Hello everybody, here we are at 'our' first flashback for this Fic. And frankly, I couldn't be happier with the winning vote, as the premise of it is actually part of what drove me to write this story. So, I won't keep you long, and instead say,

Spoiler: Winning Vote

ENJOY

Florida, High-Scale Avenue
Jack's Age: 4

As Mama and Father ordered one of the servants to help you out of your car seat, and ignoring Kristen's loud cries for something sweet, you quickly tried to take in the new area around you, but kept getting distracted by the amazing statues and views that caught your eye with each turn *plus that adorable little doggy you could barely see over its over sized fence* But you forced yourself to focus on what was ahead of you, as was only expected of the Spicer heir meeting someone new.

Of course, this time was maybe a little different, what with you apparently meeting family, but that was apparently no excuse for rudeness, as Mama had been quick to point out after last holiday. (1)

So, you did your best to square your little shoulders as high as you could, hoping to look as intimidating as Father did, before finally entering the massive compound you and your family had stopped in front of.

You knew you didn't succeed, however, when you heard the quiet snickering of Kristen from behind you, as well as the silent feelings of disapproval drilling into your spine. But, you had to keep it up now, lest that feeling intensify, as it usually did.

Thus, as always with family, it was a walk filled with silence only broken by the sound of shoes impacting the ridiculously soft carpet you were walking on *You found out when you nearly tripped looking at your surroundings* and the sound of Kristen 'texting' on the prototype their parents had given her as a testrun. It was a apparently a success, if the rabid hum of clicking keys on the small trinket were any indication. You knew sound by heart now, after having been the one to actually MAKE that prototype, circuit board and all, before your parents stuck the Spicer Brand trademark on the back of it. You didn't really get why, but they did, and it was one of the few times you had seen both of your parents smile, so you were happy too.

But you got off point. They were still walking down the almost unendingly long corridor, making you wonder if you were even going anywhere on the posh carpet, prompting you to actually try and take note of your surroundings again, and not just simply drifting into the world of all the things you could be doing. And, given your lack of attention, you felt you could give yourself a little slack when you actually saw what was on the walls and surroundings, even if the other people walking wouldn't.

All over the walls was what could only be called mass extinction and collection. Hundred's of heads hung from the wall, seemingly stretching in both ways for miles, with little space for anything in between. No, what had you taken aback, was that... not all the heads were of animals. That wasn't to say that their were people heads up there *Though there WERE a few that looked uncomfortably close* but many just seemed... impossible. Some a solid bronze color, one that looked like it was constantly swirling around in a bowl of water, getting an eternal swirlie, even what looked like a grinning Venus fly trap bigger than your body!

As you walked down the hall, which was filling with more and more outrageous things, you also noticed a shift in what the halls were containing. Where once their were heads, now you were looking at what took them. Weapons of every shape, weight, and make were hanging haphazardly yet reverently beside each other, but not a single one of them looked ornamental. No, if anything, you could actually make out some areas where the blade had actually rusted due to the blood residue on it.

You... were starting to get scared now. Sure, the people you were seeing were family, but that never really stopped feelings of fear in you before, and the relatives you usually dealt with were more... word based than these people probably were. What would they do if they didn't like you? Would they cut your head off and put it on their wall?! YOU DIDN'T WANT TO BE ON A WALL?!

And thus, you silently worked yourself up into a tizzy quietly *A Spicer does Not show Weakness in Company* while you finally began to reach a door.

If finally took your Father ordering one of the servant's to knock on and open the door that you were brought out of your nightmare, more nervous than ever before in your short life. What would they even look like? Would they be hulking monsters, shirts red with the blood of their enemies, ready and willing to tear into those who they disliked? What would he do?! He didn't know how to deal with this!

So, he did he only thing he could do. He followed his parents through the door as calmly as his shaking knees would allow, ready and willing to push anyone who got in his way down if he had to run.

It thus came as a massive shock to your your heart when, instead of a large tower of a monster, instead was a short old man with extremely grey hair, black pants and shirt, and a book of some kind now being placed down. Next to him was an old woman, hair just as silver, but wearing a red and black dress with silver embroideries along the seam, and a pair of purple swirl marked earrings.

If their appearances didn't surprise before, however, what came from your Father's mouth next certainly did.

"Hello, Honored Father, Honored Mother, thank you for having us to your humble aboad." He said in his usual no nonsense tone.

You felt your heart quicken again as you now looked at the old people before you again as you took in that new information. Grandparents? You had grandparents? Why did no one tell them? Why was this his first time meeting them? WHY were you meeting them? These questions raced through your head as you stared in their direction from where you were (trying to) hide behind your Fathers legs.

"Feh! I see you're still the old stick in the mud. And hello to you as well Angela, how HAVE you been doing since you came to visit, oh what was it now? 9 years? Oh! And I have grandchildren now? How nice to know." The old man finished with a subtle power of some sorts to his words, as he caught sight of Kristen and yourself.

Neither your Mama or Father gave any indication the tone effected them as they gave their reply.

"Thank you again for having us, oh Honored Father. We apologize for not bringing the children over sooner, but the last few years have been... Busy." Mama finished, the excuse sounding rather lame even to your ears, but you would never say such a thing aloud.

It seems, however, that your grandmother had no such problems, allowing you to hear her voice for the first time. It seemed to a somewhat deep voice, but now had a slight rasp, probably due more to age than any kind of thirst.

"Ah, yes. I'm sure a single moment was all but impossible deary. No matter, WE are still here, and so are the children. Come, let your Nǎinai get a good look at you. My eyes aren't what they used to be." She finished, calling both you and Kristen closer to where she was sitting in her velvet colored arm chair.

You took cautious steps from behind your Father, both due to not knowing the two well yet, and how they would react to your appearance. Would they be disappointed that you didn't walk with confidence as a Spicer should? Would they comment on your 'messy' hair? You didn't really now, and weren't that keen to find out. However, it seemed the choice was taken out of your hands, as Kristen pulled you forward as she walked forward as well.

It was as you were presented in front of your Nǎinai's however, that you saw something that shocked you, but probably shouldn't have. One of her eyes was completely blind. As for the reason, the massive scar that ran down it and into the milky white and red iris was a pretty good indicator. And given the number of weapons and heads mounted on the walls on your way their, you were fairly certain what caused it as well. That just lead to the question, why? Wouldn't you want to cover something like that up? You thought it was cool, but you apparently weren't the best indicator of family values.

So, as most four year-old's were prone to do, the question slipped out before you could even thing to stop it.

"Why?"

That caught your Nǎinai's attention, directing her attention from where she had been inspecting Kristen, to downward at your face.

Now that her good eye was focused on your own, which you noted to be red like your own, she suddenly looked a lot more intimidating than you thought, especially with the scar and grin she was now sporting.

"Oh-ho? Why what, my little sprig?" She said with a tooth bearing grin you had never seen anyone in your family make before. (2)

You gulped as attention was dropped on you, even your parents pausing their conversation with Grandpa to see what was happening.

As you tried desperately to wet your suddenly dry mouth, you decided that you had already come this far, and could at least get an answer.

"Um, I-I asked why you have that scar on your eye?" You said nervously, trying an failing t find something to hide behind, ignoring the quiet laughter coming from Kristen.

"Jack! What have we taught you! I apologize Honored Mother, allow me to-" what ever she was about to say was cut off by the sound of laughter erupting out of your Nǎinai and Grandpa respectively, both sounding younger than they had before.

"Dofufufufu! Ah, finally, thirty years with this old thing, and the only one with enough balls to ask was the child! Brilliant! Dahahahahaha!" It seemed your Nǎinai was lost in laughter at the moment, but you still felt your cheeks heat up at being complimented, even if you didn't really get it. You had plenty of balls at home, did that mean the rest of his family didn't? He would share them if he could.

"Hah! I agree dear! At this rate, I thought we would have had to force everyone to listen to our tales on our deathbed's! Course, that's not too far either! Dahahaha!" Your Grandpa was quick to join in with the laughter.

Your Mama was evidently not expecting that reaction however, quickly casting an uneasy look at Father, who just looked back stoically.

The laughter soon puttered out, leaving amused faces covered in lines around their eyes and mouths.

"Heheh. These old bones needed that. But, before I tell you that little tale, why don't you tell me your name, my little sprig?" Your Nǎinai said as she finished giggling.

You hesitated for a moment to look back at your parents reactions, but you quickly looked back forward, ready to give your name.

"I-I am, ah, J-Jack. Jack Sp-Spicer. Nice to me-meet you... Nǎinai?" You stuttered over the unfamiliar word you had just heard.

It seems you said the right thing, as her smile and eyes softened just a tinge, before returning to their previous intensity.

"Aye, you ARE a cute little thing. Gonna have to work on your confidence though, don't want to be frightened by little old ladies, now do we?" She needled you lightly, causing you to squirm a little.

"Hah! Little old lady my gold tooth! You could frighten a shark to death if you tried! And you remember what you were like at that age, you weren't any better!" Grandpa quickly shot out, before calmly returning to his conversation with Kristen, which now seemed to have capture her attention completely, leaving your parents, or at least Mama, to stand there awkwardly with the servants they brought.

"Hmph! Touche. Well then, Jack, let this old woman tell you the tale of how she got this wicked scar, hmm?" Your Nǎinai said as she forced you to take a seat.

What followed was the most amazing tale you had ever heard. Filled with adventure, drama, mystery, and lots of violence, it was everything and more than you expected.

"And then the Ninja's attacked, but we were quick to fend them off with help of that pirate group we took control of!"

"But I thought all the ninja's were trapped when you burned down their hideout?"

And they were! But these were those Ninja's Rivals who came after us to restore their enemies honor!"

"Wow!"

And so the time flew past, through lunch, and well into the evening, captivating your complete attention in a way nothing else ever had.

"Then, with a no way out, I created a circular saw to blow open the door using my stolen Kunai, a rubber band and your grandfather's trusty cane."

Wow! And then the blade went flying and gave you your scar?"

"Nope! That happened later, when we were returning that Aztec treasure to break our curse. Just when we were placing it back on its pedestal, after dodging trap after trap, I tripped over some poor sap's skeleton, and cut my eye on the edge of the dais, which nearly cast the world into One Thousand Years of Darkness, but that's a story for another time." Nǎinai concluded, looking at the now pitch black sky.

You tried your best not to pout at not being able to hear the other story, but were at least happy you heard something awesome today. Though, you were still kind of skeptical.

"Hey Nǎinai, you weren't just making that stuff up, were you?" You asked, desperately wanting to believe.

Your Nǎinai gave you a quick look, before making an arrogant sounding scoff, and rolling her good eye.

"You should know Jack, that a Spicer does not boast about that which they have not or could not do. And besides, if that tale was false, why would we have a clan of Ninja's sworn to us?" She finished with a smug smile.

That little sentence blew you away, as you said the three words any child would give anything to say.

"We have Ninjas?" You said slowly, as if to savor the words.

"No, I, have Ninjas. YOU, have servants until you show the responsibility to care for a Ninja." She said with finality.

Just as you were about to voice just how unfair that was, Nǎinai cut you off.

"And before you go asking if I was lying again... Come out now, Fattabi." You Nǎinai called out to the open air.

You were confused for a moment, before suddenly you heard a sound behind you, and saw your shadow become taller and... wider.

After a quick moment that you couldn't quite remember, now stood before you a genuine Ninja, black clothes, sword and all. Though, he was... well, he was really fat. Like, horrendously fat. Like, how is he not having a heart-attack due to breathing fat.

But, lo and behold, the larger than life figure was still before you.

There were so many things that you wanted to say, wanted to do, but only one thing came out.

"Awwwweeeeeeesooooommmmmeeeeeee." You drawled out, trying, and succeeding, to remember every detail of the one in front of you.

You were also systematically ignored, as the Ninja *So Cool* turned toward your Nǎinai and bowed lowly, belly button touching the ground before his head.

"Your Call is Answered, My Lady." He said in a gruff voice.

Throughout the short span, your Nǎinai never let her haughty expression fade, somehow appearing entirely natural on her face.

"Ohoho! By calm, Tabi. I was merely showing the young one what it is like to be the Top dog." She explained.

There was no sign of surprise or frustration in his body or voice from the pointless call, at least that you could see, but yo felt that something important just happened.

"Very well. If that is all, My Lady."

With that, the man quickly vanished into a shadow you did not notice a moment ago, and thus left all your attention on your Nǎinai.

"Well? Still doubting this old woman?" She said with a smug smirk.

You did the only thing you could think to.

"OhmyGodohmygodohmygodanactualninjaaninjawasherehewasrealthatmeansthestorywasrealyouareawesomewheredoyoukeepthepirtaetreasurecaniseeyourcursedjewleswhataboutgrandpastheifsuitcomeonpleasepleasepleaseplease-"

"Whooh there! Dear heavens, breath boy! I didn't hear a dang thing that came out of that mouth!" Your Nǎinai snapped as she grabbed your cheeks to spot the fountain of noise coming from your mouth.

"Uh... when can I get a Ninja?" You asked, hope shining in your eyes.

"When you prove to us that you need one. Until then, you have to either build or find your own minions, just like the rest of us did when we started out." Your Nǎinai, looking insistent now, not backing down.

This caused you to look down in sadness, before the words she spoke actually clicked in your mind.

"Wait... build or find? What would I need multiple minions for?" You were curious about that in a lot of ways, like HOW would you make something like 'minions' or where would you find them.

Your Nǎinai's eyes sparkled a little in the dimmed light provided by the stars above, showing a fire you had never seen, before finally replying to his question.

"Why, every great Villain needs minions of course."

END OF CHAPTER

(1) Don't call your Aunt a 'Christmas Cake over the Holidays, it ends well for no-one.

(2) The little sprig line is a Spice joke, cause that's the term used when adding spice to a dish.

Ha! First actual Cliffhanger! And in Case anyone is wondering, we won't be seeing the second half of this flashback very quickly, the reason for the cutoff is that we 'ran out of time' in the real world with our robot just having been completed. After all, when we reminisce on a memory, we don't recall the entire thing all at once, re remember bits and pieces of it! Also, no voting for this next chapter, as the next thing is almost what I would call a... Scripted Event if you will. You have happened no matter what we chose. So, you get to enjoy that in two days.

And to those who might think Jack's POV was a bit weird this time, it's cause it kinda purposefully is. This is from the perspective of a hyper intelligent 4 year old raised to be the heir of a no-nonsense global company. Pressure results in a LOT of weird things. So, with that out of the way, see ya'll in two days!