A/N: Welcome to the first chapter of the All Worlds Alliance Missions - CROSSOVERDOSE! Sorry that took it a while but the new story is here! First things first, this storyline is inspired from NamcoxCapcom & ProjectxZone and it will be a pretty lengthy one and probably will last for either 20 chapters or more and it will feature the trouble brewed that occurred during the omake from the pervious chapter of the AWA Stories.
November is here and with a new month comes with new games! Games such as 7 Days of Rose, 9 Years of Shadows, A Castle Full of Cats, A Little to the Left, Against the Storm, As Far as the Eye, Astro Colony, Ballads of Hongye, Beasts of Maravilla Island, Beneath Oresa, Bratz: Flaunt Your Fashion, Bravery and Greed, Call of Duty: Warzone 2, Cardfight! Vanguard Dear Days, Caterpillar, Cats and the Other Lives, Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising, Creature Lab, Cthulhu: Books of Ancients, Cult of the Lamb - Blood Moon Festival, DarKnot, Do Not Open, Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom, Drakensang Online, Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Bloody Ties, Edengate: The Edge of Life, Espresso Tycoon Prologue: Underwater, Evil West, Fabular: Once Upon a Spacetime, Flat Eye, Floodland, Football Manager 2023, From Space, Garfield Lasagna Party, Ghost Song, Goat Simulator 3, God of War Ragnarok, Gungrave G.O.R.E , Hakoniwa Bokujou Hitsuji Mura, Harvestella, Honey I Joined A Cult, Horse Tales: Emerald Valley Ranch, How to Say Goodbye, Just Dance 2023, Kids VS Parents, Killing Floor 2: Blood and Bonfires, Kingdom Under Fire: War of Heros Gold Edition, Kingshunt, Let's Sing 2023, Lonesome Village, Lunistice, Malice, McPixel 3, Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten, My Fantastic Ranch, Nikke: Goddess of Victory, Nobody - The Turnaround, Orbital Bullet - The 360° Rogue-lite, Paper Flight: Speed Rush, Pawsecuted, Pentiment, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Police Simulator: Patrol Officers, Pro Basketball Manager 2023, Reknum: Fantasy of Dreams, Robo Legend, RoboCo, Roboplant, RWBY: Arrowfell, Shadow of the Guild, Shatter Remastered Deluxe, Ship of Fools, Sifu, Silver Nornir, Smurfs Kart, Somerville, Sonic Frontiers, Soulstone Survivors, Space Tail: Every Journey Leads Home, Spellbook Demonslayers, Starsand, Sumikko Gurashi: Minna de Rhythm Party, Super Buckyball Tournament, Surviving the Aftermath - Shattered Hope, SympathyKiss, Tactics Ogre: Reborn, TFM: The First Men, The Chant, The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me, The Entropy Centre, The Knight Witch, The Lost Village, The Past Within, The Samurai Collection: QUByte Classics, The Unliving, This Way Madness Lies, Totally Accurate Battle Simulator, Traha Global, Valkyrie Elysium, Vampire Survivors, Vayan, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, WRC Generations – The FIA WRC Official Game, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA and ZERO Sievert are the ones I'm looking for playing this month and forward.
Number01BlazblueFan - Interesting.
And with that done, let's get this chapter on the go!
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters appearing in this fic except if it's my OCs which rarely makes an appearance.
-Somewhere in the Multiverse-
AWA Starship, AWA Academy
Travelling across the stars, the AWA Starship is currently making it's way towards a certain world, passing-by other starships and various planets on the process. Inside a wide & spacious dimly lit room located somewhere in the AWA Academy, we see a number of people gathered around on the floor, sitting on zabutons of various shapes, sizes and colors.
Amongst those present inside the room are Aki Nijou, Albert "Chamo" Chamomile, Alex Louis Armstrong, All Might, Alucard, America, Android 18, Ange Serena, Anna Hibiki, Arsene Lupin the Third, Asuka Amahane, Asuna Kangoshi, Aty, Chifuyu Orimura, Chiharu Hachiya, Chloe Chronicle, Cranky Doodle, Dave Satou, Doctor Shamal, Dr. Franken Stein, Encierro Atsuji, Father Banjou Sakura, Fred Flintstone, Gen Tagayashi, Ginko the Mushi Master, Gintoki Sakata, Grandpa Butler, Granny Smith, Hideo Shimazu, Histoire, Holo, Hong Kong Phoeey, Howl, Ibiki Morino, Jiraiya, Johnny Bravo, Kakashi Hatake, Kaoru Shimazaki, Katy Caterpillar, KAYOKO, Ken Mayuzumi, Kenjirou Isshiki, Kenshin Himura, Komatsu, Kotarou Katsura, Kurogane, Kyoko Minazuki, Lilith Asami, Maes Hughes, Marcel the Clown, Max Tennyson, Maya Yamada, Misato Katsuragi, Momoko Yachigusa, Mr. Hackington, Mr. Rotter, Mushirou Haryuu, Naoto Suzukawa, Negi Springfield, Neuro Nougami, Nicholas D. Wolfwood, Nightmare, Piccolo, Raido Namiashi, Raigree Balheart, Rayleigh Silvers, Refill Sage, Riza Hawkeye, Ron Simmons, Roy Mustang, Saaya Kiseki, Seras Victoria, Shamal, Shouta Aizawa, Son Goku, Spike Spiegel, Summer Rose, Sunny, Tabane Shinonono, Taizou Hasegawa, Takamichi T. Takahata, Tamagorou Miwa, Tamaki Enjouji, Tatsuma Sakamoto, The Engineer, The Goddess of Incineration, The Heavy, The Medic, The Scout, The Sniper, The Soldier, The Spy, Toadsworth, Tomika Amato, Toushirou Hijikata, Tsukuyo, Ursula Callistis, Van Grants, Vash the Stampede, Vegeta, Yamato, Yoruichi Shihouin, Zatouji and some characters that are yet to be introduce.
And standing right in front of everyone is Brannew with a green-colored board behind him and a table with a projector in front.
"I think everyone in this room are already aware that we're dealing with a very serious problem right now." Brannew reminded, "A scale that affected nearly the entire multiverse." he emphasized, "And this problem is about different people disappearing without a trace from their respective worlds and finding themselves stranded in another world." he revealed, "Including those from New Normal Earth." he added.
Max facefaulted, "Great." he uttered in annoyance, "We have yet to finish rescuing the purchased slaves from the Slave Fortress and now we had to deal with this shit." he grumbled.
"And both problems involves traversing the entire multiverse." Doctor Shamal added in agreement.
Brannew sighed in response, "I know it's troublesome, I really do, but we must uphold our duties as heroes of making things right in the multiverse." he beckoned, "So, that's why the higher-ups decided that we should act and save these people from all across the multiverse and bring them back safely to their respective home worlds." he revealed, "Fortunately for us, we managed to archived coordinates of every person living in New Normal Earth and the different worlds under our protection, so locating them would easy." he said in reasurance.
"That's kinda creepy." Chamo commented.
"And that's coming from a creepy ermine." Misato uttered with a blank look.
"Hey!" Chamo exclaimed in annoyance.
"Chamo-kun, please calm down!" Negi advised in panic.
"And while every person living in New Normal Earth and the different worlds under our protection will be an easy find, we still have to look out for people from other worlds unfamiliar to us, so I advise that we keep a look out for them." Brannew stated.
"Just what the heck is going on?" Ursula uttered in concern, "How did this even happen?" she questioned.
"Are the Apostles even responsible for this?" Seras assumed.
"Fortunately for us..." Brannew uttered, "... according to Damascus, the Apostles are not responsible for this and it seems like they're also caught as well in this problem." he explained.
The Scout raised an eyebrow, "What's the catch?" he inquired.
"Unfortunately for us and still according to Damascus, the Apostles decided to take this chance to create havoc." Brannew answered rather bluntly.
The Scout raised his hands up in disbelief, "Oh, fuck!" he cursed.
Spike facepalmed, "Can't believe those idiots would take advantage of this situation." he grumbled in annoyance.
"It's the Apostles we're talking here." Yoruichi pointed out, "What do you expect from them?" she questioned.
"As I said before..." Brannew uttered, "... we're now tasked to save these people from all across the multiverse and bring them to their respective home worlds safely." he reminded, "Every available personnel are allowed to participate in this task." he revealed, "Including interns but they're mostly relegated as support." he added, "And since this task involves going around the multiverse, we advised working together in a group or a team of two." he advised.
Goku nodded in response, "Got it!" he acknowledged.
"By the way..." Vegeta uttered, "... how many people are missing in New Normal Earth?" he inquired.
"We did count the exact number of people missing in New Normal Earth and there a lot." Brannew, "Including friends and relatives of some AWA members." he added.
Misato crossed her arms, "I heard that both Shinozaki Shinozaki and Azusa Nakano's relatives went missing as well." she shared, "And both of them are very livid." she revealed.
"Understandably so." Aty pointed out.
"Anyone missing from our side?" the Engineer asked.
"Everyone in AWA is counted for." Brannew answered when he remembered something, "Except for one." he corrected.
Maya flinched in surprise, "R-Really?" she stuttered in response, "One person here in the AWA is missing!" she exclaimed in concern.
"Who is it?" Chifuyu asked.
"Check the student roster in your tablets." Brannew beckoned, "The student highlighted in red is the only missing AWA member at the moment." he stated.
Everyone responded by taking out their respective tablets and then checking out the student roster, and upon seeing the identity of the missing AWA member, their eyes widen in shock.
Katy facefaulted in disbelief, "Why did it had to be HIM of all people?" she questioned in annoyance.
-BREAK-
The scene then changes inside the Dimensional Gateway Lobby where we see everyone getting ready for their mass rescue mission all across the multiverse.
Indigo Zap is seen adjusting her fingerless gloves before letting out a few punches on thin air and right next to her, Rock Lee wraps his hands with bandages and when he is finished, the Beautiful Green Beast picks up his fedora from a nearby crate, putting it on his head and then smiling in anticipation.
Chisato Shion is seen adjusting her guns before taking notice of Duncan Nelson getting ready by doing a stationary jog on a treadmill with earphones on while Fumikage Tokoyami is seen ironing his cape with a clothes iron on an ironing board, much to her disbelief and bewilderment.
Somewhere in the lobby, the Grim Reaper is seen sharpening his scythe using a grinding wheel stone while Asbel Lhant, Lloyd Irving and Ayano Kannagi waits for their turn. And right behind them, we see Akeno Himejima, Koneko Toujou, Rias Gremory and Yuuto Kiba having a conversation when Issei Hyoudou and Asia Argento joins them with Koneko punching Issei on the nuts for some reason.
Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez then arrives in the lobby with a can of beer in hand, he took a sip of his drink and upon finishing it up dry, he crushed the can with his left hand and then tossing it into a nearby trash bin. The blue-haired Espada then walks past Maka Albarn and Soul Eater Evans, both are sitting on a crate with the former reading a book and the latter yawning in boredom, Grimmjow then proceeds to join Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, Orihime Inoue, Uryuu Ishida, Yasutora "Chad" Sado and Renji Abarai at one corner.
Right next to a pile of crates, we see Manny Taur sharpening his horns with a blade, Valt Aoi adjusting his beyblade and Grell Sutcliff cleaning their chainsaw. And right next to the unlikely trio, we see Gilly Blue, Ichirou Inuyashiki and Jousuke Higashikata having a conversation when three figures stood before them.
The first figure is a young man with a below-average height and slim to medium build, he had a light shoulder-length blonde hair that curls up at it's end and he had light-blue colored eyes. He wears a wears a light-blue knit cap that is printed with many small five-pointed stars with his hair sticking out of holes on either side of the top and a horseshoe hangs from the front; framing an image of the dark silhouette of the profile of a horse's reared head. He wears a light-blue colored star-patterned light-colored hooded short-sleeved top with printed thick lines in the approximate formation of a harness, a long feather that emerges from under the back of his collar and wrist cuffs patterned with stars and stripes. He wears a light-blue star-patterned pants and light-blue shoes. This is Johnny Joestar.
The second figure is an old man with a tall stature and muscular build, he had a short gray hair and sports a thick well-trimmed beard, and he had light-colored eyes. He wears a light-brown trenchcoat over a yellow-collared shirt, brown khaki pants with a black belt, blue-colored boots, white gloves with dark wristbands and a brown Fedora with a black band. This is Joseph Joestar.
The third figure is a young man with a tall stature and muscular build, he had a black messy-slick back hair and green-colored eyes, he had a strong jaw and bold eyebrows. He wears a visored ornamented cap which is torn at the back and blends with his hair, he wears a roughly mid-calf-length black coat with a standing collar and chains attached over a gray muscle shirt, black baggy pants with two colorful belts wrapped around his waist and black leather shoes. This is Joutarou Kuujou.
"Good day, Jousuke, Mister Blue and Mister Inuyashiki." Joseph greeted while tipping his hat.
The trio turns to them, "Good day as well, Joestars." Ichirou greeted back with a smile.
"Do you need something?" Jousuke asked.
"The boys and I were tasked to go to Tremble Town in search for missing people." Joseph answered, "We we're hoping that you could join us since the town is pretty big." he stated, "That is..." he uttered, "... if you guys already had a task in mind." he assumed.
Gilly shook his head, "No, we had nothing in mind." he confirmed, "We we're actually discussing which group should we join in this mass rescue operation." he shared.
"I see..." Joseph uttered in acknowledgement, "So, how about it?" he asked.
Ichirou nodded in response, "Alright, we'll join you." he accepted in behalf of his companions.
"Then let's go meet the rest." Joseph beckoned.
The newly-made group of six then made their way across the lobby when Jousuke decided to ask a question.
"Who else are coming with us in Tremble Town?" Jousuke inquired.
Joutarou sighed in response, "Believe it or not..." he uttered, "... Duo Maxwell and Tsukuru Kagaku are part of this group." he revealed.
Gilly cringed in response, "Oh shit..." he cursed, "We're gonna get fucked up, I'm sure of it." he claimed.
Johnny facefaulted in response, "I think your overreacting." he pointed out in disbelief.
The group of six then walked past-by Akira Yuki, Aleister Crowley III and Alejandro Burromuerto whom are having a conversation in front of a vending machine and right next to them, we see Aleksandra "Sasha" Ivanovna Pokryshkin and Winry Rockbell adjusting Hikari Karibuchi, Naoe "Nao" Kanno and Nikka "Nipa" Edvardine Katajainen's respective Strikers.
As this is going on, we see Ichika Orimura having a conversation with Yuuta Asaba and Barazou Mankanshoku when Laura Bodewig and Lingyin "Rin" Huang joins them and right behind this group, we see Andy Bogard, Bandeiras Hattori, Bender Bending Rodriguez and Chouji Akimichi gathered around a pillar with the former two flexing their arms and the latter two drinking beer and eating burgers respectively.
We then see Akari Acura, Chaika Bohdan, Chaika Trabant, Fredrica and Tooru Acura entering the room and then meeting up with Airi Arcadia, Celistia Ralgris, Krulcifer Einfolk, Lisesharte Atismata, Lux Arcadia, Noct Leaflet, Philphie Aingram, Shalice Baltshift, Tillfur Lilmit and Yoruka Kirihime whom are gathered at one corner while having a team meeting.
On another part of the lobby, we see Katy Caterpillar rallying up an odd group consisting of Chopper Tony Tony, PaRappa the Rapper, Chicken, Don Patch, Rob the Cyclops and two more figures.
The first figure is a relatively large pink pig with a body appearance of a Gloucestershire Old Spots Pig, he had black thin oval-shaped eyes and had m-shaped ears with earrings with the words star boar on his left ear. His body is well rounded and his legs are fairly short, and had a clover-shaped birthmark on his rump. This is Hawk.
The second figure is a small pink spherical creature with two stubby arms, two red feet and two oval-shaped eyes with black pupils, and sports a pair of cheek-blushes. This is Kirby.
"As you all now..." Katy begun, "... this mission may take time to conclude." she said, "Like most missions do." she uttered in annoyance, "... regardless, we must uphold our duties and make sure to rescue every people missing from their respective worlds and bring them back home safely." she beckoned.
Don Patch nodded in response, "I see..." he uttere before pointing a finger at Chicken and Hawks, "But what does the farm animals represent?" he questioned.
"Hey!" Chicken exclaimed in annoyance with arms akiimbo.
"Just let you know that I'm more than just a farm animal!" Hawk declared.
Don Patch raised his hands up in defense, "Take it easy." he advised, "I'm just joking." he said.
"Alright, alright..." Katy interrupted, "... enough jokes because we need to get serious." she scolded, "People's lives are at stake here, we should focus more on that." she beckoned.
"Poyopoyo-poyo?" Kirby asked.
"That's right..." Rob uttered in realization, "... that guy is missing as well." he recalled.
"Any news about him?" Chopper asked in concern.
Katy sighed in response, "No news about him as of yet." she replied, "And while I know that guy can take care of himself, we're talking about this person after all, but I can't help but worry for him." she admitted.
"Poyopoyo-poyo-poyopoyo-poyo!" Kirby declared with a smile.
"Kirby is right!" Hawk exclaimed in agreement, "We'll find him soon enough." he declared.
"And like you said before, we're talking about this person, so I'm pretty sure that he's going to be okay." PaRappa reassured.
Katy sighed once more before smiling, "Alright." she uttered in acknowledgement.
The scene then changes in another part of the lobby where we see Vegeta briefing his group which includes Balalaika, Byakuya Kuchiki, Cerebella, Clare, Frau and Piccolo, and right behind them, we see Hayate Ayasaki, Hinagiku Katsura and Sen Yarizui having a conversation while sitting down on the floor when Ayame Shaga, Ling Yao and Lan Fan made their way towards them.
And is this is going on, we see Nina Sakura, Ayu Tateishi, Yomi Isayama and another figure entering the lobby.
The figure is a teenage girl with a fair complexion and voluptuous build, she had a calf-length rosy-pink hair styled in low pigtails with dark-pink ribbons wrapped around it in a loop and ahoge on top, she had emerald-colored eyes and gray-metallic earpiece. She wears a black-chained collar over a white detached collar around her neck, both of her shoulders is adorned a white & bulky shoulder armor with wing-like designs, her arms are covered with black detached sleeves and are covered by white-colored armored gauntlet. She wears a strapless vest with black linings that shows her cleavage and belly button and wing-like frills, she wears a white pleated skirt, light-blue thigh-high socks, white bulky kneepads, black & white shinguards and black & white boots. This is Ikaros.
"I must say..." Yomi uttered, "... this is quite an odd group we have." she admitted while referring to themselves.
Nina chuckled in response, "It sure does." she said in agreement, "A modern day witch, a tennis player, a vanquisher and an angeloid." she listed off, "Quite an odd combination I must say." she commented.
"I guess it's a lot better than being in the same group as Duo Maxwell and Tsukuru Kagaku." Yomi voiced out.
"I heard that they joined the Joestars group." Nina shared.
Yomi cringed in response, "Okay..." she uttered, "... guess I'll start praying for their safety." she conveyed.
"The members of the Joestar Family are a very powerful individuals." Ikaros pointed out, "They are more than capable of keeping themselves safe." she stated.
"Can their 'stands' save them from whatever mishaps Duo and Tsukuru will brought upon this mission?" Nina questioned.
Ikaros thought about it, "I see..." she uttered, "... I think understand your point." she acknowledged.
"Girls, I'm really worried on how will I go on this mission." Ayu uttered in panic.
Nina then placed a hand on her best friend's right shoulder, "Don't worry, Ayu." she reassured, "I understand that you never been in a lot of missions this big but everything is gonna alright." she stated with a smile, "Plus, you had us with you." she added.
Ayu sighed in response, "Okay." she relented.
"Our group may be an odd combination but we still lack in numbers." Yomi pointed out, "Let's go and meet up with other groups and ask if they need additional assistance." she beckoned.
"I believe joining Miho Nishizumi's group would be a viable option." Ikaros suggested.
Nina nodded in response, "Then let's go and meet them." she beckoned.
The four girls then made their way across the lobby and walks past-by Sena Kobayakawa and Tarou "Monta" Raimon whom are playing a game of catch while abiding time. The scene then panned towards Gareki, Hajime Saitou, Heero Yuy, Kamina and Leorio Paladiknight whom are having a conversation in the middle of the lobby when Libra, Maxwell McGrath and Pit joined them.
Meanwhile at one corner of the lobby, we see Jet Siegel, Juugo Yama and Rex Salazar having a conversation when they took notice of Usopp entering the area.
Oddly enough, Usopp is somewhat overdressed as if he was attending a party. He had his hair tied in a low ponytail and wears a black headband and maroon-colored sunglasses. He wears an assorted of jeweled necklaces around his neck, his fingers is studded with multicolored diamond rings and wears golden-colored earrings. He wears a red-colored sleeveless jersey with the Strawhat Jolly Rogers on it, a black drop-crotch pants with golden-colored chains wrapped around his waist, dark-blue star-printed socks and black & white sneakers.
Usopp then looks around and notice Juugo and his friends, the long-nosed sniper then made his way to the trio and stood before their presence with a rather hard boiled expression.
"The necklace game is put to hold during this mission, right?" Ussop assumed.
Juugo nodded in response, "Indeed." he confirmed.
Usopp nodded as well, "Then I shall surrender the Necklace of Blessing to you for the time being." he said before taking off the aforementioned necklace and then handing it over to Juugo whom accepted it, "But once this mission is over, I'm taking back my baby." he declared.
Juugo smiled in response, "And rightfully so." he accepted.
Juugo and Usopp then shook hands before the latter walks off, the trio watches silently as Usopp made his way towards a certain direction.
"That went well." Rex uttered in amusement.
"Was kinda hoping to see Usopp and the others chasing each other during this mission." Jet admitted.
"Me, too." Juugo said in agreement, "But as much as I love to see that happen, we're currently dealing with a very serious situation at the moment, so I think it's only right that we set aside things like this for now." he stated with his friends nodding in agreement.
Meanwhile, we see Joe Higashi, Skullomania, Scott Pilgrim, Topher Jacot, Mr. Jones, Arisa Narumi, Sayaka Miki, Yoko Littner, You Satou, Ren Nikaidou, Connie Springer, the Scout and Zelos Wilder gathered around while having a conversation when Usopp made his presence before them to which they took notice.
"Hey guys." Usopp greeted, "I'm taking lead." he declared with a serious expression.
As this is going on, we see Gob, Mirajane Strauss and the Guild Girl having a conversation at a large receptionist's desk and right in front of them, we see Gintoki Sakata standing in front of Youmu Konpaku, Shirogane Saiga, Suigintou, Jean-Pierre Polnareff, Gearmon and Silver-Hawk with a look of utter disbelief on his face.
"I can't believe I'm grouping with you guys again." Gintoki grumbled.
Youmu crossed her arms, "Right back at you." she replied.
"PREPARE TO BREACH!" a voice shouted.
Everyone then watches as the Dimensional Gateways are being activated one by one, blue-colored swirling vortex would form within the metallic ring-like structure which leads to various places in different places.
Gintoki let's out a deep breath before making a serious expression, "Looks like this is it." he announced, "Let's go." he beckoned.
And with that everyone began to enter each gateway which leads to their designated destination and as this going on, we see Lelouch Lamperogue and C.C. watching everyone from the far back.
"Godspeed my friends." Lelouch encouraged.
And that's it for the preface of All Worlds Alliance Missions - CROSSOVERDOSE and I hope you all enjoy it. And since following the same vein as NamcoxCapcom and ProjectxZone, I'm going to do five prologue onwards before getting into the main story. Also this is just preface and despite the various characters appearing in this chapter, I'll keep things to myself if these character will be part of the entire storyline or not.
These are the characters that debuted in this chapter:
Johnny Joestar, Joseph Joestar and Joutarou Kuujou are from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Hawk from Seven Deadly Sins
Kirby from Kirby
Ikaros from Heaven's Lost Property
In next chapter will the first of the five prologues, so please look forward for it.
Until then paalam!
Meanwhile in an unknown dimension with a static background and the laws of physics are so warped that there is less gravity and the direction of gravity's pull is twisted and varies all around the place.
Various objects such as TVs, cars, tables and other things can be seen floating around.
And standing on top of a floating tiled platform, we see Derek Padilla looking around in utter confusion. Derek then shuffled four steps to the right before looking around, he then shuffled five steps to the left before looking around.
Realizing his predicament, Derek did the most intelligent action ever... and that is to take a selfie of himself.
Unbeknownst to him, a strange figure is watching him from a far, smiling in joy and excitement at the presence of Derek.