A/N: Not at my best healthwise atm. Sorry if this seems short.
Invincible season two is a go and hitting HARD, so here we are, now that I've got help again.
Although...I'm not a fan of what they pulled with Thula. She was NOT that old in the comics.
Guess that's a sign of my age that I remember stuff like that. If you know, you know.
Hello, hello~! Can anyone see this? Yes? No? Maybe so?
Do let me know~!
With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. All this insanity around the world serves as a terrible example. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
As ever, I own no quotes, references, themes, or memes. Not a wit or a one! They're tributes to legends far greater than I.
These constant breakdowns are testing my patience...but I remain. We'll see where this goes. I've started posting on other sites now as well.
So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild, wicked world, one word at a time.
Once more, I own no quotes, references, or memes. Not a wit or a one. NOT! A! THING!
They're all tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me. Disclaimer over.
Time and feedback will determine if this little ficlet remains a story.
Simple as that.
"You don't understand! The man's a monster."
"Sure, he's fast and strong, durable too, but he's more than that."
"More than a walking nuke? Sir, I don't see how you can get more dangerous than-
"Quiet you. Fire Shadow can disguise himself as anyone on the planet, right down to their very DNA, and we'd never know. Those shadow clones of his? He can field at least a hundred of them at any given time and control them individually. Don't get me started on that Nine-Tailed friend of his. I've seen him do things, impossible things, things that would make your knees quake and your spine turn to jelly. He is a walking, talking apocalypse, and as of now, he has a bone to pick against the GDA. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what we're up against.
Do any of you have a plan? No? Because I don't.
Who knows what he's up to now?
God help us all."
~Cecil.
Counters and Consequences (Interlude)
Naruto wound his arm back and took aim.
Blue eyes narrowed to distant point on the horizon...
From there he cocked his arm further backward, like a pitcher ready to throw.
Eve couldn't take the anticipation and giggled despite herself. "Higher, higher! I wanna fly again!"
Her father laughed a little. "Alright!"
With a mighty whoop, he launched her upward; she actually got some decent hang-time on this one, managing a somersault in midair before gravity sank its claws into her. She crashed into the ocean with a happy squeal and vanished beneath the surface. She lingered there for a moment, reveling in the cold water before a flutter kick sent her shooting upward once more. How Josh and her other siblings got sick of this, she'd never know. They'd given up hours ago, choosing to sun themselves on the beach with mom.
Not her!
She wanted action!
Well, that, and time with Dad.
Her head broke the surface and quick as can be, just in time to see him wave her way. She could've flown back in an instant, but she didn't. Today was supposed to be a no-powers day; a chance to feel normal, to just be a kid. So she paddled her way back. A lazy backstroke brought her to the shallows soon enough. Dad said water walking -and its accompanying chakra exercises would come later.
But today?
Today was a day for fun.
And fun Eve intended to have~!
As far as family vacations went, theirs was a simple one, and long overdue. Who knew how many more they might have? She couldn't help but grimace a little at that; she knew mom wasn't better yet, not really, even six months later. Polly got tired easily and had next to no stamina. Dad spent an hour healing her every morning, while Brandyworth kept her on a strict diet to make certain she stayed healthy. Josh and the others hadn't noticed it yet; they were all too happy to have parents again to notice any flaws they might have. Jessica might get it, but Amanda and Luca were still too young. They just wanted to spend time with Mom. In truth, she didn't blame them.
Dad was a good, well...dad. Mom was trying her damndest too, despite her condition. They both were. And she loved them to bits for it.
She was still dwelling on that lovely thought when a green portal shimmered into existence a foot from her face.
"Uh, dad?" she recoiled and looked backward, eyes wide. "We've got company-whoa!"
Say what you would about Naruto Uzumaki being rusty, but his reflexes were still on point; she was still speaking when a hand came down on her shoulder, yanked her out the shallows and swung her onto his shoulders All this in the blink of an eye. From there she latched onto his back with her legs and raised both hands. Pink sparks of light flickered at her fingertips as she glared at the green gate, ready and willing to blast whatever came through.
Dad grunted in approval. "Good girl."
"Hmm!" She preened, made prouder for the praise. "What do you think's on the other side?
An arm, evidently.
Clad in a green sleeve, someone's hand thrust their way through and flailed fruitlessly for purchase in the air. Finding none, redoubled its efforts tenfold. As father and daughter looked on in quiet confusion, a voice issued forth from the other side, faintly muffled with panic. "A little help, please!"
Dad looked to her, shrugged, heaved a sigh and reached out to grab them by the wrist.
Then he yanked.
Someone came flying through and bounced off his chest
"Oh, thank goodness." The man heaved a sigh, hands on their knees as they granted them a grateful grin. "You saved my life! That universe had nothing but radioactive rats in it!"
She took the stranger in at a glance, trying to comprehend him; young, dark of skin, clad in fad blue jeans, a matching shirt with a battered grey jacket flung over the latte. He sported dark hair, the barest beginnings of a beard and a easygoing smile that looked even more careworn than his shoes. Her brain caught up to his words moment later.
Wait, rats?Eve blinked, mildly intrigued despite herself. "Were they giant?"
"Indeed they were!" The young man laughed. "The size of cars!"
Samantha shuddered. "Ewwww!"
Dad wasn't so easily distracted. "And you are?"
"Ah." The man laughed a little and wiped a beat of sweat from his brow. "Sweet heaven, where are my manners? I'm being terribly rude. My name...is Angstrom Levy." the man offered them his hand, noticing her, but he only seemed to have eyes for Naruto. "Its a pleasure to meet you. I've heard great things."
"...?"
...name didn't ring any bells.
So why did dad look so intense right now?
(.0.0.0.)
"I've heard great things."
Naruto eyed the man's hand like a snake.
It may well have been for all he knew. Superpowers were weird.
"Have we met?"
"Not in this universe," the newcomer sketched a bow, "But I'm a fan of your work. I was wondering if you'd be willing to help me with a project of mine...?"
Ah. It all made sense now. Of course someone would seek him out now that he'd "come back from the dead" as it were. Angstrom Levy wasn't the first and he probably wouldn't be the last. Regardless, he would be sent away empty-handed like the rest. He didn't have time for petty games and fancy words.
...I'm retired." he moved to walk past the younger man. "Say goodbye to the strange man, Samantha."
His daughter sketched a wave atop his back.
"If you'll just hear me out!" Angstrom body-blocked them before they could take so much as a step, quick little man that he was. "I'm not doing any of this for me, I'm doing it for world peace; or well," he amended hastily, "I suppose you could say multiversal peace?"
His eyes flashed. "I once knew a man who said something similar about peace. It didn't end well for Madara. You want it to end the same for you?"
Angstrom remained undaunted. "Now, now, I'm not talking about controlling minds or any of that. Really, its quite simple...
His fist rose. "So is this. Fist meets face."
"Whoa, there!" The man backpedaled with surprising speed and held up his hands, palms splayed to show himself harmless. "I come in peace. Well," A pause now, as he touched a finger to his chin. "I suppose this version of me does. I can't really speak for any of my counterparts. I'm sure you understand./
"Ha?"
"Sorry!" much to his confusion, the strange man clasped both hands before his face and bowed to him-actually bowed! "I'm getting ahead of myself. Its just, you're one of the strongest people on this planet and there's no one else I can turn to...
Eve made a commiserating noise from her perch on his back. "Just this planet?"
"To the best of my knowledge, little lady." Angrstom nodded her way. "I can't speak for the rest of the galaxy. Its a big multiverse out there.
There it was again, that word. The hell was a multiverse?
"...?"
"I know, I'm rambling." He hadn't thought it possible for the poor man to bow even deeper, but he proved him wrong. "Its just such a pleasure to meet you, the real you! I heard all about you when I was younger; grew up on tales of your deeds... then you vanished off the face of the earth and now you're back. You look good for a dead man.
"Flattery won't get you far."
"Aha, so it will get me somewhere!"
It was hard not to like this chatty little human. He had an amiable air about him.
"Lets hear him out." Eve gave him a nudge. "He seems nice."
A lot of people "seemed" nice until they weren't.
And yet...
.
..
...stop bowing, already. I'll hear ya out."
"Excellent!" Angstrom snapped upright, beaming ear to ear. "I'm something of a pacifist you see, and I'm still working out the kings, but a couple years from now, I'm going to try something grand and I'd appreciate your help. I've been entertaining the idea for awhile, but frankly seeing you and those what did you call them...
Naruto tilted his head. "Shadow clones?"
"Right!" the wiry man snapped his fingers. "It made me curious. I won't ask you to help me for free of course. I'd be more than happy to assist the Mauler Twins in having a look at your wife."
Even made a strangled nose. Naruto's brow shot into his hair. "How do you...?
Angstroms shrugged. "I keep my ear to the ground."
"And what can you do?"
"Quite a few things." Angstrom wiggled his fingers, green sparks skittering from his fingertips. "I'm a clever and resourceful man. I'm sure between the three of us, we'll figure something out."
Naruto could feel Samantha looking at him; feel his daughters hope.
...I think this might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. But if you betray us-
"No, no, aaaand no. Angstrom waved him off anxiously. "I've seen what happens to your enemies. I prefer to have my organs on the inside, not inside out thank you very much."
"How did you even find us?" Eve posited. "
"Persistence, my dear." Angstrom sketched a bow, the very picture of poise. "In many realities your father is either dead, crippled, not on this planet...or not as nice.
Naruto held back a wince. "Define not nice."
Levy looked back to the beach where Polly and the children were basking in the sun. "Can I be honest with you?"
Naruto cracked his knuckkles. "Ya will if you know whats good for you."
"You're my third stop, actually. And third time's the charm, so...
Eve raised her hand. "What happened to other two?"
The silence was his answer.
"Think of it this way," Angstrm held up a finger. "In the multiverse, there are as man different versions of you and me as there are stars in the sky. Some universes have mine differences, others, its like night and day. Take you for instance You and Cecil are on the outs in this dimension, but in another you're his loyal lapdog, lapping up every word he feeds you. Naruto winced, but Levy wasn't finished. "He tells you to jump you say how high. You even destroyed the moon.
"Why?"
Because your "master" asked you to.
His lip curled in disgust at the very notion of it.
Some of that anger must've shown through; because the vaunted visionary quickly changed topic. "In another, you were president of the whole damn country. Harem and all. He turned me down. Come to think of it, I did stumble on a universe where you were a woman. She turned me down of course, she was busy running a revolution-
"She?!"
"Dad?" Eve tilted her head curiously, "What's a harem?"
No, no, no! Absolutely not. "I'll tell you never."
Don't you mean when I'm older?
...Samantha, honey, be a dear and look after your mother, would you?"
She pouted." Awww, but I wanna stay and listen!"
"Samantha Eve Uzumaki! Get!"
She got.
Naruto watched her retreat with a rueful sigh, coughed into a fist, and turned to face Angstrom once more, face red. "How do I know you're telling the truth?"
"You can sense my remaining honesty, can't you?" I know you have the ability to sense a lie; that's one of your gift as I understand it.
...that's right."
"Well?" He spread his arms wide, expression serene. "Am I lying?"
He wasn't, remarkably. Every word was the truth."I'd like to see these so-called worlds of yours.
"I'm sure you would!" Levy laughed. "But if I were to tell you of every wrong in the multiverse we'd be here till we're old and grey."
Another thought tickled the back of his brain. "You said you could see other versions of ourselves..what about Omni-man?
Levy's face closed down and he knew at once he'd said the wrong thing, somehow.
"Touchy subject?"
"Complicated subject." Came the counter. "How about this. Help me with my pet project and I'll tell you all you could ever want to know about Nolay Grayson. Even some things you might not wanna know."
With that, his curiosity was piqued. "Why not now?"
"Because," Despite the vast difference in strength, Levy stood his ground. He respected him for that. "There are some things I know better than to mess with and I don't like the idea of breaking time. We've got a few years. And you're a good counter to him. Physically and mentally.
Counter...?
"That's part of the reason you see; I'm hoping this world will turn out better than the rest. Naruto rolled his eyes at the remark. How could this man ever be a threat? He seemed so...nice. So harmless. And all this talk of other universes had him intrigued, so much so that he nearly missed what came next. "I'll be in touch. Here's my cell." He had his number offered in short order. "Oh, and one last thing-
He looked up, paled, and hastened through a portal.
It didn't take Naruto long to realize why. He'd sensed him coming.
A sudden rush of wind heralded a new arrival; he looked up and found a familiar figure descending from on high; a man wearing red-and-white.
"Nolan?" his brow furrowed a little, both briefly baffled and instantly suspicious. "I didn't know you used this beach."
"On occasion." His old rival/turned friend descended to greet him. He looked almost embarassed
"What's wrong?" he frowned a bit. "Its not like you to be this quiet."
"Well, Debbie wanted the kids to meet...she was persistent."
His eyes lit up, warming to the change of topic.
"Think they'll get along...?"
(.0.0.0.)
Huh.
Pretty girl.
Very pretty girl.
...hi." said girl clasped both hands behind her back and smiled at Mark, much to his chagrin. "I'm Samantha. Nice to meet you."
"Mark." he stumbled over his own name for a second and finally managed a grin. "Mark Grayson...
The girl grinned at him and something in Mark's heart lurched. "Wanna play a game?"
Maybe mom was right. This might not be so bad. "Do you, ah...like football?"
Her eyes lit up. Like, actually lit up. "I love football!
And just like that...it was love at first sight.
A/N: Aaaaaaaand scene.
It really is a shame about Angstrom Levy; he was more noble in the show than the comics and then BAM! That happened.
Would you like weekly updates? Do let me know?
What chaos awaits? Who will live? Who will die?! Find out next time, on Apples and Atoms~!
Well? What say you? Do you want this to remain a story? Yes? No? Maybe so? Make yourselves heard! Really need to hear from you, here.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this particular story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself isn't popular? Well...I'll not continue it. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy.
So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Aaaand there we go. As ever, reviews keep me alive. Without them, I cannot write. So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly? Hope you enjoy the previews.
We've got some new ones and some are...intense.
They've been expanded and then some!
Read at your own risk:
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
SPOILERS AWAIT YOU!
YE BE WARNED!
(Previews)
"I came to this world with a purpose, son. I'm practically the last of my kind. And as my eldest child, there are...certain things you should know."
Joshua listened, rapt with attention. "What things, dad?"
Naruto sighed. "Lemme tell you about chakra...
"Daaaaaad!"
"No buts! Eat your veggies, missy!"
"Unbelievable." Cecil flung down a sheaf of papers on his desk as Ferguson looked on. "Simply unbelievable.
"Sir...?"
"Just look at this!" if looks could kill, the news articles would be a pile of smoldering ashes and his desk with a good bit of the floor besides. "We've got heroes AND villains coming out the woodwork to speak in support of this guy. The media's eating it up. And we're the ones left holding the bag."
Of course they were! A family of six kidnapped and experimented on for twelve years. Who cared if that technically wasn't the truth? It was close enough, and if people loved a good tragedy, they loved a comeback story even more. He'd forgotten just how well-loved Fire Shadow had been by the people. This boded poorly for the GDA. Erickson might be dead-he hoped so, although that slimy worm always seemed to have a backup plan- yet his actions just might see everything they'd ever built run into the ground.
They had to turn things around. But how...?
"You must be Rex." The man stood before him, idly wiping blood from his hair. "Your boss had good things to say about you...before I popped his skull."
Ah, shit. That would explain all the blood then, wouldn't it? He looked like he'd gone through a blender.
The boy raised his hands. "Whoa, whoa! I don't want any trouble."
"No, son. No, you do not."
I don't care how fast you are. I don't care how strong you are, and I don't give a s**t how smart you are. I know your future. You don't live to see tomorrow.
Blood flew through the air.
Is this still fun?! Are you enjoying yourself?! Having fun?! Well?! Answer me!
...what are you?
"Just a family man." he took a long sip from his mug. "Thula, was it? Run along now." his fingers flicked out in a shooing motion. "I'm not int he mood." A thought occurred to him and he cocked his head. "Unless you want to fight. It won't end well. That blade in your hair won't help you."
...I am not here to fight. I am here to talk."
"Go on, then." he took a long drink. "Talk. You have one minute."
"You look lonely. I can fix that."
Naruto pivoted in the air, annoyed to find someone behind him. "And you are?
...Anissa." the woman's grin only grew. "You're certainly strong for one of your kind. Exceptionally strong."
"One of my kind?"
Her fist slammed in at his face.
He caught it, wrenched her arm down and behind her back. From there, he glared at her shoulder over her. "Had enough?"
She had not; much to his surprise her grin only grew and she leaned into him, pressing her full figure against his chest. "Enough?" she tilted her head back to grin up at him, eyes bright, a wide smile wreathing her face. It almost made her look human. "Why would this be ever be enough?" He could feel her muscles straining against his, taut and excited. "You're impressive! Most impressive! I can see why you beat-
He whirled and tossed her upward with a vicious twist, sending her flying into the clouds. "You talk too much. Cool off in the atmosphere."
The moment he turned away, her feet barreled headlong into his back. "Then I'll speak another language!"
An elbow barreled down into her neck and plunged her into the ocean below. "Right back at ya!"
The water erupted and then Anissa was on him again, grinning like a madwoman.
"Yes, that's the way! HIT ME HARDER!"
EDIT: Hope this story brightened your day and made things better, even if only a little.
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work~!
May you have a great day and lots of luck!
Warm regards,
~Nz.
R&R~!