Chapter 2: Love and Violence
Review Replies
Knightmare Lord: Seems like Alex is his own kind of Beast. Also, I wonder if Delsine Rowe will show up.
Dragon Emperor0: Hmmm, maybe. We could actually use Delsine as Ryuko's love interest. Or at least a relative of his.
ThermalsniperN7: It kinda depends on what we decide on.
-House of Mako Mankanshoku-
Ryuko sighed as she sat down to dinner with Mako and her family, which mainly consisted of crochets made with all kinds of unknown ingredients, and a soup that was made with quote 'I don't know what'.
But the sus nature of the meal's ingredients and preparation wasn't what was on the girl's mind right now, rather, it was the events of the previous day and the revelations that came with it, which all equally irked her.
Most notably Alex and his relationship with Satsuki.
'What the hell is that asshole thinking, going with her?!' She wondered.
"Hey, Ryuko, something the matter?" Mako asked.
"That new guy, Alex. I'm wondering what the hell he's thinking going with Satsuki like he did." The punk girl grumbled.
"Oh, you mean that MacGrath kid?" Mako's father, Barazou, questioned. "Word is he's been pokin' around asking people about some RaySphere thingamabob or some other." The man stated as he proceeded to stuff his face. "I couldn't make heads or tails of what he was talkin' about, so I told him that if it's info he needs, he needed to go see the Information chairman." He added.
"Yeah. That guy knows a lot of stuff." Mako's little brother, Mataro, remarked. "Kept his nose to the grindstone till it started kickin' up at him. That's when he ran into Gamagori and started kickin' ass." The boy added.
"Until he got blasted away." Mako chirped as she ate her food.
"Literally everyone in town saw that." Mataro stated.
"Wait, he nearly beat one of Satsuki's goons, without one of those uniforms?" Ryuko questioned. "And MacGrath, why do I get the feeling I've heard that name before?" She mused.
There was a contemplative silence as everyone mulled her question over before Bazarou snapped his fingers in remembrance.
"Oh yeah, he's the nephew of the Saint of Empire City, Cole Macgrath!" He exclaimed.
"... WHAT?!" Ryuko yelled in shock.
"Yeah, I totally almost shit myself when I saw him start bringing frickin' lightning down on Gamagori–Heh, stupid ass prick." Mataro chuckled.
"Then that means the guy's a conduit…!" Ryuko gasped. "What the actual fuck is this world?!" She groaned, holding her head in exasperation.
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile, in the living quarters of Satsuki Kiryuin, Alex MacGrath couldn't help but feel oddly stimulated by the fact that the student council president was hugging him from behind as she slept. Her breath tickled the back of his neck as she constantly got closer and closer to him as the minutes ticked by.
Not that he was complaining, really.
He could also hear Venom snoring lightly in his head, which meant that he was still asleep.
'This is the oddest way of waking up I have ever experienced.' He noted mentally.
Turning over in an attempt to go back to sleep, Alex instead grabbed Satsuki and pulled her close to him, her chest pressing against his as he let her chin rest on his shoulder–her soft body feeling like he was holding actual heaven in his arms.
'Yeah… Yeah, this is nice.' The young conduit as he fell asleep again, embracing the girl whose bed he was sharing.
(The next day)
When the sun came up, Satsuki was the first to wake up and notice where she was. Looking at Alex, she couldn't help but smile when she saw how peaceful he looked. It was a pleasant thing to wake up to, truly.
"Such an innocent looking face…" The girl smiled as she stroked the boy's face.
Brushing aside his Mohawk-like hair, before noticing what looked alarmingly like crack-like scars along his neck—like his body had been on the verge of breaking down, but miraculously healed itself.
These scars had her feeling concerned for what may have happened for him to get them. If his body had been breaking down, then how did he recover?
This moment of worry was soon pushed aside when Alex finally awoke, his silver eyes slowly opening while Satsuki still stroked his face—and the innocent, almost infantile—look he had caused her heart to nearly jump.
'How can someone like him look so precious?!' She thought, feeling her heart hammer against her chest.
"Satsuki…?" The boy groaned as he sat up. "What's wrong? Something happen?" He asked.
"No no, everything is fine." The girl told him as she took a breath to calm her racing heart. "Forgive me for saying this, but you looked rather peaceful while you slept." She added.
"Well, usually I have some pretty gnarly sleep paralysis nightmares, so that's definitely a good thing." Alex yawned as he stretched, his pajama shirt slipping off his shoulder to reveal deeper crack scars on his shoulders extending towards his back.
"Alex… What happened to you?" Satsuki asked, her earlier worry returning as she ran her fingers along the scars.
The young conduit didn't respond, instead covering himself up defensively, shivering in a manner that indicated clear signs of physical, emotional and psychological trauma.
"That information's on a need-to-know basis." He stated.
"I-I understand." The academy monarch nodded, stuttering lightly. She knew that it was far too soon to ask about these scars of his.
"… I… Don't want to be short with you, Satsuki." Alex told her, hugging his legs close to his chest. "I… I've just been alone for so long that—it's hard for me to trust… Anyone." He explained.
"You don't have to tell me what happened now. But… You should do it as soon as you're comfortable enough." Satsuki told him gently, placing a hand on his shoulder, before using it to pull him into her chest. "And I'll do everything I can to help you forget it." She told him, stroking his hair in an effort to calm him down.
"... Thanks." Alex sighed, relaxing into her embrace.
"Daddy…" Venom sighed as he joined in the hug.
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile, as Ryuko and Mako were in the process of making their way to class, the girl was talking to her new friend after a small fiasco at breakfast.
"Why are you making such a big deal about it? He has his own stuff to do, so why get worked up over it?" Mako wondered.
"Because he's slammin' hips with Satsuki Kiryuin! And that bitch knows about how my dad died—so that means he's sleeping with my mortal enemy!" Ryuko snapped.
She didn't mean to be short with Mako, but really, she was pretty short with—well—everyone, honestly.
"Oh come on! He's just doing his own thing. What's so bad about whatever it is?" Mako asked, failing to see the big deal.
"You're missing the point entirely, Mako." The girl groaned, facepalming. "This is why no one likes neutral powers during war time—they piss off both sides." She added.
Before they could do or say anything else, the Tennis Club approached them.
Well, approached may be too strong a word, as they really just proceeded to nail Mako in the face with beeline after beeline of tennis balls that seemed to be moving fast enough to be machine gun fire.
"What the fuck?!" Ryuko yelped as she jumped back in shock. "What the hell's going on?!" She wondered with wide eyes.
"… Where the fuck are they getting all those tennis balls?" A voice said behind her, causing the girl to whip around and see Alex standing there.
But instead of being dressed in his street clothes, he seemed to be dressed in what looked to be an alternate version of a one star uniform, but this one was black rather than gray, with white stripes instead of silver, and a red star instead of black. Additionally, it seemed to have a hood that the boy kept off for the time being. His necklace was also still visible.
This—in reality—was Venom, who'd taken on the form of a Goku uniform to remain inconspicuous, and took the form of the type of uniform that reflected how much Life Fibers he'd consumed to improve his abilities—especially his ability to shapeshift and maintain said shapes for long periods.
"Oh, you. Let me guess: Satsuki got that tailored for you?" Ryuko snarked, looking at his uniform.
"Ehhh, I wouldn't exactly say Satsuki had it tailored…" Alex replied, nervously scratching his neck.
"Then where'd you get it?" The girl questioned, trying to help Mako up while the Tennis club advanced on them.
"Well, it partly has to do with her." The conduit explained, jabbing a thumb at the Club president, Omiko Hakodate.
(Flashback)
"The masses, they're such fools." Satsuki sighed as she led Alex down a hall that was deeper in the school. "Pigs in human clothes, domesticated by the establishment. They were meant to be governed." She added.
"You sound like Kessler." The teen conduit stated.
"He had a similar view, didn't he?" Satsuki noted.
"He perceived people as cattle, so yeah. The views are definitely similar." The Conduit confirmed. "I fuckin' hate that prick. He made my uncle's life hell. And for what?" He spat, the sentence tasting like bile in his mouth.
It was at that moment they arrived at their destination: The Sewing Club, the backbone of the whole academy.
"I always marveled at how our school made the students wear military inspired uniforms." The girl mused. "The boy's high collared uniform comes from the army, and the girls uniforms come from the Navy." She continued. "In our country, uniforms are meant for study, but here at Honnouji Academy, ours are meant for combat." She added.
"… You sure you don't have a few screws loose?" The symbiote host questioned. "If you design school uniforms for combat, then that's going to raise concerns from certain parties." He added.
Satsuki merely chuckled in response before answering.
"I see where you're coming from, but given the design of the uniforms, they can be very unassuming." She told him. "They will become the symbols of our control over the pigs." She continued before having him face the sewing club with her. "You at the sewing club are at the heart of our conquest and liberation of humanity. Take care as you work." She added.
"Thank you for your words of encouragement, milady." Shiro Iori, leader of the sewing club, nodded as Sanageyama and a girl Alex didn't recognize entered the room.
"Sanageyama, morning." Alex nodded at the sports chairman.
"MacGrath." The teen nodded. "How's things?" He asked.
"Same old." The Conduit shrugged. "Anyway, you failed to provide a reason for bringing me here, Satsuki. Care to inform me?" He asked.
"I've come here to speak with someone. You're here so that we may test Venom's words about Symbiotes being the natural predators of Life Fibers." The girl replied as the blonde Sanageyama had with him knelt before them.
"Tennis Club president, Omiko Hakodate, senior class T, reporting." The girl greeted.
"Thank you for your time." Alex nodded.
"Are you ready for the Hokkaido inter league match?" Satsuki questioned.
"Yes ma'am. The club members are training hard as we speak." Hakodate nodded. "Those northern hicks will know the wrath of Honnouji Academy and you, Lady Satsuki. They'll be shaking in their shoes." She added.
"Again, does anyone in this school have their heads on straight? Or is being crazy a prerequisite for joining Honnouji Academy?" Alex questioned, getting a giggle of amusement from Venom, whose goopy form vibrated from said laughter.
"I wouldn't say crazy. More like devoted." Omiko corrected.
"You say tomato, I say tomoto." The conduit retorted.
"Enough." Satsuki told them.
"We've gone through a lot of trouble trying to keep the true purpose behind this match a secret. If the tennis club wins then Honnouji Academy takes over Hokkaido and gains control over all of northern Japan." Sanageyama stated, looking at Hakodate. "So don't screw this up." He added.
"We won't." The Tennis Club president responded firmly.
"Wait, that's what you guys are going? Setting up matches with other schools to absorb them into your sphere of influence like some kind of hostile takeover?" The nephew of Empire City's Saint questioned, combing his hair back with a hand. "Fuck. Forget what I said before, you don't just sound like Kessler, you're fucking acting like him too." He added.
"Hey, it's for different reasons, okay?!" Sanageyama snapped back.
"Forgive me for being skeptical." The conduit stated.
"It's alright, you have every reason to be." Satsuki told him softly as a uniform lowered.
"A gift from Lady Satsuki, a tennis spec, athleticism augmenting two star Goku Uniform." Iori said as the uniform was revealed, gesturing to Hakodate.
"I'm getting my own two star goku uniform?! I'm honored!" Omiko gasped.
"Hm… I'll say this about you guys: You definitely know how to make quality clothes." Alex noted in an approving tone before Venom came out and examined it, surprising Iori and Omiko.
"Definitely quality. I'm tempted to eat the Life Fibers I'm sensing in it, though." He commented before returning to Alex.
"Down, little buddy. You'll get your chance." The teen told him. "But we can't weaken Satsuki's forces, we need her as an ally." He told him aloud. "Plus, I'm pretty sure mommy won't be happy if you ate her uniforms without permission." He added mentally.
"Sorry, daddy." Venom apologized.
"It's quite alright, Venom." Satsuki smiled as she had the sewing club come out with a box. "I have something for you, right here." She continued as she reached inside and pulled out a life fiber ball–the same amount used in One Star Goku Uniforms. "Enjoy." She grinned as she tossed the ball into the air, which the symbiote chomped and devoured whole in one gulp. 'That's it, my darling, feed and grow.' She grinned, a sort of what she assumed to be motherly pride coming over her.
Then Venom covered Alex's body from the neck down minus his hands, taking the shape of a Goku Uniform after a moment of shifting. The end result looked very interesting.
"Fascinating." Iori gasped. "It would seem that eating life fibers allows symbiotes to better hone their already existing skills, and mimic their prey–it must be a sort of hunting adaptation." He noted.
"And an interesting one, to boot." Alex added his two cents as he looked over Venom's new look.
"Excellent." Satsuki smiled before taking Alex's hand. "Come, we still have time before you must go to your classes." She told the boy as he went with her to her living area, where Saroi poured them both some tea.
"Why don't you wear a Goku Uniform, miss? You're more than capable." The butler wondered aloud.
"Because there is only one uniform I will wear." Satsuki replied as she enjoyed her tea.
"Oh?" Alex questioned, his interest piqued.
"It is a Kamui, much like Matoi's Senketsu." The girl nodded. "It is called Junketsu." She continued, sipping her tea, before leveling her gaze at the teenage Conduit. "And my father once told me that it was to be my wedding dress." She added.
"That's a strange thing to refer to a Kamui as–given the form it takes." Alex remarked, raising an eyebrow.
"When I retrieve Junketsu, I would very much like you to accompany me, Alex." The girl told him, crossing her legs.
"Really? Why?" The silver eyed Conduit asked with a surprised blink.
"That information is on a need-to-know basis." The student council president smirked at him with a chuckle.
"Touche, Satsuki." Alex grinned in amusement.
(Flashback End)
"Yeah… It'll take a while to explain." Alex nodded as he gestured, pointing out that the current matter was more pressing. "Shouldn't you be more concerned about that?" He asked.
"Oh, right!" Ryuko nodded as she got between Mako and the tennis club. "OK, who's the asshole that I need to pound into paste?!" She growled.
"Don't get involved, newbie." Omiko told her as she stepped forward. "I'm the captain of the tennis club, Omiko Hakodate." She continued. "As a member of the club, Mako Mankanshoku hasn't fulfilled her obligations, so we're purging the girl." She added.
"Seriously? Ya can't even wait until after the first class to do that?" Alex deadpanned.
"You're taking their side?!" Ryuko barked.
"Hell no!" The boy retorted. "What'd she do that was so bad?" He questioned.
"She missed yesterday's practice, and anyone who misses practice suffers the ten hundred million cannonball serves." Hakodate replied.
"Okay, one: That's not a real number. Two: That's cruel and unusual punishment, and if this was the states, that wouldn't fly. Three:.." The conduit stated before Ryuko beat him to it.
"Mako wasn't at practice because that jagoff boxer kidnapped her!" She added.
"Yeah, well, she needed permission for that." Omiko scoffed.
"Permission to…?! Are you fucking serious?!" Ryuko and Alex yelled at the same time, the former in outrage and the latter in exasperation.
"Okay, that settles it, this place is a fucking insane asylum!" Alex exclaimed, facepalming.
"Agreed." Venom commented.
"Begin." Hakodate said, causing the girls to start firing balls at them.
"Shit!" Alex exclaimed as he had Venom form a Prototype-like shield, blocking the balls from the girls rather easily. "Mako you better get moving." He told the brunette.
"Right! Thanks!" The bubbly girl exclaimed before she booked it out of there.
"Ryuko? Think you can handle this? Or should I?" Alex asked.
"Nah, I got it. Thanks for the save." She told him.
"Suit yourself." The American shrugged as he used his lightning powers to get out of the line of fire.
(Later)
Alex sighed as he parkoured his way up to the top of the school for his lunch period not long after, but as he did–he soon got the feeling that someone was behind him.
"You gonna say hello? Or are you just gonna keep standing there?" The conduit questioned as he looked over his shoulder at the person in question while Venom unwrapped their bento box. "Mr. Mikisugi." He added.
"Perceptive." The blue haired man remarked as he sat next to the exchange student–right as Venom snatched himself a beef croquette. "Hungry little fella, aren'cha?" He chuckled as the symbiote let out coos of contentment.
"So you've known about Venom for a while, either from my discipline fight or even before that." Alex noted. "Which means you likely want me for something." He deduced.
"That's correct." The man nodded as he took off his glasses, swept his hair back and took off his tie. "I work for an organization called Nudist Beach, a conglomerate of people founded by Ryuko's father, Ishin Matoi, to help put an end to the Kiryuin's tyranny." He explained. "It is Dr. Matoi who developed Senketsu, as a counter to his rival Soichiro Kiryuin's Kamui, Junketsu." He added.
"So they're a product of rivalries, are they?" The Conduit teen mused. "Where do Venom and I come into all this?" He questioned.
"I overheard that these symbiotes are the natural predators of Life Fibers." Mikisugi stated. "So I'm curious, if you'd allow us to borrow Venom for a bit. Or, alternatively, ask if he can lead us to more of his species." He continued. "I can see how tight a bond you two have, so I won't ask you to do anything that is a bridge too far." He added.
"You're gonna have to settle for testing our bond since Venom was abandoned by the rest of his kind." Alex told him, scowling at the audacity of the rest of the Klyntar.
"That seems… Rather drastic." The teacher mused. "Surely they must've had a reason." He added. "There's always something when you read between the lines." He added, arms folded.
"As much as I wanna dismiss that…" The silver eyed Conduit trailed off. "Venom, are there any other reasons for you being on Earth besides the ones you gave?" He asked his surrogate son.
"Well… I remember our leader, Riot, mentioning something about sending a powerful Klyntar relic off world for its own safety." The young symbiote replied.
"What was that relic called?" Mikisugi questioned with interest.
"All-Black, the sword of our creator Knull, the god of symbiotes." Venom explained. "It's capable of drowning out even the largest of stars, and slicing entire solar systems in two at twenty five percent of its true power." He added.
This miniature history lesson made the two feel extremely unnerved. If any of what Venom said was true, then sending it to the opposite end of the universe sounded smart, the way they saw it.
"You don't suppose they could have sent it inside the same asteroid you were in?" Mikisugi questioned. "Because, let's be honest, who's going to look for a superweapon in what's essentially a child's carseat?" He questioned.
"That is a good point." Alex admitted. "Though I never did pry that meteorite open since I got too distracted by Venom seeping out, so I don't even know if it's actually there." He added.
"This could be worth investigating." The man nodded, stroking his chin.
"Alright, you asked your questions, now I get to ask mine." Alex stated, his tone and expression serious as he ate his lunch.
"By all means, ask." The blue haired teacher prompted.
"Is Nudist Beach building a RaySphere?" The Conduit questioned bluntly.
"Now what would make you think that?" Mikisugi countered.
"Don't dodge the question." The boy deadpanned.
"I'm not. I'm merely asking to hear your thought process." The man assured.
"... Fair." Alex nodded. "I'm asking because readings from one have been detected in Japan. I need to find it or it'll be Empire City all over again." He explained. "On top of all this Life Fiber business, that's the last thing anyone wants on their plate." He continued.
"Any other evidence to back up this claim?" Mikisugi questioned.
"Yeah, I found a–or at least what was left of–a kitbashed lab with fresh readings in the same cave I found Venom in, which was dismantled and moved in a hurry." The boy stated. "And someone's been buying up components for building a RaySphere, but doing so on the sly." He added.
"It could've been some Kiryuin scientists who were in a hurry, but I dunno. As far as I'm aware, we aren't making one." The undercover agent shrugged. "If we are, then I haven't heard anything about it." He added.
"Well keep an eye out." Alex told the man. "Cuz when I find the guy who's building it..." He then tossed a can into the air and then made a finger gun. "Bang." He said as his fingers charged with electricity before it blasted a blowout hole through the can–showing that he basically used his finger as a railgun!
"Uh… Right." Mikisugi gulped, a bit intimidated by the display as Alex blew the smoke from his finger. "Though I feel like I should tell you: You shouldn't trust Satsuki, I know you've declared neutrality and I respect your decision, but you shouldn't get involved with her." He told the boy. "Because once you and Venom have outlived your usefulness, she'll kill you–Both of you." He added.
"I have some serious doubts about that, given the bond she's managed to forge with Venom." The Conduit told him flatly.
"Can you say for certain how much of that bond is true and genuine and how much is an act?" Mikisugi questioned.
"No, but it's still rather new since it was forged literally yesterday, so no surprise there. Only time will tell." Alex replied with a shrug.
"True. Just… Be careful, kid. I don't want to see either of you get hurt." The teacher sighed as he got up, returning his disguise. "Now if you excuse me, I have another student to attend to." He added as he left Alex to his lunch.
(Later)
"Is something wrong, Alex?" Satsuki questioned as she, Jukuzere, Inumuta and Gamagori all sat above the Tennis court.
They were there to watch as Ryuko attempted to defeat Hakodate–Alex entered the area from behind them, his face showing that something was gnawing at him.
"An… Enemy of yours approached me and Venom. Well, agent really, but still." Alex sighed as he stood next to her. "We talked, and he put some stuff in my head, stuff that says you'd kill me and Venom when we aren't useful to you anymore." He continued, causing Satsuki to nearly snap the handle of her sword.
"MacGrath!" Gamagori barked. "How dare you make such accusations against lady Satsuki?! After all the generosity she's shown you?!" He growled, getting in the boy's face, standing over him.
"It's not a case of me being ungrateful, Gamagori, I just want to know where I stand." Alex retorted, stroking Venom's uniform sleeve. "For my sake and Venom's." He continued. "You're the Information Chair, Inumuta, you understand where I'm coming from, right?" He questioned, looking at the bespectacled teen.
"That I do." The Information Chair confirmed with a nod
."Well if you ask me, it still sounds like you need to show a little faith." Jukuzere stated, sucking on a lollipop.
"Oh sure, like you'd know anything about me or my life, Jukuzere." The Conduit barked. "I tried showing faith in someone exactly once in my life and it nearly cost me my body, my mind and my soul. So don't you go telling me about having faith, you little pompous–!" He growled.
"Enough!" Satsuki blurted as she stood up, causing Alex to face her as she turned towards him, and took his face into her hands. "Alexander, look at me." She told him. "Look into my eyes." She ordered, causing him to do so. "Do these look like the eyes of someone who would betray you so callously?" She questioned.
Alex stared into Satsuki's eyes, and he stared as deeply into them as he could. He could see that these eyes weren't the ones of a callous betrayer, rather they were the ones of someone that seemed… Almost afraid of losing what she truly cherished–like she'd lost something before.
"... No." The boy responded at last, causing her to let go, before hugging him.
"Don't ever let someone tell you otherwise." She whispered. "I cherish all my closest subordinates. All of them." She continued as she sat down, Nonon hugging her tightly. "I think the Elite Four are evidence enough." She added.
"Heh… Point very well made." Alex chuckled, both he and Venom now feeling much better as Saroi brought him a seat.
It was at this moment that Ryuko was now in the process of beating the crap out of Hakodate–before proceeding to slice apart her uniform in a single clean and effective move.
"She seems like she's getting in the hang of things." The Conduit noted.
"But still not able to bring out her Kamui's full power–But rather than a physical block, perhaps it is a mental one?" Satsuki mused.
"Maybe." The boy nodded as the stairs descended again and Satsuki started walking down. "Where're you going?" He asked.
The ravenette didn't respond immediately, first instead running her hand along his cheek before cupping his chin.
"Just watch." She told him as she walked down to face Ryuko, leaving Alex very much flustered and confused.
"Uh… Okay?" He uttered, turning to the others. "What was that about?" He questioned, causing Gamagori to groan, Inumuta to shake his head and Nonon to facepalm.
"Alex, my guy, you're about to find out." Sanageyama grinned. He knew exactly what was about to happen, and was looking forward to it.
(Elsewhere)
Satsuki and Ryuko now faced off against each other on the tennis court, and before the red streaked girl could even move, Satsuki struck her with the katana on her hip–gashing Senketsu in the process.
"Secret Sword Bakuzan." Satsuki hummed. "Its edge is sharper than yours." She continued. "It can slice through anything, even a Kamui." She added.
"How the fuck is that possible?!" Ryuko gasped as she held the gash to apply pressure.
"I think it's best you focus on blocking!" The student council president challenged as she raised her sword for a powerful strike.
SCKLANG! Crackle!
But before Bakuzan's edge could make contact, a familiar red and black uniform stood between the two, with electricity crackling around a hand as an electromagnetic hold was applied to the sword, keeping it from injuring said hand–and revealing that it was Alex.
He'd just bare hands caught Satsuki's sword with only one hand.
"What?" Inumuta gasped.
"The hell?!" Gamagori exclaimed.
"He just stopped Lady Satsuki's sword. That's some serious power he's outputting, then." Sanageyama noted.
"Hmph, something tells me that he wanted to do more than just catch it." Nonon mused.
"What the fuck're you doing, Satsuki?" Alex questioned, his tone being almost coldly serious.
"I'm testing this Kamui Matoi has, and you're interfering." The girl responded to the boy she'd come to become attached to.
"Yeah, cuz you're hurting one of my friends–and upsetting Venom. He doesn't like all this violence, especially when you and Ryuko are involved." The symbiote host retorted.
That part about Venom being upset actually made Satsuki flinch. Ryuko, meanwhile, didn't know why, but she felt like she just had the whole of Mt. Fuji was thrown into her gut. It's safe to say she didn't feel like fighting after that.
"So, both of you, knock it off!" The blonde barked as he took the holds he had on the two swords and forced them both back.
Staggering, the two girls looked at him and then each other before Senketsu reverted back to its inactive state and Satsuki sheathed Bakuzan.
"We'll finish this thing later–preferably away from Venom's line of sight." Ryuko stated.
"Agreed." Satsuki nodded with a sigh before the two went their separate ways.
The common thing between them was that both of them felt some degree of guilt for upsetting Venom.
"Come." Satsuki told her blonde companion as she dragged him up the stairs. "It would seem that I need to prove my affections to you both a bit more." She stated.
"Yay!" Venom cheered as he manifested a tendril on Alex's shoulder, much to his surrogate dad's amusement.
"Yeah, I'd like that." He smiled. He was finally starting to see that, even if he'd only known her for a few days. He still really liked this girl.
(A few days later)
"So what is it you want me to do again?" Alex questioned as he and Satsuki got onto the girl's personal plane. The blonde was clutching the side of his head and rubbing his thumb into his temple–a migraine pounding his head.
"I'm going to acquire my Kamui, and I want you there for the occasion." The sword using girl replied before noticing what was happening to him. "Are you alright? Is the altitude difference getting to you?" She asked, putting a hand on his free one.
"No. My Electromagnetic powers make me fairly immune to barometric pressure changes." The conduit sighed. "This is different. When I get these kinds of headaches, it's usually a bad omen." He responded. "A real bad omen." He added.
"A premonition? Oh dear." Satsuki sighed as she held his hand.
"Satsuki, you have no idea how right that is." He nodded as Saroi fixed him some tea.
"Here, a bit of tea to calm your nerves." He told the boy.
"Thank you." Alex nodded as he accepted the tea.
(Later)
After the relatively short flight, Satsuki stepped off with Alex in tow, the two entering a sort of manor–with them being greeted first by two lines of maids, who were all bowed in unison.
"Welcome home, Lady Satsuki." They greeted.
This had Alex and Venom rather creeped out, seeing how much of a hivemind they seemed to be.
'That's not unnerving at all…' The host thought.
A few minutes later, they came to a lower level.
"Please, Lady Satsuki, you can't. Mistress Ragyo told us not to let anyone through, not even you." One of the two guards who were in their way said as the two approached them.
"Stand aside." Satsuki told them, her gaze serious and her tone absolute.
"We can't, milady." The other guard said.
"You have two options here: Move aside willingly, or I remove you two myself." Alex told them, his arms crackling with electricity.
The guards couldn't respond as Satsuki knocked them out.
"I don't have time to argue." She pressed tightly. "Come, Alex." She told the boy as he stood over the guards, Venom growling in hunger.
"In a sec, Venom's hungry." Alex told her, hoisting a guard by the collar. "Mind if he eats them?" He questioned.
"That's not necessary." Satuski stated as she took out a box with a purple ribbon around it. "I came prepared." She added, shaking the box–which caused the Symbiote to perk up and start dragging Alex towards her.
"Chocolate!" The klyntar exclaimed happily.
"You definitely have a sweet tooth." Alex remarked with a chuckle as Venom took the package from his surrogate mother and unwrapped it with its tendrils, nearly salivating at the sight of the chocolate within–and started eating them. "Holy shit, Godiva french chocolate?" He questioned, taking one of the truffles. "Easy now, you shouldn't spoil him." He chuckled, popping it into his mouth.
"I know, but I can still show him just how much I love him." Satsuki smiled before she approached her 'wedding dress'. "There you are, Junketsu." She smiled as she stepped up to the containment unit–right as someone ran in.
"How could you let this happen, Saroi? Explain yourself!" A short and portly man who had a two way comb over, nose hook mustache, and was dressed in a suit and round sunglasses, exclaimed.
"Who's this clown?" Alex questioned, continuing to eat the chocolate Satsuki gave him and Venom.
"That would be Mr. Kuroido." Saroi told him.
"I'm going to assume he's the family steward, correct?" The blonde guessed, getting a nod of confirmation in return. "Guessed as much. I better stop him." He sighed, handing Saroi the chocolates for the time being.
"Who are you? How did a peasant like you get in here?!" Kuroido barked, the boy standing taller than him.
"The name is Alex MacGrath." The boy retorted, glaring down at the man. "And you're the one who's putting his nose in business that isn't yours." He added.
"I don't care! No one is allowed down here! Either you leave or I have security remove you by force!" Kuroido snapped back.
"Oh really?" The conduit questioned, his hand crackling with his electricity and eyes burning with fire, Venom making armor spikes on his uniform state to add to his intimidation. "You and what army?" He taunted.
The response he got was the shorter man pulling out a button and pressing it, causing security to rush in. Alex merely popped his neck in response.
"I could use a warmup, actually." He remarked with a smirk, before he used his electric powers to dart up to and stick to the walls, while using his electric shield to block some bullets—which converted to energy upon impact.
"All loaded up." He smirked before hopping down and pointing a finger gun at the men, and channeling electricity into it. "Bang." He intoned.
The result was instantaneous. A large amount of the security team was practically deleted from existence, the only trace of them being their boots and a hole in the wall.
"Such incredible. Power…" Satsuki gasped, biting her thumb at the sight.
Kuroido, still shocked by this display of power, shook his head before facing Satsuki again. "Lady Satsuki, please. You know your mother has forbidden anyone to remove that outfit." The man said. "So please, return it to the containment unit." He told her.
"I will not." The girl retorted, turning her back to him as Alex finished with the security.
"Grrr, this won't do! The care of this manor has been entrusted to me! Takiji Kuroido, steward of the Kiryuin Family!" The man barked. "Even if you are the lady of the house, I cannot allow such willful behavior!" He added.
"It's not up to you, man! You can't stop her!" Alex told him as he walked up to him, electricity still covering his body.
"You won't allow it? Who do you think you're talking to?" The girl questioned as she suddenly started to undress in front of them—which caused Alex to nearly have a nosebleed and forced him to cover Venom's eyes.
"Hot mama! You're just gonna change right here?!" The boy exclaimed in surprise, trying not to peek. "… Not that I'm exactly complaining." He added as an afterthought. 'Dear lord, I knew she had to be beautiful, but this is not what I was expecting!' He thought to himself.
"Lady Sats–!" Kuroido started to say–before Alex used Venom's Big Fist enhancement to slam the man against the wall.
"God, will you shut the fuck up? I've been having a serious headache all day and your yapping isn't helping!" The symbiote host snapped in irritation.
Satsuki said nothing as she took out and put on Junketsu—giving it some of her blood.
Almost immediately, she felt it try to take control of her, screaming—The student council president resisted as she attempted to assert her dominance over the Kamui.
However, her screaming caused Alex to turn towards her.
"Satsuki!" He called out of concern.
"No Alex! Hold your concern and watch!" She barked at him as she propped herself up. "Ask not the sparrow how the eagle soars!" She declared. "I will not allow anyone to rob me of my ambition, even those I treasure! MY WILL IS ABSOLUTE!" She roared as Junketsu started molding around her. "A Kamui is just clothing to be worn! It is not a living feeling creature like a symbiote, it is not worth sympathy or cooperation—So I will force it to my will!" She yelled.
Alex watched as the Kamui began to take shape around the girl he'd befriended, Venom also watching in worry for his mother. After some time, it was over, and Satsuki now wore Junketsu like a normal piece of clothing. She looked really exhausted from the battle of wills she just went through, however.
"It… is finished." She sighed as she stumbled off the stairs as Junketsu went dormant—and then proceeded to fall into Alex's arms.
"I think it's best I put her in bed and let her sleep this off." The Conduit commented as he hoisted her into a bridal carry.
The irony is real, considering Junketsu's 'wedding dress' title.
(Later)
Satsuki moaned softly as she came to after they got back to the plane.
"Hey." Alex smiled, causing her to take note that she was laying in his lap.
"Hello." The girl sighed as she sat up. "Thank you for accompanying me today. I wanted you to witness this moment firsthand." She told him.
"Yeah, why is that, exactly?" He questioned.
"Remember how I said that Junketsu was called a wedding dress?" Satsuki began, getting a nod in return. "Well, every bride needs a groom, does she not?" She continued as she cupped his cheek.
"Wait, are you saying…?" The nephew of Empire's Saint gulped.
"I think you already know the answer to that." She smiled.
'Hooooooly shit, she's not just asking me to be her boyfriend after so short a time, she's basically asking me to be her husband!' Alex yelled mentally in shock. 'Though we are raising venom together, and we have been clicking pretty well… So maybe I shouldn't be surprised.' He amended.
"Well, Alexander?" She questioned. "What is your answer?" She continued, wanting to hear his answer.
"How about I show you my answer?" Alex smiled back.
Before Satsuki could ask what he meant, he suddenly pulled her into a kiss. While the action definitely surprised her (who wouldn't be surprised in this setting?), she didn't complain and kissed back.
"… I'll take that as a 'yes', then." She smiled, resting in his arms.
"It helps that you truly care about the people you hold dear." Alex smiled as he let Satsuki rest her head on his shoulder. "If I'm honest, this is a step in the right direction for my life." He admitted. After all he'd gone through, he worried he'd never find any light in his life, so he was feeling a little hopeful.
"Hope is what gives life meaning." Satsuki nodded. "It is what helps us continue when all seems lost." She continued. "Something the Elite Four and I know all too well." She added.
"Thanks for teaching me, then." Alex sighed as he tightened his grip on Satsuki a little.
"My pleasure." The girl nodded, finally letting her fatigue take her.
Venom enveloped her soon after while they flew back to Honnouji Academy.
From being an unpopular loner loser in Empire City to this? Alex had to admit, he definitely made the right choice, coming to Japan.
Dragon Emperor0: Hey guys. Hope you don't mind but we thought it'd be a good idea for us to give you all a second chapter of this story to help encourage more people to check it out and review it. Cuz, this story's been up for awhile and it's only got a single review. Guys, you gotta leave feedback. We can't improve things if we don't know what we're doing right or what we're doing wrong.
ThermalsniperN7: Exactly, so unless you actually enjoy the way we do things, give feedback and constructive criticism and all that. All that aside, Mikisugi tried to steer Alex and Venom away from Satsuki; Yeah, he'll have more luck explaining what the sky is to fish.
Dragon Emperor0: It's clear that Satsuki has no intention of letting either of them go. And even though Alex clearly isn't really actively helping any side (Honnouji, Ryuko or Nudist Beach) retaining his neutrality–It would seem he is forming alliances with all parties involved. Not a bad strategy, considering his main objective.
ThermalsniperN7: Yeah. Not only will it speed things up, it'll help make sure he has all possible angles covered. Pretty big brain move there, really. He was even brought along when Satsuki got her hands on Junketsu.
Dragon Emperor0: And don't worry, we're going to implement more moves from inFAMOUS/Prototype to fit the theme we're going for here–Just keep in mind that it's a lot of stuff to keep track of so we likely won't remember every move for every situation. But we'll still try. Anyway–Am I the only one who doesn't like the look of all the small omens that were dropped here? Alex's scars (which seemed eerily similar to John White's), his headaches, and the apparent possibility that All-Black may be on earth?
ThermalsniperN7: No you aren't. All of this is gonna lead to something pretty explosive with Alex and Venom in the middle of it, and it's not gonna be pretty. Anyway, see you guys next time.