A/N: The amount of feedback for this story is staggering, and I can't help but be grateful for the big chance everyone has given this story.
As I explained last time, this particular update is a bit of a filler chapter before going back into canon. I figured that Eddie and Moka needed a more in depth bonding moment before being thrown into the rest of the school year and the events that will follow. If you're still interested, I hope you guys continue to enjoy it.
X
In his dorm room, Eddie sat at his desk with a piece of stationary in front of him, a pen twirling between his fingers as he tried to figure out what to write.
His first week at Yokai Academy had ended and it was the start of the weekend, and with the things that has happened thus far the host thought it would be time to send a letter back home and let his folks know what's been happening.
Finally deciding on what to say, he started writing;
Mom and Dad,
Managed to get through my first week at this new school without too much trouble. Venom's been behaving, well, as best as he can anyway.
Eddie paused, deciding the best way to word the rest of his letter.
Yokai Academy...isn't exactly the kind of school we originally thought it was. It's nice, don't get me wrong, and the workload isn't any different from my last school. But its the people here that are different.
I can't really say much about it, there's a statue of secrecy involved to protect the students, but you'll have to take my word for it for now.
Classes are going okay, and living on campus is pretty cool too, still miss you guys though. I even made a friend on the first day, a girl named Moka. She's kind, sweet, and from the way she studies, very smart as well.
And since I know that dad is grinning like an idiot over your shoulder while you're reading this, mom, I'll say this now. She's just a friend. Though I will admit she's cute and you would like her within minutes of meeting her.
"At least you're willing to admit that she's cute." said Venom.
Eddie rolled his eyes, "Among other things." he replied while continuing to write. "Never thought I'd be friends with a vampire, but I've pretty much learned to roll with the punches at this point."
The symbiote came out into the open in tendril form, "She listened to us and is understanding of our situation. That is worth something." The host nodded in agreement, recalling the talk he and Moka had a couple days after the fight with Saizou.
X Flashback X
"So, you're a human?" Moka asked, surprised at the admission Eddie had just given. The two of them sitting in the latter's dorm room for privacy for this particular discussion.
"In a matter of speaking." replied the host from his spot sitting in his desk chair backwards, "I used to be. Something happened a few months ago that changed the way things are for me."
The vampire looked at him quizzically from her own spot on his bed. "But, if you're not human anymore, than what are you?"
Eddie took a deep breath, "It's...difficult to explain. Have you ever heard of the human corporation called the Life Foundation?" Moka shook her head, "It's a genetics company that tasked itself for the betterment of humanity, medicine, cybernetics, space travel, anything that would help our species survive if something were to happen to our planet. To the public they were a force for good, but behind the scenes? They were performing illegal experimentation on homeless people they had kidnapped or bribed off the streets."
"Over seven months ago, my mother was working on a lawsuit against the company after discovering incriminating evidence about their dirty dealings. But my dad, who is an investigative journalist, found the files she had and tried to implicate the CEO during an interview. It planned backfired in a bad way, both he and my mom lost their jobs and their relationship fell apart."
"Months later, I got a call from my dad saying he needed help. He was sick, really sick. While I was taking care of him he admitted they he infiltrated the Life Foundation's labs and found proof of what they had been doing, and at the same time discovered that a friend of his who was homeless was being held against her will there...she attacked him like a rabid animal, setting off alarms before she died and forcing him to run."
Moka sat, eyes wide at his story while he continued. "After that dad got sick...but after the first night he got better. Didn't know what had happened but I figured that it was some kind of 24-hour bug. I had no way of knowing that his 'condition' had moved on to someone else."
"Apparently, from what my dad had found out, one of the Life Foundation's space probes ended up crashing into something that was passing by our planet. Crashing back to Earth with unexpected passengers. Passengers the CEO, Carlton Drake, saw opportunities for and wasted no time performing tests on."
The vampiress went to ask what he had meant when a black tentacle slithered out of Eddie's shoulder, a large head forming on the end with a familiar fang-filled grin.
"Hello, Moka." said the symbiote. "I am Venom."
From then, both Eddie and Venom told Moka about the events that had transpired since their bonding. Running from Drake's attack dogs, bringing down the Life Foundation all leading to the battle between them, Drake and the symbiote Riot he had bonded with as a means to bring the rest of their race to Earth.
For her part, Moka took in all the information with almost a child-like awe. Being a species that lived in the shadows of humanity, she had no idea that there existed life outside their planet. To learn this was a real eye-opening experience, even more so as she spoke with Venom in person.
"If you don't mind my asking, what kind of 'alien' are you?" asked the pinkette to the symbiote.
"My kind is known as the Klyntar. Our homeworld is several lightyears from Earth. And as my host has already explained, we're a symbiotic lifeform who bonds to a host to live. In exchange for our...residence, the host becomes stronger, faster, with many other attributes to sustain both our lives." replied Venom
"Do you hurt your host?" asked Moka, a little worried about her friend despite the fact that she didn't think his unusual partner would do such a thing.
Eddie gave Venom a look, "You wanna field that one?" he said, bringing up the incident that happened not long after they had bonded.
The symbiote rolled its eyes, "I told you the issue was fixable."
"You were rotting out my liver!" the host bellowed.
"You got better." Venom replied, dismissing the issue, especially since it was water under the bridge for them..
Eddie silently vowing vengeance on his other while Moka giggled at the banter between the two of them. She sobered up after a few minutes and asked another question.
"Can you tell me more about your people?" Venom looked at her and noticed the pinkette's fascination with its kind.
"To understand more about my race, you must understand or history." the symbiote began to explain. "Long before the universe came to be, there existed only one being who was master of the void. A malevolent deity known as Knull. He was, and forever is, lord of the darkness."
"This was before the Celestials, cosmic beings, mystical and machine like in nature, responsible for the creation of the universe itself appeared. They brought planets to the void, filling them with life and expanding their creations to every corner of the universe."
"Knull, however, was enraged plotted against them for tarnishing his realm. With his powers over darkness, he created a living sword from his shadow, and with it he slayed one of the Celestials by removing their head. This sword, would be known as the first generation of our kind. The first symbiote."
Moka moved to the edge of her seat, enraptured by the tale as Venom continued. "The other Celestials fought back, casting Knull back into the void. Not knowing that he was his realm to control. It was here that Knull used the head of the Celestial he had killed as a forge. Empowering his sword and creating a suit of armor with the cosmic powers of the being he had slain. With this new power at his disposal, he waged war against the remaining Celestials with the intent on devouring the light they had given the universe."
"But he was outmatched, beaten and sent to a desolate world where he lost his weapon and forced to live in solitude. But Knull was determined on his quest for genocide. Using his newfound power, he created an army of symbiotes with the intent of conquering other planets and consuming entire civilizations."
"This went on for centuries, until a powerful symbiote that had been sent here to Earth had been destroyed by a god from another realm. This event caused the connection between Knull and his creations to be severed. With his hive-mind destroyed, the symbiotes ended up bonding to benevolent hosts that taught them honor and nobility, causing them to question their creator's methods and eventually caused them to rebel against him."
"Countless symbiotes all over the galaxy returned to where they were spawned, fought against Knull and imprisoned him within a massive planetoid made by their own bodies, sealing him away indefinitely. This is where the name of our species was made. Klyntar, in your dialect, means 'Cage'."
Venom paused for several seconds, allowing the pink-haired vampire to absorb the information before continuing again. "Our history is passed down to each generation of symbiote since the first was spawned. Our ancestry being carried along with us from the moment we are sired. It is both a blessing, and a curse given what we once were."
"Wait," said Moka. "You said that your kind imprisoned Knull for what he was making you do, why would you all try and take over Earth?"
"The comet that encountered Drake's probe was not our entire race, is was a kind of splinter cell that still believed in Knull's vision. Led by Riot who wanted to follow in our creator's footsteps." explained the symbiote. "I was part of this cell, because among my kind I was considered...a bit of a loser. I thought leaving our homeworld would help me find a purpose. Then I met Eddie, and he showed me that this world could offer me so much more than anything Riot and his Zealots could. I chose to fight along side Eddie and put an end to the invasion before it began."
Eddie picked up the conversation from there, "We have been bonded since that night. Two beings, sharing one body and mind." he motioned to the pinkette's rosary. "Guess that's something we all have in common."
Moka touched the accessory in thought before looking back at the duo in front of her. "To me, it doesn't matter what either of you are. I consider you both my friends." she said while smiling.
Both host and symbiote smiled back at her, glad that they at least had someone who was understanding of their situation.
They all continued talking after that for a while longer, none of them noticing that the red gem of her rosary glowed faintly, her other side having heard their conversation as well.
X Flashback End X
"Good to know she has such an open mind." said Eddie as they thought about the discussion. "And our talk in regards to humans seems to have helped her overcome at least some of her misgivings.
"Progress." said Venom in agreement, turning his gaze to the letter his host was still writing. "How much shit do you think your dad will give you when he hears about Moka?"
"Mom should keep him in check for the most part. I think they'll just be happy that we're doing okay." replied the teen as he finished and put the letter in an envelope and set it aside before leaning back in his desk chair.
Despite what ended up happening to Saizou, no one really seemed to mind that he was gone, or even really asked about it. Eddie found this strange, then again the rules for monster society were probably different when it came to assholes trying to go after others.
"Not like he was a big loss anyway." said Venom after sensing his host's thoughts.
"I agree, it's still unnerving that everyone seemed to overlook that someone simply vanished without a trace." replied Eddie. Shaking his head, he for up and stretched before going into this room's kitchenette...only to find the cabinets and mini-fridge empty.
"Right...still gotta do a bit of shopping." the host muttered. "Guess a trip to the school store is in order for today." Heading for the door, he paused and looked out his window to the other building next to the boy's dorms where the girl's dorms was located.
A flash of pink hair catching his attention and reminding him that Moka's room was on the same level directly across from his. From where he was standing, he could see the vampiress sitting at a small vanity brushing her hair.
Smiling, Eddie felt his other come up beside him. "We could ask her to come along." Venom offered. "Give us an excuse to spend more time in her company."
The host gave a half smile.
X
Moka sat down at her desk and began brushing her hair, straightening the last few knots. Her rosary glinting in the sunlight that was cast from the open window while her mind wandered to other things. Mainly about a certain male friend she had made.
The pinkette had never felt so happy to finally have a friend that she could trust and confide in. And she had found not only one in Eddie, but in Venom as well.
Granted, she had never even considered the idea of other life in the galaxy, but to meet one in person, and learn just how vast the universe itself was? The young vampire had been left with a great deal to think about.
Then there was the knowledge of everything her two friends had been through. Being reminded of why she didn't trust humans that well, especially with the horrible things the people at the Life Foundation had done to innocents. But at the same time she decided to keep an open mind and not judge all humans the same, much like Eddie had asked her to the next time she met one.
A soft blush dusted Moka's cheeks the more she thought about her friend. Her heart doing flips when she thought of his smile and carefree persona whenever they were together having lunch or just enjoying the peace of a quiet day. For someone who stumbled into a completely different world outside his own, he was taking everything surprisingly well.
Then she remembered how he and Venom defended her from Saizou. Fighting toe to toe with the larger student to keep her safe. It warmed her heart, even now. To her, Eddie Brock was a kindred spirit. Giving his all for the sake of others no matter what happened to him. And his 'partner' was pretty much the same way...
Well, mostly. Venom seemed all too eager to bite someone's head off every so often. But Moka didn't feel the need to judge given the different kinds of monsters that live in their society that were far worse.
"Thinking too hard?" Moka yelped and jumped up from her seat. Spinning around to see a grinning Eddie sitting on her window sill, casually leaning against the frame as he fought not to chuckle at startling her.
"Can you please not do that?" she asked putting a hand over her chest and trying to slow her heart rate.
The host held up his hands, "Sorry, next time I'll knock." he said hoping down to the floor. "I came by to ask if you wanted to go to the school store with us. Gotta stock our kitchen for the week before classes start again.
Moka smiled at the offer, more than happy to spend time with him. "Sure, I'd like that."
Leaving the dorms and following the path that led back to the academy, the duo headed toward a small building set up at the edge of the campus close to the cafeteria. The school store was open to everyone and had a decent surplus of things both students and faculty could use.
Both Eddie and Moka had gone there a few times for one reason or another and had gotten to know the students that ran it. Today a girl their age with blonde hair and yellow eyes was sitting at the counter reading a magazine.
"Hey, Mel." said Eddie, getting the girl's attention.
"Hey Eddie, Moka. Anything new?" asked the other student.
The host shrugged, "Nothing changed but the weather." he replied, causing the pinkette beside him to giggle as they made their way toward the back of the store.
"Are you looking for anything specific?" asked Moka as they browsed the isles.
"Don't forget the tater tots and chocolate!" Venom demanded, already salivating at the thought of the odd, yet satisfying, snack the Klyntar had grown addicted to.
Eddie rolled his eyes and caught Moka looking at him oddly, "Venom's got a thing for tater tots dipped in chocolate. Don't ask, I try not to think about it too much."
"Sounds...different." the pinkette replied, while at the same time wondering how something like that would taste.
As they went about filling a couple of baskets with things they needed for their respected dorms, the two friends heard a disturbance coming from the front of the store and peered out of the isles to see two older male students in black uniforms wielding kendo sticks harassing Mel.
"Your payment is overdue." said one of the males strictly.
"Look, we haven't made enough sales since the beginning of the year. We can't keep doing this and hope to keep the school store open." Mel pleaded.
The other male slapped his kendo stick on the counter, making the girl flinch, "That's not our problem. Either you pay, or we'll close this place down. Your choice."
Eddie narrowed his eyes before looking back at Moka who looked troubled at what they were seeing. "Be right back." he said, setting his basket down and making his way to the counter as Mel was attempting to open the register.
A black tendril launched from his arm and grabbed one of the uniformed students by the back of his neck before flinging him backwards. His body crashing against the wall and making his partner spin around.
Seeing what became of his friend, the other male swung his kendo stick at Eddie who brought his arm up to block it. The wooden sword hitting his arm and shattering on impact before the host grabbed the other student by the head and slammed him on the counter before tossing him in the same direction as the other thug, the two crashing into each other and landing in a heap on the floor.
Approaching them, the host changed into his full Venom form and loomed over the two thugs.
"You're making a mistake, pal." one of the thugs growled. "Who the hell do you think you are?"
The symbiote grinned, "We, are Venom. And we think you both have overstayed your welcome." the beast rumbled before grabbing the front of their uniforms and dragging them into the air...
X
Several minutes later, Eddie and Moka both left the school store, a stunned Mel at the counter behind them with a couple bags in their hands. "Do you think they learned their lesson?" asked the vampiress.
"Hard to say, but they might think twice before trying to rob that place again." replied the host as they made their way back to the dorms. "Sorry about that, but we couldn't just sit by and do nothing."
Moka smiled at him, "It's okay, you both used your abilities to help others. That's not something you see very often."
Eddie shrugged, "Mom told us that we had to be responsible with what we can do. We got all this power, why not use it for something constructive every once in a while."
The pinkette nodded in agreement as they continued their walk, occasionally glancing at the young man beside her every so often with a light blush on her face.
Behind them, the two thugs were knocked out and bound to the wall of the school store by what looked like black webbing with the words 'Venom was Here' written out with the same substance for all to see.
X
A/N: Eddie certainly is already making a name for himself.
I had to alter the origin story of the symbiotes a bit to match up with the storyline of the movie, it wasn't too much of a stretch, but I hope it fit the bill with what fellow fans might have had in mind for this particular talk between Eddie and Moka.
Going back to canon next time folks, and a familiar busty bluenette makes her appearance as well. So be prepared.