SZ: 2 years since GSE's been out...and so close to 200 faves and 900 reviews for the main stories.
GT: We are so happy that we've actually got so much in two years! And the development of an actual TV Tropes page, too! That is one of the highest achievements to us!
SZ: and we have one of our biggest reviewers FaizGuy to thank for that!
GT: As well as all you lovely readers for both favoriting and reviewing the story as well as this spin off.
SZ: If it wasn't for all of you, GSE wouldn't be as big as it is today. Granted we don't have that many fanart of it yet but still!
Z0: We own nothing as usual! Story begins! *lifts giant wrecking ball up with one hand*
GT: Uh, Z0? I may have already set something up. *points to behind Z0 where a sign reading 'Marines Drool, Pirates Rule' was hanging above a crushed pile of what had once been donuts and crackers before a shadow engulfs the area* And the old geezer has found it.
Z0: *smacks GT with the wrecking ball for being stupid*
SZ: 0-0...start story.
Monkey D. Garp: YA BUNCHA BRATS! *slams down the island-sized cannonball on the studios*
"Okay...I think I figured it out…" Ken spoke as a video feed began recording.
At present, it showed him looking at a mirror hanging in the living room of their penthouse in Omnitrix Tower, in his hand was a small green orb with a camera lens in the center. He pulled out a device that produced a virtual screen, showing him the same feed as the camera.
"Oh, good. I did figure it out," Ken chuckled as he moved his hand and the orb fell for a moment before floating back up on its own, turning around to look at Ken, "Why haven't we ever used this thing?"
"Because of a thing called phones…" Kokoro spoke, lying upside down on a chair nearby, "Which can also record stuff…"
"Yeah...but this way, you don't have to hold it and can be in it yourself," Ken argued.
"Hmm...No offense, bro...but you got what folks call a 'behind the camera' face…" she smirked.
"Hey…" Ken frowned.
"Calls 'em as I see 'em," she shrugged, resulting in her losing her balance and sliding off the chair and landing on her head, "Owie…"
"You were saying, Dweeb?" Ken smirked
"I hate karma…" she groaned.
"Alright. Your Dad should be back soon with the...Kokoro, why are you laying on the ground?" Makoto asked, walking in to see what was happening.
"Nothing, mom."
"She was hanging upside down from the c-" Ken began before a pillow was thrown into his face, "Oof!"
"Hey hey hey! No pillow throwing," Makoto scolded, "...Don't want me to join like last time, do ya?"
"Gh?!" the two tensed up as they stood up straight, "No, mom!"
"Okay, now second question of the day...Ken...what the heck are you doing with that Galvan camera?" Makoto noticed the floating camera as it tracked her.
"Oh, I'm hoping to make a movie gift for Great Grandpa Max for his birthday," Ken explained.
"And you didn't wanna use your phone why?" Makoto asked, raising a brow.
"One hand would always be occupied and you wouldn't be able to include yourself all that well in it," Ken replied.
"...Okay, that's a very good point," Makoto muttered, "Plus, it's been a while since I've said hi to your Great Grandpa Max…know what? I got a better idea."
"Hmm?"
"Instead of just us and your father...why don't we include the rest of the 'family'?" Makoto offered.
"You mean like Aunt Tsubaki, Auntie Noellie, and the others?" Kokoro asked.
"Bingo."
"That's not a bad idea. It gives us a reason to run around and say 'Hi' to everyone," Kokoro admitted.
"Exactly," Makoto smirked, "Plus you kids have been cooped up here at the house outside of going to school, so you'll get to enjoy yourselves if not just for a bit."
"Yay!" Kokoro cheered.
"I can go with that," Ken nodded.
"And no getting into trouble with your cousin Devlin, Ken," Makoto added.
"Aw come on...More often than not, it's Kokoro's fault."
"Not true!"
"Idaho," son and mother deadpanned.
"...Nertz…" Kokoro grumbled.
"I love your Great Grandpa Max, but taking you two on a roadtrip like he did your Dad and Aunt Gwen...lead to more nonsense then we hoped…" Makoto sighed.
"Which is a basic Tennyson Family Road Trip," Ken noted, "Or, as Aunt Tsubaki had it put into the Earth Guidelines: A Code Orange with an addendum of 'Keep spare Rustbuckets on standby for deployment at all Earth Plumber Bases.'"
"Seriously, how do we always end up losing the thing at least once on annual road trips?" Makoto sighed.
"I blame Omnitrix nonsense," Kokoro smiled, "How many times did Daddy land on it in one of his giant modes?"
"I lost track after the twenty-seventh time when he was first trying out his new Biomnitrix," Makoto admitted, "Though now we know that trying to combine Greymatter and Way Big is NEVER a good idea for a combo."
"Also the time when Daddy let Ken have the original...and he turned into Upchuck and ate the inside," Kokoro smirked.
"One time! And I didn't know how to control it!" Ken argued.
"Well of course you didn't know how to. It was you," Kokoro teased.
"Oh like you're one to talk," Ken frowned.
"...What are you implying, oh dear brother of mine?" Kokoro frowned as the two glared at one another.
"For example...the times mom let you cook with her at Grandma Mayaka's bakery."
"I used the beater to mix the batter."
"Yes...but you set it at maximum!"
"I wonder if Ben and Gwen were this bad as kids?" Makoto muttered to herself, glancing at the camera, "This is really predictable most days, too…" she shook her head before moving her tail between the two, "Okay, kiddos, you gotta get along now. We've got a present to make after all!"
"Ah...r-right," the two nodded, having forgotten that they were gonna record for a moment in the midst of their argument.
"Okay! First and fastest to get to...Aunt Tsubaki!" Ken spoke as he and Kokoro made their way through Plumber HQ.
"Who's hopefully not too busy for us!" Kokoro added.
"I'm sure she won't," Ken assured...while giving a light shiver.
"...You're scared she'll bring the fan out if you interrupt something important, aren't you?"
"Aren't you?"
"...Yes," Kokoro admitted, shivering a bit as well while hugging her tail.
"...Let's just check and see if Aunt Kajun knows if she's free or not," Ken offered.
"Good idea," Kokoro squeaked as the two hurried for the R&D lab, "...Hopefully she's not busy as well."
"Knowing her, most likely," Ken sighed as they walked in.
"Hmm...perhaps...no no. Maybe this…" Kajun whispered as she focused heavily on her computer screen.
Much like Ben and Makoto, she appeared older as well with her usually long hair done into a braided ponytail that was done over her shoulder, held together by a butterfly hairband while she adjusted the lilac-colored glasses on her face. She had on her usual lab coat, having it on top of a lilac colored blouse with images of butterflies on the front, and a long purple skirt that reached down to her knees, showing a bit of the stockings she had on with a pair of black slippers on her shoes..
"Hey, Aunt Kajun."
"...ahh. Kenshiro, Kokoro," Kajun smiled a bit, moving away from her computer screen as she turned in her swivel chair to face the two, "A pleasure to see you two again."
"...Were you pulling an all-nighter again?" Kokoro asked.
"...No…."
"Do we need to call Uncle Max or Steele again?" Ken asked.
"You two have all the most concerning traits of your parents…" she sighed, "I'm fine. I haven't lost track of the time and date at all."
"Great, so then you're all ready for Great Grandpa Max's birthday?" Kokoro asked, making Kajun's eyes go wide, "That's a no, isn't it?"
"No…"
"...well you're in luck. We're making a video showing how everyone is doing," Kokoro smiled a bit,
"Hmm...heartfelt, not too extravagant...and just what Magister Tennyson would love as a gift. Genius!"
"Thanks!" Ken beamed.
"Now..." Kokoro began as she adjusted the moving camera a bit, "Say hello!"
"OH! Ano...Ahem," Kajun cleared her throat, adjusting her lab coat while fixing her hair a little before sitting down in a calm manner, "Greetings, Magister Tennyson. It has been a while...I am doing fine. The R&D department has been rather calming and more successful as of late, especially with my two new aids that transferred from Japan." a red light began to flash as a small alarm went off, "...Excuse me." she walked off into another room before the alarm and light went off before she came back out, "And that was the first time this month that those two managed to accidentally trigger the Self Destruct since the new aids transferred here."
"Wait, really? But it's the twelfth of the month," Ken noted, "Normally they do it at least twenty times by now."
"..."
"Ha! Told ya!" Kazuichi's voice shouted.
"Oh don't start with me!" Miu's voice argued.
"That was them just now," Kajun explained, "They argue as much as Blukic and Driba, but they cause less accidents than they did…but Jenny did recommend them."
"They sound fun," Kokoro noted.
"Don't you dare," Kajun warned.
"What?"
"I know what you're thinking...Jenny told me how one of them got constantly tricked by two of their former classmates."
"Oh please! I've fucking grown past that!" Miu argued offscreen.
"Ahh! Don't argue with the boss, you lewd mouthed baka!" Kazuichi snapped.
"Ah~! Th...no no, Miu...you've been told to keep it under control."
"Good thing the camera has that filter for profanity," Ken muttered.
"Wait, really?" Kokoro asked, "Wow…"
"It's in the instruction manual," Ken deadpanned.
"...You read instruction manuals?" Kokoro asked.
"If I don't, then you wouldn't be able to use a lot of the stuff we have."
"...Fair point."
"Ahem! Anyways..," Kajun cleared her throat as she looked back at the camera, "Everything has been well organized here at the base. Tsubaki has been keeping things in order and...know what? Maybe it's best she tells you herself. I think she's about to go on break for some chocolate...Oh! Don't worry, Magister. She has that under control thanks to Alf...To think all those years we had to keep a close eye on her when she has a craving for chocolate…"
"It wasn't that bad, was it?" Kokoro asked.
"..." Kajun slowly turned her head to look at the Beastkin.
"...eugh. Question retracted then…" Kokoro cringed.
"We'll...go see Aunt Tsubaki then," Ken muttered.
"Please do. I need to call Max and Steele about dinner anyways," Kajun nodded.
"It's 11AM, boss!" Kazuichi and Miu called out.
"Really?" Kajun asked in surprise.
"...Yeah, I think you may need a break," Ken and Kokoro muttered.
"Probably…" Kajun muttered as the two siblings walked off, "Oh! Take care you two..and give Ben and Makoto my regards!"
"We will, Aunt Kajun!" they assured.
"Ok...now to get back t-" Kajun began as she turned to her computer...which had a screensaver on it with the words 'take a break, Kajun!' on it, "...or take a break…maybe Max, Ben and Makoto were right..I spend way too much time on the computer and in the lab..."
"Aunt Tsubaki normally takes her break in her office." Ken noted as they walked back through the halls of HQ again, "So we should be able to catch her now."
"Think we can catch her with chocolate on her face?" Kokoro asked with a grin.
"And face the wrath of her paperfan?" Ken retorted.
"...Good point."
"We'll just knock and be let in." Ken spoke, "Last thing we want is her upset. This is a gift for Great Grandpa Max."
"Right," Kokoro nodded before looking at the camera, "Sorry, Great Grampa, we won't be able to get the elusive image of Aunt Tsubaki with chocolate on her face this time."
"For all we know, he's seen it enough before," Ken spoke, "Mom always says Great Grandpa Max more or less was like an extra parent to everyone back in the day. He is the one who helped Dad become so awesome. And the rest of our family, too."
"It's why we have such an awesome expanded family!" Kokoro smiled as the two stopped before a set of doors, "Oh! Here's Aunt Tsubaki's office!"
"Aunt Tsubaki!" Ken spoke, pushing on the intercom next to the door, "It's us, Ken and Kokoro."
=Oh! Um...gib me a shecond!= Tsubaki answered, speaking as if she had something in her mouth before swallowing =Ahh...okay, you two. You may enter=
"She totally has chocolate on her face." Kokoro smiled.
"Don't push our luck, will ya?" Ken sighed as he opened the door.
As they walked in, they saw Tsubaki sitting behind a desk, her hair a bit longer, her figure fuller than her youth, and a pair of reading glasses on her nose. Her outfit consisted of a white bodysuit with green detailing and white armor with silver detailing over it on her chest, shoulders, and hips with a black and green cape hung up near her desk. Currently, she was wiping her mouth with a napkin.
"Hey!" Kokoro cheered, rushing over for a hug, "Ah...human contact…" she smiled.
"Uh…"
"Shut up. No one cares for technicalities," Kokoro cut Ken off.
"Well, hello you two," Tsubaki greeted, "I'm amazed that Ben and Makoto actually let you two leave the house."
"Special occasion." Ken chuckled.
"We got a little time out for good...eh Good-ish behavior," Korkoro explained.
"So we're doing a film showing Great Grandpa Max how everyone is doing," Ken added.
"Oh? Really now," Tsubaki noted before smiling a bit, "Well, why didn't you say so? I would've loved to help with that."
"Great!" Kokoro cheered, "We already got Aunt Kajun, figured we'd bug her to see if you were free or not."
"Heads up...She forgot what day it is again…" Ken muttered.
"I swear it's like she never grew up…" Tsubaki shook her head.
"So, tell Great Grandpa Max what an awesome job you're doing as the boss around this place!" Kokoro declared while pointing to the floating camera.
"Oh! Ahem! Okay then," Tsubaki muttered, adjusting her glasses a bit as she looked at the camera, "Greetings, Magister Tennyson. It's...been a long while since I've last seen you. I can assure you I've kept things straight and narrow here since you retired and gave me the leadership role here at the base. Of course I've had Jin and Rook give me assistance in dealing with new recruits, and dealing with any and all criminal activity that pops up now and again."
"Aunt Tsubaki runs a tight ship. No bad guys get away for long these days!" Kokoro added, "It helps everyone here is more or less family right!"
"Yes. Very much so," Tsubaki nodded with a light giggle.
"I'm sure Great Grandpa Max would love to see you at his party." Ken added, "That is if you're not still busy."
"Ah I'm sure he'd understand," Kokoro added, "I mean, Mom says Great Grandpa more or less raised all of them all over again."
"Yes...and I can't thank him enough for helping to make me who I currently am today," Tsubaki smiled, "Same for Jin. Now he's not as...anti-social...but he is pretty protective of Setsuna."
"I'll say…" Ken muttered before noticing the grin Kokoro gave him, "...Stop it."
"Stop what?"
"You know what you're thinking and knock it off!" Ken complained.
"I suppose this is some sort of Tennyson genetic trait," Tsubaki smiled as the camera tuned out their argument, "I'm not sure how you dealt with them on those summer trips you took them on. You really are an amazing person, Magister Tennyson. If you can take care of such strong willed kids like us and them, I don't think there's a person more loving and fatherly." she then turned the camera to Kokoro and Ken as they struggled in a fight cloud, "I don't think I could handle this for more than a few short bursts...let alone an entire summer."
"Tsubaki, what a-" Jin's voice began, the camera turning to see him standing in the doorway...revealing not much has changed for him outside of a few armored pieces on his uniform and his hair a more light-yellow/white-ish color. He then noticed the fight cloud...and began to slowly proceed back out the door.
"Jin, come back here." Tsubaki chuckled, "Say something to Magister Tennyson for his birthday." she ordered, pointing to the camera.
"...Fine. I have time," Jin sighed as he walked back in, "Hello, Magister Tennyson. It has…been a while since I've last saw you...I hope retirement has been peaceful for you." he looked at the younger Tennyson siblings, "Well...minus the chaotic spawns of your grandson and his wife...the fact you can deal with this for three months at a time each year, even in your advanced years...you're still a stronger willed man then me."
"Well of course he is!" Kokoro shouted from the fight cloud, "He's the greatest Great Grandpa around!"
"...Ignoring that for now," Jin muttered as he looked back at the camera, "As Tsubaki probably mentioned, things have been straight and narrow here. Not as many criminals have escaped or have committed any crimes….and thank the Celestialsapiens no more Chadzmuth trying to get them out via 'technicalities.'"
"We agreed to never bring that up ever again," Tsubaki chuckled, "It used to drive us mad."
"Well so does the Tennyson family patriarch, but we keep him around, don't we?" Jin argued.
"That's just how family works." Tsubaki argued back.
"Yeah!" Kokoro cheered in agreement.
"You let this one cloud your mind with overabundant positivity," Jin muttered before glaring at Ken once the fight cloud ended, "And this one...he better keep away from Setsuna…"
"Jin…"
"I do not want her to be corrupted by his genes!"
"Yikes...The Papa Bear is strong with this one…" Kokoro muttered, "I mean Setsuna is my friend, so I know for a fact that thanks to you she has almost no male friends…"
"That's because she has better things to do, such as studying and her kendo classes," Jin argued.
"Yes, but she also needs time to wind down," Tsubaki argued.
"And I am fine with that...as long as that…" he pointed to Ken, "Stays several kilometers away from said free time…"
"Hahaha...You're a 'that'..." Kokoro laughed.
"I can tolerate this one...barely…" Jin pointed to Kokoro.
"Kinda hard to be down or angry with her," Tsubaki agreed with a chuckle.
"...anyway…" Jin muttered as he looked back at the camera once more, "It was nice to see you again, Magister Tennyson...but I must be off. I have to see my brother about something important."
"That's fine. Me and Ken are about to go see Auntie Noellie anyways," Kokoro stated.
"We're gonna see how she's doing since her sisters are busy around the world," Ken added.
"Let's go!" Kokoro cheered, "Bye Aunt Tsubaki, bye Uncle Jin!" she grabbed her brother and began dragging him out, "And your constant stink eye to Ken is why Setsuna says stuff like she hates you, Uncle Jin!"
"H-hates...me…?" Jin muttered, his legs buckling for a moment, "Sh-she...hates me?"
"Jin…" Tsubaki began before Jin was in a corner, a depressing aura covering him, "..."
"She….hates me?"
"She's a teenager...they always say stuff like that…" Tsubaki sighed.
"Hates...me…" he groaned in a voice of utter defeat.
"Makoto has taught Kokoro well..." Tsubaki sighed.
"Thank you, come again!" An older Noel waved to an Alien couple as they walked off, "Ahh...Another satisfied couple."
Despite a slightly fuller figure, she pretty much remained the same. Her hair was still long while she wore an apron over a navy-blue blouse and a black skirt. Over her neck, she wore a small necklace with various jewels on it while she had on a set of silver-white and azure-blue headpieces on the sides of her head. She was about to walk off back into the kitchen before she heard the doors opening up.
"Oh! Welcome to Galaxy Heart Cafe, wh-" Noel began she turned, seeing both Ken and Kokoro walk in, "Oh! Ken, Kokoro!"
"Hi, Auntie Noellie!" Kokoro beamed, running over and hugging the blonde.
"Hi Aunt Noel," Ken smiled only to be dragged into the hug.
"Oh I've missed you two!" Noel beamed as she hugged the two, "...wait. You two still aren't grounded, are you?"
"At the moment no," Ken answered.
"We're doing a film for Great Grandpa Max and was wondering if you'd like to be part of it!" Kokoro added as the camera moved to look at Noel.
"We figure we'd get the whole family to say some nice things for him. We know everyone can't make it to his party, but this way its like everyone who couldn't make it is there in a way." Ken explained, "We already got Aunt Kajun and Tsubaki, plus Uncle Jin."
"I left Uncle Jin a soul shattered mess in a corner for getting in the way...of Shipping," Kokoro smiled at Noel.
"Shipping?"
"Aunt Noel…" Ken sighed.
"Oh! Right, right…!" Noel quickly shook her head before looking at the camera, "Bounjour, Papy Max. I'm so glad to see you again! I hope you are doing well...oh! Maybe next time I see you, I can bring you a new dish I've been testing out!"
"Oh! Oh! How are our other aunts doing?!" Kokoro asked.
"Oh! Well...they're all travelling over the world right now," Noel explained, "Aoiro and Karai are currently helping La-chan in her concerts...I know. I still can't believe after that journey of ours, she wanted to become an idol...Thankfully she's had Sayaka-san help watch over her training after we came up to visit Hope's Peak. Aoiro's been her manager, making sure to keep the funds in check while Karai helps with the music...as long as she doesn't listen to anything cute...which contradicts what she's helping La-chan with…Seriously, one time I played Moonlight Densetsu, and she reacted so…"
"Freaked out?" Kokoro asked.
"Recoil in disgust?" Ken added.
"...Yes," Noel replied after a moment, "B-but other than that, they're all doing great!"
"And the adorable fluffies?" Kokoro asked, her tail wagging a little.
"Doing great!" Noel answered, "Oh, Mari-chan is such a good mother to her babies! Little Getsu just learned how to make his claws come out and Shippu and Geppo just love to play with this rope toy I bought last week!"
"Aww~!" Kokoro cooed at that.
"We still aren't allowed a pet..." Ken sighed.
"Mom and Daddy made this impossible logic puzzle where we need to prove we are responsible enough to have a pet...but...that just defeats itself!" Kokoro added, "We're both responsible and irresponsible! It's an endless loop of 'sponsibility!"
"That's not a word," Ken deadpanned.
"Quiet, Doofus," Kokoro pouted, "I'm mad you killed my mood."
"Well, I would offer you two to watch the Fluffies, but you'd need to wait until you're ungrounded. Did they ever say when…?"
"We keep asking, but something always happens before we can get an answer," Ken sighed.
"Oh...Well, maybe you can try and ask later," Noel offered.
"We can try...but chances are something comes up," Kokoro sighed, "But! I will not let this ruin my positivity!"
"Good to see you can still bounce back," Noel smiled before she heard the phone ringing, "Oh! That must be an order! Pardon e moi Ken, Kokoro. I need to go take this!" she called out as she ran off, "I'll try and call Jenny and see if she can help you!"
"Thanks, Auntie Noellie!" Kokoro waved, "Alrighty...next stop...hmm…" she muttered, rubbing her chin as her tail scratched the top of her head like another hand, "Uncle Ragna...no no. Uncle Jin said he was gonna do something with him...Aunt Mai's working across the states with Uncle Taro...Uncle Max and Aunt Jenny are probably busy with their own teams and such...hmm…"
"I think Aunt Sari's in town to debut that new invention of her company," Ken noted.
"EEE~!" Kokoro beamed, her tail wagging happily with stars in her eyes.
"...Oh what have I d-" Ken began before he was suddenly dragged off at high speed, "AHH!"
=Mrs. Sari, you could've picked a much better place…= an orange and yellow scooter spoke up near an older Sari, her pigtails replaced with a small ponytail while she wore a canary yellow and white business suit with the Autobot emblem on her left breast and the Maximal emblem on the right, all complimented with a light-blue ascot with a gold camel print.
"Hey. I may be the head of my father's company, but it doesn't mean I can't sit back and relax now and again," Sari argued as she took a drink of her smoothie, "Ahh...seriously, Ben...you got me hooked to this stuff."
"AUNT SARI~!"
"Hmm? Kokoro?" Sari blinked, looking to the side before she was suddenly glomped by the young squirrel girl, "Woah now! I missed you, too!" she laughed as she returned the hug.
=Hello, young Kenshiro= the scooter greeted Ken...who was currently stuck in a trash can.
"Hey, Techno…"
"What happened there?" Sari asked.
"Nothing he didn't deserve." Kokoro explained.
"You will regret this later, Dweeb…" Ken grumbled.
"Bring it on, Doofus," Kokoro challenged as she and Sari released the hug.
=How can we help you two, today?= Techno asked as he transformed into a small human sized Cybertronian, the wheels of his vehicle form on his shoulders while sporting a visor over his eyes.
"We're here…" Ken began as Techno pulled him out, "To make a video from Great Grandpa Max."
"Oh? Is it his birthday?" Sari asked.
"Yup!" Kokoro beamed as the camera floated out of her tail, "Was wondering if you'd like to help with it, Aunt Sari."
"Ah. Well you should've asked then," Sari smiled as the camera floated before her, "Hey there, Magister Tennyson. Probably heard this already, but..it's been so long since I've last saw you...Last time was during your retirement party...man, that was a great party...oh! As for how I've been….to be honest, I'm...still amazed to be the new CEO of Sumdac Industries while also being a liaison for the Autobots and Maximals...but! But…" she paused as she held a finger up, a bit of green electricity crackling off it, "I've been making sure not to be lazy in case I'm called to action."
"She has also done a great job for trade deals between Earth and Cybertron," Techno added as he poked his head in front of the camera.
"Yes...Thank you, Tech," Sari sighed as she pushed him aside gently, "But it's not untrue. I've been helping some of the other Cybertronians here on Earth to settle in and help set up shops for those that stay on Earth and want to help the economy. Some of the Minicons even offered to join the company to learn more on humans, one of which being Techno there."
"Hello, Mr. Tennyson," Techno waved as he moved in front of the camera once more.
"Tech, seriously…" Sari muttered as she moved him away once more, "Honestly at times, I feel he would've been a Stag-Beetle rather than looking like my old scooter."
"I could ask…" Techno began.
"It was...ugh. Nevermind," Sari sighed a bit before looking back at the camera, "Anyway...as much as I would love to come see ya, I...have a new invention I need to present today. Heck, my husband is probably wondering where I am...Still, it was great to see you again, Magister Tennyson. Same goes for Ken and Kokoro too."
"Oh oh! Can we see the new thing?!" Kokoro asked in excitement.
"She's gonna keep asking," Ken added.
"Ah just like your mom...I don't know where all that energy comes from..." Sari sighed.
"Sugar...lots of sugar." Ken explained.
"Oh, you're just jelly that I'm so hyper!" Kokoro beamed.
"Why would I be jealous of that?"
"No no...she said jelly." Techno spoke up, "There's a difference."
"He gets it," Kokoro smirked as she made a 'squee' sound, "But seriously, Aunt Sari..can we please see the new invention?"
"I would, but...it's at the expo where I have to present it," Sari sighed as she stood up, sipping the last of her smoothie, "But...if you kids are free this weekend and I talk with your parents, I can probably give you a look at it."
"DEAL!" Kokoro beamed.
"Good girl," Sari smiled as Techno transformed back into a scooter, "Ken, it was great to see ya again. Kokoro...try to not drive your brother insane, and I might have your gauntlets upgraded."
"Good luck with that," Ken muttered, seeing Kokoro fidget a bit.
"Well..." Sari began as she hopped onto Techno as he started up, "See you two later!"
"Bye, Aunt Sari!" Kokoro waved as Sari drove off.
"Alright...who t-" Ken began before his phone went off, prompting him to pull it out, "Oh. Mom's calling," he noted as he answered, "Hello?"
=Hey kids! Your father just came back and we were about to go head off and say 'hi' to your Aunt Mai and Uncle Taro= Makoto answered =How are you kids doing?=
"Good. We ran into Aunt Sari just now after meeting Aunt Kajun, Aunt Tsubaki, Uncle Jin-whom Kokoro left 'soulless' before we left-, and Aunt Noel," Ken replied.
=...I should not have let Noellie babysit…= Makoto muttered.
"Huh?" Kokoro pondered.
=I said 'That's some pretty great progress!'= Makoto quickly corrected =So who you kids going to go see next?=
"Well...right now, we're thinking on who to visit next," Kokoro answered, "Uncle Ragna is gonna be busy with Uncle Jin about something, not sure what's going on with Aunt Jenny at the moment, and...well you and daddy are going to go see Aunt Mai and Uncle Taro, so…"
=You could go see your Aunt Gwen and Uncle Kevin= Ben offered.
"Oh, nice idea, Daddy!" Kokoro beamed, her tail wagging.
=Just remember to not cause trouble with Devlin!= Makoto warned.
=And try to ignore the gloating that his grounding just finished yesterday=
"What?! Aw come on!" Kokoro exclaimed, "How much longer do we have again?"
=I…= Makoto began before a faint alarm ran on the line =Oh, robbery in progress. Toodles~=
"No, no, no. Mom, please tell u-and she hung up," Kokoro sighed, "We are never gonna find out when we're ungrounded, are we?"
"Probably not until long after we're not grounded and didn't realize it," Ken replied, pausing the recording.
"..."
"We are not abusing the bikes to talk to a future us," Ken deadpanned.
"Nertz…"
"I know. It's just...I think that's the one thing you should never ever do. Meet yourself." Ken sighed, "Who knows what could happen."
"Well…"
"Not counting the stories Dad has told us," Ken deadpanned once more.
"Nertz!"
"Let's go see Aunt Gwen and Uncle Kevin," Ken spoke.
"Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll be there on a visit," Kokoro grinned.
"Well...If it ain't Kenny and Koko," Devlin grinned as he stood outside the door of his place, "Guess which of us got ungrounded early?"
"We already know from mom, so zip the gloating," Ken deadpanned.
"Unless you want to find another 'present' underneath your bed courtesy of your hoverboard," Kokoro added.
"You are evil...You look sweet...but you bring destruction and suffering…" Devilin replied in a neutral tone.
"Love you too, cousin," Kokoro smirked, "Now bring out the reason for our visit! Give us Aunt Gwen and Uncle Kevin!"
"Don't talk to me like an anime villain!" Devlin complained.
"You're just jelly of my Kokoro Swag."
"AH!" Devlin complained as he began rushing at her, only to get flipped to the ground, "Oof...ow...my butt…"
"Nie try, Devs...I know judo!" Kokoro declared, "Now give me Aunt Gwen and Uncle Kevin!"
"How's about I give you my annoying older sister instead?"
"What did you call Luna, Bakavlin?!"
"AH!" Devlin panicked as he shot up, "I was joking! She's like Beetlejuice…"
"Dude, you gotta learn when to stop talking," Ken sighed.
"It's genetic...Dad still does it too…" Devlin sighed.
"I-it does happen a lot," a rather soft male voice spoke as a young man with short platinum blond hair poked his head out, his pupils the same color and shape as a certain 'magical girl' while he wore a pair of sea-foam green pants and a while shirt, "Oh! Hello Ken, Kokoro!"
"Hey Sena!" Kokoro beamed.
"Hah?! Luna's niece and nephew are here?!" Luna's voice exclaimed as she rushed over to the front door, showing that she was the same age as Sena wearing a sea-foam green skirt and white blouse while her hair pretty much remained unchanged outside of the ribbons being replaced with a seafoam green cat ear hairband.
"She wants hugs!" Ken and Devlin pointed to Kokoro.
"Wait, wha-OOF!" she grunted as she was suddenly glomped.
"Oooh~! Luna's so happy to see her favorite niece~!" Luan squealed as she hugged Kokoro...before shooting a glare at Devlin, "Were you making her sad, Bakavlin!?"
"Wh-?! No!"
"Don't make Luna poof you into a frog again!"
"L-Luna, mom said not to use magic on Devlin..or me...or anyone in your anger," Sena spoke up, "...Not after the body swapping incident…"
"Which one?"
"The big one," Sena deadpanned.
"...Oh….right," Luna cringed as she let Kokoro go, "Mom was not happy with us after that…"
"No...No she was not," Sena sighed before looking at Ken, "You said you wanted to see mom and dad, right?"
"That's right."
"Well...I'm s-"
"MOM! DAD! KOKORO AND KEN ARE HERE!" Luna called out loudly.
"Ahh! Wake up the whole neighborhood, why don't you?!" Devlin snapped.
"Hm? Guess Ben convinced Makoto to let them out early, huh?" Kevin's voice asked.
"No no. They're probably doing something important for Grandpa Max's Birthday," Gwen's voice guessed as she walked over to the front door, showing she was much older with her hair done up into a ponytail while wearing a blue and black jumpsuit.
"That's right," Ken nodded as the camera flew before Gwen, "We're recording a video for his birthday to show how everyone is doing in case they're unable to come."
"We already saw Aunt Kajun, Aunt Tsubaki, Uncle Jin, Aunty Noellie, Aunt Sari, and now you guys," Kokoro added.
"You guys have been busy," Kevin noted walking out, he looked much the same, his hair a bit longer, a beard covering his chin, and he was dressed in a set of mechanic overalls, "Hard to imagine you guys can get around so fast, especially since your dad took away all your awesome stuff."
"We know…" Ken and Kokoro sighed.
"So what's with that thing?"
"It's a camera to record messages for one big video for Great Grandpa Max," Ken explained before Devlin and Luna opened their mouths, "You'd have to hold the phone in your hand all the time and not really be in the video."
"...Dang it. He has a point," the two muttered before looking at each other, "Hey. Cut that out...hey! I said c-grr! Shut up!"
"Mom, they're doing it again," Sena sighed.
"I know…" Gwen sighed, "But not much I can do to stop it from happening...well…" she drew a circle with her finger as suddenly a bubble formed around the two and muted them, "...Aside from that."
"Least we have some form of silence," Ken muttered.
"Alright...now…" Gwen began as she looked back at the camera, "Hey, Grandpa Max. It's good to see you."
"Hey Max, haven't seen you since the last time I tuned up the Rustbucket...well...Rustbucket 57, but still!" Kevin added, "I think I finally found the build for the perfect Anti-Ben and Tennyson nonsense vehicle! If you want it done by next summer, bring it on by! Not even Ben could wreck this build! I should know...I tested it with him and his new fusion gimmick."
"It's true. He's tested it every night before bed," Sena added as the camera focused on him, "Oh! A-also...Heya, Max-Oujisan…"
"?!" Luna tensed up, stopping in her arguing with Devlin before she rapidly began to pound on the bubble barrier surrounding the two.
"Promise to stop yelling at your little brother?" Gwen asked, getting a lot of quick nods from Luna, "Okay." she chuckled, dispersing the bubble.
"HI OUJISAN!" Luna shouted as she zipped before the camera, "It's your favorite adopted granddaughter, Luna! She misses you so much and wanted to wish you a happy birthday and that she's being doing such a good job at school and-and-and she's proving to be a great spellcaster and she certainly isn't trying to butt heads with Dani again a-" Sena quickly put a hand over her mouth, "?"
"Luna...I think Oujisan got all that…" Sena muttered.
"Shh, you. This is for him…" she muttered.
"Alright, alright," Kevin chuckled, "Geez if you miss him so much why not go on that summer road trip with him next time?"
"..." Luna slowly blinked at that before slowly looking at Gwen.
"...Please?" Sena asked her.
"Well...the Rustbucket at best fits three…" Gwen muttered.
"I can fix that," Kevin smiled, "Besides he can deal with way more than four kids in that thing at a time. I mean he dealt with us…"
"YES!" Luna beamed once Sena took his hand off her mouth.
"Well in that case, you can take Devlin." Gwen smiled.
"No~" Luna complained, "Why do we gotta take that little gremlin beast?"
"Uh right here." Devlin spoke up, "And I don't wanna go...summer is my video game all day everyday time!"
"...You're going." Gwen and Kevin spoke quickly at that.
"Hehehehehehe…" Kokoro giggled.
"This will be a great gift for your Great Grandpa Max," Gwen spoke up, "He's hardly ever spent as much time with you as he has the others."
"Yeah, you hear that Max? You can take our kids from us for a summer!" Kevin laughed, "Finally...sweet...sweet peace…" he sniffled.
"This is cruel and inhumane punishment!" Devlin complained.
"He really doesn't understand why we love the trip, does he?" Kokoro chuckled.
"He'll figure it out," Ken smiled.
"...You two better pray I come back okay and not dead from boredom," Devlin threatened the two siblings.
"Ooh~ We're so scared~" Kokoro taunted.
"Oh...that's right...Luna will have Koko there with her to tease the little gremlin." Luna smiled.
"NO HO~!" Devlin cried out as he fell to his knees.
"Strangely...this feels familiar to me," Kevin muttered.
"Replace them with us when we first came back from a break in my college courses," Gwen replied.
"...Oh yeah…" Kevin recalled.
"I think his brain broke," Kokoro spoke, poking Devlin with a stick.
"Great...you broke our cousin...again," Ken sighed.
"Oopsie…" Kokoro muttered.
"Eh...he'll be fine," Luna spoke, dragging him inside.
"Least...I hope so," Sena muttered as he followed the two, doing a quick wave at the camera, "H-Happy Birthday, Max-Oujisan. Hope you have a great day…"
"So where are you kids heading next to gather some more footage?" Kevin asked.
"Honestly we're unsure," Ken sighed, "Only people we can think of is Aunt Mai and Uncle Taro, Uncle Ragna, and Aunt Jenny and her team…"
"...oh! What about Uncle Max or Uncle Danny?!" Kokoro gasped, "We haven't visited them yet!"
"Good a pick as any," Ken nodded.
"You'd probably be safer visiting Daniel," Gwen noted, her eyes glowing a faint magenta, "Maxwell is...well...occupied at the moment. Weatherheads are trying to make a tsunami in California."
"Oh that sounds so awesome~!" Kokoro awed.
"Absolutely not," Ken and Gwen stated.
"Aw…" Kokoro pouted.
"Daniel's not busy at the moment. Seems he's in UnderAmity at the moment doing a quick patrol," Gwen noted.
"You'll need some suits down there," Kevin noted as he walked back to the house, "Don't want your parents after us because of the Corrodium making you two literal monsters."
"We are already metaphorical ones!" Kokoro laughed.
"You are indeed Ben's Daughter," Gwen sighed.
'And she happens to be my sister…' Ken thought with a mental sigh.
"Seriously...how do you keep sneaking out?" Danny muttered as he held Patra, the alien cat laying in his arms as the much older half-ghost flew through the now bustling city of UnderAmity, the town itself looking like something out of a Tim Burton movie.
As mentioned, Danny himself was much older. Outside of his classic outfit, he had on a white cape over his shoulders with his initial D imprinted on the back...though it seemed clawed up a bit since he had to deal with trying to catch Patra. His left eye was covered by a neon green-tinted lens attached to a white device on the side of his head while a new silver belt adorned his waist, several circular discs with his symbol on them attached to the belt. Patra simply let out a mewl while cleaning herself.
"Okay...just gotta find Mrs. Cleo's place and return you home," Danny muttered as he looked around, "...Man, this place has gotten big in the past few years."
=No kidding= a voice spoke from the device on Danny's head.
"Great timing, Tuck. I need you t-" Danny began before he stopped, looking down to see Ken and Kokoro standing outside of a fortune teller's shop, wearing hazmat suits with clear domes to show their heads, "...I'll have to call you back. I see Ben and Makoto's kids near the dropoff point."
=Ah...the Tiny Tennysons...oh gosh! What have they done now?!= he panicked.
"Oh come on, Tuck. They're Ben and Makoto's kids. They...ah...Oh geez!" he panicked before flying over in a hurry, "What happened?! Where's the fire!? What did you break?!"
"Nothing," Ken answered.
"Oh phew…"
"Kitty~!" Kokoro cooed as Danny blinked and Patra was suddenly missing from his hands and now being cuddled by the Beastkin, "Aw~Too cute!"
"...So what are you kids doing here then?" Danny asked as he landed.
"We're making a video for Great Grandpa Max' birthday," Ken explained as the camera flew out of Kokoro's tail.
"And you want me to be part of it?"
"We want all of our weird family to be in it," Kokoro smiled, Patra trying to paw at the camera until Kokoro scratched behind an ear and made her purr.
"Ahh...well...I guess it wouldn't hurt," Danny shrugged before looking at the camera, "Hey there, Magister Tennyson. It's me, Danny. Last time I saw ya was at your retirement party with Tuck and Sam...Honestly, if it wasn't for you or that day, none of us wouldn't be in the positions we're at right now."
=Such as head of communications right here!= Tucker's voice laughed =Also hey, Mr. Tennyson!=
"That was Tucker just now," Danny chuckled while rubbing the back of his head, "As for me and Sam...we're doing pretty good. We make sure to wind down in case work ends up being too...stressful for us, and Dani of course is a great role model for the kids...heh. Dani being a role model...that's something I thought I'd never say."
"I heard that!" Dani's voice shouted as she flew right up to him, showing she was much older as well and wearing a larger variant of her regular ghost attire, "I am so a good role model! Just ask your kid."
"And yet, you wonder why me and Sam barely ask you to babysit when they're grounded, right?"
"Y…..Hey~" Dani pouted before looking at the camera, "...So wh-"
"Doing a film for Magister Tennyson's birthday," Danny explained.
"Oh...sounds important...better not say something stupid," Dani smirked.
"Aren't you supposed to be on patrol...or did you and Luna butt heads again?"
"First: I just finished up dealing with Boxlunch," Dani answered, "And second...what makes you think I'm getting into another fight with miss 'speaks in a third person?'"
"The fact you just answered my question for me?"
"Should we stop recording?" Ken whispered.
"No keep going. Great Grandpa Max will get a kick out of this!" Kokoro laughed, Patra now seemingly putty in her hands from the cuddles.
"She's beating you in school again, isn't she?" Danny asked Dani with a smirk.
"Wh-?! No she's not!" Dani argued.
"Dani, come on...It's you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well you're technically my clone sister made from some of my DNA...so...you're probably a proud D+ student just like I was," Danny smirked.
"Untrue! I'm having Carl help me with s-" Dani began before seeing a teasing smirk grow on Danny's face, "...stop it."
"Stop what?"
"That grin..that's my grin!"
"Yeah...not so funny when it's on the other foot, is it?" Danny retorted, "Also we have the same grin...related~"
"You want me to bring up what you, Max, and Ben did during your guys' trip to Las Vegas?" Dani quipped back with her own smirk.
"What happened to that Elvis impersonator was not our fault!" Danny declared.
Kokoro took the camera, "They had a 'The Hangover' like adventure is our theory."
"No we didn't!" Danny quickly argued.
"The fact you're trying to argue about it proves otherwise!" Dani laughed.
"It proves nothing!"
"The Deja vu…" Ken and Kokoro muttered.
=Uh, guys? You're still being recorded= Tucker spoke up.
"What?" Danny and Dani blinked before slowly looking back at the camera.
"...We made ourselves look like idiots in front of a camera again, didn't we?" Dani asked.
"Eeyup," Danny answered, "Right in front of Magister Tennyson, too…"
"...uh…" Dani began as she gave a sheepish wave at the camera, "Heya….Hope you enjoyed the show?"
"Seriously?" Danny deadpanned.
"It was all I could think of!" Dani hissed.
"Adults are weird unless they're Great Grandpa. Right, Patra?" Kokoro asked, looking down at the alien feline that had curled up into a tiny ball and was sound asleep.
"Uh…" Danny began as he began to clear his throat, "A-anyway...I gotta go return Mrs. Cleo's cat to her then meet up with Sam...Hope you have a good birthday, Magister Tennyson."
"And keep up with being the world's most awesome grandpa!" Dani added, "Now if you'll excuse me...I have some homework I need t-" she began before a beeping went off, "...Ghost on the loose, Tuck?"
=Yup…=
"Great….and on homework night, too…" Dani groaned, "Seriously...College is hard."
"Especially when you're a hero," Danny agreed.
"Very much agreed," Dani sighed as she floated up, "Well...guess I'll see you guys later then! Oh and Koko, save some cake for me if you can!"
"Granted she doesn't try to eat the whole cake again!" Ken called out.
"Oh one time!" Kokoro complained at that.
"You were sick for days!"
"I deny the fact there is such a term as 'too much sugar'!"
"Stop," Danny spoke, putting a hand on top of their heads to make them stop arguing, "...Why don't you guys go visit Jenny? ...In fact, hey Tuck. Is Jen free?"
=I think she's stopping to attend a class reunion over at Hopes Peak Japan Branch with Kibo and RB= Tucker answered.
"Oh sounds like a perfect chance!" Kokoro spoke up, "Let's go!"
"Question..how are we gonna get there?" Ken asked.
"Groundbridge, duh!"
"We don't have permission for that," Ken pointed out.
"No...but a certain Uncle does. One who I know for a fact leaked pictures of us as babies for a quick buck to the paparazzi a while back...and is listening into us right now...It sure would be a shame for that family member if Mom, who hated that...were to find out…? Uncle Tuck...anything to add?"
=...I swear you get that from one of your many aunts...or your mom…= Tucker muttered as a Groundbridge portal opened near the two =How can the little girl of the world's Number 1 Hero...be so evil?!= he complained.
"I ask this every day…" Ken sighed.
"I can't hear you over the sound of how awesome I am~!" Kokoro taunted, walking through the Groundbridge portal.
"We'll call you when we need to head back, Uncle Tuck," Ken sighed as he began to step through the portal...before pulling Kokoro out, "Give Uncle Danny the cat."
"Phooey," Kokoro pouted as she gave the snoozing Patra back.
"Come on you…" Ken sighed, dragging her back through.
"Bye kitty~!" Kokoto comically cried.
"I swear they get more like their parents each day," Danny muttered.
=Agreed…= Tucker muttered.
"...Man this place has changed a lot," Kokoro noted as they looked at the massive school that is Kibougamine, which stood out before a large flower field.
"Given what happened years ago, it's no surprise the main building had to be moved to a more secure location," Ken added as they looked up at the school building.
"...Think this place is as cool as Mom and Daddy mentioned in their stories?" Kokoro asked.
"Hopefully," Ken answered, "Now let's see if we can find…"
"Ken, Kokoro?" Jenny's voice spoke up, prompting the two to look up to see the advanced Gynoid hovering down.
Outside of being a bit taller and having a bit of a figure, she pretty much remained the same appearance wise...well outside her hair currently done up into a single long ponytail with a gear-themed heart held within her synthetic hair. She was also wearing a baby-blue vest on top of a white formal shirt, a baby-blue skirt that reached to her knees, and a tied up baby-blue and mint-green scarf around her neck.
"Hey Aunt Jen!" Kokoro waved.
"What are you two doing here?" Jenny asked as she walked over, "...Aren't you two supposed to be grounded after the satellite incident?"
"Special occasion," Ken explained as the camera floated around him, "Recording a birthday video for Great Grandpa Max."
"Think you got time to talk before the class reunion starts?"
"Of course!" Jenny replied with a smile.
"Sweet! Then say hi to the camera!" Kokoro beamed as she moved the camera before Jenny.
"Hey, Magister Tennyson! It's Jenny...and it's really good to see you again," Jenny smiled as she waved at the camera, "Sorry I haven't stopped by as much to say hi. I've...been juggling my jobs quite a bit lately...what with being a teacher here at Hope's Peak, leading the Tech Team in case Kamikaze or some crazy villain pops up near the school, and...n-nevermind. Point is, I'm doing really well. In fact...you caught me just as I was about to meet my fellow classmates for a class reunion here. Might even have a small reunion for Team Hope Heart!"
"She's just another example of folks in our family doing great!" Kokoro cheered, "And it's all thanks to you being the world's greatest Great Grandpa!"
"You've changed so many people for the better, Great Grandpa," Ken added as the camera moved to look at him and Kokoro for a moment, "Not just mom and dad...but everyone in our massive extended family."
"Very true," Jenny nodded as the camera looked back at her, "I've even taken some of your lessons to heart for some of my students. Even teaching them how life was back in the early years...heh heh. Jumping jiminies, I get a giggle whenever someone asks me what a record player is."
"You mean those giant plastic CDs right, Jen?!" Akane's voice called out from inside the building.
"Stop spying!"
"Ah! Kuon, why do you still do that?!" Naegi panicked.
"Someone has to keep Mrs. Gym-coach here in check," Kuon argued.
"But even still...We aren't kids anymore...You should set an example!"
"I didn't use my Zaruba hand…"
"Oh yes...oh so wonderful for you~"
"Seriously that hand still creeps me out," Mondo's voice muttered.
"It's a magic arm. What do you want it to be...normal?" Kuon complained.
"...Fair point, man."
"Hey Jen-chan, what's keeping you?" Hina called out as she poked her head out, her hair let down and not in its usually swirly ponytail, "I just bought a fresh batch of donuts from the bakery, too...and Kibo and RB are wondering where you went."
"I'm helping Ken and Kokoro making a video for their great grandfather," Jenny explained.
"Oh Makoto and Ben's kids!" Hina cheered, "They've gotten so big since last time they brought 'em around!"
"Hi, Aunt Hina!" Kokoro waved happily.
"Oh, it is the Tennyson kids." Kuon spoke while walking out.
He looked much the same, due to the powers he had mostly, and was clad in all black clothing with padding for combat and a decorated white coat over top with a blue interior. His left hand was covered in a black wrapping as Zaruba was set in the back of his hand now.
"They look more and more like their parents now. I shudder at what hell they raise without supervision," the talking magic skull chuckled.
"You have no idea what this one is capable of," Ken sighed as he motioned to his sister.
"Y-hey~!" Kokoro complained as she looked at him, "Like you're one t-" before her and Ken's mouths were suddenly stuffed with donuts, "Mmm?!"
"Nice shot, Hina-chan!" Akane beamed as she poked her own head out, showing her hair was cut shorter while wearing an opened orange jacket with tiger-stripes on top of a white shirt and a pair of orange track shorts with tiger stripes on them, all while her Apoplexian ears twitched a bit on top of her head.
"No arguing, you two...only enjoy," Hina added, shooting the twins with a small smile.
"I don't know how your parents put up with that, let alone your Jiisan…" Kuon shook his head.
"As I've seen...children are an acquired taste...one I do not have," Zaruba added, "They are short, messy and obnoxious…"
"And yet, you also love us because we know how awesome you are!" Kokoro beamed, pausing in eating the donut that had been tossed into her mouth earlier.
"...And yet I can never say no to that face...or the admiration from the younger female Tennyson," Zaruba muttered.
"She's just like her mom: a big energetic ball of positivity," Jenny giggled before looking back at the camera, "Oh and Robotboy has been doing great. He and Robotgirl are quite the team and not to be messed with once they transform...seriously, even me and Kibo can't keep up with them at times."
"Yet they both learned a lot from you two," Hina pointed out.
"Not all that much," Jenny sheepishly replied.
"Come on, Jen! Don't be so modest!" Akane laughed as she was about to step out.
"Uh guys…" Naeigi spoke up as he poked his head out, "I may need some help….Kokichi and Hiyoko spiked the punch again…"
"Ah…" Kuon sighed, "Really?" he asked while walking back in, "You are Adults! The fact I need to worry about the two of you and not demons from another world speaks a lot of how lucky you are I never hit either of you with my real power!"
"We couldn't resist!" the voices of Kokichi and Hiyoko yelped.
"You shall face my Makai Knight Judgment!" he shouted as loud crashing sounds shook the ground, "Come back here and take your lumps like adults!"
"Not the magic hand! Not the magic hand!" Kokichi cried.
"GET 'EM, UNCLE KUON!" Kokoro and even Ken cheered on.
"Seibai!"
"AH!"
"And another!"
"Mercy~!~!" they cried.
"Ahh...I love it when he gets like this," Akane grinned...before it became feral, "Really gets my blood goin'!"
"...Akane, no…not after we had t-" Jenny began before Akane bolted off, "...oh sweet Jiminies, not again…" she tapped the side of her head as a headset mike popped out, "Mukuro, we got a Code Tiger again…."
=The sedatives made specifically for her are already loaded and ready to be fired= Mukuro replied.
"Good. When you see her...take the shot."
=Affirmative...also you and the others may want to hurry….Toko Fukawa drunk the spiked punch=
"...Oh dear," Jenny and Hina whispered in worry.
"...Uh kids, do you mind…?" Jenny began as she looked at the Tennyson siblings.
"We were about to head home anyway to meet mom and dad," Ken answered.
"You go and meet with your friends," Kokoro added.
"You kids are the best," Jenny smiled, running off while waving to the camera, "Also, Happy Birthday, Magister Tennyson! Hope to see you next year!"
"Bye~!" Hina added as she chased after Jenny to go help.
"We really have the most awesome extended family," Kokoro smiled as she finished her donut, "Mmm...Aunt Hina's donuts still taste so good~!"
"Try not to fill up as much. We still gotta meet up with mom and dad," Ken pointed out as he pulled out his phone and dialed in a number, waiting a few moments for it to answer.
=Hey, Ken. You kids ready to head out?= Tucker's voice asked.
"Yep!" Ken smiled.
"Mind dropping us off near our parents?" Kokoro asked.
=Of course. Setting a portal up for you kids right now= Tucker answered as a Groundbridge opened near them.
"Thanks, Uncle Tucker," Ken thanked.
=Anytime Ken= Tucker chuckled.
"...You think Grandpa Max will like the cake I made him?" Makoto asked, sitting in the passenger seat of her husband's car as she held a box on her lap, "I spent the entire morning making it for him while the kids are making their gift for him."
"Considering your baking skills? He'll love it," Ben assured, "Speaking of the kids, though, I'm honestly surprised by their idea. Not the idea itself, but them actually thinking of it."
"Really?"
"...I might've put my foot in mouth again."
"No, no. Please. Do go on."
"...You're messing with me, aren't you?"
"And I've still got it!" Makoto laughed, "I was just as surprised by their idea."
"Why thank you, mom."
"Oh geez!" Makoto yelped a bit, looking back at the backseat to see Ken and Kokoro sitting there, "...Groundbridge?"
"Groundbridge," the twins answered.
"You two are too sneaky for your own good sometimes," Ben chuckled, "So did you finish your gift to your Great Grandpa Max?"
"Yup!" Kokoro beamed as she pulled the camera out of her tail, "We went around and visited everyone...We even went to Hope's Peak to go say 'hi' to Aunt Jenny since a class reunion is going on!"
"Aww that's nice," Makoto smiled.
"You guys remembered not to drink the punch 'till someone else does first, right?" Ben asked.
"Of course, daddy," Kokoro answered.
"We just stood outside while chatting with Aunt Jenny and the others," Ken added.
"Fled for the hills after Aunt Akane got the funny look Mom gets with you before telling the two of us to go to our rooms and listen to loud music," Kokoro added, "Aunt Mukuro was getting on her case with some tranq rounds just as we left."
"Makoto…" Ben sighed.
"It is a valid expression and you can't deny liking it," Makoto stated.
"Ew," their kids deadpanned.
"Anything else happen?" Ben changed the subject.
"Kokoro broke Uncle Jin," Ken answered.
"...He was acting all Papa Bear with Setsuna again, wasn't he?"
"Eeyup," Kokoro nodded.
"Okay. I know he's a little harsh towards your brother, but he's new to the whole loving emotions of wanting to protect something like that. You should have heard Ragna's stories of what he used to be like before your Great Grandpa forced him to focus himself."
"Or the first four months after Setsuna was born," Makoto recalled.
"Did he pull an Elsa?" Kokoro asked.
"Now that's not…" Ben began.
"Oh big time. He even made a Marshmallow," Makoto snickered, "Of course, it all melted down when Tsubaki got livid when she realized what Jin did."
"Hah?" the two blinked twice.
"Hun, this…"
"She was more focused on being a first-time mom to Setsuna that she never thought to look out the windows for four months," Makoto explained.
"...wow."
"Well you're one to talk, dear," Ben chuckled a bit, "Right after the kids were born, you did not let them leave your sights."
"Well of course. Us Nanaya women are pretty protective of our children," Makoto huffed, "Especially if they're being bullied in school."
"...This isn't about Vicky and her son Chet, is it?"
"Maybe…" she pouted.
"One thing's for sure, no one ever wins in the 'My Dad could beat your dad' argument with us!" Kokoro smiled.
"Ah, I remember those days," Ben chuckled, "Except I always said 'My Grandpa' instead."
"Speaking of said grandpa…" Makoto began as she looked ahead, "I think I can spot his RV up ahead."
"Yay!" Kokoro cheered, her tail wagging, "Oh~! I'm so excited~!"
"You got everything you kids wanted to record?" Ben asked.
"...Not just yet," Ken replied after a moment.
"Hm?"
"What? But we got everyone we could at the time," Kokoro replied.
"Not everyone," Ken replied, "Dad didn't make a message yet."
"You haven't?" Makoto asked.
"Well, they bolted once you gave them this idea," Ben chuckled in response, "How about you guys head out and great him?" he reached his hand out and grabbed the camera, "I'll finish this up for you here in the car. Then bring it out when I'm done."
"Can do, daddy!" Kokoro beamed as the car came to a stop.
"We'll see you in a bit then," Ken nodded as he and his sister stepped out...and immediately bolted for the RV.
"GREAT GRANDPA~!"
"They always get excited when they see their great grandfather," Makoto giggled a bit.
"Who wouldn't?" Ben chuckled, "He's the best elderly man I know. And thanks to him, I am the man I am today," he held up the camera, "Well…" he clicked the side, "Hey Grandpa, I know it's weird to put myself in this while I'm coming to see you, but figured I'd join in on the fun. You know...that I know...that I love you. You put up with me when I was a total pain both as a kid and as a teenager. But...I'm always happy to know I had you there for me. You always backed me up, you always told me when I was being a bonehead, and you always made sure I stayed humble. I...I know what I could have been without you in my life. So it's why I always felt bad whenever I was upset with you...cause...well it was me being stupid. But you never let it get to you...and I know how great it is that I had you then...and still have you now. I still have to thank you for taking me on that amazing summer road trip that kickstarted my life, and...it's turned into a great one. So…" he took a moment to compose himself from his own emotions, "Love you, Grandpa...Happy Birthday!"
"Happy Birthday, Grandpa Max!" Makoto added as she waved to the camera, turning it off before giving Ben a kiss on the cheek, "That was a really sweet message from you, honey…"
"Grandpa Max...is the reason I'm the kind of man I am now," Ben explained, "He always was there for me. More than anyone as a kid...and he's the man who taught me to be the Hero I am today. It's thanks to him I have so much...he's my Grandpa."
"Aw~" Makoto cooed, "Well, let's make sure he gets reminded of that big time today."
"Agreed," Ben nodded as the two stepped out.
SZ: Well that was a real sweet chapter, and it shows what the others are up to in the future...and no. This isn't big spoilers and stuff. This just shows..as I mentioned how everyone else aside from Ben and Makoto are doing in the future...well those of whom we were able to show.
GT: Eeyup. Not everyone got shown and implications are made. ...Plus, show of hands, who wouldn't expect Jin to not be an overprotective papa?
SZ: *raises hand*
Z0: Yes readers *pushes both Gt and SZ aside before they can do more* we are setting up an entire cast in the future. And no we won't have them mention anything.
SZ: *pokes head back over to the camera*Agreed! Ahem...anyway...hope you all enjoyed this chapter and the following one for GSE…*raises cup*and here's to another year for Galactic Shift Extend!
GT: *holds up a mug filled with an orange-flavored shake* KANPAI!
Z0: PARTY TIME! *lifts up a beer keg* Oh don't worry...its not beer...its filled with my patented Z0 Juice...its like...pure energy!