#just as i see a connection when it comes to how she grapples and redirects enemy momentum to the fa jin power and connected combat style

[pocketramblr]

Upon seeing the post about second as iida my first thought was and third can be uraraka then I noticed you had the same idea in the tags

Great minds think alike I just think that's what she deserves,,,trio holders to the original trio babeyyy

[tsarisfanfiction]

Stabbed

Fandom: Thunderbirds Rating: Teen Genre: Hurt/Comfort Characters: Scott, Virgil, Gordon

Proofreading?  What’s proofreading?  This was a ventfic I started a while ago, and as my muse decided today - my one free day to properly write this week! - was the best day to go curl up in a corner and refuse to interact with me because some unwelcome stress appeared, I prodded a little more at this and maybe there’s enough to post.  Maybe.  It’s not a darkfic, but it is kinda whumpy so sorry, Scott.

I have nothing specifically planned for this, so chances are this is just going to remain like this forever more.  Sorry about that.

Scott gasped, staggering one step, two steps forward as something drove into his back.  Something solid, digging in painfully.

In front of him, crumbling away beneath the toes of his boots, was the crevasse he’d just climbed out of, the woman clinging to his back for dear life – uninjured, but shaken and unable to climb out herself.

Whatever it was was still lodged in his back, sending distress signals to his brain, but before Scott could unscramble it enough for a translation, there was a hand on his shoulder.  Steady but firm, heel of the palm dropped down over his shoulder blade.

“Sorry, hun,” the woman purred – was it the same women?  She’d been shaken but this woman wasn’t shaken at all – sounding entirely unapologetic.  “I appreciate the help, but I can’t have you blabbing.”

The pressure on – in – his back lessened abruptly, and the hand on his shoulder pushed.

Scott stumbled, earth gave way, and then he was falling, falling down into the darkness.  Instinct had him reaching for his grapple, but his back screamed at the movement and against his wishes his hands went numb, grazing the equipment but failing to grasp it.

Something went crunch inside his chest as his fall came to an abrupt end.  A rib or few, no doubt, but Scott had broken ribs before; a nuisance but as long as they didn’t poke holes anywhere they shouldn’t they’d be fine.  He was more concerned about his back, and the fact that he hadn’t landed at the bottom, but rather an outcropping of rock that wasn’t big enough for all of him. Already, he could feel blood rushing to his head as it dangled off the end, and the tingly feeling in his fingers that meant the blood flow to his extremities was compromised by the way they, too, were hanging.

Squinting, he could see his legs dangling as well, leaving his torso and abdomen the only thing actually caught by the outcrop.  If he shifted, his centre of balance would tip him off either forwards or backwards, and it was a long way down.

This was a problem. This was a big problem, and his screaming back just emphasised that.  His baldric was trapped between his chest and the outcrop, meaning that he couldn’t reach the comm in that, and his wrist comm…

He tried to twitch his tingling fingers without moving the rest of his arms.  It was not a successful move.  A second attempt was no better, and on his third he felt himself start to slip.

That was a major hint that he should stop moving.  Breathing didn’t help, either, his no doubt broken ribs sending stabs of pain through his chest to compliment the burning back.  He still didn’t know for certain what had happened, but he was starting to get a reluctant inkling.

There were only so many things that hurt specifically like this and Scott was unfortunately no stranger to things stabbing into him, as much as he tried hard not to think about it. He redirected his concern to the fact that whatever it was, it didn’t feel like it was there any more.

Suddenly the weird and uncomfortable position he was dangling in felt like a best case scenario, even if he could do without all the blood also rushing to his head.  But if it was pooling downwards, and the open wound was on the highest point of his body, maybe he wouldn’t bleed out quite so quickly.

He just had to hope one of his brothers realised something was wrong soon – but not so soon they also got attacked.

***

John telling him Scott had gone silent and wasn’t responding to hails had rushed Virgil into the fastest post-rescue clean up he’d ever done.  They weren’t far apart in distance – Scott had made the hop from this rescue to the trapped climber when the call had come in – but if John was worried, then Virgil was definitely worried.

Scott not picking up calls was unusual, especially multiple.  John had given them all enough earfuls about ignoring him that unless they had a really good reason, they always tried to respond immediately – the second eldest was not a brother to cross, and even Scott was wary enough of the consequences to at least agree to open comms.  Then again, open comms worked both ways and meant Scott could check up on them, too.

The added warning that it looked like his suit had taken some damage and he was partway down the crevasse and not moving was really just the icing on the cake.  Gordon had been slightly baleful at the snap to hurry up, until Virgil told him John thought Scott was in trouble, and then the aquanaut had jumped to work at a terrifyingly fast and efficient pace.

There was no room for slothfulness when a brother was in trouble.  Record time saw Thunderbird Two loaded and ready to go, and she roared into the sky at his touch, nose pointed in the direction her sister had headed earlier.

Thunderbird One had made the journey in five minutes.  Thunderbird Two made it in a shade under fifteen, going as fast as she could to minimise how long it took.  It was still twenty minutes since John had made the call, and Scott still wasn’t answering.  Scans and telemetry still put him down the crevasse, and Virgil didn’t bother to land.

Normally he’d keep control of Thunderbird Two and send Gordon down on the cable, but not this time. Not for Scott and the nagging sensation that he was needed.  Gordon didn’t argue when control was passed to him, and Virgil wasted no time in getting down to the module and rigging himself into a harness to be lowered.

It was a fair way down, not because Scott was far into the crevasse but because Thunderbird Two had to stay high so she didn’t dislodge anything with her VTOL.  They had no idea how secure or otherwise their brother’s position was, and if he fell from whatever was keeping him there, it was a very long way to the bottom.  A fatal fall.

Virgil couldn’t take any chances.

The familiar flash of blue uniform was the first thing he noticed.  The muddy crimson spreading across it was the second.

He accelerated his descent.

“Scott?”  His voice was drowned out by the VTOL of his ‘bird above. If Scott heard him, there was no reaction.  “Scott!”

Still nothing, and that red stain taunted him for the agonising seconds it took to draw level with the slumped form and properly get a look at his brother’s condition.

Bad was one way of putting it.  “John, find us a local hospital,” was another.

There was a ragged hole in the back of Scott’s uniform, the epicentre of the blood.  It barely missed the baldric, the margin looking painfully deliberate, but most concerning was the lack of an obvious case. Scott knew better than to take out foreign objects until it was time to be treated, and even if he’d mistakenly thought treatment was about to happen, there was no way he had reached whatever it was to extract it so cleanly.

Virgil felt cold at the implications.  “Gordon, anyone else nearby?”

He didn’t wait for the answer as he secured himself to the rock face with a grapple and yanked an emergency first aid kit out of his own baldric.  Scott hadn’t moved, hadn’t so much as twitched, at his arrival, and with the quantity of blood he’d lost, if he wasn’t unconscious he might as well be.

“Negative, Virgil,” Gordon said, voice steady and threaded with something that sounded like the military had come to the fore.  “How bad is it?”

“Bad.”  Virgil didn’t have the mental capacity to spare on anything more than basic answers.  “I’m secure; put her on autopilot and get a blood transfusion set up in the medbay.”

“F.A.B.”  The line connecting him to his ‘bird wavered slightly at the change in piloting, but the grapple held him in place.  Confident that Thunderbird Two would be ready for them, he wadded gauze and pressed it firmly to the hole in Scott’s back.  There was no response, no indication that Scott was even subconsciously aware of their surroundings, and he strapped it down with medical tape.

A deployed med scanner told him that there were two broken ribs.  Neither had snagged anything vital, but one was too close to Scott’s right lung for Virgil’s comfort.  There was very little he could do about that hanging inside a crevasse, and the priority was to get him to medical treatment as fast as possible.

It was awkward, but Virgil was creative, and securing a harness over his limp ragdoll of a big brother to tie him firmly to the cable suspended from Thunderbird Two was not an option but a necessity.  The gauze was already starting to discolour as the blood kept leaking out of the wound, and Virgil kept a careful eye on it as he triple-checked the line was secure and eased Scott off of the outcrop he was slung over.

The fact that his face was red wasn’t a reassurance; instead, it told him that Scott had been hanging down for long enough for the blood still in his body to pool in places it shouldn’t.  There wasn’t much he could do about it without risking further blood flow out of his body, but as the harness took Scott’s weight and left him suspended next to him, Virgil reached out a hand and carefully tilted his head so it wasn’t hanging down.

Blue eyes stayed lightly closed, no sign of conscious or subconscious recognition at the touch, and Virgil’s fingers trembled.  With his other hand he gripped the belt of Scott’s baldric, before sending up a call for them to be reeled in.  Whether it was John, Gordon or EOS that did so he didn’t know.  Didn’t care, either, because as the red drained from Scott’s face as blood retreated from pooling in his head it left too-white skin in its wake, which was almost worse.

Gordon’s language was colourful as he met them in the module, instantly fetching the hoverstretcher so that Scott could be gently lowered onto it as Virgil freed him from the harness and whisking him to the medbay as he extracted himself from his own straps.

It didn’t take long, but it was long enough for Gordon to have slipped Scott’s glove and bracer off of one arm and sliced the uniform open from wrist to shoulder, exposing the bare skin ready for the transfusion.  No words were exchanged as Virgil took over, Gordon instead relocating to cut away the baldric and the uniform around the hole in his back, exposing the site in its entirely.

Beneath his feet, Thunderbird Two thrummed as Thunderbird Five directed her into movement.  Virgil didn’t look away from his unconscious big brother for a single moment.

“This was a knife.” Gordon broke the silence, his voice icy. Virgil finished hooking Scott up to the blood bag and let it start flowing before looking over.

The aquanaut had removed the hastily plastered gauze, now saturated red, and was wiping away the worst of the blood from around the wound.  It wasn’t free-flowing, but that didn’t reassure Virgil.  After at least twenty minutes, Scott didn’t have much blood left he could afford to lose.  With most of it currently pooled where he was lying on his front, there wasn’t much to continue leaking from his back.

Virgil didn’t question his diagnosis.  When it came to things like that, Gordon knew more than he did.  Instead, he reached for a clotting agent, determined to do everything in his power to lessen the amount of blood still trickling out, while Gordon applied a fresh gauze.

“Mind his ribs,” he warned as his younger brother pressed down firmly.  “Two are broken.”

“Lungs?”

“Intact.”  For now.  Virgil hoped they could keep them that way.

There was little else he could do; a stab wound that deep needed surgery, and Thunderbird Two wasn’t an operating theatre.  Virgil wasn’t a surgeon, either.  “How far out are we, John?”

“Ten minutes,” his brother replied instantly.  “I’ve passed on the results of the scan and they’re ready to take him straight in.”

“F.A.B.”

He didn’t want to let his brother out of his sight – not ever, and certainly not if he’d been stabbed – but Scott needed more treatment than he could give him.  That didn’t make it easier to hand him over, blood bag still attached and a second prepped as the first ran low – and watch unfamiliar people whisk him away.

“Kayo’s on her way,” John told him.  “Thunderbird One is locked down and secure.  EOS is reviewing the security footage now to see what happened.”

“Some sonofagun stabbed him in the back’s what happened,” Gordon snapped.  His fingers were curling and uncurling, never quite making a fist. They were also covered in blood. So were Virgil’s.

“To see who did it,” John clarified, not reacting to Gordon’s waspishness.  “Until we know what we’re dealing with, stay together. And be careful.”

Virgil nodded, his voice somewhere stuck inside his throat, or maybe taken with Scott into the operating theatre.  He should be trying to reassure Gordon, but Gordon had slipped into something less familiar, more sharp edges and dangerous, and Virgil trusted him to handle whatever was going on around them while he ran through everything in his head, double-checking that he’d done everything right, that he hadn’t missed anything in his initial treatment, that there was no mistake he'd made that might cost Scott’s life.

There was a hand on his arm. Amber eyes looked up at him, firm and steely.  “Let’s get washed up,” Gordon said, although it wasn’t a suggestion.  Dimly, Virgil knew it should be the other way around – he should be the one making the decisions – but Gordon oozed confidence and a knowledge that he’d be obeyed, and it felt safer just to follow.  “Then we’ll go inside and wait for news.”

Wait to know if Scott would live.  The words weren’t said, but Virgil heard them all the same.

He nodded numbly and let his younger brother guide him back inside his ‘bird.

[hopelesshawks]

Physical Fatality Part 11- Pettiness

18+ Hawks x fem, pro hero!reader

Summary: You’re a rising star in All Might’s agency. Hawks is the darling of Endeavor’s. By virtue of your job descriptions, the two of you are supposed to hate each other, or at the very least be cautiously neutral. For a long time that’s exactly what the two of you did. You stayed out of each other’s way and formed little opinion of the other. One fateful night at an HPSC gala changes all that. Based on the album Hopeless Fountain Kingdom by Halsey.

If you don’t want to see Physical Fatality content blacklist #hopelesspf

This story will have multiple NSFW parts so it is 18+ ONLY minors dni

Masterlist

Ever since your removal from the task force both All Might and Endeavor have decided to be more involved in it on a managerial level. Which is really just a nice way of saying that the two are micromanaging and Hawks has never wished so hard for two people to just fucking retire already. Let Midoriya and Shoto take over and let the agencies finally enter a new fucking era without the ridiculous pettiness. “Hey bird boy,” a voice singsongs.

Speaking of petty...

“Has the fact you’re almost single-handedly ruining her career affected you and (y/n)‘s relationship yet?” Monoma asks Hawks cheerily.

He, Hawks, and Bakugo are standing on a rooftop staking out a nearby building not far from the downtown area that’s suspected as being a new base of operations for the group responsible for the attempted terrorist attack. Midoriya, Todoroki, and Tokoyami are at a different building on the other side of town. This is a perfect example of why Endeavor and All Might’s micromanaging is only making the task force’s job more difficult. The two of them had insisted on choosing the teams and somehow neither of them had considered how bad an idea it was to put your ex fiancé on the same team as your current boyfriend. Brilliant. Truly fucking brilliant. Monoma has made petty jab after petty jab since the moment they left the office and it is starting to really grind away at Hawks’ nerves.

Hawks has been trying to be the bigger person, he really has. Things are finally in a good place with you again and he really doesn’t want to fuck that up, regardless of how much of an ass Monoma is being. He should really be given an award for the immense amount of patience and restraint he’s been showing. But that particular jeer? That particular jeers rings a little too close to home. Because yes things are finally good with you, but the fact your career hinges so much on your relationship now is an undeniable dark shadow being cast upon it. Another reason, Hawks might add, that he couldn’t wait for Midoriya to take over for All Might. “Feeling tongue tied?” Monoma needles again. “Say something worthwhile and I just might fucking respond,” Hawks fires back. “Ah so he does speak! Just admit things aren’t all rosy and perfect in ArteHawks land.” “ArteHawks?” “Your perfectly perfect couple name for everyone’s favorite perfectly perfect star-crossed lovers.” “Don’t call us that.” “Call you what?” “Star-crossed lovers.” “Aww why not? Are the fates themselves not telling you your relationship is doomed?” “Our relationship isn’t doomed.” “Sure it isn’t,” Monoma scoffs and something snaps in Hawks.

It only takes a moment for him to grab Monoma and slam him down against the rooftop, pinning him there. “Watch what the fuck you say,” Hawks threatens. “Hey ease up. I’m not enjoying his bullshit any more than you are but just ignore him,” Bakugo warns. “Yea Hawks, ease up,” Monoma smirks up at him. “Listen here you little-“ “Hawks! I said ease up. If you fuck up and get a bad headline it reflects on (y/n) too remember?” Bakugo cuts Hawks off before he can finish his sentence. Hawks looks over at Bakugo and then back down at a smirking Monoma. God he wants to punch that stupid, smug look off his face. But Bakugo has a point. So Hawks takes a calming breath that does very little to actually calm him down before forcing himself to release Monoma and go back to observing the building across the street; however, the peace is only momentary. No sooner has Hawks returned to his post does Monoma stand back up and ask “So when all this inevitably blows up in your face, how long do you think it’ll take for (y/n) to come running back to me to fix her reputation again? A week? A day?”

There’s only a split second between Hawks registering what Monoma has said and his reaction. He whirls around, fist connecting with Monoma’s face, causing the other man to stagger backwards with the force of it. He rears his fist back to land another one but Bakugo catches his arm and yanks him back. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Bakugo demands. Hawks wrestles himself free of Bakugo’s grip and redirects his gaze to the younger man. He should calm down, objectively he knows he should, but Monoma’s words are floating through his head and Bakugo had prevented him from fully venting his ire so it continues to burn through his veins. “What’s wrong with me? What the fuck is wrong with you? You just gonna let him talk about (y/n) like that?” Hawks spits back. “He’s obviously trying to get a rise out of you idiot. So stop giving him the satisfaction,” Bakugo scoffs. “Oh so he can just say whatever the fuck he wants and you won’t react huh? Won’t defend your supposed best friend,” Hawks replies and he knows it’s unfair but he’s pissed and so much stress and tension has been building since the moment he told Endeavor about the two of you’s relationship that he needs an exit for it. It was supposed to be Monoma but now Bakugo has stepped into the crossfire. “What the fuck are you implying bird brain?” Bakugo asks, his voice low and lethal as he steps closer to Hawks in warning. “I’m not implying anything. I’m just saying you’re a fucking coward,” Hawks replies, wings subconsciously puffing up to make him appear larger. “Don’t you fucking dare call me that. Motherfucker don’t play with me,” Bakugo warns. “I’ll say it again. You’re a fucking coward.”

Hawks should’ve listened.

The punch to his face is not unexpected and he almost immediately follows up with one of his own. But one punch isn’t enough and the fight starts escalating. One minute they’re trading blows and the next he’s shoving Bakugo off the roof and the other man is dragging him over too. Hawks quickly engages his wings to avoid falling and by the time he lands on the street Bakugo is doing the same, having used a few well timed explosions to control his fall. The fall hadn’t cleared either of their heads though and as soon as they make eye contact Bakugo is surging forward with his palms sparking, crimson eyes rage filled. Hawks sends a few feathers his way but it doesn’t slow the other man down so he pulls out his two large feathers ready to wield them as blades.

On the other side of town Midoriya mutters under his breath as he takes notes on the movements inside the building opposite the one he, Tokoyami, and Shoto are stood on. “Some things never change,” Shoto comments as he goes to take a seat next to his friend. “What? Oh! Yes I guess so,” Midoriya admits bashfully. “How has (y/n) been doing?” Shoto asks. “Better since she and Hawks made up but still difficult. All of the events are driving her up the wall since they take time away from actual hero work,” Midoriya explains. “I wish I could offer some encouragement but my father is just as bad as All Might. Overheard him demanding Hawks invite his plus one to the bullshit agency-only cocktail party he’s having tomorrow,” Shoto replies. “Honestly I’m surprised (y/n) hasn’t killed him and All Might yet,” Tokoyami interjects as he joins the conversation. “Trust me, she’s thought about it. Repeatedly,” Midoriya comments. “Anyway, what do you say Midoriya can we confirm it’s this building?” Shoto asks, veering the conversation back to the task at hand. Midoriya nods, “Yep, I’m certain of it. We should notify the others.” “About that.... we have a problem,” Tokoyami sighs as he shows Midoriya and Shoto a photo Monoma’s just sent him of Hawks and Bakugo locked in combat.

Hawks should stop.

He knows he should stop.

He wants to stop.

But somehow he can’t stop until he wins.

His wings are a fraction of their usual size, his ribs ache, he’s heavily bruised, and there are burn marks where Bakugo has caught him with one of his explosions a few times. Granted Bakugo isn’t looking that much better, equally bruised and bleeding in several places where Hawks has managed to cut him. This all started so pettily but neither he nor Bakugo is willing to back down. They’re both too proud. Both feel as if they’re fighting for your best interest and, as such, admitting defeat would in some way be letting you down. One massive fight that at its core is just two men’s horribly misguided attempt at defending you. The sheer irony of the fight is something both men will come to realize once the dust has settled but for now their minds are far too clouded to consider that what’s happening is exactly what Bakugo had been warning Hawks against. So instead of stopping like he knows he should, Hawks continues to grapple with Bakugo, the two of them locked into close proximity tumbling over each other until finally Hawks has Bakugo pinned beneath him, a feather pressed to the other man’s throat.

That moment it’s like all the air gets sucked out of the area. Hawks has never and will never needlessly kill someone, especially not an innocent or fellow hero. But with Bakugo pinned underneath him, both their chests heaving with exertion and Bakugo’s eyes burning with defiance and a refusal to back down or submit even with his life in Hawks’ hands, Hawks is struck by the realization that he could. He could kill Bakugo right now if he wanted to and that’s a sobering thought. “Shit,” he huffs out and the next word out of his mouth is about to be an apology when suddenly he’s being ripped backwards by an unseen force and Bakugo is being similarly yanked away. As Hawks finds himself suspended in air he finally takes in his surroundings for the first time since he and Bakugo started exchanging blows.

There’s a massive crowd of people around staring and whispering in an attempt to figure out what exactly is going on. He spots with growing dread a news van and several reporters all taking pictures of the scene, including some of the collateral damage to the street. Thank god none of the buildings themselves were damaged. Then finally he finds the source of the unseen force holding him in the air.

In the middle of everything stands you.

And man, oh man do you look pissed.

Author’s Note: Men are ✨dumb✨ but we’ll see how (y/n) reacts next chapter. This is the chapter with the least connection to the associated song which meant leaning more heavily on the overall album’s inspiration (Romeo and Juliet if y’all couldn’t tell lol) for this particular chapter and more trying to have the vibe of the chapter match the vibe of the song.

Taglist [open]: @akkaso @cathy8taffy @eeppff @iikillerkitteh @pixelwisp @pokesosa @lildockel @bread0nhead @lavender-moon13

[starshine583]

Crossing a Line (19)

(so this was actually supposed to be the last chapter, but it got long so I had to stop lol enjoy!)

Part 1 / Part 18 / Part 20

Felix held his ground next to Marinette, worried and terrified at the same time. He thought telling his Father about the wish would discourage him from using it, but his Father only got angry, instead, spouting nonsense about “sacrifices” and “family”. Why was he angry? There was still a cure. There was no need to fight! Why wouldn’t he listen?

Marinette stepped forward and confronted his Father’s true intentions, which only made him angrier. Felix tried to calm the situation as it escalated, but Marinette promised to get the miraculous back, while Gabriel promised not to let that happen. It wasn’t until she pulled out his peacock miraculous that Felix realized compromise and negotiation weren’t options anymore.

“Duusu, spread my feathers!” Marinette cried, quickly pinning the miraculous to the lower front of her shirt. The familiar blue light he’d gotten used to seeing flash over his skin washed over her body, and Marinette’s casual outfit disappeared. The miraculous replaced it with a royal blue dress that faded into different colored feathers such as purple, dark blue, and indigo. Her gloves and high-heeled boots, which extended to her knees and mid-biceps respectively, were also royal blue, and the ends of each were covered in a dark blue, feather-shaped pattern that trailed up to the navy blue part of the suit, such as her collar bone, neck, and thighs. A short shawl made entirely of purple feathers wrapped around her shoulders as well, connected by a small, indigo pearl. It brought out the sparkling fuchsia that lined the front and back of the royal blue dress perfectly. If it weren’t for the circumstances, Felix might have been tempted to stop and study the fabric in all its magnificence. 

Gabriel’s expression twisted with rage. “How did you get that?”

Marinette unclasped one of her fans from a metal button on the back of her dress and held it in front of her, showing the sharpness of the curved tip. “Let’s say it was a present from your son.”

Felix grimaced at the look of disdain his Father shot him.

“You gave her your miraculous?!” He fumed.

“No, I-!” 

“Don’t talk back to me!” His Father growled. “I should have known not to trust you from the beginning!” 

Felix flinched back as Gabriel lunged forward in a fit of rage. Before they could collide, though, a feather-shaped knife sank deep into Gabriel’s shirt sleeve, pinning him to a bookshelf. Felix looked to Marinette, who was already pulling another throwing knife out of her hair. He had thought the feathers that decorated her spread out bun were simply that, a decoration.

“Felix, run!” She ordered, throwing the second knife to pin Gabriel’s other arm to the bookshelf. “Go find my miraculous!”

“I’m not leaving you!” Felix argued, taking a step back from his struggling Father. The whole reason he took her miraculous in the first place was to protect her from this exact encounter.

Marinette stepped in front of him, but glanced over her shoulder as she said, “I’ll be fine. I have Duusu. Now go!”

Felix clenched his fists. He hated the idea of leaving her alone, but he didn’t have a miraculous. Anything he tried to do now would only get in her way.

Fueled by adrenaline, Felix stumbled to the other end of the aisle and sprinted towards the Library’s entrance. He almost ran into Gorilla on his way out. Earrings, Earrings- where would Father put Marinette’s earrings if he had them? This house was enormous. They could be anywhere!

He started with the office first, checking the only hiding place he knew Father had: the safe. Felix pulled open his Mother’s painting, and.. They weren’t there. He checked behind the smaller pictures, under the books, and practically pulled everything else out. There was nothing.

“Where are you?” He grumbled to himself, lifting up another pile of books.

“So you finally show your true colors.”

Felix froze, slowly turning around to see none other than Nathalie. She stood in front of him, wearing a crap-eating grin. He should have known she would appear eventually. Nathalie was always eager to be Father’s back up.

“I always knew you weren’t worthy of Gabriel’s trust.” She said, tilting her head up with all the poise of a condescending twit. 

Felix heaved a tired sigh. “And I always knew you’d be the first one to lay down and let him treat you like a dog once I came to my senses.” 

He didn’t want to believe what Marinette said about Father wanting power instead of Mother, but the proof was right in front of him. If Father truly cared about their family and Mother’s well-being, he would let Marinette try to cure her! And if family wasn’t what Father cared about, what else was left but power?

Nathalie let out a snooty little laugh. “Of course you would think that. You don’t understand anything. Your Father is a loving man who is doing the best that he can to raise you two and heal your Mother!”

"Raise us?” Felix scoffed. “He barely talks to us! And right now, he’s the one standing in the way of healing my Mother. So tell me where the earrings are!”

Nathalie tisked and tilted her head slightly to the side, just enough for him to catch a glimpse of the black, circular earrings she was wearing. “They’re safe. Much safer than they were in your hands. Unlike you, I won’t be handing them back over to the enemy so easily.”

Felix shifted into a fighting position. “We’ll see about that.”

“Oh, you want to fight me now?” She asked, a smirk reappearing on her lips. When Felix didn’t answer, the smirk widened. “Good. I’ve been wanting to punch you in that perfect face of yours for years. Tikki, spots on!”

Felix’s eyes widened as Nathalie transformed in front of him. He hadn’t expected her to actually use the miraculous!

The red, magical light that covered her took away her professional suit and exchanged it with a red and black spotted costume. Black colored her forearms- save for the palms and fingers -and bottom half of her legs, acting as boots and gloves. A bit of black covered the sides of her waist as well.

“Well, Felix?” Nathalie taunted, taking one of the two yo-yos that hung on the utility belt around her hips. “You said you wanted the earrings. Why don’t you come take them?”

Felix grit his teeth. “Fine with me. Using Marinette’s miraculous will only make it more embarrassing for you when I get them back.”

Nathalie growled and slung her first yo-yo forward. Felix dodged and whipped around to grab the yo-yo string. Nathalie barely got a gasp of surprise out before he yanked on the string, causing her to fly forward. He hadn’t spent months as Le Paon lying around doing nothing. (Though that might have been part of it) No, he’d been fighting. Specifically against Ladybug and Chat Noir. He knew how her miraculous worked, and he knew it’s weaknesses. Most importantly, he knew that Nathalie knew none of that. 

Nathalie hit the ground with a harsh grunt, but Felix didn’t have time to revel in her struggles. She cried out in rage and twisted her body to kick him in the legs. Felix fell forward, landing on top of Nathalie. She gasped, as he’d landed on her back, and struggled to get him off.

“Didn’t go as planned, huh?” He grunted, moving to grab one of her earrings. 

Unfortunately, his attention was briefly diverted before he could. The library doors were thrown wide open when someone fell through the doorway. Upon closer inspection, Felix realized it was Hawkmoth who had gotten thrown out. Did Father transform? Where was Marinette?

Just then, Marinette jumped out of the doorway as well, still transformed and shouting for Gabriel to give up. 

Felix’s thoughts were once again redirected when Nathalie bucked her body upwards, causing him to fall back onto the floor. She lifted herself to her knees a moment later and reached for her yo-yo again. Felix twirled on the floor to start getting up as well, but kicked her hand to stall the drawing of her weapon.

Nathalie drew her hand back and hissed. “Infernal child!”

“Only for you.” Felix shot back, pushed himself to his feet. 

Nathalie was up a second later, and they got back to switching between chasing and hiding. She finally managed to unhook both of her yo-yos and started hurling them at Felix as fast as she could. Felix dodged them with the best of his ability, all the while jumping around the room for cover. She finally got one yo-yo wrapped around his left arm right when he reached the desk. Felix grappled for the desk chair in a desperate attempt to avoid being dragged back, but being a rolling chair, it only rolled back with him. Nevertheless, that didn’t stop him from using it to his advantage. Felix used the friction from his shoes to slow himself down right in front of Nathalie and swung the chair around with his free hand, smacking her in the side with it. Nathalie held up her forearms to block the blow, but flew to the side anyway. She slid to a stop, unfortunately still on her feet, and before Felix could detach the yo-yo from his arm, Nathalie yanked him forward once again and kicked him in the stomach.

Felix skidded across the floor, rolling to a stop at the office doorway. He sucked in ragged breaths to compensate for the air that had just been sucked out of his lungs. That was.. a decent move.

“Payback, brat.” Nathalie huffed, staggering back to regain her breath as well.

Felix lifted his head up to snap back at her when something made the words die in his throat.

“..My lady?” 

Felix turned on his side to look through the office doorway, praying that he’d misheard something. 

There Chat Noir stood, his cat ears flat against his head as he warily glanced between Marinette and Father, who had paused their battle to look at him. When did he get downstairs? Was Marinette trying to explain the situation?

“A- Chat Noir!” He called out. “Get back!”

He wanted Marinette to have help, but Adrien didn’t have the emotional stability to get involved. Father already had Ladybug’s earrings. If he found out who Chat Noir was, it would be nearly impossible to keep him from getting the ring.

Chat Noir’s eyes snapped to Felix’s, growing wide with surprise and worry. “Felix?”

Father followed Chat Noir’s gaze and raised a brow. Felix grimaced as he watched the gears turn in his Father’s mind, watched them click into place as Father realized how the hero knew where they were or why he seemed so worried about Felix.

“So.” Father began, turning back to Chat Noir. Felix couldn’t tell if he was delighted or angry. Probably a morbid twist or both. “My own son has been fighting against me.”

Crap.

“What?” Marinette and Chat Noir said in unison, though Marinette’s surprise was more directed towards the implication of Chat Noir’s identity.

“No wonder Felix decided to betray me as Le Paon. He must have been worried for your sake. It had nothing to do with this girl!”

Chat Noir furrowed his eyebrows. So much emotion was swirling across his brother’s features- hurt, confusion, denial. Felix could barely stand it. 

“Wait..” He faltered, looking at Felix with a torn expression. “You’re Le Paon?”

“Don’t listen to him!” Felix begged, pushing himself to get up. He had to stop this. Adrien learning about Mother’s true condition was already a fragile subject in and of itself. Learning about Felix and Gabriel’s identities as the terrorists of Paris was bound to be too much. It would overwhelm anyone.

Before Felix could intervene, however, Father did the unthinkable. He detransformed. Right there. In front of everyone.

Felix couldn’t see his face, but Father’s tone was disturbingly pleased as he said, “Would I lie to you, Adrien?”

Chat Noir collapsed to the floor, staring up at their Father in horror. “No..”

“Adrien?” Marinette blanched. The surprise was a tad out of place considering the emotional turmoil that Adrien had to be going through, but Felix understood.

Unfortunately, so did Father. Saying Adrien’s name wasn’t merely for dramatic effect. He knew that Marinette and Adrien were friends in civilian form. That kind of reveal would knock her off her feet just long enough for him to detransform like he did.

Gabriel smiled at Chat Noir’s reaction, and Felix knew right then and there that he’d been played for a fool. This miraculous search was never about family. No father who truly cared for their family would smile at their child’s suffering.

Gabriel transformed again as Chat Noir was on his knees- on his knees! -and created an akuma. Felix jumped forward to stop it or get in the way, but Nathalie wrapped her yo-yo around his waist, planting him to the spot. Marinette was still too shocked to react quickly enough, so the akuma flitted forward, unbothered, and merged with Chat Noir’s bell.

“No!” Felix yelled. He jerked his body forward, pulling at the yo-yo string and pushing ahead with all of the strength he had. “Adrien, don’t do it! Resist him!”

His shouting finally snapped Marinette out of her trance, and she rushed to Chat’s side. 

“Chat, it’s okay!” She tried to console despite the panic leaking through her voice. “We can get through this! Just fight it!”

“Against my Father?” Chat Noir whimpered back.

“Chat Blanc.”

Felix and Marinette held their breath when the purple outline appeared on Chat Noir’s face. Marinette threw one of her fans at Gabriel, but he easily dodged it as it twirled around the room to come back to her.

“Your brother is trying to decieve you, and your partner has misled you. I am trying to revive Emily, but to do that, I need your miraculous to do that.”

Chat Noir squeezed his eyes shut and drew his knees close to his chest, trying to drown out the words. 

Marinette wrapped her arms around him. “Adrien, Minou, Kitty, please! Don’t listen to him! Come back to me.”

“Help me fight for you Mother, Adrien.” Gabriel persisted. “We can bring her back together. We can be a family again.”

“We can.. We can bring her back?”

Felix’s heart sank. “Adrien, no!”

“Don’t do it!” Marinette pleaded.

“All I need is your cooperation.” Gabriel promised.

A tear slipped down Chat Noir’s cheek, and his purple mask dropped long enough for him to look Marinette in the eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“No!”

“Adrien!”

Black and purple bubbles swallowed Chat Noir whole, and Marinette scrambled backwards. When the bubbles disappeared, Chat Noir was gone, and Chat Blanc was left sitting there. His suit was the same as Chat Noir’s, except it was stark white and his green eyes were replaced with a chilling, ice blue. 

Felix tensed as Adrien slowly stood up and lifted his hand towards Marinette.

“My lady..” He said, forming a ball of light at the end of his finger tips. Felix didn’t want to see what that did. “Please.. stand down and give me your miraculous. I have to save my mother.”

Marinette held up a hand as well, but it was in a calming gesture. “Adrien, I’m trying to save your mother! I have the power to heal her, but I need my miraculous back!”

Chat stalled, proving he had some of his sense left. “You can?”

Felix jerked forward again, but Nathalie kept him in the same place. “It’s true! Gabriel won’t give us Ladybug’s miraculous back because he wants to use the wish instead of letting Marinette heal her by herself!”

Gabriel glanced at Felix when he didn’t call him ‘Father’, but Felix kept his gaze on Adrien. If Gabriel thought that Felix would consider him anything close to family after this, he was more demented that Felix thought.

Chat turned his ball of light to Gabriel. “Is that true?”

“Of course not!” Gabriel spat. “They’re lying! They only want the earrings back to keep us from the wish!”

“No!” Felix protested. “The wish has a curse to it! If we use it to heal Mother, someone else will take her place and become comatose just like her! M- er -Ladybug can heal her without that consequence!”

“Everything they say is a lie!” Gabriel yelled. “They’re only trying to manipulate you!”

“Adrien, you know me!” Marinette tried again. “We’ve been partners for months, confided in each other, and risked our lives for each other. Please, I would never try to manipulate you, Minou.” 

Chat Blanc turned his ever-increasing ball of light from Felix, to Marinette, to Gabriel. His face grew more conflicted and grieved with each statement. They were all shouting at him and making it worse, but Felix couldn’t help pleading. He didn’t want Adrien to do something he would regret, and Marinette was so close to him..

Felix’s blood ran cold when Chat Blanc finally broke from the pressure.

“Stop it, stop it, STOP IT!” He screamed, jerking his hand downwards. In his loss of concentration, the ball of light shot from his fingertips, slamming right into the floor. It broke a hole straight to the basement within seconds, but the decay didn’t stop there. The rust spread to the rest of the main floor, covering every inch except the steps, the library, and the office that Felix was standing in. The ground crumbled beneath them, taking Gabriel, Marinette, and Adrien with it. 

“No!” Felix yelled, his heart stopping in his chest. His last fight with the slime monster flashed through his mind, when the debri and dust from the rooftop fell on top of him before everything went dark. How far was the main floor from the basement? Would Marinette survive the fall? Would anyone survive the fall? Would they live through the debri that came after?

Felix whirled around and swung his foot through the air, catching the yo-yo string and stomping it to the ground. Nathalie, shell-shocked from seeing Gabriel fall, fell forward again, and Felix took that lenience in grip to slip out of the yo-yo string and run for the opening. 

Dust was flying everywhere now. He could hardly take a breath without coughing, let alone see clearly enough to find survivors. That didn’t stop him from kneeling on the ground and shouting for Marinette, though. She had to be somewhere. She would call up to him, perfectly fine, and everything would be alright.

So why couldn’t he hear anything?

Felix’s throat tightened as he screamed. He screamed her name over and over again into the abyss and didn’t hear a darned thing. It was silent, save for the occasionally crumbling of the debri below, and he was terrified. Where was she- Where was she? No, no, no, no-

“MARINETTE!!”

Panicked and sick to his stomach with worry, Felix shot to his feet and turned to Nathalie, who had just started to recover from his sudden escape. She was the only one left that had a miraculous. The same miraculous that might be able to save Marinette and Adrien if Felix could get his hands on it in time. 

Nathalie barely caught a glimpse of his fist flying towards her face when he lunged at her.

~~~~~~

The room swayed in the darkness. Debri crumbled around her, yet it sounded distant, similar to an echo. Marinette drew in a breath, but immediately coughed it back out. The air was thick with dust, too thick. 

She opened her eyes, hoping to make out her surroundings amidst the tan clouds around her. A large stream of light poured down on her from the gaping hole in the floor above her. Unfortunately, it was too clouded for her to see anything past the hole.

A voice floated down from above, but it was too faint to make out. She laid there for a moment, waiting to hear it again. 

Nothing.

Marinette sat up despite her body’s aching protest and scanned the room again. A few chunks of debri were scattered around her, but she had thankfully been untouched, aside from hitting the ground, that is. She curled her fingers together, feeling the gaps and patterns of the metal walkway underneath her. Where was she? Had they fallen to a basement of some sort?

“Felix?” She called out, a mix of hopeful and concerned towards what she might hear in response. Did he get caught in the fall too? He didn’t have a miraculous to protect him like they did. What if he’d gotten seriously injured?

“Adrien!” She called next. It might not be the smartest idea, but akumatized or not, she wanted to make sure that her partner was alright. There was also the possibility that the fall broke his akumatized item.

Her calls were only met with silence. 

Beep! Beep!

Marinette looked down at her miraculous, barely catching sight of the last feather leaving the fan before she detransformed. 

Duusu fell into her lap, looking absolutely exhausted. “Sorry, Miss Marinette.. Keeping you safe from injury takes a lot of work.”

Marinette offered a smile and softly petted the top of the kwami’s head. “It’s alright, Duusu. You’ve done plenty.”

Cupping the kwami in her palms, Marinette pushed herself to her feet and looked around. The dust was finally starting clear a bit, just enough for her to make out the room she’d fallen into. A grated, metal pathway led from the piled debri behind her to a small, garden-looking area up ahead. A flickering light above revealed some sort of casing in the middle of the greenery, also untouched by the caved in floor.

Curious, Marinette wandered towards it. The sides of the case shone as bright gold under that flickering lights, and the glass on top gave a white glare, making it hard to see through at first. 

It’s strange, She thought, to put such a large and beautiful case in a basement where no one will see it.

Why go through the trouble of making it at all? Was it simply not finished? 

She cupped her free hand on the glass and peered inside. Whatever this held- if anything -had to be extremely important. The flickering light didn’t help her to identify anything. It only allowed her to gather bits and pieces at a time. Something white was inside.. An outfit? It looked like a manikin was wearing it. But then she noticed hair. Golden hair that looked exactly like Adrian’s. And the face..

Marinette almost dropped Duusu from shock. 

“Emilie!” She gasped, not wanting to believe what she was seeing. Had Mlle. Agreste been here this whole time? Who keeps someone locked up like this? 

“Well, Mlle. Dupain-Cheng.”

Marinette whipped around, pushing herself against the case from reflex. Gabriel stood in front of her, somehow still transformed, and he had a horribly malicious grin on his lips. 

The debri must have missed him too.

“Now you truly know all of my secrets.” He mused, gesturing to the glass coffin behind her. “But I see it has cost you.”

Marinette held Duusu closer to her chest. She scanned the room behind Gabriel, but didn’t see Chat Blanc anywhere. “Where’s Adrien?”

Gabriel raised an uncaring brow. “I’m sure he’ll find his way back to the fight soon enough.”

Marinette shot him a glare. “How can you say that? He’s your son! Don’t you care about his well being at all?”

What if he’s hurt? Or worse, dead! She doesn’t have her miraculous to bring him back this time!

Gabriel scoffed. “The sooner you stop resisting, the sooner he will be healed with the miraculous. It’s ludicrous to care about injuries when they are easily reversible.”

“He still goes through the pain!” She couldn’t help yelling. “What about that?”

“He’ll forget the pain.” Gabriel snapped back. “After all, it’s only temporary.” 

Marinette grit her teeth, but when she opened her mouth to reply-

“You would think that.” A voice took the words right from her mouth. 

She looked up just in time to see someone swing in from the main floor. Although she couldn’t make out the face, Marinette recognized the voice immediately.

“Felix!” She cried, relief filling her chest. He must have avoided the fall. And he had her miraculous!

“Marinette.” He replied almost instantly, pure relief leaking through his tone as well.

Gabriel scowled at the boy as he entered their vision. A black and red costume indeed covered his body, signifying the fact that he was the new wielder of the Ladybug miraculous. 

“Where’s Nathalie?” Gabriel barked.

Felix pulled one of the two yo-yos off of his waist- why didn’t she ever think of having two yo-yos? -and smirked. “Safe. And out of your reach.”

Marinette smiled at the mocking comment, but Gabriel was less than amused. He sprang forward with a growl, causing Felix to jump back so he could keep the distance between them. Marinette remembered having to fall back to use her weapons properly. She always hated leaving Chat at the front lines, but long distance was her best vantage point when it came to yo-yos.

Felix swung both yo-yos in two perfect circles at his side as he moved backwards. As soon as he got the chance to pause in his movements, he threw the first yo-yo forward and latched it onto Gabriel’s staff, easily wrapping around it in a tight hold. Gabriel smirked at the supposed attack and yanked back on the staff to draw Felix forward, but Felix, expecting the reaction, immediately let go of the first yo-yo and threw his other yo-yo forward, quickly wrapping it around Gabriel’s arms and rendering them useless. He then dug his feet into the ground and pulled as hard as he could. 

Gabriel yelped as he flew towards him, and with the new momentum, Felix literally swung Gabriel in a circle around the room. Marinette watched with wide eyes as the man crashed into a few debri piles. If she didn’t know any better, she might have thought that Felix had been using the Ladybug Miraculous all along. His movements were planned and meticulous. Even as he threw Gabriel back onto the metal walkway right in front of her, Marinette stood still, not feeling the need to flinch. It was glaringly obvious that Felix knew what he was doing.

“Give up.” Felix ordered, pulling the yo-yo string tighter around Gabriel as he stepped closer. “This battle is over.”

Gabriel, through coughs, looked up to sneer at Felix. Marinette thought he was going to go on a rant about disloyalty or vengeance, but, strangely, his head only cocked to the side slightly. 

“Yes, I believe it is.” He replied, his voice bone-chillingly gleeful.

Marinette’s gaze snapped upwards, just behind Felix where Gabriel was looking. A white figure had appeared in the dust and debri, standing with their arm raised directly at her and Felix.

Her eyes widened. 

“FELIX, LOOK-”

It was too late. The white blast of light hit the metal grate directly to their left, causing a destructive blast that pushed all three of them back. Gabriel took Felix’s imbalance as an opportunity to escape his bounds and scramble away from them. Marinette, however, groaned from the backlash of the blast and rubbed her head. Was there supposed to be a high-pitched ringing in her ears?

Through squinting eyes, she tried to search for a way out, all while fighting back a fresh headache. With Chat Blanc on his feet and fighting again and with Duusu still resting in her hand, Felix had no chance of winning this fight, especially now that Gabriel was free.

A hand gently grabbed her shoulder, and she looked up to see Felix next to her.

“Marinette.” He whispered, looking her over for injuries.

“Felix.” Marinette sighed in relief, putting her hand on his. He’s okay.

Felix glanced over at Chat Blanc, who was quickly approaching. “I need to get you out of here.”

Marinette’s grip on his hand tightened. “I’m not leaving you.”

“Yes!” Gabriel cheered before Felix could reply. 

Maniacal laughter erupted from the man as he spread his arms out wide. “Well done, Adrien! Now, help your Father bring our family together again and get their miraculous!”

Marinette pulled Felix closer, preparing for the worst. If she was to truly die during this battle, at least his face would be the last thing she sees.

Chat Blanc, who had walked fully into the light at this point, stopped a few feet from Gabriel. His eyes bore into the man, blank and soulless. 

Marinette’s hand dug into Felix’s, and they exchanged glances. Something wasn’t right. Before the fall, Adrien had been showing the most conflict and emotion she’d ever seen in her life, but now he looked.. He looked empty, hollow.. gone.

Slowly, Chat Blanc raised his hand again, this time aiming his blast right at Gabriel. “I have no father.”

A shiver ran down Marinette’s spine, and Felix sucked in a breath next to her. Whoever stood in front of them now, it wasn’t Adrien.

Gabriel staggered back a step, pure terror in his voice as he stuttered, “W-What?”

Chat Blanc stepped forward, the ball of light growing in his hand.

“Don’t worry.” He remarked, his tone completely devoid of emotion. “After all, ‘Pain is only temporary’.. Right?”

The ball of light shot from his fingertips, hitting Gabriel directly in the chest. Gabriel opened his mouth to scream, but the decay swallowed him whole before his voice could even reach the air. Marinette gasped, watching Gabriel’s ashes fall to the floor. Did that really just happen? 

Chat Blanc stared at the pile of dust, not an ounce of regret on his face. Marinette noticed that there wasn’t any satisfaction in his expression either. 

He looked up, locking eyes with her, and Marinette tensed. Felix leaned forward enough to put a protective arm in front of her. Chat Blanc, noticing the shift, glanced at Felix as well. Then he started to move towards them, his steps slow and dragged out. 

“Easy, there..” Felix muttered, bringing his yo-yo forward. 

Marinette held her breath. If he could kill Gabriel- gosh, he killed him! -then he could get rid of them just as easily.

Chat Blanc stopped in front of them, his eyes still focused on Marinette. She met his gaze, not daring to look away. 

If you’re anywhere in there, Adrien, please.. 

Suddenly, Chat Blanc dropped to his knees, rattling the metal walkway. Marinette flinched, but didn’t back away. In fact, she found herself reaching forward. He looked so broken, so lost..

“Please..” He croaked, a single tear streaming down his cheek. “Save me.”

Marinette’s heart shattered at the words, and she brushed his tear away. “Of course, kitty.”

She looked to Felix, who nodded and stood up. He quickly called his lucky charm, and on queue, Marinette broke the bell around Adrien’s neck. The akuma fluttered out, and Felix slung his yo-yo forward to capture it.

“Oh, wait one second.” Marinette spoke up, grabbing his arm before he could throw the miraculous cure.

Felix gave her a questioning look, and she gestured to the pile of ash behind her. 

“I have to get something.”

With a quickness, for Chat’s sake, Marinette hopped over to Gabriel’s- er -remains and knelt down next to them. She cringed as she reached forward, pushing through the uneasiness to move the ash around. It had to be there somewhere..

“Ah- hah!” She sat up, taking the butterfly miraculous with her. Master Fu had mentioned a while back that the miraculous were indestructible, and Marinette didn’t want Gabriel to keep his powers when he was resurrected. That would be like falling into a torturous loop of fighting, especially since Chat won’t remember anything when the cure is cast.

“Okay.” She said, jumping back over to Felix with the miraculous in hand. “Do it.”

Felix nodded and threw the lucky charm into the air. Marinette closed her eyes as the Ladybugs washed over her, allowing a small smile to spread across her lips. She’d always wondered what it would be like to be on the other side of this.

“Don’t worry.” She whispered to Chat Blanc, running her hands through his snow white hair during their last moments together. “I promise you’re gonna be okay.”

We all are.

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[bigdrchief]

I... Am Cape Kuroto Dan - Enter the Next World (Worm/Kamen Rider)

The multiverse was a place full of life and wonder, each universe holding their own defenders of justice.

A world of pirates who fight against an evil empire.

A world of warriors who fight in an everlasting mirror world.

A world of magicians who use the power of courage.

A world of doctors and games fighting against the Bugster virus.

That last world sounds interesting, doesn't it? Not exactly a common combination, doctors and games, but there are certainly connections between them.

In that world, there existed a mad genius who created a game capable of changing the world, for the purposes of showcasing his own genius. He would fight against the "protagonists" to create a game capable of granting immortality, and would soon form a alliance with them to prevent his father from destroying any chances of stopping the Bugster virus (and in turn his game). After these events, the mad genius would continue his work, eventually succeeding in his goal of a game capable of resurrecting the fallen, but would soon finally face his end. A dangerous and insane foe, comparable to a cockroach in a mech suit, he is an enigma in its most chaotic form.

For a while, it was presumed that this mad man had finally died, no more continues left for the so-called god. But as he has shown time and time again, he will continue appearing in worlds using as many 'continues' as needed for the sake of his goals.

Of course, all of this did not matter for the inactive Vassal Manager, a Shard that used to work for Eden but was now waiting for a potential candidate to connect to. Its mastery over hard-light projections, in human terms, was what gave the Entities their forms that they would use when interacting with civilizations. With Eden currently offline, however, the Shard was left to its own devices, forced to wait for somebody to meet its requirements in order to connect once more to the Shard Network.

While currently calculating the best type of 'power' to distribute, it felt something poking and prodding at its network ports. It was clearly attempting to hack into its interface, which while somewhat surprising, would ultimately prove to be a futile gesture.

To the Shard's alarm, however, as it attempted to deconstruct the invader, it soon quickly spread across the various connections it had. No matter what guards the Shard placed, the virus was somehow able to circumvent it.

The Shard began to panic as it attempted to preserve its data in a last resort, only for the virus to begin quickly consuming it just as quickly, corrupting anything it came across. Its functions fading fast, the Shard was unable to put up a resistance against the virus, and slowly felt itself succumbing to it.

The last thought the Shard had before it fully degraded was not one it would normally think, but was indeed a result of the virus that had infected it. Those two words?

GAME OVER

*Line Skip*

5 weeks later...

The Merchants were currently on the run from the Heroes, having successfully made it off with various bags of money, most likely to use to buy some drugs (AGAIN)!

Armsmaster was gaining some leeway on the group, but Skidmark had decided to be a colossal dick and had Squealer configure a bunch of auto-turrets of sorts on their getaway vehicle, which was currently firing multiple rounds that Armsmaster was forced to dodge and serve through.

Skidmark grinned as he quickly rifled through the cash he had gathered, already calculating the amount of drugs he intends on buying and then selling to the poor sops of the city. WIth this much cash, they could probably make triple the amount of money then the usual amount they scam off of the losers of Brockton Bay. At this rate, they'll be rich in no time!

Armsmaster brings out his halberd, and attempts to fire a grappling hook at them, possibly in some sort of attempt to try and slow them down, but Skidmark quickly redirects it to a nearby lamp post, causing it to latch onto the steel pole and forcing Armsmaster to slow down temporarily in order to quickly unattach the hook.

Skidmark grinned viciously at this clear victory, and turned to count the money once more. Had he paid a bit more attention, he would have noticed Armsmaster radioing in information, presumably to other Protectorate Heroes. For now, however, he was more focused on how to make use of his money to profit.

It was quite unfortunate then, that something proceeded to slam into the car, causing it to stop much to Skidmark's irritation.

"What the fuck, Squealer?! Why the fuck aren't we moving!?"

"I-I don't know, so shut up and let me fucking fix this!" Squealer yelled out in anger as she pressed the gas pedal in an attempt to make it move to no avail.

Already aggravated at how this clear chance of victory was cut short, Skidmark imploded when he heard somebody chuckling at their misfortune. Jumping out of the vehicle, gun in hand, he growled as he quickly surveyed the area.

"Who the fuck is laughing at us!?" he yells out. "Come on out you little shit! Or are you too chicken and would rather cry to your mommy?!"

He let out a vicious grin when the perpetrator finally revealed themselves, appearing from a nearby alleyway.

It was some guy in cosplay, wearing some sort of purple and black suit with white highlights and white leg armor. The person wore purple shoes and purple shoulder pads, alongside purple cuffs, and some weird green machine thingie on their waist with a purple object inserted in it. On their chest was some weird armor, with four colored buttons on the left side of the armor and some sort of gauge on the left. The helmet was the weirdest part, however, as it had some spiky black hair and a weird white-edge visor with red cartoon eyes printed on it.

Skidmark and his fellow Merchants laughed at the fool. If this person was a Cape, they sure were a horrendous one! Who even wears something like that anyway?

"-HAHAHAHAHA! I can't believe you're wearing something that shitty-looking!" Skidmark said, pointing his gun at the figure. "So how about you go and die or something and let the big boys work, huh?"

Skidmark fired, then grunted when the bullet barely grazed the armor. Of course it couldn't be that easy, could it? The Parahuman was clearly a Tinker of sorts. Whatever, they could still take the asshat down.

As his men prepared his weapons (and Squealer finally getting the car to work again), the Cape finally spoke up.

"It appears that the beta testing has started." he spoke calmly, but with this bizarre tenseness mixed with an underlying chaotic energy that just screamed danger to Skidmark. Unfortunately, he makes love with drugs, and so he grabbed the mental warning sign and threw it at the Cape in rage and confusion.

"What the fuck are you talking about!?"

"I'm saying that pests like you aren't even worth the full use of my capabilities." the Cape continued, raising his hands in a grandiose manner. "Your sole purpose is to help with the calibration of this vessel, to ensure that it is functioning properly for use in this backwards planet."

"I have no idea what the fuck you're talking about." Skidmark flatly replied.

"You needn't need to remember. Once I'm done with you, the only thing you'll need to remember is your crushing defeat at my hands, Genm's hands." Genm said arrogantly.

"YOU MOTHERFUCKER!!" Skidmark exploded, his fragile pride unable to handle Genm's remarks, and throwing his gun at the Cape in rage, he used his power to overlay multiple layers on the gun, causing it to slam into the Cape at in intense speed, letting out a small explosion due to the few bullets still remaining inside. To his ever-growing frustration, Genm remained unharmed by the attack.

"HAHAHAHA!" he laughed at Skidmark's efforts. "Was that all you could do? I think it's time that I show you how a real CEO does it. I can easily crush you all, even if I have to use continues!"

Quickly rushing towards the group, Skidmark's underlings quickly fired onto the Cape, the bullets failing to slow him down. Genm quickly ran up to the group of goons and smash his fist into one of the goon's faces, slamming the poor fellow into the ground before quickly roundhouse kicking another goon. Genm then threw a few punches at a goon stupid enough to attempt to bash their gun on Genm, before swinging said goon around and throwing them into the crowd.

As the vehicle's engine purred, Genm turned towards the capes before raising his hand up.

"G̵̖̩̳͊̀̊A̷̻͊Ş̶̙̔̏̐̋̈̍͝Ȟ̵̢̜̙̪͈̯̓̓̄Á̷̝͇͉͙͎̈́Ć̸̦̾O̶̧̘͛͋̔͗N̴̘̝̳̜̖̼̦̅̈͠ ̷̢̣̯͓͊̓͌̽͐͘S̵̗̒͒W̶̛͓͇̳̰̍̈́̋͛̑Ó̸̹͉͇̪͔̑͐͊͜Ŕ̸̤̼̲̾͂̈̉͌̀ͅD̷̫̜͛̀̐̆̂̍͘!̴̨̗̖̩̟͊͌̓̽̚"

A distorted voice resounded in the area as dark violet pixels manifested around Genm's hand, before dispersing to reveal a simple sword with a silver hilt, a blue crossguard with a red A button and blue B button, and a red flaming serrated blade.

As Genm approached the Capes, Mush finally decided to intervene, using the various rubble that make up his body and flinging them towards the Cape, Skidmark enhancing the projectiles and causing them to move at speeds fast enough to be set on fire towards Genm. Genm simply swung the sword side to side, easily destroying the rubble that was flung at him.

Realizing that maybe this was a waste of time, Skidmark quickly jumped back into the vehicle and yelled at Squealer. "Step on it, ya bitch! Hurry up!"

"I'm fucking doing that assshole!" Squealer replied.

"Ko Chīn!"

However, just as the vehicle began backing up, the vehicle just as quickly stopped. As a confused Squealer tries the pedal once more, Skidmark looks over the car and sees to his shock ice had formed on the car's wheels, slowly inching upward like a caterpillar on a plant. Looking back at the cape, he saw the armored Tinker had stabbed the now cyan colored sword into the ground, freezing the area.

As the figure walked towards them, Skidmark grabbed a nearby machine gun that was stashed in the car earlier, and in a fit of desperation began firing the bullets at the Cape, using his power to enhance the power of the bullets. The bullets merely grazed the figure, and as the Cape began sprinting towards him, for a second Skidmark feared that he may have misjudged his victory.

A truck suddenly slammed into the figure from the side, slamming the Cape into a nearby building. Acting instinctively, Skidmark used his powers on the vehicle, enhancing its velocity enough that when it slammed into the nearby wall, it exploded. As the fire slowly receded, Skidmark saw Mush slowly moving away from a nearby parking lot, and quickly deduced him to be the cause of the vehicle crash.

"...Hahaha, serves that bitch right! Did he really think he could stand up against us!?"

Skidmark let out a definitely not nervous laughter as he looked over the wreckage, seeing no sign of the Cape moving. A pity, it seems like they killed the Tinker. Then again, if he had died from a mere explosion, than would he have been a good asset to them.

"Merchants. Cease and desist immediately."

Skidmark turned around, and growled when he the miltary hero pointing a gatling gun at him. Miss Militia, a Cape that Skidmark never really liked. If she was here, than the other Protectorate Capes would not be too far off.

"*Beep-Beep-Beep-Beep*"

"Come on Squealer!" he barked to the Tinker. "Hurry the fuck up and get us out of here!"

"*Beep-Beep-Beep-Beep*"

Squealer quickly nodded, but paused to Skidmark's confusion.

"*Beep-Beep-Beep-Beep*"

"Squealer, what the fuck are you doing!?" Skidmark yelled, only to freeze when he began hearing the noise she had.

"*Beep-Beep-Beep-Beep*"

Suddenly, a purple warp pipe with the word "CONTINUE" in rainbow colors appeared from the ground, and from it ascended to the Capes shock Genm, unharmed and untouched by the explosion earlier.

"*Doot-doodoo-doot-doodoot!*"

A small jingle played as the Tinker slowly stepped out of the pipe and onto the ground, cracking his neck as he stared at Skidmark. At that moment, he was pretty sure that were it not for the mask, he would've seen the stupid ass Cape smirking at his confusion.

"What the-!? How the fuck did you survive!? You were fucking blown up, you piece of shit!?!?" Skidmark yelled in confusion.

Genm simply shook his head as he removed the strange purple device from the green machine attacked on his waist, the machine letting out a "Gashun!" as a holographic indicator appeared beside the Tinker, displaying the words "GENM Life Points" and a red heart with the number 99 inside it.

"As I said, you are merely the beta test to my vessal's abilities. And one of those abilities includes the ability to 'respawn' after death." he explained pointing a finger up, as the number went down to 98. "You've managed to kill 1 of just 99 lives, which is definitely impressive for scum like you."

"Ni-Ninety-nine!?" Skidmark said in shock.

"Didn't you hear me earlier?" Genm remarked as he began spinning the violet device around. "I'll clear this game, even if I have to use continues!" He then proceeded to slam the device into some sort of holster on his right side before pressing a button.

"Kimewaza! MIGHTY CRITICAL STRIKE!"

Purple and blue energy slowly began to form around Genm's right leg as he slowly walked towards the dazed Merchants, the walk slowly turning into a dash as the Cape ran towards the Merchants. In a panic, Skidmark attempts to jump ship, quickly exiting the vehicle, but at that point it was too late. Genm threw a roundhouse kick at the vehicle, striking at the engine and causing the entire vehicle to explore in an orange glitchy fiery explosion. The various drugged Capes flung across the floor, shrapnel flying and striking them in their limbs, giving them wounds and intense pains throughout their bodies, while Genm simply stood there unharmed.

Smoke eventually filled the area, and Miss Militia whom had been watching the whole thing in shock, quickly comes onto the scene in an attempt to reach the new Cape that had devastated the Merchants. However, once the smoke faded away, the purple Tinker was gone, no trace of him ever being here except for the damage he had done to the Merchants.

As fellow Cape Armsmaster soon arrived on the scene, Miss Militia walked towards the wreckage of the truck to examine the area, most of the flames having now died out.

As she walked closer to the area, she noticed something poking out of the wreckage of the area. Morphing her weapon into a shovel, she used it to move away the rubble out, to reveal a charred body in the wreckage. Standing down next to it, there were no signs of there being any sort of modifications to the body, or of any sort of symptoms indicative of illnesses, so it was likely that the body was not trapped. Said body resembled a 30-year old Japanese man with a basic grey suit with a violet undershirt and black jeans with black dress shoes, the fire scarring most of his face.

While normally one would have marked this individual as dead, considering the Cape's remarks earlier, it was possible that he possessed some sort of Breaker like Alabaster with the ability to 'revive' himself a set amount of times, though this was merely speculation on her part.

"Report Miss Militia?" Armsmaster asked, having finished tying up the downed Merchants and currently waiting for the PRT Vans to arrive.

"A new Cape dubbed Genm had entered a scene, wearing some sort of violet armor." Miss Militia explained. "I've given him both a Tinker rating and a Breaker rating due to his ability to seemingly create a new body upon death, which the Parahuman has claimed to only occur a limited amount of times."

"Hmm... Any other possible information?"

"Yes, assuming this claim to be accurate," she continued as she pointed towards the wreckage, "then this body may possibly be indicative of his true appearance, though that's assuming any new body his power makes is a exact duplicate like in the case of Oni Lee. If this claim is true, then this may be troubling. While I am unsure of the Cape's standing, he possesses Tinkertech capable of altering the landscape and of knocking Parahumans unconscious with ease without needing to fatally damage them."

"Very well, I'll take this into consideration." Armsmaster said as he looked over the scene. As he did, he could not help but wonder as to what kind of genius would have been gifted with a Power such that they could not only create effective armor while evading capture for so long, if they were new, but with an ability to come back from the dead a set amount of times?

The mad genius grinned as his computer displayed the fine handiwork his Critical Strike had done to the Merchants, the Bugster virus slowly prorogating throughout their body.

A fitting end for such scum was the thought that ran through his head, though fortunately for them he had no intention of letting those Merchants die.

No, with his specialized 'finisher', the virus should reach a point in the near future where eventually the Bugsters will manifest from the bodies, which he can then use as test subjects to test his newly developed Gashats on.

Already, he had determined a candidate that he could have use the particular Gashat he was working on, "Beastmon GO". He grinned as he saw that his plan was coming to fruition.

This world, this Earth Bet... It was clear that without geniuses like him, the world has in a sense regressed to an era of strife and conflict, and that these Shards that fueled their powers have merely further enhanced the chaos of this world.

These so-called villains running amok, these so-called heroes failing in their duties to protect the people, it was clear that the planet needed a wake-up call.

Were he like any other Kamen Rider, then his main reason for doing this would be because its the right thing to do. Unfortunately, that wasn't it at all.

His only reason for helping this world was very simple really.

"As the one that will herald a new era," he said to himself, a constant reminder of his new quest. "I shall soon bring forth a new age of life, one that must be unhindered by these low-level players incapable of seeing the bigger picture. Once I rid this world of its filth, I can truly revolutionize it into a new era! That is the path chosen by I, DAN KUROTO"

[antics-pedantic]

DYNAURA!!: Pilot Part 4 [FINALE]

Later that weekend, we met a Capybara and a Tortoise.

          But not just any capybara and tortoise. These two were standing upright, walking on two feet. Capybara Joe had on a sweatshirt, baggy pants and boots. Botticelli the Tortoise wore a terry cloth headband and wristbands. We caught the two walking down the street as they began their day, in advance of the Herculean Class Wresting Federation show later that night.

          “Yea, that’s a wicked move that is, Botti.” said Capybara Joe, with a New Zealander’s accent. His features were lively and animated. He practically exuded friendliness to the point it was like a slight superpower. Botticelli was playing a quick bit of hop skotch, some children having drawn the squares for it on the sidewalk. Joe and Botti played a round before getting to a couple of errands.

          “Oop. Ah—close one! Yipes!”

          Then it was Joe’s turn. He wasn’t quite as balanced as Botticelli, whose features seemed more subdued, like a simple smiley face. But nonetheless, Botticelli did a little cheer routine for Joe, even as Joe tripped and fell midway into his turn. Tapes actually suffered a similar fate (laughing all the while) and I couldn’t help but be sucked into the thrill of it myself, before we made it to the hardware store.

          “Botti an’ I have been here in the city for a real lengthy length amount o’ time we have. Yup!” said Joe, pushing a cart while Botti double-checked a list of tools they’d need to fix some things at the HCF show. “I’ve been somethin’ like a town crier, handin’ out flyers and whatnot. But concerts and shows? I hype ‘em up like nobody’s business. Get people coming in and pow! Box office is popping, and then everybody snags the mad dollars! Party time.”

          Botticelli just nodded at Joe’s words in agreement.

          “Yea, Botti’s actually one of the talent. Fights all sorts! Like Incredulous Cephalopod and Cuttlefish Cutie, Taria of Atlantis, Cap’n Payback, Prizefighter Shine, even this wolfman feller what started up recently who ALSO works at a lovely eatery we call the ‘Palt ‘n’ Sepper!’ New favorite place to go.”

          Botti rubbed his tummy and Joe laughed, following suit.

          “Oh, Prizefighter—That’s our good pal Rex! We hang out most with him. I mean, we hang out with everybody around downtown, but Rex is our bro. We practically gave him the welcome tour when he got his apartment ‘ere in Multy-plecks. Multiplex? Yea, we’re in the neighborhood together. ‘S all good.”

           The usual venue for the HCF was a large assembly hall or gym of some sort that was used for other functions. The HCF rented it, so everyone involved with local shows had to pitch in.

          “It’s not what most people would call a ‘real’ job,” said Joe, getting to work on the audience rows. “Seating arrangements being as they are and all. You’ll get no respect settin’ up foldin’ chairs, even as darn near fillin’ up the room is the objective. Then there’s the merch table, concession stands… I hear we’re gettin’ a slushie machine wheeled in this time. Budget’s allowed it this night.”

          We found Botticelli nearby, opening up cardboard boxes and arranging them neatly for whoever would handle sales here. There were lots of t-shirts to go around, and Botti was ecstatic to see a plush toy resembling a minotaur. Tapes had immediately put down some money for a shirt, and a foam finger that said: “ATLANTIS OR BUST!” in support of Taria.

          People were starting to pour in, and that meant the warm-ups would have to give way to the openers. Tapes and I had caught some interviews here, but I’ll get back to those at a later point. Which brings us to the acts: The first of which, was an improvised match between Botticelli and Curious Kunoichi. Kunoichi wasn’t quite as strong as Taria or Rex. Neither was Botticelli, but he still worked out enough that he had the advantage on our ninja friend. Thusly, it was up to the Curious Kunoichi to handle direct combat in an indirect manner.

          The first few hits that connected were primarily in Botticelli’s favor. Kunoichi was parrying strikes where possible, managing to score a couple of kicks that sent the tortoise’s shell flying into the ropes. His rebound was a slingshot move, as Botti retreated into his shell and became a veritable cannonball. For anyone else, the match would have been over. But not for the Curious Kunoichi: Botticelli had stumbled on the ropes by chance. Kunoichi would use them by design.

          The first dash found our shadowy hero landing her feet on the top and middle ropes, moving in an arc that would launch her not directly into Botticelli, but just over him. A downwards palm strike from above kept him from jumping up to properly intercept. And before he could get his bearings, Kunoichi had repeated the maneuver from the opposite direction. Before Botticelli knew it, the Curious Kunoichi was on the other two sides of the square wrestling ring. Her agility eventually gave way to a perfect storm: The audience could no longer tell what direction she was bouncing off of. Botticelli followed, his own honed senses unable to keep up now that they had been effectively scrambled. And when Kunoichi had let up and Botti was ready to resume the battle, she had vanished. We caught her leaping from a corner post, dropkicking the fighting tortoise and then pinning him down for the referee to step in and make the three-count. Kunoichi had won the opener! And then Botti got up and hugged her. She returned it, and they climbed out of the ring.

          Then, Taria climbed in, and took a microphone.

          “This one’s for YOU, Curio!”

          When the Curious Kunoichi had turned around to see the next match being set up, we’d caught her blushing.

          “And tonight, I—the champion of Atlantis, shall end the reign of THIS BOO BOO BEAR!”

          In the corner opposite from Taria stood Towering Tina, who was using her powers to jump up to a height of fifteen feet tall. No more, no less: enough to look impressive, but without getting too big to still move around in the ring. Taria was the strongest one here right now. The only thing that seemed to save Towering Tina was that her height and range gave her more options for maneuvering and leverage. It meant that any time that Taria grappled with her, each had a way of counteracting against the other. No impenetrable gates to stand in each other’s way: Now it was a war of attrition, of stamina and craftiness. In that sort of contest, both could find a way to attack and retaliate in equal measure.

          Taria went in wish a rush of chops and elbows, before putting Towering Tina into an armbar hold. But Taria couldn’t get a good grip: Towering Tina’s stance was intentionally awkward, which in turn threw off Taria’s own posture. The Atlantean blinked at the thought that her victory wasn’t assured. And then a boot reached right up to her face and knocked her into a corner post.

          “Ooh! Uh… sorry!”

          Taria was seeing stars as Towering Tina apologized. Tapes pointed off to the side at a water cooler whose lid had popped off. The water within had a light blue glow to it as it levitated out by mystical means. And then Taria proceeded to shoulder-check Towering Tina, the levitating water hydrokinetically reshaping itself into the shape of a narwhal: The horn looked imposing, but in reality it was made of a purely cosmetic stream of water for fear of lethal injury. The rest of the body on the other hand, was absolutely bearing a grand weight, like a battering ram.

          And it still wasn’t enough.

          Towering Tina had been beaten to June, maybe even into December. For all intents and purposes Taria’s raw strength and hydromagic had the advantage over Tina’s one ability—even over her developing fighting skill. Tina had only figured out how to do a piledriver correctly last week. And still, she’d had the advantage: She’d come to the match appropriately rested and hydrated. A little anxious, but she’d gotten one over Taria, who had been ready to gloat from the beginning.

Just when Taria thought she was going to pin Tina, the giantess slipped out of the attack, Taria’s own water construct colliding into her in its final moments of active use. And to top it all off, Tina had used a german suplex to pin Taria for the count.

          “That was AWESOME!” exclaimed Taria. “You have got to let me teach you a thing or two later, Tina! You’re gonna be one of the greats!”

          “INDEED!” chimed in Tapes. “MANY UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF REDIRECTION. YOU SHOULD TRY JUJITSU, OR AIKIDO.”

          “Really?!” said Towering Tina. “I didn’t think I’d get this far!”

          And Kunoichi welcomed them both. As did Rex.

          “Rex!”

          There he was, clapping for his friends. He’d arrived quietly, about mid-way into the Curious Kunoichi’s match when he’d caught up with all of us. Taria had almost broken his back with her sweeping hug. Botticelli and Capybara Joe were bouncing with joy.

Rex pulled out his phone. He scrolled through it for a while. But he held it up, and pointed at the video of the Enforcers messing up at flirting terribly.

“Your handiwork?” he asked the Curious Kunoichi. She just nodded.

“It’s… It wasn’t the biggest hit, but it hurt them for a change.” said Kunoichi. “They get in the way of my work, y’know? Just dealing with active threats. Pragmatically.”

“Was it pragmatic to feature this bit?”

Rex gestured for all of us to lean in. It was of NecroMaster flirting with one girl. Then with another nearby under the nose of the first. Before getting caught and ditched  by both. Kunoichi actually laughed out loud at that one.

“My reaction is testament—heh ha!—to its EFFECTIVENESS, Rockwell.”

“And to our friendship. Thanks for that.”

Taria had jumped in and wrapped her arms around both Rex and the Kunoichi, giving them noogies.

“Radical! We’re all feeling stuff!” sang Taria. “You gonna wrestle too, Rex? We’ve been waiting for you to jump in on this!”

“Aw, I dunno… I’m not feelin’ it tonight.” mumbled Rex. But the others wouldn’t hear it. They’d started chanting his name, even as the rest of the crowd focused their roar on the next match. The strikes, the grappling, the slams and wins. There were a few places where Rex still found some joy. And this was one of them.

There was a slight shockwave as one of the contenders was sent flying into a corner post. But before their opponent could pull them in for a pin, Rex had climbed up and forced them out of the ring. The crowd booed at the move, calling Rex a kill-stealing glory hog. But here, Rex could roll with it. There was an act structure to follow. It made sense, and he could go home after his co-workers complimented his moves and vice versa.

“That’s far enough! I owe Kangaroo Boxer here one for taking down the Mighty Minotaur.” spat Rex. The contender he forced out of the ring was one of the oldest acts the HCF had—the Kangaroo Boxer’s mask had worn out, floppy ears. His gloves were still made of old brown leather, made well before the 1960s when they introduced the classic red gloves (easier for the eyes to follow when watching).

“Haha! A regular heel I see!” spoke Rex’s opponent, cheerfully. “I’ll make you eat those words, my boy!”

Rex raised a brow.

“Wait a minute. I’ve never seen you around here before. Who are you supposed to be?”

The newcomer had a painfully wide grin, with the pearliest, whitest teeth. Shining bright hair and chiseled muscles. The crowd seemed to love him though.

“I am the one who will restore peace to honest and hardworking citizens, like we had in the good old days! The ultimate hero: The Better Man!”

That earned an immediate punch from Rex. The Better Man had stood in place with his hands at his waist, confidently. From there, Rex started punching with all he had. Both hammering fists swinging independently, before combining to try for an axe-handle blow. To the audience clamoring over each other, the Better Man appeared unflinching.

“You’re misguided! I like to offer second chances to everyone, but some made the choice to be irredeemable! We must protect from them that which is inherently good in this world to—”

“Aw, can it ya crumb bum!” thundered Rex, with a left hook clean across the Better Man’s cheek. “I’ve heard your talk before. And it’s all a load of bunk!”

“What’s so wrong about believing people are naturally inclined to progression?!” barked back the Better Man, grabbing Rex by his fists, and crushing them in his grip. Rex was doing all he could not to let the pain tear through his body. He had to stay on his feet.

          “Idiot! Doing the right thing is an active choice!” said Rex, leaning forward to meet the Better Man eye-to-eye. “It’s a willingness to change!!”

          “How unforgiving! So much for tolerance. I thought you were a hero too.”

          “It’s plenty forgiving! The only criteria is that you can’t keep willfully hurting yourself or others! And if someone doesn’t stop, you GOTTA fight. For liberation, against oppression! Even if they’re polite and they make everyone think you’re rude--”

          Rex pushed himself back up to his full standing height. And then he put all of his hyper-strength into a spinning motion, smashing the Better Man into the turnbuckles of a corner post.

          “—You gotta STAND UP!!”

          The relief we could see on Rex’s features from having his hands freed from the Better Man’s grip was contrasted against the tremendous willpower it took to fight through the great pressure and pain just a moment ago. He slumped over, his hands on his knees as he huffed. Trying to catch his breath.

          “CAPITOL CRUSHER!”

          But the battle wasn’t over. Not by a long shot. The Better Man’s forearms were up as he performed a flying crossbody attack. Rex raised up his own forearms in a flash, sparks flying like celebration fireworks as their superpowered limbs met like clashing greatswords for the modern era.

          “DECLARATION OF DESTRUCTION!!”

          When Rex heard the Better Man’s terrible cry, he rocketed upwards. Rex’s aura providing the propulsion as the Better Man jumped up to pursue. They zipped around the space above the ring like rival fighter jets in an aerial duel—the Better Man bouncing off the ring ropes whenever he fell back down, always careful to avoid falling to the mat outside the ring and being disqualified.  

          Rex was doing loop de loops and changing altitude at the drop of a hat. Trying to avoid chokeholds and elbow drops that would send him down. Eventually, the Better Man simply anticipated Rex’s flight path two steps ahead of him—bouncing up to goad Rex into flying one way, before falling back to the ropes to jump again into the new path. And then the Better Man brought his hands together for a thunderclap that shook up the crowd. Left them hooting and hollering, eager to see a finale.

          Later, I’d spoken to Rex about this moment. He said the fall reminded him of when he botched his biggest jumps as a kid. Making it up to the Earth’s Mesosphere, maybe the Exosphere on nicer days and catching a fleeting glimpse of the stars before going crashing back down. The shock of landing on the ring mat would have been called luck by others, but with the damage dealt it was just about over. Rex seemed to feel that way as his eyes shut. His body still ached, keeping him awake just long enough to hear the words:

          “DON’T GIVE IN!”

          It’s now that I want to cut to the people Tapes and I had met. Because it wasn’t just Taria and the Curious Kunoichi. It was Capybara Joe, Botticelli, and some of Rex’s neighbors.

          “Why are you asking?” said Irina Kiselyov, an elderly woman giving us a glare. She had raised up her cane threateningly. “Is GOOD boy, that Rex! Helps Irina always. Carries Irina’s entire piano up to apartment with no complaints, unlike good-for-nothing son-in-law of mine, Timofey. You slander Rex and your ass is being the grass!”

          “NEVER. HE IS A FRIEND.” Interjected Tapes. Irina just let off a happy huff.

          “That is adequate answer.” said Irina’s sister, Anichka. “Until then, enjoy the thrashing and the bashing. Irina and I never miss a show! Is like letting the stress out constructively.”

          The two older women laughed together, causing Irina’s granddaughter Lyonechka to sigh.

          “They always get an extra ticket just for me, so I can’t speak up too much right now or they’ll scold me… But yes, Rex is a lovely—err, wonderful neighbor to have. I’m just glad there’s one more person my own age to talk to when my family gets to be a bit… you know!”

          “Oh I am knowing!” faux-gasped Anichka. “Sneakier than ninja girl. Shame on you!”

Next, we caught up with a small boy who had come out to the show. He was recovering from a black eye, would only answer to the name of “Fiery Bryan,” which he said was his hero name. We later ran into his parents, who identified him as Bryan Dhakal. Bullied at school, and recently suspended for getting into a fight.

          “I always go to see his fights!” said Fiery Bryan. “Rex fights the hardest and he never lets anybody push him around. And then I’m gonna be a fighter just like that, but even stronger!”

          “Really? You want to be like Rex and Taria and all of them?”

          “Yeah I would! You’re looking at the future king of the ring right here.”

          We also ran into the clerk from the convenience store at the beginning of this whole thing.

          “I always turn out for my boy!” said the clerk, who went by Lenny. Several others behind him were cheering too.

          “Friends of yours?”

          “Friends and other clerks.” said Lenny. “It’s people like Rex and Taria and the Kunoichi running around that make us feel safer walking home at night. Plus they’re loyal customers to boot! That’s why I always keep an extra taquito on the roller, or something like that. It ain’t much but we wanna show we care.”

          “Actually, I was a robber once myself.” said Janey, one of the crowd that Lenny came in with. “Not proud of it or anything. I was desperate to pay the bills, and I actually ran by Lenny’s store when Battle Bear was chasing me. Sure enough, I ran right into Curious Kunoichi and Rex, and they covered for me while I hid. Kunoichi gave me some cash, I bought some candy and then I talked to Lenny and now we’re friends.”

          “I used to work in the same warehouse as him!” laughed a fellow named Kwame Owusu. “Actually, we were the ones who helped him out. He used to get mixed up putting some of his orders together at first. The older guys there laughed at us a lot—I mean, we joked too, but they liked making jokes about us most. Still, when somebody broke something—in their body, it was Rex there yelling at the supervisor for not calling an ambulance. Poor kid got fired taking a co-worker to the emergency room himself. So I come support the wrestling show, yeah?”

          “There was like… This one REALLY cool time once.” started Capybara Joe, sitting criss-cross on a folding chair next to Botticelli, who was hanging upside down off of the commentator’s table. “What’s that Botti?”

          Botticelli gestured a bit, going as far as sign language to explain certain bits.

          “Oh, right! Yea, it was when Rex first moved into his flat—into the apartment. And we were there when he was right and quiet-like. We tagged along and showed ‘im the proverbial ropes we did! Around the neighborhood, here to the HCF shows and other odd jobs… I can’t lie to ya though: real challenge. Poor fella was all tightly wound-up, thinking he couldn’t afford to open up and all that. But he warmed up and melted all the ice away… includin’ an ice cream sundae I was sharin’ with Botti once, ha!”

          Botti just shook his head.

          “Aw, of course. None too fun, but y’know what was fun? When you lads bent steel rebar into pretzel shapes and such. Or the time the arcade got flooded so’s Rex carried the cabinet machines outside while you fixed up the big leak.”

          Botti smiled at the thought, before glancing warily at Joe.

          “Where was I during the arcade flood? Well, I’d decided to play a round of Streets Fightin’ 3 seein’ as the machine was outside! And maybe a round of Triassic Park, the one with the wild pixelated graphics. That’s a classic, Botti.”

          These were some of the more vocal locals we could get in touch with. But they spoke volumes to who Rex, Taria, and the Curious Kunoichi fought for. But it was enough to get Rex back onto his feet, catching the Better Man. Rather than let all that momentum go to waste, Rex threw him down to the mat, knocked off his feet by the impact, before splashing down onto his opponent for the three-count.

          “Look!”

          The larger audience’s booing and our cheering traded places. The Better Man had touched the ropes! He was still in the match, and the count no longer mattered. That allowed the Better Man to get back up just when Rex thought it was over.

          “DON’T GIVE IN!”

          There were those three words again. Every time it was spoken, Rex moved. The audience called for the Better Man to be the stronger, and to justify his ideals in the process. But those three words for Rex told him to keep fighting, and his body did. Haymaker punches, roundhouse kicks and body blows. Tackles and tiger powerbomb slams, lasers shooting from his hands and his eyes. Trading attacks, blocking and parrying. The Better Man was hard-pressed to keep up.

          “Y-You’ve fought perfectly fine, for all your bragging!” laughed the Better Man, before his grin became a toothy frown. “I know it’s noble and all to keep fighting no matter what, but… you’re dragging this out much longer than it needs to go on.”

          The Better Man inched closer. Rex kept his hands up, steadfast in his defense.

          “Just drop it, boy. I’m as good as they get! Why waste your potential defying the proper order of things?”

          Rex didn’t respond like he would have before. He was shaking with pain, made weary and punch-drunk by this dire enemy. All he could find it in himself to do was stand for as long as he could, but he was slipping. Uncertain of himself. Until Tapes passed a microphone to a hooded woman we’d never seen before. Or at least I hadn’t seen before: Tapes later told me he’d seen this person around the city on occasion, always from a distance.

          “Because his name is Rex!” cried our mystery speaker. “When you chose that name, you also chose to care—with all your heart! Even for an old supervillain like me… So get up, and knock this bozo’s lights out already!!”

          “Look at that! You’ve confused broken people into thinking they’re righteous!” said the Better Man, reaching out with both hands to grab Rex. “This is the end!”

          But the end never came. Rex’s hands firmly clasped onto the Better Man’s forearms with crushing strength. And then Rex let loose with a powerful right hook!

          “EUGH!” cried the Better Man. “Well. No matter! One good punch before you go down is—”

          But then from the left came another hook. Rex had broken into a Dempsey Roll! Each strike faster and more precise than the last. And then it began to incorporate all different kind of hand strikes. Then elbows, kicks and knees! A hundred explosive strikes all simultaneously, locking the Better Man in place until the final strike. Which in this instance, was a clothesline! Rex’s bicep connected with the Better Man’s neck, finally bringing him to the ground.

And then Rex fell over. The Better Man didn’t get up. Neither did Rex. The referee declared it a tie, much to the disdain of the audience around us. But some of us who stood by Rex tonight all got into the ring to carry him out of there, away from the trash being thrown at him. We followed, and when he recovered they raised him up high for all to see.

Taria gushed about the night’s matches to a worn-out Rex, who was set ever so gently onto the sofa. It was quiet for a time. Eventually there was a tap at one of the windows from tossed pebbles. Tapes and I opened the window, and we saw everyone outside: Seated on stoops or standing on the sidewalk, looking up at us—at Rex’s window.

“Hey, what is giving?” demanded Anichka. “Where is our winner?”

“HE RESTS.”          

“Then tell him to get up as soon as he can!” said Irina. “Lyonechka has sent Lenny and Janey’s lot with list of ingredients. This is a time for celebration!”

“Babushka, be patient!” pleaded Lyonechka. “It’s only been a couple of hours.”

“Then be a dear and bring him up the first bowl, yes?” said Irina. “Then once everyone is returned perhaps there can be some dancing!”

Rex stirred from his haze. I got him a glass of water, and he was up on his feet slowly. Taria and Kunoichi’s matches were also intense. And watching Rex’s match left them a bit drained too. They looked like they could use the meal. And especially some praise for a change.  

          The landlord had run into us. As well as Lyonechka, who had come bearing a couple of pots if the others were unable to come outside. And that landlord of Rex’s certainly pitched a fit, having spotted us bringing in the battered heroes. Of course, Tapes stepped in first:

          “VILE ONE! NO TRUE VIOLATIONS HAVE OCCURRED ON THE HOUSING AGREEMENT—LEAVE IT!”

          “No, YOU leave it!” spat the landlord. Before I—”

          “You’ll what, Pomelo?”

          “—I-I’ll…”

          The landlord froze in his tracks. Normally Pomelo would have continued his tirade, even against Rex. But the stern look offered by not one, but three rough looking super heroes had scared off the little man. And there we were: Lenny had convinced me to join the dancing alongside him and Timofey. Lyonechka, Botticelli, and Capybara Joe directed Rex to sit on the stoop and take his big helping of dinner. And everyone else followed along as street performers from nearby joined in on the impromptu festivities, providing music for everyone to move to. Spirited discussions, even if they were about mundane daily things or exceptional developments.

          “This is it.” said Rex suddenly, when I sat near him for a moment.

          “What?” I asked. Rex just chuckled as Tugboat happened over nearby, Lyonechka giving him a bowl of his own and a pat on his fuzzy little head. Tapes did similarly. Botticelli found himself in a heated round of checkers with Capybara Joe. And the Kunoichi was trying to remember how to play a violin one of the street performers had shared with her.

          “This is what I’m thankful for. What I fight for.” said Rex. “I wanted to just say it outright at the beginning but… I had trouble finding the words, y’know? And this sorta thing doesn’t happen often enough that I can point at it. Not just partying but like Miss Kiselyov put it. A celebration for something really nice.”

          This entire biographical account started off detached and “professional.” Like many, the phenomenon of the superheroes seemed like another mere staple of modern life. Worsened by more recent feats of celebrity. But here now, was a reminder of what it meant not just to be a superhero, but to be a person and treat others with that same dignity. Even if the universe could be so vast and cruel, there were so many things, so much life within it that against nature, were incredibly weird. And also tremendously affectionate. With my approval, Rex gave me a pat on the back.

          “Do you and Tapes have enough for your project?” Rex asked me at last.

          “I guess enough. Don’t know who would accept it at this point given its unflattering perspectives… not that I won’t still get it out there somewhere. It’s the truth, and that’s what Tapes and I stand by. But there are still some questions I have, some stones left unturned… like who was that mystery person that spurred you to finish the fight? Nypardian culture? Maybe we could get more exposés going on about the Enforcers, the works!”

          Rex just nodded.

          “Tell you what: Once I catch up with those things myself, you and Tapes will be the first to know about it. Until then, this is plenty to work with.”

          “Alright, fair enough.” I accepted for now. “… Well. As we come to a close, do you suppose you could tell me about your old alias? Introduce me as if you still called yourself by that title.”

          Rex set his bowl aside, and hopped up to his feet, seeming a bit fresher than hours just prior. With his left fist, he started with a skyward uppercut, bringing that fist down.

          “Emissary of everyone under your heel…!!”

          An underhanded right-hand swipe to the left side.

          “Prizefighter… Shine!”

          And then he pointed both hands to the right side. There was a brilliant flourish of his welcoming blue aura.

          “And that’s the point I’d warp the costume onto myself in a spectacular transformation, like they do on TV.” said Rex. “Now I just raise my aura a little more prominently.”

          “SENSATIONAL SIGHTS!” proclaimed Tapes. “THE RETURN OF PRIZEFIGHTER SHINE?!”

          “It’s not…” Rex paused. He thought about the old alias. At that exclamation Tapes offered. And he just let off a devious little grin. “…time yet. I wanna make it look cooler! I’m fightin’ for creatures big and small alike, y’know.”

UNTIL NEXT TIME…

[brightsun-and-darkmidnight]

Heartbeat: A Fragile Reminder

TITLE: Heartbeat: A Fragile Reminder

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter 17 / ?

AUTHOR: brightsun-and-dark midnight

ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine Loki falling in love with a Midgardian and his words to Thor about Jane during Dark World coming back to haunt him. “It would be a heartbeat. You would never be ready.”

RATING:  M for Mature

NOTES/WARNINGS: ~▪︎~FOR THE WHOLE STORY~▪︎~

AUTHOR’S NOTES: Check Masterlist. It’s going to be a long read. I try to keep each chapter around 3,000 words.

My Ao3: brightsun_and_darkmidnight

!-!TRIGGER WARNING(S)!-!

So many triggers, read ALL of them!

Swearing. Angst. Death. Depression. Violence. Self-harm. Regret. Carelessness for safety. Doubts. Torture. NSFW. Smut. Fluff. And Of Course- Mischief.

Summary: Mock interview and spar

 ~ ~ ENJOY  ~ ~

Everyone was seated around a huge table with full stomachs. Loki was right when he said he could eat 10 times as much as what she gave him.

“Let’s go through some press questions. Have you ever been interviewed before?” Tony said wiping his hands.

“I’ve been interrogated,” Alicia said wiping her mouth, watching the Asgardians eating. Loki glancing in her direction made her give him a small smile.

“This is different. It is going to be live, in front of everyone.” Natasha said leaning forward on crossed arms. “Annoying..Embarrassing most of the time. Personal.”

“What is your biggest regret?” Tony asked.

They were starting now…Alicia thought about it for a second. She was going to be vague as if she was interrogated, “I have many but they were all lessons.”

“What do you think about the past?”

“It’s something to learn from and it shows we have a future.”

“Do you think children are the future?”

That was such a common question, “Of course. They inherit everything we leave behind.”

“Do you want children.”

Alicia choked on nothing and then cleared her throat quickly, “Is that a serious question?”

“Most of us were asked that at some point.” Natasha stated at her question. She rose an eyebrow with a smirk in place, “Plan on having children?”

“Uhhh…” Alicia found the ceiling very interesting as she leaned back thinking about talks with the red headed woman. “Biological is fine if it happens but I’d rather give a home to children that are already living and needs it.”

Thor asked quickly with a mouth full of food, “Children?”

Alicia felt the heat rise from her chest up to her forehead, especially on her cheeks and ears. Alicia didn’t look at Loki but continued answering honestly, “I grew up having a sister all my life so I would want my children to have siblings.”

Tony leaned forward, “how many siblings we talking here?”

Alicia shrugged with her hands out looking at Tony with a poorly hidden smirk, “I don’t know. I mean the Avengers tower still has a lot of unused rooms and we need the next generation of heroes." 

Loki chuckled. Alicia’s confidence was back as she teased Tony.

"Nope no no nononono. Absolutely no little Loki’s running around my tower.”

Alicia was trying to hide her laugh by biting her lip and covering her nose and mouth. She took a deep breath and pointed to her arm, “I have birth control.”

“Those antibiotics though.” Clint shook his head with a huge smile.

Tony pointed at everyone. “If she gets sick they are in totally different states.”

“Ok. Wait. What does birth control and sickness have to do with pregnancy?” Steve asked.

“Antibiotics make birth control less effective.” Alicia smirked and sat up straight, “Children are not exactly in my future plans. With the targets on my head I’d hate to bring children into my life.” She moved to gather Loki’s plate.

“There are workers that will handle cleaning up kid. Everyone go get ready for training. I’ll have a mock reporter here tomorrow.” Tony said seeing what she was doing.

Alicia said a quiet, “oh.” Then continued to put scraps onto one plate, placing the other underneath placing the silverware in a pile beside the plates.

Loki’s hand was on Alicia’s shoulder, “come on love.” He took her hand and urged her to stand, “no one else does that.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m wrong.” Alicia mumbled. “I clean up after myself all the time.”

“You are going to have to get used to so many new things,” Loki chuckled into her ear.

“If one of those are having access to you more..sign me up.”

Loki laughed and pulled her into her room, he pushed her to the wall, “how about now,” kicking the door shut.

Alicia laughed, “we will be late for sure.” She gasped as they were both naked and she felt his already aroused flesh against her. 

Loki moved to capture her lips. 

Too soon after their lips met she jumped at the loud banging on the door.

“Brother you know she is needed the most for these training exercises. Surely you’ve had your needs satisfied.”

Alicia giggled after Loki’s deep rumble on his chest. She kissed his lips quickly then went to her closet. She chose one of her work out jogging outfits. With a sports bra, appropriate for wearing in front of everyone. She zipped up her hoodie and walked outside to see Thor and Loki communicating, with tension.

“I’m glad you have someone you seem happy with and for your needs but you can’t have her being late due to those needs.”

Alicia chuckled pulling her hair up. “Thor is right Loki.” She turned her back to Thor and whispered in Loki’s ear. “I’ll be sure to take care of those needs later.”

Loki grinned and replied in his normal volume. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

Alicia laughed and gave his arm and hand a little squeeze before parting from him. “Well let’s go.”

Thor lead the way to the training room. Not everyone was there yet. Thank goodness for Alicia’s sake.

“First warm up and then we will do a bit of mock battles.” Thor said as Valkyrie walked off to start exercises. 

Alicia looked around. She saw Peter doing some crunches on a section of empty floor. She walked over and asked if he minded. Joining him when he didn’t. She did some strength exercises with him. Then went into yoga, instructing the boy how to do some poses. 

“Wow my back feels so good. Thank you Miss..?.”

“Just Alicia. No problem Peter. We can do this again if you wish.”

“Ok.” Tony said clapping his hands. “Sparing time.”

Alicia eased out of the one legged pose while Peter hurried out and nearly fell. “In the ring?”

“Yeah Mr. Stark thinks it is a good way of keeping the opponent in a close range.”

Alicia hummed an agreement but followed the kid to the outside.

“Your in the ring Alicia.” Steve said pointing at it.

After getting to the center, Alicia put her feet shoulder width apart and clasped her hands together behind her back. Watching as Tony and Steve talked.

“Black widow.”

Loki was watching Natasha as she got in the circle. The two women eyed each other, obviously looking for weaknesses. Natasha moved forward and Alicia moved away, not letting Natasha reach her. So his darling already knew Natasha’s specialty was grappling. Then Alicia moved forward just as fast. 

Her movements resembled a rapid river. Once she was caught by Natasha she twisted or yanked out of the grip. Then Natasha grabbed Alicia’s hand and elbow forcing her on to the ground and pinning her in a hold that would easily break her arm. Alicia’s groan was not a pleasant thing to hear.

“Give up.”

Alicia laughed, “this would be a perfect chance to practice healin-” and then Alicia hissed in pain as Natasha pushed  on her elbow. “Okay okay. Mercy.”

Natasha let go and patted Alicia.

“Back to the center Alicia.” Steve said.

Alicia got up and went to the center as Natasha went beside Clint. “She lasted longer.”

Clint nodded, “I noticed that. Still stubborn as hell.”

Valkyrie was called and stepped towards her. “She seems like a good match.”

Alicia was challenged by Valkyrie and Loki felt his heart sink and do summersaults. He heard Alicia say, “Don’t hold back.”

Valkyrie’s mouth formed the words. “I won’t.”

Instantly they exchanged attempted blows but they were caught, redirected, and dodged.

Bruce’s amazement was easily heard in his voice. “She’s actually keeping up with Valkyrie? But Nat…”

Loki’s heart dropped at seeing Valkyrie getting her daggers out.

Alicia’s hand chopped at Valkyrie’s wrist forcing her to drop the dagger. Alicia threw herself backwards into a back handspring as she dodged a front stab at her chest. Her one foot was brought up quickly and almost connected with Valkyrie’s chin. The other foot kicked Valkyrie’s wrist, making the dagger fly into the air. Valkyrie stood back and as soon as Alicia’s feet hit the ground they stood there.

The clink and clank of the dagger hitting the floor.

Valkyrie was breathing in a controlled and heavy way. Alicia was panting and pouring sweat down her body.

A smile slowly crept onto Valkyrie’s face as they stood in casual poses. Valkyrie pointed at Alicia, “You’re good.”

Alicia wiped sweat from her forehead, “You too.” Alicia grabbed one of the daggers on her way to the others. She held the handle to Valkyrie as she held the blade.

Valkyrie took them and put them away as they walked towards the rest.

Alicia took a look at her arms and knew there would be bruises.

Her eyes met Loki’s. He looked amused and Alicia smiled.

“How long have you been training?” Valkyrie asked getting Alicia’s attention. 

“Since I was 5.” Alicia healed her arms. “You held back. You Asgardians are ridiculously strong I know you could have easily broken bones.”

Loki held a water in front of her face, “Take a few minutes Alicia.”

Alicia grabbed the water with a glare at it, “I don’t have a choice?”

“No.”

Then Steve was telling Natasha and Peter to get in the ring. Alicia drank the water slowly and dabbed herself with the towel. She gripped the hoodie and pulled and pushed it to her air flow through it. She was still hot when Steve yelled Thor’s name then, “Alicia. Let’s see you use more of your magic.”

Alicia hesitated but consented as she stood.

“Magic? Why not Loki? Surely he could test her better than me.” Thor protests, “It would be a great way to test their skills together!”

Loki watched Alicia. Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at Thor then at Loki. She looked concerned.  Loki stepped into the ring when called. “Don’t hold back Darling.”

Alicia looked at him with worried eyes, “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Then it’s a good way to practice that healing magic if yours.” Loki conjured a dagger for himself then a staff for her. “It is very soothing.”

“You can’t be serious. We have never gone against the other.”

Loki walked to Alicia and gave her the staff and whispered, “you’ll be alright love.” Loki stood back, “you start.”

Alicia looked very unsure but swung the staff at Loki’s side. His forearm took the blow as his other hand swiped at her with the dagger. She backed away. “If you do not try to kill me you will lose,” Loki spoke up stepping toward Alicia.

“Then are you going to do the same?”

“Of course not.”

Alicia huffed as she swung at Loki.

“That was not to kill darling.”

Alicia kept her head level and clear despite the taunting. Alicia took a swing at Loki’s head, spun a quarter with it pulled backwards then jabbed the staff towards Loki’s chest. She then swung the other end towards the other side of Loki’s head after the staff connected with his chest. His forearm stopped the blow to his head though.

Loki taunted her, “Is that all the strength you have?”

Then Alicia kicked his chest with enough force to knock him back two steps. She swung the staff at him again but this time it hurt his side as he groaned.

Loki swung his dagger at her and she lifted the staff with quick speed. Forcing Loki to disarm himself because his wrist connected with the staff. He also saw the glimmer of white after the hit. Alicia stumbled a bit as she turned her back to him. Loki moved backwards as he left a doppelganger behind and he cloaked himself in invisibility. Loki’s double moved out of her reach each time she attempted a strike. Loki easily admitted she had skills before he trained her and now he noticed the improvements. 

It needed work though. Loki observed her getting tired with sweat forming on her face and the armature control of her breaths. He stepped behind her. Revealing himself as he captured her in his arms. He felt her move to get out of his grasp. With his arm around her chest, a dagger showed with a shine of gold. Loki purred into her ear, “I win Darling. But how long have you known it was not actually me?”

Alicia was allowed free and panted. “When you didn’t let me hit you for a while. My enhanced smell knew you were not actually in front of me.” Alicia was so hot. She walked with Loki to the others. She allowed herself to slide down the wall as she tried to regain her breath. She unzipped the jacket and fanned herself. Loki handed her a water bottle. Obviously conjured since he did not leave her side.

“Kid you ok?”

Alicia wiped her hand across her mouth after drinking a quarter of the ice cold water, “Yeah.” Alicia continued, “for my enhancement… makes me burn up. I don’t use it that often.” She took the towel offered by Bruce then dabbed at herself. Placing the cold water bottle against her in various spots, “I’ll be alright.”

Loki authoritatively spoke up, “You are not allowing the magic to flow through you properly.”

Alicia snarled, “You told me not to hold back.” She wanted to yell more but she saw everyone’s face and stopped. Loki was unfazed at her outburst and she realized he was right. Alicia took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. It’s just being hot makes me irritable." 

"We noticed,” Tony replied quickly. “I truly felt you were going to kill Loki five seconds ago.”

Steve sent a look at him, “Enough Tony. Everyone get refreshed. You especially Alicia. We will meet after dinner.”

Alicia nodded then pushed herself up and felt dizzy from just how hot she was.

Loki steadied her. “You really put too much stress on yourself trying to use that. I can feel your magic trying to organize itself again.”

Alicia just nodded her head and let Loki take most of her weight on the journey to her room. 

Loki took her to the bathroom and started a bath after Alicia approved of the temperature. Loki left briefly to gather some casual, comfortable clothes for himself. When he came back, Alicia was already in the bath. 

“Darling it’s not even full yet,” he laughed as he set his clothes on the sink counter. He undressed himself quickly at first then slowly as he watch Alicia take great interest in him. Once bare he got in the large tub and pulled her to be next to him. “This water is freezing.”

Alicia already turned, nibbling along his neck, “It’s like a swimming pool." 

"I see you are feeling better?”

All he got was a hum and more caresses from her mouth.

“Let’s get washed first then you can satisfy our needs.”

Alicia’s laugh bubbled out of her. “Get clean to get dirty?”

Loki hummed as he turned to whisper against her lips, “we could always try again.”

Alicia grinned as he moved his lips against her. The familiar protesting click of the soap bottle then his hands easing her hair to a lather. Alicia tilted her head back slowly. As she regained her breath Loki was kissing along her jaw.

“Come darling,” Loki said pulling her to the center of the bath. He rinsed her hair by letting her lean against his leg. Her head in the water except her face. Her eyes closed with a smile gracing her lips. Loki took his time, especially massaging her head. He let her sit up when she did.

“You would have let me stay there.”

“You are right in that assumption.”

Her arms found their way around his neck, “you treat me like I’m some queen.”

Loki grazed his lips against her ear, “You are.”

Alicia pulled to look him in the eyes, “Loki… I don’t want to rule anything or anyone.” She smiled and poked where his heart was, “except this.”

Loki did not understand. Every woman dreamed of being a queen. “You really do not want that?”

Alicia shook her head slowly, side to side as she brushed her nose against his. “I do not.”

“I will give you everything you desire and a throne by my side is not what you want?”

She smiled as she stared into his eyes, “you know that answer but I will explain it. If I had nothing but you. I would be the happiest. I don’t need some silly chair to place myself. The ground is fine.”

“Thrones are not silly.”

“Don’t sound like some child.”

“I’m not a-” Alicia captured his lips moving to get on top of him. Loki moved to hold her still. “Child,” he chidded her. “You must let the mature ones finish.”

Alicia laughed, “so never let you talk?”

Loki pulled her flush against himself. “Would you be able to handle that? Not having me to talk to?”

Alicia groaned, starting to rub her sex against his. “I’d have to resort to talking to less intelligent people.”

“I also imagine you would last much longer before climax without my words.”

“And there it is, the deal breaker to you being silenced.”

It was Loki’s turn to grin, “I know how much you crave my words. My praise.” Loki maneuvered her to be beneath him, no longer letting their sexes touch. His hand trailing down her as she sighed in bliss. Then before his hand went between her legs he moved it to the small protruding hip bone. “I said we needed to get clean.”

Alicia opened her eyes slightly to glare at him.

He spoke as he lathered a cloth in body soap, “Don’t give me that look darling. What if someone would walk in and demand you again? I’m sure you would want to be clean.” Loki smirked at her, “now stand so you can get washed.”

Alicia uncrossed her arms and got close. Dragging her finger across his chest, “how about you just wash yourself at the same time and we can hurry to bed.”

A cheshire cat grin took control of his face, “so eager." 

Alicia nodded. No words would form on her tongue. That grin did something to her. Not fear but made warmth in her core because she knew Loki would never do real harm to her.

"Well then. Wash yourself,” Loki said giving her the cloth and lathered another one and his own soap, conjured of course. “Do. Not. Miss a spot.”

Alicia stood with a grin while Loki stood as well. She tried to make fun of him, “Yes, sir.”

Loki made a sound. It was a hum? A growl? Nevertheless it was a praise and dosed the fire in her with gasoline. Alicia wanted to clean quickly but Loki showed no signs to hurry this process. Alicia washed herself slowly trying to showcase herself by running the cloth and her unoccupied hand along herself. It seemed Loki was doing the same thing but Alicia knew he didn’t even have to try. He was a masterpiece by just standing there. The bubbles of soap and water glistening on the pronounced parts of his body…just a bonus.  

“I think we were thorough enough. You agree?”

“Too thorough.”

“Sit in the water. Shall we see where the soap ends and your arousal begins?”

[thesedays-posts-blog]

The State of the CPS • Decreases in Enrollment Numbers and Budget Cuts Lead to the Elimination of Programs & Funding

Special Report • Part 2 of 5

This week, TheseDays’ latest addition, Nicole Kreizel, dives into the current state of operations at Chicago Public Schools. CPS has a long history of budget shortfalls and school closings, and the back and forth between Springfield and Chicago has been contentious. The latest sparring between Rahm Emanuel and Bruce Rauner has caused the public schools’ situation heading into 2017 to become a flashpoint in the state’s agenda.

Politicians, along with teachers, parents, students and nonprofits, have all shaped, and are continuing to contribute to, Chicago’s educational landscape. Over the course of the next five days, we will delve into the key decisions and issues within this realm.

As 2017 eases in, CPS faces a budget shortfall of several million dollars that threatens both the welfare of the institutions the system is set-up to protect and the futures of the students within the system. While we often hear or see headlines describing budget cuts to CPS, the specifics often get lost in the conversations. 

Brief Timeline:

February 2016: CPS reduced about $120 million from annual school budgets, leading to $85 million in cuts during the fiscal year.

Key takeaway: CPS was forced to slash the amount of money spent per student by about 5 percent.

August 2016: CPS laid off about 1,000 employees, including approximately 500 teachers, due to cuts in the 2015-16 school year.

October 2016: CPS let go of 250 more teachers and staff members, due to steep declines in enrollment.

Key takeaway: From 2015-16, CPS student enrollment fell by 3.5 percent (about 14,000 students). Over the last 10 years, CPS enrollment has decreased by 6.8 percent. This shows that about half of the drop occurred from September 2015 to September 2016.

These declines in enrollment have harsh repercussions, as CPS funds schools based on the number of students enrolled. First, CPS projects student enrollment, and in July, principals receive preliminary budgets based on these projected student enrollment numbers. Then, the board reallocates budgets based on how many students are enrolled in each school on the 10th day of class, and these changes must be carried out by the 20th day of class, according to the district. If CPS over-projects enrollment for a school, the school can kiss part of its budget good-bye.

According to CPS officials, in 2015, 262 schools with lower enrollment numbers than those projected lost about $36 million in funding, while 240 schools that had higher enrollment numbers than expected gained about $23 million in funding. To break this down further—26 schools lost at least $300,000 and only eight schools received that amount or more (Chicago Tribune).

Moving onto the following year, drops in enrollment were much steeper than district officials said they expected. According to CPS, about 300 public schools in Chicago lost about $45 million in funding due to under-enrollment falling below 2016 projections.

The district has put Title I and Title II grant funds toward schools with high populations of low-income students. For example, when there were midyear cuts in 2016, about $41 million of these funds were redirected to schools, instead of being directed by the Central Office for programmatic funding or held in reserve, according to CPS. However, the struggling schools need more than this in order to survive the waging political battle.

Budget Cuts Effect on School Programs

Oftentimes, extracurricular programs and outside-the-classroom support are the first to perish when budgets are sliced, and this happens more frequently at schools with higher populations of black and Hispanic, mostly low-income, students.

Stephen F. Gale Elementary Community Academy in Rogers Park, where 97 percent of the students are low income, lost almost all of its extracurricular activities last year and the year before. This consisted of all sports and arts programs, and most reading and math programs, said Shanelle Jackson, who has children in Gale. The only remaining programs were reading programs that teachers volunteered their time for. The school was hit especially hard last year, when Gale, which has a 60-percent black student body and 27-percent Hispanic student body, lost over $300,000.

“We have two libraries, one in each building, but we have no librarian. We have a computer lab but we don’t have a tech teacher. We have these rooms that are just sitting. We can’t utilize them because we don’t have enough money in our budget to hire these teachers; they were fired,” said Jackson, who is also the Chair of Gale’s Parent Advisory Committee and a parent member of Gale’s Local School Council (LSC).

Gale has a new principal who is contacting outside organizations to get back certain programs amidst the budget cuts. Concerning the $215 million veto, Jackson said, “That will put us in hot water. We are already an underprivileged school, like what more can you take away from us? We have nothing, we’re working on volunteers.”

Jackson and fellow LSC members are putting in their best efforts, pushing for programs like “Books before Breakfast.” This program is designed to help parents who must drop their kids off at school before school opens because of jobs or other commitments.  Students then usually have to wait outside, unattended, and sometimes in the cold, until school opens. “Books before Breakfast” will allow children to come into school early and play education games and have snacks, with teacher supervision.

This program is also meant to boost the student enrollment rate. Sometimes when parents are not able to drop their kids off at school at the appropriate time, students end up staying home or wandering off. The LSC has succeeded in getting a “walking school bus,” or a program that allows for designated points where kids can meet volunteers who sign them off as being at that point and then walk them safely to school.

Jackson added that reaching out to schools in the surrounding areas, like DePaul University and Northwestern University, has also been part of the LSC’s agenda. These university student volunteers help out in different ways according to their majors—some tutor students in reading and writing, while others might assist with special education students.

There are many consequences of cuts, however, that cannot be solved by these measures—no shocker there. The school’s social worker, who conducted one-on-ones with students and was “really, really good with kids,” was fired due to budget cuts, Jackson said. Now, she continued, there is going to be a regional social worker who comes in for one and a half days during the week, but “kids need these services every day.” While the school’s social worker is not present on the other days of the week, the children’s issues still are.

The concept of these constant budget cuts is hard for many families with students in the CPS system to grapple with. “These are the kids that are going to be in charge of our future,” said Jackson. “Why not invest in them so that they can get the proper tools and education they need so that they can lead? To take away these aspects of their education is not only setting them up for failure, but setting us up for failure.”

Gale is just one school out of hundreds of schools that has faced, and is still confronting, budget cuts that lead to the eradication of countless programs. Corliss High School in Pullman, on the South Side, had a budget reduction of about $300,000 this fiscal year due to last February’s per-pupil spending cuts. This “limits the number of extracurricular activities a school might be able to offer students," said the school’s principal, Leonard Harris, according to a Chicago Tribune article. Even with CPS providing about $8 million in “program support funds” to help underutilized schools, budgetary constraints still cause schools, like Corliss, to make extreme cuts.

CPS officials’ announcement last week that they are freezing half of schools’ discretionary funds has only made the situation worse. This money is used to buy textbooks and technology, and to fund after-school programs, field trips and hourly staff, according to DNAinfo.

Pilsen schools are being hit especially hard by this $46 million cut across CPS, as schools in Pilsen’s 25th Ward have lost more than $7 million just this year, according to parents and education advocates. One parent, who has a daughter with special needs, said her child only has a special education teacher twice a week because the school cannot afford a full-time special education teacher, and the student’s grades have dropped from As to Fs as a result of this, she said, according to ABC7.

Drive up north to Logan Square, and there are schools suffering from $1 million emergency mid-year budget cuts (DNAinfo). Reminder: Chase, populated by mostly low-income Hispanic students, has already lost its art and music teacher and all after-school programs. Darwin Elementary School, with an 86-percent Hispanic student body and 81-percent poor student body, must let go of its reading and math extra-help aides (Chicago Sun-Times).

To harp on the connection between budget cuts, school programs and socioeconomic status one: Rice noticed all of these factors come into play during his time at CPS. Despite becoming more “clever” when applying for grants, the three schools he worked at on the South Side “all had a sort of lack of extracurriculars; there was a very small arts program, if anything, and their athletic facilities, to the extent that they had them, were not up-to-date…they just didn’t have as many programs offered, not as many physical resources, I don’t know that any of those schools had a dedicated computer lab,” he said. “The economic struggles of the [schools’] surrounding community were apparent.”