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chapter four – as far as the eye can see (part one)
Summary: "Among other things, you'll find that you're not the first one who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior." [Jack Frost and Elsa. Jelsa. AU.]
Prompt: The quote above, as in the one in the summary is from The Catcher in the Rye. The initial prompt is the fact that um, we live in a society that's clearly damaged but, I wanted something more. See, there's this manga based on the Pokemon games called Pokemon Special and/or Adventures. The arc for BW2 is really interesting and if you have any knowledge of it whatsoever, then you'll understand what I mean.
A/N: Another chapter filled with…lots of research. This time, inspired more by other things, and of course, other Disney characters will be in it! I hope you enjoy it :D And PS, this chapter is brought to life because of one of my old addictions. If you look through my profile, I wrote fanfictions for Peter and Wendy and one of them is about gambling and cards and whatnot so, I get to live out that fantasy once again.
Disclaimer: Don't own anything at all :)
Las Vegas—the city of cards and coins and dices and liquor. It was the haven capital of those who possessed the addiction to everything wrong with the human world – sex, drugs and gambling. But Jackson Overland saw it as his Wonderland.
As a young boy, already exposed to things like such, Jack saw comfort in dealing cards and drinking alcohol. He was never one for simply fucking and never meeting again but, it would be a lie to say he's never done it. Of course, drugs are also important goods exchanged within the black market – Lord knows how much opium Dr. Facilier has sold in the different states of America—much less, in Las Vegas – and that makes it Jack's business.
There are different types of black market traders. Those who mass produce their products, and sell them internationally – more often than not, it is usually the drug dealers and armament traders that do this – and those who hide behind dark alleyways and small buildings, only selling their goods locally. Traders of the black market can also be found in plain sight, selling and dealing their products cleverly through methods that cannot be seen by the naked eye.
Dr. Facilier is neither of these three. As a fourth option, he is a man whose black market activities are hidden from the local community of Burgress, but is titled infamous all across the world. He is a clever man who is able to get off the grid and hide his cash trail, and still be able to perform illegal activities across the globe. Of course, it never is hard to do all these—specially for a former Guardians worker.
Jack admired everything about the doctor – his skills of lying and deceit, and everything he had that made all his crimes possible. But he despised the man more than anything in the world – even more than that pathetic uncle of his.
"Jack!"
Startled from his sleep, Jack immediately turned to his left, grouchy eyes and an impatient frown directed to his best friend, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock.
"We're here!"
"I can see that."
"Aw, come on—I didn't mean to disturb your sleep but, we really have to go. We're the last ones on the plane, and everyone's away to check in to the buses already."
"Okay."
Mind still dazed and blanked from his long nap, Jack stands calmly to pick up his bags from the trunk. Hiccup waits patiently with concerned and watchful eyes.
"Say Jack, are you okay? You've been kind of out of it lately."
"I'm fine." The white haired boy muttered lazily, dropping his bags on the floor, and then picking them up again with the littlest bit of willpower. "Just tired."
"Whatever's bothering you, you know you can tell me all about it, right?"
"Yeah, whatever."
Something was way off, Hiccup could tell. Jack's sluggish movement is more than enough of an indication that something was clearly bothering him – he didn't even have the heart to properly hide it from Hiccup, and he knows that as a spy, Hiccup was trained to not be deceived by such amateur attempts at lying.
But, with the respect that he's always had for Jack, he suppressed himself from further questioning the boy. He knew all too well that when Jack's like this, it never is anything good—much less, his business to know, anyway.
Dropping the conversation, Jack and Hiccup walked slowly and casually towards the doors out of the airplane, offering small smiles to the flight attendants that stood by them. They made their way down the ramp, to the baggage claim, meeting everyone else from their school at the gates leading out to the buses that would take them to their hotels.
Too preoccupied with his thoughts, Jack never noticed the commotion taking place around him. Hiccup, however, saw the crowd gathering around the gates and quickly identified many of their classmates as part of the group. Grabbing Jack's hand, he quickly sprinted towards the crowd, earning him a loud and confused groan from his white haired best friend.
Arriving at the scene, Jack and Hiccup squeezed their way into the tight circle of students that gathered around two individuals. Finally getting to the front, they see one of their own – black hair and brown eyes, a prankster around school known as Aladdin – facing off against a red haired gentleman with sideburns, wearing a uniform from an all-too-familiar school.
"Southern Isles."
Jack let out, gritting his teeth as he took a step forward, an attempt to get involved and further cause more havoc for the red head kid.
"And you, little wretched brat, keep your hands off of me. The next time you dare to touch me again with those filthy and uncouth hands of yours, I will personally cut them off myself."
"You prick, it was an accident and God knows I wouldn't even want to touch anything of yours, or your stupid school." Gasps were exclaimed and the boy from the school Southern Isles stood gobsmacked with an open mouth and wide eyes, staring straight at Aladdin. "What? You and your prissy school can't take insults?"
Stomping towards Aladdin, the boy growled with his finger pointed accusingly at the black haired boy.
"Listen here you no-good-thieving dirtbag! I'll have you know that I, Hans Prince, is not someone you want to mess with."
Aladdin backs up to his side of the crowd, the finger still pointing at him, barely touching his chest. He smirks and it only riles Hans up as he takes another powerful step towards him.
"Easy there."
Smooth as ever, Jack comes in between the quarreling boys, a playful smile, but dark and heavy warning in his azure eyes. Hans seeing this, and takes a step back, swallowing slightly as he tries his best to hide the fear that struck him, the minute Jack laid his eyes on him.
"Should we all be fighting right now?"
"Yes."
"Aladdin, behave yourself."
"That little wretch started this!"
"Who's the wretch over here?!"
Aladdin charges at Hans, but Jack's arm blocks him, and Jasmine from behind pulls him back – her eyes looked into his with such a plea that he couldn't help but obey.
"I apologize for any inconvenience one of our students caused you."
"Jacks—"
"But, judging from how you're talking to us, you probably deserve it."
"Excuse me?"
"Are you deaf? I said you deserve it. And you know what else? You deserve more."
Things always happen so fast when Jack is involved. In a flash, Hans is sitting startled on the floor, his fingers grazing a red spot under his left chin that had been punched. His green eyes flare the minute realization of what just happened hit him, and he's up on his feet before anyone else could utter another word.
Jack turns his back to Hans, attempting to walk away as he now feels bored and unamused. However, Hans is quick to grab his back-collar and swiftly aim to punch him—but he dodges it. Instead, he successfully pulls Hans by his stray arm, and kick him right in the gut. Gasps surrounded them as Jack backs up with a dangerous glare directed at the now coughing and crawling boy.
"Don't you dare fucking touch me."
"Hans!"
A girl runs to Hans' side, her long strawberry blonde hair braided into two sides. Her blue eyes were teary with concern, and she crouches near him to help him up. She glares at Jack who only stared back with a raised eyebrow.
"Enough is enough! You've had your fun, now leave us alone!"
"Your boy started it."
"And I am ending it, on his behalf."
"Anna—"
"Anna?"
"Hans, don't talk, let's get up and go to the teachers! I'm sure they can treat your injuries."
"Please, he only has a small bruise on his stomach and chin, at most."
"Please shut up."
"As if I was planning to seriously injure a wimp like him. If all your players are like this, how do you even hope to win this year's Festival of Games?"
"Violence does not mean skill!"
"But reflexes do."
Growling, Anna blows a raspberry at Jack, which is returned with a roll of his eyes. She stands up, Hans' arm around her shoulder as they limped towards their side of the crowd. The students all made way for them, most shooting glares toward Jack and other Corona students.
At the back, Elsa sat at one of the metal seats the airport offered, watching as the crowd chattered and dispersed and then gathered once again. Uninterested in all that was going on, she simply observed from afar, listening to their chants and gasps and angry cursing. Merida sits beside her, busy chowing down on her sandwich, also indifferent towards the loud ruckus. Instead, she made her own noises of delight, seemingly enjoying the food.
"I wonder what's going on over there."
"If yer curious, go'an check it out. No harm in 'at."
"I'd rather stay here. It's a little…messy over there."
"Princess dun' want 'er hands gettin' dirty, eh?"
"Well, it's not that."
"Really?"
"Maybe it is."
"See."
"But, other than that, it seems like such a waste of time."
"How?"
"Following a flock of copies and bystanders that are only there for the show, not necessarily because they have any participation in all that's going on—I don't want to be that type of person."
"What're ya? A hipster or sum'hin? Originality's long dead, dear."
"It's not about originality at all."
"'En what?"
"It's about mindless following."
Merida takes a small side glance at Elsa, still chewing on her food. But the look on the blonde's face made her stop for a while, sandwich crumbs stuck around her frowning lips.
"We should—"
Elsa turns to Merida, cut off short at the sight of her red-headed friend whose face stared back at her in confusion. A few moments of silence pass before Elsa erupts into small but elegant giggles. Merida's eyes widen, still confused, and quite honestly, baffled by what has gotten into her normally calm friend.
But before Merida could ask the question, Elsa puts her hand up in a signal to pause, and then composes herself, little breathless laughs escaping her mouth in the slightest. She then takes something from her pocket, a white cloth folded neatly, and then gently wipes the crumbs off Merida's face. The other girl just continues to stare at her in awe.
"You had something on your face."
Elsa smiles, the first genuine smile she's ever given since she started school, less than a month ago. Merida turns to the side, her solemn eyes staring down on the ground.
"Thanks."
"Aw, look at you two cuties."
Startled, both girls turn to look up at a grinning Jackson Overland. Beside him is a sheepish Hiccup, and a smirking Flynn.
"A little girl-on-girl romance brewing in here, ah?"
"What're ye talking 'bout?"
Merida mumbles, eyes once again directed to the ground.
"You better be careful Mer, Hiccup here might get jealous."
"Dick."
"No foul language please."
"You're one to talk Jack, your mouth is the champion of cursing."
"That was a terrible comeback."
"No it wasn't."
Flynn and Jack continue to playfully argue, and Merida jumps in with her own witty retorts. Hiccup stands back and gives Elsa a small smile, and she did too – another genuine smile that reaches her eyes. Turning to check the crowd, she sees that all the people that gathered before have finally dispersed and gone away back to their respective schools with their respective friends.
"And Elsa will be rooming with us."
"Um, excuse me?"
Suddenly pulled to the conversation, Elsa turns her attention back to the group.
"Jack's insisting on taking on the connecting rooms at the hotel. He thinks you'd agree to sleep in a room with Mer beside him and me and Flynn."
"We've one more girl 'ere sleepin' we'us. Depends who she is, an' if she agrees."
"I'm okay with it."
"Told you."
"But, aren't girls and boys separated by east and west wings of the hotels?"
"No."
"Who gave you that idea?"
"I just assumed."
"Nah, they're not that strict here. I mean, the festival is held in Vegas for goodness sakes, can't really get more careless than that."
"Oh, okay."
"Anyway, shall we go to the bus now?"
"Yes, of course."
"Aye, I'm plannin' on takin' another nap on the way to the hotel."
"Same here, I'm beat."
"Let's go then."
Flynn, Hiccup and Merida walked ahead, arguing and laughing as they lead the way. Jack and Elsa are left behind, picking up after everyone's baggage.
"Here, let me help you with that." Jack offers, carrying the heavy load on Elsa's side, and handing her the lighter ones. "Wouldn't want you to overwork yourself, princess."
"Why is everyone calling me that?"
"Because you are one—elegant, poise and regal; you might as well be the queen."
"This whole talk of royalty, this is all we ever talk about."
"Well, you are into fairytales."
"Mother Goose is more than just fairytales, you know."
"I know."
He looks at her, a small smile and clouded eyes. Today she cannot read him – has not been able to, for a good number of days now. But though she's scared of everything he might be hiding underneath his charming persona, there's still something within him that pulls her into trusting him. And she's always been the type to listen to her instincts.
"You ready?"
"Yeah."
54321
Female fatale Megara Lightwood has been sticking her nose into the underworld business for a very long time. Her dark auburn hair lured prying eyes into her direction, and the wit of her smile became a prominent accessory she used to charm petty and drunk little boys—they do not deserve to be called men—into giving her information. Working under the same circuit as Flynn Ryder, she was a dangerous vixen with a cynical mind-set, and a sharp tongue.
The Guardians run a network of information that stretches all across the globe – amongst them include former members of the organization itself—the doctor being one of the few notable examples—as well as other black market traders, and snitches under the guise of regular people working regular jobs. Megara, free-spirited and skillfully aiming for the gold, works as a bartender within local pubs in Las Vegas—her specialty lay between her pretty face, and nimble coaxing.
"Shouldn't you be attending your silly little fest or something, instead of drowning away your mornings and afternoons at a rundown pub in the middle of the gambling capital of the world."
"I'm glad to see you too, Meg."
There was a loud crash that echoed across the quiet room, followed by a bountiful amount of I'm sorry's and metal and glass making cluttering sounds. Megara sweeps a lazy hand across her forehead, eyes rolling and a tired sigh escaping her lips.
"It's not that I don't enjoy seeing your face, Jack—it is a very pretty face, after all—but, it's dangerous to be asking me things in broad daylight, specially when literally anyone from your school could just pop up any minute and hear us."
"Isn't it better though—less people, more privacy."
"Have you ever read The Great Gatsby?"
"Can't say I have—not planning to either."
"Well, I like large parties—Jack—they're so intimate. At small parties there isn't any privacy(1)."
"Are you quoting the book on me?"
"Yes."
"Ha, you're funny."
"Oh, where has the child who once was damned in love with English Literature gone?"
Another crash is heard, along with the same string of noises. This again received a not-so-pleasant reaction from Meg.
"Dude, seriously—what's going on here?"
"It's the newbie. He's still not used to this part-time job so he's been destroying a lot of plates due to his clumsiness. I reckon he's the boss' kindred or something – that's why he hasn't been sacked yet."
"And you put up with that? Never really saw you to be the patient type."
"It's a virtue – and I kind of have to, if I want to keep this job of course."
"Why here?"
"It's the most popular pub in the local area. Vegas has tons of bars, pubs and hotels that acquire a lot of customers, but the best ones always somehow manage to stumble their way here."
"You mean all the murderers and criminals and basically anyone from the underworld."
"They're not all from the other side, you know? In fact, many are just regular people who happen to know a lot, or have seen a lot. It's the best foundation for a base, specially for a snitch like me."
"And you get money out of it, which is good, right?"
"Of course, that's all I am after, after all."
It's the nth crash of the day and Megara has finally had enough. Quickly excusing herself from Jack, she marches towards the source of all the racking noises and clumsy serving, only to come back seconds later with a tall and built man whose orange hair stuck out like a sore thumb—more than Jack's white hair.
"How many times have I told you, if you can't wait on the tables without destroying anything, just stay behind the damn bar."
"But you also told me to not touch anything when I'm at the bar. I really don't know what I'm supposed to do then because all your orders contradict each other."
"Excuse me?"
"He's right, you know."
"Zip it, Frost."
"Sorry."
"And as for you, mister big shot with the big mouth, just clean the bar until it fucking sparkles and shines. That ought to keep you busy 'til I find a more suitable job for you."
"Yes m'am."
The man leaves and Megara heave a sigh of relief.
"Jesus, so early in the morning and the guy's already got me screaming bloody murder."
"It's one, I can hardly call that early."
"Hush you and just get down to business, before anyone else comes and you lose your chance."
"Right." Taking a long sip from his champagne glass, Jack leans in closer to the bar table, hands held together with his chin resting on top. "I figured, it's a bit too late to get out of the bind with my uncle – I don't even know why I tried to in the first place. Nevertheless, I've still got business with that man, so whether or not finding him and uncovering everything about him is going to help me with my situation, I've still made it a personal mission to do just that."
"I think I know where you're going with this."
"Self-proclaimed God of the Underworld, Hades—the man responsible for my parents' death—I want you to tell me everything you know about him – starting from his current location."
"That's ambitious."
"Are you saying you don't know anything?"
"I'm good Jack, but I'm not that good. You overestimate me."
"Only because you deserve it."
"Is that flattery I hear?"
"Who knows."
"Whatever." Setting a bottle of gin and tonic water beside Jack's glass, she leans against the counter, a thoughtful smile playing on her lips. "But if it helps your current mission, I'd be happy to lend a hand."
"Thanks."
"I don't really know much about his current location—the man himself is always mobile, in terms of his work ethics, and life. He's like a ripple in the water, impossible to catch(2)."
"Tch. It's not like I haven't heard that one before."
"But, I can tell you one thing that may be of use to you."
"What is that?"
"Before moving to god knows wherever he is right now, Prince Azure spent a lot of his time in Norway. The guy spends less than three days in one location—never mind a country—so it got me thinking, there must be something pretty special in this place that he couldn't get away from. I know all this because he was pretty much on the radar for almost six months – I could track his every move, and see the pattern he's travelling; the guy was pretty much open for that length of time. It was careless on his part but, it doesn't seem like anyone else noticed, except for me—of course."
"Norway? Why Norway?"
"I don't know. He may be looking for something—or someone."
"Some—"
Realization hit Jack in a flash. Blinded by everything the doctor has told him, Jack was never able to properly arrange his thoughts back in order to formulate a proper understanding of the current situation. But everything was finally falling to pieces—the mystery that was Elsa, Hades and his erratic behavior, and the wrong information sent to the Man in Moon! He never thought that just by following the trail of informants and snitches, he could go so far with uncovering the truth about this damned mission – and be this much closer to avenging the death of his mother and father.
"Jack?"
"Yeah?"
Jack answers breathlessly, his eyes fired with determination, and cheeks flustered red. Meg saw something in him that she hasn't seen in a long time – and now she knows, she's hit the jackpot. Smirking, she tosses a coin to the air, watching it flip and land on the table.
"It's heads."
"With that you get one bonus info from me."
"Please, tell me."
"The Southern Isles has been working hand in hand with one of The Guardians' biggest rivals within the underworld—but you already know that. However, just two days ago, a bunch of their more competent teachers arrived here drunk and talking way too loudly for their own good. I don't know how accurate this information is—they may just be trying to reel me in because they somehow know I'm working under The Guardians. Even so, I think you have the right to know that they've already found out that three brand new students of theirs had been recruits from that organization."
"In their perspective, that may be a good thing. Finding three new recruits mean that they have three different hostages for interrogation which will definitely put them in the lead in terms of finding out what that organization is planning. However, thanks to you Meg, I found something worth ten million more than just three useless recruits. If you look at it through my rose colored glass, you'll see that these runts probably haven't even been baptized with nearly half the information their seniors have. But I have game on the boss. And once the king hits checkmate, the pawns will all tumble down with—oh, his fair gentleman(3)."
54321
Luck didn't just side with Jack in terms of his work, but within the festival of games as well. Always stationed in the gambling capital of the world, it was his playing field and therefore, the advantage has always been in the palm of his hand. But it's not the tricks and quick shuffling that earns him the gold – rather, it was his quick wit and the swift way he dealt with cards that's got him winning two—three, if he manages to pull another win this year—years in a row. The card games were his specialty and dices were his friends—fixed or not, he still manages to pull through.
"Being able to manipulate chance, is a powerful skill in itself(4)."
"You think so?"
It's the sixth game of the day, two more before the finals, and Jack was going through each and every one of his opponents like money spent and burned. Every card dealt to his favor, and every bad situation he managed to turn.
Being told as a child that the shuffling of the cards, right from the very beginning, would determine the winner of the match – it carried on to this very day except, he no longer believed in winning by the shuffler's favor. The sentiment was there, but never in how he played. His mind was set to focus on losing the bad cards and making sure lady luck played by his sleight of hand.
"Two more cards, and if I drop it both—you lose."
The next turn was tense, and the crowd was silent and watching. In Jack's corner stood Hiccup and Elsa. Hiccup was extremely supportive, sparing time to pray to the God above to let his light shine down on this tactless best friend of his. Elsa, on the other hand, though silently cheering Jack on as well, looked up in fascination with the way the white haired boy played his turns. Every move he made seem reckless, but always ending in his favor—she thought him amazing.
"I never knew he was that good with cards."
"Oh, Jack? Yeah, it's always been his forte."
"Really?"
"He's a clever guy, excelling in academia and physical exercise. But, he also has a thing for gambling."
"So he's a natural gambler?"
Elsa deadpans and Hiccup vigorously shakes his head, trying to redeem his best friend's name for the sake of the girl he may like.
"Well, yeah—he does gamble but, it's more than that. Jack is really good with playing with luck and manipulating chance."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
The buzzer sounds, and the host gladly presents Jack as the winner. Not a card in his hand, he waves to the crowd of swooning girls and cheerful schoolmates all screaming in his glory. He's that much closer to another year of victory, and he can feel the pride welling up inside him.
One of the many things there is inside Jackson Overland Frost – beside his underworld persona and mysterious façade – was an avid gambler and a smug boy, only looking for the praise of other people. That's why those around him that know of his true identity felt obligated to shower him with all the hopes for success in these small competitions because they all knew, he was never in it for the job, but he genuinely wanted to play and win for the school. It was one of the only few things he has left to remind him that, he's not really Jack Frost immortal, and a guardian for life, but also Jackson Overland—a normal boy.
Approaching his friends, Jack grins innocently at the two of them, happy to get that little game out of the way. He always found the first seven competitors to be the easiest, and the last three to be the most daring and exciting ones out of it all.
"Jack, that was so great! I didn't know, after all that time, you were hiding a flush under your sleeve! That was terrific!"
"Thanks! I saw him using his trump card early in the game, but I saved mine for the end anyway, just in case."
"You were wonderful, I've never seen someone play with such confidence before, specially with a game handling something as random as cards. You really never know what you're going to get with those things."
"Heh, you're right El. But, it's in my blood to be good at these things. I wouldn't be Jackson Overland if I couldn't win over such an easy guy like that."
"Man, I wouldn't be talking like that just yet."
"Why not?"
"Your next opponent is from Southern Isles and this guy went through his opponents almost as skillfully as you did. I'd be careful Jack, this guy could be dangerous."
"So it's early this year, huh? We didn't even make it to the finals."
"Pardon?"
"Usually, because Corona and Southern Isles are the top schools, we usually end up having to face each other at the finals. But it seems competition really is good this year after all, we'll be butting heads early this year."
"If Southern Isles isn't your final opponent, it's scary to think what your last two will be. To think that this year's shuffle could really make such an impact is just…wow."
"Relax Hic—"
Suddenly disturbed by the beeping of his phone, Jack stops mid-sentence to excuse himself and pick it up – somewhere away from the two, away from Elsa.
"Hello?"
"Ey mate, we have a situation here."
"Bunny?"
"That's right—I need back up."
"What's going on?"
"Some goons working for them somehow managed to crack my alibi and are now chasing me all across the city. I was spying on them whilst they planned a conspiracy heist against their boss when I accidentally went too far and exposed myself."
"Heh, typical Bunny."
"Just hurry up on here, I'm getting tailed and it ain't pretty. I've already called North, he says he's on his way but it may take some time judging by his location so, unwillingly I'm asking you for help since you're the closest to me."
"You sure you should be running away? I mean, they are planning to undermine their boss."
"Yeah, well—not exactly. I'm pretty sure they just did that to lure me in."
"Stupid."
"Just come here already!"
"Right, I'll be there. Just send me your possible location in ten minutes and I'll be there."
"TEN?! MAKE IT FIVE."
"Ten's the best I've got Bunny. If you can't do ten, stall them."
"Right, ten it is."
"Good."
Abruptly ending the call, Jack strolled back towards Elsa and Hiccup who were patiently chatting and waiting for him by the venue's entrance.
"Hey, what was that all about?"
"An errand from one of the teachers."
"Really? Who?"
"Mr. Edmund."
Upon hearing the name, Hiccup subtly stiffens. Although, this did not go unnoticed to Elsa's eyes. However, skillfully trained in the art of deceit, she plays it cool and continues conversing with Jack, only taking small glances towards Hiccup's immobile state through the corner of her eye.
"So I've got to go. I'll leave you in charge of walking the princess back to our hotel, Hic. Make sure to keep her safe."
"Will do Jack."
"That's odd for you to say."
"How so?"
"You've been distant for a while Jack, I thought I did something wrong."
He smiles with a charm that catches Elsa breathless. And then he grabs her hand and kisses the knuckles with the soft of his lips. She feels the familiar heat radiating off her cheeks and she knows it's been long enough since she last felt him hold her, touch her like this. And she can't get used to it—it's the same as that feeling of, never being able to get used to almost dying, no matter how many times she's done it(5). The cynical metaphor only applies to the uneasiness, yet relief, she feels in the pits of her stomach when intimacy between her and Jack is displayed.
"I'll be back soon, your royal steed."
One blink and he's gone, fading with the crowd and the disappearing to the night. The lights burned neon and bright, and the crowd bustles with many, many people—strangers of all types—that she will never meet again. Hiccup steers her away with a peppy conversation, and she laughs despite her absent mind. Because all she can think of is his searing kiss on her sensitive skin, and that look in his eyes that tells her something is changed within him.
Jack skates past the crowd of drunks and make-up filled women whose only destination was heaven beyond compare through the method of class A drugs. His stick is extended beside him, used to stir his way resiliently through the many people, as well as accelerate the pace of his board. Arriving at the agreed location, he arrives just in time to see Bunny jump over the fence and stop at a dead end.
"Got'cha now, ya little snitch."
"Think again."
Jack emerges from the shadows, a smirk plastered on his face, skateboard in one hand and stick in the other. Bunny coughs out disdainfully at his clichéd entrance, but keeps the word vomit to himself. The men just laughed, clearly amused at the appearance of the white haired boy.
"Who's this? You brought a kid as a back up? As if a stick can take us down."
"Yeah. If you're gonna call for help, should've at least called your seniors or something. This little—runt, what is he, a newbie?"
"Sorry to break it to you lads but, as much as it pains me to say this—and believe me, it really does—this guy's no newbie; he's my senior."
A/N:
(1) – The quote is by Jordan Baker who is, by the way, my favorite character from the novel. I think I familiarized Meg's character in here with Jordan's so I felt the urge to put it in.
(2) – This quote is from Fruits Basket and was used to described one of the most complex characters of the manga, Shigure. I'm pretty sure I also familiarized Hades' characterization with his. Specially because of their antagonistic behavior but clever minds that make them loveable. The only difference would probably be, I think Shigure would be smarter and he'd be more anti-hero than villain.
(3) – This is like a subtle reference to London Bridge is Falling Down and instead of fair lady I used fair gentleman and instead of fall I used tumble. The pawns thing is also a reference to an X-Men quote which I may elaborate in the second part :)
(4) – Arc-V quote which is actually highly relevant to the situation.
(5) – Hamatora quote reference.
I feel like I missed out on some so when I re-read this chapter with a fine toothed comb I'll add more. The prologue and chapter one has been re-read!
I know I use a lot of references, and that I take so many ideas from books and animes and mangas that I read and watch. It may seem like because of this, I'm dry or I lack in my own originality but please don't think of it that way. I'm trying really hard to create a unique story, using all the Disney and Dreamworks characters I know, as well as adding a little bit of anime-esque feel to it because I adore anime a lot—as strange as that may sound. I'm not trying to steal other author's ideas – that's why I put in references in my a/n's so that I can be clear to my readers that many of the things I've used aren't just my own. I'm still learning as a writer – something I wish to be when I grow up – and I'm using fanfiction to practice different styles and try out what I can do. I've written a lot of romance based on many different issues and ideas I've conjured up from either reading other fanfictions or books or mangas, or listening to songs – that's how I get my inspiration from. I'm trying to move forward from that to more serious issues and mature plots and embed the things that I learn and love in a lot of my writings so I can express my appreciation for the many wonderful things that I've acquired from many different stories, books and movies. I hope you guys continue to read on, and stay with me to find out how this story ends, and how as I go on, I differentiate all my references to my own actual ideas.
A few things I want to address with you guys, and I hope you comment on this, one is, is the way the conversations laid out too confusing? Like, do you guys not know who is speaking sometimes and does it bother you? If it does, please let me know, I will try and do something about it. Also, the story, is it too slow and too complicated with too many irrelevant things or is it too fast and jumpy and leaves a lot of blanks that you think will never get answered? And lastly, is there not enough Jelsa, to keep you guys going? Please tell me any suggestions you have and I will see to it and better my writing to make it more enjoyable for you as my readers. Any other criticism is welcome, as long as it is not a flame or a rude remark.
A plot is finally brewing and I've almost got everything Pokespe out of the way. In about two chapters, I'll be able to breakaway from the Pokespe plot and try out my own main plot. I hope you guys like it. Jack has found out many things by this point and I know exactly what everything he has learned is leading up to. Making Hades the villain was a difficult choice to make but I finally settled on it when I the whole "God of the Underworld" thing came out. Also, are you guys surprised that Jack is Bunny's senior? That he's a higher rank than Bunny in the spy system which technically means he's Bunny's boss? Oh, and this is a two-parter so in the second part I will explain why the title is as far as the eye can see. But, if you squint at the end, you'll probably get why that's what it's called. Please review with opinions and anything at all, if you enjoyed this chapter or not. Also, I'm wondering how well I did Merida's Scottish accent and Bunny's Aussie accent. If you have any comment on that, I'd also take it :)
PS – Not reread or proof/beta-read! It's eight am and I'm I haven't slept at all yet, and I am freakin' tired.