And thus, we continue, at the bottom of a building, where Izuku Midoriya lays, dead. Comedy screams, crying over the body, "No...NO! I won't accept this, I won't accept this at all! This will not be the end of this tale, this will not!" Alas, they cannot fix this. Taking a few breaths, they smile, tears still streaking down their face. "After all, the author has not written THE END quite just yet! I can still fix this!"
Standing behind them, staring at their form, Tragedy shakes their head. "No, you can't. Izuku Midoriya is dead, and that is something you must accept at this point. We can't play god and bring him back from this, you know." Smirking, they stare at Comedy, amusement in their eyes.
Turning around, Comedy smiles at Tragedy. "He might be dead, but his body is still fine! I can use that!" They lock eyes for a second before Tragedy points at Comedy with a snarl.
"Don't. You. Dare." They grit out, face twisting in anger.
WStaring at Tragedy, Comedy's face breaks into frantic desperation, pleading with them. "But, but! I must ask you this? Where has the author written THE END? Nowhere! Nowhere, I tell you! This story must continue on, even though our dear protagonist is dead!" They ramble, watching as the anger slowly fades off of Tragedy's face, as they admit that Comedy is right. For once.
Then, a smile comes onto Tragedy's face, their evil smirk coming back full force. "Fair, fair. But what if instead, we were now meant to continue on with him dead? The Mysterious Absence of Izuku Midoriya? What then?" They shrug, moving their arms as they speak, looking Comedy in the eyes while they smile.
Standing up, Comedy moves right in front of Tragedy's face, desperate happiness in their eyes, as they keep Tragedy's look. "No, no! I know how this will go. I am going to become Izuku Midoriya and continue this tale as a comedy and you can just try and stop me! After all, there's nothing against me taking over someone at this point, right? They're already dead, just. like. you. planned." They point out, anger crawling into their voice, barely able to keep it contained as Tragedy falters.
Backing up, Tragedy continues, smile threatening to slip off their face, hands in a calming motion. "I- You aren't going to admit anything, but I must say that this is a wonderfully stupid idea."
Taking their movement as acceptance, Comedy picks up Izuku Midoriya's corpse and merges with it, assuming it before continuing to speak. "It's not like you haven't done it before!" They accuse, staring at Tragedy triumphant.
Starting to speak, Tragedy raises a hand before lowering it and turning their head, questioning. "I have? Exactly when would that be?" While their voice sounds confused, Tragedy's face is blank.
Smile full force on Comedy's face, they accuse their counterpart even more, advancing on them. "Oh, yess, you've done it many times. You've told me about several of them." They lean forward, into Tragedy's space as they lean away from them.
Moving away, Tragedy raises a finger and asks. "Are you sure that this isn't some of the many tales that I've caused to unfold?" Unsure, they question, allowing Comedy to continue their point.
In response, Comedy snarks at Tragedy, in the same way they had before. "Are you sure you haven't played god?" In the background, a tune starts to play. Comedy hums along to it, before singing along in the way only the two of them know. "My first life was so boring just forget I mentioned it."
Whilst Comedy sings, the duo roam the city, walking around the civilians that have appeared exactly when Comedy sings the first lyric. Tragedy follows close behind, responding to the unasked accusation. "That one… that… I don't remember that one so we cannot say for sure that there was a possession there. Besides, I was young and not as smart then."
Looking to the side, Comedy continues to snark. "Aren't I young and not as smart?" They scoff.
Tragedy rolls their eyes, snarking right back. "Well, yes, but I am here to guide you. "
As they walk through the city, they end up walking straight past a Villain fight as Comedy sings the next lyric. "And my second seemed to let me do all of the things my first life didn't."
Tragedy laughs, looking at Comedy. They stare back as Tragedy refutes the accusation. "Ah yess… if I am sure as to what you are referring to then that one was quite fun. But! There was no possession in it. It was simply the first time I had caused a tragedy! And what a wonderful tragedy it was!" Glee rushing onto their expression, they look into Comedy's eyes, expectant.
Sour look on their face, Comedy stares at the ground. "Oh…"
Waving their hands, Tragedy continues. "No, no! It was some quite fantastic thread manipulation and a bit of chance, and all of a sudden thousands of years of knowledge lost! Oh what a beautiful fire that one was." Even while their eyes continue to look into Comedy's, full of spiteful glee, their gaze feels a bit distant, as the memories rush through them.
Then suddenly, their gaze rushes back into the present, and Comedy sings the next verse. "Third life was a hateful man all poison to the bone". As they sing, a pillar of fire shoots up in the distance.
Raising a brow, Tragedy laughs. "Fine! This one I definitely did not possess. He's still alive, you know, we can go and meet him and his wonderful family if you'd like." Tilting their head, they lean in.
Backing up a bit and raising their hands, Comedy's face morphs into an awkward smile. "No, I'm good!" They say, refusing Tragedy's proposal.
Tragedy sighs, keeping their smile on their face. "I'd have thought you'd like him. He's a Hero after all." Slightly shaking their head, Tragedy puts a hand up to their cheek.
Furrowing their brows, Comedy squints at Tragedy. "I thought you didn't do happy endings." They say, confused.
Tragedy responds, patting Comedy on the head. "Oh I don't." Chuckling, they walk forward as Comedy's confusion grows, showing on their face even more.
Deciding to instead sing the next verse, Comedy continues on. "In my fourth, I played piano but just didn't have the eyes to read the notes." Walking through town, more people start to appear, some looking homeless and grungy that the others appear to try to shoo off.
Sighing, Tragedy's face suddenly appears to darken, before settling into a pout. "Oh fine. There was possession in this one. But to be fair, I needed to see for myself if he was truly blind!" Crossing their arms, they huff at Comedy, unable to truly keep all that mad at them.
Comedy, too, cannot seem to keep all that mad at Tragedy either. "That was a terrible pun." They smile, and soon a smile works itself back onto Tragedy's face as well.
"Ah yes, I know. I'll be here all night." Laughing, Tragedy motions for Comedy to continue.
Picking the song back up, Comedy does as directed. "In my fifth life, I supported girls - of course that wasn't all" Looking over at Tragedy, they see that they aren't stopping them.
A smirk on their face, Tragedy directs a look back at them. "Continue, continue. I'll stop you if you're wrong." Tragedy's eyes spark as Comedy continues on.
Looking back at Tragedy each time, Comedy sings. "My sixth life was corrupted though I guess it was little fun. Seventh life I cried so much and all I did was mourn" At the end of that verse, Tragedy puts up their hands in an X shape, grinning madly.
Tragedy buzzes, signalling that Comedy is incorrect. "Bsst. That one was simply tragedy after tragedy. It was fun to watch happen - I didn't even cause it! Besides, when have you seen me cry?" Tilting their head, they wait for Comedy to respond.
Hesitating, Comedy responds. "I haven't, you aren't the type. I could see you kicking a puppy though." Nodding, Comedy waits for Tragedy to move.
Squinting slightly, Tragedy speaks with a laugh in their voice. "That sounds like fun… let's go do it." Motioning, Tragedy lifts their arm only for Comedy to slap it away.
A tad twitchy, Comedy speaks. "You're just pushing my buttons now aren't you?"
Laughing, Tragedy watches as Comedy twitches in response, their actions driving Tragedy to laugh harder. "All of the buttons. After all, you are just trying so hard to ruin my tragedy and I just can't have that!" Sticking their tounge out, Tragedy flits forward, waiting for Comedy to sing the next verse.
And Comedy sings. "In my eighth life, was so rich I could've bought the world and everything." Tragedy once again repeats the action that signals Comedy's inaccuracy, to Comedy's confused stare.
Raising an eyebrow, Tragedy explains, in a sense. "Wrong, again. Repeat after me; Possession kills people." Rolling their wrists, they look down to Comedy to repeat their statement.
Pursing their lips, Comedy repeats the statement. "Possession Kills People."
Tragedy nods in affirmation, and continues their explanation. "Now, I'm pretty sure that this one happens to still be alive, except for the fact that he's exceptionally old." Waving this off, Tragedy's smile starts to become a bit more malicious. "Made sure that one got an extended life quirk, just so he'd be separated from his oh so precious sibling just that much longer." Their eyes trailing to Comedy, Tragedy watches their face drop.
Frowning, Comedy looks at the ground. "Sometimes I forget how much of a horrible person you are, and then you just go and say stuff like this."
Twisting, Tragedy bops Comedy on the nose. "Thanks!" Their smile now more of a smirk, they listen as the music that Comedy had invoked has faded into the background of the world, ready for their cast to sing.
Oh, how the people sing! The two watch as their ensemble, the people not given a role seem to sing along without ever truly singing at all. "In this, life is a game played by a flaky god. He gambles every life. Try to escape but you know the path you're on is game and set" Seemingly, their eyes pierce through the veil to see Tragedy and Comedy as they are, even though both know that they go unseen by those not given any leading role. Seemingly, they decide that this is as good of a time as any to speak their truth, even if nobody was to hear it. "Try as you might, but we are what we have been given. Be it Hero, Villain, Civilian, the lot of us have become what we were told, for what else was there to become?" Expressions mixed, their ensemble continues, split into the minor roles given to them by life.
Aside, there's a person who escapes with their trophy plundered from the local store, acting as the Villain that they are. "Who's gonna hire someone with a Villain's Quirk, something only good for robbing banks and fighting?" They question, looking off, looking for an answer that will not come. "Where I had to learn! Otherwise, well, all I will end up with is a dead end job that won't feed me and pay for my mom's hospital bill." Questioning into the abyss, trying to rationalize the role that the world had given them into an action they had chosen themselves.
Aside, the crowd mutters. To themselves, to each other, to the people that understand, even while they do not hear. "All I've got is something small and boring, but that's quite enough for me!" They claim into the void, the void that has left them nothing but a stable life.
Aside, another person appears, chasing the Villain from earlier, just as they should be, acting as being a Hero demands. "You could say I'm the lucky one of the bunch, but I've worked hard for this! There's not enough heroes for the amount of Villains we have to fight! Ah, but I wouldn't trade this for anything!" They speak into the chasm, happiness piercing through.
Together, they sing the lyrics of the song to the music that they have fallen into, it's thrall compelling them to sway in sync. "See how the game of life is playing all of us for fools. Dancing a string around us, making all these silly rules. See how he looks down on us like we're acting out a show. Throw the dice and let's see which head will roll…" The song slowly becomes more and more resentful, feeling the hidden discontent being brought forth by the nature of their truths.
Their voices now imbued with their anger, the civilians, the hero, they speak. "Asinine, this whole thing is! Silly little laws that only make my life harder, I'll tell you! Not that I can do anything about them… not if I don't want to be a Villain." What they say goes almost unheard, for the truth is rarely anything anyone wants to hear. The void, it's chasm listens to their whispers, and claims that truth.
The Hero, of their nature, already knows this truth. They respond, the chasm having reflected their whisper ever so slightly. "Well I'll say! I'm here to keep the peace, nothing more and nothing less!"
Shaking their head, the Villain once again speaks, hearing the whisper's reflections. "And somehow I'm the lucky one here… I have the freedom to do as I wish. If only I wasn't being chased after!" Laughing, they run away from the Hero, having successfully escaped.
After watching all of this, Comedy continues once more, singing the next lyric. "By nine, I drew some manga but the deadlines left me dead" And once more, Tragedy motions that they're incorrect.
"That was a joke about being a narrator! It's like being a manga artist; all the deadlines leave someone dead at the end. Get it?" Tragedy waves their statement off, admitting that that particular story was a lie.
Frowning, Comedy continues the next verse. "My tenth life was a teacher, as a pedo***** I worked part time". As they sing, Comedy watches as Tragedy makes a face of disgust.
Sneering, Tragedy's voice comes out a deadpan that morphs into anger. "Okay no. I might love the misery, but eww. Where did you hear that one?" Snarling, Tragedy demands the answer from Comedy.
Averting their eyes, Comedy tries to ignore Tragedy's stare. "I've forgotten." They whisper, waiting for Tragedy to yell.
Taking a deep breath, Tragedy sings the next line instead. "Next life, what, eleven? Sorry I try to forget…" Taunting, they goad Comedy into making a mistake.
However, Comedy sings the next stanza instead, voice on the verge of breaking. "Never could describe how awful - no I'm terrified to think of all. The things that such a die can do, kinda crazy. Deciding everyday" Their voice quiet, trying to avoid Tragedy's angry sneer.
Attempting to calm down, Tragedy continues. "Try to escape but the days repeat and keep you here to stay" Calming, Tragedy's voice goes as quiet as they whisper. "Not that you can escape, my dear. Nothing ends as you want it to." Chuckling, they move forth, dragging Comedy along through the crowd.
The music still affecting them, the people around the two continue the song. "See how the game of life is never won, you only play. Bore him and you will find you're crumpled up and thrown away. Clinging to fate and blaming it when life won't go your way!" They sing into the void once more, only the duo able to truly hear their voices.
Watching as a Villain is caught by a Hero, Tragedy listens to the Villains screams. "No! Don't take me away! Nooooooooooo…" As the Villain is being dragged off, the surrounding crowd cheers.
Watching this, Tragedy laughs before singing the next verse. "Such a laugh HA! Life is just a game." Shaking their head with a smile, Tragedy looks to Comedy, adding onto the lyric with their statement."One that I'll end up winning. All that comes from ash must become ash after it all, and we were once naught but dust. Stardust, but dust nonetheless." Turning, spinning around, Tragedy continues to sing, laughter in their voice as they sing. "Cry out all your eyes or win a new fortune. The chance is one out of six. Try to escape, why not try your luck and see what you may get?" Shouting, they ask the crowd for their answer. "What do we all get, in the end?"
Responding without hearing, the crowd responds, on instinct almost. "Taxes!"
Smiling, Tragedy corrects them. "It's Death and Taxes but they got half right. Partial Credit." Moving forward, Tragedy and Comedy continue to walk.
Around them, the crowd sings, voiceless. "See how the game of life is playing all of us for fools. Dancing a string around us, making all these silly rules. See how he looks down on us like we're acting out a show" Eyes bore down upon Comedy and Tragedy as the crowd whispers their truth at them. "Must we live this out from day to day, day after day? Is there anything else we can do?"
The two hear their whispers, they shout simultaneously. "No!/Yes!" Their voices intertwine, and they stare at the other, questioning, before Comedy turns away.
As if hearing the unasked question, Tragedy speaks. "The eternal cycle of boredom is a tragedy, you know." Shrugging, Tragedy turns.
Still looking out, away from Tragedy, Comedy speaks, directing their question at them. "Isn't everything a tragedy to you?" Unseen, Tragedy winces before deciding to instead pick up the song to sing.
Moving forward, they sing, as the crowd moves. "Throw the dice and let's see which head will roll…" Tragedy watches as yet another villain gets dragged off by a hero. Shaking their head, they sigh.
Comedy stares out to the crowd, and laughs, before singing the next verse, the crowd join. "Sickly grinning downward, tosses out a pair of dice" Directing it at Tragedy, each turns to face the other, smiling.
Smile twisting into a smirk, Tragedy continues with the song. "Cheating way around the board "Ah this is paradise" Their eyes spark with sadness for a second, before that disappears and Tragedy laughs more boisterously, as Comedy backs away from them. Spreading their arms around, Tragedy points to the crowd as they continue with the next verse. "People praying on their knees but no there to hear"
Right as Tragedy is about to sing the next verse, Comedy interrupts. "Would you even listen?" They tilt their head and stare at the other, deadpan in their gaze.
Tilting their head in the opposite direction, Tragedy squints. "As long as it makes a good story!"
Affonted, Comedy shouts back at them, stomping their foot. "And this one will be a good story!" Walking away, up a hill, they move to run away from Tragedy, who follows close behind.
Whispering, Tragedy keeps their smirk. "I'm sure it will." Becoming louder, they sing the next verse as they continue to point to the crowd, their arms spread. "Ah look down at all the puppets here." Comedy stops, turning to stare down at Tragedy from the top of the hill.
Continuing the next verse as Tragedy looks up at them, Comedy sings with spite in their voice. "Ah look up at all the puppeteers" Pausing, they speak, almost silent. "They have their own stories to tell, you know."
Tragedy laughs, spinning around with glee. "Yes, but theirs aren't all that important right now. All they need to do is advance the story, one you have unnecessarily prolonged. All they need to do is simply stay as they are, and wait their turn for a story of their own." They point out, pointing at Comedy.
Frowning, Comedy looks off to the side. "Are you sure that all this is unnecessary? That the tale of Midoriya Izuku was meant to end there? That there can't be any more to this?" They question, confused.
Tragedy shrugs, stopping what they were doing. They then looks at Comedy, confident in their answer. "Yes. Despite THE END not being written yet, I still think that his interaction in this tale was meant to end there. That his demise was just as important, that people can cause just as much of an impact purely by not being there."
Comedy shugs themselves, slightly unsure. "Well I'll just have to try. You coming?"
Tragedy shakes their head, but there is still mirth on their face. "No, I don't think so. I… have something else to do."
Comedy frowns, staring hard at Tragedy."What exactly are you planning? Or are you going to play god?
Tragedy laughs. "And why should I tell you that?"
Comedy snarls. "Fine, be that way. I'll be telling the story from now on." They walk off, leaving Tragedy alone to do as they wish.
"Guess it's a good thing that I grabbed you, huh?" Tragedy reaches into a pocket, and brings out a water bottle full of slime - the same one that Izuku had been caught in not a few hours before. Laughing, they bring the container up to eye level. "Who are they to say that I am playing god? I'm the narrator! I'm meant to tell the story, guide it through as it is supposed to be, and it shall be a tragedy… The Tragedy of Midoriya Izuku! You, my friend, can watch this unfold and it shall be a tale for the ages!" Cackling, Tragedy walks off into the world to plan.