Wear the mask long enough...


Days until the end of the world: 29

"Long live the Queen!" the priest lowered the crown atop of Kisha's bowed head and Yuha clenched his hand almost imperceptibly around his throne's arm. His other hand holding the white-haired princess…nay, Queen's own.

The woman over whom a surprising chance had come over in these past few hours.

Her gaze sharp, focused, and a new fire blazing within her, or rather, roots and stones and dirt forming massive pillars of will, or at least, that's what it felt like to his God Ki enhanced senses…

A new power blazed within the woman alongside a new, orangecrystal necklace fastened around her neck.

This new power bought at a heavy price.

It seems her time in 'communion', whatever that meant, bore fruit.

"Long live the Queen!" shouted the crowd of their people from below, and as the priest stepped back, Kisha turned and flashed him a small smile, her eyes softening a tad. Even if the hurt and the new steel like will remained visible behind her smile.

So, it would seem that despite whatever she did? The old Kisha remained underneath it all, and at that, a tension he didn't know he was holding dissipated, his shoulders relaxing a tad as he hesitantly smiled back.

Good. At least…at least that's something. After all, I made a promise to your cousin, one that intend to try my best to keep…


A couple hours earlier:

Tired.

Trefor's first thought, first impression upon seeing the Earth King, his…his late aunt's husband?

He looks tired. Diminished. And indeed, in contrast to the larger than life presence that had all but ordered a ceasefire and the cessation of further hostilities through raw might alone?

The now much smaller man, still garbed in the same coat and clothes, if ones somehow shrunk, gazed back at Trefor from atop Earth throne.

"Welcome, Fire lord," the pink-haired, pink-eyed man said, inclining his head towards him as Trefor made his way towards the base of the throne, passing by column after column, but for once, he didn't bother to glance or pay any attention to the scenes painted on the building's wall or engraved on the ceiling as his feet echoed across the marble floor.

His steps the only thing breaking the somber silence.

He had more important things to deal with.

"Hail to you, oh Earth King," he offered in reply, coming to a stop below the throne's steps and crossing his arms, and the man sighed, seeming to slump.

"If it's all the same to you, I'd prefer it if we could drop the formalities, after all, in truth? I'm but a consort and, I guess now, something of a regent, a support pillar for Kisha until she finds her footing. So, if it's all the same to you, fire lord? Call me, Yuha, or Zero. Your choice…" the man said, and rising from his throne, quickly climbed down the steps.

Trefor arching an eyebrow as the man, the slightly shorter man, came to a stop, flashing him a weak smile and offering a hand.

Better than I was expecting For Trefor knew little of the man in front of him, and with his stench? He'd been expecting something, someone much worse.

Someone who'd perhaps seen an opportunity and was about to take advantage of it to further his ambitions.

But, Trefor's senses and instincts rarely failed him.

A good start. Let's see if you're merely sprouting the words or actually mean them though.

Trefor clasped the man's forearm in greeting.

"A roman handshake, eh?" Yuha asked and Trefor blinked, eyebrows furrowing, for he'd heard the word before, but…

"That's ancient history."

And Yuha snorted at his implied question, giving an answering firm squeeze of Trefor's wrist and letting go, shaking his head as he did. "And, in a sense, it wouldn't be inaccurate to say that I'm a piece of ancient history as well."

"…you confound me, kinsman."

"Ah, apologies. Call it a bit of self-deprecating humor if you will. But in answer to your implied question, let's just say that back when I was younger, I liked to hunt and study obscure bits and pieces of history, amongst other things…"

"Is that so?"

Yuha nodded. "Yes, but, I'm by no means an expert. You'll find that my 'education', if you will, sports massive gaps. Ones big enough to…pardon, but the majestic dragon lady, was your mother, yes?"

"Yes?" he asked with a blink at the non-sequitur.

"Good, then I won't be making a fool of myself. As I was saying, my knowledge is spotty and has gaps big enough for your mother to fly through."

Despite himself, Trefor snorted and crossed his arms.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that, kinsman. You've yet to see my mother fly, she's…let's just say that unless it's one of the rare times she deigns to pay attention while doing so? She's more likely to smash through something than go around it. Even if it would be quite easy for her to do so."

"Ah…"

"Indeed."

For a few moments, silence reigned, and then Yuha sighed.

"That's all well and good, but, tell me Fire Lord, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Yuha said, fixing him with a fiery gaze. "Unless it is imperative, or you are here to help Nisha, Kisha, and the rest of my…my people…" the man trailed off, and to Trefor's senses, what he perceived as the man's fire, sparked, roaring from a few embers to a full on blazing bonfire, a bonfire that shone with truth.

A tiny smile stretched across his lips for but an instant.

"The answer to that, depends upon you, Yuha."

"Me?" the man asked, confused. "Forgive me, Fire Lord, but before today I've not met you or your people before, I don't think."

Truth.

He resisted the urge to smile again.

That's…that's a relief.

"So, if it's some perceived slight, or offense? I apologize, but, can it wait?"

"No," Trefor said, shaking his head, causing the man to sigh.

"Of course not. Why would I get a break now when I've never gotten one before," the Earth King said, a growl of frustration leaving his lips as he glared at Trefor. "Very well, if it is some sort of fight you wish for, I'll oblige you, but. Would you at least be amenable to doing so far away from here and my people…and preferably away from wherever your people reside as well—"

Truth.

It would seem that his mother had been right for once. This man might not be what he feared after all.

"No," he said again, and Yuha blinked.

"Pardon?"

"You misunderstand. I do not seek a fight."

Well, depending on what you are? That might be a lie

"Transform, Yuha."

"You mean—"

"No, not that massive white-haired berserker state of yours. I mean your energy. Surely, you know what I'm talking about?"

And Yuha groaned, raising a hand and pinching his nose.

"I believe I have a suspicion, yes." And, closing his eyes, focusing for a moment, the Earth King's power rose to something almost impressive. Shifting as it did, enough to nearly vanish from Trefor's senses, hanging there at the edges of his perception. "There, that's what you wanted?" the now slimmer purple-haired man asked, and Trefor breathed a sigh of relief.

For up close, his senses didn't, couldn't lie.

"Well, there's no denying it. You are a god," he whispered.

Just not the one I hunt, nor the one I feared and the one who I'll see dead.

"I've seen enough. I'm satisfied. You may release your transformation," he said.

But then again, I can't be blamed for my mistake either. From a distance, pure divinity can easily be mistaken for the corruption, the stench of that…that thing.

Yuha snorted, crossing his arms. "No, I don't think I will," the man said and Trefor smirked, inclining his head.

For it would seem his counterpart had a spine and would only humor requests up to a point.

"Mmh, I know I've been a…tad impolite, kinsman. But I had to be certain."

"About what?" the man asked, tone clipped, and Trefor shook his head.

"Before I answer that, one last question."

"Very well, I will allow it."

A spine and contrary to appearances, a short temper.

"What do you know of the accords and the Great Seal?"

At that, Yuha's building anger seemed to be quenched, and the Earth King sighed, shaking his head.

"As I said to…to Shivara a couple days ago? Less that I probably should. Just what she told me, if I'm being honest."

Trefor sighed, eyes downcast and away from the godling.

"I was afraid of that." Meeting Yuha's eyes again, he forced a smile. Forced, for, Jill might have had a point when she said that he and smiles didn't mix.

I'm trying, okay?!

"Call me Trefor, kinsman," he said at last. "And, if you could please share what my aunt has already told you?"


So, some kind of test, was it? Yuha wondered as the black-haired, blue-eyed man, tried to smile. Emphasis on tried, for the scarred man's cheek muscles coupled with his short stumble…

Yeesh, like watching a T-800 trying to smile.

Still, the wariness and danger emanating from the tall, messy-haired man had lessened. And so, Yuha inclined his head.

"If you wouldn't mind, could we talk outside? I've grown weary of staring at these empty walls for the last couple of hours."

"Of course, kinsman."

Nodding in thanks, and stepping past the barrel chested man, Trefor's dark plate armor clanking as the man fell into step beside him. They reached the temple's entrance, and, Yuha pushed open the double-breasted doors and they stepped outside.

The sound of the distant artificial waterfalls streaming down from above reaching their ears, and as they stepped near the lip of the almost vertical cliff, Yuha looked down at the rest of the sprawling glimmering jewel encrusted city surrounding the hill upon which the temple-palace rested.

"Impressive"

"I know," he said in answer to Trefor's whisper as the man came to a stop near him, and for a few moments they took in the sight, Yuha even closing his eyes and inhaling the curiously cool air mixed with the scent of dirt and moisture, no doubt a result of the artificial water sources. "And to answer your earlier question…" glancing at the Fire Lord, he shared Shivara's words.

The man who could turn into something like Ifrit growing troubled as Yuha continued to speak.

"That so…" he said instead once Yuha finished.

"Yes."

"That is…" the man sighed, reaching with a hand and massaging his nose. "Less than what I was hoping for."

And Yuha shrugged, staring out across the city under his protection. "Probably, but, and perhaps it was foolish of me to do so, I resisted Shivara's attempts whenever she tried to inform me about the whole business with the crowns and the seal," he flashed a bitter smirk towards the black-haired man. "You see, as I've already told you." He nodded towards the city below. "I'm their king by necessity and so as to help restore and protect what I nearly destroyed. I'm not a king, not in truth. I'm but a regent, and so, as a fool, I thought: 'the less I know the easier it will be to not get attached and leave when the time came.' Foolish…" Yuha said with an explosive sigh.

Trefor hummed, the clinking of the man's gauntlets rubbing against one another as he crossed his arms reaching Yuha's ears.

"Perhaps, perhaps not. Still, I'm satisfied with what I've seen of you so far, kinsman. And thus, your ignorance is no longer something which can be excused. Be allowed to continue," Trefor said as Yuha faced him, and the fire lord nodded. "Still, as you've said, now. Today. Is not the time for all this, so, to your earlier suggestion? About a fight? I agree."

"Pardon?"

"Fear not," Trefor said, shaking his head. "I merely wish to test you, you and your Master—"

Yuha's brows furrowed.

"Master?"

"That blond teacher of yours, the one my mother…" Trefor groaned, shutting his eyes and taking a deep breath. "The one my mother was courting, or attempting to do so, earlier today?"

"Ah, King."

"Pardon? King Of what?"

"Ah, no. That's his name, King."

"Weird," Trefor murmured and shook his head. "But I digress. If you are amenable. If time permits, I await you and your Master in my realm in three turns of the moon. For I need to test your strength and to share with you more about what you should know."

Yuha opened his mouth, and stopped. Taking a deep breath, before nodding.

"Very well, barring something more pressing coming up, I see little reason to refuse. But, why do you wish for me to bring King as well?"

At that, Trefor, the fire lord brimming with conviction just moments earlier, eyes radiating intensity?

The man tore his gaze away from Yuha, and seemingly admired the city below.

"Well, as your old Master and no doubt companion in the fight to come, it is only proper that he is…how do you overworlders put it? Ah, yes. 'In the loop' as well, no?"

Yuha's eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second, before some of Shivara's past words relating to the crowns and what the urges inherent in wearing one, coupled with how Trefor's mother had acted earlier today…

It clicked.

And he resisted the urge to snort.

You sly dog.

"Very well. I'll see what I can do," he said instead. Besides, King wanted a girlfriend, did he not?

Besides, as a good 'pupil' I need to look after my 'master's' wellbeing, do I not?


Hiiiii! Someone's plotting something, something horrible! Hiiii!


"That's about all I can ask, isn't it?" Trefor said, and, closed his eyes, raising a palm in front of his chest and, after a brief moment of focus, a tiny ember sparked into existence, the blazing little ball condensing until it formed a tiny orange crystal.

A crystal which the man passed to Yuha, making him blink as the crystal felt curiously cool.

Huh. I expected it to feel hot.

"It's a way to contact me," Trefor said as Yuha raised his eyes to meet the blues of the fire lord. "So we can arrange transportation and…"

The black-haired man raised a hand, coughing into his fist, glancing at a small rock by their feet, a blush on his cheeks.

"What is it?"

"If…if you have any questions about your…'job', let's say." Trefor nodded at the tiny crystal. "Don't hesitate to call. While I've little doubt our kingdoms have massive differences, as one not-king to another…"

Oh, sweet Marika! The T-800 is back!

"I can offer you some help and suggestions if needed."

"My thanks, but—"

"Yes?"

"Can Kisha be counting on that same support?"

At that, Trefor's horrible smile widened, as did the glimmer of happiness behind his blue eyes. "But of course, if my little cousin needs help, she needs but ask, or send a message."

"Thank you…" Yuha said, clutching the crystal close to his chest and, willing it so, fashioned a tiny protective glass around the crystal, one attached to a golden necklace.

And Trefor snorted, making Yuha blink.

"What?"

"I recognize that look," the man said, and, raised his palm in front of his chest again, focusing, and producing another crystal, which he passed to Yuha as well. "Give one to my cousin if you must, but, keep one for yourself as well, yes?"

Yuha glanced at the rock Trefor had been looking at a moment prior, and coughed into a fist of his own.

"A-ahem, yes…" before he sighed and met the black-haired man's eyes. "Well, I can promise you this, Trefor. Kisha, your cousin? And Nisha? As long as it is up to me? No harm shall come to them."

The man grinned, letting out a satisfied hum and reaching out with an arm, clapped him on the shoulder.

"I'll hold you to that, Yuha."


Present time:

"And that's…that's the gist of it," Sitch said, voice hitching at the end. "That's all we know of 'god', the being Blast had been fighting against for so long."

"Dammit…" Atomic Samurai said, leaning back in his chair, staring at the black ceiling as Sitch, the gray-haired older man in a suit, merely squared the papers in front of him, eyes downcast. "So, the brat didn't let go power go to his head, or at least not just that…"

"That is…" Bang started to speak.

"Useless!" Metal Bat growled, slamming his fist on the dark metallic substance the table was made out of, and Tatsumaki, even if remaining silent, had to agree. "What are we supposed to do with that? An extradimensional entity, stronger than most everyone here, perhaps even king," Bat said, inclining his head in the stoic man's direction. "And one who can empower beings, create servants…well, what are we supposed to do with that? Or how are we supposed to strike back at it if only Blast…" Bat swallowed. "If only Blast could even reach it…"

A nervous silence fell around the table, as the gathered heroes and stuff glanced at one another.

"All I know is that it will die," Sweet Mask hissed, the man's face contorted into an ugly visage of rage, veins pulsating all over his normally handsome face.

"Yare yare, that is—"

"Yuha probably had…has an idea," Tatsumaki said, speaking at last, tone contemplative, as her co-workers turned towards her.

"Tornado?" Sitch asked.

"His recent actions, his fear in regards to 'god' as he pleaded with all of us yesterday as well the as his words to King?" she said, inclining her head to her love's gruff master. The man, in a rare fit of good will, having seen fit to share the fact that before they arrived to fight off the invaders, her boyfriend had been worried. "I'm almost certain by this point that Yuha is an untrained precognitive."

A cacophony erupted around her and with a growl, her eyes glowed, her green aura flaring to life.

"Silence!"

"Anyway, as I was saying," she said, continuing as if it didn't just bully everyone. "The signs are all there, and coupled with Yuha's latent psychic powers, the ones he's still refusing to properly train—"

"You're a brave man, rookie," Metal Bat said, clasping his hands and sending a prayer heavensward. Making her growl and a green spectral palm to appear behind the youth, dope slapping him. "Ow!"

"Quiet from the peanut gallery," she said, muffled snickers erupting around her, both from the heroes and the support stuff, although, they stopped the moment she turned to face the ingrates.

Only to start again behind her back.

"Anyway, judging by Yuha's almost frantic desire for strength, his nigh suicidal training regiment and his curious insistence to avoid needless bloodshed. Coupled with his constant attempts, if yesterday was any indication, to foster and forge alliances?"

Sweet Mask's eyes widened, and his eyes sparked with understanding.

"He's preparing. Gathering allies," the man murmured, as if a long-standing piece of a mystery puzzle slotted into place at last.

She looked at him with curiosity and nodded.

"Indeed. That is my suspicion as well. He somehow caught glimpses of yesterday's invader, probably everything most, or at least a great of what happened in the past month…as well as—"

Tatsumaki shuddered. "As well as 'god' and its proclamation of 'judgment'."

The silence returned as everyone pondered Tatsumaki's words and her suspicions.

"But if that's the case," Puri~Puri said, none of his usual silliness in sight. "And given how strong Tatsumaki's cutie is—" perhaps she spoke too soon. "Then how?" the silly smile slipped from the man's face. "How strong must this 'god' be? After all, Blast…" Puri~Puri's arms digged into the metal of the table, curving deep grooves, filling the room with the sounds of tortured, scraping metal. "Blast fell to that monster woman. This 'Crusadermon' who apparently was but a servant of this 'god' and the woman that Yuha, the invader and Bang's cute pupil fought together for a time, before Yuha, after blooming due to his grief, destroyed her."

"Alongside half the planet," Atomic Samurai grumbled.

"Yeah? At least we still have a planet and are still alive to appreciate that," Metal Bat said and besides him, Zombieman, nodded, taking a puff of his cigar. "Cause if those three had failed, if Yuha had failed? I'm not sure we'd be here talking about it or that I'd have to be here listening to you farts when I could be consoling my girlfriend!"

Zombieman removed the cigar, blowing a cloud of smoke, and making Tatsumaki grimace, waving away the offensive stench. "The kid has a point, Atomic."

The swordsman just sighed and fell back, crossing his arms.

"I hope you're right."

Tatsumaki snorted, once again drawing everyone's eyes.

"If you're still worried that Yuha intends to become some sort of Emperor? Don't," she said, shaking her head. "I am, like Bang, and King before him, the man's teacher, at least in psychic matters, and as someone who has touched his mind? Let me tell you, he has little desire to be some kind of god or emperor, no," she sighed and glanced at the dark ceiling.

Why is everything black and moody? We're the Heroes Association, are we not? What were the designers of this place thinking?

"Behind his conscious thoughts? Yuha…yuha constantly emanates a feeling of self loathing," she said, crossing her arms. "If I'm reading his emotions correctly? Coupled with his words to me about being a symbol of peace, of hope? Then, despite his strength? He probably thinks he's a fraud, a fake all the time." At that, Superalloy curiously squirmed. "And he no doubt continues fighting for the sake of us all, for the people that look up to him, to us."

Atomic glanced at her with wide eyes, the man's toothpick falling from his lips.

"That is…"

She sighed and uncrossed her arms.

"What I'm trying to say is that there's little chance of Yuha going mad with power. In fact, I daresay, if we suggested to him he take Blast's spot due to his power? He'd try to weasel out of it, or only reluctantly do so if he can't avoid. And probably feel guilty as well—"

"That seems similar to my own analysis, lady Tornado," a quiet voice said, and she blinked, focusing on a black-haired man leaning in close to Sitch.

"You're—"

"Steven, just a lowly clerk, my lady," the man said, causing most every hero to snort.

'Lowly clerk', my perfectly shaped ass.

"Well, if everyone's so sure…" Atomic sighed. "Then I hope I never have to tell I told you so, but, putting the matter of 'god' and Yuha being either a glory-hound or an insecure wreck to the side for the moment, what about our 'visitors'?"

That's a good question.

Sitch, at the head of the table, let out an explosive sigh.

"Still the same as before, the same as yesterday. They remain hovering, cool, if courteous in their responses to our messages, but little more than that."

"And their leader?" Tatsumaki asked.

"The same, he continues to remain on the sight of the battle, apparently meditating or something of the sort? I'm afraid I have little more to offer than that."

Irritated grumbling erupted around Tatsumaki. She didn't join the clamor, even if inside she felt the same.

Yuha…come back soon, yes?


"M-must you really go?" Kisha asked, her big blue eyes verging on the edge of tears.

Yuha raised an arm, cupping the girl's soft cheek, Kisha leaning in his touch, closing her eyes.

"I have to, I'm afraid. But, fear not. I'll be back soon," he said and the new Queen let out a shuddering breath, nodding, and flashing open her eyes. Conviction blazing within them.

"V-very well," she said, her voice taking on a regal air, or at least attempting one. "I'll hold you to your word, h-husband…" her breath catching and with a sigh, Yuha stepped close, wrapping his arms around the girl.

"Eep!" causing her to squeak and fret, even if before long she quieted down, and her own arms wrapped around him, a sniffle reaching his ears as he drew pack, patting her soft white hair, the hair whose smell reminded him of morning dew.

"Stay strong, my…my Queen, I won't be gone long," he said, winking and, raising two fingers to his temple, focused, and after a few seconds of searching, getting a lock on to his target, vanished.

And it's the truth, even, he mused as he reappeared on the surface, underneath the invading ship's shade and near the sight of the battle, surprised gasps from the various crews working the sight reaching him. Cause for at least those first few days? The girls are going to need all the support they can get. And Nisha at least has Bat, Bat who I'll have to teleport back down after this. But Kisha…

Yeah, he'd have to try and be her pillar. For despite being utterly unsuited to the task? The poor girl had few others to turn to.

Dammit

"So, you've returned, then," the invader's voice said from a few feet over, and Yuha glanced at the man seated amidst the ruins. "Have you come to—"

"No, Boros," he said, shaking his head. "This has little to do with you, I merely appeared here cause you were nearest," he said.

"Ah, is that so…" the alien said, nodding and closing his eyes once more.

And Yuha, not feeling, or desiring to talk more with the man, spun about and made for the hole. The hole which…

As he closed in on his goal, reaching out with one arm, he raised the barrier tape, stepping past it and came upon the rim of the black abyss.

Glancing down, he nodded.

I promise you this, Shivara, as long as it's up to me? Well, I won't see anybody else end as ashes… His eyes fell to a small piece of Shivara's flower, a tiny bit of stone surviving Crusadermon's onslaught apparently. Kneeling down, he picked it up and placed it inside a pocket on the inner part of his coat, standing back up. Let's fight together from now on, yes? Goodbye my love

Closing his eyes, taking a shuddering breath, and ignoring the gasps and pointed fingers of nearby civilians, he reached deep inside him, to a place where everyone else had something, but a place—

Heh, I guess my girls are free of it to, as well now

A place normally reserved for a limiter.

Help me. He ordered simply.

And the swirls and distant voices of fates and who knows what else seemed to dance in confusion. Point me towards him. Help me, he said again, and after some trial and error, pushed his mental image, his desire into that void with which they could commune with one another.

The point serving not only to fuel his limitless strength, but also, confirming it with his new senses, ensuring that, like a bald man of a different timeline, he'd always find himself at the right place at the right time if he but listened.

But this time?

This time, the roles were reversed.

The spectral seas churned, and after a few instants, replied, not exactly with words, but with an answer all the same.

And Yuha grinned, for he now had what he needed.

Pushing off the ground, his aura flaring around him, he blasted through the skies, and in a relative short amount of time, following the beacon in his soul, he found his target.

Lowering back down, landing in front of a door, he knocked, his knuckles rapping against the metallic gray door, a door which promptly opened up with nary a hiss, and he stepped in, automated defense systems trailing his movements as he walked with unhurried steps through the hallway, until at last he entered a somewhat spacious laboratory, the hum of fans and hard drives spinning alongside drills and other instruments joining together into an almost pleasant background noise as the smell of oil and lubricant reached him.

"How can I help you, young man?" a cautious, if kind, voice asked.

And Yuha bowed his head.

"Dr. Kuseno, I presume?"

"The very same, yes."

"My good doctor, I've come cause I need your help, the fate of the world, nay, the universe itself may very well hang in the balance," Yuha said and the old man blinked.

That's right. I can't do this just by my lonesome, or rather…perhaps I could, but, the risk would be too great. For I very well might fail. And if that happens, then who will defend the innocents? No, I can't risk that. Better that I end up a bit weaker in the short term but everyone else grows strong enough to help me and, if I die, they are able to pick up the torch…

"Oho? Those are some scary sounding words there, young man?"

Yuha smiled a mirthless smile and nodded. "I know how it sounds, but," he reached up with his left palm and with a bit of focus, a tiny little drill burst into existence, wavering in and out of reality as it did.

"Fascinating."

"If I may have a bit of your time, and explain?"

"Very well, young man, take a seat," the old scientist said, pointing to a chair near him, and Yuha did, starting to speak, the scientist slowly shifting from interested to surprised to frowning and then to worried as he did.

"What you're asking…"

"I know."

"It will be tough, for I have little idea where to start."

"You'll help me then?"

"Of course, but—"

"Fear not, Doctor, I believe I can help, or at least point you in the right direction…"


and you might find yourself becoming the mask...