: Had a scene involving an ancient pancake recipe in one of my stories, so I did some digging, pulled some information and inspiration from a multitude of places, and the final result is THIS! The pinnacle of all things pancake!

HEMAL: Such dedication is commendable, Mizuro! An inspiration to all!

MIZURO(vengeful): Flattery won’t get you any more, so enjoy these while you can!

The whole crew shares a relatively heartwarming moment together as they eat

YANZO: I’m telling you, not even the personal baker at my place could hold a candle to the awesome power of Pan-Pro Mizuro!

MIZURO: Pan-Pro Mizuro? It’s got a nice ring to it! I might just have to make a story from that!

RAIKO: What kind of stuff do you write anyways, Mizuro?

MIZURO: Oh I write all types of stories. I’ve written up mysteries, horrors, fantasies, you name it! I’ve written them all! None of them have ever been published though, I still have to find editors and publishers for that, but I’m getting there! I’ve even dabbled into other literary mediums like poetry and more recently a play.

HEMAL: You know, Mizuro, I have some good connections in a few publishing houses; I could put in a good word for you!

MIZURO(grateful): Oh no, that’s hardly necessary-

HEMAL: No no, I insist! Think of it as a thank you for the pancakes!

KASAI: Man, it’s nice seeing you so close to your dreams, Zamu! I’m sure you’ll be a household name in no time!

MIZURO: Oh yeah! Speaking of dreams, Kasai, isn’t your dream to become a hero?

KASAI: Yep, and it’s been that way ever since I was little. My parents were always super supportive of me too, despite my evident lack of abilities. It’s especially weird since pretty much everyone else in my family had been naturally born with at least some sort of ability. Yeah, the rest of my family wasn’t so supportive of me, told me I’d never make it as a hero… but now’s my chance to prove them wrong! And y’know what? I’m gonna head on down to the Defenders Recruitment House tomorrow to apply!

YANZO: Woah, tomorrow? You sure you’re ready for that? I mean, you’d have to fight people who’ve been honing their skills for their entire lives; meanwhile, you’ve barely had your powers for just over a week!

RAIKO: Yeah, you might wanna slow your roll there Mr. Hero, this is the big leagues we’re talking about!

KASAI(dismissive): Bah, it’ll be fiiine! Besides, hero applications usually take super long to go through anyway- most people change their minds and go for an entirely different career choice by the time they get approved! I’ll probably be a senile old man when I finally get accepted!

The scene cuts to KASAI in the Defenders Recruitment House where he’s holding an approved application and waiting for evaluation with an expression of disbelief, anxiety, and panic on his face

KOAL: Well this certainly isn’t how things were supposed to go.

KASAI: YA DON’T SAY!?

KOAL: …But I did say it.

KASAI(absolutely done): (long inhale) (long exhale) It’s another one of those rhetorical question things, Koal.

KOAL: Oh.

What feels like an eternity of silence passes with nothing but the buzzing of the fluorescent lights and the muffled dialogue of a Soap Opera coming from the waiting room’s TV. A cheery looking secretary enters the room to usher KASAI into the evaluation room

SECRETARY: Kasai Fezatsu?

KASAI: That’s me.

SECRETARY: Mr. Seeker is ready to see you now; follow me.

KOAL: I think we spent more time in the waiting room than we did waiting for approval.

KASAI: Shut it, you!

THE SECRETARY’s cheery face quickly twists into an expression of furious rage

SECRETARY: Ug- THE HELL DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME YOU LITTLE SHIT!?

KASAI: HUH?! N-NONONO I WASN’T TALKING TO YOU- I SWEAR!!

SECRETARY: I was having such a good day too, but now you’ve GONE AND-!

The booming and authoritative voice of THE SEEKER can be heard from down the hall

SEEKER: MICHELLE? ARE YOU YELLING AT THE APPLICANTS AGAIN?

SECRETARY: WELL IT’S NOT MY FAULT THAT THIS BASTARD HAS NO MANNERS!

SEEKER: REMEMBER WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT? WITH THE BREATHING EXERCISES?

SECRETARY: Ugh!

THE SECRETARY takes a deep breath and pauses for a moment before quickly returning to her previously cheery disposition

SECRETARY: Right this way, sir!

KASAI fearfully follows a good distance behind THE SECRETARY. As they reach the end of the hallway, the lights seem to get dimmer and dimmer until the very last light, which seems capable of illuminating only one singular thing; the door. THE SECRETARY opens the door and gestures for KASAI to enter, and as soon as he does, the door SLAMS behind him. Heavy cursing can be heard on the other side. The figure of “Ethereal Hero” THE SEEKER appears behind a rather fancy-looking desk in front of KASAI with his back turned. He seems to be smoking a pipe(?), but it’s unclear due to his lack of a mouth

SEEKER(calm): Ah, Fezatsu, was it?

KASAI(nervous and jumpy): Yes, Mr. Seeker sir that would be-//

SEEKER suddenly turns around and slams both of his hands on the desk, scaring the shit out of KASAI

SEEKER: THAT’S MR. THE SEEKER TO YOU, BOY!

KASAI(frightened): RIGHT! YES! SORRY, MR. THE SEEKER SIR!

SEEKER slowly turns back around and returns to… whatever it is he’s doing with that pipe(?) before speaking to KASAI again

SEEKER: Now then, you’re here to join The Defenders, right?

KASAI: Y-yes, Mr. The Seeker sir…

SEEKER: Then I’d suggest you don’t arouse my anger again.

KOAL: It would seem that everyone here’s rather quick to anger.

KASAI: You could say that again.

THE SEEKER shoots a glare over his shoulder at KASAI

SEEKER: I’d rather not have to.

KASAI: MY BAD! SORRY MR. THE SEEKER SIR!

Then he faces the wall again, seemingly admiring something that we simply can’t see

SEEKER: Good, now where was I? Ah, yes, now that you’ve passed application, it is time for me to personally evaluate you. I will determine whether or not you are Defender material!

SEEKER puts down his pipe(?) and turns to face KASAI

SEEKER: I’ve got a rather busy schedule today, so we’ll just do this the easy way. Stand still for a moment.

KASAI: The easy way? If you don’t mind me asking, what exactly is “the easy way”, sir?

SEEKER: It means that I’m going to peer into your soul itself and see if you-…

KASAI: Mr. The Seeker, sir? Is something wrong?

SEEKER(ominously): Get out. Now.

KASAI: Wait what!? B-but you only looked for a second!

SEEKER: A second is all I need, boy! Your soul is darker than the droppings of the hounds of hell, and I would know. You’ll never make it as a hero. Leave, and never come back.

KASAI: W-wait, please! C’mon, man, this has been my dream ever since I was a kid! You can’t just throw me out on a whim like that! Don’t you have a heart!?

SEEKER: Actually no, I don’t.

KASAI: Oh. Then what about a dream!? Something you’ve wanted to achieve your whole life! How would you feel if the second you finally got the chance to fulfill that dream someone just came out of nowhere and shot you down!?

SEEKER: Say what you want, your soul has already revealed the truth to me. You’d be a danger to us all.

KASAI: You don’t even know me! You just saw one thing that you didn’t like and immediately wrote me off! I’m more than just my soul you know!

SEEKER: YOU ARE THE ONE WHO KNOWS NOTHING! THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO WALK AWAY! I REFUSE TO LET SOMEONE WITH A SOUL AS PITCH BLACK AS YOURS TAKE HIS SPOT!

KASAI: His spot!? What does someone else’s death have to do with me?!

SEEKER: IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH YOU, YOU INGRATE!!!

In his rage, SEEKER accidentally creates a shockwave that blasts his desk away, but he seems to barely even notice it happen. The shockwave causes KASAI to fall flat on his ass

SEEKER: He was young, with a heart of gold and the purest soul I’d ever seen… he had such great potential, but they took him far too soon… I REFUSE TO LET SOMEONE LIKE YOU TAKE HIS SPOT!

KASAI: CAN’T YOU JUST GIVE ME A CHANCE?! I JUST NEED ONE CHANCE- ONE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW YOU WHAT I CAN DO, THEN YOU’D ACCEPT ME FOR SURE!

SEEKER: Impossible! It’s simply impossible for the likes of you to ever be a true hero.

Hearing this hits KASAI harder than expected, and a few tears roll down his face

KASAI: Please, sir… I’m begging you…

Seeing the pathetic sight in front of him, SEEKER calms down for a moment and approaches KASAI

SEEKER: You get one chance. I doubt you’ll ever make it as a hero- let alone take his place, but if you’re so sure in your ability then I’ll give you a chance to prove yourself.

KASAI(excited): Really? You’re really gonna give me a chance?!

SEEKER: One. You get one. Don’t screw it up.

Cue Outro

To Be Continued…

[feza-errata]

Sorry Everyone!

For all two of the people who actually read this story, sorry for not uploading Episode 5 last week, had some personal stuff going on and had to keep delaying it. As an apology, I’ll be doing a double upload today! Hope you two are looking forward to it!

[feza-errata]

Episode 4: You’ve Got Some Terrible Luck, You Know That?

Cold open with a shot of KASAI’s fists as he’s sparring in the Training Room with a punching bag. He switches to a kickboxing stance as the shot focuses on him without showing the upper half of his face, revealing that he’s wearing the training suit again. Only the sounds of heavy breathing, shoes squeaking, and blows landing on the punching bag can be heard as we get a good view of the room. With a sonorous roar, KASAI lands one final blow before taking a break

KASAI: Whew! Nothing like some good ol’ training to lift your spirits!

KOAL(pensive): Hmmmmm…

KASAI: What’s up? Something on your mind?

KOAL: Kasai, are you sure that your current training method is the most effective one?

KASAI: Nope, why?

KOAL: I was just wondering, why use an inanimate object for your training when you could ask one of our companions for assistance? Perhaps Mizuro would be willing to spar?

KASAI: They’re all busy, remember? None of them are even here right now, and it’s not like this room can just spawn another Zamu.

AI: Spawning Sparring Partner; Mizuro Zamu.

Right there before KASAI’s eyes, a perfect replica of MIZURO takes form from the room’s white and green cubes. The replica stands inactive for a bit before his eyes shoot open and he springs to life, observing his new environment

Cue intro

KASAI: What!? That actually works!? WHY DIDN’T GRAMPS TELL ME ABOUT THIS!? C’MON, I COULD HAVE BEEN TRAINING WITH AN ACTUAL PARTNER THIS WHOLE TIME!

The MIZURO REPLICA appears visibly annoyed by KASAI’s sudden uproar

[r]MIZURO: Of course I wake up to your incessant whining yet again! There’s never a moment’s peace with you around, Kasai!

KOAL: Amazing, the room was even able to replicate his behavior!

KASAI: Well of course it could do that, otherwise this thing wouldn’t be a proper sparring partner! There’d be no point in making another Zamu if you didn’t copy his critical personality too!

[r]MIZURO: CRITICAL!? Oh now you’re asking for it!

The REPLICANT MIZURO throws an enraged punch which catches KASAI off guard. KASAI stumbles back a bit and regains his footing as the REPLICANT goes for another strike. KASAI blocks blow after blow as the REPLICANT’s onslaught of fury continues and the creation shows no signs of fatigue

KASAI: Damn, this thing has an even shorter temper than the REAL Zamu!

KOAL: It doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all. Find an opening and strike back!

The REPLICANT tries to land a roundhouse kick to KASAI’s head, but KASAI blocks it and grabs the REPLICANT’s leg. KASAI holds the REPLICANT’s leg tightly under his arm and pulls him into a spin, swinging the REPLICANT four times before tossing him across the room. As soon as the REPLICANT hits the ground, it springs back up and gets ready to go again

KASAI: As expected, that didn’t even phase him.

KOAL: Kasai, look! Behind him!

KASAI: Huh?

Behind the REPLICANT shines a bright screen that displays digital representations of KASAI and the MIZURO REPLICANT. Next to their respective representations seem to be health bars, with KASAI at 86% and the REPLICANT at 98%.

KASAI: Oh, I get it! It’s like a fighting game! Alright then, time to win neutral!

KOAL: Don’t get reckless, you’re disadvantaged here!

KASAI: Oh c’mon, a 12% difference isn’t that big of a deal!

KOAL: No, I was referring to the replicant’s stamina! That thing didn’t slow down at all during its earlier assault and it showed no signs of exertion either- hell, it doesn’t even appear to be breathing! It seems to have endless stamina, while you, on the other hand, are already worn out from the punching bag. Be careful!

KASAI: You’re right, if I went in now I’d likely wear myself out in no time. Guess I’ll just have to play zoner for now!

With that, KASAI starts focusing his power into his hands, but the REPLICANT takes notice and quickly closes in

KASAI & KOAL: OH SHIT!

The power in KASAI’s hands disperses as he focuses entirely on dodging the REPLICANT’s assault. The REPLICANT drops low and quickly sweeps his left leg, bouncing KASAI into the air for a split second, then he lands a swift kick with his right leg that launches KASAI across the room. KASAI’s tumbling comes to a stop as he reels in pain from the REPLICANT’s devastating mix-up and his on-screen HP drops to 61%

KASAI: Ah, damn! (sharp inhale) Hey Koal, if I’ve got any defensive techniques now would be the time to let me know!

KOAL: I’ve already shown you everything you can do, you just have to apply it in different ways!

KASAI: I NEED THE ANSWERS KOAL, NOT THE STUDY GUIDE!

KOAL: The power I’ve granted you doesn’t just let you produce flame, it also allows you to control and even become flame! You’ve already experienced all three forms of manipulation, you just have to apply them here!

KASAI: WHAT?! I NEVER BECAME FLAME!

The REPLICANT once again begins its rapid approach

KOAL(hurriedly): YOU DID! REMEMBER! WHEN YOU ESCAPED YOUR CELL, PARTS OF YOUR BODY WERE TRANSLATED INTO FLAME SO YOU COULD SLIP PAST THE BARS! YOU NEED TO EVOKE THAT SAME FEELING HERE!

The REPLICANT reels its unrelenting fist back as KASAI, too tired to defend himself, closes his eyes to brace for impact

KOAL: KASAI!

The REPLICANT’s fist zooms by the camera as he throws his next merciless punch at KASAI’s face, but at the time when the punch would connect with KASAI’s face, the REPLICANT’s arm instead keeps going forwards for a bit before stopping of its own accord. The REPLICANT stands there for a bit with its arm still outstretched as the camera cuts to KASAI’s face, revealing that his entire head has been replaced with a flame that seems to be avoiding the REPLICANT’s arm. Two small parts of the flames on the left and right of the REPLICANT’s arm glow brighter than the rest of it and form a pair of “eyes”. KASAI’s “eyes” look at the arm going through his face, then at his face itself, then they roll around and peek out from the back of KASAI’s head to see the other side of the arm, then they return back to their original position

KASAI: Holy shit, I DID IT! KOAL, ARE YOU SEEING THIS?!

KOAL: Now’s not the time to celebrate. We have the advantage, so strike back!

KASAI: Right!

KASAI converges his flame head directly onto the REPLICANT’s arm, burning it severely

[r]MIZURO(in pain): Ghk! AHHH!

The REPLICANT MIZURO winces in pain from KASAI’s flame head burning his arm and pulls it away. The REPLICANT’s HP drops to 84%

[r]MIZURO(still in pain from the burns): Shit! Hothothot! Owwww!

In the spot where the REPLICANT’s arm went through KASAI’s face, a ball of raging fire starts to form. The MIZURO REPLICANT attempts to evoke water, but is too distracted by the pain from his second-degree burn to summon any more than a drop

KASAI: And that’s game!

KASAI lets loose his Blazing Roar, spewing forth an intense stream of flame reminiscent of a dragon’s breath directly onto the REPLICANT, rapidly decreasing its health

[r]MIZURO(glitching out while being consumed by the blast): YOUU SCUUUUUuuuuu-

As the REPLICANT’s hp quickly drops to 0%, fanfare plays and KASAI is announced the winner. The REPLICANT’s body first crumbles into charred ash, and then it reforms into the familiar white and green cubes that sink back into the training room. KASAI’s head returns to normal as he lay there completely exhausted

KASAI(breathing heavily): Man… this game’s balancing… sucks ass!… On the bright side… I learned a new move!

KOAL: It’s just as I said, sparring with an active partner was more effective!

KASAI: You’re so lucky… you don’t have… a face!

KASAI passes out from exhaustion. Just then, we hear someone trying to buzz into the facility, but no one's there to let them inside. The buzzer is heard three times before the camera cuts to a view of the front door where YANZO is waiting for someone to answer the buzzing

YANZO: …Maybe I should just go back home.

Cue outro

To Be Continued…

[feza-errata]

Episode 3: Huh? It’s a Failsafe Mechanism?

The opening scene reveals KASAI relaxing in a sci-fi futuristic-looking living quarters where he is tossing a ball up and catching it. His face has a sort of bothered expression on it and he’s clearly been thinking about something for a bit.

KASAI: Hey, you still there?

???: Are you talking to me?

KASAI: Who else would I be talking to? No one else is here.

???: Fair enough.

KASAI: Who are you? 

???: Good question. Unfortunately, it is one that I simply have no answer to.

KASAI: What do you mean by that?

???: I can tell you what I am just fine, but as far as telling you who I am goes, that is something that we both do not know.

KASAI: In that case, why don’t you tell me what you are?

???: Based on what I could pick from your brain, the most accurate term for my species in your language would be a parasite. So that’s what I am, a parasite.

KASAI: A parasite!? When the hell did I get infected with a parasite!?

???: You don’t remember? It was when you died.

KASAI: When I died? You mean when I snapped my neck on the meteorite? Wait, is that why I came back to life?!

???: Correct, I repaired the damage and brought you back to life. Don’t think anything of it. It’s merely an evolutionary trait of my species. Nothing but a simple failsafe mechanic.

Cue intro

KASAI: If you’re a parasite, then why do you have the ability to bring things back to life?

???: I was able to revive you because you are my host. My species is a powerful one, but we are unable to survive on our own. We search for strong, viable hosts, and then we become part of them. That is how we survive. That is how we live.

KASAI: Wait, hold up, what do you mean, “become part of them”?

???: My species has the ability to merge with our hosts. One of the results of this merging you have already experienced is in the form of your new powers. Usually the types of species we merge with consist of scavengers like bugs or birds, but you managed to get to me first.

KASAI: So you’re merging with me right now as we speak?

???: That is correct, and there is nothing that I can do to stop merging either.

KASAI starts throwing the ball against the wall instead of in the air

KASAI(stressed): Oh no, that can’t be. There has to be a way to stop this whole merging thing- if there really isn’t then I’ll make a way- there’s no way in hell I’m gonna become some space leech’s brainless meat-puppet!

???: Okay first off, parasite, not a leech. Second off, that’s not how it works at all. While it is possible for me to control you, I can only do that if you let me; aside from that, when the merging is complete you will still be yourself and you will still have full control over what you do, I’ll just become part of your subconscious.

KASAI: Yeah there’s no way any of this is true. You’re making this seem like a scenario where I can only benefit, but earlier you said that the most accurate term for your species is a PARASITE. In case you didn’t know, parasites are kind of famous for taking WAY more than they give.

???: I was just getting to that. It has to do with the way my species reproduces.

KASAI catches the ball one final time and places it on the nearby nightstand while an expression of grievance spreads across his face

KASAI: Oh no, what’re you gonna do to me?

???: At some point after we have completely merged, I will use lots of your nutrients to produce a ton of super-sharp crystal-like eggs. They’re really tiny and have to find a way out of your body in order to properly mature. Based on the way the human body is structured, they will escape when you urinate, and it will be immensely painful. This will happen at least once, but can potentially happen up to three separate times.

KASAI: So when you say immensely painful-

???: You will legitimately wish for death. Also, once the reproduction process has been completed at least once, I will lose the ability to resurrect you, so I wouldn’t suggest getting comfortable with that power.

KASAI: OKAY, I’VE HEARD ENOUGH, NEW TOPIC. LET’S GET YOU A NAME!

???: For what purpose? I am simply a parasite, nothing more and nothing less.

KASAI: No no, if you’re gonna be part of ME then you don’t get to talk like that about yourself! You’re getting a name and that’s final!

???: But there would be no point-

KASAI: MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY, PAL! WHAT’S YOUR CHOICE?

???: Alright, calm down, I’ll get a name!

KASAI: Good! Now then, I’m just gonna throw some names out there and you can stop me when you hear one you like, alright?

???: Understood.

The camera pans out as the list goes on, transitioning to a shot of the outside of the house, then to an overview shot of Tour City as the sun is rising

KASAI: Kisei… Aries… Hiru… Sakai… Asura… Atsu… Keel… Kine… Len… Amos… Sekitan… Koal-

???: That one! I like that one the most.

KASAI: Oh, you sure?

???: Yes, that is the name I wish to go by.

KASAI: Alright, then from now on, your name is Koal!

KOAL: Oh, I like how that sounds. Could you say it again?

KASAI: No.

KOAL: Please? If you do, I’ll tell you more about my species!

KASAI: Yeah, I think I’ve heard enough about your species for one day; besides, I gotta get ready to train.

With that, KASAI gets up from his bed and starts to put on the training gear he got from HEMAL

KOAL: I fail to see how saying my name would slow down your preparations.

KASAI(gleefully): It wouldn’t, but what’s really important is that I’m not saying it again!

KOAL: Such evil, giving me a name and then refusing to use it! You’re the only one who can hear me! I might as well not even exist to anyone else!

KASAI finishes getting prepared and heads out into the hallway

KASAI: This is your own fault, you know. I’m only doing this because you asked me to say it again.

KOAL; You dastardly fiend!

KASAI: Dastardly fiend? Isn’t your vocabulary supposed to reflect mine?

KOAL: My vocabulary does indeed match yours, word-for-word, but my DICTION is something that I build myself.

KASAI: Yeah, I guess that makes sense.

KOAL: Wait, how did you know I got my vocabulary from your mind?

KASAI: Well you didn’t explicitly say it earlier, but I kind of guessed from everything else you said.

KOAL: Oh, my apologies, I must have underestimated your deductive abilities.

KASAI: Wha- this is basic inference making! Anyone with half a brain would have come to the same conclusion!

KOAL: Not true, back when you snapped your neck I took the opportunity to learn about your brain while I resurrected you. There are multiple ways to half the brain that would make it impossible for them to come to the same conclusion you have.

KASAI stops in front of the door to the training room, which has a convenient holographic sign above that reads Training Room

KASAI: Obviously! It’s just a phrase, it’s not supposed to be taken seriously!

KOAL: Oh.

As the door to the training room opens, KASAI takes note of the surprisingly blank scene in front of him. The room looked as though it was just a big box made of pure white walls, a stark contrast to the rest of HEMAL’s facility

KASAI: Huh?

KOAL: This room seems to be completely empty. Are you sure you didn’t take a wrong turn?

KASAI: There was literally a sign above the door that said Training Room, I’m pretty sure I went the right way.

Without having made so much as a sound, HEMAL suddenly emerges from behind KASAI wearing a delighted smile on his face. Caught entirely off guard, KASAI jumps in shock when HEMAL speaks

HEMAL: Ah, Kasai! I see you found your way to the training room! Pretty impressive, isn’t she?

KASAI: Impressive isn’t exactly the word I’d use to describe it… Shouldn’t a training room have some, I dunno, TRAINING EQUIPMENT!? Dumbbells? A punching bag? Literally ANYTHING to work out with?

Just then, the robotic voice of the room’s AI assistant can be heard in response to KASAI’s “commands”

AI: Spawning Training Equipment; dumbbells, punching bag. I’m sorry, I could not find “Literally anything to work out with.” Please try again.

The designated items take form from green and white cubes next to KASAI, who just stands there dumbfounded. The items formed by the room look, feel, and smell exactly like the real things; the dumbbells even come in a variety of weights

HEMAL: Yep, built this baby all by myself! Some of my finest work too! She’s got everything you need to push your training to the next level, all you need to do is say the word! Ask and ye shall receive!

KOAL: This room seems to be rather impressive! Oh, try asking it for food!

HEMAL: Oh yeah, one more thing, don’t consume anything made in this room! I mean, I seriously doubt anyone would be stupid enough to try it, but I do gotta warn you just to be sure. Eating food made by the room will be an extremely short and VERY unpleasant experience.

KOAL: What makes it so short?

HEMAL: Followed by death.

KOAL: Oh.

KASAI: Damn, guess I’ll have to go to the kitchen after all.

HEMAL: You haven’t eaten breakfast yet? You just B-lined it straight to the training room, didn’t you?

KASAI: I thought you’d have, like, a mini-fridge or something in here!

HEMAL: …You’re not exactly the brightest, are you?

KASAI: HEY! I’ll have you know I got TOP SCORES back in high school!

HEMAL: And all so you could poison yourself with synthetic food.

KASAI: Why are you saying that like I’ve already done it!? I haven’t even tried it yet!

KOAL: You were still CONSIDERING doing it?!

KASAI: I mean, you could just resurrect me if I die, right?

KOAL: No, I couldn’t! It’s only been a day since your last resurrection! THESE THINGS HAVE COOLDOWNS YOU KNOW!

KASAI: Laaame.

HEMAL: Talking to your Leech, I presume?

KASAI: See, he calls you a leech too- wait how did you know-//

HEMAL: My powers come from the same origins as yours, remember? I used to argue with my Leech all the time as well, but by the time the merge is complete, their personality becomes so heavily influenced that they essentially become an exact copy of you in your head. They even start to sound just like you too…

KASAI(saddened): Woah, hey, what? You’re telling me Koal’s just gonna become a stinkin’ copy of me?

HEMAL: Unfortunately, yes. While there is a way to keep him from completing the merge, aside from removing him entirely there is no way to stop his inevitable transformation. Don’t worry about it though, this is simply another one of the Leeches’ evolutionary traits! They evolved this way to keep their hosts from thinking they’d gone off the deep end y’know!

KASAI: And just when I was starting to get attached, too! Alright, you’ve lived it out; tell me, how long does it take for him to stop being, ya know, him!

HEMAL: From this very moment, you’ve got a year’s worth of time until he becomes exactly like you.

KASAI: Then I’ve got a year’s time to figure out how to keep Koal from becoming Kasai.

KOAL: Kasai…

HEMAL: It’s a foolish endeavor. Trust me, you’d just be wasting your time.

KASAI: No, a true hero doesn’t take things for granted. Koal gave me the powers I’ve been searching for all my life, and a true hero would repay such generosity. It’s a hero’s duty to save those in need, after all, and I’m the only one who can save him, so I have to.

HEMAL: I see, so you won’t let him fade because it wouldn’t be the heroic thing to do. Say, Kasai, have you ever seen those posts online stating that there are two kinds of people?

KASAI: Yeah, what about ‘em?

HEMAL: Well, while they’re nowhere near right, they’re not exactly wrong either.

KASAI: Is this at all related to my current Koal problem?

HEMAL: Not really, but it is important that you-

KASAI: Then I don’t wanna hear about it. It’s none of my concern.

HEMAL: I think it really should be-

KASAI: Look, gramps, I don’t really DO conspiracy theories, so do yourself a favor and-

HEMAL: SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME!

KASAI: MAKE ME!

HEMAL: THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CONCERNS YOUR VERY DREAM ITSELF, SO JUST SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND LISTEN!

KASAI(defensive): What? Are you sayin’ I’m not cut out to be a hero!? Well you’re not the first one, gramps!

HEMAL: Just let me explain, okay? There are many many kinds of people in this world, but there are only two kinds of souls! There are light souls made by the god of creation, and there are dark souls forged by the god of calamity. I suspect that you, Kasai, bare a dark soul yourself. If that is the case, then it may be impossible for you to ever truly become a hero!

KASAI’s eyes widen in shock from this revelation as he is left speechless. Could he really have no chance of ever becoming a hero, all because of something he was born with? All because of something he can’t control!? KASAI’s heart is beating faster and faster until he hears KOAL’s voice reach out to him

KOAL: Kasai, calm down. There’s no point in getting worked up about this; it’s all just speculation at this point! We don’t know for sure whether or not you truly have a dark soul!

Hearing this, KASAI takes a deep breath and looks off to the side to indicate that he’s talking to KOAL

KASAI: You’re right, we don’t know for sure yet. Besides, what does my soul even have to do with becoming a hero anyway?

HEMAL: Well, people with dark souls often tend to be more selfish, only ever really doing things for their own personal gains and goals without taking others into consideration. You said you wanted to save your Leech not because you’ve grown attached to him, but because heroes save people and you want to be a hero. And if we take your actions when escaping that P.Corp facility into consideration, then you definitely only act on your own desires. You were ready to leave the others behind, despite their calls for help, and only let them join you when you were bribed to do so.

KASAI: Yeah, I’m still waiting on Yanzo to make good on that deal by the way.

HEMAL: See, even now you’re only thinking about your own gain! There’s no doubt in my mind, you have a dark and festering soul.

KASAI turns around and starts to make his way towards the kitchen

KASAI: I’ll believe it when I see it! Right now though? I’m starving. Talk to ya later, gramps!

HEMAL(to himself): I know a dark soul when I see one. They’re usually drawn towards lives as cut-throat business executives or villains, so why does HE want to become a hero? What does he have to gain from it?

The scene transitions to the kitchen, where MIZURO is manning the oven and RAIKO’s finishing her third plate of pancakes

RAIKO(with her mouth full): Man, you can make one hell of a pancake, Mizuro!

RAIKO quickly wolfs down the rest of her food and turns back to MIZURO with her plate out

RAIKO: So what else do you wanna know about me? Keep the pancakes coming and I’ll talk however long you want!

MIZURO: Well right now I’d like to know how you could possibly eat so many of these things!? I myself can usually only handle two at most! At this rate, we’re gonna run out of ingredients!

RAIKO: Ah, it’s nothing special really, I just use my natural charge and release power to burn through the carbs! You have NO idea how many eating competitions I’ve won thanks to that trick! Now stack ‘em up!

RAIKO holds her plate out with a huge smile on her face

MIZURO: Wha- that one was rhetorical, it doesn’t count!

RAIKO: You said you’d give me a full stack for every question I answered, so get to stackin’!

MIZURO: Well I didn’t think you’d actually take me up on the offer in the first place! And why even bother eating them if you’re immediately using your power to burn through them anyway?

RAIKO: Two reasons. One, because it builds up a shit ton of excess energy, and two, because they taste so damn good! Now that’s two stacks you owe me!

MIZURO: Okay, I walked right into that one…

Then KASAI enters the room

KASAI: Save some for me, will ya?

RAIKO: KASAI! Grab a plate, Mizuro’s makin’ pancakes!

MIZURO: Ah, Kasai! I’ve been mixing, pouring, and flipping for hours now! Please swap with me!

KASAI: Hours, huh? Damn, that does seem tough...

KASAI gingerly plucks a plate from the dish rack and sits down next to RAIKO at the table

KASAI(snarky): Good thing I’m not the one at the stove! Imma need two pancakes, pronto!

MIZURO: I’m never making breakfast again…

KASAI: Ah don’t be like that, Zamu! At least make me my cakes before you throw in the towel!

MIZURO: So much hatred…

RAIKO: Hey Mizuro! I’m still waiting on my stacks here! C’mon, chop-chop!

MIZURO: Building inside me…

KASAI(mockingly): Zamuuu?//

RAIKO: Mizuro my plate’s still got nothing on it!//

KASAI: C’mon, it’s just two pancakes; it can’t take THAT long!//

RAIKO: Word is law, Mizuro! Get to stackin’!//

KASAI & RAIKO: C’mon Mizuro, where are the cakes!?

A menacing aura flows from MIZURO as his rage consumes him and a twisted, malicious smile stretches from ear to ear across his face

MIZURO: You two want pancakes? Okaaaaay, coming riiiiight up!

KASAI: Finally, I’m starving here!- Gkh!

MIZURO comically grabs KASAI by the neck and what is basically a classic cartoon brawl ball plays out in the kitchen. Fists and flour fly, and In the end, MIZURO stands triumphantly over a beaten down RAIKO & KASAI

MIZURO: There you go, two pancakes!

KASAI, in an effort to protest, shakily raises one of his broken fingers and speaks

KASAI(dying): I don’t like… these kinds… of pan… cakes… bleh.

Cue outro

To Be Continued...

[feza-errata]

Episode 2 Character Descriptions

Pilot - Zacharias(35Y):

6’5’’, large upper body, absolutely built, kind of hairy, short blonde and spikey hair that pulls back into a Kazuya-style fwip, glaring red eyes, and rough white skin.

Initially wears the whole High-Level Guard outfit, but after getting flushed out of the tunnel by Mizuro he’s left with only the FlexSuit he wears under the armor which is black with red accents.

His casual outfit consists of an open flannel button-up, a faded light blue undershirt, a pair of khaki pants, big black boots, and some dog tags.

Power: Lift - Zacharias’ power allows him to lift any one object that would normally be too heavy for him effortlessly as if it were weightless. If he can lift the object by normal means then his power won’t activate.

Hemal Gigs(65Y):

6’4’’, Long and flowing gray hair, wisened silver eyes, dark brown wrinkled skin, and rough brows.

Wears a very dark gray gi with light gray accents, a light gray waist-cloth; Geese Howard style, dark gi pants, gladiator-style sandals, and a long light gray cover-all robe with gold accents; sorta looks like a hoodless version of the white-robed character from Journey.

[feza-errata]

Episode 2: Where There’s Smoke!

KASAI, MIZURO, & YANZO are all speechless for a time until KASAI speaks up

KASAI: That… was so fucking awesome! God damn, Blondie, and here I was thinkin’ you’d be out for the whole trip!

YANZO: Yeah, that was crazy! You came out of nowhere all powered up and shit-//

KASAI: And then you hit ‘em with the (imitates explosion noises [despite there having been no explosions during the fight])! 

RAIKO: Yeah, I told you I was the shit! That level of power was entirely new to me though… Oh, AND DON’T YOU THINK I’M GONNA LET THE BLONDIE COMMENT SLIP BY YOU PUNK!

KASAI: (frantically) AYO WAIT CHILL IT WAS A FORCE OF HABIT ITWASAFORCEOFHABIT!!!

As RAIKO and KASAI are brawling in the background, YANZO goes to help MIZURO up

YANZO: Need help?

MIZURO(dissonant): I just don’t get it. Why didn’t my plan work? What went wrong? Everything was in place- it should have all played out perfectly I-

YANZO: HEY! You okay?

MIZURO finally notices that YANZO’s talking to him and snaps back to reality

MIZURO: Huh?! O-Oh, Yanzo. It’s nothing, don’t worry about it.

YANZO: It certainly doesn’t SOUND like nothing. Look, normally I’m not really keen on listening to other people’s problems, but if you need to vent then…

MIZURO: No no, really, it’s nothing… We should get going, there's no way those guards from earlier haven’t gotten through those vines yet, and they might come from the new hole made by the mech too.

YANZO looks at MIZURO unconvinced for a second

YANZO: Alright then.

YANZO pulls MIZURO up and as they go to rejoin the other two they’re stopped by the sound of a blunt object pounding metal

YANZO: Shit, THE PILOT!

As they turn around the back of the fried cockpit is kicked open, and a hairy man in HIGH-LEVEL armor, the PILOT, steps out. As the PILOT raises his head, YANZO throws a punch right at him, which he catches right before it lands

Cue intro

The PILOT stands tall and effortlessly catches YANZO’s second punch. RAIKO & KASAI stop fighting(KASAI was losing the fight anyway) once they notice that the PILOT stepped out of the mech

KASAI: The pilot?! Raiko’s blast should’ve done him in, how is he perfectly fine?!

MIZURO just stares at the PILOT in pure shock of his condition with an expression that just screams, “ANOTHER UNDERESTIMATION!?”

RAIKO: Wha- DON’T JUST STAND THERE, GET THE PILOT!

KASAI shouts at MIZURO while dashing in to help out YANZO, whose attacks are being treated as nothing more than mosquito bites.

KASAI: C’MON ZAMU, GET IT TOGETHER!

RAIKO runs up to MIZURO to try and help him get a grip

RAIKO: Hey, c’mon, we don’t got time for this! We’re in the middle of a prison break, remember!? We gotta stay focused!

MIZURO: I CAN’T! That’s twice now that I’ve underestimated the same opponent! The first time was almost fatal, the second time could’ve been just as deadly, I DON’T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS THE THIRD TIME!

RAIKO: Look man, plans fail all the time- that’s just how it is! We don’t have time to worry about the future right now, we gotta focus on the here-and-now!

After turning to face RAIKO for a bit, MIZURO sharply turns his head away from her again in defeat

MIZURO: I just can’t put myself at risk like that again, not like I did before. I’d rather have them recapture me again.

RAIKO: UGH! Y’KNOW WHAT, YOU CAN FIGURE THIS OUT ON YOUR OWN! I’VE GOT A PILOT TO PUT DOWN!

RAIKO heads off in a fit of rage to join the fight against the towering MECH PILOT. MIZURO sits down and tries his hardest to think of a way out of this situation

KASAI: How the hell is he tanking these attacks like this!?

YANZO: That armor he’s got is top of the line! We gotta strike the uncovered spots! His reaction time is shit, so we should all attack at once and overwhelm him!

RAIKO: There’s no way he can block all three of us at the same time!

As KASAI, RAIKO, & YANZO rush at the PILOT, he pulls on some sort of cord from his suit, causing it to produce two large metal gauntlets. The PILOT, swinging the gauntlets fast enough to produce a strong current of wind, takes up a fighting stance

KASAI: WHA- IF HE COULD DO THAT THEN WHY EVEN BOTHER WITH THE MECH!?

YANZO: Transportation?

KASAI: Yeah, makes sense.

RAIKO: How can he swing those things around like that?! They’re about as big as that first guard and he’s out here usin’ them like boxin’ gloves!

With the PILOT on the offensive, KASAI, YANZO, & RAIKO are forced into defense yet again. The PILOT is too focused on the others to notice MIZURO, but MIZURO’s still too busy thinking to help; he does, however, notice the rumbling footsteps approaching from the tunnel entrance. Just then he turns to face them and sees that a large platoon of GUARDS of various levels is rapidly advancing towards him and the group. MIZURO’s attention darts back and forth between the PILOT to the GUARDS, between the jailbreak crew and the rumbling footsteps, and then all the panic hits him at once. Unless one of the others somehow manage to spark up their powers again, there’s no way out of this situation. They’re all going to die here, and all of their dreams would go forever unrealized. As the approaching GUARDS raise their weapons, MIZURO’s life flashes before his eyes, and then a rushing torrent of rapid water floods in from behind the GUARDS, carrying everyone in the tunnel back into the outside world. MIZURO, with an intense expression on his face, manages to control the blasting water enough to save KASAI, RAIKO, & YANZO from being launched with the GUARDS & PILOT into the nearby foliage and greenery. MIZURO and the others slowly descend, and the water seeps back into the Earth as they touch the ground.

RAIKO: Damn, now I’m soaked! Don’t tell me that you were really just waiting for your powers to kick in before you joined the fight, ‘cause if you were then I’m gonna-!

MIZURO: You’ve got it all wrong. The entire time I was wracking my brain trying to figure out what the next move should be, but it was impossible- I couldn’t think of anything!

YANZO: Have you ever been in an actual fight before?

MIZURO: You don’t GET it! My whole life I’ve prided myself on my perfect estimations and predictions, not once have they ever failed me, and now the ONE time I mess up I almost die for it! There’s never been a situation that I couldn’t think my way out of, so why was it so different this time?

KASAI: Oh get off it, would you!? We ALL almost died there! Your plan sucked and you screwed up, but you’re still here, right?

YANZO: Sometimes you just gotta live in the moment, y’know?

RAIKO: Look, we’re not friends or anything like that, but we are working together. If we don’t all work as a team, then everything falls apart!

There’s a moment of pause. Tension lays heavy in the air

MIZURO: I-…  I’m sorry everyone. I got so caught up in my own troubles that I-

An almost primal sounding roar is heard coming from somewhere deep in the forest where the GUARDS were launched

YANZO: Sounds like someone’s pissed.

RAIKO: Who could possibly have enough energy left after being launched like that to still come after us?

KASAI: Maybe it’s a bear?

MIZURO, RAIKO, and YANZO all look at KASAI with expressions of disbelief

MIZURO: …Did that sound like a bear to you?

KASAI: …A little bit…

RAIKO: Dumbass.

Just then, the MECH PILOT emerges from the thickets of the forest, his brow furrowed in rage and frustration

KASAI(realization): Ooooooh, it’s the pilot! Damn, how tough is this guy?

PILOT: You little shits are in for a world of pain! First, you fry my mech, then you flush me out of a tunnel, THEN MY SOCKS GET SOAKED FROM ALL THE GODDAMN WATER! SCREW RECAPTURING YOU, I’M JUST GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU!!!

YANZO: You weren’t trying to do that before!?

KASAI: Yeah, I could’ve sworn you were gonna impale Zamu with that drill earlier!

Consumed by anger, the PILOT uproots a nearby tree with his bare hands and gets ready to fight

RAIKO: Damn, so he really IS that strong!

MIZURO: This will be a tough fight, but we’ve still got him out-numbered. It’s a four-on-one, so all we have to do is get through his defense!

YANZO: We’re out of miracles now, so it all comes down to skill.

The PILOT slams the uprooted tree down with great force in an attempt to crush MIZURO, but MIZURO manages to dodge, causing the tree’s tremendous mass to collide with the ground instead and become slightly lodged back into the ground

KASAI(sarcastic): Oh yeah, ‘cause all we need to take down the guy swinging A GODDAMN TREE at us is SKILL!

The tree is ripped back out of the ground, causing a slight tremor as it’s pulled from the Earth. The PILOT gets into a sort of batting stance with the tree, ready to knock one of the team members straight into the stratosphere

RAIKO: This is ridiculous, he swings that thing way too fast! How the hell are we supposed to get close enough to hit this bastard?!

MIZURO: Good question!

The PILOT takes a mighty swing with the tree, exerting tremendous wind pressure upon the group. The PILOT re-centers himself and starts to approach KASAI with grand fir in tow. Just then, KASAI hears an oddly familiar yet totally unrecognizable voice in his head and can feel the onset of a coming headache

???(echoey): Can you hear me? Is this voice clear to you?

KASAI: (to himself) Wha- the voice from earlier? No, this one seems more concentrated.

???(echoey): Don’t overthink it. Just listen to me, otherwise, we won’t survive this.

KASAI: (to the voice) Who are you? What are you doing in my head?!

???(echoey): THERE’S NO TIME FOR THAT JUST LISTEN! You must recall the sensation you felt from earlier when you melted the bars! Remember that feeling and focus it into your hands!

KASAI: Is now really the time for a trip down memory lane?!

As he says this, KASAI finds himself subconsciously doing just as the voice says. It’s an odd feeling, but somehow it still feels natural

???(echoey): Now aim!!

KASAI raises both of his hands in the direction of the PILOT, who takes notice of his confused expression

PILOT: Oh look, he’s trying to think of a way out of this. Well! Sorry to burst your bubble, BRAT, but there ain’t no escape now; THIS IS WHERE YOU DIE!!!

The PILOT brings the towering fir down on KASAI, who instinctively raises his hands in a vain attempt to stop his approaching demise

MIZURO:// KASAI!

YANZO:// IT’S TOO FAST!

RAIKO: MOVE!

As the imposing lumber descends upon KASAI, time itself seems to slow down 

???(echoey): NOW LET HIM HAVE IT!!!

From KASAI’s hands burst forth an enormous fountain of flame which not only lights the tree ablaze but also causes an extreme updraft that pushes the tree back up just enough for the PILOT to lose his grip on it. The enormous foliage lands just behind the PILOT, who turns to see it, then turns back to KASAI with an intense frustration

KASAI(surprised): Woah, that was me?

YANZO: He managed to call on his powers again?

MIZURO: Perfect!

RAIKO: HEY, SHIT-FOR-BRAINS! TRY DODGING NEXT TIME! I THOUGHT YOU WERE GONNA DIE!!

KASAI: OH CALM DOWN! IT’S NOT LIKE I GOT CRUSHED, I’M STILL HERE!

RAIKO: AND WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO GET CRUSHED, DUMBASS!? THEN I’D HAVE TO PICK UP YOUR SLACK!

???(still echoey, but a little clearer): Focus on the fight!

PILOT: YOU LITTLE SHIT!

The PILOT reaches behind him, grabs the fallen tree by its sturdy roots, and sends it barreling towards KASAI at high speeds. The rolling tree hits a bump in the ground as it speeds towards KASAI, causing it to jump up and meet him at eye level. Once again, whether it be from the adrenaline coursing through his bloodstream or the power of some other person nearby, time slows almost to a crawl for KASAI as the fir approaches his head

???(echoey): Your hands aren’t your only option, concentrate that feeling into your mouth and let loose a blazing roar!

KASAI’s speed matches that of the time dilation as his mouth opens wide to reveal an immense fireball about to burst forth

KASAI: HAAAAAA!!!

The sudden explosive force of KASAI’s attack is enough to split the tumbling log into two pieces which then continue to fly right past KASAI’s head

RAIKO: Now’s our chance! C’mon, before he pulls something else out!

RAIKO, MIZURO, & YANZO rush in to help take down the PILOT

PILOT(thinking): Damn it, this wouldn’t be a problem if that stupid water boy hadn’t flushed away my gauntlets!

Seeing the others rush in, KASAI stands back and focuses on concentrating all the power he can muster into his hands.

???(echoey, but even clearer than before): The power I grant to you is that of a devastating inferno, now show this bastard what happens when you play with fire!!!

MIZURO is the first to reach the PILOT and they end up in a wrestling arm-grab tussle thing(I don’t know what it’s called the shit where both niggas are trying to throw each other by the arms at the same time) with both of them equally matched

MIZURO(struggling): (a small chuckle escapes from MIZURO) I guess you’re not as tough as you seem! Yeah, if that were the case then you wouldn’t be struggling against me like this, so it’s NOT just strength after all! Ha!

PILOT(thinking): I gotta take them out quick before they figure out my power!

PILOT: You. God. Damn. WHEEEELP!!!

With a sonorous roar, the PILOT tightens his grip on MIZURO’s arms and whirls his own body into a clamorous spin. He tosses MIZURO during the spin, but MIZURO sticks the landing as RAIKO and YANZO rush the PILOT from the other side

KASAI: Alright, time to say goodnight-

???: You need more, keep charging.

KASAI: Huh? But this is-

???: Keep. Charging.

The PILOT is facing RAIKO and YANZO as his spin comes to a halt and RAIKO catches him with a swift electrifying kick to the gut, followed by an uppercut to the jaw from YANZO. As the PILOT tries to recover from the sudden assault, MIZURO jumps in from behind with a roundhouse kick to the back of the PILOT’s head

KASAI: This enough?

???: Keep charging.

KASAI: This definitely seems like enough.

???: You want to win, don’t you? Then keep charging.

MIZURO, RAIKO, & YANZO are able to beat on the PILOT for a while before he finally sees his chance to turn the tides back in his favor. The PILOT viciously grabs YANZO by his leg, gripping hard enough to force a small yelp out of him, and proceeds to swing his tiny body around like a flail to fend off MIZURO & RAIKO. Once they get too far for the PILOT to whack them with YANZO, the PILOT tosses YANZO at RAIKO, who catches him in a stumble, and then quickly turns his attention to MIZURO, who lets a little laugh out

PILOT: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU LAUGHING AT YOU LITTLE PUNK?!

MIZURO just points to something behind the PILOT, prompting him to turn around. As he does, the PILOT’s expression changes from fury into one of shock and terror

PILOT: oh shit.

KASAI’s hands are glowing a bright yellow as he extends them outward towards the PILOT. The PILOT turns back around and attempts to grab MIZURO to use him as a shield, but MIZURO had already left the spot he was standing in the second that the PILOT turned around. Behind him, the PILOT hears KASAI’s voice

KASAI(fierce): Enjoy the fireworks, bitch!

KASAI releases his charged attack, engulfing the PILOT in a sudden, raging explosion.

PILOT: BASTAAAAAARD-

The area around the group had already been set ablaze by KASAI’s earlier attacks, but this one left a huge charred spot on the ground where the PILOT once stood… as well as a huge splatter of burnt blood and smoldering guts. The heavy air reeks of copper

MIZURO(shocked): Holy shit…

RAIKO(celebratory): HELL YEAH! WE DID IT! WOOOOOO!!

YANZO(shaking): H-He’s-… we just-

RAIKO(celebratory): WE! KICKED!! ASS!!! THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FUCK WITH ME, SHITHEAD!! WOOOOOO!!!

YANZO(nauseous): I’mGonnaThrowUp-!

YANZO turns around and pukes his guts out after witnessing the terrifying scene in front of him

RAIKO: What’re you two acting so weird about? We won, you should be celebrating! C’mon!

KASAI slowly lowers his hands and opens his eyes, revealing to him the nauseating, horrific display that he created

KASAI(bewildered): W-wait, no… It was only supposed to be enough to knock him out… Y-you told me to-

???(echoey): I told you to keep charging if you wanted to win. You won, right?

KASAI(disoriented): Yeah, but I didn’t want to kill the guy! This is too much!

???(echoey): Your soul said otherwise. The first thing that came into your mind when the fight started was to kill him.

RAIKO: C’mon not you too, Kasai! You’re acting even weirder than the other two! Now’s the time for celebration! We won! And on top of that, we don’t gotta worry about that ugly sonuvabitch ever again! Nice job!

KASAI(distressed): This isn’t how it was supposed to play out! It was supposed to be a concussive blast- I didn’t want to kill him- THAT’S NOT WHAT HEROES DO!

A slow, methodical clapping can be heard coming from behind KASAI. As the clapping creeps closer and closer, KASAI turns around to see just who could be clapping at such a grotesque view

???: What a spectacle! The impromptu teamwork you all displayed has earned my respect! Bravo!

The white-robed, dark-skinned, old man acted as though he couldn't even see the destruction caused by the fight, only seeing the brawl itself

RAIKO: I know, right? That’s what I’M saying! What’s your name, gramps?

HEMAL: My name is Hemal, Hemal Gigs, and I have a proposition for you all.

KASAI: I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can-

HEMAL: Train under me.

KASAI: Huh?

HEMAL: You have all awoken to a miraculous new power, but it is crude and unrefined. Train under me and I can personally guarantee that you all will shine like the sun!

Upon hearing this, MIZURO composes himself, takes a deep breath, and speaks

MIZURO: My apologies, Mr... Gigs, was it? But we don’t know anything about you aside from your name. We have no reason to accept your offer.

YANZO(still a bit shaken): Yeah, and how did you know that we ALL gained new power? Seems kind of creepy, dude.

HEMAL(light-heartedly): Well you’ve got me there, maybe I AM a bit creepy! From the moment you all entered the building I monitored your every move through the cameras.

YANZO: You’re really not helping your case here.

MIZURO: It was kind of weird how it took so long for the alarms to go off…

RAIKO: WAIT, then doesn’t that mean you WORK for these guys?!

HEMAL: No no no, you’ve got it all wrong! I hacked into the camera feed in that building a long time ago, that’s all! I’ve been looking for promising young trainees for a long time, and I think you four are just right!

KASAI: Why train us in the first place? What’s your goal in all this?

HEMAL: Ah, so many questions! What is this, an interrogation? I’m looking for a successor to my title! As you can see, I’m getting on in years, and sadly due to a genetic disease I can’t just have my own kids and train them up; SOOO, I decided to go looking for people like you to take my place!

KASAI: Sad story, but-//

HEMAL quickly dashes up behind KASAI to talk to him more personally

HEMAL: Look, son, I can see a lot of myself in you. Our souls are one-in-the-same, you and I! I too have made many, many mistakes in the past. I know exactly how you felt when you saw the aftermath of your attack, but with my guidance, you’ll never have to feel that way ever again. So whaddya say, will you grant this poor old man his one final wish?

There’s a pause as HEMAL extends his open hand out waiting for anyone to accept his offer

RAIKO: Well I dunno about these chumps, but I’m in! I don’t really have anything better to do anyway… or a place to stay. Just put a roof over my head and some food in my belly and you can train me up all you want!

MIZURO: You seem a bit too confident in your ability. Pretty much every power works differently. Would you even understand half the things that you try to teach?

HEMAL holds up his hand and produces a small orb of light which suddenly shoots a powerful thin beam at a nearby rock, leaving it with a perfectly smooth hole

HEMAL: Trust me, son, I know what I’m doing. Believe it or not, my powers have the same origins as yours.

MIZURO, KASAI & YANZO all take a moment to think about the offer

YANZO: Hmm, training under someone with an intimate understanding of this power would be better than hiring a PPT.

KASAI: Then you two are gonna train under him?

MIZURO: After seeing what you could do with this power, I think this training could prove useful to me, so yeah, I’ll take the offer.

YANZO: I’m not sure… I’ll have to think it over a bit.

HEMAL: Well, what about you, flame prince? I can turn your glowing ember into a raging flame! With power like that, anything could be yours!

KASAI: After what happened here today, the safest bet would for sure be training, but-//

HEMAL: But whaaat? C’mon, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity! You gotta strike while the iron’s hot! It’s not just training, you know? I’ll offer all of you the same amenities I’ll be giving the lightning rod here!

RAIKO shows visible frustration with being called “lightning rod,” but stays quiet for now. KASAI thinks about the offer some more and after a bit of awkward silence HEMAL speaks up

HEMAL: Well, either way, I won’t force you. It’s your decision in the end. It would be a huge waste, however, if your power went unrefined; so please, consider my offer.

HEMAL hands KASAI a small Contact Card® with what seems to be hastily scribbled information on it. KASAI looks up from the card to see an earnest smile on the old man’s face, and after a moment of pondering, KASAI notices that the card mentions Toar City

KASAI: Wait, you live in Toar City?

HEMAL: Yep, lived there my whole life! Why?

KASAI(excited): This is perfect! I was waiting for a chance to get to Toar-… (KASAI clears his throat and fakes some composure) Well, I guess training under you would be better than trying to figure this out on my own. I won’t make any promises on that whole successor thing, but I will at least stick around until I get a handle on my powers.

HEMAL: YOU WILL!? YOU REALLY WILL!?!?

HEMAL starts doing a little celebratory dance, seemingly having just achieved a great victory

HEMAL: OOOoooh you have NO IDEA how happy I am to hear that! Trust me, son, you WON’T regret this! When this is over, there will be absolutely NOTHING that could ever POSSIBLY hold you back!

KASAI(thinking): Geez, this guy’s going nuts! Maybe I should’ve declined…

Cue outro

To Be Continued...

[feza-errata]

Jinshu Character Description

Jinshu(19Y):

5’10’’, light brown skin, short and spiky silver hair(changes with active element), and blue almond-shaped eyes(changes with active element).

Wears a red and black hoodie, ripped jeans, tennis shoes, a drippy chain necklace, a chain that hangs from the waist of his pants, and a black tank top under the hoodie.

Power: Silver Dragon - Granted to a chosen few by ritual, Silver Dragon allows the user to emit 5 different elements depending on what their active element is. The active element can be changed by will, but can also change spontaneously via intense emotion.

Character provided by Hakkai