A/N Break
Alt title: Time to find out
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I suck at writing action scenes. I think the fight between A-Train and Blue Hawk was the best I'll ever get.
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Kaykaykaykayan: Are you sending prayers to me, or Kitsu? Because you should be sending prayers to her soon to be victims.
Nullblaster: For fucking real.
Guest: Only one of Gary died. There is no distinction between him and his clones.
Nice: You're welcome!
Redburndragon: Hookwolf is under Circe's control, and no one messes with Panacea. End of story there.
Gogmazios: Hint, psychological warfare.
Natelord28: No she won't.
YeTianshi: Long time no see! And yeah, I more pictured her Wolverine raging against the nazi's.
Grimnosh: The scary thing is, if you're gonna make Kitsu your enemy. Pissed Kitsu is your best bet.
At least you know you'll die before you suffer too much. Keep in mind, Coil still hasn't been able to leave his base and is about to lose the funding to keep his mercenaries if he doesn't think of something soon. Eventually, he'll likely starve in his base, with access to the outside world just in reach, but to reach for it, is just another kind of death.
Orumon: Scarecrow is a narcissistic, manipulative sociopath. But he's smart. And that's what makes him a good villain here. He wins. Even when it seems like he loses, he never truly does because he's resourceful and can take the bad with the good. That's what makes a good villain. You want him to lose, but also respect when he wins.
It all just makes his eventual fall more satisfying.
VrtCst: Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin, naal ok zin los vahriin! Wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal!
No I did know that by heart, yes I googled the actual lyrics because even though I platinumed Skyrim I can never remember it.
DancingLeaf: Someone get reference, Kitsu's shard! Is named [Conduit]! And she literally states that she calls him that, because she likes Infamous! Yes, I've played second son.
I hope we get another infamous game soon.
I'm a DM. My last DnD campaign before this one, they called themselves Team Pickle Party, because between the 6 of them, it was either that, or Team Ego Death. Long story, I hate my players sometimes.
The Birdcage is really for anyone who has powers. The Wiki even states how it sort of became the go to for capes who had anything above a manslaughter charge.
RadChaos897: It's been a few weeks but it feels like months!
Your description of KFS is, not too far off. No spoilers, but, there is a drive thru.
Hmm, Mechanic, tragic indeed.
It is a funny coincidence.
Hypothetically? Vicky's second trigger would give her the power to expand to her shield to cover others.
JimmyBlah: You're welcome!
Efail1: for the first review, yes. I screenshotted that list and will keep it in mind moving forward.
The second? Also yes, but, Kitsu has always been a capricious. She lives in the moment and rarely thinks too far ahead without prompting. It's one of her many flaws. And this event, is to highlight how bad it can get. She was okay with staying three days because she wanted the give the Travelers a little hope before up and leaving. That's all. She didn't think past that.
Is that immature, selfish, short sighted? Yes. But that's Kitsu, if a problem is not in her face, she tends not to think about it. This is what Carol meant when she said Kitsu is inconsiderate. She doesn't consider others unless prompted.
Like the summary says, MC is Childish and Immature.
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-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
[Shard]
(Text)
*Sounds/Actions*
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-Thursday, August 13th, Central District, 8am-
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Steve "The Mechanic" Pappagallo POV
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Sat here behind a cage in a transport van. With iron cuffs covering my hands to prevent any tinkering. I'm, oddly enough at peace with this. This is where I belong.
How many people did I kill? If not directly, then with my actions? I know at least forty. Who knows how many I offed while drunk? How many fathers did I force to bury their kids? How many children will grow up never knowing their aunt or brother? I guess, this is better. Spend a life living hell, before going there myself. A bit of free trial before the full purchase.
"He really doesn't talk, does he?" One of the PRT guards asks from the other side of the bars.
"According to Chief Kareton, aside from turning himself in, and confessing his crimes." The other begins to explain. "The most he's said is to ask for a beer."
'Fuck.' I think as I feel the chills return. 'I was trying to ignore it you jackasses!'
"Damn." One of the two says as-
*Skkkrrrrrt*
I'm tossed forward as the van suddenly stops. Smashing my already pounding head against the barred door in front of me.
My ears ring as a slurry of words are tossed between the two guards. A back and forth of unregisterable noise as I get up and try to focus through the pounding haze. Fuck everything is so bright.
I think I might be concussed.
*Shrring*
Looking up through blurred eyes, I watch as a blue and green, thing with tentacles around its neck charges into the van on four legs. Grabbing the two PRT guards in its neck tentacles, it rushes out of the van with the two in tow as another lizard creature walks in to the back. Only this one is on two legs and is wearing a sort of gladiator getup.
"Hey there." The lizard man says in a raspy, androgynous voice as they lean on the bars. "So, you're the shit head we gotta rescue. Assum'n you're Mechanic?"
"It talks." I say numbly.
Fuck, withdraw is hitting me hard.
"Yes it does." They say as they push themselves back up and grab the bars they were leaning on.
A single yank, and the bars bend, creaking under the creatures strength. A second yank, and the door comes off of its hinges.
"Come on ya lout." The lizard says as he reaches down and hoists me up. "Move!"
"You're busting me out?" I say as I'm forced to my feet by my collar.
"Trying!" It says, grabbing my cuffs and pulling my wrists apart, snapping the chain apart and freeing up my hands. "Come on!"
I don't get a chance to protest as I'm yanked forward. Pulled along as I try to collect my thoughts, but this damn headache is killing me! Fuck!
"Who, what, stop!" I try and say as I'm forced to shield my eyes from the sunlight. The soreness in my eyes further consuming my thoughts.
The loud noises not helping either. And I feel the nausea kicking in. A drink, I just need a little to stave off this, fucking withdraw! I can't focus! Everything is just too much. The smell of gas, gunpowder, all the sounds mixing together.
It was fine when I was in the truck, distracted, but now that I'm moving. I feel so sick. Like I need to throw up but there's nothing in my gut. My head pounding as every noise is somehow new and attention grabbing, yet it all somehow bleeds together and forces itself to the background. Every touch is a shock that steals my attention.
I just, it's all too much! I can't, focus on anything!
Before I know it, I have a bottle in my hands, that familiar burning in my throat as I find relief in the familiarity. Followed soon by the realization of where I am. The back of the truck I modded for Joey, with the man in front of me.
"Fuck." I curse as I start slowly piecing together what happened.
"Fuck is right." Joey says across from me. "What were you thinking man? If I hadn't heard from Mush of all people, you'd be off to jail!"
"Wha?" I say as I close my eyes and put a hand to my head and try to focus through the remaining bits of my headache. "Oh, right. Shit, what'd Mush tell you?"
"That you went out drunk driving and crashed into a precinct." Joey says in an accusatory tone.
Well, I was a bit plastered. So he's not wrong. I did crash into a precinct while drunk. But how did Mush know?
I guess it doesn't matter.
"Send me back." I say as I pinch the bridge of my nose.
There's a long stretch of silence that fills the van. Only filled by the constant hum and rattling of the van as it drives. That, or I'm still not all here and the humming and rattling is just my headache and nerves.
"Excuse me?" Joey asks lowly. "Why?"
"Just, I, I can't do this anymore Joe." I say through a self deprecating chuckle. "I, I just can't."
"What do you mean?" Joey asks in an unrecognizable tone.
"What else?" I say, feeling my voice starting to crack. "This, the driving, the tinkering, the runs. I can't. No more, just, I can't make another mistake."
"Mech- Steve, life is full of mistakes." Joey says as he puts a hand on my shoulder. "You can't live-"
"Don't." I interrupt him. "Just don't. Save your breath. There's nothing you can say Joey."
Behind bars is where I belong. Jail is the least I deserve.
"Shame." I hear Joey say. "Well, then I'll save us the time."
*Click*
Looking up, my heart sinks as I see the gun Joey carries around. Now aimed at my head as he just cocked the hammer.
"What?" Is all I find myself thinking as my vision starts to darken
"Shit!" Someone in the front says.
*Skkiiiiiiir* the van makes a harsh swerve as I'm once again tossed to the side.
My head slams into the side of the van as that somehow knocks me awake as I'm flung to the floor.Looking around, I see Joey hurriedly putting his mask on. He looks to me and aims his gun at me. My body seeming to have a mind of its own, my leg kicks out and catches his shin. Causing him to stumble in time with another swerve and shoot the floor of the van.
Taking the bottle in hand, I throw it at him. Catching him square in the mask as the empty bottle of bourbon smacks his face with a tink. Before falling to the metal floor of the van and shattering.
I quickly get up and charge him. Grabbing the wrist of his hand with the gun and holding it up as we slam into the back if the van doors. Struggling to hold him still as glass and bourbon slide under and around our feet.
"What the hell, Joey!?" I shout at the man I thought my friend. "I thought you, you, you just held a gun to my head! And tried to shoot me!"
"You know too much." He says in that raspy voice his mask gives him. "If you aren't with me, then you're a liability!"
"That doesn't mean!" I start before the van swerves again, knocking as both over. Falling back, with Joey on top of me as I hear the gun clatter above my head.
Turning around, I reach out for the gun. My mind surprisingly clear and focused throughout.
"Argh!" I yell in pain as Joey slams a glass shard into my hand and takes the gun.
Swinging my other fist up, I catch him in his throat. Forcing him to choke and drop the gun again. Snatching it, I flick the safety, knowing what's coming next.
Joey slams a fist to the back of my head. Forcing my face to the floor and pain to shock through my face as I feel my nose break with a sharp crack.
With both hands, I painfully push up and slam my head back into his mask. Knocking him off of me as I keep ahold of the gun. Quickly standing up, I turn in time to receive another fist to the face. Not letting him gain the upper hand, I point the gun at him. Causing him to freeze in place.
"Look, Steve-" Joey tries to say before the brakes on the van are hit, sending me flying towards him and slamming us both against the back of the van.
Once we both hit the van Joey wrestles the gun from my grip. Squirming from under me and pinning me against the doors with strength I can only assume is from one of his gases, he holds the gun to my head.
"Could've made this quick, but no." He grunts out as I feel the cold metal pressed to my head.
'This is it.' I tell myself. 'Let it happen. Betrayed by your only friend, or, who you thought was your friend. You deserve this.'
He pulls the trigger. Only for nothing to happen. Seeing as I swapped the safety.
Using the moment of confusion, my body acts on its own, and pulls the latch to the van doors behind me.
In a blur, I fall out of the moving van and watch as Joey holds onto the door behind me. Before I hit the ground and feel a hard impact on my back. And then, nothing.
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-Thursday, August 13th, Sewer Hideout, 11am-
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Francis "Trickster" Krouse POV
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Walking to the fridge we have hooked up to a generator, after a long day of arguing with the team and trying to keep Noelle calm. I open it, looking forward to the leftover ramen that-
"Who ate all of the food!?" I yell out. "Seriously! What the hell!?"
It's all gone! The ramen! The pizza! The tv dinners! The Chinese takeout!
All of it! And whoever did it left the boxes! Like, who does that!?
"Francis we got a problem!" Marissa says frantically as she rushes into the room.
"I'll say." I grumble as I take the empty box of pizza out of the fridge and toss it to the side.
Turning to Mars, I pull a pack out of my pocket and grab a cig. "Someone munched on all our grub and left the empty boxes."
"Probably the same someone who is no longer in the interrogation room." Marissa says softly with wide eyes and a crack in her voice.
The cigarette I was raising to my lips slips out of my fingers, as I stand frozen. The words taking what feels like hours to register.
"Come again?" I ask.
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Bursting into the room we were holding Kitsu, I'm met to the sight of a perfectly normal room. Hell, the pressure pads around the cement block are untouched. Oh, and so is the fucking block!
Rushing over, stepping around the plates, all I find is a hole where her neck was. I break into a cold sweat as I see the blindfold we had superglued to her face on the side of the block. The hole empty and in the shape she was placed in. The plate we put in to give her chest room to breathe is there as well.
She, she just left.
She literally could've just up and left whenever she wanted. Holy fuck. She literally got up, ate all of our food, and left.
And no one noticed.
"Hooo-okay." I let out a shaky breath as I run a hand through my hair and try to think of something. "Oh, oh we are so fucked."
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-Thursday, August 13th, Dallon House, 11:25am-
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Kitsu POV
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My blood boils as I see Stormfront standing over Vicky. Her arms crackling with electricity as she extends them towards her.
Now, I'm not faster than lightning. I'm still delegated to some laws of physics. But you know what isn't? Light.
Her electricity shoots forth from her hands as I force and illusionary block in between her and Vicky. It's blocky, and looks like it's glitching in and out of reality like all my illusions do when I'm mad.
But, it gets the job done and takes the hit. I need to calm down! Calm down! If I don't, then my illusions are useless and I can't heal.
Calm!
DOWN!
Armored ghostly knights, holding Missy down. House in ruins. Mom, Dad, Vicky, Missy. MY HOME!
'I was gone, nine days! And this is what they do!? This is what I get for playing nice!? For showing them leniency!? You'd think they'd have the decency to recognize I was going easy. That I'd scared them enough to keep them from so much as accidentally destroying my favorite pizza place!' I think to myself as the strong scent of burning ozone fills my nostrils. 'Seems not.'
My heart thuds in my chest as my breathing turn short. My shoulders trembling as I march forward down the street towards the commotion of what was my home. The only real home I had.
I have, so little in life that I care about. A handful of people. That's it. I spent so long doing, nothing. Existing, no purpose, roaming around and avoiding the PRT. No goal outside of survive.
Then, like most things I did something on a whim. And it gave me so much. A loving father, a stern mother, a grumpy step-sister, an annoying Vicky, a family. A home for me where I can be and feel safe.
Charging forward, I nearly trip with how fast I try to force my legs forward. My head pounding as I rush forth down the street, everything becoming a blur as I focus. Jumping on a car, landing on all fours, I grab the head of a startled man on the other side. Reaching down with my other hand, I rip his throat out.
Years, years of nothing to live for. Just existing within a vacuum of boredom and anxiety. Bored with nothing to do with my newfound life.
Holding the man by his shaved head, I swing my arm up and toss him behind me. Discarding him like an empty soda can as I hop down onto the asphalt. Turning around, I rip the wheel off of the car behind me and throw it at Stormfront.
I miss. But it gets her attention off of Vicky as I charge at her. Knocking her over in a burst of speed. Barreling past a man with a sickening squelch as his hip folds under the force of me rushing past.
Years of anxiety over my knowledge of the future. And my inability to come up with anything, or go to anyone for help.
Reaching the wide eyed Stormfront, I crash into her. Tumbling us both off of Vicky.
My life, wasn't a life. I had nothing.
Wailing into the prone nazi, I can't help but feel my rage grow as nothing happens! Her brute rating keeping her from being harmed by my fists.
Nine days, I was gone, nine, days. And this Hitler groupie wannabe thinks that's the okay to attack the only things I care about!?
I need to hurt her. Need her to feel pain. To regret, to fear, I need her to suffer!
Take from her, like she took from me! My home! My family! My life! I will take all that and more!
I get knocked off of her by a weightless force. And I mentally kick myself for not using my immovable power to keep me rooted to the bitch.
Looking up, I see the armored crusader with Missy in his arms. Sword to her throat as two of his ghosts guard him.
"Stand down or-" He doesn't get to say anything else as he's cut off.
As in, he's too distracted by the mangled mess that is the arm the was holding the sword. I tried to form a pane and simply sever his arm off. But, well, I need focus to form my illusions. And anger does weird things to that focus. So, he got an abstracted blocky glitch mangling his arm from the inside out instead.
My illusions, lack a Manton Limit. I just play nice and don't exploit this. But, well, I'm not feeling very nice right now. Not when all that has gotten me, is a ruined house, two unconscious and possibly dead parents! And a hostage girlfriend!
Charging forward towards the screaming man holding Missy hostage, his ghosts fail to move fast enough to stop me. As I reach him I hop up and plant my feet on his chest, knocking him over as I grab his head and snap his neck with a yank.
Looking around, I see more goons around. More who destroyed my home and tried to kill my family! More idiots who thought they could get away with what they did.
Rushing to the nearest guy, I grab the arm holding a gun. Taking a few harmless bullets to the leg as I yank his arm, popping it out of socket and forcing him to drop his gun. Ignoring his pained screams, I swing him into the next closest minion.
I yell bloody murder as I use the unfortunate fool to beat his friend to death. Venting my frustrations at the nameless morons. At some point, I was shocked again and the man I was using as a mace fried. So I drop him and shove my hand through the bloodied nazi's chest, and crush his heart.
Feeling a small sting on my side, I look over to see another skinhead shakily hold his gun at me. With little thought I blur over to him, his eyes widening as I grab his gun and break his hand ripping it away from him. Before putting it to his gut and emptying his mag.
Blood rapidly stains his shirt as my ears ring. And in short order he wordlessly falls back dead. Looking around, I see Stormfront is making gestures and giving out orders. With my ears ringing, I can't make them out. But I don't need to.
I note that Vicky had gotten up and is moving the rubble off of dad. So that's one thing I don't have to worry about.
Looking to my side, I grab the bumper of the nearest car and rip it off. I normally use my illusions, but I'm kinda finding it hard to concentrate right now!
Running forward towards a group of three empire goons fleeing, I swing the bumper. Feeling the trio crumple under my improvised bat. The first being bent sideways at the spine, the second being knocked over, and the third being nicked by the jagged edge on the end of the torn bumper, his guts spilling out as he screams in agony.
I shake the first off and slam the bumper into the second. Mangling him and the bent bumper, insuring his death as I move to the next.
How many are left? Five, ten, fifteen? Doesn't matter, they're all scattering like the rats they are. Leaving only two problems left.
Grabbing Missy, who is struggling to get up with the cuffs. I run over and place her behind a car before running out and rushing Stormfront. Letting her zap me as I absorb the hit. No longer willing to pretend it hurts me.
I concocted a fake weakness, so that people wouldn't try to look for a real one. A safety measure on my part. And one that is paying off as I see her eyes widen in horror as I leap at her.
She flies out of the way, and tries desperately to zap me again. Extending her arms as bright blue arcs course through to me. Seeing as the electricity isn't passing my field, I literally, feel, nothing. Other than my internal battery getting a recharge.
Landing on the ground, I look around to see several Empire goons running and ducking behind debris. Feeling the electricity fuel me, again, I look up to see Stormfront in a mix of fear and anger.
"What the hell!" She shouts from her perch in the sky, fists clenched and teeth grit. "You're suppose to be weak to lightning!"
"I am?" I say with a tilt of my head before I jump up with more force than before. Rocketing up towards her at a blinding speed, grabbing her, and throwing her down as hard as I can.
Enhancing the temperature of my hands as I point them behind me, I'm blasted forth by the combustion. It's clumsy, but I don't need it to be accurate as I rocket back down to the ground. "Since when was I weak?" I say as I land on her.
I don't let her answer before I start hammering my fists into her. Harder, left, right, harder, left, right, left, right! I'm punching hard enough that I'm cratering the earth beneath us. But it's not-
*Crack*
I feel a grin grow on my face as I feel her nose crack. Finally, some progress!
My heart pounds in my chest as my fist meets her face over and over. Before a searing pain courses through me, causing me to seize up. She shocked me while I was holding onto her.
In the momentary pause, she tosses me off and flies up. Quickly regaining my bearings enough to right myself, I rush her again. Sprinting across the street.
She throws more electricity at me, but I absorb it without pain this time. Seeing as I'm not touching her.
"Why won't you go down!?" Stormfront screeches as she flies back frantically, charging up her lightning again.
She backs up over the neighbor's house as I leap up onto the roof and leap after her. I won't let her get away, I won't let her flee! After what she did!? After what she tried to TAKE!?
She bled before, I'll make her break.
Following her out of the suburbs, I start roof hopping. Not letting her out of my sight the entire time. And when she rises up to the roof level, I leap after her.
Catching her by surprise as we crash through a building. Sliding through a hall on the inside of some business. I take her leg in one arm and, stepping on the other thigh, lift and push as far as I can.
*Crack* her leg gives a revolting and spine tingling wet snap as I force her knee to her armpit.
"Argh!" She gives out an agonized scream of pain and a pulse of electricity, knocking me off her as she scrambles to fly away.
I let her, as a fire starts in the hall from the electrical surge, I use my new power I gained from Maureen's Corona Gemma. My new power? I can now adjust my absorption field around me. So, I extend my absorption field to encompass the hall. Siphoning the fire into me, putting it out, and fueling me.
Resuming my chase, It doesn't take long to follow her out of the building. Lots of collateral, and her pained cries ring clearly in my ears. I don't take any joy in this. Only a sense of satisfaction, and relief at her sounds of pain.
Leaping out of the building, I give chase again. Following after as her dislocated leg hangs limply while she desperately tries to flee.
If she thinks I'm done. Then she's a bigger fool than I thought.
I decide this game of cat and mouse is over. We're already halfway through the central district. And I have no intentions of allowing her to get home. She destroyed mine, only makes sense I keep her from ever seeing hers again.
Leaping off of the building, I dive down and land with my feet straight at her back. Forcing us to crash down to the street.
My home, my family! In, ruins. The image keeps playing on repeat in my mind as I see her. I know I'm not calm and probably not thinking straight. But I don't want to be. I want her to pay!
I get knocked off of her as we crash into the asphalt. I get back up before she does. Checking my energy, I see I'm at more than half of what I was an hour ago. Good, that's more than enough.
I grab her by the back of her head as she gets up on her hands. With more force, I smash her face down. Lifting it up, I smash her face down, again and again. Cratering the asphalt beneath us and hurting my ears as car alarms are set off.
I don't even give her time to scream as I bundle her hair in fist and swing her up. Smashing her into the ground behind me Hulk Vs. Loki style. I do this three more times before her hair rips in my fist and she gets tossed, ragdolling down the street and slamming into the side of a car.
I slowly walk towards her as I drop her hair. Half it being torn, the other half being ripped from the bloody root.
Slumping to the ground, she shakily gets to her hands, propping herself up on the caved in side of the car. Bringing a hand to her head, she freezes as she brings her blood stained hand in front of her face.
Wide eyed and horrified. She starts screaming at the blood on her hand before falling back over. Seems like someone's never been hurt before. That honestly does make me enjoy this. Nothing like giving someone a new experience.
You always remember your first after all.
"You know, I'm really not seeing the whole, Master Race thing." I say, getting her attention. "Because you suck at running away."
Her breathing gets heavy as she charges up, electricity visibly running down her arms as she extends her arms towards me. Lightning rushing out and getting absorbed as I walk closer. Again and again, she keeps trying to electrocute me as I march towards her.
"What's your name?" I ask as I get to about thirty feet from her.
She opts to zap me again. And when it fails, she fearfully falls over and tries to crawl before slowly flying back up.
Saying nothing, I rush forth, grab her limp leg, and slam her back down.
"Ahh!" She screams in pain, her breath now short and ragged.
"So, want to tell me where you went wrong?" I ask.
When I don't get a response in a few seconds. I hold her leg up, and kick her knee.
*Crack* I snap her knee backwards.
"Ahh! Ahahahaha!" She gives a warbled, pathetic sob.
"I'm waiting." I say as I prepare to twist her leg. "What were you doing, to my home!?"
Not waiting for an answer, I twist her leg, snapping her ankle and earning another agonized wail from her.
Her electricity charges again, and I leap back to avoid the blast bypassing the first layer and hurting me. I still absorb it, but she gained a few seconds of me not being on her.
Leaping back on her, I turn her over and land an illusioned, distorted, clawed fist to her face. Sending her fumbling back into and through a stop light. The light falls with her back to the street.
I resume my slow walk as she crawls back up. Collapsing to her side as she looks up at me. Fear etches its way across her face as she tries to crawl away.
"Stay back!" She screeches as she grabs a chunk of the asphalt and hurls it at me.
I let it hit, allowing it to smash against me as I move towards her undeterred. She mistook my leniency, for weakness. And I can't let that slide. Not with her power and influence.
"Why!?" She shouts as she extends her arms and sends another line of electricity. "How are you doing this!? You've always ran! You should be writhing in pain from my power! How are you doing this!?"
"Simple, you made, several mistakes." I start as I stand here in the middle of the road. Facing Stormfront as she has her back to the wall.
"Mistakes?" She gives out a patronizing bark of laughter. "I don't want to hear that, from the poster girl of rejects who managed to escape from god's draft box!"
Hearing her say that, gives me an evil idea. One that I'm certain will break her.
"And who told you about my draft box?" I ask innocently. Changing my entire demeanor and stance to be relaxed.
She goes from a panicked rage, to sheer confusion at my words. Squinted, bruised eyes boring into me.
"The fuck?" She says as her breathing slows to a healthier pace.
"You know, I think what you need, is a little more love in your life." I say as I lock eyes with her, and activate my love me power. "All that hate, can't be good for you."
It takes a few seconds, but in just a moment, her eyes widen in horror. Tearing up, her chest rises and falls faster and faster as she hyperventilates.
"Why, what, I don't, what did you do!" She screams as she holds a hand to her chest.
"What's the matter?" I ask innocently as I walk forward.
She loves me. Simple as that. But, before that, she hated me, and feared me. She destroyed my home and assaulted my family. And now, I'm attacking her, and about to kill her. How's that supposed to make her feel, now that she loves me?
Guilt. Remorse. Betrayal. Confusion. Self loathing maybe?
All of it works for me as I step before her. She collapses to her side, whimpering and crying. Tears running down her face as she struggles to figure out her own head.
What is one to do, when something they felt justified in, turns into a heart wrenching regret?
"Are you okay?" I ask sweetly.
"Get back!" She says with red, tear stained eyes. Holding out her arms as she charges her electricity.
"You really hurt me, you know?" I say calmly, watching as my words have a visceral effect on her. "You attacked my family."
"I was just trying to get them on my side!" She whimpers as her arms shake. "I, I never wanted to kill them. Just, scare them into listening."
"But you tried to take my girlfriend." I point out.
"She's powerful, and she needs a firm hand in life." She sobs as her arms fall away from me. "She, she just needed the right role models! Am I really a monster for wanting her help to fix this country!?"
Damn, the homophobia runs strong. I'm almost impressed at the Olympic level mental gymnastics there.
"What did you do to me!?" She cries as she holds her chest and screams. "It hurts! Why does it hurt so much!?"
I don't answer her as I step forth. Putting my hands on her shoulders as she looks up to me with pathetic eyes.
"I honestly don't even care for your reasoning." I say through gritted teeth as I wrap my hands around her throat. "I just want the last thing you think about, is how this is all your, fault."
I take my absorption field, and adjust it to syphon energy even more. Whereas before, it would trigger at temperatures below a certain amount, or force below a certain strength. Now, it's sucking out the heat from her body. Down to a cool thirty degrees Fahrenheit. Just below freezing.
Her eyes bug out as the heat in her blood leaves her. Cycling cold blood through her body as her skin freezes over. It's not a very slow death, but it's not a pleasant one. I'm not choking her, just forcing her body to die.
"Stop!" She chokes as her body trembles under the pain, and the likely beginnings of an arrhythmia. "Please! Please it! Oh god please!"
"No." Is all I say as I stare her down.
Her eyes flutter wildly as her breathing becomes choked and ragged. Shoulders jerking and spasming as she loses control of her arms. The cold blood circulating through her body as her neck turns a pale blue. I ease up on the intensity of the heat absorption.
Don't want her blood to freeze in her neck, then she'd pass out. That'd be too easy.
"People!" She chokes out slowly. "Witnesses! Everyone, will-"
"Good." I cut her off. "Let them see."
Those who hurt my family. Hurt my home. The one thing I care about. Will suffer.
She writhes under me. Her tears drying up as the cold fills her body, sapping her strength. Sending sharp, burning pain throughout her as the cold blood kills her. Hypothermia from within.
"Please." She croaks out. "I'm, sorry, I won't, do it again."
"No." I say as I ramp up the intensity, her neck freezing over in a few moments. "You won't."
With a single, anger filled squeeze. I shatter her neck. Separating her head from her shoulders. Watching as the offending corpse falls to the side. Bruised, pale, headless, mangled.
"Hmm, shame you didn't give me your name." I say as I step over her body and pick up her head. "Now the coroner won't have anything for your tombstone."
I hold her head in both hands. And rapidly enhance the temperature of my palms. Causing a sudden burst of heated space, and a concussive blast between my palms. Blowing up her head in the process.
"Then again, I suppose a nameless grave is more deserving." I say as I step away.
Only to be met with several PRT vans surrounding me. And to see the destroyed road. Rubble and abandoned cars littering the intersection.
I don't have the patience for this right now. I have people who need me, and it sure as hell isn't anyone here.
With that in mind, I run.
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-10 minutes later, Dallon house-
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I make it back home to find a fire truck and police roaming about and setting up a perimeter. Vicky talking to one of the officers as Mom and Dad are on gurneys.
Rushing over to the gurneys, I push the EMT's aside and place my hand on Dad's face. Looking in, I find the problem. A broken back, luckily his spinal cord is undamaged. Didn't want to risk anything with reconnecting the wrong wires and what not. And he has a concussion. So, dealing with that and the damaged parts of his brain, I restructure the bones in his body.
I'm not adding anything. Just, moving them around. Using the structure of Kratos's exoskeleton as a template to make his bones sturdier. Being careful to not fuck up their ability to produce new blood.
Is it right to rearrange his body without his permission? Fuck if I care. I'm not letting this happen again. It's with that in mind, that I move on to Mom, and so the same. Not as damaged as Dad. A bit of minor internal bleeding and a few cracked ribs and vertebrae.
And that growing cataract I told her to ask Amy about!
Pushing down my irritation, I fix the cataract. And make her bones stronger. And heal her concussion as well.
Letting go of her hand, I look around for Missy. Realizing I've been instinctually enhancing my perception. I cut it off.
Everything comes to me in a crash of sensory information. With the EMT I moved falling over and several police freaking out and making panicked calls. Looking around, I spot Missy staring at me from the back of a cruiser with a blanket over her.
She flinches back as I rush over to her.
"Baby!" I say as I go to hug her, only for her to scoot back quickly. "What, what's wrong?"
She doesn't say anything, just stares at me blankly with her purple sunglasses on. Still dressed in the adult neptunia jacket I gave her.
"Missy." I say quietly, confused as to why she's scooting away.
"So, so much blood." She says quietly.
Looking down, I see that I'm caked in blood. Like, stained shirt and everything.
"Oh, right." I say sheepishly.
I wouldn't wanna hug me either. Not when I'm wearing a custom made jacket my girlfriend made me. Which is, now, my-
"Oh come on!" I shout in exasperation as I turn to my house. "My clothes! Wait, Kratos! My boy! My buggy baby boy!"
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Bonus
Mindless fluff
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-2012, Dallon House, Wednesday, 5pm-
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Kitsu Dallon POV
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"And with that!" I say to my stream. "I'll see you guys whenever!"
Signing out, double checking my camera and recording equipment to make sure I did. And turning off my computer for extra measure. I stretch back and flex my feet.
"Am I good?" I hear from behind my bed.
"Yeah, you're good." I say as I get up and go over to my door.
Opening it to the hallway light, I turn around to see Missy laying back on my bed. Texting away on her phone. Again, allowed in here so long as A, clothes stay on, and B, door stays open.
My streams are the only exception because Mom can check those at any time. And Missy usually just stays out of view anyway.
She spends most days she doesn't patrol here. Her parents got shared custody over her in their divorce but, well.
"Who's place are sleeping at tonight?" I ask as I walk over and lay across her lap.
"Here?" She says questioningly. "Why?"
"Legally?" I clarify as lazily kick my feet.
"Um, my mother's, I think?" She guesses. "Why? Do you not want me here?"
"You're fine." I say as I raise my tail up and rest it at her tummy. "Just wondering."
She takes the invitation and starts running her hands through my fur. She likes that. My tail that is.
"Hmm, you know it's been a while since we went on a date." I say as I rest my head in my arms. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were getting bored of me."
"Please." She scoffs. "I couldn't get bored of you if I tried."
"That made no sense!" I giggle as I move to sit up.
Only for Missy to snake an arm across the front of my shoulders and flip me up. Positioning me in her lap with her right arm across the top of my chest and her left arm across my stomach. My tail being uncomfortably pushed to the side.
"Neither does my love for you." She whispers into my ears. "And yet here we are."
'Oh fuck you, you corny romcom line stealing hack!' I yell in my head as my face burns.
"Gaaaaaghmmmmmm!" Is what I actually say as I bury my face in her arm.
"You're so cute when you're embarrassed!" She giggles before whispering lowly. "Then again, you're always cute."
"Rmmmm!" I squeal into her arm as I kick my feet.
"So sweet I could eat you!" She says before nibbling on my ear. And then following it up by tickling my tummy. "Om nom nom. Nom on the little fox!"
"Miss-mis-Missyyyyy! Ahhhhh!" I squeal at her triple sided assault. "Stop! I don't consent! Nein! No! Nyet! Aaaaah!"
She stops her assault shortly after. With me panting in her arms as she rests her chin on my shoulder. Squeezing me tight as she snuggles into me.
"Hmm, I'm bored." She mumbles. "Wanna see what's on Netflix?"
"You nearly tickle the pee out of me." I pant. "And all you can say is, Netflix?"
"Hmm, you're right." She says before kissing my cheek. "Thank you for the adorable giggles, my little snuggle bug."
'Oh you cheesy, pick up line, Casanova piece of space warping bull!' I scream in my head as I cover my face in my hands.
"Rrrrrrrmmmmm!" Is again, all I can squeal out.
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-2014, Manners Apartment Complex, Sunday-
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Missy "Vista" Biron POV
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Laying down on my couch, I channel surf as I enjoy a rare, double day off. No school, no patrol. Used to dread these days, but ever since I was emancipated I've come to enjoy them.
"Alright, sit up." Kitsu says as she comes back with two tv trays and bowls of ramen.
"Hmm, nah." I say as I settle on House M.D. while she sets the tables.
"If you don't move, I'll sit on you." She says as she moves to stand in front of me.
She, really hasn't grown much. Height wise that is, only being four foot eight at seventeen years old. But let me tell you, she makes up for it in every other department! Thick thighs, juicy ass, d-cups.
"Hey!" She says, getting my attention. "Eyes up here little Missy!"
"Hmm, nah." I repeat. Earning an adorable pout from the shorty. "View's good here, and I don't have move my head."
In response, the squats down to be eye level with me. And I lean forward to kiss her, getting an adorable squeak of surprise.
"Hmm, gotcha." I smirk at the blushing strawberry blonde as I reach my hand out to scratch her ears. "You're adorable, you know that? So cute, and all mine."
"Stop!" She groans as leans forward and buries her head in the couch cushion right in front of me. "Mhmrmhnrmr!"
"Never!" I say and hold her head to my chest. "You will drown in my affections! Accept my compliments you fluffy ball of joy and sexiness!"
Her tail nearly knocks over the tv tray with how hard it's wagging. Her butt following its sway.
"Mrrrmmm!" She grumbles, kicking her feet as she snakes her hands between me and her to cover her face.
Snaking my hand to her side. I give a grunt of effort and swing her over to lay on top of me. Enjoying her ticklish squeaks of surprise. Now enjoying our new position, she peeks her blushing head up to lock eyes with me.
"Hmm, this is better." I say as I wiggle and squeeze her, much to her embarrassment.
She relents quickly enough, and rests her head down. Nuzzling her head to my chest as we snuggle.
"The food will get cold." She mumbles.
"Meh, I got a heater." I say, referring to the fox in my arms.
"I gotta go in an hour." She mumbles. "Mom is expecting me home."
"Microwave." I say.
"I wanna feed you." She squeaks in embarrasment.
'So that's it.' I think with a roll of my eyes.
Sitting up and turning with her in my lap. I watch as her shy blush, turns into a happy smile. Her tail wagging and wiggling her butt in my lap. And of course, I lower my hands to squeeze said booty.
"Eep!" She squeaks. "Missy!"
"What?" I say innocently. "I'm just making sure you don't fall out of my lap." I say and give a squeeze.
I stop as she glares at me. Letting me know, she does not consent.
"Okay, okay." I say as I move my hands from her rear to her waist.
She gives me a small smile before turning to grab one of the bowls. Turning back, she takes the fork and twists it. Gathering a good bundle of ramen before holding it to me and feeding me.
She's a good cook. And moreover, she puts effort into it. Yes it's microwaved ramen. But there's extra seasoning and stuffs mixed in that she took extra time to make. And that's what matters to me.
"Is it good?" She asks sweetly as I swallow.
"Hmm, you tell me." I say and lean forward to kiss her. My tongue running across her lips, prodding for entry that she gives easily. Running my tongue over hers, exploring her mouth and hers exploring mine.
After a good minute, we separate for air. And I'm rewarded to the sight of a flushed, half lidded and panting Kitsu.
"Hmm." She mumbles as she smacks her lips. "Could use a little more coriander."
"Pwah ha what?" I can't help but laugh at her nonsense.
This is my life now. Forty percent work, forty percent school, and ten percent everything else.
But every now and then, I get a nice relaxing moment. One that tells me it's all worth it. I wish I more moments like this, though I suppose once I finish school I'll get that more often.
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Bonus 2
Chaotic good ending
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-5032, December 5th, East Vulpes-
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Haysu Gold POV
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Walking into our apartment, I set my bags down and stretch back and my tail. Getting used to the lack of weight on my back.
"Mom." I say calmly. "I'm home."
"I figured, I heard the door." She answers from the living room.
Of course, we're Vulpines. But it's still polite to announce yourself.
Walking through the hallway, passing the mural of gods and to the living room. I'm not super religious, but the rest of my family is. Normally you'd only find stuff for your god. As in the god that represents your people!
In this case, Kitsu the Mischievous. Though, that's just what we call her. We learn early on in religious studies that each of the ethnicities have different monikers for the different gods. Sometimes even having different names.
Vicky the Stubborn is know as Victoria the Stalwart to the Ovines. And Missy the Loving is known as Vista the Relentless to some others. So yeah, many names.
Walking into the living room, I'm greeted to the sight of my mom watching the latest buzzball game. It's a game for Vulpines, Felines, Rodentia and Canines where the players are all blindfolded and the ball is a small hovering ball only perceivable by the slight hum it makes. You can only hit the ball, not carry it. The goal is to hit the ball to the opponents goal. The trick is that goal makes a loud buzzing, and the goalie isn't blindfolded. So the closer you get, the harder it is to even perceive the darn thing. And the goalie can straight up throw it!
I'm not salty about the time I was playing and walked straight into the net because I didn't hear Garark take the ball! You are!
"Who's winning?" I ask as I sit down.
"The Celefox Gold Ears." Mom says. "They're facing off against the Diadam City Wind Riders."
"So, no one we care about?" I ask.
"Nope." Mom says.
Looking at her, I can't help but compare us for the millionth time.
Mom has completely white ears. A rare and beautiful recessive gene I wish I had. No, instead I got stupid black tips like my dad! Same with my tail! And I don't even have a puffy one like him or mom! I got a slim one like grandma! It's bullshit! Grandma says in her day slim tails were attractive and people would wet their tails to make them look slimmer. But still!
Though, thinking about that, It's probably why she married grandpa Salan, a Feline. If slim tails were attractive in her day.
"Want some sushi?" I ask mom. "I can make some."
"Oh would you dear?" She asks. "That'd be lovely!"
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A/N
Day one of withdraw, is HELL. End of story. Those first three days are murder.
After that, it's just a constant craving. And the truth is? It never leaves. Once you get addicted to something, it never leaves you. It's always there. It's just a matter of waiting it out, and waiting for the craving to get quiet enough to ignore. But it's always there.
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The reason Mechanic went from bumbling useless, to struggling and clear headed, is again, his shard doing what it thinks is best to keep him alive. Hence the "My body moves instinctually"
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I know people wanted a Doom style slaughter, but, I just couldn't write it on without it being forced.
But,
Yeah, that's it to it.
I just can't fit anymore in without it feeling excessive and forced. Not with her having a focus for her rage in the form of Stormfront nearby and her family still in the area to become possible collateral.
That and I can't see a lot of those guys sticking around after Kitsu starts folding them like lawn chairs. At which point she would focus on Stormfront exclusively.
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The differences in the Oddities mastering Hookwolf vs. Scarecrow
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Hookwolf, while far more well known and infamous, is still hedonistic and simple minded. He joined the E88 for security and power. He wasn't even racist when he joined, just got influenced into their way of thinking.
Simply put, on a scale of 1 to 10, Hookwolf's infamy in Brockton Bay is a 7 before the Brockton Games, right now? 9
And Circe managed to bring him under her thrall in a single night with her power.
Mastering the most violent cape in the bay so early into their cape career gave the Oddities a major confidence boost.
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Scarecrow, is less known, much smarter, and is even seen as a sort of saving grace for the slums. He keeps the homeless shelters operating and the soup kitchens funded. Not out of kindness, but out of sheer practicality.
He knows that the people turning on him can be more of a threat to his leadership than the rival gangs. So he keeps the people in his territory complacent and fearful of him leaving. Even the people working closest to him are unaware of his true callousness. Viewing him as someone who just has a short temper.
His overall infamy in the bay would be a 4 out of 10 before everything, now it's even lower. His refusal to play the Games is making people think he's weak or scared. Mechanic is more infamous than him at this point in time.
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Before anyone mentions the Ferry, the only people to actually see him there, were the captain (who's dead) and Neil. And Neil spun the tale that Scarecrow fled when it looked like things weren't going his way.
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With their overconfidence from before, the Oddities believed Scarecrow would be easier to master than the hyper violent Hookwolf.
Scarecrow's ruthless response caught them so off guard, it's laughable. They got lucky with Hookwolf and let it get to their heads. And they paid the price.
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Kitsu pixelating has been mentioned before when Gallants beams made her angry. Her broken hardlight illusion ability is controlled by concentration. And anger does some weird things to that, overcharging the force of the hardlight while making it unstable. And with the form of the illusions taking on whatever her mind conjures up, it gets a little wacky.
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As always, leave a comment and tell me what you think! It helps me write and gives me ideas moving forward. I especially love it when you guys speculate or make guesses as I do use them. And even when I don't, they still give me ideas.
Find in newb's-grotto at the discord!
Link to the discord: discord. gg/DarkWolfShiro