#he’s already given me the academy For Your Consideration copy

[thestuffedalligator]

My brother-in-law has a Thing where he gives me increasingly rare copies of The Bee Movie and it’s long since gone from “Goofy running gag” to “I don’t know how much money he’s willing to commit to this bit and it Scares Me.”

Where the fuck can we go from here

[americasmarauders]

What about ....

“i’m not worthy of anybody’s love.” “that’s not true, you’re worthy of mine.” followed by the lover breaking eye-contact… + a love confession

Followed with tentative kisses in the dark

With Jason Todd x reader ❤❤❤❤❤

Lots of love xoxo

did this get completly out of hand? yes, yes it did. It was supposed to be short and sweet, but suddenly I had 12 pages of angst ready to make their way into the world. 

I’m so sorry it took so long, elle, life got in my way, but now you have like, 6k+ words to make up for it. I really hope you like it.

warnings: completly unedited, sorry for the typos :))

words: 6,856

masterlist #

#

Aged 14, sometime in September.

Mason Anderson was the biggest dick she had ever met. He was petty and jealous and he picked on her just because. She just wanted peace, quietly resolving  the homework she had spent an entire week working on. The library was empty, safe for a couple of other students when he barged in and robbed her of her papers. 

He claimed he needed it more than her, he was the one almost flunking out of the class. She demanded her homework back, but he ran towards the boy’s bathroom with her work. It wasn’t the first time that sullen feeling of despair had been planted on her by Mason Anderson, it still didn’t make it any easier. 

She sat in front of the boys bathroom, hugging her knees in an attempt to find comfort. She kept thinking that she could do it again, she had done it once, theoretically it would be faster to do it a second time. Light footsteps echoed through the hall, her eyes found their way to the source of the noise. 

Jason Todd was a tiny kid with a big brain and an even bigger heart. He had helped her with English more times than she cared to admit. Sometimes she would see him walking towards the alley near the Academy, holding an extra package of chips to the little kid that stayed there sometimes. She liked Jason Todd, considering him the only alley she had inside the cold walls of the Gotham Academy. 

“What’re you doing here?” he asked, delicately, sitting beside her. “I thought you were gonna finish Statam’s paper today.”

“Mason Anderson stole it,” her eyes were cast downwards, looking at the seams of the floor with an almost inhuman interest. “He wanted to copy it, and I wouldn’t let him so he decided to flush down the toilet instead.”

“I’m sorry,” he muttered to her, sitting next to her on the floor. 

“It’s okay,” she shook her head, stretching her legs in front of her. “I just,” she sighed, trying to find the words, “I spent one week working on that, and I really needed the grade, you know? But he just didn’t care, he just thought of himself.”

Jason looked at her, softly. His eyes held a certain fire behind them, something she could never really describe what it was. It was entrancing, it calmed the pace of her heart.  He didn’t say anything before getting up and marching towards the boys bathroom. 

She didn’t hear anything going on inside, her mind imagining all sorts of scenarios where Jason would emerge from the bathroom beaten and defeated, Mason walking out completely victorious, with a shiny top grade Literature paper in hand. Her blood boiled at the image, more so than it did before. She got up from the ground, determined to help Jason win the fight, even if her papers were already down the plumbing. 

But the door flung open, her friend walking out calmly, clutching her homework delicately. He offered her a smile, and as the door closed behind Jason she could see Mason on the ground gripping his nose in pain. 

“Here,” the papers were completely dry to the touch, her confusion deepening. “He was copyin’ it.”

“I can’t believe you got this back,” she whispered, shaking her head in disbelief. “I thought… I thought I'd have to redo it.”

“Nah,” he smiled shyly, “I would’ve helped ya.”

“I can’t really depend on you for everything, Jason,” she replied politely. “It’s not fair.”

“I got your back,” he affirmed, “ya don’t need to worry.”

And it meant the world to her that he did. 

#

#

Aged 16, October 12th. 

Jason Todd and her became friends after the Mason Anderson incident. She didn’t know what Jason had said to him, what had he done, all she knew was that Mason never bothered her again after that. 

It was the night of her 16th birthday. It was late, probably past 3 in the morning when Jason carefully landed on the fire escape that led to her bedroom. He carefully carried a small box, wrapped neatly with a blue bow. He had chosen the gift lovingly, his heart warm with her. Jason hadn’t expected her to be such an integral part of his life, but just as quietly as she arrived, she placed herself in his heart permanently. She was his friend, true friend, she didn’t expect anything other than his company and support, something he was glad to provide. 

His knuckles lightly grazed her window, making the softest noise.  Her shades were partially open, he could see her body lying comfortably on her bed. She moved slightly, her body turning towards the window. Her hands rubbed her eyes delicately, seeing Jason smile awkwardly at her. She got up and dragged her feet towards him, opening her window to him. 

“What’re you doing here?” her voice was slurred, intoxicated with sleep. 

“You know, you should really lock your windows,” he commented, “Gotham’s a dangerous city.”

“Jay,” she warned, “what’re you doing here? It’s…”she searched for her clock, “fuck, 3 in the morning.”

“It’s your birthday,” he responded clearly, as if it was the most obvious reason why he was on her fire escape, on a cold October night only wearing a light jacket.

She blinked at his blunt response, confused on what to say to him. “You’ll see me tomorrow, Jay, I don’t understand why’d you come all this way just to see me.”

“Because it’s you,” he shrugged, stepping into her bedroom silently. “You really thought I wouldn’t see you on your birthday?”

“I don’t know,” she whispered, looking down at her feet. A soft breeze came in through the window sending shivers down her spine. Jason closed the window for her and she sent a silent thank you towards his way. “I thought you wouldn’t bother.”

“Well,” he extended the little box to her. Her fingers brushed on his softly, a shock sent on his skin at the touch, “I couldn’t not see you.”

Her hands hugged the box carefully, hesitant on what to do with what was given to her. “Open it,” he urged her. 

She eyed him suspiciously, undoing carefully the blue bow that decorated the gift. Opening the box, a tiny robin pendant next to two tiny stones pendants, an opal and an onyx: her birthstone and his. “Wow,” she breathed out, her heart racing inside her chest. Suddenly, she didn’t feel sleepy anymore. “Jason, this is… You didn’t have to.”

“Of course I had,” he stated, his eyes soft and loving, lingering on her more than they should. “You mean a lot to me, darling.”

Her eyes glinted underneath the pale moonlight streaming through the half closed curtains of her room. Jason’s breath hitched quietly at the sight of her, disheveled and sleepy and yet the most perfect person to grace his life. She was at a loss for words for a few moments, opening and closing her mouth, not knowing how to react. Her eyes trailed frenetically over the pendants, trying to find meaning in those.

“Why a robin?” the inquiry startled Jason. He wasn’t expecting to explain himself, much less explain why he had given her a robin pendant. She had no clue what he did when the night fell, who Bruce actually was and he intended to keep her in the dark about that aspect of his life. She didn’t need to know anyway, and telling her would only put her in danger. That was what Bruce made her believe. 

“It reminded me of you,” he answered, simply, his eyes fixated on her angelic face. 

It wasn’t untrue. Robins were friendly and protected over, birds that should never be harmed. Jason made sure of that, he had her back, always, and he knew she had his. But mostly, he wanted her to have a piece of him everywhere she went. If something were to happen, he wanted to guarantee he wouldn’t be a footnote in her life. What a magnificent life that would be, he knew.

Her eyes ran on his face, looking for a hint that he wasn’t sincere, that he was just messing with her. The thought was more heartbreaking than she anticipated. She found nothing malicious in his face, in his eyes, and smiled back at him. “Thank you, Jay,” she kissed his cheek delicately, her lips barely brushing his skin. It was enough to send both of them into a frenzy of feelings, a thousand thoughts running through their heads. 

“Here,” he extended his hands, his eyes clear and full of emotion for her, “I’ll put it on for you.”

She handed him the box, turning around so he could clasp the hook of the necklace. Jason was considerably smaller than her - she guessed it was because of the years of malnutrition he endured when he lived on the streets - so she sat on her bed to meet his height. His fingers brushed slightly at the back of her neck, sending goosebumps on her body.

It was when she turned to look at him again that she realized that maybe Jason wasn’t just a friend to her. Maybe the interest she had in Jason, or how her heart raced when she saw him for the first time in the day weren’t because he was her friend. Maybe it was because she had decided to love him with all her soul. 

#

#

Aged 16, April 28th.

It was ironic how sunny it was in Gotham that day. It was like nothing had happened, the world hadn’t gotten the memo that it was supposed to be gloomy and sad outside, to match the pain she felt inside. 

On the deep green grass of Gotham cemetery, stood her and Jason’s family, listening to a priest preach something meaningless to her. Nothing mattered to her anymore, her friend, best friend, was buried deep into the earth, 6 feet under. She would never get to see him again, hear his laugh, take in his smile. She would never have another birthday with him, give him his favorite books, tell him she loved him. Her eyes were fixed on the fresh dirt lain over his shiny coffin, her hand fidgeting on the robin pendant Jason had gifted mer  months before. It wasn’t an open casket, she couldn’t even see him for the last time. 

The call was the most confusing moment she had ever gone through. He didn't even tell her he was going after his mom. He didn’t even get to explain that to her. Jason just burst through her window late at night, saying he was leaving Gotham for a few weeks, anger seeping through his pores and contaminating the room. His knuckles were badly bruised, as her fingertips lightly brushed he hissed. She didn’t question him, it didn’t even go through her head. He had said he wanted to find a part of him, and she nodded, wishing him luck. 

Looking back, she wished she had begged him to stay, to find that part of him in Gotham, with her away from the perils of foreign bombs. Tears sprouted in her eyes as the thought passed through her head. It wasn’t her fault, she couldn’t predict a tragedy would have happened. It had become a mantra to her, and sometimes repeating it to herself didn’t help at all.

Bruce Wayne stood next to her, stoic, his face stony. It almost didn’t look like he had lost a son. But she saw how his jaw tensed, how it was similar to when Jason was upset and didn’t want to tell her about it. She could see how broken he was inside, how angry and desperate. She felt that too. 

The priest stopped talking and the four people standing on that lawn let out a stuck breath of relief. Jason’s brother approached his Father, walking away from her. She stared at the stone, cold like Jason’s body, with the engrave ‘Jason Todd, beloved son and friend’. It didn’t make justice to what Jason actually was, he was much more than just a son and a friend, but it was what they used to describe him. If Jason had decided what his epitaph would be, surely would be a dramatic quote from Shakespeare. 

Her name was called out in a posh british accent and she turned toward the person. What she saw was an older gentleman, holding a black umbrella to protect his baldness from the sun. A thin mustache hung over his upper lip, molded into a sad frown. “I’m Alfred Pennyworth. Master Jason talked a lot about you,” he commented with his left hand behind his back.

“All good things, I hope?” she joked quietly, her eyes trailed to her black shoes, wet grass glued to the sides of it. 

“The best things, I assure,” his voice was firm and calm, his accent oozed her security, something she was eager to cling on. He reached for the inner pocket of his blazer, pulling a crisp white card. She furrowed her eyebrows, accepting the card. On it, it had Alfred’s name, his profession underneath and a phone number. “If you ever find yourself needing anything, I’ll be happy to help.”

She nodded, her thumb lightly brushing the expensive paper on her hand. “Thank you Mister Pennyworth,” her eyes found the old man, the wrinkles around it making his stern stance seem gentler. “Thank you.”

“Would you like to come over for some tea?” he offered. “I’m sure Master Bruce wouldn’t mind having his son’s friend over.”

She wanted to, a force inside her compelled her to accept his offer. But her heart was broken, and she didn’t know if she was ready to enter what used to be Jason’s home so fast after he was buried. At the same time, maybe she didn’t have the nerve to say no to such a kind person. “I--,” she hesitated, “okay, I’ll have some tea.”

#

#

Aged 18, mid-August.

“I don’t know what to do, Alfred,” her hands fiddling with the necklace Jason had given her long ago. “It feels like I’m at a crossroads and every sign points to the direction my heart doesn’t want to go.”

The old butler poured her mint tea - her favorite, as he had learned over the weekly visits she paid him - calmly and firmly as she ranted. “What is holding you back?”

She looked at Alfred, her eyes confused at the question. She hadn’t lingered on the fact of why she didn’t want to accept the scholarship on Metropolis. Her brain told her it was only logical, she would miss her parents, her weekly meeting with Alfred, her hometown. But Alfred was always one step ahead, he had a sixth sense as she had come to learn. “You know,” she replied softly, her eyes lingering on the beautiful teacup in front of her. 

He said her name, getting her attention. “Master Jason isn’t here anymore,” he stated simply, laying cookies on her plate, “you don’t have to stay behind for him.”

“I know,” she picked up the spoon and twirled it between her fingers. “But,” she hesitated, not knowing how to phrase her feelings, “Alfred, I can’t even think of it. I can’t wrap my brain around leaving him.”

“You are not leaving him,” his voice was calm and gentle, softening her panic. “You are moving on.”

She shook her head, her eyes shut close tightly. “It doesn’t feel like it,” she whispered, “I feel like I’m meant to be here, Alfred. I can’t really explain it.”

“Well, if you do decide to stay in Gotham, I hope we can continue our weekly teas,” Alfred said, a tone of hope in his voice. 

She smiled at him, her eyes filled with kindness. “If I do decide to stay, I’d love to keep our weekly teas,” her smile stayed as she uttered the words. “I appreciate our time together, Alfred.”

“I’m honored,” he said to her, bringing the teacup to his lips.

Heavy footsteps sounded behind her and she turned around to see who it was. Turning around, her hand bringing the teacup to her lips, she saw a disheveled Bruce Wayne walking towards her. His eyes were barely opened, prominent bags under his eyes cast a shadow on his features. His tie hung untied on his neck, his shirt over his pants, the sleeves folded up to his elbows. It was a stark contrast from the Bruce Wayne she had seen at Jason's funeral, two years back, the one she saw frequently splattered on the news front pages.  

“Oh,” he stopped on his tracks, his hands falling limply to his sides. His jaw tensed and, suddenly, a mask fell on his face, the vulnerability he displayed a few seconds before gone. He wasn’t anymore Bruce, a guy who had just woken up and wanted something from the kitchen of his oversized home, he was the Bruce Wayne, now. The velocity of the transformation haunted her. “I didn’t realize we had visitors.”

She rested the teacup pack on the counter, and got up from the stool. “I’m so sorry Mr. Wayne,” she muttered, extending her hand, introducing herself. “I am, was, Jason’s friend.”

“Yes, yes,” he nodded, “I remember you.”

Alfred looked pointenly at Bruce as pulled a mug from a cabinet. He poured coffee for himself, and leaned against the counter next to Alfred. She stood there next to her stool, paralyzed in his presence. Everytime she was present in Wayne Manor, Bruce was either too busy to ever grace them with his presence, or away on some business trip she never bothered to ask what for. “We have weekly teas, Master Bruce,” Alfred said, his tone laced with something deeper than announcing their weekly traditions. 

Bruce’s jaw tightened somehow and his blue eyes rested on her. Her eyes drifted to her teacup, her tea getting cold. She was itching to grab it and drink it, but she felt uncomfortable even moving a inch from her place, much less feeling the liberty to resume her previous behavior. “Really?” his eyebrows shot up, his head tilting slightly. “Please, seat, pretend I’m not here.”

She hesitated before sitting back down. Her hands hugged her teacup, the warmth of it seeping through her skin. It was hard to pretend he was not there next to her, looking at her with judging eyes. She wondered if he remembered her from the funeral, if he had thought of her when he was thinking of Jason’s legacy, what his son had left behind. Her eyes looked up at Bruce before quickly darting back down to her tea, “Yeah, I don’t really wanna go to Metropolis,” she whispered, resuming her previous conversation with Alfred. The air in the kitchen was tense and awkward, she couldn’t look any of them men in the room in the eyes. 

“I’m certain Gotham U will admit you,” Alfred reassured her, “You’re a brilliant person, they’d be fools to let you go.”

“Thank you, Alfred,” her eyes were focused on the tea, like it was the most important thing in that kitchen. “They usually don’t take this long to send the letters, it’s making me nervous.”

“Gotham U, huh?” Bruce chipped in. “What’s your major?”

She looked expantly at Alfred, trying to see if he knew any of Bruce’s intentions. But she often forgot how impassive Alfred was, how in control of his emotions he was, something she lacked. He didn’t show her anything, she assumed he knew of something, like usually. “Applied physics,” she responded, quietly. 

“Wow,” Bruce breathed out, “impressive.”

She offered him an awkward smile in return. It was hard to find a response to the reaction of others when they became aware of her major. It was highly uncommon, and usually those who followed that path were men. When people discovered what she wanted to do with her life, they almost always reacted like they had found an unicorn.

“Well, when you do graduate, look for me, I can help you get a job,” Bruce politely offered, his tone kind. She looked up at him for the first time, his expression almost fatherly. 

“Thank you Mr. Wayne, that’s very kind of you,” she bored her head, looking down at her tea once again. 

His phone rang, and he picked it up from his pocket. Her eyes trailed over to his expression, his jaw once again tense. “You’re welcome,” he replied, feigning happiness and comfort. “If you’ll excuse me,” he left the kitchen in broad steps, his shoulders tense and determined. 

That was the first time she came to the conclusion that Bruce Wayne was a strange man. 

#

#

Aged 22, end of May.

College was an excruciating experience, but finally she had left it all behind. With her diploma in hands, she finally felt a small semblance of freedom, something she had longed when isinde the four walls of her old dorm in Gotham U. 

She stepped into the ground floor of Wayne towers, her shoes clicking nervously on the floor. She had made sure to dress properly to meet Bruce Wayne, unsure of what he’d think if she showed up dressed like a broke college student, something that she very much was. It was the mentality of fake it till you make it, aim a bit higher and maybe you’ll get there. She desperately wished she’d get there.

One of the receptionists let her in, indicating the floor in which she should go to. Her hands sweat gripping the folder with her recommendations and her resume, she gulped looking at the elevator intently. Her free hand found its way to the tiny robin gently resting on her neck. She wished Jason was there to help her, give her tips on what to say to his Father to make him glad, and what to avoid doing so that he’d hire her. She could imagine him if she closed her eyes, next to her, barely taller than her, smiling at her wishing her good luck. The elevator dinged, bringing her back to reality. Jason wasn’t next to her, and she didn’t have anyone to give her tips on what to say to her potential boss. She was alone, just like she had been for six long years. 

In spite of the hundred floors of the building - quite literally - the elevator ride was fast. When the doors opened, it revealed a small greeting room, with a couple of couches and a tall window illuminating it. She eyed directly in front of her, the double doors with a tiny plaque with the name Bruce Wayne engraved on it. Her eyes lingered on it for a couple of moments, as she walked towards the lonesome couch next to the big window. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the beating heart. She wondered if Bruce was already inside the room, if he remembered what he had offered to her all those years ago, or if he had just been polite and did not plan on following with it at all. 

After that strange meeting with him four years back, she had barely seen him again. A couple of times she had seen a shadow passing through the corridors while she was heading out of the Manor, someone she assumed for the sake of her mental health it was Bruce Wayne and not a ghost. The notion that he was a strange man only intensified, adding the perception that he was hiding something. She knew he was a good actor, but she could see tiny cracks and slips, an ability gained from years of loneliness. It was hard to say what it was that he was keeping a secret from everyone, but there was something there. 

Her name was called and she saw Bruce Wayne standing underneath the frame of the double doors that lead to his office. She got up promptly and walked towards him, her grip on her folder tight. His hand was extended and she shook it professionally, pretending like she wasn’t panicking inside. 

“I have someone I’d like for you to meet,” he stated, guiding her inside his office. The office was probably four times bigger than the small room she had stayed previously, the large windows providing a beautiful view from Gotham. You could almost pretend it was a normal city looking out from that window. “This,”  he motioned to the man sitting on a cozy nook in the back of the room, “is Lucius Fox.”

The man was big and well built, his round glasses standing on the tip of his nose. He smiled at her, crinkles forming beside his eyes. His hand found his glasses, taking them off and putting them in his pocket. “Nice to meet you, Miss. mr. Wayne has talked a lot about you,” he stated, his hand extended for her to take it. 

She looked back at Bruce, confused. After all, he remembered her and he remembered his offer. She turned back to Lucius and shook his hand, a determined expression on her face. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Fox.”

“Lucius Fox is the head of our R&D department, and has agreed to take you as his personal apprentice,” Bruce explained. 

Shock overcame her, her eyes wide. She looked between Lucius’ kind smile and Bruce’s stoic stance, unable to believe the opportunity was real. “Really?” she uttered incredulously. 

“I have some personal projects and I’d very much need the help,” Lucius explained, calmly. “Mr. Wayne has talked highly of you, I’m eager to see what you’re capable of doing.”

“I--,” she shook her head, trying to get rid of the hesitation, “thank you, sir.”

“You’re welcome,” Bruce responded, a small smile gracing his lips. “I’m sure you’ll do great.”

#

#

Aged 24, April 26th.

The humid air of the cave made sweat drip down her face as she tinkered away with a broken gadget she had designed for Bruce’s night time activities, as she had so dearly called it. 

It was a new development, the cave and the capes and the vigilantism. The two years she invested working with Lucius all served a greater purpose to Bruce. She was to be the next Lucius Fox, help provide Batman, or rather Bruce - in her head it was still confusing to assume that the guy who had given her a job was the ‘Dark Knight’ - with gadgets capable of doing everything that his physical capabilities couldn’t. Lucius was old and reaching retirement, and even if he loved his job, he was reaching his limit. She was beyond grateful for his guidance, she had learned so much. But he had left her a fucking weird job. There was no other way to describe it. 

The cave was quiet, Bruce had left sometime before, she could only hear Alfred quietly talking to Bruce through the comms and the drip-drip of water falling from the ceiling and hitting the small lake underneath her. She had settled in a little abandoned nook, her tools all scattered on top of her table. She rested the screw driver she was working with on the table, lifting the magnifying lens. She rubbed her face, tired of looking towards the tiny malfunctioning screen.

Her hands remained on her face, concealing her emotions. The robin pendant always felt especially heavy on the 26th of April. It had been 8 years since she had seen Jason, and as pathetic as it sounded, she never really got over the loss of him. They always felt particularly lost, she couldn’t focus on anything other than him, running circles around any problem presented to her. Looking at the gadget, it felt nearly impossible to find a solution to it, her mind foggy with sadness and grief that she could never really shake off, even with years between her and the day he had died. 

The knowledge that Bruce kept everything as Jason had left, and even made a little homage to his Robin days in a secret corner of the cave, hidden from view, was heavy in her heart. She struggled to keep her eyes trailed to her task and not at the memory of Jason. She took a sharp breath, trying desperately to sew herself together. It was truly pathetic how much it still affected her, how open the wound still was. 

A sharp motor sound echoed through the walls of the cave, disturbing the few bats that hung from the ceiling. A guy built like a fucking brick wall parked his bike on the platform, taking long strides towards where Alfred stood. He adorned a cracked red helmet that glistened in the white lights that illuminated the pathway. His heavy footsteps echoed through, her eyes unable to escape from him. She approached silently, praying that that loose panel near the little stairs that lead to the main computer wouldn’t scratch underneath her weight. 

“Where the fuck is Bruce?” he growled, his hands balled into fists next to him. His leather jacket was worn and old, its sleeves bunched up near his elbow, exposing his veiny forearms. The cracked part of the helmet revealed his blue eyes, sparkling in a familiar way. It tugged her heartstrings, her hand instinctively went to her robin. It couldn’t be, Jason was dead. 

“He’s on patrol, Master Jason,” Alfred said calmly, his eyes trailed to the screens in front of him. Alfred acted like this man’s fits of anger were completely normal. 

Her brain repeated that it wasn’t Jason, it was a mere coincidence that this man’s name was the same as her dead best friend’s. Jason was a tiny and scrawny kid, he wasn’t tall and thick like this man. Jason wasn’t bitter and prone to anger fits, even if he was angry most of the time. He was silent and kind and sweet, this man looked to be the opposite of it. 

“He promised, Alfred, where is he?” he growled, his fist slamming on the table. “He fucking promised.”

“I’m sure he’ll arrive soon, if you’d like to wait,” Alfred motioned to the medical bay, the gurney sitting there on its lonesome. The man huffed, marching to the gurney, otherwise ignoring her presence a few feet away. 

She approached Alfred quietly. “Who was that?” her voice laced with curiosity and fear. 

Alfred looked at her serenely, knowing something she didn’t. He smiled at her, teh crinkles around his eyes appearing generously. “Why don’t you find out?,” he responded to her camly. 

She took it as an order, and made her way towards the small infirmary area. Her footsteps were light and determined, her hand clutching the robbing resting on her chest tightly. Her brain ran over scenarios on how likely it was that this person had almost every physical attribute to her best friend Jason, if he had taken steroids for the past 8 years. It wasn’t likely, but in light of her new knowledge, of how close the supernatural was to her, it was very much possible. 

“Do you want me to take a look?” she asked quietly, shifting the weight from her heels to the tips of her toes. She felt so small in his presence, something she didn’t feel with Bruce, oddly. Maybe it was because Bruce didn’t give off such menacing vibes when he was near her, or maybe it was because her brain was unconsciously comparing this man to her Jason, who had always been smaller than her. “At the helmet, I mean.”

He eyed her surgically, analyzing everything about her. His eyes rested on her pendants, widening slightly in recognition. It took almost everything in her to control her beating heart, to control her brain trying to say that in fact that man before her was her Jason, and it wasn’t her brain playing tricks on her. 

He gently took his helmet off, revealing his crisp black hair cooly laying on his forehead. His eyes focused on the helmet, his arms extended to give it to her gently. Her eyes would leave his face, a face she had longed to see for eight excruciatingly long years. His eyes had remained the same, after all: kind and sweet. His face, however, told a story of hardships and pain, hardened by whatever he had been through all these years. She didn’t know how to feel, if she should feel betrayed he hadn't trusted her enough to say that he was alive, that he was six feet under anymore, or if she should feel elated that Jason was alive and she could finally tell him all the things she wanted to.

Her fingers brushed him slightly, as she picked up the broken helmet from his hands. His hands still felt the same, her heart noticed, picking up a beat. She looked at the crack that exposed half of his face, the electrical parts fizzling dangerously. Her eyes focused on Jason once again, her lips shut painfully. The tears that came to her eyes were inevitable, trembling fingers reaching at her robin pendant, clutching it tightly. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

“Don’t,” he shook his head gently, “it’s not your fault.”

She could see he wanted to touch her, but something held him back. She wouldn’t find out what until much later.  

#

#

Aged 24, August 16th. 

Jason had promised her he would show up, and he never broke his promises. That was what she repeated to herself, late at night. She had prepared everything for his birthday, bought a present for him and baked a cake. She had said that he was supposed to appear at seven. It was well past midnight, the cake had found its way back to the fridge, the present was back in her closet, and he hadn’t showed up yet. 

A part of her kept telling her to give up, her best friend had stood her up: Jason changed fundamentally, he wasn’t the same boy he was when she met him and it was foolish to hang on to that notion; it was perfectly plausible that he had the habit of breaking promises now.  But she was well aware of that, she saw it in the tiny things how much Jason was transformed, it still didn’t change the fact that she knew he valued loyalty above all else, and that included loyalty to his words. He wouldn’t break his promise to her. 

She changed out of the cute dress she was wearing, feeling foolish and sad that she was about to give up most of the hope that he would show up. Her pyjamas welcomed her comfortably, a safe space to let the heartbreak settle on her. He won’t break his promise, she repeated mentally, he won’t. The mantra did little to soothe the growing dread inside her, the notion that maybe she didn’t know him as well as she did. That he didn’t tell her everything that day, that he didn’t trust her anymore. It hurt more than she anticipated. 

Sleep was almost consuming her when she heard a loud clang outside her bedroom. She shook awake, throwing the covers off her instinctively. Her hand grabbed the baseball bat that rested beside her bed, bringing it up and close to her. With slow steps, she approached the window. Her fear settled when she saw the familiar red helmet staring back at her, begging to let him in. She dropped the bat on the floor, opening the window. 

He got in her room awkwardly, struggling to pass his huge frame through a tiny space. She reached to help him, offering her hands. He took them, butterflies running amok on her tummy. “You’re late,” she commented, trying to mask the hurt in her voice. 

“I know,” he said, taking off his helmet and dropping it on top of her bed. “I’m sorry.”

She hummed looking at him underneath the moonlight seeping through her window. She hadn’t gotten used to how big he became, and how smaller she felt in his presence. She was by no means a small woman, but his entire being could encapsulate her with a simple hug, and not the other way around like it used to be. “Why are you late?” she moved to sit on the bed, the helmet rolling off the bed delicately. 

He looked at her, sitting down next to her gently. “I don’t know,” he answered, rubbing his hands together, his elbows resting on his thighs. 

“Why do I feel like you’re not being honest with me?” her head tilted, looking at his beautiful profile. There was a scar connecting his right temple to the corner of his upper lip, and it made him even more beautiful than he already was. He fascinated her to no end, his brain, his looks, his entire being was what made her keep going, the light on the end of her tunnel. 

His eyes trailed over her face, looking for something she guessed he wouldn’t find. “Why are you always so nice to me?”

“What do you mean, Jason,” she breathed out, confused at the inquiry. “I’m your friend, I’m supposed to be nice to you.”

“No, you’re not,” he shook his head, his hands balled into fists and his eyes closed. “You’re not supposed to be kind to me,” he got up, his back towards her.

“Stop it, Jason, you’re scaring me,” she whispered, her voice shaking a bit. 

“You’re supposed to be angry at me. I abandoned you, left you alone, and when I came back I didn’t tell you, I didn’t look for you,” he continued, trying to manipulate her emotions.

“Why are you saying these things, Jason, they’re not true,” she got up, her voice no longer shaking, determined and focused. 

“Because I don’t deserve it,” he turned to her, his eyes tortured and sad. “I don’t deserve your kindness and friendship. I’m not worthy of it.”

“Jay, I--” she started, but Jason interrupted her. 

“Don’t, please. I’m not worthy of anyone’s love,” his voice was heavy with emotion. She discovered that Jason was often ruled by two main emotions: sadness and anger. In that moment, she could only see those in him and a part of her broke.

“That’s not true, you’re worthy of mine,” her voice was so honest and raw, it caught Jason by surprise. She didn’t know what he expected out of her at that moment, maybe to give in to his spiral of bad thoughts and self flagellation, but she refused to let him believe those awful things. “Jason, you really don't know?”

He remained in silence, his eyes wide and shocked, focused on the ground. His jaw was tense and his hands balled into fists tightly. She took a hesitant step towards him, reaching for his hands. They relaxed under her touch and she threaded her fingers through his. It wasn’t hard to notice how perfectly they fit with each other, like to halves of a whole. “I’ve loved you ever since I was 14 and you marched into the boys bathroom to get my lit homework back from Mason Anderson,” she whispered, her eyes focused on his face, while his were focused on their hands together. “I’m sorry I didn’t say it before, I’m so sorry it took me so long to say it, Jay. But I can’t let you believe all those horrible things you said. Not when I love you more than anything in this world.”

He stayed silent for a couple of moments, her heart beating erratically inside her chest, fearing she had screwed up their friendship for good. In a way, it was worst to know he was out there and didn't want to speak to her because she dared to tell him about her love for him. “Please say something,” she begged him quietly. 

His eyes finally found hers, his hands breaking the link they formed. He rested his hands on her cheeks gently, and she dared say, lovingly. Her heart started beating excitedly, the fear slowly dissipating as his gaze got more intense. 

His lips brushed against hers, her eyes fluttering closed at the contact. He kissed her gently, a love delicate and fragile, just acknowledged between them both. His grip on her was firm, his thumb grazing delicately on her cheekbones. Her hands thread through his soft hair, still slightly humid from the sweat caused by the helmet. The air was charged with want, tentative kiss toeing the line between what it was and something more. 

She wished to stay like that forever. She prayed to  whatever was out there in the Universe, to allow her that happiness. To stay kissing her love tentatively in the dark for as long as she could, as long as he’d let her. 

Jason broke the kiss, his forehead resting on hers. His fingers found their way to the back of her head, cupping it softly. “I love you,” he whispered, his lips almost brushing with hers. She reached for his lips once again, like a magnet finding its match. “I love you so much,” he reassured.

They kissed once again, not intending to break apart any time soon. 

[kashi-prompts]

Flowers For A Shinobi

Chapter 12: A Sprig of Lavender

Word Count: 3,097

Pairing: Kakashi x OFC

Previous Chapter ❀  Archive of Our Own Link  ❀  

A/N: As I said, the fluff was coming. Original art at the end.

6 Months Later

The relentless heat of the mid-day sun coupled with the heavily induced exercise regiment assigned to her that day seemed to be responsible for the halo of sweat around Ayame's body. Her chest heaved to catch her breath as she leaned against the sturdy body of an oak tree. 

"C'mon, Ayame-chan! Let's go!" Might Guy encouraged her, his steady jog lapping around the tree she leaned against. "Two more miles!"

"I can't do it," she breathed, clutching the collar of her soaked shirt. 

"14 miles is my morning routine!" Guy's smile glistened as he beamed at her, sweat dripping down his temple like rainwater. "Let's go! Before Kakashi assigns you 100 push-ups as well!" 

Ayame sighed heavily, the curve of her back weighing her down as she leaned against the tree. Her stomach churned with nausea from the constant stream of blood pumping at high volume through her body. 

"Ayame-chan!" Guy called from down the hill, his legs pumping with such a velocity, Ayame could have sworn he was floating over the summer grass. Inhaling slowly, she continued down the mountain to follow the bobbing head of black hair through the field. 

Upon reaching the training grounds, Ayame was surprised to see Kakashi missing from the scenery. The white-haired jonin was always there upon her arrival. Generally, on Tuesdays, a different sensei would train her, cycling through the other jonin in the village so that she could get a better feel of how others utilize their strengths. The chaos of training with Might Guy always left her exhausted but earned her the confidence that she had pushed herself. 

As the calendar had flipped all the way from spring to late summer, Ayame had worked nearly every day with Kakashi. His prior questionably smitten behavior was exchanged with a stern, pressing instructor. It was almost as though the seemingly mutual tiny flame formed between the two of them had dissipated. Almost. 

Kakashi made it very clear from the beginning that he would not be taking it easy on his new student. From the first day she had arrived on the bridge, he had provided her with a rather large box of scrolls and books to read as her first assignment. Then he made her carry them to the training grounds to read them every day.

It certainly wasn't enough to just read the material provided to her, so instead, while Kakashi was on a rather long mission, he appointed a man named Irkua to tutor her for two weeks personally. As the early spring rain had fallen relentlessly outside a dark and dreary classroom, she learned a significantly accelerated version of the very basics of what the children at the academy were learning. 

Handseals, weaponry, and types of jutsu had been next. Surprisingly, even herself, she had found that she was considerably skilled at the crafts she was learning. Might Guy had taught her taijutsu, while Kakashi specialized in ninjutsu and a rather pretty jonin named Kurenai explained genjutsu to her. 

Again, learning things was never enough for Kakashi. He insisted she experience things as well, moving on to confining her in a genjutsu for twelve hours until she successfully released herself. And even then, he made her do it again to prove she was capable. 

When the subject of an academy examination was brought up, Ayame was eager to complete it. In early spring, the assessment was administered to her and a dozen small children, who fit more comfortably in the desks provided than she did. When Iruka had informed her privately the following day that she had passed, her enthusiasm for succeeding could barely be contained. 

She had hugged Iruka and thanked him, running through the streets to the bridge where she would meet Kakashi every morning for training. Upon his arrival, the hug she had given him had barely been enough to thank him for the new Konoha headband she wore, realizing that she now had a rank in the shinobi system. A child's rank, but a rank. 

"Great job - but this is just the beginning," his crescent eye smiled at her, patting her on the shoulder once she had released his neck from a tight hug. If she hadn't looked right away, she would have missed the blush that crept up his cheekbones from under his mask. The realization had caused her own cheeks to flush. 

Despite the moments where their mutual pining arose, she tried not to resent him for the times he made her do things over until it was just right as the recent months had passed. He continuously pushed her to the point of exhaustion on more than one occasion, only to remind her that she would experience this on missions as well. Even so, he would always ensure she made it back home safely. 

Now, as she jogged into the grassy plain, she looked around for the turf of silver hair that usually sat perched in a tree, a book in hand, waiting for her. A frown creased her lips as she tried to catch her breath. Perhaps he had been called on a mission, she thought. 

A forceful hand slapped her between her shoulder blades, startling her as she was pushed forward a step. 

"Great job today," Guy praised, his meaty chest breathing heavily, "we made better time than last month!" 

"Thank you, Guy-sensei," Ayame smiled wearily, giving a thankful nod. 

"I'll be going now!" He told her quickly, waving as he ran off. Ayame stood in the field, puzzled by his sudden departure. Usually, he would stick around, telling stories of missions and tips that she didn't always ask for, but appreciated nonetheless. 

The muffled sound of a sandaled foot-shaped creating an imprint in the grass near her perked her ears. She listened carefully, walking towards the edge of the clearing and lifting her fingers in a cross formation. Coarse, short breaths uttered from her mouth as she then reached for a kunai in her side bag, the act still foreign to her yet oddly comforting. Could someone have known she would be here? Was someone here to ambush her? 

The sweeping, bracing sound of two metal weapons clashing against each other filled the field as Ayame spun her body around to meet two mismatched eyes. Surprised by his sudden appearance, she blinked at Kakashi in wonder before realizing what was happening. He purposely was ambushing her. 

He swept his leg under her, her lungs breathing in the heady fragrance of adrenaline while she dodged his continuous maneuvers. Her chest felt tight, and her body exhausted from the run, but she still managed to block his attacks. 

"You could have at least given me a few minutes to catch my breath," she managed, ducking as his arm punched the air above her head. 

"Enemies wouldn't allow you to catch your breath," Kakashi told her sternly, his eye glowing brightly through the shadows of the trees around them. She had only seen his Sharingan twice before. The first being on their mission together, and the second was when she had merely asked him. 

"What's under there?" She had asked one afternoon, peering over the academy scrolls she was required to read. He had lifted his head from his book, surprised by her abrupt question. 

"It's called a Sharingan," he had explained to her. "I'll teach you about it some other day." 

She had waited a few moments, watching his profile as he turned his head back into his book. The perfect curve of his nose that twitched nervously when she was near seemed to draw her in. 

"Need something?" He had asked, not looking up. She blushed, realizing he had caught her staring. 

"Can I see what it looks like?" 

Annoyed or surprised, he turned his head to look at her, hesitating before lifting a thumb to push his forehead protector up. The sight of the glowing red eye was just as jarring then as it was now. 

"Push harder," he urged her, pushing the kunai against hers. She launched forward, the unnerving sound of scraping metal on metal permeated her ears. She gritted her teeth in determination. 

Behind him, her shadow clone entered from the edge of the field where she had left her, her hands forming different signs in her memory bank to produce four sharp petals from the ground. Each spun through the air to catch Kakashi's shirt, tearing it at his shoulder as he avoided the three others. While he jumped through the air to evade her petaled blades, the real Ayame sunk to the ground with her hands splayed across the grass. In seconds, the grass beneath him turned to moss. 

As his sandaled foot slipped on the silky moss, he quickly attempted to steady himself as she launched her body forward, pushing him back onto the ground with a loud thump. With her legs on each side of his chest, she quickly placed her blade under his neck. She smiled as her chest rose and fell, smirking at the famed copy ninja that laid below her with his hands next to his head. Two strings of ivy erupted from the ground to seal him to the earth. 

"Ok, you win," he said breathlessly, a chuckle rising from his throat. Ayame smiled, sweat dripping from her temple as she tipped the blade to his chin. Her legs quivered against his ribs from the adrenaline and exertion. She could feel the heat of his body beneath her, the sheer warmth exuding from his skin that penetrated her bare thighs. His eyebrows lessened, lowering down his forehead as his gaze grew quiet. Her hand dropped to his rising chest, exhausted, still clutching the kunai. 

Behind her, she felt the cool touch of a blade on the side of her neck, and her body went rigid. Turning, she looked up to see Kakashi's soft smile above her. Under her legs, his solid figure disappeared with a puff of smoke, her eyes blinking at him in exasperation. 

"You almost had me," Kakashi smiled at her, setting the blade down to his side. Ayame sighed, sinking her bottom further to the ground between her bent legs.

"Don't be too quick to celebrate," he reminded her, sitting on the ground beside her. "One of the first things you should already know is always to be aware of your surroundings, whether you think the battle is finished or not. You did good with that shadow clone, but you should have also seen mine." 

"I understand," she nodded, twiddling her fingers over the blade of her weapon. As her heart rate finally began to steady at an average pace, she sighed heavily and leaned back into the grassy plain. Carefully, her sensei did the same, reaching in his back pocket for his book as she closed her eyes, rethinking what she could have done differently—perhaps having two shadow clones? One to serve as a lookout and one to tap in during battle? 

Her stomach constricted, angry with herself for being distracted at the last moment. She had him there, tied up. If it weren't for his shadow clone - and the way he had looked at her - then maybe she would have heard the real Kakashi behind her. Such a simple move, really. She should have been more aware. 

"Just be more aware next time," she heard him say beside her as if reading her thoughts. Her head turned, looking over at him as the golden hour sun cast a halo of yellow around them—a triangle of light under his eye and little dips of dark gray in his hair. She hated how attracted she was to him. She had pushed it down, determined to see him as her teacher and nothing more. If possible, they could be friends, but that was the extent she was willing to go for him. The thought of something more stirred a fire in her belly.

"I know," she agreed, nodding her head as she turned to look up at the sky. Puffs of clouds traveled quickly through the orange and purple sky, like an oil painting, but more refined. She thought again of the sparring match as she observed his slender fingers dance restlessly over the cover of the book he held. 

"How many times have you read that book?" she asked abruptly, catching a glimpse of the tattered spine and bent pages. His thumb held his page as his eyes continued to skim the words. She noticed that he hadn't turned the page in some time. 

"A few," he responded casually, his other arm bent behind his head for comfort. 

"Is it good?" Ayame laughed, realizing it was certainly more than "a few" times. 

"I would say so," Kakashi shrugged, smirking at her laughter. 

"Could I read it?" 

Kakashi chuckled quietly, his smile beneath his mask evident from the shadows the sun created behind him. "If you want, I could let you borrow it. But only briefly." 

"I would like that," she smiled, "I know it can be pretty raunchy." 

Kakashi closed his book quickly and looked over at her, seemingly taken aback by her response while his index finger held his page. 

Ayame felt a giggle rise in her throat at his expression and apparent loss of words. "I mean, it's not like I've never read a romance book before."  

"It's more than romance," he commented quickly, waving the tabbed book at her. Her eyes caught sight of how tattered it truly was. She wondered fleetingly why he was so invested in reading this book. Perhaps it was a method of distraction. 

"You don't use bookmarks, do you?" she questioned, her eyes still on the book that now laid on his chest. 

"I just rely on folding the pages," he said, watching her as she clasped her hands together in a familiar jutsu. Beside her, a small lavender sprig rose from the earth, its purple petals off-color in the setting sun. Carefully, she picked it from the ground and twirled it between her thumb and index finger. 

"Here," she smiled softly at him, "as a bookmark. It smells nice too. Lavender helps keep you calm." 

Kakashi looked over at her, his eyes dancing between the sprig of lavender and the affectionate gaze she offered him. She didn't mean to look at him the way she did, but something twisted within her that she couldn't stop. Everything he had done for her whirled in her mind. The last seven months that they had known each other and all of their interactions. She simply felt grateful for him.

He reached over and delicately took the sprig from her hand, brushing his fingers against hers, whether on accident or purposely, she wasn't sure. She was certain, however, of the beam of sunlight that hit his neck, illuminating a pulse that seemed to be beating rather quickly. 

"Thank you," Kakashi responded quietly. She looked at him, and he looked at her. Both unsure of what to do, but both quite certain of what they wanted to do. Ayame could feel the blood pumping in her ears, a wave of heat ricocheting off her spine to every nerve ending in her body. Her skin tingled where he had grazed it, the feeling of a calloused fingertip touching hers, wondering what it would be like to feel more of them. 

Suddenly the distance between them wasn't so far. The tickle of the grass on her cheek barely noticeable as she leaned closer. His single black eye stared directly into hers, flickering down to her lips in a way that made her stomach somersault. 

She had been the one to lean forward, to press her lips against his and soak in his intoxicating scent of sweat and cedar. The electric shock that twisted through her body as she felt him exhale in relief against her lips, the fabric between them muting the heat his breath gave off. All she could hear was their blended heavy sighs.

Her bones rattled with satisfaction, feeling the months of yearning peel away from her. She lifted her hand, gently clutching his jacket as his hand came to rest on her jawbone. Her whole body tingled at the heat of his palm. She felt his fingertips curl into her braid, pulling her against him over the grassy field. She felt delirious as he tenderly moved his lips against hers. 

She could have stayed there for days. To feel the mingling satisfaction of his body near hers and the exhilarating sensation of that damned mask against her mouth. He was near her for only seconds, not nearly long enough, and yet - 

"Ayame-san?" a feminine voice called out from the outskirts of the training ground. Without hesitation, they both pulled away, furiously blushing. Her ears rung from the interaction, and her body shook from the thrill. 

"Ayame-san?" It was that pink-haired kunoichi nurse that had helped her in the hospital. 

"Hello, Sakura," Kakashi greeted, delicately placing the sprig of lavender in his book. His face was purposely shielded from the kunoichi's sight, yet when Ayame peeked over, she could see the very tops of his cheeks were tinged rose. 

"Oh, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura smiled, waving happily at him. She looked between the two, both clearly flustered but trying desperately to hide it. Ayame looked up at the girl, realizing this must have been one of his previous students that now trains under Lady Tsunade to be a medic. He had spoken of them a few times, all fondly. But she had wondered fleetingly if it bothered him that they had moved on to other training endeavors. 

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but-" 

"You're not interrupting anything," The pinkette's sensei quickly responded, standing to his feet. Ayame followed suit, casually brushing the dirt from her clothing. 

Sakura nodded, pursing her lips to hide a smile, "Right. Well, I am here for Ayame-san. If you don't mind, Lady Tsunade would like to speak with her. It's rather urgent, or else it could have waited." 

"The Hokage would like to speak with me?" Ayame reiterated, surprised. 

"Yes," Sakura nodded, "I'll explain more on the way there. But we have to hurry." 

"Right," Ayame nodded, her eyebrows focused again as she tried to sweep away the interaction that had just happened. 

She began to follow Sakura, her pink hair bobbing as she ran back towards the village. Ayame turned, lifting her hand to wave goodbye only to find him facing away from her, nervously scratching his head as he looked out towards the setting sun. 

❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀

A/N: Original art by the talented Caro on Twitter! It was originally a different flower but I changed it

I hope you stuck this far and I hope you like it so far! Feedback is always appreciated <3 Thank you so much for reading! 

[fearidescent]

Code Lyoko: Transistorized

I’ve made a post earlier about how a hypothetical Code Lyoko reboot could use some of Transistor’s elements, but the elements I mentioned (monsters and weapons) would likely cause copyright infringement if these concepts were straight up copied. So I’ve been thinking about what other elements of Transistor this reboot could use, and I’ve come up with the following.

Spoilers for Code Lyoko and Transistor under the cut, obviously. Also spoiler warning for Psycho-Pass and Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

So the first thing I came up with was what XANA’s master plan was. In canon it was a bit unclear; likely to take over the world or destroy humanity, but then what? This is the first thing I updated.

Reboot XANA’s master plan is to convert all of humanity into processing power for itself. It wants to do this via forcing humans into the scanners to Lyoko, then sapping away their consciousness via the Scyphozoa, then returning their soulless bodies to earth, take out their brains (which can still function, just not support a human consciousness anymore) and hook them up to itself. Think like the Sibyl system in Psycho-Pass.

Originally, this XANA was created by an organization which the Men in Black are enforcers of. This organization is either France-based or USA-based, and it intended XANA to be used as a (somewhat extreme and definitely unethical) kind of war machine. So originally, XANA had a limiter that it could only attack the people of a set country (or set of countries) once set loose. However, once Franz Hopper discovered that he was working on a program with this person, he removed this limiter and uploaded the limitless XANA to a drive, and fled with it to the city where Kadic Academy is located, which also housed a supercomputer, originally intended as a facility for people to be scanned. Without Lyoko, this would be enough for XANA to sap people’s consciousnesses.

So now there are two things for Franz to do: first, make sure that the Men in Black cannot access this particular site, and second, to ensure that XANA is left considerably less powerful.

For the first thing, he constructed a sort of terminal, which continuously scans the internet to find information on the current Men in Black, particularly their looks. This terminal also controls the elevator with a face scanner thingy, which scans the faces of the people who want to access the elevator. If a face is identical to the face of a Man in Black, the person with that face will be barred from the elevator. (Also, this means that only one person can enter the elevator at a time, before the doors are shut to the next person.)

For the second thing, Franz constructed Lyoko, as a sort of prison for XANA. He also created the Towers on Lyoko as a way for potential administrators to Lyoko to interact with the real world on a much larger scale than they normally could. However, there was a bug in this program, which allowed XANA to also access the Towers. Franz began to work on solving this bug, but it was at this point that the Men in Black discovered where he was hiding out.

He also discovered that the Men in Black had discovered a way to “posses” people (the Spectres), but these possessed people also had a very specific brain wave pattern. He then installed a brain scanner thingy to the terminal, which prevented the possessed people from being able to access the facility.

Soon after, the Men in Black managed to abduct Anthea. Now Franz was really starting to get nervous. His administrator function was still buggy, in that any being who became an administrator lost their memories and became unable to return to Earth (he found this out by experimenting on the pets the family had*. Classy action, Franz). So he decided that, while he himself would not become an administrator, Aelita would, so that she wouldn’t be completely helpless on Lyoko. He deemed that staying in the real world would be too dangerous for her.

(*Also, the earlier monsters are based on these pets. It’s only when XANA gets powerful enough to access the internet that the monsters become more monstrous.)

He also updated the terminal to scan the internet for information specifically related to the organization the Men in Black belonged to. He then virtualized himself and Aelita, and then the terminal shut the supercomputer down, only to activate it again when that organization was disbanded, or when an outsider (i.e. not a Man in Black) turned it on again.

Ten years later, enter Jeremy Belpois, who turned on the supercomputer, activating Lyoko and XANA again. However, due to another limiter Franz installed on XANA, the program was considerably less dangerous. It could still increase in power via the Return to the Past function, however, this function can also only be accessed via the terminal, by a non-possessed, non-MiB person.

(The way this power increase works is kinda like how Madoka from PMMM got more power potential any time Homura rewound time. The hypothetical power XANA had in the timeline that got cut short by the RttP got transferred to the new timeline (albeit with a not insignificant loss, so that XANA’s power doesn’t get doubled every time the RttP was used). This is at the cost of XANA being unable to use any power during the time the RttP rewound.)

So Jeremy discovers Aelita, without memories and with an inability to go to earth. He starts working on a way to recover at least Aelita’s ability to return to earth, so they can turn of the supercomputer and neutralize XANA again. With the help of his friends, Yumi, Ulrich and Odd, he battles against XANA’s activated Towers.

(As for why Franz Hopper didn’t rematerialize himself, he took a while to recover his consciousness after the ten years the supercomputer was turned off (administrators do not have this problem) and by the time he recovered, XANA had already messed with the rematerialization ability. Jeremy had no idea Franz was still around until the end of season 2.)

Also, due to XANA’s power loss engineered by Franz, it is unable to construct the Scyphozoa and use Spectres until season 2. After this, it starts to chase Aelita to reconstruct her ability to return to Earth without the Code Earth. Obviously this is not with the intent to let Aelita live a normal life on earth, so Jeremy and co try to protect her from the Scyphozoa until they find a way to reconstruct Aelita’s rematerialization ability without XANA immediately possessing her. So that is basically the plot of season 2.

Season 3: due to the administrator privileges it retrieved from Aelita’s mind, XANA is now considerably more powerful, though still only able to affect reality with the help of Lyoko’s Towers. It starts to construct Replica’s without the Lyoko Warriors’ knowledge, and starts to try to destroy Lyoko so that the Lyoko Warriors can’t interfere anymore. It’s towards the end of the season that the Lyoko Warriors decide to have William join them. Obviously this goes wrong, but XANA decides not to erase all of William’s consciousness, just enough to make him a puppet, but still enough left to make him able to more effectively manipulate the Lyoko Warriors. (Also, William’s also an administrator now.)

Season 4: due to figuring out how administrator privileges work, Jeremy has given Yumi, Ulrich and Odd these privileges as well (which also comes with an outfit upgrade). They start hunting for the Replica’s, but on the Replica’s they are unable to access the privileges and return to their normal forms.

Hope this didn’t turn out too rambly (oh, who am I kidding, it totally did) and that if you read it until this point, everything is at least clear enough. If you want to ask questions about this au, just send me an ask or reply to this point. Obviously if I want to really write this au, I need to sit down and think about it a lot more, but your questions may be able to help me flesh things out.

[deonstri05-blog]

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[fyeahcodegays]

suzalulu fics for when ao3 isn’t enough

a couple of gen mixed in, but if you have rose tinted shades they’ll work fine

btw these aren’t necessarily exclusive to ffn; some authors have imported their works between sites and thus you might come across something you’ve read in ao3 already.

I may or may not have been depressed that I can’t find fic recs besides this one (which has a lotta good fics, I thrived here) and the lj rec lists dont even load so yeah.

on another note, in the midst of making this, I also found this fic rec (the best playground for my angst loving heart tbh) so I decided to remove the overlaps I found.

i’m personally a fan of dark fic (more like unhealthy codependence) so there’s that I guess

1. In Birdcages | toujourspret

Escaping is only the illusion of freedom when your wings have been clipped.

2. Guileless | J Plash

“Stay with me,” Suzaku whispers, and pretends he doesn’t see the lie when Lelouch says “okay”. Because Lelouch can’t be Zero, not again. All the evidence proves it. And Suzaku couldn’t love Zero like this. 

3. To Err Is Human | tastes-like-ciel

All Zero had to do was string together a few words to bring the knight to his knees. Suzaku never stood a chance and Lelouch never saw the betrayal coming.

4. The Enemy Of My Enemy Is My Friend | tastes-like-ciel

Zero and Suzaku call for a truce in order to defeat a common enemy in their never ending war for Lelouch’s affections. Their enemy’s name? Gino.

5. Excused Absences | YamiPaladinofChaos

Maybe Zero’s meeting with his secret lover?“ The Black Knights discuss their leader’s absence.

6. Scarred But Not Stronger | YamiPaladinofChaos

Suzaku always makes Lelouch stand up again, even when neither of them really wants it. Nunnally and Suzaku, after Kaminejima.

7. Abandon Thyself | Sanjuno

“The strongest soldier cannot balance long upon the blade that does divide his honor and his heart, and whatever way he falls, the cut will kill him.” ― Susanna Kearsley, The Firebird

8. Sleeping Beauty | tastes-like-ciel

And so the brave and noble Prince Suzaku rescued the lovely Princess Lelouch and, in doing so, created a fairytale bound to be told long after they were dead and gone. AU. NOT a Genderswitch.

9. Battleship Grey | tastes-like-ciel

On the day of Nunnally’s kidnapping, Suzaku was absent because of military duties. With no one to aid him, Lelouch was forced to face Mao on his own.

10. Leading Moves | elarielf

Lelouch may be the “girly” one and the “uke” in the relationship, but the whole world knows who wears the pants in his and Suzaku’s relationship.

11. Just Another Game | elarielf

Lelouch takes Suzaku to one of his chess matches, only this time Lelouch loses. The other player orders Suzaku to screw Lelouch over the chess table while he watches.

12. Higame | elarielf

Suzaku thought that all the times Lelouch went out to gamble with Rivalz they were really having sex.

13. Retribution | spare

But somewhere between grabbing Lelouch by the collar of his shirt and shoving him against the wall and glaring into his eyes—one violet, the other glowing red even in the dim light, Suzaku had miscalculated.

14. Get Your Hands Off My Girl… Er, Guy… | elarielf

AU, in which Suzaku and Lelouch go to a club with Rivalz and a guy starts to flirt with Lelouch… So Suzaku gets angry, and at the end they start to fight for Lelouch.

15. Walk On In | Tainted Ink And Paper

Lelouch had an odd habit of taking strays… especially unwanted ones. Suzaku, the Japanese biker who waltzes into his home without permission, comes with more baggage than he can handle… like the Black Knights, like Zero.

16. Mismatched Yarn | Cat In My Fridge

Because in the end, when everything else had been stripped away, there was still one thing Lelouch had to give: himself.

17. All That Remains | LawliPop

Something terrible has happened.

18. Forever, With You | VirtualDraconium

They thought Zero Requiem would be the end of their problems. However, due to unexpected events a considerable amount of time later, the two are brought together once more. Very post-turn 25.

19. Requiem | LawliPop

It was the word on everyone’s lips. A quiet murmur that steadily grew louder with each passing second until it evolved into a celebratory chant.

20. Pure Hearted Love | DnKS-giRLs

What if, instead of waging war against Japan, Britannia sought after an alliance by arranging a political marriage between them? What if the two parties involved was Lelouch vi Britannia and Kururugi Suzaku?

21. Snapshots | DnKS-giRLs

A collection of one shots following the event of Pure Hearted Love. Some mere snapshots portraying the live of Lelouch vi Britannia and Kururugi Suzaku as the royal couple of The Holy Empire of Britannia.

22. Juicy Footage | Coral Blush

Gino thinks Lelouch is sexy, and Suzaku wonders if it’s possible to break his friend’s fingers when no one is looking.

23. In My Memory | KiraxMomo

When all you have are memories, you cling to them. When those memories start to fade, what do you do?

24. Twisted | pretense

“Protect Lelouch and Kill Zero… Well isn’t that just grand?”

25. Mosaic | abovethenightsky

Through the years, the pieces fall into place. It takes Lelouch and Suzaku a little while to learn, but eventually they do. Follows the dynamic duo through R1 and R2, and cycles of fluff, angst, and forgiveness.

26. Revision |  DnKS-giRLs

After the regicide, Zero found himself walking to Emperor Lelouch’s bedroom with fear in his heart. Yes, this is a CRACK fic.

27. The Royal Command | Seto’s Darkness

After defeating Britannia in a bitter war, Suzaku Kururugi is the Prince of Japan who takes a liking to the purple-eyed prisoner, Lelouch.

28. At The World’s End | Seto’s Darkness

Lelouch has always copied Suzaku, the stronger of the two of them. And Suzaku will always protect Lelouch, no matter what.

29. The Moments Between | Zure96

After Charles erases Lelouch’s memory of Zero and Nunnally he has another plan for him before sending him back to Ashford to draw out C.C. Placed in Suzaku’s care, will the newly appointed Knight of Seven abuse his power? Or will he do his duty?

30. Windowless | ucco

Euphemia may hold the title of being Suzaku’s girlfriend, but she’ll never own his heart.

31. The Elegy of Suzaku Kururugi | Coeurlito

The Zero Requiem was not the end. For Suzaku Kururugi, it will never be the end.

32. Thunder and Lightning | Jynova

Thunder and lightning. Two different words denoting the same entity. Two parts of the same phenomena, separated only by the expanse of time. Lelouch Vi Britannia/Lelouch Lamperouge/Zero/99th Emperor of Britannia/Emperor of the World, strikes so brightly. Suzaku Kururugi, plain and simple in his thundering justice.

33. Wrong | faecree

After Euphie’s confession to him, Suzaku simply felt wrong. And, when something feels wrong, isn’t the best way to properly remedy the situation to counter it with something “right” instead?

34. Safe and Sound | Lovelily Lion

In a different world they were ordinary boys caught in a dystopian society bent on watching them lay down their lives. Lelouch grieves over the lover he never had and Suzaku finds a way to get back to him at all costs.

35. Ariadne’s Thread | anlaaria

It could have been perfect. Inception AU.

36. the disloyal order of sunflowers | tenshiplz

Marianne’s eldest son—eight years old and proud of it—the eleventh Prince to the Britannian throne, had attempted to escape three times in the past two days over that wall, but this fourth time was the charm.

37. Fanfic ABCs | Cat In My Fridge

Turning lesbian seemed like the logical thing to do when Suzaku and Lelouch kept being MIA having sex in yaoi fanfiction. At the time, anyway.

38. Retrograde | Libek

At the end of R1, on a whim, Lelouch receives a very different punishment for his actions. Now everyone must deal with the consequences. Themes of “white” slavery, and yes, he does now technically belong to Suzaku.

39. A Friendly Chat | Vermillion Lies

Emperor Charles and Suzaku have a brief conversation regarding memories.

40. Behind Those Wonderful Double Grand Doors |  DnKS-giRLs

That day, the four ladies of Ashford Academy heard some very interesting things behind the closed door of student council room. And what part exactly does aloe gel play in that?

41. Selfish | shimo hyozan

If he was just given the chance, he would’ve been selfish.

42. In Loving Memory | Strawberry Scented Paperclip

An accident has left Suzaku with no recollection of the past two years. He doesn’t mind much, but who’s that dark haired stranger haunting his dreams, and why is his girlfriend acting so distant?

43. The Emperor’s Waltz | realms of fic

Empires may grow and crumble, but music plays forever. 

44. Seeing Double | elarielf

Two Suzakus teaming up against Lelouch, Rock'n'Dolless’s Kiss doujin style. Consensual; semi-public outdoors. …because there can’t be too much Suzaku?

45. Absolution | ficshun

Suzaku must make a choice when confronted with the truth of Zero’s identity.

Bonus Round: cgkinkmemeii fill personal faves

Lelouch is alive with a code, sex with Suzaku ensues

Lelouch turns to Refrain, dubcon

Lelouch switch between good au and canon

Suzalulu RP as each other 

Photographer!zaku

Decayed by rex_sun sidestory (by rex_sun)

MMORPG pk Zero

Student Council/table-kun

Continue? [Yes/No]

Lelouch has fujo fangirls

Cold!lelouch, Passionate!zero

Conflicted!zaku after R1

eyes are windows to the soul

post-R1 non-con

ghost!lelouch

[officerjennie]

May I present to you: The Spite Hour

Where I write (for no more than an hour) out of sheer spitefulness at people who very rudely say something shouldn’t happen.

This very first set of snippets on The Spite Hour brought to you in part by: “Madara would never dote on his descendants/children, that’s stupidly ooc” and “OOC characteristics are wrong and shouldn’t be in fanfics.”

Pairing: MadaTobi

Setting: Madara and his husband are brought back to life by a jutsu mishap, and are now alive and well in Naruto era Konoha

It was still a bit cool for his liking to be eating outdoors, though Madara was willing to do so anyway just to see the content look on his partner’s face. At least inarizushi could be eaten well enough cold, and the warm tea they both sipped on helped fight against the early spring breeze.

The street near them bustled with people, faces he had no names to, and Madara did his best to memorize and place them in the clan’s he knew. Since the academy had let out for the day, children weaved in and out of their parents’ legs, strangers having to side-step out of their way to keep from being knocked over by the midday energy buzz.

One child wasn’t so lucky as to avoid running into anyone. He seemed too small to be an academy child just yet, his pace lacking the hurried edge of those rushing to get back home and play. In his hand he clutched a single stick of dango, gaze focused up on the sky instead of in front of him, and his dessert was lost to the dusty path below when he walked straight into a civilian man.

The boy wasn’t scolded, simply patted on his head and given a sympathetic smile before the civilian continued on down the street. His pout still suggested a loss of great proportions.

Madara grabbed a napkin and one of his own desserts as he stood up, carefully weaving over to the child and squatting down next to him.

“Be more careful next time.”

Nodding frantically while Madara ruffled his hair, the boy accepted his gift with a bow before continuing on, every once in a while peeking back over as Madara made his way back to the table.

“You won’t even share those with me.”

Madara scowled at Tobirama’s teasing tone, promptly picking one inarizushi up and shoving it in the bastard’s mouth - and snickering at the confused coughing it earned him.

He knew why the villagers avoided the child, though he’d already made his stance on the matter very well known - as had Tobirama, who had gone off on all of his former students (especially Hiruzen) and secured the Uzumaki boy a decent home not on his own in a small apartment.

Fear was a nasty thing. It infected all it touched, something Madara knew all too well having grown in an age where fear touched all.

Still, this was a child the civilians shooed away from their shops. A child so many overlooked and called a monster. And Madara had not spent the better part of his first life building an alliance and this very village just to let a child be treated in such a manner.

Treating the brat to lunch every few days and dealing with his idiocy was a small price to pay to do his part. Seeing this small boy smile and laugh now made it worthwhile, so different from the child he’d seen at first: alone, neglected, wanting desperately to trust someone but afraid to do so.

“Hey, Ojii-san, I don’t look stupid do I?”

“Eh?” Madara made sure to pinch the brat’s cheek for calling him an old man (he might have been around over a hundred years ago, but he’d not come back from the grave just to be blatantly disrespected over his bowl of udon). “What are you on about?”

“A kid at school said I looked stupid.” Naruto rubbed at his now sore cheek, his voice far too loud for the quiet restaurant they were in. Not that anyone would dare to tell him to leave, not with Madara eating at his table. “Said my clothes were stupid. Too orange.”

Madara snorted at the silliness of the topic, chin in palm as he turned to stare out the window. Knowing the minds of children though, it was possible Naruto was honestly bothered by what the other kid had said, so he made sure to add, “Nothing wrong with orange. It’s my favorite color.”

“Right? It’s the best, you know!”

“Yes, yes. Now eat your vegetables, brat.” Madara pointed at them firmly with his chopsticks, ignoring the immediate whine his demand received. One way or another, he’d get the Uzumaki child on a proper diet eventually.

One look at that little shit, and Madara knew he was trouble.

In death, at least, he’d escaped the terror that had wrangled his little brother into a relationship. Faced now with the carbon copy of said terror, Madara didn’t know whether to admit defeat and leave or aid the child as he’d been asked to.

The image of Tobirama floated into his head, stern and ready to lecture him and deny certain activities from not helping his student’s descendant. It was enough to heave a sigh and drop out of his spot in the trees, ready to face the headache waiting for him.

Peace had been good in a lot of ways for the Uchiha, one of which being a downward trend in the activation of the mangekyo sharingan. Of course, that meant that those who did activate it were left with few teachers, and Shisui was one of the unlucky ones who had done so early on in life.

“Madara-sama.” The bow gave him pause. It wasn’t all that surprising that the boy would know him, but the behavior spoke against the overlayed image of a young Kagami he’d had in his mind. He shook his head as Shisui straightened back out, giving the boy a once over.

“You know what we’re here for, now- why are you covered in dirt?”

He was. From head to toe, clothes and skin and all. As if he’d been rolling around in it all morning.

Shisui gave a smile that brought Madara horrid flashbacks of little, conniving devils, and it took considerable effort not to wack his head like he’d done to the boy’s grandfather all those decades ago.

“I didn’t have anything clean to wear after training, so I just came like this.”

“Nothing clean to wear.” One eyebrow raised, Madara studied him. “Have your parents not done your laundry lately?”

“Oh I don’t have parents.”

The other eyebrow quickly raised alongside the other, Madara’s arms crossing while he frowned down at the smiling boy.

He might not have had much free time to spend on the Uchiha children in his own time, but he knew enough about loss to know that smile was a lie.

“You’re coming with me.” Ignoring the confused blinking, Madara put a hand on Shisui’s shoulder and immediately started to guide him away from the training grounds. He didn’t stop until they’d reached his own home, shoving the boy inside ahead of him.

Tobirama’s own awed shock at seeing someone so similar to Kagami in his own home was quickly replaced with his usual determination. Shisui was sat immediately down at their table, Madara setting to work fixing a meal for the boy (because apparently no one had thought to feed him) while Tobirama chatted away with him, a crazed glint in his eye that told his partner all too well where his thoughts were spinning away to.

Looks like Fugaku would be getting a stern lecture in the near future, and Madara was most definitely not going to step in the mad Senju’s way. It seemed their work on fixing up the mess the village had become in their absence had just begun.

[persona-play-q]

Introductions in Order

We begin our journey with quite the unusual scene.

Morgana: "...y" Morgana: "Hey! Wake up!"

Morgana. Waking Joker up, rather than telling him to go to bed.

This must be some sort of elseworld or something.

Also, WHAT IN THE UNHOLY NAME OF SATANAEL IS WRONG WITH MONA’S MODEL HERE JEZUS--

Morgana: "So you're finally up. You do know class has been over for quite a while, right?"

Ren: >"What was that cinema...?" >"What was that butterfly...?"

“W-Wait, he actually saw that butterfly? I kind of assume it was just part of the intro...”

“Those butterflies... Whenever they appear, it means something special is about to happen.”

“Yeah... Like a call for help...”

“...*cough* That is... not the inherent, intended meaning of the Butterfly...”

“...A herald of the Master above even our Master, the blue Butterfly is a symbol of human fate and its potential.”

“So, we’re watching a flick about... potential...? Huh?”

“......”

>Yosuke doesn’t even attempt to comprehend and just stuffs a hand of popcorn in his mouth. He’s seen too much to still be baffled.

Morgana: "Butterfly...? What are you talking about?"

Morgana: "Hey now, get a grip. Did you have a strange dream or something?"

Morgana: "Anyway, now that you're awake, let's go home. We still have to decide what you're going to do today." 

Ren: >Right, let's do that. >I'm still sleepy .

Jesus, Joker, what are you, Makoto Yuuki??

In any case, Morgana acts supportive of our exhaustion, given how this is before the Casino dungeon and he gets everything has been a bit much lately. He tells Ren that he’s got his back. D’aww~ 

In front of the school...

Ryuji: "Finally, class is over! That sure was hell..."

Ryuji: *yawn* 

Ryuji’s animations are adorable.

Ryuji claims he hasn’t been able to sleep lately because their Phantom Thief work has kept him so excited. He says that’s probably why he keeps falling asleep in class. However, a certain cat thinks otherwise.

Morgana: "Um, haven't you ALWAYS been napping in class, Ryuji?"

Ryuji tells him to shuddup. 

Ryuji: "We still got plenty of time till our next deadline, but how about we go gather at the hideout?"

Ren: >”Let's meet up.” >”Should we, though?” >”Let's go have Ramen first.”

I really could go for some Ramen.

Ryuji: "Whoa, you sure are taking it easy... Oh, whatever! I want some Ramen too."

Morgana: "Hey, you guys, it's still too early to think about dinner. Let's go to the hideout first."

First my nighttime slots, now my food. Will Morgana ever stop taking the things I love??

Haru: "Oh, it's you two!"

Ryuji: "Hey, nice timing! We were just talking about going to the hideout."

Haru: "Good, I happen to have some after-school time to spare today. The situation at our company has calmed considerably by now."

Ryuji sends texts for everyone to come in.Everyone replies in 2 seconds flat

Ryuji stares at his phone.

They are all going to Leblanc.

Morgana: "Alright! Then we're unanimous: Today we shall conquer another section of Mementos!"

Not if destiny has a word to put in, Mona.

Futaba: “Roger that! I will put my all into navigating.”

After best girl appears, she gets an intro screen. Everyone does.

FUTABA SAKURA. The adopted daughter of the owner of your current residence. Was a Hikikomori when you first met her. Has genius hacking skills. Her code name within the Phantom Thieves is “Oracle”.

It actually says “Navi”, but for the sake of consistency with the localization, I’ll go with “Oracle”.

“Oh, we’re all getting intros? That’s convenient.”

“Yeah, it’s really going to save time on introductions.”

HARU OKUMURA. A 3rd year at Shujin Academy and thus your Senpai. The heiress of her father’s large company, “Okumura Food”. In some ways, she is rather naive towards the world. Her Code Name is “Noir”.

ANN TAKAMAKI. A 2nd year and your classmate. A 1/4 American girl, with a bright, caring personality. Sometimes works part time as a magazine model. Her Code Name is Panther.

Ann: "Hey, Makoto. I don't mind going to Mementos today, but do you think it's okay to not tackle the Palace yet...?"

Makoto: "Don't worry. Honing our skills first is important. The next one is one battle we can't lose."

It’s nice to have it referenced how important that upcoming dungeon was to Makoto.

“...I remember that day. That was when we gathered at the Hide Out to take Akechi into Mementos for the first time.”

“Why are we seeing that though? I don’t remember anything special happening back then. We fought some Shadows and that was it.”

“...Akechi?”

> Naoto listens up.

“Goro Akechi? You knew him...?”

“Ah... Now, that’s gonna take some explaining...”

“It’s gonna be easier to just let them see. I have a feeling it is coming up anyway.”

MAKOTO NIIJIMA. A 3rd year and your Senpai. An accomplished Student Council President of high moral standards. Occasionally also shows a less restrained side.  Her Code Name is “Queen”. 

YUSUKE KITAGAWA. A second year at Kousei High, where he studies Art. Has promising potential as an artist. Rather eccentric and emotional, he seems to live in his own little world. His Code Name is “Fox”.

MORGANA. A mysterious cat you met in the Metaverse. Transforms from a normal cat into a bizarre mascot. Can also transform into a car. His Code Name is “Mona”.

“... ‘Mona’.” 

> Yosuke squints. 

“Everyone got themselves badass Code Names, and you went for... Mona.”

“J-Just so you know, I object to EVERYTHING in that description!”

“Ah, so you CAN’T transform into a kitty-car! Geez, and bear I was confused about how that would go!”

“...ALMOST everything!”

“... Come to think, you guys are pretty unfazed by the fact that Mona-chan can talk...”

“We have Teddie. We’re beyond surprising.”

“And I’d say at this point, Teddie is only the tip of the proverbial ice berg.”

“It’s actually kind of surprising that there’s something that similar to Morgana out there. I always kind of thought he was one of a kind.”

“I-I AM one of a kind, Lady Ann! You should know that!”

“Yeah! And so am I by the way, Ann-chan~!”

“...Don’t call her that...!”

> Angry cat hissing noises.

Ryuji: “Well, doesn’t matter if Palace or Mementos, we just gotta do it to it!”

 The model looks better from this angle. 

RYUJI SAKAMOTO. A 2nd year. Used to be Star of the Track Team. Passionately hot-blooded and immature. His impulsiveness sometimes gets him into trouble. His Code Name is “Skull”.  

Ryuji: "By the way, where's that guy? This would be our first time taking him to Mementos, too..."

Ryuji: "I mean, it'd be a shame if we had to just 'forget' about him..."

Akechi: Sorry to make you wait.”

Ryuji: “Ugh.”

Futaba: “Speak of the devil.”

“That’s...”

“Goro Akechi. I did hear that he had infiltrated the ranks of the Phantom Thieves for a while during the mission that lead to the temporary capture of their leader.”

“I see... I wasn’t allowed access to the files regarding the case, so I had no idea.” 

GORO AKECHI. A third year student. A high school aged private detective. His sharp sense for deduction and reasoning, as well as his looks have earned him a lot of fame. He is also called “The second coming of the Detective Prince”. His Code Name is “Crow”.

“Whoaaaaa! What a Bishie! He’s almost up there with me on the pretty-boy scale...!!”

“Yeah, that is one thing he had going for him...”

“ Mitsuru-san, if I may ask...”

“Of course. Once we’re done here, I will give you a complete copy of the case file, Shirogane.”

“Thank you. This is all very interesting...”

“Infiltration, huh...? Yeah, that’s the right word for it...”

“Not like we fell for it, of course. But we did need to play along with him for just a while. Else we wouldn’t have been able to put an end to his games.”

“His ‘games’, huh...”

> Yosuke already doesn’t like the guy. 

> Your Code Name is “Joker”. You are the Leader of the Phantom Thieves.

“I thought I felt something ‘Senpai’-ish from that guy...”

“Yeah, that guy does feel special... He may have the same power as Sensei and Ai-chan!”

“The power of the ‘Wild Card’...”

“...”

>Marie looks up, seemingly slightly disinterested. 

“I don’t know what you mean. Yu is Yu. There’s only one of him.”

“That may be. But even so, it is surprising, to see that there is such a number of Persona Users who share the same powers as...”

“...”

“In any case. It will be interesting to see how this, as they say ‘plays out’.”

After this scene, the Phantom Thieves head out for Mementos. There’s a badass cutscene which shall be shared.

[mimiplaysgames]

A Rush of Blood to the Head (1/6)

Pairing: Terra/Aqua Rating: T Word Count: 4,022

Summary: “It is just a deal of equal opportunity. His life for yours,” the young man said. “Surely, Terra’s life is worth some consideration from your part? Or has your heart blackened that much?” Aqua, staring at her Keyblade, shook her head. “My heart isn’t-” “Is it not a fair trade?”

AO3        FF.net

A/N: So with all the E3 2018 excitement, here is my contribution to the Aquanort frenzy. This was supposed to be just a one-shot, but it seems like I fear short stories like how a cat is afraid of a cucumber. I’m sure that is my exact reaction when it comes to handling drabbles. Title of the series is based on Coldplay’s “A Rush of Blood to the Head.” The lyrics serve as a profound theme for Terraqua in this context. The fair trade scene was done to Michael Giacchino’s “Life and Death” from Lost Season One.

Two Losses

The thunderstorm raged outside. Rain furiously hammered the tall windows of the academy, but every time lightning flashed, it illuminated the silhouettes of the mountains. It was a beautiful yet ferocious sight, seeing the summits covered by blackened clouds.

Aqua walked through the halls in her pajamas, wrapping herself in a blanket as she headed towards the lounge. It was one of the best places in the castle to relax and catch sight of the storm. Never mind that it was close to midnight.

Terra was already there, with a small, dim lamp by his side and a large book open on his lap.

“And here I thought I was going to get some alone time,” she said, knowing full well that he understood it wasn’t what she meant.

“Then go back to your room,” he said without looking up from his book.

“So in a huge storm like this, you’re going to sit down and read?” Aqua walked up to the loveseat he was sitting on, and he instinctively moved over so she can have some space.

“Didn’t you know that a huge storm like this is the best time to read a great book and let go of the imagination? No studying, no training, just fun nonsense.“

“What’s it this time?” There was always nonsense. Sometimes dragons. Sometimes wenches. Once there was a devil.

He turned to her with childish excitement, yet he kept his expression timid and small as usual. “Ghosts.”

Aqua rolled her eyes. “They exist?”

“In some worlds, they believe so.” He lifted a finger to emphasize his point.

She scooted to get closer to him and gazed into the page he was currently reading. It seemed that he was nearly done with a specific section of the book discussing the nature of ghosts, how they became violent, and what it took to quell them. The next section was about spells that can summon the dead, and if he wasn’t stopped, he was going to continue reading through the night. This meant that her sparring partner would be sluggish the next day, and would probably be grumpy since he hated not being in his prime during fights.

She pointed and tapped to the end of the section before it started discussing the seances. “You’ll stop there.”

Terra grinned from ear to ear and her heart jumped a little. “Are you starved for attention or something?”

From him, yes. But she would never say that. “It’s more responsible if you sleep.”

He sighed and shook his head. “Okay mom. I swear, without you, I would forget to eat or brush my teeth. What would I ever do if I get lost?”

She hit him on the shoulder as he laughed.

Keeping her eyes closed gave her no solace. It was darkness all the same. The moonlight would have been pretty, and the sound of the ocean waves would have been relaxing, were it not for the endless numbness. It didn’t help that this was all she experienced anymore, and the hardest part was forcing herself to stay.

Aqua sat on the beach, the faint moonlight in the distance a constant reminder that she was still where she had been for what seemed like forever.

Forever. Surely there would be no end to it.

Tucking her knees up to her chest, Aqua gazed up to the moonlight, since there was nothing else to do. She decided to recount the reasons why she should keep going.

To find Terra. To save Ven. To find Terra. To save Ven.

But counting always came with a wave of memories.

The three of them together in the academy. Aqua practicing fire magic into a bucket, only to set the entire thing ablaze, a terrible pillar of flames rising up.

Ventus freaking out and casting air magic toward it, which made it bigger.

Terra, who seemed unfazed, dropping a bucket of water onto it. Telling Aqua that he didn’t look forward to when she was going to throw that at him during training, with that calm, slack smile that he always carried. That she missed.

These were just remnants now. And they left a dull, hard pain that numbness cannot ease.

The silence was also unbearable. It never stopped. Usually the voices she would hear were the ones that she remembered. Always in her mind. And most of the time, her mind wasn’t kind. How she pushed Terra away, how she didn’t understand him. How she bossed Ventus around instead of listening to him. All the times she could have done something differently to change what had happened.

“I’ve ruined us,” she said out loud, to break the quiet.

Aqua pulled out her Wayfinder, a trinket of a gorgeous blue hue that she had carefully made. A promise of a never-ending connection, with unique copies given to her best friends. No, she needed to go on.

Looking at the same moonlight and listening to the sound of the ocean never changed. She stood up and ventured back inland, knowing that at some point Heartless were going to attack her. But this was better than sitting for a never-ending time, though. It was otherwise the same routine.

Something had to change. Maybe soon Mickey will come back. It only had to be a matter of time. He wouldn’t just leave her here. She just had to be patient. But... can she wait for as long as she did? He said ten years had passed when he was last here. I don’t know how I can handle waiting another decade...

She stopped amidst tall grass. “Please come back,” she said aloud, hoping her words would travel far away from the Realm of Darkness and reach his ears. The tone of her voice was sad, but being here shredded any earnest expression of despair. She would even pray for despair, since it was something to feel other than a deadening semblance of tired hopelessness.

“Is there anyone else?” she asked out loud. Silence.

Aqua cast her gaze downward, feeling the need to cry but she was too numb to do so. She held her Wayfinder in both her hands. “I wonder if I’ll be okay in the end.”

“A remarkable question to ask to nothingness,” a voice said. The voice was incredibly deep, like it came from an older man. He spoke slowly, as if to express a sense of melancholy that he was also too desensitized to fully show it.

Aqua looked around her only to see an endless field of tall grass. “Who... W-where are you? Are you lost in the darkness, too?”

“I would say the end is merely a belief in which we convince ourselves into thinking that possibilities for us will surely cease.”

“I- I don’t see you at all. Who are you?” Someone that might change things for her? Someone that needed help?

“I am nothing, yet I am a friend.”

“Nothing?” She shook her head, despite realizing he might not be bale to see her either. “Should I call you a ghost then?”

“As you are for me.”

Aqua felt that the periods of time in between her friend’s visits were too long. But whenever he came, he was all the more welcomed.

“And here I venture again, unable to quell the need to come,” he said.

“Hi, friend,” she said, with a small smile to her lips, and it was the only kind of smile she was able to show in a place like this. “I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t you want to visit me?”

She walked among the field, away from the beach. She took a habit of finding a place to lie down so that she can look at whatever stars were left behind from a world ravished by darkness. They sparkled less here, but she didn’t mind. It was better to have her friend with her than any other moment spent in this forsaken terrain alone.

“As I knew what would happen, as I have tried to prevent - the absence of my heart is being replaced. You are a threat,” he said.

Aqua at first didn’t know what to say. “I think that’s the strangest tease anyone has ever tried giving me. You’re not very good at this.” She took a moment to pause. “What do you mean that your heart is absent?”

“I am no one. I have no heart.”

“Then how do you exist?”

“In nothingness.”

Aqua sighed. “Of course.”

Circular words. Endless rambling that always led to the same point. She perceived her friend confused and lost. He never spoke of his past because he could not remember it. He was coy about where he was and where he came from, though he spoke about wanting to be whole again. He usually came to ask her about her own memories - what it was like to live and to feel. What her favorite foods were and whether she had an attachment to them.

Mostly random questions like they came from a curious child who didn’t know how the world worked. It helped her remember her happiest memories, however, such as when the Master took them to a an amusement park when she was young. She had forgotten about it before. The voice liked to listen to himself talk, although he was also very introspective, and this reminded her of Terra.

“I think you are very mistaken,” she finally said. “Even ghosts have hearts.”

“A wretched heart, so despaired by death that it attaches itself to its most beloved in life in order to stalk what it considers its possession. A haunting, driven by the desire to stay connected to its past until it rots.”

Aqua wasn’t surprised that he knew so much about ghosts. The voice was usually well-versed in the knowledge of hearts and how they functioned in all walks of life.

“It’s strange. I know I have never met you before,” she said, “but here you are haunting me.”

“I am not a ghost.” For someone who was apparently alive, he acted as though he had never lived before.

“Right. You are a nobody. Because that makes sense,” she said quietly, not really wanting him to hear the disbelief in her voice. “Why do you think you and I are connected then? I have tried thinking about it, but I’m certain that I have never known you.”

“Because you are a remnant of my past.”

She sighed loudly. “I wish you were more direct with me.” Aqua knew that the Realm of Darkness did not operate at a normal pace of time. She wondered if somehow, in the future, she would finally leave, and meet him.

“A storm rages outside as we speak,” he said.

Something about the statement made Aqua’s stomach flip, although it was uncomfortable. It was nauseating, as though she was on the brink of learning something terrible.

“I do not remember my past, but speaking with you reminds me of emotions that I cannot define, like a cloudy storm,” he continued. “Alone with my work, I am as I should be. Yet here, in this room that you haunt, I am faced with certain trepidations. It is unstable. What would I ever do if I were to become lost?”

Her stomach sank. Her thoughts traveled back to when she met with Terra in the darkness. Is this what he meant when he implied that I won’t be able to recognize him? That his heart has ties to darkness? Does this mean that he’s dead? She was so shaken that she could barely speak without her voice quivering. “Terra?”

The voice took a long time to reply, and when he did, he spoke slower than normal. “I do not recognize that name, friend.”

She gasped out loud. She couldn’t comprehend his emotions, not that it mattered. If he was Terra, then she was worried for him. If he wasn’t, then she was disappointed that he still didn’t come back to help her. Either way, it was agonizing, so much so that her emotions were rising up and she could actually feel them in full.  Tears fell down her face. I don’t know what’s going on, but I need to find Terra.

“Help me,” she said, wiping tears from her face. “I need to get out of here. I’m so worried about my friend.”

“Your friend’s name is Xemnas, and I have it in my power to find you.”

She stopped crying, so shocked by the statement that initially she didn’t believe him. But it stirred hope for the first time in such a long while that she had forgotten what it felt like. “Please.”

“I vow I will one day,” he said calmly.

Aqua was eager for Xemnas to come back after their last conversation. Feelings came easier for her, and she admitted to herself that she was experiencing excitement. She thought about all of the things she would be able to do again. To taste food again. To sleep. To find Ven and wake up him. To tease him. To look into Terra’s eyes. To confess to him how she had felt about him for years, the one thing she had never done and regretted the most. She needed the chance to do it.

She needed it so badly and she was certain Xemnas would grant it to her. She told herself that he treasured talking with her as much as she treasured his visits, since they had helped her survive. It was nice to think that she made a new friend that she could finally meet face to face. She promised herself to bake him something special as thanks for saving her.

But he never came. The more time continued passing, the more she realized that she was in denial as she sat on the beach looking at the moon. Something horrible happened to him. He’s gone.

The excitement that she kept nurturing all this time swelled, but it was painful. She tucked her knees close to her chest and sobbed it all out until her throat hurt and her eyes swelled.

She came across a man on the beach. He was dressed in a long black robe, his hood covering his face. This man called himself Ansem, although his memories were clouded as well. A new companion, although the endless numbing of the Real of Darkness proved too much for him. He would sometimes disappear without her knowing where he went. She worried that he was going to snap at any moment. Conversations with him became more erratic as time went on, and eventually he made her feel alone even when was around.

At some point, it seemed as though he finally did. He was slumped on the  beach, responseless to her inquiries. She had promised herself to help and to take care of him, but in this way, it was like interacting with a statue. She wondered if she failed him, and asked him for forgiveness.

Defeated, she left the beach to walk across the field, if only to break the monotony of staring into the moonlight. Although the trek was tedious as well.

Today, however, something changed. Another man, one who was incredibly tall and barrel-chested, stood in the distance in a short wheat field in the night. He wore a similar robe and hood so that she couldn’t see his face.

“Hi there,” she said. “Are you lost, too?” She hoped that he wasn’t terribly affected by the darkness like the last one.

“What would you do if I were, friend?”

Aqua was surprised to hear this voice and it overwhelmed her with relief, that desperate need of feeling hope coming back.

“Xemnas,” she said with a breath as she approached him. “I’m so relieved. I was so sad that something might have happened to you.”

“It seems that the darkness hasn’t overtaken you just yet,” he said in a tone that depicted a scientist observing data.

Aqua shifted nervously at his expression. He seemed a bit colder than usual.

“I have come to fulfill my vow,” he said as he turned to walk away.

“Are you feeling alright?” she asked, traversing behind him, unsure if she even wanted an answer. Something didn’t seem right. He was clearly right in front of her, but something about him didn’t give her the sense that he even existed. Has the darkness harmed him?

“I do not feel anything,” he said as he continued walking. “It has taken far too long to find you, and we need to hurry.” His tone was deadpan, and it almost seemed as though he had forgotten who she was.

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand,” she said as she stopped. He stopped as well, turning to face her. “I had waited so long for you to come-” she began to say, until she noticed his face.

“Xemnas, can I see you?” She held her hands to her chest, nervous.

He removed his hood to show a dark face with orange eyes and long white hair that graced his shoulders. A man she confirmed to herself she had never met before, and yet it was a familiar beautiful face. “Terra?”

Xemnas gazed upon her coldly, his hands behind his back. It was uncanny, the resemblance.

“Why do you-” She took a sharp breath in and walked towards him, reaching for him. “You have to be him. Terra?”

Xemnas solemnly shook his head, and asked, “why do you think Terra has never come to rescue you?”

Because he didn’t want to. But it couldn’t be. She wanted to believe that Terra would never leave her behind, that he really was in the trouble she had seen him in. She knew that if he had the chance, he would have come. She had to tell herself that. But if that was true, then what happened?

She retracted her hand, tears forming in her eyes. “Because you have him.”

Xemnas raised his hands as he looked down on them. “How precious it is, our past. The one thing that makes us for who we are, and the one thing that we can keep to ourselves, so long as we are able to still grasp it.”

She choked back her tears as she realized how foolish she had been. What comfort was there to someone who so desperately needed a friend? Nothingness. Her bond with Xemnas was nothing. Her throat clenched as she thought about the hours she had waited for him to come back. She thought about the comfort he had given her, when it never was supposed to exist. Only because he needed her for something. And now, Terra needed her.

She summoned her Keyblade. “Where is he?”

Xemnas, ignoring that she was threatening him, reached out to her with one hand. “He is here. Would you like to see him?”

Xemnas had pulled his hood back up as he led the way through the wheat field. Aqua followed behind him, her Keyblade still drawn. He had made no move to threaten her, nor did he attempt to attack her. The wheat they were walking through seemed to get taller, and it was disorienting.

They reached a clearing. On a boulder sat a tall man, hooded and robed. He seemed unresponsive to their entrance.

Xemnas stood his ground, as though he had reached his destination. Aqua tried to get an expression out of him, but was unable to read him. She looked upon the man sitting on the boulder. It had been so long now. The possibility that she was finally this close to Terra was unbearable.

“Terra?!” she called out as she ran towards him, but she was attacked by a powerful magnetic force from behind as she was thrown against the ground and her Keyblade flew out of her reach.

A different voice replied, “he will not respond.”

A different man entered the clearing, his face also hooded. His voice sounded much younger than Xemnas’.

“What does that mean?” She struggled to get up, her back sore from the blast.

The younger man waved his arms to play with the wheat. “We had to prepare him.” He summoned a Keyblade of his own, one that Aqua did not recognize. “We are here to discuss a deal with you. He has proven to be a most rambunctious, unreliable member of our Organization.“ His voice was almost sweet, but there was an aspect to the sweetness that seemed warped, as if he was insincere in his politeness. 

“I will not deal with you.”

“A shame, since we need to dispose of him.”

“You will not!” She summoned her Keyblade and attempted to get up and attack, but fighting both the man and Xemnas, who wielded dual swords of his own, proved to be fruitless. Her injuries piled on. Darkness here had always been stronger, and these men did not compare to the feral, unintelligent Heartless she’d been wasting away. She was slashed from behind, and stumbled onto the ground.

“It is just a deal of equal opportunity. His life for yours,” the young man said. “Surely, Terra’s life is worth some consideration from your part? Or has your heart blackened that much?”

Aqua, staring at her Keyblade, shook her head. “My heart isn’t-”

“Is it not a fair trade?”

Aqua breathed slowly. Terra. There were so many things left unsaid. There was so much confusion left unresolved. If she could have one more chance to find him in the lounge, sleeping with a book laid out on his chest, she would never scold him for it again. She would do anything it took to make him happy, since deep down she admitted that she knew he felt the same way for her.

But if she gave herself up for Terra, then Ventus wouldn’t have anyone there to wake him up.

Ventus. How she left him sleeping in that lonely room. He used to be vibrant. Always running around the castle. Always willing to spar. Always looking for a reason or a way to annoy her, with that silly toothy smile on his face. If she could, she’d give him a chance to be annoying again, since she knew it was his favorite thing to do. She would let him talk his ear out, and instead of silencing him, she would laugh. He needed her the most.

It was her punishment to choose.

I’ve ruined us because I pushed the both of you away. I’m so sorry.

She squeezed her Keyblade and considered to fight again, but she was too weak to get up.

“Just think of what the both of you will gain,” the young man continued. “Freedom. You would both be free of the cages that keep you locked.“

Freedom. A chance to actually get back to life. But it wasn’t worth the price without the both of them back in her life. They were her family. I can’t do anything for them here, anyway. I need to get out of here to help them.

I wonder... if I could use this to my advantage. If I can sabotage our enemies instead.

Throughout this time, she felt numb. But now, she had direction.

Aqua refused to choose. She kept her facial expression neutral, careful to make sure that the two men did not notice any inkling that she was scheming.

She gripped her Keyblade and brought it closer. I break the bond between us, she said to it in her mind. She couldn’t have it where she was going, and to fall into the wrong hands would ruin everything. It disappeared.

Her voice was shaky. “You said you would release him? Prove it.”

Xemnas approached Terra, who was still sitting unresponsively on the boulder, and summoned what seemed like a portal.

Aqua swallowed a lump in her throat, an incredibly difficult feat for her. “I agree to the trade,” she said quietly. 

The young man looked over to Xemnas, as though he was a bit surprised to hear that. “And I had expected that this was going to be much more difficult. They said you were strong and stubborn.”

“I am strong.” She whispered as quietly as she could to herself so that neither of them would hear. A promise to only herself. “You will not have me.”

The young man raised his Keyblade to Terra’s chest, and a light shone and expanded before he lowered it. Aqua scuffled towards Terra, resting her hands on his lap.

“Terra,” she pleaded, looking up to the face shadowed within the hood. She paid no mind to the other men around her. All she looked at was his face. A pair of yellow eyes. But it was still his beautiful face. Please smile at me. Please be okay. Please be free.

“Terra, look at me. Please.” She sounded desperate, needing to see some reaction. Anything to let her know he was back before it was too late for her.

She felt a forceful heat come over body, like it was seeping into her skin, and she felt her limbs go numb first. He looked down at her, the first sign of movement that he’d ever shown. The last thing she saw was his yellow blending into green.

A/N: Thank you guys so much for reading!! I hope this was enjoyable... in the almost saddest way possible. But it’s going to be okay! I don’t really do angst for angst’s sake. If you have been following my other fics, my fluffy one “Beloved Memories, in Notes” and my main adventure “Strength to Protect the Things That Matter” will both be updated along the next few days!! I have to say, this series overall draws many small parallels with what I have been planning for my main fic. It’s crazy how that happens when you don’t realize it.

[pastaraa-blog]

Even With The Enemy (Ch.2/?)

SUMMARY: A series of dead bodies turn up in Seoul and Inspector Min Yoongi is assigned to the case. The police are quick to assume that it’s a serial killer running loose but Yoongi has other ideas. There’s more to this case than meets the eye.

PAIRING: Kim Taehyung | V / Min Yoongi | Suga

!!WARNING for graphic depictions of violence!!

Also on AO3

CHAPTER 2 - JIMIN AND HANSUNG

Lee Jung In. 35 years old. His body was found in a back alley at 2 a.m. on Sunday. He had five stab wounds – one on each leg, one on each hand, and one on the chest, which directly pierced his heart and ultimately killed him.

Kim Byung Ho. 36 years old. His body was found floating on a river at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. He had multiple lacerations on his torso and back and exactly eight stab wounds, three of which hit major arteries and caused severe bleeding. He died from blood loss.

Kim Hyun Woo. 38 years old. His body was found in a ditch at 10 p.m. on Friday. His body had the most physical trauma among the three victims and showed clear signs of torture. All of his fingers had been broken and all of his nails had been removed. He had broken ribs, multiple lacerations and stab wounds, and a head injury likely caused by a blunt object. The cause of his death was a collapsed lung resulting from a stab wound on the chest.

All three bodies had traces of two chemical substances, one was designed to render the victims unconscious while the other one was a slow-acting poison that caused paralysis.

All three victims were members of the Baeksaja, a gang notorious for dealing in drug trafficking and the sex trade behind their ‘legal’ business of owning clubs in the red light district.

Yoongi closed the folder and leaned back in his chair. He looked at the clock on his wall and saw that it was half past midnight. He was probably the only one left at the station. He had been so absorbed in reading the file, he had lost track of time.

It had been a while since Yoongi came across a case as troublesome as this. All three victims were known gang members and undoubtedly had their share of enemies so narrowing it down was going to be difficult. The use of similar chemicals suggested that the crimes had been committed either by the same person or a group of people who had contact with each other. If it was a group, it could be the work of a rival gang like Yoongi guessed earlier, however, based on the reports, Yoongi was more inclined to think that the murders were committed by the same person.

According to the autopsy, several of the victims’ stab wounds were of near-identical sizes, indicating that at least one similar knife had been used on all three of them. Unless gangs were now giving out standard-issue knives to all their members, these near-identical stab wounds could mean that the knife used on all three victims may have been owned by one person.

A knock on the door interrupted Yoongi’s thoughts. He muttered a quick ‘come in’ and the door opened, revealing Namjoon.

“Hey, I’m planning to head out soon,” Namjoon said, “Are you going to stay here?”

Yoongi stretched his hands above his head and yawned. “Nah, I’m heading out with you.” He got up from his chair and gathered his things. “I’m done for tonight. This case you’ve given me has tired me out.”

“So I guess you’ve finished reading all of it?” Namjoon had the audacity to look apologetic after piling such a taxing case on Yoongi’s lap. “What do you think?”

“You couldn’t wait until tomorrow? I thought you said you were heading out.”

“Nothing comprehensive. Just your initial thoughts. I’d like to hear them while it’s fresh on your mind.”

Yoongi decided to give in. Denying Namjoon was difficult enough when he wasn’t bone weary. “I think our perp is just one person,” he said, “and this is more of a hunch right now but, judging by how the method of killing became bloodier and more gruesome with each victim, I think this was the work of someone with a personal vendetta. Either that or our perp is simply a sadistic bastard.”

“Hmm…” Namjoon nodded, “I thought the same thing, actually. Though you’re correct, it’s just a hunch right now, which is why I wanted you to take a look at the case. Hearing you say the same thing validates my initial assumptions.”

“As flattered as I am to hear that you value my opinion that much, my brain cells are pretty much dead right now. Can we save this conversation for later?” It was just as well that Namjoon and Yoongi had a friendly relationship. If this were anyone else, Yoongi would be receiving a stern reprimand for daring to talk to his superior officer in such a manner.

“Ah, sorry. I almost got carried away there. We should both get some rest. I have a feeling we’re going to have a long day tomorrow,” Namjoon stopped to look at his watch, “Or should I say, later today.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

#

Dried leaves cracked under Jimin’s shoes as he trudged along the busy streets of Seoul. He tugged at his scarf and pulled his jacket tighter. It was nearing the end of October and the temperature had already dropped too much for his liking. Winter was going to be such a pain this year.

“Yo, Park Jimin!” A man on the street bellowed, catching the attention of bystanders. Jimin recognized the deep voice – would recognize it anywhere.

Jimin turned around to face the man. “Yo, Park Hansung! Don’t go shouting in the streets!”

The man, Hansung, gave Jimin a cheeky grin. “But you did too!”

“Yeah, but you started it!” Jimin replied, knowing full well that it made him sound like a child keeping up a stupid argument. He stopped walking and waited for Hansung to catch up to him. “What are you doing out this early? Doesn’t the shop open until later?” He asked once they were walking side by side, voice now down to an acceptable volume.

“Our vegetable delivery guy is out sick today so I’m supposed to pick up our supply from the market,” Hansung said through a yawn. He was cheerful like he usually was but now that Jimin was looking closely, it was apparent that he was tired.

“Didn’t get much sleep last night?” Jimin knew that Hansung worked multiple jobs to make ends meet but this was the first time he was seeing him this tired in the morning.

“You could say that. I haven’t had much time to sleep the past week.”

“You didn’t get another part-time job, did you?” Jimin asked, concern lacing his tone. “You can’t keep on pushing your body like that, Hansung-ah.”

“This coming from Park Jimin? The Park Jimin who stayed behind every day after training and pulled weekly all-nighters back when he was at the police academy? That Park Jimin?”

“That was a situation where only I could do something to improve my performance so I did it. This is different. If you’re short on money then you can always come to me. You don’t need to get another job. You work too much already.”

“I always say this but you’re too kind, Jimin.” Hansung gave Jimin a fond smile. “Thank you for offering but I can’t take your money.”

“Hansung, you don’t–”

“I’m doing fine on the money front, don’t worry. In fact, I didn’t get another job.” Hansung added a wink for good measure. “I was just caught up in things last week but I’m all good. I know how to pace myself.”

Jimin was still a bit skeptical – Hansung had a habit of making light of his problems so as not to worry others – but let the topic slide for the moment. “As long as you’re taking care of yourself…”

“I am, I promise. Buuut, enough about me! How about you? How was your first day at the station?”

Jimin swallowed the sigh that was his impulsive response to that question. That would only make Hansung worry. “It went well, actually. The Senior Inspector in charge of our station seems like a really nice guy and I met a Senior Officer who was very friendly and introduced me to everyone.” It wasn’t a lie. All of those things did happen on his first day and if Jimin chose to omit the part where his direct superior seemed to find him annoying and had been more than happy to foist him off onto other people as soon as possible, Hansung was none the wiser.

“That’s great! I’m happy that your first day went well. I remember you were worrying so much about your colleagues bullying you or something,” Hansung said with a teasing smirk, “I told you those stories were just made up to scare newbies and you didn’t believe me.”

“Hey, don’t make fun of me! Those things do happen! I’m just lucky I got assigned to a station with decent senior officers.” Senior Inspector Min seemed like he didn’t want to have anything to do with Jimin but he hadn’t been cruel. Gruff and aloof, maybe, but not cruel. Jimin should probably be thankful for that.

“Hmm, if you say so…” Hansung looked reasonably impressed, of what Jimin wasn’t quite sure. “But if anyone bullies you, just tell me and I’d go over there to give them a talking to!”

To anyone else, Hansung’s words probably sounded like a joke but Jimin knew that he was serious. “Hansung, I don’t think making a scene inside a police station is a good idea, but thanks for always having my back,” Jimin said. Hansung often had silly ideas but Jimin knew he always meant well.

#

Sharing a morning walk with his best friend was a balm for Jimin’s soul and he had arrived at the station in considerably high spirits. Unfortunately, not even the pleasant start to his morning was enough to shield him from the ominous air that greeted him when he stepped into Senior Inspector Min’s office.

In Senior Inspector Min’s hurry to get rid of him the day before, Jimin had forgotten to give the man a copy of his assignment papers. Jimin had thought it would be okay for him to drop by the Senior Inspector’s office early in the morning to hand the papers over but he hadn’t expected to walk into what appeared to be a very important meeting between Senior Inspector Min and Senior Inspector Kim. Judging by the clouded look on the two men’s faces, Jimin guessed that whatever it was they were talking about, it was a terrible situation that was way, way above Jimin’s pay grade.

“Were you eavesdropping?” That was Senior Inspector Min and he looked pissed. Granted, the man seemed to have a resting annoyed face but this time, Jimin could tell that he was really quite angry.

“N-no, sir.” Came Jimin’s quick denial. The last thing he wanted was for his superior officers to think that he was up to no good on his second day at work.

“Uh huh?” Senior Inspector Min didn’t look convinced. “So what, they don’t teach you how to knock at the academy?”

“Uhm, I – I was… ” Jimin felt like his heart was lodged in his throat. He contemplated the merits of telling Senior Inspector Min that he did knock before entering but the two senior inspectors seemed to have been too engrossed in their discussion to notice or to respond so Jimin decided to push the door just a little to see if there was anyone inside. It was just Jimin’s luck that Senior Inspector Kim opened the door at the same time so he had been dragged into the room without warning, effectively barging into the senior officers’ tense meeting. Jimin found the whole experience mortifying, really.

“Yoongi, please don’t scare him,” Senior Inspector Kim said and Jimin felt like he could kiss the man in gratitude. “Relax, Officer Park. I don’t believe that you were eavesdropping and I’m pretty sure forgetting to knock once in a while isn’t a punishable offense. I know I’m guilty of the same thing sometimes.”

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Senior Inspector Kim was one of the nicest, most respectable guys Jimin had ever met in his entire life. Jimin was blessed to have been assigned to this man’s station.

“Thank you, sir!” Jimin bowed ninety degrees. “And I’m sorry for barging into your meeting, sir!”

“It’s fine. We were done here anyway. I’m leaving you two.” Senior Inspector Kim clapped Jimin’s shoulder on his way out. “Yoongi, don’t be too harsh on him.”

Jimin only rose from his bow when he heard the door click shut behind him. Senior Inspector Kim was very kind about the whole thing but now, Jimin was alone with Senior Inspector Min and without a buffer, he might very well be put through the wringer by his direct superior.

Senior Inspector Min sighed. To Jimin’s relief, the words from Senior Inspector Kim seemed to have mollified him. “I suppose I should have told you this yesterday but, Rule Number One – knock if you want to enter my office. If you don’t hear an answer, don’t come in. Are we clear?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Rule Number Two, don’t ever eavesdrop on any conversation happening inside this office. Or any office for that matter. Clearances exist for a reason and there are things you don’t need to know.”

“Yes, sir.” Jimin felt that particular scolding was underserved as he hadn’t been eavesdropping but he wasn’t about to talk back to his superior officer like that.

“And Rule Number Three.” Senior Inspector Min rose from his seat and walked towards Jimin. “Don’t be so fucking meek all the damn time. I don’t appreciate insubordination but I hate mindless obedience even more. There’s a fine line between the two, learn to thread it, otherwise, you’ll never survive this job. Do you understand?” It was probably only Jimin’s imagination but there seemed to be a hint of concern in Senior Inspector Min’s tone.

“Yes, sir. I understand.”

to be continued…

[keywestlou]

KEY WEST HOME TO #1 RESORT AND SPA IN FLORIDA

I am sue you noticed there was no blog yesterday. A tuesday disaster.

I take 19 pills a day. I made it to 86 so far so they must be helping. I take the pills during the course of the day while on the computer. A case of bottled water nearby to assist.

I was opening a new bottle. The cap was hard to turn. Finally turned snapping my wrist. Came the deluge. My keyboard buried in water. Tried to clean and dry. Didn’t work. Sloan stopped by yesterday with a new one.

My notes for tuesday night’s Tuesday Talk show covered with water also. Ink turned into black water. Notes for the show gone 15 minutes before show time. Did the show of the top of my head.

I do not need the computer to do Tuesday Talk. Only a land line. Ergo, I was still able to get the show in.

Tragedies occur.

Travel + Leisure is one of America’s top travel magazine. Its recent edition listed the top 15 resorts and spas in Florida. Key West was home to three.

Number one was Sunset Key and Cottages. Number two Oceans Edge Resort and Marina. Number three Ocean Key Resort and Spa.

A big deal! All top notch.

E-bikes. I see them coming to Key West.

Tourists and locals alike are bike crazy here. Bicycles the reason Key West is #1 for bicycle deaths and injuries in Florida.

The bicycles are motorized. Electric power. Can enjoy the ride or peddle. Whatever is desired. Speed under 25 mph.

A hit already in major cities. Sales in the 12 month period ending in July up 240 percent. By next year, they will be all over Key West. I am not looking forward to it. Unless you have experienced it, you have no idea how dangerous it is to drive a car on a roadway covered with bicycle riders.

A bit of coronavirus.

Israel has been one of the world leaders in dealing with coronavirus. It will be announcing shortly that 4 shots will be required to be considered being “fully vaccinated.” Two booster shots rather than one.

Israelis will only be able “to engage in society” if their vaccine passports show 4 shots have been taken.

Israeli people not happy. Already protesting.

Pope Francis is generally on the right side of things. Vaccines, for example. He encourages vaccines, discourages religious exemptions.

On September 27-28, the Vatican held its Assembly Meeting of the Pontifical Academy of Life. The Academy deals with issues at the intersection of bioethics and moral theology. The Academy advocated for equitable distribution of vaccines and to combat vaccine skepticism.

YouTube announced it is going to ban any who claim “vaccines are infectious or dangerous.” Included is Robert Kennedy, Jr. who is a prominent vaccine opponent.

Does not surprise me Kennedy would be opposed to vaccines. He most times is on the wrong side of issues. Recall that it was recently announced he supported the parole of his father’s assassin Sirhan Sirhan.

His father he is not.

On this day in 1939, the Munich Pact was signed.

Prime Minister Chamberlain feared Germany was going to start a war. England mentally was still suffering from the huge number of young Englishmen it had lost in World War I.

Hitler did not invite Chamberlain to Munich. Chamberlain went uninvited. In fact, Hitler wondered what he wanted.

Chamberlain wanted peace, “peace at any cost.”

A one page document was signed. Hitler agreed not to begin a war. There was one condition. Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland was to be given to Germany. It was so agreed.

Chamberlain returned to England. As he departed his plane in England, he waived a copy of the one page agreement and shouted, “Peace with honor, peace in our lifetime.”

History reflects he was wrong.

The surprising thing was Hitler’s recollection of the meeting. He had no thought of asking for the Sudetenland. It was actually Chamberlain’s idea. Chamberlain thought Hitler could be “bought off” by his suggestion. Hitler agreed to accept the Sudetenland. Why not, he said. Something for nothing.

Upon death, one’s remains are either buried or cremated. There is now a third way gaining in popularity. Cost the primary consideration. The new way is cheaper.

It is composting. Turning the body into a “sack of dirt.” The process takes 3 months.

The concept is promoted with the thought one’s body is still living in a sense. Composting renews life.

Composting is legal in Colorado and Washington. Expected to be legal soon in Oregon.

Eighty six year old Thomas Krob of Spring Grove, Illinois recently died. He refused to be vaccinated. His problem was not coronavirus. It was rabies.

He woke one night discovering a bat on his neck. He refused the set of 4 rabies shots. He died in one month.

It was discovered a colony of bats were living in his home.

Rabies deaths can be prevented if timely rabies vaccinations are given. Krob was anti-vaccine and paid the penalty many persons do who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

I am perplexed. When are Manchin and Sinew going to do what’s right?

Manchin may yet capitulate. Sinew perhaps never. She does not seem capable of seeing the light of day.

A newscaster last night described her as “bush league.” Her conduct suggesting she does not belong in the Senate.

I have the feeling she wants her constituents to view her as another John McCain. She is an Arizona Senator. His life experiences qualified him to act as he did. He had earned the right. She, not.

John McCain she is not.

The House Progressives are to be admired. Some 60 odd in number.

They are sick of having been ignored over the years. They are standing strong at this time and saying “no more.”

Good for them!

Today is National Coffee Day. Free coffee available at many coffee outlets. Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks being two. One requirement generally. Food or a bakery item must be purchased.

Enjoy your day!

KEY WEST HOME TO #1 RESORT AND SPA IN FLORIDA was originally published on Key West Lou

[grootiez]

The Joys of Raising a Teenaged Groot- Chapter 4: Court Date

As Rocket drove to the lawyer’s office, he couldn’t help but think about what Groot had become. What happened to his precious baby boy who was obsessed with everything Bob Ross and just loved his raccoon daddy? Rocket longs for the days when Groot would just sit in front of the TV for hours on end watching “Bob Ross’ ‘The Joy of Painting’.” He longs for the days when his biggest fear for Groot was if he found out how to undo the baby locks Rocket and the other Guardians installed around the house to keep him out of the things that he shouldn’t be around. (Mainly the “Death Buttons” Rocket was currently building and experimenting with at the time.) Now, the rodent fears what kind of trouble his teenaged son has gotten himself into or who he’s hanging out with.

As Rocket parked his car in front of the building, the gravity of the situation became apparent on him. What crime was Groot accused of doing? Would he be charged with a crime? Would Groot, because of his age, be charged as a juvenile or as an adult? If he was charged as a juvenile, would he have a criminal record for the rest of his life or would it go away when he became an adult, like how they do it on Earth, according to Star-Munch. What would his sentence be? Would it be as simple as paying a fine and writing a letter of an apology to the plantiff?

“Ha, writing a letter of an apology.” Rocket thought to himself as he gathered his breifcase full of old pictures of him and a happier Groot. “Groot can only say three words. How is he supposed to convey regret through a letter if his writing ability was about as good as his talking ability in that he could only write those three same words, over and over again? Especially if I’m not able to be present to translate for him because of legal reasons.”

Some more thoughts invaded Rocket’s mind as he entered the building: What if Groot was to be sent to a rehabilitation facility or jail for troubled youth? Or, and this was Rocket’s greatest fear, what if Groot was charged as an adult and sent away for years and years, never to see his family until his sentence was complete.

Rocket signed in and took a seat in the waiting room. After he sat down, he looked through the pictures of him and Groot.

“I miss the good ol’ days.” Rocket lamented as he held one of the pictures. Five minutes later, he was called to one of the rooms to fight for Groot’s freedom.

“Oh, good. Mr. Raccoon, I presume?” The lawyer, Meesko, asked as he shook Rocket’s hand.

“You can just call me Rocket.” The raccoon said as he sat down in front of the fancy desk that belonged to the attorney.

“Oh, okay, Rocket.” Meesko began. “Well, I think that you’ll be pleased to hear that the judge is ready to hear Groot’s case today.” The tall, thin alien looks around for Groot, but doesn’t see him. “Where is he?”

“He’s at school.” Rocket replied. “Do you need me to go pick him up?”

“No. No, we can do the hearing without him. As long as someone from his immediate family or a legal parent/guardian is here to represent him, the hearing can proceed.” Meesko answered as he got out Groot’s file. “Do you have any questions before I get the judge on video conference?”

“Just one. What’s going to happen if Groot’s found to be guilty?” Rocket said nervously. “Is he going to be sent to jail?”

“That, I cannot answer.” Meesko said as he held Rocket’s hands and looked him in the eyes. “That’ll be up to the judge. Since this is your son’s first offense, the punishment probably won’t be severe. However, it’ll be more than just having him pay a fine. Anywhere from a year-long probation to possible time to be served in police custody.”

Rocket was fearful at that prospect. He was scared for his adopted son and the possible outcome if he was sent away to prison.

“But, but-.” That was all Rocket could manage to say. “But, Groot is so young. To have him already have a criminal record before he’s fully grown again-.” The raccoon couldn’t even process the thought.

“The judge has taken his age into account and has agreed to have his case moved to juvenile court.” Meesko said as he took a sip of water. “With that, Groot would be considered a convicted criminal until his 21st birthday or until he reaches full maturity or adulthood, whichever comes first to his species. But, he still faces the same gamut of punishment. Anywhere from a probationary period until he reaches adulthood when his criminal records are expunged to possible time spent in a juvenile home for troubled youth, or a mental health facility for young defenders, or a youth boot camp, or a juvenile detention center or prison where he would remain until adulthood.”

Rocket sat back in his chair, stunned by the punishment, even though Groot’s case would be heard in a juvenile court. None of them sounded good for Groot, even though he wasn’t the most well-behaved teenager, he was probably an angel compared to all of the other kids that were already in the facilities that Meesko mentioned.

As Rocket contemplated Groot’s future, Meesko set up the video conference with the judge that would be overseeing the teen’s case. Just then, the judge came into view on the lawyer’s laptop, which was connected to a closed-circuit TV.

“Alright.” The judge, who went by the name of Cre’zhok, began as he got out his copy of the criminal complaint against Groot and shuffled the paperwork. “This is case number J-894176-FC. Or in basic terms ‘The Government of Xandar v. Groot.’ These proceedings will be confidential and kept from the general public since the accused is not of the maturity or the capacity of an adult, so this is a juvenile case with a maxium punishment of being sentenced to the Xandar Detention Prison for Troubled Youth up until he turns 21 or reaches adulthood, whichever comes first.” Cre’zhok looks around the room. “Where is the defendant?”

“Your Honor, the defendant’s adoptive father is here today to represent him due to the fact that the defendant is still a child, and is currently in school at the moment.” Meesko said.

“Oh.” Cre’zhok looks at Rocket. “A raccoon?” Rocket tried his best to not look offended at the comment. “I’m impressed. Flora Colossi have a reputation of being the toughest species to raise right. Takes a lot of discipline to raise one from a seedling to a full-fledged adult. May I ask your name, sir?”

“Rocket, Your Honor.” The rodent said. “Rocket Raccoon.”

“Alright, Mr. Raccoon.” Cre’zhok replied. “Let’s get down to business, shall we?”

“Uh, you can just call me, Rocket, Your Honor.” Rocket replied, not used to being referred to as a raccoon.

“Alright.” Cre’zhok agreed. “Rocket.” The word sounding foreign to the stern judge. “Now, you said that your son was enrolled in school, correct?” Rocket nodded. “What school does he attend?”

“The Xandar Academy for Gifted and Exceptional Students.” Rocket answered. “He’s been accepted only as a favor from Nova Prime.”

“And what were the terms of the favor?” Cre’zhok asked.

“Okay, you might’ve noticed that I’m Rocket. The Rocket of the Guardians of the Galaxy.” The raccoon answered as the judge looked impressed. “You might’ve heard of us before, as we have saved Xandar from total annihilation.” Rocket took a deep breath. ”Groot did too, or he did.” He tried to hold back the tears. “You see, he made sure that we were safe when Ronan’s ship came crashing down by forming a cocoon around us. The force of the crash killed him on impact, but the rest of us survived and we managed to save the planet and kill Ronan. After the battle, I went over to Groot’s corpse and managed to recover a tiny twig from him that Groot was reborn from. After Quill got his ship rebuilt, Nova Prime came to us and said that if we needed anything to not be afraid to ask.”

“I see.” Cre’zhok replied as he looked through Groot’s file. “And why was he placed at Xandar Academy?”

“When Groot was in his toddler stage and ready to go to preschool, Peter had arranged for an interview at St. Tre’ok Preschool, which is the most exclusive, expensive, but most inclusive preschool in Xandar.” Rocket took a sip of water as he explained. “Well, the first two parts, yeah. But they weren’t inclusive to Groot. They, like ‘Children’s Hope’ treated him like he was not like the other kids, different.”

Rocket shed a tear at how hard it was for Groot to fit in given his language difficulties.

“So after I fought for the right to legally adopt Groot, I pulled him out of that preschool. Nova Prime then heard about one of her most senior officers forcibly taking Groot away from us, the only family that he’s ever known.” Rocket explained with sincerity. “She then offered him immediate placement at Xandar Academy, which is for preschool up until they graduate from high school. Nova Prime even offered to pay for Groot’s tuition for every year that he attends there.”

“Please, Your Honor. Groot’s a good kid. He didn’t mean to get in trouble. Give him another chance.” Rocket then finished his statement.

“I will take what you’ve said into consideration, Rocket.” The raccoon breathed a sigh of relief at Cre’zhok’s words. “However, your son is still charged with a serious crime. The crime being the vandalism of various businesses in downtown Xandar, near the residence of Nova Prime. Surveillance video footage from one of the businesses show that Groot wasn’t the only one that partook in the vandalizing that night.” Rocket watched the video footage of the crime spree. “As you can see, there were eight, maybe ten others with him and they were doing various things, from spray painting graffiti onto the walls, to looting and shoplifting products, to one of them robbing the place and smashing the windows.” The raccoon’s focus was entirely on his son, who was standing timidly in the corner, a scared look on his face. “Now, when the alarms went off, the teens scattered, running off with the stolen goods and money. When the police arrived, they gave chase. However, they were only able to apprehend Groot. The others were able to get away.”

Rocket watched the video of their escape. It was crystal clear to him that the leader of the group made Groot trip and fall to the ground, allowing him and the others to evade capture.

Cre’zhok gets Rocket’s attention again as he clears his throat. “I have spoken with the business owners and they have all agreed that Groot should be punished, but not to the point of where we would have to pull him from your custody to be placed in a juvenile facility until he reaches adulthood. I have taken their wishes into account and hereby sentence Groot to a year of probation, along with 720 hours of community service at the Xandar Soup Kitchen and Homeless Shelter.” Rocket nodded at the terms as they were read. “His teachers and principal at his school shall also give me updates on his behavior and if he is showing no improvement there, then I will extend the time that he has to do the volunteer work and extend the time that he’s on probation. I will also issue a court order that requires him to wear an electronic ankle monitor with a GPS tracker built in since he has a history of running away from home and causing trouble. I’m also sentencing him to house arrest, where other than home or school, he can’t have free access to anywhere without court-approval. If he breaks any of these terms, I’ll have no other choice but to have him personally appear for the next hearing where I’ll be forced to formally sentence him to the juvenile detention facility where he will remain until he reaches adulthood. Now, Rocket, do you agree to these terms for your son as they were read?”

“Yes, Your Honor. I do.” Rocket responded.

“Alright, then can you sign the papers that Meesko will hand to you?” Cre’zhok asked as Rocket signed the aforementioned paperwork. “Any other questions?”

“Yes, Your Honor. Where do I have to take Groot to get his ankle monitor put on?” The raccoon asked.

“At the Nova Corps Headquarters. They will also need to take his fingerprints and mugshot, among other things.” Cre’zhok told Rocket before Meesko ended the video conference and closed his laptop.

Meesko and Rocket talk some more about the terms of Groot’s punishment. After an hour, Rocket leaves the office and drives himself home to give the other Guardians an update.

[tanricksfanficks]

Void S

Dying is always the easiest part. It happens fast. It's not without sensation and yet formless in feeling. If your senses allow, feel your self stretched thin in every direction yet compressed unable  to grasp at anything. When it happens you probably wont know it even did, that is unless you are a capsuleer. Waking up. This is everything I fear. More than the entropy that will consume all those I love, more than facing the contents of my wallet, more than being stranded in space and dying of hunger. First comes the light, it is radiant beyond measure. All at once you become conscious of everything you have ever known downloaded from countless clones who all met the same fate. Ten million neurons firing all at once forming every emotional pattern, every muscle memory, and every single nerve connection simultaneously. No pain can compare to this, or so I thought.

I was stolen at some point, as it was customary for all capsuleers, and for the most part so were any memories of my youth. They insisted during pre-op that it was “necessary to make room”. The concept, as it was told to me at the academy, is that the conscious mind is anchored at a specific frequency and can be copied through several layers of scanning. A small tool that acts as a catalyst is implanted to transmit this information. During the time they have you under they upload what amounts to a collection of electrical impulses and variables that make up who you are to a database and erase what the deem “unnecessary”

Becoming a capsuleer is no accident.  The selection process is a combination of biological compatibility that is determined at birth and progress closely monitored by whatever corporation you happen to belong to. No one person is truly free, though agents and capsuleers are thought to be the most open ended professions. This is only true in part. While after your training is complete you are ultimately left to do what you would like, without our shared cooperation and influence in this vast waste it would slowly wilt away. These are things they look for during schooling and on your tests. They force you into situations with candidates doomed to fail and see how far you can take them. Despite definite hierarchies among the corporation we are all trained to be leaders. They test the boundaries of our resourcefulness constantly and stretch our creative focus.   

Your final test is a state of the art simulation. You are not given warning. This is the first time you understand the control they have over your consciousness. One moment you could be in class, or in a bed, or even on the toilet. The very next moment, the only thing you are aware of is an impending sense of urgency and the sounds of a commander hailing you. After finishing their menial tasks and showing you can operate under extreme duress they let you dock at home for the first time and the simulated scientist you rescue gives you some information regarding your results and provide you with a list of agents. While I have only heard stories, this test is rumored to be used in every system for its efficacy. For reasons not understood they cant seem to wipe out your demeanor. I'm still not sure how someone as lazy as I am made it here. My name is Nifahn and this is my story. 

1.Cash Flow For Capsoleer's

BROADCAST: WARP TO LUCIAN ENGLEWIND WITHIN 0 KM. Roaring into every com-channel the moment had finally come. I reacted instinctively and aligned to the last read coordinates with only a 10 second delay. '9.9 AU TILL BUBBLE COLLAPSE'  Aura read out in her familiar calming voice. Before my scanners and hull could compensate for the loss of momentum I felt the familiar shudder move through my hull my pod and my organs.  An Interdictor. Far too late for me to change course I frantically signaled the remaining fleet members coordinates outside of the Interdictor's bubble range before we all met the same fate. Interdictor's are built for one purpose; stopping you where you are and preventing you from warping at a much greater range and efficiency than traditional warp scramblers. I knew quickly after coughing up blood that this clone wouldn't last the day and if we were going to survive someone would take the fall. 'Inevitably' I thought as I flipped on my after burner and aligned for the Interdictor and readied my guns.

Just as I was confident in the necessity for sacrifice to save Lucian's MACH V- Thrasher, I felt an immense yet comforting shadow. Melkezedech's raven nearly eclipsed the small star behind me and without even glancing at my scanners I recognized the torpedoes flying past my own ship and crashing into our new friend. “ Now this is a party bois” I heard called over the Fleet-Com. Scopio in his usual fashion finally decided to join and warped directly into the interdiction bubble undoubtedly killing him instantly as his clone did not respond or even attempt to eject before he got caught in the crossfire and his ship was turned to ribbons. BROADCAST: TARGET: ENDER WIGGING. “YEAH IM ON IT” I yelled into Fleet-Com in response to Lucian's broadcast. My scanners finally compensating for the anomaly brought up details on all of the targets I was able to scan within range. “REMOTE REPS ON LUCIAN” I called out realizing how little time we really had when suddenly the worst happened. My scanner started to acknowledge the ever growing number of signatures in the surrounding area “AMBUSH!!!!!!” I bellowed into Fleet-Com. As if in response ships of varying sizes and quality started uncloaking as a unit and hell was upon us. “A Gallente naval fleet this deep in Caldari space?” Melkezedech said trembling. “This could only mean one thing Fleet Commander Lucian” I called out knowing what we all were afraid to say. The treaty was broken, and we were at war.

After an eternity that was only a matter of seconds a communication channel was broadcast to each of us “Hailing Fleet COACA This is Commander Hans of the Gallente Federation you are hereby ordered  to stand down your station and your clones have been destroyed your fleet and your commanders captive”. 'Mortality?' I thought mockingly 'this is turning out to be a better day than I anticipated' looking down and seeing the blood still fresh on my sleeve. “You have one chance to comply.” He said. “We have use for good pilots and I would hate to waste that for your pride”. 'Live to fight tomorrow' I saw on my personal com-channel with Lucian. I knew I was fading and despite embracing the final rest many times over today was not the day I would die. “Calling  Commander Hans, this is Squad-Leader  Nifahn requesting medical assistance. I caught the interdiction bubble at near maximum warp speed.” His response was well met. “ Having survived that you earned it. You may dock on our command ship where help will be on the way”. 'Wher-' I thought before the behemoth uncloaked and completely eclipsed any light coming from the nearby star dwarfing both fleets combined. Docking in my first command ship was everything I imagined. The help was already at the door and with my job done I closed my eyes and fell deep asleep.

Waking up. Any injury I sustained was brilliantly taken care of, or I just had the smoothest clone transfer in my life. Upon surveying the room I found my self in the company Melkezedech who looked very little like we had just lost our fleet. “ Welcome back. Do you want the good news or the bad news?” He asked. I glanced at my wrist and affirmed that this was the clone from the battle having been healed marked by the number one drawn on my wrist indicating how old my clone was. One being a week This was a considerable time for the life of a clone, at least for my self. My main source of contribution to our fleet was gate checking. Our station had a struggling market and in an effort to become more efficient started policing and removing anyone who made the the main trade routes unsafe. This became exhausting the more available cloning became. After taking some time to reflect on the events prior I chuckled, “If there is good news to be heard then it cannot wait”.  

Lucian walked in smirking like every other time I have encountered him. “We are all free men, so long as we maintain a channel with our would be captors and respond to distress calls from any Gallente relay. We are also jump locked to this system”. “Clones?”I asked.  “They are now compliments of the Federation. For the most part our job hasnt changed.” Lucian told me with a laugh. “The bad news.” Melkezedech said cutting Lucian's laugh short. “The war is already over. All reports say The Forge is the final stronghold and its folding fast”. My head began throbbing. “I couldn't have possibly been  out that long” I pleaded. “There was a betrayal at the capital. All of our commanders were given false information about a mass invasion force that ended up being a series of traps. General Nivek has taken command and as far as anyone can tell is the only remaining obstacle for the complete annihilation of the Caldari Council”. I took a deep breath and tried to find an answer. There was no scenario that they would succeed at escaping their captors and making it to our remaining forces. “I think its time we get you to your agent.” Lucian said breaking a long silence. “So that's it Fleet Commander Lucian?” I said mockingly. Lucian looked back for the first time his face reflecting the situation we were in. “Well we are alive anyway”.

[fanfictionalltheway]

13 (MHA X KH)

In a large conference room nezu is sitting on front of a long table with 13 other people in black leather coats and very in size, age and hair style, 6 on one side and 6 in the other and a talk man with silver hair sitting in the other end opposite of the principal, the animal principal is in a meeting in an agency called kingdom hearts, a company where they create and builds amour, weapons and equipment for heroes and students in hero schools, they asked the principal of U.A to come. Nezu smiled and open the black folder on front of him, identical ones are on font of everyone already open and flipped though, he quickly read the first page and look up and smiled again “I see, internships?” he said.

“yes” said the silver hair man his name is Xemnas the head of kingdom hearts and leader and the group in the room, call organisation XIII, a group with a secret agenda they keep from the public, all everyone knows they are heroes and they wear identical outfits “we always do this give young heroes in support classed a chance to work here and get a feel of the company, they can even show us their projects”

“and we always look for someone to join organisation XIII, but after graduation of course education then heroics” said the man with long blonde hair name named vixen.

“I agree with you vixen, but this part about cancelation of internship near the end” asked nezu pointing to the page.

“it’s just so in case a student causes damage, in danger anyone or their attitude toward how we do things here we can cancel the internship at any time but we need at least more than 6 votes to kick them out but that rarely happen, it’s just there to scare them straight” said a man with blue hair and a X scare on his face Saix.

“understandable” answered nezu “so what will the students do here if I may ask?”

A woman stood up, blonde short hair antennae like strands named larxene “well they will be paired with a worker and they will be shown how everything work and work with them, build and assemble equipment, we won’t let them do dangerous work, menial work. then they will be allowed the build and present their projects for consideration to sell, they will be given royals per month for how much stock we sell and consider then a place here after graduation” then she sat down

“that sound pleasing for the students” said nezu “what kind of work do you consider dangerous?”

Then a red head with tear drop tattoo under his eyes, axel stood “well anything to do with containment like radiation and explosives, they won’t drive fork lifts or any vehicle, and heavy machinery and equipment they can’t handle it, they can watch but not participate” then axel sat back down.

“that’s sound reasonable, I would like my students in the support class to join” then the door open and a man come in with a cart with coffee and tea “are we stopping?”

“oh no, we have another meeting here after this one, any other question about the contract principal nezu” asked xemnas.

“no, shall we continue?”

Then an older man with an eye patch stood up holing a few papers staple together that name Xigbar, nezu look and it has a grey highlight word ‘DRAFT’ across it “well under the contract this is draft copy the contract for the students to sign, talking about the stuff we talk about, also additional things like liability, safety, the cancelation, time and date and the royals, I think we should include a page of rules and safety points” most said yes “then I got nothing to add here”

“I agree, principal nezu is it alright if some of us wonder around the school” asked a short hair man with piercing on his face dubbed Luxor.

“it’s alright as long you don’t disturb the students” said nezu

“thank you heard that marluxia you can’t flirt with the teachers” said luxord.

“he said not to disturb the students he didn’t say anything about the teachers” said marluxia, a name with pink hair “beside my eyes are on midnight”

“well if this meeting over let’s set a date before the holidays and organisation XIII can come over to my school” after they date was set, the meeting was over, nezu took the file and thank everyone for letting him attend and letting the internship come to his school, as he walks outside eraser head and midnight was sitting outside.

“how was the meeting?” asked midnight

“it’s gone alright” said nezu he handed eraser head the file and walk down the hall.

“when are they coming?” asked eraser head.

“in a fortnight, they promise not to disturb class, oh midnight I think marluxia has a crush on you”

“really, well I hope he like me wearing the pants” she said with a devilish smile.

“I DON’T MIND BEING YOUR PET” the three teachers turn to see marluxia waving at her.

“can we please go?” asked midnight.

======================================================

Two weeks later

Homerooms started and eraser head finished roll call and normal ordeals eraser head said something everyone head turn to attention “really organisation XIII coming to U.A academy why?” shouted lida.

“they here for internship for students in the support class but they will wonder around to say hi and stuff” he said

“does that mean we can get their autograph?” asked midoriya

“don’t know, ask them I don’t care” then he went into his sleeping bag and lay down behind the desk “talk among yourselves now before next class” then he lay down.

“that kind of sucks, only asking kids from support class” said mineta

“well they do specialize of equipment and armour for heroes, its sound fair” said asui

“yeah but organisation XIII only group working for them they should look for heroes like us”

Kirishima walk to them and join in “well they only pick one person to replace them, I doubt they have an internship for us” he said

“I’ll challenge them to a fight” yelled bakugo banging the table “they will consider me to join them after I defeated one or three of them”

“doubtful, they pick their successor and they are powerful even all might doesn’t want to challenge them” said eraser head poking his head out from behind his desk, the students turn to their teacher “by themselves they are strong but as a team of three for six they are gods, all might admit he can’t defeat them all together, maybe two but not all of them” then he hid behind the desk again.

As the students are talk about the news and how they are going to get for their internship, black limos drove up to the school and 13 people walk out of the car by number order.

Xemnas, Hero name: the superior, Quirk: laser blades called Ethereal Blades

Xigbar, Hero name: free shot, quirk: teleportation, Weapon of choice: arrow guns.

Xaldin, hero name: whirlwind lancer, Quirk: wind control Weapon of choice: 6 lances

Vexen, hero name: the academic, Quirk: ice, Weapon of choice: shield.

Lexaeus, Hero name: silent strongmen, quirk: levitating rocks and stones; weapon of choice, Axe sword.

Zexion, Hero name: schemer, quirk: illusions, weapon of choice: lexicon.

Saix, hero name: diviner, quirk: gains strength and rage from moon light, weapon of choice: claymore

Axel, Hero name: wild fire, Quirk: fire, weapon of choice: chakrams

Demyx, Hero name: midnight musician, quirk: manipulate any form of water, weapon of choice: sitar

Luxord, hero name: the gambler, quirk: time manipulation, Weapon of choice: cards

Marluxia, hero name: graceful assassin, quirk: grows roses on any surface, weapon of choice: scythe.

Larxene, hero name: savage nymph, Quirk: lighting, weapon of choice: 6 knives

Roxas the last member, his hero name: light blade, quirk: light, weapon of choice: keyblade (key shape blade)

“man, this place looks small, last time I was here” said Roxas, walking towards the door.

“well you graduated here last year” said axel, he looks at the tall building squinting from the light “and do you think the girls will ask you out on a date?”

“most likely, they always thought if you date a guy in organization you’ll be part of one, I hate it when Xigbar spread that rumour around” said Roxas

“sorry but how do I get the girls over me?” said Xigbar walking pass them “we’re splitting up guess how got Demyx and luxord” then the others started to go into different direction “you two” then he left with the other.

“well let’s go, I want to make more music in private” said Demyx putting his sitar on his back, they walk inside and passing classroom, most asked for autograph, questions and girls ask Roxas out on a date and he continuously turn them down, asked Demyx to sing a new sing from his album, luxord offered teachers a game of poker and axel just said hi and answer question, the entered a training class and offered hints and clues and lectures. And at one-point present mic and Demyx have a sing off and the class picked Demyx as the winner then present mic said he fail the class if they don’t pick him, but they still pick Demyx, they passed other members and the exchange a few words before they went to the support classes. It’s now lunch and they are on the roof, axel light a cigarette as he leans into the railing, Roxas sitting next to him, Demyx strum strings on his sitar and luxord played solitaire.

“I can’t believe these kids here, I feel like they are in competition with each other and trying to get to the top” said axel taking another puff.

“when I was here, I was in the hero course and I was blamed for everything in team and/or single test we ever done because of my quirk” said Roxas, then he looked up at axel “can you stop that you said your quitting?”

“I am, I’m relapsing two day ago, I go once a day, today here’s mine, I thought I could go through the day without one?”

They continue to talk then they heard the door open and there are three students, two boys and a young girl and they look at the four members.

“oh my god it’s the gambler, light blade, the midnight musician and wild fire” said one boy, a green haired boy.

midoriya, lida and uraraka, stare at awe “sir sorry about this, we wanted to eat in fresh air, we shall leave” said lida.

“no don’t, stay” said luxord “axel stop smoking, Demyx play something nice for the young lady and Roxas ask her on a date” uraraka and Roxas blushed and they sat down, axel drop his smoke and step on it hard, the three students pulled out their lunch and started eating.

“Mr gambler?” asked lida

“luxord is okay kid” said luxord continuing his game.

“I have a question about you hero name, most heroes name them after their quirk or personality, how come you didn’t only about your ‘hobbies’”

“well, kids I’m going to tell you about my life”

“keep it short and PG” said Roxas.

“when I was a kid, I travel a year into the future and that’s when I know my quirk is time traveling, my family was happy to see me and said I was gone for a year, I learn and control my quirk, I travel only an hour or less when I was 15 my father gambled everything away and he left, I wanted to get the money back then I tried something against going forward”

“and what’s that?” asked midoriya

“going back kid, back, I travel back a few times, sometime so stop things from happening or see what I missed so I started to gamble I lose on purpose and lean how to win, soon I got the 300.000$ back and I gamble for surprise”

“Hench the gambler” answered midoriya “and hecouldseehowvilliansfightandtravelbackand…….” And he started to mutter.

“is he okay?” asked Roxas.

“sorry, I often do that, so you really travelled a year?”

“yes, but I get super sick, fever, migraines, motion sickness even though I’m standing still, nose bleed so I must limit myself, then I join organisation XIII replacing number 10 then I use my quirk to see the fight and help my team to fight and win” then he picks up his cards, and stood up “Demyx, tell them how you started in life axel won’t share because of shit and events and Roxas just joined last year”

“okay well, my quirk water manipulation, my mother married to a musician and my older brother has a sonic screen quirk like my biological dad, but with me I got water so he made me learn different types of string instrument and my fav is the sitar but my mother hate it that he was so tough with me, I hate it too, then he hit us, so she got a divorce with help with my rich grandpa and took me with her away to another city and she remarried to a nice guy, dad owns a music studio, he and my mum have a daughter, my half-sister Lucy, she’s quirkless but she didn’t care, she and I play music and I shared my first and second album with her” he said

“wow, that’s so nice of you” said lida “you done so much for your sibling”

“every older brother would do anything for their younger sibling” he smiled and played a classic song from his early album, the song felt sad and emotional “then one day when I was with my family I saw biological dad and my brother again by they became villains, mum got hurt, dad protected Lucy, my biological dad and henry want me to join them, I refused and they got mad, they hurt a lot of people and no hero was a match for them, then I fought them, it’s hard they course they were once family but I stop them, XIII then ask me to join and I did, I’m mainly use for support but I don’t mind” said Demyx.

Then the bell rang “well, we have to go nice to meet you all” said lida

“wait what class are you kids in, we want to see” said axel

“class 1-A” said midoriya

“really? Top class? Who is your homeroom teacher?” asked Roxas.

“eraser head” they all answered, then Roxas groaned in anger and announce, “do you really hate him?” asked midoriya.

“yes, I hated him, he keeps antagonise me because of my quirk” he said, “my quirk, anything I hold it will turn to light Hench light blade, I’m a good swordsman but most of the time I can still hear him doubting me”

The three left them alone and hurried back to their class room they arrived with a few seconds to spare then midoriya took out a separate book and he started to write what Demyx and luxord told them, he only took key points in their story and devise a theory how they fight because they travel the world and there is hardly any video in the new or online showing how they fight so he guess how they fight, he even have a couple of Demyx albums, and if he play a game against luxord he would defiantly lose, an hour pass and there was  knock at the door.

The door open and there is axel, Roxas, Demyx and luxord walk through the door “hay so this is class 1-A?” said axel, everyone gasped and at awe “sorry we just come here to say hi and probably autographs” then they walk in and everyone handed then things they wanted to sign, they asked question that they gave vague answers to them, it wasn’t even five minutes when bakugo stood up from his seat and yelled “I CHALLAGE YOU TO A FIGHT”

The four members look at him confused and the other look at him thinking ‘are you serious’

“what?” said axel

“FIGHT ME AND I’LL MURDER YOU ALL” he yelled again “OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW AND I’LL FIGHT YOU ALL”

“kid sorry no but I rather hear frog girl life sorry then fight you” said Demyx, asui was please on what he said, midoriya look up at luxord and notice his eyes and they are glowing, axel and Roxas notice too.

As aizawa try to calm bakugo down luxords lean to the others and whispered which izuku overheard “guy if we don’t fight him, he’s going to HQ after school and when yell outside to fight us, security tried to stop him and the heroes got involve and the school, they expel him and he be a villain” izuku eyes widen at what luxord said, it must be true, he must have lived through this day and years later he saw what become of bakugo “let’s just fight him”

“k, kid you got your wish but its Roxas you going to fight” said axel, Roxas spun his head around to the man.

“NO, I WANT TO FIGHT ALL OF YOU” yelled bakugo,

“fine but one on one, come let’s go outside” then the class went outside and aizawa was ignored and he doesn’t care but the principal will give him a talking to so he run to them.

Outside in the open area bakugo is in his heroes’ costume and bragging how he’s going to win and Roxas with his blade in both hands dimly, axel drew a large circle around the two and explained the rules while the class is sitting on the side line with their cameras out filming even lida said its inappropriate and the other members watch and waited.

“luxord did you travel back and saw what bakugo going to do?” asked lida

“yes, and if we don’t fight him, he’s just going to get himself expelled and I don’t want that for a student like him, I saw him fight outside HQ in the other time line, he’s good but his temper one day he’s going to do something stupid and regret it” said luxord

“I hope light blade will be okay against kaachan” said midoriya

“you mean kaachan will be okay against Roxas” said Demyx.

“……and anything goes” said axel

the fight started, bakugo strike first but Roxas countered and hit bakugo in the stomach and move back to the edge of the line, growled in anger and he strike again and hit Roxas in the chest, he smiled and right before Roxas set out of the circle a bright light appeared from Roxas and bakugo went blind, he couldn’t see anything. then he felt something around his arms and pulled back, bakugo anger grow over his limit and he started blasting anything around him, he keeps hitting nothing then his sight comes back. He rubs his eyes and saw Roxas on front of him then he looks around and saw he is out of the circle.

“I won, can we go now?” said Roxas he put away his swords and he turn to his team mates.

“NO, YOU CHEATED” yelled bakugo he walks up to the youngest member “YOU BLINDED ME”

“the rule was to push the other out of the circle and anything goes and I won, now stop this” said Roxas he turns his friends.

Bakugo anger grow and he let his quirk build up in his hands and he dashed towards the member, then eraser head summon his quirk and lashed out his bandages around bakugo arms, torso, and legs, restraining him.

“MR KATSKUI BAKUGO, WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU GOING?” everyone to see principal Nezu and Organization XIII leader Xemnas at the sidelines, as the little principal walk over the in trouble student, everyone stood and grew anxious if they are going to be in trouble, because they also wanted to see the fight  but more so for the homeroom teacher since he’s their responsibility “Mr Bakugo will win please explain why are you in your costume and not in proper school uniform and fighting Number 13?” said nezu in a stern voice like he going to hit him on the head.

“because I want to fight them” he whispered, hopping nezu couldn’t hear, but with the principal dog ear he heard the sentence.

“you want to fight them, young man they are guest not your sparring partners”

“actually, principal nezu if I could explain” they turn to luxord, he cleared his throat and spoke “I look ahead in the time line if we didn’t fight him, he gone to our headquarters and demanded to fight us, then when security try and move him on the attack and heroes arrive and he hospitalized two people and you expel him from school, that’s why I said we should fight him, now you just give him detention for a few weeks then expulsion”

“really?” said nezu, he thought for a bit “everyone goes back to class and I’ll be there in a few moments, I just need to talk with them men” then the student left and went back into class.

========================================

The day ended rough, principal nezu punished class 1-A by making them clean 1-B classroom for not trying to stop the fight, and bakugo was given 3 weeks detention for in instigation of the fight, two hours passed and midoriya, uraraka and lida are walking down to town together “I can’t believe we cleaned 1-B class, they just made fun of us and keep throwing trash” said uraraka.

“at least principal nezu move them on’ said lida, as they reached the road there they saw the members going into the limousines, “they must have picked out students for the internship”

“well at lest we met some member and their leader” said midoriya, he looks around and saw Demyx wave them over, the three walks over to see him “midnight musician, is there anything you wanted?”

“actually, I just going to say this…...” he handed them a sheet of paper each “…. volunteer here and we meet again” the he went into the fancy car and drove off; the three students look at the flyer given to them and it read.

student volunteer wanted for housing school have fun and help school credit earns here Number: XXX.XXXX.XXX email. XXXXXXX@XXXX.com Website: XXXXXXXXX.com.JP

 “volunteer service?” they question “maybe the midnight musician volunteer here, we should have a look” said uraraka.

“or know someone there, but still we should it’s a good way to give to the community” said lida.

“you’re sure it not for the school credit” said midoriya.

At home, izuku look online for the housing school, it looks like an orphanage and a school in one called Zemunasu private housing school, izuku look though it is like it is, a school but instead of hundreds of students its around 20 to 40 students allowed. UA high is a tough school, their criteria is posted on like even most school website but this school doesn’t post it, only standard subject and the location of the school is all the way in the country and hour away, he looks found the volunteer page, asking for students to come during the upcoming school holidays, the program let them stay in the school and do the program for the entire holiday.

“you’re thinking of applying?” asked his mother, izuku jumped from the computer, startled because his didn’t know his mother was watching him.

“mum please don’t”

“oh sorry, but are you applying? Because it will look good for agencies” she said.

“really, it just said here I just play with small kids and teach them, teach them what?” he said worryingly.

“well I think you should apply those kids would like to see students from UA high school, anything could happen and I don’t want you home alone doing nothing and training” she said then she left the room. The young boy looks at the website again and sighed then like everything is going to him he got a call from All Might.

“hello All Might”

“you midoriya the teacher are going around saying one of your classmates fought light blade, it’s that true?” he asked

“yes, kaachan provoke them and the gambler said if they don’t fight him, he’s going to get expelled, but he just got a few weeks detention, why did you ask?” he question.

“oh, because it was stupid move, they train like hell and beyond to become members, actually I was offered a chair when one of them was about to retire” said all might.

“REALLY?!WHYDIDYOUTURNITDOWN?WASITBECOUSE……...”

“STOP TALKING!!” midoriya stop “it’s because I don’t want to also I was second choice”

“really?! who was first choice” asked midoriya.

"the schemer was first choice, anyway I’m getting distracted I saw midnight musician give you and your friends something what is it? Is it a threat? I heard he dose those” asked All Might.

“no, it’s a flyer to volunteer at a housing school called Zemunasu private housing school I don’t know why?” silence echoed, All Might didn’t answer “All Might?”

“go there, it’s a place where they need anyone I didn’t do it because of the owner scared the living life out of me but go there, that place will be good training, I’ll tell you more about it tomorrow” then the hanged up. Izuku became more confused and worried, All Might have said is a good place to train, he could hurt the kids there. He looks at the page on the screen again and filled out the form, if all might said it’s a place to train he should trust him.

======================================================

Days passed and midoriya, uraraka and lida applied for the volunteer service and they were given days and time to come in what to bring and what not to bring, uraraka said she wanted to do it so she can get into good agency and her parents made her, lida applied for the credit for school. In school, they talk about what they might make them do in the school or what they could do, Then the day come, the first day of the holidays, the travelled in the train together after saying goodbye to their family and friends, they are dress in casual clothes bags by their feet and phones in hand, they travelled passing cities, towns and then fields and farm till their stop and they left the train. As they step onto the platform the walk off the station and Lida left to get drinks for everyone he spotted a small convenience store near them, he paid and return, they sat back down on a bench with their bags next to them.

“wow this place looks big” said uraraka, she places her drink next to her and rummage through her handbag and pulled out the papers “the paper said someone will come to get us”

“well maybe they are late” said lida “I think they might have gotten the time wrong”

“is the car that’s met to come is a normal car or a bus?” asked midoriya, finishing his drink.

“I don’t know why?”

“because there’s a small bus parking” he pointed, they look and saw a small bus pulling up, a man with short blonde hair poke out, he looks around in his mid-30’s stubble on his chin.

“are you the kids from UA high?” he asked, they nodded “okay come on in” the stood up and walk to the bus, they place their bags in the back of the bus and the sat on the front “it’s so nice to see all of you here and help out with the kids, oh yes my name is gin, just gin, I’m the bus driver/caretaker at Zemunasu” said gin, they drove and left the small town.

“excuse me but what is this place, the website never said what it is” said midoriya.

“well this Zemunasu is a house school for students with extreme and dangerous quirks”

“really?” said lida “we hear of powerful quirks but not dangerous”

“well it’s a really good place they custom made their rooms for them so they don’t hurt themselves, actually I was one of their first students here, my quirk killed my mother at birth also the doctor, then when the school open when I was 10 my quirk been hurting people and I had very little control then they help me out, now I’m in control, these kids need it” said gin

“what was your quirk?” asked uraraka

“radiation” he answered, he stops at a red light and turn back to the kids but the quickly move to the back except midoriya, he just look surprised his friend did pull him back with them “don’t worry I’m not radioactive now, but these kids have some control, during the holidays most of the kids with initial control of their quirks are allowed to go home to their family, but only the one with no control stay, their family can come over to see them but not for long because of their jobs and responsibility, usually the owner of the school and his team come over and hang out with these kids but they got an internship at kingdom hearts and some have to be there I know the boss will be here in two day the kids love him” then they reached a large building, with a low stone fence and a house in the back between a large yard, a garden and the side, court with nets and kids playing basketball.

“wow is this place?” asked lida

“Zemunasu kids” said gin he drove up and parked the bus, he left the bus and waited for the three to grab their bags and walking out of the bus, he locks the bus up and they walk into the school.

the school look normal, they walk down the hall till they reached a large room almost like a teacher lounge where there are three people, one is an old lady with her grey hair tied up in a bun, reading a book and a lizard tail behind her, a middle age man about the same age as gin but he looks American, dark hair glasses and a slime build and another woman, young in her twenties red hair, looking at her laptop.

“hay guys these are the kids volunteering here, guys the old lady is sakura, sweet gal, English to history, mat palmer from America science and maths, and ren reiko she is the sport teacher and homeroom teacher, there’s another teacher he a mix of everything but he’s in Tokyo with his family” said gin.

They wave and the other teachers wave back the red head stood up and walks pass them, gin then lead them to their rooms, they walk pass rooms till they reached the backyard and there they saw some of the kids there, the kids stop and look at the new people, they very in age and size, then they was lead to a different building, it’s like the one they saw from the bus but it’s different, gin took them in and inside are bedrooms with the names of teacher on the door, the bus driver lead lida and midoriya to share a room inside is a two single beds, two desk and a two draws and in uraraka room is the same but in the singular area. Gin left them alone to get settled in and comfortable.

Hours passed and everyone put their clothes away and bag away under their beds, they left to meet up with the teacher then gin sat them down and talk to them “okay the school have three building the one you’re staying in is the teacher building, and other one is the students building, if you see some of the rooms different his for their and our protection and this is the school itself” said gin, they nodded and lida write everything down “breakfast if from 9 to 11, lunch 12 to 1 and dinner is always at 6:30, the kids can do whatever they want but weekend the teachers take them to town and they just do whatever, park, shops anything, but most of the students have some social problems to just go up to them and try and get them out of their shell”

“sir-“asked uraraka.

“just gin kid”

“gin what if the children use their quirks or the got hurt because of it” she asked.

“that rarely happens but if that happens use first aid and keep them calm, okay” uraraka nodded “okay, everyone in town knows about this school and what we do so it shouldn’t happen, some of the kids do have to train to control their quirk so join them and it could help them more”

“gin I got to ask” said midoriya.

“yes?”

“you said the owner and his team usually come here who do you mean?”

“organization XIII” he answered and the three students jaw hit the floor and lida drop his pen “what?”

“you mean organization XIII own this place?” said uraraka “how? Why?”

“oh I remember when young master Xemnas opens this place” they turn to see the old lady sakura, she sat down next to them and give a little cough and spoke “master Xemnas actually lived here when he was a young boy, he turn this nice place into a school when his father died years ago, he asked me a small time tutor to become a teacher here, he started organization XIII so they can wonder around the country then the world looking for young youths with uncontrollable quirks and bring them here and help them, this team always help everyone here, the reason for the secrets is because when this place open up the government wanted the kids to become weapons for the them” the every gave an almost unbelievable face. “master Xemnas decline the offer and said it their life, this place its small but it works, I remember every student that come here and became strong and smart, you three should go outside and meet these kids” then midoriya, lida and uraraka stood up and walk outside, and walk outside and into the yard and they saw six kids playing three on three basketball.

three of them look the same, exactly the same triplets, then two of the trio faded and the boy just yelled ‘FUCK!’ he’s tall with short black hair and blue eyes, the three think he must have the same cloning quirks like ectoplasm, two kids in primary school, one stand out almost like demon, large goat like horns, mix of purple and red fur, and knife like claws and a dog tail and feet and next to him is a girl about his age has white hair and mist cover eyes and elf like ear and the last one is a girl almost the same age and Hight of  uraraka, but black hair and nothing seem to stand her out.

everyone looks at them like and shifted their body like they are about to run “err my name is Izuku midoriya” he realised there are four students here, it seems weird to get three students from UA to come over when there are four caretakers here.

“I know how you all are, Ochaco Uraraka and tenya Lida, I’m xion, the senior here” then she throws the ball to the horn boy and pulled out something in her pocket and in her hand, is bracelet woven bracelets “here wear them” midoriya took then and put his on and gave the other theirs, in closer inspection the woven bracelet its woven with string, leather and hair? “don’t play with the hair, my quirk will make you forget me”

“sorry?” asked lida inspecting the bracelet.

“my quirk, people forget about me when no one looking at me, they completely forget, even if I live with anyone for a year they will think I am a stranger the hair is my DNA as long you have it you don’t forget me” said Xion, then she gesture the kids to introduce themselves, they are hesitance and just shrugged “okay the boy you saw with the clones, he’s actually a triplet, his name is Kenta, his brothers is ken and ta, I know odd” then kenta run off the court and off somewhere “ the girl is Mizuki, she is blind but he can see with her other senses, her quirk is earth, she bend the earth to her will, we don’t with other minerals for now rock and dirt and the purple fuzzball is-“ before she answer the horn boy lunged at her, they dodge him and he stood up with anger and pride almost like a friend of theirs in class.

“MY NAME IS KEMONO, DON’T YOU FORGET IT YOU BOZOS, I AM YOUR DOOM” yelled Kemono.

“his name mean beast” said lida.

“SO, WHAT, I AM YOUR DOOM FOUR EYES, FEAR ME AND I SURE KILL YOU ALL”

“kem, don’t yell at him, he’s going to be here for a while no name calling” then kemono held his breath kicked the floor and waving his arms around like the child he is “1,2,3 go” Xion said the numbers really fast and snapped her fingers then the small boy let go of his breath and run into the student dorm on all four like an animal “sorry he has a temper, anyway welcome we could go to my room and talk” they nodded, Xion grab Mizuki by the hand and they walk into the dorms, it’s almost like and a small apartment complex, Xion room is the middle, inside her room is like any room but there is a mirror with post sticker around the frame, and her bed covers are Butterflies, they sat on the floor and the white girl on the bed.

“Xion I’m curious how does your quirk work I never hear a quirk like that” asked midoriya.

“well let just say my quirk is always on and I’m here to learn how to turn it off, without those bracelets the second you look away from me you forget me, it hurt’s sometime, I’m an orphan, I know my parents are alive but they don’t know me, how mess up that is” said Xion, everyone felt sorry for here, not being able to be with her family “then I found Roxas and turns out we are cousins he help himself and try to remember me then we found out about my DNA Hench the bracelets, tattoos work but as long you have my blood in the ink” that was gross even they her standard.

“wow, I never thought your quirk would work like that, now I feel sorry for you” said uraraka.

“don’t be, I did have fun with it, shoplifting lollies and sleeping in high end hotels” she laughed, the others chuckled nervously thinking ‘she could have been the greatest thief without the world knowing’

Midoriya look around and saw Muzuki sitting on the bed looking pass them “Muzuki are you alright?” he questions,

“I’m okay, just get used to the feel of strangers”

“feel?”

“yes, I feel”

“she’s a weird one” said Xion “when we first saw the earth move with her like a magnet she even made herself a little cave for herself, but the teacher don’t like that she only aloud there for the summer, it’s too hot in the rooms”

“and I like to move the dirt like think, hit that guy and the dirt like hit them, and think hit that guy with a rock, rock hit him” said muzuki “I also feel everything around me, like animals then wind and movement, I feel everything” then she got up and walk out the room “I have to go I feel blind when I’m not on the ground” they watcher leave the room.

“wow everyone here is good but I don’t see why your all here, it looks like you all in control of your quirks” said lida but when he finished his sentence the earth shifted and they went outside and saw the earth and rock around Muzuki move around her and following her as she walk into the main building, they look back at Xion and back outside “okay I see how she dangerous”

“the farmers ask her turn over the earth, she’s really good at it, but most of the time she doesn’t know she does it and most of us have to remind her to concentrate on her quirk but she’s an air head” said Xion.

“okay but that kemono looks okay he just have a temper” said midoriya.

“actually he’s appearance is part of his quirk, if real quirk it’s called rage, his strength grows whenever his anger grew, he’s still here because of his temper, he’s here because I think in his old home he did some property damage, I’m not sure you have to ask and kenta quirk is troubling him from birth, from what I heard from the teacher, he actually once a triplet in the womb but he ate them and his quirk create them, and I’m being for real the clones have real personality” she said “he’s here because he needed help to develop his quirk, his other brother sometime take over like a split personality”

“really wow, I never really thought quirks could hurt themselves” said midoriya,

“oh yes there someone else you should meet his quirk is interesting” then got out of Xion room and went to the room next to here and in the room there is another boy, red head, he looks like a high schooler and he’s in a hospital bed with an IV hooked up to his arm, his is pale and almost look like skin and bones “this is Shou, his quirk Astral projection, right now he could be here or outside or to be truthful at UA getting lesson” she said then she walk next to him and hover her face over his ear “Shou wake up” yelled Xion the jumped back at the volume of her voice, then Shou eyes move and his eyes open and he look at the others.

“I got bored” he said, he sat up and unhook himself “I’m going for a walk” then he got out of his bed and walk to his draw.

“why is he here?” said uraraka.

“my quirk uses my metabolism faster, I’m here because my body abuse my metabolism and eat away my muscles and I dose off using my quirk unknowingly” he said he then walk out of room with clothes then he stops at the door “your cute” uraraka blushed and she cover he face thinking the same thing “I meant glasses” then he left, lida blushed then everyone looks at him like he the one Shou pick him.

“Shou gay, he told me he’s sneak into locker room in different schools” then everyone left his room.

“so that’s everyone here, I’m going to the library and get some book, get settled and have fun here, everyone going to get close to you soon, maybe Shou will get know you lida” then Xion left.

“I really hope we could help?” said midoriya “at least we could have fun while we’re here”

[tabbathajean-blog]

Hogwarts and the Epic Education Rant

There is no tuition to attend Hogwarts. Did you know that? Because I sure didn’t.

You want to know what else is free?

Public education, but guess what public education has that Hogwarts doesn’t.

Math classes.

And Science classes.

Oh, right, and any sort of English class even though the students are expected to write essays in nearly every one of their classes.

But there is always History of Magic, so no worries! Well, unless you didn’t want to work for the Ministry that’s when you might run into a bit of a problem.

Oh, and if you wanted to go to any college ever. Yeah, that isn’t happening. Didn’t get that Foreign Language you needed either.

In fact, what do you learn at Hogwarts if your name isn’t Harry Potter?

Don’t get me wrong here, I freakin’ love Harry Potter. I probably have way too much of my brain tied up in that wonderful world. However, Matthew Belinkie is right; “Hogwarts is a Terrible School.”

Sort of.

As Belinkie points out in his article, Hogwarts is a school that works to prepare its students for life in the wizarding world, but not the muggle world. The issue with an education that only prepares you for a section of the world is the fact that you end up stuck in that section with few options for getting out. So, I’m going to pretend for a minute that I am anywhere near qualified to speak on this matter, and tell you how I would reform Hogwarts’ education.

First of all, what sort of school is Hogwarts? ‘Cause it obviously isn’t your run-of-the-mill type school.

This one of pretty easy to answer; Hogwarts is a vocational school. The school's primary purpose is to educate students in how to use magic in order to obtain a job and live in the wizarding world. Pretty straight forward in you ask me, but it needs to be more broad so that student have more options after they graduate.

But how in the world would you do that? Art academies.

What?

Alright, so there are these high schools here is the States (and probably in a ton of other countries) that are especially for high school age students to focus on the arts. This is how Hogwarts should work except it’s magic instead of art.

Interlochen Arts Academy gives a pretty good example of what I’m thinking Hogwarts could do. In order to graduate each student must have one year of science, two years of math, four different English classes, one credit in either United States History or Political Science, and one credit of World History in additional to a major track for their chosen art. This school even offers a “Postgraduate Year” that allows students to really focus on their art form. It honestly seems like a great way to balance the obvious fact that Hogwarts is a magic-focused school and the school’s need to include more muggle-like education that would enable more opportunity.

Wait.

Oh! What now!? My idea was perfect...

Interlochen is for high school students. What about those first few years at Hogwarts? They don’t start out as high schools.

Right, I almost forgot about that. Okay, year four is the year where Harry is asked about what he wants to do in the future, and because of reasons he chooses to become an Auror. Given that Harry wasn’t the only student who had these discussion, it is safe to assume that the first three years at Hogwarts is meant to allow students to explore the basics of magic in (relatively) safe environment.

Why not continue their muggle education during this time?

Typically, a middle school here in America will have students take about six classes, four core classes and two electives. In addition, I attended a middle school for a short period of time that had rotating schedules. Day one would be schedule one, day two would be schedule two, day three would be schedule one, and so on. Now, I’ll be Frank, Steve, and John here for a moment, and tell you that I hated that schedule with a passion. However, I think it could work for Hogwarts..

A first year student at Hogwarts takes seven classes and flying lessons. Assuming that the flying lessons are separate from the rest of the classes, and thus probably only takes place once or twice a week, we have seven magic classes and four core muggle classes that a first year student would need to take.

That is eleven classes. Also known as way too many freakin’ classes to take in one day (unless you’re Hermione Granger).

That is where the rotating schedule could come in handy, and it could work in a couple different ways. First, we could keep the normal seven magic classes as the they are, and include the four core classes as rotating courses. The other option is to include flying as an actual class and doing the rotating schedule as I described it above.

The thing is, Hogwarts already uses a rotating schedule. Looking at a copy of a first year’s schedule, we can see that there are four classes on Monday and Tuesday; five on Wednesday and Thursday; and just two on Fridays. I personally think that they have created a confusing and limited schedule for their students. The question is how can it be fixed?

Here are a few things that I think need to be changed, afterwards I’ll explain how I think they should be changed.

Breakfast is two and half hours long which forces classes to start at nearly 10am.

Astronomy is taking place way too late at night.

Double potions on Friday.

There is only two classes on Friday.

Going in order, I know that us morning people are pretty hard to come by, but being able to get up at 9am everyday is not okay for a school. I suggest that breakfast be cut back to an hour and half. By doing this Hogwarts can start classes at 9am, and thus have a whole extra hour for one additional class. That would be a great time to have one muggle class.

Secondly, stars can be seen before midnight. There is no need to hold Astronomy classes at freakin’ midnight. Why not have a super late night class only once a month, and study for those classes the rest of the time? Or, if this class must be held at midnight, why not do so on Friday? Before anyone says anything about other students needing the class, for some reason only first, third, and fifth years have to take this class, and we only know the schedule for first and fifth.

This bring me the all of the issue of the Friday schedule. First of all, is double Potions there just to make Harry sad? Seriously, Harry hates Potions. I can’t see why it is there other than to challenge our bespectacled hero.

After examining the first years’ schedule, I noticed the every class that happened before 3:15pm has a total of about three hours of class time except Charms which has four. Why not just get rid of one hour of Charms on either Wednesday or Thursday and replace it with one hour of Potions. That extra Potions hour could be used for a muggle education class.

I’m not totally sure what to say about the two classes on Friday thing because when I was looking at how a muggle education could be mixed in with a magical education, I determined that if Hogwarts extended classes by one hour at the end of the day (causing normal classes to end at 4:30pm) then they could still have Friday afternoons off.

Given my suggested changes, each of the four core classes would get two hours of instructional time each week. These seems pretty fair to me considering that the magical classes only get three hours. However, I am not going to deny to rigor of my suggested schedule. Instead of taking just eight (I’m including Flying here) magical classes, the students of Hogwarts would be taking twelve classes. The issue is how much students need to learn about magic before they graduate. They only have seven years to basically master magic.

I think they should start earlier.

We probably shouldn’t be giving elementary schoolers wands, but I think that teaching them how to hold a wand, basic Latin (since that is what a lot of the spells are based on), and some magic theory stuff would make the jobs of the professor considerably easier. This would also make the workload of the students a little lighter because they already understand the basics.

Muggleborns too. We know about the Quill of Acceptance which writes down the names of all child born with magic. This mean muggleborns can start their magical education sooner too.

Students might also want to continue their education after Hogwarts. Why are there not magical colleges?

This would also help to lighten the load at Hogwarts because students could the basics of magic (enough the survive in the wizarding world even if they chose not to go to a college) before buckling down and decided on a career path.

I have a ton more that I want to say regarding this matter. However, I think that this is a good place to cap things off for now. (This post is already two days late). So, I will say this. Education is something that is continuous, but it is also something that compounds. Ending a child’s muggle education at eleven hurts their chances of exploring the not magical world. Cramming all things magic into just seven years also hurt these magical students by forcing them to make big life decisions to early. As I said, I have more to say on this matter, so this won’t be the last time I write about Hogwarts and it’s magical education system.