Chapter 10: Have Fate

1975, Brockton Bay

"Push!" The doctor encouraged, and Margaret Rose gave a great cry as a child's cry filled the room.

"It's a girl. Congratulations!"

No one in that room- not the mother, not the doctor or the nurses or even the newly born Annette Rose herself- knew that at the precise moment of her birth, in a nearby Joss House in the local Chinatown, a statue of Elder Zhang Guo, one of the Eight Immortals, dropped to the floor startling nearby worshippers and visitors.

The caretaker and local Taoist priest of the Joss House exclaimed rather loudly. "Ah, this is a sign. An avatar or agent of Zhang Guo Lao has descended into the world."

He picked up the statue- an old man wielding a staff with a gourd on it- and placed it back on its proper place next to the Tutelary Deity, Tudigong.

Few of the witnesses believed- but some did, and they prayed for the protection of his avatar in this world.

Same Time, China

The Yellow River uncharacteristically turned clear and a fisherman told his son. "They say that when the Yellow River turns clear, it means a holy being is born into the world."

"But, why is there blood in the water, father?"

The older man turned back to the river, and sure enough, a streak of red flowed through the most important river of the Chinese world.

"That…I am not sure. But I think it meant this holy being will sacrifice much."

1992, Kyushu

"Goodbye Percy." Annette said as she scatter her brother's ashes into the pacific wind and sea. Kenta stood respectfully behind her while several of Percival's coworkers stood a short distance away, heads bowed.

She was the only family member that attended, her mother and stepfather having deemed the expenses of traveling overseas too bothersome, much to her chagrin and fury.

Thankfully, the funeral was paid for by DRAGLE, her brother's company- they handled all of the arrangements to their utmost ability. Percy was a high ranking negotiator for the global corporation after all.

Kenta watched as Annette giggled when Kaasan joked about something with her. He figured it was best that he did not know about it seeing as it was probably about him.

It was weeks later after their escape from their kidnappers and they had mostly recovered. Something had changed between Annette and him- during that entire trial, they had a new unspoken understanding, but neither of them had seen fit to broach the subject.

Today though, he had invited Annette-chan to visit his mother with him, and she has unsurprisingly agreed. She certainly dressed to impress- he glanced over at Annette's conservative blouse and skirt, still fashionable, but without implying impropriety. Almost like she wanted his mother's approval. Kenta wasn't sure how to feel about that.

He fished out his wallet and looked over the business card that the Red Solar Ranger (oh my god, oh my god) handed him after the entire debacle over their kidnapping and...and his gaining superpowers- he shuddered at the half-remembered memories.

He remembered the woman in black, with the fedora and her ominous words: "You have a destiny Kenta Kikuchi." What did she meant by that, precisely? And the cocaine- oh god the cocaine- he definitely overdosed on the first go, if he had to guess, he didn't feel any addictive properties thanks to his newfound metabolism. Spontaneous regeneration to an absurd degree. He also remembered himself dying, slowing destroyed and ground into nothing, helpless to do anything to save himself or Annette. That was not a pleasant experience and he would do nearly anything to avoid having to experience that kind of helplessness and anger again.

He pocketed the card again. He wasn't sure what he was going to do with their offer to join the Solar Rangers. His childhood heroes. The official hero team of their city and hometown. Renowned throughout Kyushu for their heroics. Sure, Green Ranger going traitor had apparently been a big thing a couple years back, he was too young to care too much about it at the time, and all the adults didn't want to talk about it around him because Green Ranger was his favourite super sentai as a toddler according to his mom.

And he killed Green Ranger too. That was….awkward for Kenta to say the least. Killing my childhood hero and idol. I might as well go full villain now.

He suddenly felt a bit tired from all his thinking and he got up with a scrape of his metal chair. Kaasan and Annette-chan turned to look at him and he waved his hand to indicate that there wasn't any kind of emergency.

"Just grabbing a cup of coffee- do you want anything, Kaasan, Annette-chan?"

"No I am fine, Kenta-kun."

"I'm good."

He nodded and walked out. There was a nice café at the ground floor and he actually liked their Americano. Black of course. Real man drink black.

As soon as the door closed behind Kenta, Annette turned back to his mother, who grinned up at her.

"Well, I guess with the man out of the room, we can talk about some real things now."

Annette knew that was coming, but she gulped nervously nevertheless and nodded her head.

"H-hai, Kaasan."

Oh god, she was already calling Kenta's mother Kaasan too.

Kaasan continued. "I've seen the way you look at Kenta when you think he isn't looking. I like the way you look at him. That's the kind of a look I like girls to be giving my son."

Annette could only blush as feel her face grow red with embarrassment. To be fair, it was hard not to look at Kenta. He had changed in his mind from "mildly dreamy bad boy" to full blown Knight in Shining Army who was also a literal dragon.

"I am not sure what to say, Kaasan."

The older woman smiled and reached a hand out to grasp Annette's own. "You don't have to say anything. I am just curious as to why Kenta didn't introduce you as his girlfriend."

"Uh…"

"I think in your head, you already decided that he is your boyfriend, yes?"

Annette turned redder than she already was.

Kaasan smiled knowingly, and with the wisdom of ages, laid down the law. "Talk to him about that. Soon. Don't let opportunities go to waste, trust me, or you'll regret it all your lives."

Annette could only nod her head. "Hai, Kaasan."

Neither of them broach the subject about their changed feelings for each other the next week either.

As Annette tried to sleep one night however, she found herself turning Kaasan's words over and over again in her head.

She sighed. It wasn't that simple. With Percival…gone…her time in Japan was coming to an end. His company had paid for her stay in Japan the past month so she could handle his funerary details, but soon she would have to go.

She would have to leave Kenta.

She gripped her blanket in anxiety as she thought about being so far away from him. Who would protect her? Who would keep her safe from her nightmares?

Who would she even banter with?

She tossed and turn, mulling things. Until suddenly, out of nowhere, she remembered her birthday was next week.

I am an adult now. I can make my own decisions. What good ever came of listening to my mother anyway?

She could live by herself, if she really wanted to.

Where there is a will, there is a way.

And she was determined to stay to be with her man. And with that decision made came another decision, lurking underneath the surface of thoughts daily that she hadn't dared entertained until now.

Glancing quickly at the time on her phone, she decided that yes…if she ran she could make the last train.

She scrambled out of bed and hurriedly threw on some clothes.

As she jogged out of her apartment and towards the train station, she spoke to herself out loud. "Oh god, I hope I am not making a horrible mistake."

[Song Plays: Best Mistake I Ever Made by Joana Wang]

Kenta couldn't sleep.

Soon, Annette will go back to America.

He had no means, no money, and no ability to survive in America. Even if she…even if she wanted him to be with her for real, he had no way to follow where she will go.

He turned over the business card from the Solar Rangers again. He could join up, make some money, but he would have to stay here in Japan…it would be years before he could see her again.

He muttered to his empty room in frustration. "Life is so complicated."

His phone rang. Who could be calling me at this hour?

He picked up the phone. "Hello?"

Annette's voice came through loud and clear. "Kenta-kun. I am outside your doorstep. Open the door dammit, it's cold out!"

"You're what!?"

Kenta hurried out of his room, forgetting to dress and unlocked the front door, ripping it open…

The most perfect woman in the world stood in front of her, her grey eyes shining underneath the moonlight.

"Annette-chan."

"Kenta-kun."

He scratched his head. "Uh, come in."

After closing the door, he turned to look at her- she was wearing a light jacket, and…was that her pajamas?

"Did you even change before you came here?"

She looked sheepish. "I had to catch the last train. There wasn't any time." A pause and then she scolded him. "And thanks for the view- nice boxers."

Kenta blushed and then asked the obvious question, however in truth, he already knew why she was here- her eyes said it all. "Um. Why are you here?

Did you need to talk about something? You know we don't exactly have a guest room, I suppose you could take a cab-"

"Kenta." Her eyes shine brighter. "There's a lot of things we need to talk about."

She paused and brushed a hair out the way of her perfect nose. "But I have no idea how to even start."

Kenta grimaced. They had avoided broaching the subject of their deepening feelings. Or Kenta thought they were- it was hard to tell if his feelings were one sided or not. They didn't talk about it- and it drives him nuts trying to figure out just where her feelings lay.

"Annette-chan…I…yeah this talk is overdue."

Annette took a step closer to him. "Kenta-kun. I-"

She struggled for the right words and seemed resigned. "Fuck it. I don't know how to express myself. Just fuck me already."

Wait what?

Her lips crashed into his, followed moments later by her body and her arms. Kenta didn't need prompting twice, he quickly wrap an arm around her waist and pulled her towards his room.

For awhile they sat there on his bed kissing. No words was needed. It was clear enough that the most essential question on their minds was answered. The rest could wait…could wait until what they both wanted was over and done with.

She grabbed his hand and encouraged him to roam. "Kenta-kun."

God her voice. It's perfect.

They watched each other's eyes, reveling in the confirmation of their mutual feelings. He pushed her down onto the bed and unbutton her shirt.

Her breathing hitched as she tugged at his boxer- the sole article of clothing he conveniently had on.

"Annette-chan…are you sure…I mean."

"Kenta- I swear to god, if you stop now, I will kill you."

In response he hiked up her skirt much to her joy.

A much sweatier Annette rolled over and panted. She wrapped her arms around her lover and smiled up at him.

"Not bad for my first time, I think." She grinned.

"Aye. Same here." Kenta smiled back.

"Wait. You're a virgin?"

"I was." Kenta corrected. He pouted at her. "At least, until a gaijin vixen had her way with me."

"Yes, and don't you forget it, but still, the bancho was a virgin. I am shocked."

He nodded. "You'd be surprised at how much common sense girls in our school have. Much to my chagrin."

She punched him lightly on the chest. "Well…good. I don't have to choke any bitches or piss on them to mark my territory."

"Well, as long as you don't piss on me to mark your territory, it's all good." Kenta dryly commented.

He rolled over suddenly and was straddling her. She raised an eyebrow. "So soon? I might have scored more than I realized if your recovery is that quick."

Kenta scowled. "Er, not exactly. But Annette." He leaned closer. "I am going to accept the Solar Ranger's offer to take up the Green Ranger mantle. The pay is very good, I can afford my own apartment."

She nodded, afraid of what he was going to say next.

"Well…stay." He continued.

Her breath hitched.

"Stay and live with me. We can start a life together." He locked gazes with her as he said so, his face only inches from her own.

She cried.

"Uh." Kenta started to become worried he said something wrong.

"Baka, I am happy. I was so afraid I would have to return to America."

She closed the gap and kissed him.

They didn't get much sleep that night and Annette was quite enthusiastic in showing how happy she was at the conclusions of their "talk."

A sleepy but quite satisfied Kenta and Annette sat opposite each other at the breakfast table the next morning, eating some light toast with eggs and sausages.

Daichi, Kenta's older brother suddenly showed and headed straight for the coffee machine. He didn't even bat an eye regarding Annette's presence.

However, when Daichi sat down at the table, he looked at the both of them and casually said. "So…next time, you guys might want to warn me ahead of time so I can get earmuffs. God you guys were loud."

Kenta blushed and Annette looked mortified.

"Oh God." She covered her face with both of her hands.

Daichi took a ship of his Joe casually, grabbing the morning papers and then drove the nail home.

"And I hope you guys used contraception."

Kenta paled. "Oh shit."

"Oh God, kill me." Annette moaned.

His brother ignored them and commented on the front page news item. "Well, to no one's surprise, Yamaguchi Zaibatsu's stocks are dropping like bricks. Given the very public evidence of their facilities being used for criminal activities- and the whole illegal death porn operation they had going, this is no surprise."

He grinned and slapped Kenta on the back. "My gang is actually really impressed. You two did more damage to the Yamaguchi backed gang in a single day than we had done for the past decade. My bosses consider ourselves indebted to you- so if you need any favours or any bodies to dispose of, let me know."

Daichi left for work quickly. There was about a minute of silence, and the litanies of regret continued.

"Oh God, how could I be so stupid."

"Oh God, I am pregnant!"

To Annette's great relief, after a month, she was certain that she was not pregnant because she still had her periods. All was right with the world.

She had benched Kenta out of necessity, much to his frustration. And her own. They make do with every base but the fourth- but it was difficult to control what your emotions wanted you to do. Really, it's not like people start making out and decided that "tonight we're doing this specific position."

Afterwards, she started on a birth control regimen via pills shortly thereafter. It took another month for her to be certain it was doing its job.

In that time, they managed to move into Kenta's new apartment- generously given as a signing bonus with the Solar Rangers. Their managers quite accurately understood that Kenta was the Solar Ranger's ticket to the big leagues. His power was SS-Tier, and they were determined to keep him happy.

As she settled down into her new Lay-Z-Boy and sighed contently. Kenta should just be getting off of his press release to the public- it was always a big deal whenever a new hero was revealed, whether Protectorate or Sentai.

She happily sent her first ever booty call via text: FOURTH BASE AVAILABLE NOW.

Kenta replied a mere second later: CMING.

She cheekily replied with: ME FIRST.

1993, Kyushu

Annette was in the University library, looking up East-Asian literary sources on supernatural entities and magic when Kenta ambushed her with kisses.

"Kenta!"

He had a hand up her shirt before she managed to pull her face away from his own long enough to point desperately towards the Disability Bathroom.

"Wow. Really?" Kenta said. She growled and dragged him in anyway.

Not two minutes later, a frustrated Kenta emerged, running for the exit. An emergency had come up- some asshole supervillain was robbing a bank. Kenta vowed to beat him senseless for cockblocking him.

Annette meekly came out seconds later, shifting her skirt back into place. Suddenly, she noticed that there were people who saw the whole thing. A couple Japanese students was staring at her, mouth open in shocked outrage.

"Not a word." Annette warned before stalking off, thoughts of research forgotten. She paused mid step and turned back to them. "And he had an emergency. He wasn't done in two minutes and I didn't scare him off, so don't you go thinking strange things about other people's sex lives. We're perfectly fine!"

1993, NANKING

The eunuch and last of a great lineage stared at the documents that his agent had handed him.

"You are certain, then?" He asked, staring at his nervous subordinate, who wore a business suit.

"Yes, Li Gong-Gong. We have all the key positions compromised. The plan is now green."

Li Gong-Gong chuckled and threw the document back onto the table. "We have them all in our pockets. This invasion will be easy."

It was time to bring the Land of the Rising Sun into the fold of Middle Kingdom. And to subsume their parahuman resources for their own.

The Yanbang program was the backbone of the C.U.I. success story. They conditioned any parahumans they capture and exterminated those they could not control- sparing no one, not even children and close families. Anyone could carry the taint that seemed to spread though memetic close contact.

Li Gong-Gong was from one of the Old Families. He could taste the unnaturalness of parahumanity, their foul and alien qi offended him more than the white menace. But they made useful tools.

Absolute control was the only way to maintain the power of the current dynasty, who's Emperor was a mere child and to prevent China from breaking

apart into further civil war.

The Seven Year Civil War since the first parahumans appeared, along with Behemoth's attacks, had nearly destroyed China, reducing its population down to mere hundreds of millions. That could not be allowed to happen again.

Another reason of course, was that an external enemy was necessary to maintain political unity, it's also an easy sell to the public- much easier than explaining complex sociological and economic problems anyway. And what enemy was easier to sell than the hated Japanese dogs?

The pale faced gong-gong, supreme commander of the Yanbang, laughed maniacally at his own brilliance. His shadows stretched unnaturally as he walked away.