Okay, this chapter... It came out much, much faster than I had anticipated. But, I just... I finished watching Hibike! Euphonium. I dont know if any of you have watched it, but I do recommend it, if you enjoy stories where the characters feel very genuine, and just, the show is really good. Give it a watch if you can, also though I've been watching this for quite a while now, My Hero Academia, is great too. Anyway, I watched Hibike! Euphonium, and I must say, I saw Asuka in the first episode of the series, and immediately declared Best Girl, and I was right. Then, I declared that her, and Kumiko were best Ship, and I was right once again.
Also, the beginning of this chapter technically spoils Hibike! Euphonium, and while, Spoilers dont affect my overall enjoyment of a thing, it's more about seeing the journey and conclusion for myself that matters to me. But, if you are crazy about spoilers, or plan to watch the show, I guess do that first? Or dont, I warned you either way, and hopefully, either way it's enjoyable, because it's more Violet, and that's typically a good thing.
Anyway, I'll stop rambling on, and on, and let you get to the chapter. It was really fun to write. We're finally in the end game for this whole Two Years Away thing. Violet had grown, Jesse has began to get better, Damon, his stuff is coming, we'll see more of his Arc this small Arc. Also, if you have watched Hibike! Euphonium, and you dont think Asuka, and Kumiko is best Ship, well, this is my story, and I ship them, so theres that, obviously. Anyway, enjoy the chapters guys, review, thoughts all that, you know the drill. Should be another chapter soon.
-Aftermath-
~A Heroic Heart~
Violet let out a content sigh, as she looked at the scene in front of her. The girl she had been watching for quite a while now was standing before her Senpai, telling her she didn't want to lose her, and that she loved her. Violet simply smiled, and crossed her arms as she watched from afar, Jesse walked up next to her.
"Can we leave now?" Jesse asked her, seemingly immune to the cute scene before him, Violet glared at the two girls, as she refused to take her eyes off the sight of Asuka giving Kumiko her notebook. She had insisted on coming to this random world simply because, she had said it was Japan, and that meant Anime. The subtitle of the world being Hibike Euphonium, or Sound Euphonium.
"Nah, not just yet. Kumiko said love, but… Asuka didn't drop her mask like she did before. She's still putting up that apathetic, playful exterior, don't know if the meaning entirely got through." Violet told him, Jesse simply sighed, and crossed his arms.
"But doesn't Kumiko like Shuichi? She may say she doesn't, but it seems obvious she's hiding her real feelings, or not wholly aware of them." Jesse said, Violet groaned out loud at his apparent stupidity.
"Ugh. Doesn't matter, I think she likes them both plus Reina. But… who says you cant like multiple people at once? She still doesn't let her guard down, and drop her façade around either Shuichi, or Reina… But with Asuka she does, and Asuka dropped hers completely at least once around her. Honesty is the most important part of any relationship, and while Kumiko always speaks from her heart, she's never truly honest with herself around wither of them, and she is around Asuka."
"You are… very passionate about this Violet. Is it just because you like seeing girls together?" Jesse asked, Violet shrugged.
"Maybe, doesn't chance the fact that I'm right… Oh, Asuka's walking away now, gonna go intervene, and stop her. Jesse, don't try and stop me, either keep Kumiko where she is, or go find Damon and tell him to get the ship ready. Now, I gotta make this ship set sail."
"I find it disturbing that you ship real people." Jesse told her, as Violet began to walk off, she merely shrugged at him, glaring at him.
"Wasting time Jesse." Violet told him, before she rushed off to get Asuka, and Kumiko together, just as she had done with Akko, and Diana from that Luna Nova witch school. She enjoyed this part of her job as a Hero the most, going about, and helping people, regardless of whether they asked for help or not. Meddling had become something she looked forward to on a daily basis.
She rushed down as she snow fell, she was dressed in tight black jeans, a white jacket, with a pink scarf around her neck, by this point her hair had completely turn back to a healthy golden blonde once again. It was longer than she usually kept it however, right now it was touching her shoulders, normally she kept it around her chin in terms of length.
"Asuka!" Violet called out, as she approached the black haired Japanese girl. Bright blue eyes looked up at her, surprised at how informally this blonde girl had addressed her. As part of Jesse's magic on them, Violet, Jesse, and Damon spoke and understood the natural language of each world. This could apparently be extended to other things like animals in general, but Jesse hadn't figured that part out yet.
"Hm? Do I know you? Have you come to confess your love to me?" Asuka teased the blonde, Violet simply glared at her, dark caramel eyes shining with conviction. It surprised Asuka, seeing such a sincere look in the other girls eyes, it seemed she had already placed her trust in her.
"No, but it is related to that, Asuka, about Kumiko, and what she just said to you." Violet said, Asuka raised her eyebrows in surprise, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Oh? You were eavesdropping were you? What a naughty girl!" Violet shook her head.
"I was, and… why did you act that way? Kumiko was being sincere with you. I know that look both of you have, because I used to have it too. I hid behind that cheerful smile, that same one you have. I let it drop for the person who was interested in me, but you didn't, why?" Violet demanded, Asuka deflated, but only let it show slightly.
"You really shouldn't get involved in things that don't involve you." Asuka scolded the older girl, who glared at her.
"You shouldn't hide. Get back there, and tell her how you really feel! You said you only loved the Euphonium right?" Violet asked, surprising Asuka, that was… A long time ago, could she be referring to the practice session way back when? "You also said Kumiko was a Euphonium, or had a Euphonium like personality. Therefore, you love her." Violet declared, Asuka let her smile drop.
"So what if I do? I'm moving on, and she's staying there… I wasn't lying when I said I would see her again though, I had planned on it, just… later."
"Screw that. Make a real effort this time. I'm only here to give you a push so you don't miss out. Live without any regrets, that's the whole reason Kumiko found you… Do it for her, just… You'll lose her if you don't act fast. She could very easily end up with someone else." Violet said, truth be told since time had passed so differently here, they had spent a majority of the school year here, mostly popping out for a quick mission, finding that not much time had passed since they had left. In Virtuoso City time, it had been around two years since she had left.
"Maybe that's for the best."
"Shut up. She want to be with you, if she wanted to be with them, she could have found them instead, but no, she rushed around trying to find you, ever since the competition she's felt lonely without you. I know you feel that too, just don't miss out." Violet said, Asuka let out a sigh.
"You really are a pain. But I suppose you have a point. I presume you are coming with me, or are you going to resume stalking me?" Asuka asked, with a smirk, Violet laughed a bit.
"I never stalked you, at least not in a creepy way." Violet told her, as Asuka turned around, Violet went up next to her, and the two walked back to the school Asuka had just graduated from. When they arrived they saw Jesse talking with Kumiko about something.
"I really do have to go…" Kumiko said, as she tried to walk away, Jesse was running out of things to keep her here. Luckily Violet was right there, Jesse let out a sigh of relief, as he saw Violet, and Asuka. Kumiko followed his gaze, still clutching the notebook tightly against her chest.
"There she is…" Jesse muttered, as he smiled apologetically at Kumiko. "Sorry, I had to keep you here for so long." He apologized before going to stand next to Violet, who had stopped, as Asuka strode towards Kumiko, who just stared at her, nearly crying.
"Asuka-Senpai…" Kumiko spoke before Asuka reached forwards and grabbed Kumiko's face, with both her hands. The younger girl just stared at her, as Asuka smiled.
"I came back because I wanted to promise that we will see each other again, this is not goodbye…" Asuka said, looking back to Violet who nearly squealed in delight at the scene. Jesse just rolled his eyes, and crossed his arms. Asuka looked back at Kumiko, and smiled at her genuinely, letting her mask slip off her face once again, just for Kumiko. "Plus, I forgot something important. I love you, Oumae-Chan." Asuka confessed, Volet smiled, and yawned.
"You… You do?" Kumiko asked, not sure if she was really hearing it, but when she looked up at Asuka, she saw a real, genuine look of affection, and love. Not the playful mask she put up, or the apathetic look she adopted usually, but real love, and kindness. Asuka nodded, smiling wider at the girl.
"I do. I almost was stupid enough to leave. But I wanted there to be no regrets, I want you to know I'm serious when I say this isn't goodbye. You said you wanted to hear me play, right? Well, I promise I'll play for you, on one condition." Asuka said playfully, letting go of Kumiko's face, the younger girl just blushed at her.
"What is it Asuka-Senpai?" Kumiko asked, slightly nervous. Asuka was being playful, usually it meant she would tease her mercilessly.
"Tomorrow, we will go on a date." Asuka proclaimed, causing Kumiko to blush heavily, and Violet to squeal loudly, before Jesse placed his hand over her mouth. "So do we have a deal?" Asuka asked as Kumiko did her best impersonation of a fish, before she jumped when Asuka poked her, still smiling. Kumiko shook her head, and looked up at Asuka, before she nodded.
"Yes! Of course I will go on a date with you Asuka-Senpai!" Kumiko swore, Asuka smiled at the girl, and pulled her phone from her purse.
"I don't believe we've ever exchanged phone numbers, have we Oumae-Chan? Well, never too late for a change, is it?" Asuka asked, Kumiko shook her head, before she realized something important.
"I don't have my phone with me! It's in my bag!" Kumiko exclaimed, Asuka just smiled and laughed a bit, patting Kumiko on the head.
"What am I ever going to do with you Oumae-Chan? Well, come on, let's get your bag then, you can put that notebook in there too, while were at it." Asuka said, Kumiko nodded. "Well, then I guess I have you to thank for…" Asuka stopped, as she turned around, expecting to find the blonde girl, and her friend, but no one was there. She merely hummed, and shook her head. They had helped her regardless, and she would be forever grateful to them.
-Aftermath- Gummi Ship- Several Minutes Later-
"Are you satisfied now?" Jesse asked, as the two walked through the ship. Damon had gotten she ship ready for them, and was elevating at the moment. He was waiting until he got off World to deactivate their cloaking. They had been there for a longer while than usual.
"Yup. I just really wanted to see how that played out. Glad we got to see it through." Violet said, Jesse hummed, with a smile. It was a good relaxation period, especially with all the Intel he was able to gather, and piece together. He had been receiving periodic reports from Kya about the New Guardians of Light. The trio would pop up and disrupt a fight they thought could break out in worlds, before they returned to the world of Hibike Euphonium.
"Me too. Seeing, and living in another culture for an extended period of time was a refreshing change of pace. Especially compared to the Gummi Ship." Jesse said, Violet nodded, with a smile, as the two of them entered the cockpit. Violet sat in her chair, while Jesse sat in his, bringing up several Holo-Screens, Violet did the same. Damon left the Worlds atmosphere, and turned the Cloaking off.
"It was fun." Violet said, smiling at Jesse a bit, Jesse merely glared at her, he knew what she was going to bring up next. "Plus you went on a date!" Violet exclaimed happily, Jesse simply shook his head.
"It was not a date, first of all, it was research. Second, I still don't think I need to be in a romantic relationship at the moment, I need to focus on organizing our fight against the New Guardians, and Children of Darkness, and any jobs that come up." Jesse told her, Violet simply shrugged, not really caring one way or the other, Jesse was making progress, and that was what mattered to her.
"So, we got a destination Violet?" Damon asked, Violet simply shrugged.
"Not really. Jesse wanted to leave, not me. I could live in that world, and supervise their relationship forever." Violet said, Jesse simply shook his head.
"Creepy." Jesse said, making Violet glare at him, he ignored her, and looked to Damon. "I do have a place we could go. I heard of an operation involving the Children of Darkness, something that could lead to discovering where their base is." Jesse told him, Damon nodded.
"Violet?" Damon asked, Violet hummed, before nodding, she wanted to find them, so she could avenge her parents. "Okay, send me the coordinates." Damon said, Jesse nodded, and shifted his Holo-Screens around, before sending Damon the coordinates, Damon smiled, and put them in, before the ship took off, speeding through the space between worlds.
"Hey, Jesse, would you mind if I trained?" Violet asked, Jesse hummed, and shrugged.
"It would be nice for you to get some training in, it's been far too long since you trained efficiently." Jesse said, Violet simply laughed at him.
"You say that like I did no training while we were staying in Japan. I did a little something, quite proud of it too, really outdid myself this time." Violet said, with a large smirk. Although her words sounded like she was boasting, her voice had nothing but pure confidence, and assurance in it. Jesse hummed, perhaps she did train some, but when, he hadn't noticed.
"Then let's see it." Jesse said, Violet nodded, the two got up, Violet looking to Damon for a moment.
"You all good alone in here?" Violet asked, Damon smiled, and nodded.
"Yeah, give me plenty of alone time with my baby." Damon said, rubbing the steering wheel. Violet shuddered.
"You try and fuck the ship, and I'll support you, and your life choices, just know it's fucking weird." Violet said, Damon laughed at her, before the two walked out of the cockpit. Going into the training room, Jesse putting the sensors on Violet, before she went into the training room.
"I'll make it like your usual training." Jesse said, Violet nodded, a determined look on her face, as she summoned Oathkeeper, from her Key-Chain, getting into a fighting stance as several Holo-Shadows appeared around her. The energy in her eyes betrayed the rest of her composure, she was calm, ready for anything.
Violet spun Oathkeeper in her hands, and took a step forwards, killing she Shadows quickly, as more formed around her. She smiled, and dispatched them with a cautious, yet bored ease. They were too easy for her, but she was aware that one misstep could screw her over, even if she was confident, she couldn't let her guard down.
As larger, and more powerful Heartless appeared, she smiled, and Oathkeeper was enveloped in a bright light, before several Heartless were blown away in a blast of blue Fire. When she Light cleared around Violet, she was holding a shiny silver Euphonium in her arms, with light blue, and Yellow lines trailing up the sides, with a Heart engraved on it. From the bottom a Keychain was hanging.
Jesse hummed, this was interesting. He had thought her abilities only translated to fighting, but it seemed she could imitate most things by sight alone. Violet looked like she was having fun as she tried out her new Keyblade transformation, another bright Light formed, and Oathkeeper took the form of a trumpet, with a very similar design to the Euphonium she had formed before.
She blew the Heartless away from her, with various forms of magic, as her fingers shifted, as if she was playing a beautiful melody. She hadn't taken a single hit so far, and was keeping a steady pace. Her pulse, and demeanor seemed to be normal, she had improved dramatically, her posture was perfect too, not a single movement of hers was wasted.
She reverted Oathkeeper to it's normal shape, and began fighting in her usual style and stance once again. She slashed through one Heartless, using that momentum to swing about, flipping in the air, and placing her hand flat against the ground, spinning, before kicking one Heartless, after infusing her leg with Blizzard magic, that froze her leg a moment, and shattered the ice the moment she connected.
As she swung around, she planted Oathkeeper into the ground, and used it to push herself back up onto her feet, she let go of her Keyblade, and shot a powerful torrent of Thunder magic at the Heartless in front of her, before she recalled her Keyblade, and sliced through the remaining Heartless around her. Violet jumped in the air, and formed a barrier around herself, before shoving Oathkeeper through the bottom, and unleashed a powerful burst of Firaga, the blue flames surrounding her in her little bubble, and eliminating most Heartless in the room.
Violet stopped her fire spell shortly after, observing how only the strongest Heartless remained, Invisibles, a couple Wyverns, and a smaller Behemoth. She smiled, and spun Oathkeeper in her hands as her barrier was about to vanish, as all the Heartless charged at her.
"Reflectara!" Violet yelled, and suddenly her barrier exploded all around her in large flashes of Light. When everything was finished, Violet stood alone in the room, smirking, as Jesse simply shut the simulation off. He was very proud of Violet, and happy to see that confident, strong attitude she had when fighting. She had improved in basically everything.
-Aftermath- San Fransokyo, Protectors of Balance Base of Operations-
"Miss Rose, I have the information you requested." Vani said, as she handed over some papers, Rose looked up, and nodded. She looked exhausted, and generally unhappy. The only one in the room right now were her and Vani, Fiona was at the house, resting. Rose took the papers, and examined them for a moment.
"Finally got their names… Vani, do you mind going on another mission for me?" Rose asked, Vani shook her head, she knew where this was going.
"You want me to take their information to Violet. What exactly would that help? Would she not stage a desperate attempt at revenge?" Vani asked, Rose nodded, with a distant look.
"That's exactly what she'll do. But, if she found out on her own, we wouldn't be able to know when she moved, and how to help in time, she would surely get herself killed, and we wouldn't be able to stop it. However, if the information comes from us, we know that she knows, we can track her, and help her after that, regardless of if she wants that or not." Rose explained, Vani hummed, and nodded.
"I understand. This information will force her back to Virtuoso City, where we can get Yuri to make sure she doesn't get herself killed… It's smart move, probably the only option to ensure her safety." Vani said, Rose hummed, and shook her head.
"Kind of. Yuri refuses to read her mind, but that doesn't mean he cant follow her. Plus Ruby will most likely call me and tell me, Zen would let me know since he sees anything that's not on our side as a threat… Basically we'd have multiple eyes on her, but it's mostly to get her back to Virtuoso City, with her there, Victoria will know, Kya will know. Judging by what the three have been doing to the New Guardians of Light, and Children of Darkness, they will want to eliminate her, both leaders, in person." Rose said, Vani nodded.
"That's when we strike." Vani said, narrowing her eyes, Rose nodded. "How would we kill ZaZick?" Vani asked her, Rose hummed.
"Got no clue honestly. If my dad could barely stop him before, with loads of help… I don't know how much we could do to him. Even with Violet, Kya, myself, you, Jesse, Damon… We'd need a miracle to beat him. My dad was strong, and he said that in the end ZaZick would always be leagues above him."
"I believe we could have a chance… But only with immense help. I don't know if fighting him would be worst the losses we would take. A pyrrhic victory is not something we should celebrate." Vani said, Rose nodded.
"I know. But I do want to stop both Children of Darkness, and New Guardians of Light from functioning. Once that happens, the Protectors can safely disband." Rose said, frowning a bit. Her father started this group to protect people from two extremes, and though he took extreme measures from time to time, it was all to protect the worlds.
"There's something else, isn't there?" Vani asked, Rose nodded, before letting out a deep sigh.
"Vani, I know you were my dads right hand… His sword, while Mom was his shield. I want you to tell Damon what really happened with his father. There's no point in lying to him about it anymore. Better to hear it from you, than for him to find out himself." Rose told her, she didn't want that weight on her anymore. Whatever her father did, he did, there was no hiding or denying it. Might as well own up to it, and try to make things better, to protect the worlds.
"Very well. How shall I find them though?" Vani asked, Rose hummed, and grabbed a few papers, looking over them.
"Judging by their previous history, they should be planning to attack a nearby Children of Darkness operation, as they've been doing for the past few months. The one with the technology is the most likely, it's the most beneficial to the organization as a whole, and a bigger target because of that. It's also not too far from the world they've been staying at." Rose said, Vani nodded.
"I shall set off immediately." Vani said, Rose nodded, and the former assassin walked out of the room. Rose let out a heavy sigh, and shut her eyes, falling back into her chair. She rubbed her temples, this job was too much sometimes. She didn't like it, but it was the only option she had, Zen couldn't lead, and Ruby was too young, and apart of the Guardians of Light, as she had called them, being directly under Kya, and following her, instead of the rest of the New Guardians.
Rose, Vani, and Fiona had managed to keep the Protectors together, and functioning even after Zack's death, and the change in the base of operations. Fiona had been extremely helpful after a year of Zack being gone, she couldn't mope around forever, but there was always something missing with her, a warmth that had always been there, was now replaced by a hollow feeling.
Vani had relatively kept the same job she had over the years, gathering information, and acting as a in-between with Rose, and the rest of the Protectors. She eliminated threats with frightening efficiency, and had Intel that had saved, and kept the Protectors on top of the competition, and also out of the way enough that they were never directly found out, or targeted.
Few knew of Rose's location in San Fransokyo. Kya seemed to know, but didn't care one way or the other, the Protectors, or at least Rose was an ally to her, along with Yuri. Violet, Damon, and Jesse knew, finding out from Rose sending Damon, and Violet a message, Damon was a Protector after all, and Violet was a dear friend to her. If ZaZick knew, he hadn't considered her a threat, because she was left completely alone by him.
Rose let out a sigh, and looked at her desk, several pictures were framed. One was Zack holding Ruby in his arms, while Rose stood next to him, holding his hand, Zen stood on the other side, gripping Zack's pant leg tightly. Zack had a big smile on his face. The second picture was of Zack, Fiona, Toni, Kelsi, and Janice dressed in graduation gowns, all smiling and laughing. The last was a picture of Rose in her graduation gown, with Zack hugging her tightly, both of them beaming at the camera.
"I really wish you were here Dad…" Rose muttered, before she smiled, remembering all the happy times they shared together. Rose would be fine, Zack would always be in her thoughts, it would help her get through this, in the end, they would defeat ZaZick, and avenge her father. If everything went well, that is, Rose would ensure that it did.