A/N: I'm finally rewriting the trash that is my OPM Fanfic. It only took me a year to get around to it... Anyway, before this shit begins, some things.
Firstly: No, I am not stopping the old story. Think of this as the manga to the webcomic, except the webcomic has shitty story telling and nothing redeemable about it. (Besides, I doubt anyone would miss it)
Secondly: much like the manga, more things will be added and changed. This is mostly because I'm sick of the old story following the actual plot of the series, even though I named it "A Tad Different". When this turns you off, I apologise, but I'm going to be selfish and do it this way.
Thirdly: I'm planning on switching between First and Third person POVs in order to not bore myself to death with my stale writing, and to hopefully be more thorough with characters and how I view them. Again, selfish of me, but "A Tad Different" originally started as a treat to myself, which has slowly gotten old. It's time I change a bit. Cliche romantic happiness is stale, and not what I originally intended, though unmotivated and lazy writing eventually resulted in it.
And lastly, a selfish request: Review this story. Tell me what you like, hated, think could be done better, etc. If you don't want to, I don't mind. If you do, be as forward as possible. Just because I'm going to be writing in a selfish manner, I'm still looking to improve.
Apologies for taking so much with an author's note. In short, I will be selfish heading forward.
Tatsumaki POV:
"Hurry up big sister! Mama said we're going to your favourite for dinner!"
I shake my head with a giggle. Putting my book down, I flew myself off the bunk bed.
"Okaaay, I'll change, jeez." I ruffle Fubuki's hair, causing her to pout. "Think about what you want to eat, okay?"
"Okay!" I smile at her beaming at me. She loves the place as much as I do, if not more. The time she takes to choose from the menu is enough for me to finish whatever I ordered and then some. But the wait is worth seeing how excited she gets whenever the waiter shows up with the orders.
I quickly slip into my usual casual wear before making my way down to the living room. Fubuki is already waiting at the door, jumping around like she wanted to teleport there this very instant. Mum is there too, watching with an amused smile.
Mum's eyes meet mine as I fly down the staircase, and she chuckles. "Oh, you're already done? My, I underestimated Fubuki's power, didn't I?~"
"Oh please, you knew exactly what you were doing." Using Fubuki to pull me out of my fantasy world... I just wanted to read a book in peace.
Mum chuckles sweetly, "Well, you're the one who insists on reading so much, even when it's your birthday."
"And you're the one who got me started, mum."
"Touché."
We step out of the house, and I breathe in the fresh air. It's small things like this which make it feel like living away from the city is worth it. Away from the cafes and the other shops we have to go out of our way to visit.
Fubuki rushes to the car where dad waits. I follow her with a small chuckle, and mum is last to enter after locking up.
"Well ladies, are you ready?" Dad asks, pushing up his glasses just to look 'cooler'.
"Yea!"
"Mhm."
"Just drive, dad."
He starts the car, and turns the radio on, humming to whatever horribly catchy song came on.
"Oh! Big sis, can you tell me a story again? Pretty please?!"
"Yea, yea." how could I deny her?
I activate my powers again, moving around some of the toys in the back of the car, and began to play out a scene from the book I was reading.
"Hey now, remember to stop before we reach the main roads, okay?"
"Okay, dad."
I stopped right as we entered the city, having needed more time than usual to tell this specific part. Someone in the distance seemed to notice, though he quickly shook his head in disbelief. Phew, close one. I've seen enough stories of governments taking kids with powers captive to know how dangerous this is.
xXx
She throws another snowball at me, and it once again misses, though not by as much as her first try. I laugh to myself. Seeing her improve is great. I had to move the snowballs she threw with my powers when we first started. "Almost, Fubuki, but you won't get me!"
"Just you wait, sis!" she laughs back, and throws another snowball, reaching my feet without my powers. Finally!
I put on a determined grin as I launch another, this time landing near her. The game is on!
I ended up losing because she cheated. Bear hugging me and then planting a snowball on my face isn't fair, I say!
It was at this moment I noticed a big, black car approaching the house. It looked like the stereotypical vehicle government agents drove in. Then literal G-Men begin shuffling out, and I hastily retreat into cover, pulling Fubuki with me.
"Sis?"
I cut her off and signaled her to remain quiet. It looks like they have yet to notice us, and are knocking on the door now.
This was the situation I dreaded.
I slowly make my way towards the back of the house, motioning for Fubuki to follow me. I open the back door, and move in after my sister.
We should be safe. Mum and dad won't let them take us, and the government can't do anything to us if we don't consent. It's not like the books I read are realistic...
"Tatsu?" I hear mum call out. Oh god, no, she wouldn't...
Mum calls out again when I don't respond, and at this point I'm shaking. I want to believe mum wouldn't sell me out, but... why else would she call for me?
"Sis?" Fubuki looks at me with the most innocent, curious gaze possible. I realised that if I don't respond, they'd probably come in. If they saw Fubuki, they might... oh god, but she's so young-they wouldn't, would they?
"Stay here, Fubuki. I'll be back."
I make my way towards the front of the house. My steps are unsteady, and despite just playing in the snow, my hands are sweating. I step out to see this man in a lab coat, another in a black suit behind him.
"Y-yes mum?"
"Tatsu, sweetie," mum begins, "these gentlemen here have come to ask for your help. They believe your powers hold the key to humanity's growth." she crouches in front of me, grabbing my shoulders.
... She did not.
"So, I need you to be a brave girl, okay? Go with them, and bring forth a new age for us. Make us proud, okay Tatsumaki?"
No no no no no, she did not, she did not!
"You'll be done in no time, they'll take good care of you." She says in a sickly sweet tone with a smile so plastic it hurts to look at it. It's at this point I realise.
She did.
Oh god, she did.
The guy with the lab coat steps into the house, smiling eerily. "So, Tatsumaki was it? I am Hachi, pleasure to meet you." Eight? What kind of a sick numbering joke is that? You a clone? All the more reason to stay away.
But mum pushes me forward, ignoring the fear on my face, all the while the plastic smile stays plastered on. "I'll see you soon, dear. I promise."
"I don't want to, I don't want to go anywhere!" I try to break out of her grasp, but I'm not strong enough. Before I could escape, I felt something on my neck and... and... I-
Fubuki POV:
"Mama?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Where is big sis?"
"Ah, her help is needed somewhere sweetheart. She'll be back in no time."
"But... I wanna hear a story..."
"Well, come on. I'll tell you one."
"But mama, big sis could do all that flying stuff with her hands! It's so cool! Stories aren't the same when it's not big sis..."
"Well, she'll be back to tell you another, okay? For now, it's up to me. Okay F-Fubuki?"
"Oh... okay."
"Ah, Fubuki, sweetheart?"
"Yea?"
"Mama just made some money, do you want to go anywhere nice?"
"But mama, big sis isn't here. Big sis would like something nice too."
"Ah, then we'll buy her something nice for when she gets back, okay?"
"Okay."
She never did come back... not in one piece.
Third person:
The beautiful morning was soon ruined by the rumbling of explosions. Some who caught sight of the destruction immediately ran, afraid of death. Others who saw no point in living moved towards it, hoping to join loved ones long departed.
Because this was the age of monsters. And monsters always caused death and destruction, no matter who was out to stop them.
"Lightning Max and Smile-Man are down! I repeat, two A class heroes down! Inform all of S class!"
"A-all of them sir? Even her?"
"What choice do we have!"
And so, praying to god to have mercy on her soul, she dialed the number many in the association feared. It rang- once, twice- and connected.
"Yea yea, I saw the news. You're lucky I'm bored today."
The recipient hangs up, and the she heaves a relieved sigh. A higher power does exist after all.
If this truly was a dragon level threat, the association could always rely on her to deal with it. After all, Tatsumaki is S Class, rank 2. She's done so multiple times, making whatever is thrown her way look like nothing more than aluminium foil.
And yet, she still has this lingering fear that one day, something that Tatsumaki can't deal with comes along. What then? Who would save the world if that day comes? The elusive Blast? No one even knew what he was capable of, just that he's supposedly the association's trump card. Then there were the rumours he's only there because Tatsumaki asked for it to be that way, and that no one has actually seen him. As a simple human of this world, she dreads such a thing being reality.
Tatsumaki POV:
By the time I arrive at the city, most of it is in ruins. I click my tongue in annoyance when I spot the bodies of two A class wannabes sprawled over the debris. Serves them right, running in headfirst because they desperately wanted the credit. Weaklings are like that, every last one of them. They want to look strong, but when the strong are what they're up against, they cower. That, or they die because they didn't know the enemy was stronger.
Should've left it to us professionals you buffoons.
Off in the distance, I spot the creature behind all this mayhem. A purple humanoid throwing around a bunch of energy balls. I scoff out of frustration. He looked weak, and nothing like all those previous dragon levels. At least they had the sense to look imposing. This guy just looked like someone dumped paint on a giant butterfly and tore off its wings. Well, time to get it over with I suppose. As I near the threat, I hear the sounds of a young girl waili-wait, she's right there!
I quickly move her out of the way, just in time before the monster could crush her between its hand. He turns to face me with a sound of amusement.
"Oh? You must be that one hero Mother Earth spoke of. Tornado of Terror, she said?"
"So you know me then."
The monster chuckled. "Of course. As Mother Earth's apostle, I have knowledge of all those who protect the parasites that threaten her very existence."
"Then you should know you won't survive. Do me a favour, and let me get this over with quick."
I raise my hand, sending the surrounding debris towards it. The monster reacted, and shredded the concrete with its bare hands. I cock my eyebrow in amusement. Maybe I'll have just a teensy bit of fun today.
"Don't get cocky, little one." The monster flashes a smile.
Okay, so much for fun.
I point my finger at it, surrounding it in a green glow. And with a smile, I exert force. "It's not being cocky if I can back up my-"
The monster moves forward, a murderous intent in its eyes.
Surprised, I move back quickly, creating more space between myself and it, while making sure the little girl was well out of the way. Before I could attack again, the monster makes a mad dash towards me, and in an attempt to protect myself, I create a barrier. To my horror, it breaks, and I find myself in its grasp.
"Did you really think Mother Earth would let me come unprepared? I have the strength of Gaia in me, foolish mortal! Your tricks are nothing to me." As he says this, his appearance starts to change into one less like that of a human, and more like the typical monster I'm used to, with sharp claws and fangs and a massive misshaped figure.
It's at this point that the adrenaline from shock runs out, and the pain starts getting to me.
"L-let go you idiot, and I'll show you why you shouldn't mess with me!" I managed to utter out, feeling breathless afterwards.
"Oh hoh, on the contrary. I'll make an example out of you, and show the whole world why Mother Earth shouldn't be messed with." I feel his grip tighten, and I grit my teeth in pain.
"Go on, scream. Scream for the world to hear! Show them the strength of VACCINE MAN!"
I yell in pain, unable to think of a way out of this.
Is this really how I die? My eyes closed in fear?
Suddenly, the monster screeches, and his grip loosens. I felt myself falling into someone's arms, much to my chagrin. I try to force open my eyes, but I couldn't find the strength to move a muscle. I feel myself being placed on the floor, and I swear I hear the sounds of a cape-
Blast?...
"Graaa! Who dares to attack me!"
"Just a guy who's a hero for fun."
What?
There's the sound of exploding flesh, followed soon by the familiar noise of guts splashing to the floor around me.
"Not again..." Someone's on their knees, "All it took for one punch..." the despair in his voice,"DAMN IIIIT!"
A piece of what I could only assume to be guts falls onto my stomach, causing me to groan in pain. I hear the cape move through the wind again, and felt myself being picked up by the very same arms.
"Whoops, can't have any of those falling on you now. Oh, and another little girl too. Sheesh, where are your parents?"
I force open my mouth, only to make a pained croak that doesn't sound like any of the words I wanted to say.
"Oh, hang on buddy. I'll get ya to a hospital, then I got a sale to catch."
I'm able to open my eyes just slightly, and I catch sight of a blinding bald head in what appears to be a jarring yellow suit and white cape. It's at this point a headache takes over, and I feel myself losing con... again...
xXx
It hurts to even think this, but I was defeated yesterday. Even worse was how I was defeated. Because the monster came prepackaged with Anti-Me powers. It was embarrassing, but it was even more frustrating to have been saved by some bald freak in a disgusting costume. Not only that, he was seen carrying me to a nearby hospital, as proven when the nurse asked if I wanted 'to report the creep' who was carrying me.
At least he kept the little girl safe... she walked into my room right as I was about to leave to thank me. I didn't even know what to tell her. That it was some 'hero for fun' who saved her, and not me? Ugh. What class even was he, and why haven't I heard of him before? And to add to that, apparently I got the credit for defeating that monster, and the reports of the guy carrying me to a hospital were taken as me being exhausted, and some caring citizen nearby took the time to bring me somewhere to rest.
Taking credit like that... It disgusts me. It's what weaklings do. And I'm not a weakling.
Whatever, nothing I can do about it now. Stubborn bastards wouldn't believe me.
My phone starts ringing again, and I groan in annoyance. I bring it over to my ear, answering the call.
"Miss Tatsumaki! There's a giant headed towards City B! Could you-"
"Fine."
I quickly hang up. Didn't I tell them already? Only two people are allowed to call me. Everyone else is a boot licking, time wasting moron. With a weary sigh, I make my way out the door. Maybe this will let me vent my frustration. Yeah. Just gonna deal with a giant, and let out any anger I had. Piece of cake.
The flight to City B felt like it was over in an instant, and I cracked my knuckles in anticipation. The giant is there, visible over the horizon. Now all I had to do was-wait, is something headed towards its fa-WHAT THE HELL?!
The giant's neck was pulled along by the head flying backwards, elongating it. Blood and fragments of what I could only assume to be bone came flying down, along with the body of the giant. My instincts move before my brain could process what happened, catching what could've been huge damages to City B. I heave a sigh of relief. If those idiots thought I caused this, they would've stuck me in a room to listen to the most boring one hour lecture they could muster. Now, as for the source of this recklessness...
You can't be serious.
What are the chances?!
"Oh, thanks dude. That could've been bad, eh?"
The same bald idiot in that jarring costume... he waves at me with a dumb smile as he falls to the ground, landing rather ridiculously. In a rage, I crumple the giant into a massive ball, and threw it into the crater the baldy jumped out of.
"You!"
"Eh? Me?" He points to himself, confused.
"Do you not have any situational awareness?! Have you any idea the damage you could've caused? The trouble it would put us in?! The damn association would talk my ears off!"
He digs his ear with a slight grimace, causing my eye to twitch. "Ah. Sorry, I didn't think magic girls and their bosses existed in real life."
...
What.
"Anyway, thanks. I'ma go shop now. Big guy took out the store I was in." He begins to walk off, slouching as if all motivation in his life was lost.
At this point, the rising headache is too much to handle. I suppose I paid him back for taking his credit. Now that we're even, I don't need to care anymore.
"Hmph!" I bring out my phone, prepared to inform them that the situation was taken care of. Please, just for today, don't be boot lickers...
"Ah, Miss Tatsumaki. I see the monster was dealt with. Good work." Oh thank god, it's him. One of the two I can barely tolerate.
"Whatever. Hey, care to tell me who that guy was? Why haven't I heard of him before?"
... The silence on the other end is unsettling.
"What guy, Miss Tatsumaki?" the confusion in his voice is obvious.
"That bald guy. The one with the fashion atrocity of a costume? The one who took down the giant?"
I hear him clear his throat, and at this point I feel the headache start to pound.
"Miss Tatsumaki, if you're feeling a bit sick due to stress, you could-"
"What makes you think I'm sick." I menacingly respond.
"We have no hero registered that fit such a description, my apologies."
"Are you sure? Yellow suit, white cape, red gloves and boots. Bald."
"None, Miss Tatsumaki."
It's at this point when I begin to think maybe I really am hallucinating from yesterday's fight. Am I actually dead?
"You know what, forget it. I'm going to rest."
"That might be best, Miss Tatsu-"
I shut the phone with more force than necessary. Now, which direction did the baldy go?
A/N: Begin the onslaught for this poorly executed point of view fanfiction.