A/N Return to format
Alt title: Kitsu, S9 epilogue
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Radchaos897: I can't comment much on the Butcher shard due to spoilers. But I can say that it's funny how The Butcher and Kitsu's shards have something in common. Hell, [Conduit] is already collecting junk data into free space so it can comfortably subsume dead shards.
Other than that, [Conduit] would NOT allow the Butcher shard anywhere near Kitsu.
Other than that, expect more slice of life. Kitsu and Vicky sisterhood bonding with Amy being forced into the mix, (classic extroverts adopting an introvert) more Kissy Missy, (she's growing up and starting to recognize Kitsu's buttons) more Mark/Carol and Kitsu bonding. And more!
Gogmazios: Welcome back! Hope the catch up was enjoyable.
GideonBlackthorn: No. It's like you said, Izuku is good at holding back the worst of the Butcher's influence. Part of that, is his own identity issues. He was messed up by the death of his friend, and being forced to take his identity made him subconsciously develop some of his personality traits. Both to emulate him, and keep his memory alive.
One of those traits? Stubbornness. Izuku would sooner die than let the Butcher take full control and run wild. As such, he also won't involve others in his goals.
Bradlysteak: OP fox, plz nerf.
Grimnosh: That assumes he's dumb enough to get near Kitsu without a contingency in case she does pull that.
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-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
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-Abandoned Tracks, Train Yard, Monday, October 4th, 4:22pm-
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Kitsu POV
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"Why do people keep asking me that?" I mutter to myself as I look to the gravel below my feet.
"You've… had people ask you to kill them?" Katsuki asks in confusion.
"Once or twice." I look to the confused man with a shrug. "But that's besides the point. Answer is no. I'm not about to commit assisted suicide for the third time in the same year. So, just do it yourself or come back next year I guess."
I turn from him and start to walk away. Ready to be done with this ring circus of headaches that has been my life the last few days.
"I don't think so." He says, appearing in front of me in a flash of green static. The gravel being kicked up along the path he ran.
"You don't want to do this." I say, letting my eyes glow and turn red as I illusion my arm, making my real arm invisible as I reach into my pocket and press the locator.
"Ooh." He says in a patronizing tone as his green eyes glow. "I can do that too! See?"
"Nope." I shake my head, returning my arm back to its place and cutting off the illusions. "I don't."
I then leave a decoy as I turn invisible. Walking around behind him as he talks to the decoy. The decoy that now has a modicum of autonomy and self awareness. Enough to maintain a conversation without me needing to pay direct attention.
"Think about it, someone as powerful as you. Yet you could have even more power." Katsuki says as he holds his arms out.
Just in time for me to reach a hand into his back and crush his spine.
Only for him to turn into a grey goo and dissolve around my hand.
"Ew!" I cringe at the warm, moist, sticky feeling. "Ugh! It's so slimy."
"Pfft." My decoy snorts at me, finding amusement in my plight.
"Get out of here!" I snap at the snarky illusion, watching as it sticks its tongue out at me as it fades into sparkles.
Ever since assimilating Manton's shard, I can make decoys with a limited sense of autonomy and limited abilities. They're not like The Siberian where they have their own will and sense of self. Rather, they are more of an extension of my subconscious.
"Well now." I hear behind me, and pivot around to see another Katsuki leaning against a shipping container, flipping a butterfly knife in hand. "Guess I should thank Twice and his paranoia."
He looks to me, and I send out a pink illusionary shard out and into his eye. Not with enough force to go through, but enough to lodge. And I watch as he reels back from the hit before dissolving into grey goo.
"How many are there?" I ask myself.
"Enough." I turn to the familiar voice from up above.
"Hellfire, I'm guessing you're fake too?" I ask the man sitting on the edge of the shipping container.
"Does it matter?" He shrugs and drops off the edge, landing with a crunch on the gravel. "Whether I'm me, or just a decoy, feel free to kill me. Just means you won't get a warning." He says as he puts his hands in his pockets.
'Why do you have to be so cool!?' I think to myself.
"What warning?" I ask as I turn to him with a glare.
"Just that the little group of reinforcements you have out that way." He pulls a hand out and points to the east. "Yeah, we figured you'd have the same idea we did in case this went south."
'Damnit!' My eyes widen as I realize they set up an ambush.
"So yeah, hurry up-" I explode his head. Forming an illusionary ball inside his brain and expanding it in an instant.
I avoid the grey goo and start running. Jumping up to the top of the shipping containers. The loose gravel not being good for high speed running.
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Ethan "Assault" POV
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"Hey now!" I say as I grab the woman's wrist and push the knife wielding hand down while elbowing her in the face. Watching as the manic blonde turns into grey goo. "Damn."
"Come on ya bastards!" Muscular shouts as he throws a train car at me and Miss Militia.
"Assault!" MM calls as she jumps back behind me.
"On it!" I step in front and hold my hands out, letting the car hit me as I redirect the kinetic energy. Throwing the rust blue car back at him. "Return to sender!"
The one good thing about this? Doesn't matter how strong they are, hit'em hard enough to break a bone and they drop. Even if they're a brute.
"On your left!" Lady Photon flies in and extends an iridescent domed forcefield around us. Protecting us from the flames that flow through and blast around us.
'You know, this would be pretty cool if not for the risk of turning into human shish kabobs.' I think as I watch the iridescent lightshow flow around us.
"Going down in three." She warns, prompting me to run as soon as the shield drops.
I'm in the flames for about a second, but it was enough to catch my suit on fire. Rolling on the gravel, I putt out the little amount of fire that reached me.
"Kinetic redirection." I look up to see the very unassuming face of the current Butcher. The green eyes looking down into mine with a mild interest. "Rather versatile. Makes dealing with you, tricky."
'He figured out my power?' I realize before the implications and panic set in. 'Shit!'
"But not impossible." Behind me, a raspy voice says as I feel someone grab my ankle and pull me back.
They grab my shoulder and with an absurd amount of strength, pull me up onto my knees. My shoulder armor crumbling under their touch. I look up to see the creepy, thin smile of Decay as he grabs my throat. Dissolving the rubberized armor before I feel my neck burn alongside my shoulder.
I claw at the hand around my neck. Desperately trying to remove it as my skin starts to rot away under his grip.
Splat
I gasp as the hand loosens and falls away. My neck and shoulder still burning from the exposed muscle and subdermal skin.
It takes a second, but I notice the sounds of the fight had just… stop. Looking up to see what's going on. Is see the three Manics, two Hellfires, one Mr. Compress, two Butchers, Decay and two Musculars looking to the newcomer.
Kitsu, standing on a boxcar and over looking the fight with an eerily calm smile. Pointing a finger gun at me.
She then moves her finger over to a Manic. Prompting the crazy eyed blonde to point to herself and say me?
"Bang." Kitsu says calmly, and Manic's head explodes. Her body dissolving into a grey goop. "Bang." Kitsu aims at Mr. Compress. "Bang." One of the Hellfires. All of their heads exploding as she aims.
I avoid the obvious finger banging joke. She's thirteen and looks ten. I have some class.
No matter what Jaime says.
"Shown up by a little girl, this is emasculating." I sigh while holding my throat.
"Fight me!" Muscular jumps up and rears a fist at Kitsu.
Muscular throws his massive, muscular fist at the Endstopper. The girl not even bothering to look at him as his hand stops dead against the side of her head. His feet touch the roof of the boxcar, and as soon as he gains footing. He divulges a flurry of punches against the child.
"Bang." Kitsu says, killing another Manic as they flee. "Bang." She kills the other Muscular as he starts running up. Ignoring the current Muscular wailing into her. His muscles growing larger and larger, making audible crack sounds in the air as he struggles to hurt the girl who took a hit from Behemoth, and sent it right back.
While I'm left here in astonishment. Contemplating my purpose here as she solo's the Teeth's heavy hitters. Or at least their clones.
She finishes them off. Leaving the two Butchers left. Both of which merely observe with a cold indifference.
'I just wanna go home.' I think as I wince from the throbbing pain. 'It's where my Puppy's at. And my lunch.'
Both are true. I left my lunch at home.
And, technically speaking, they're the same thing!
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It's not the same if she isn't around.
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Kitsu POV
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"Are you done?" I ask the steroid jock as he pants, his hits getting slower as time goes on.
It looks like I'm casually ignoring him. Only giving him the bare minimum of consideration as a threat. But really? I'm just using his strength as a battery. Absorbing his hits while turning my immovable on and off as I move my arm.
"Fight back!" He yells, no longer punching as he pants. His muscles steaming and deflating. "Take this, seriously!"
"I refuse on principle." I say and step to the side, upper cutting him in the junk.
This one is real. Otherwise the force of the hit to his legacy would've dispelled him. But instead he just howls while holding his junk.
The rest of the clones I dispatched without concern. The only ones I didn't, are the Butcher clones. Because if one of them was real, then I'd be kinda screwed.
"That was a bit cruel, don't you think?" One of the Butchers, the one near Assault, says with a kind smile as he adjusts his tie. "Would it not be easier to kill him?"
No one is attacking the Butcher for the same reason I'm not. Or at least I assume. Currently, there's Aunt Sarah, Miss Militia and Assault.
All they could spare really. There's still a gang war raging in the city after all. And it's a big city.
"I could." I say as I step off the boxcar, ignoring the shin splits from landing straight so I can look cool as I walk. "But I kinda got a girlfriend, and she doesn't like it when I kill unnecessarily. Or too brutally."
I will only ever apologize for one of those. After all if you're going to die, why not make it memorable.
"Understandable." He nods, turning to me. "So, now you-"
I raise my fingers up, making a finger pistol at him. Aiming at his shoulder.
"… Well, this is somewhat funny." He chuckles.
"Bang." His shoulder explodes from an invisible, expanding orb.
It goes without saying. But the finger pistols and saying bang, are completely unnecessary. But I think it's cool so nyah!
"Well, that's-" He says as he dissolves into a grey goop.
Leaving us with one real Muscular, and a potentially fake Butcher.
I turn to the remaining Butcher. Who smiles at me like a friend. Then looks confused when I put my fingers down.
"Psst, hey, tiny murder machine." Assault whispers. "Don't want to tell you how to do your job but-"
I point a finger pistol at him while maintaining eye contact with the Butcher.
"-you're self employed and doing an excellent job." Assault quickly saves himself.
I wasn't actually going to do anything. But I'm trying to be at least semi serious. So the less distractions the better.
"What's the matter?" Katsuki asks with a raised brow, a confused smile on his face. "Surely you're aware I'm a clone."
I don't answer, because I don't know. It was raining when I first saw him, so I can't rely on my sense of smell. Even then, I wasn't paying enough attention to really memorize his scent like I did with people I care about. So that method is out.
Other than that, I have no way of telling if he's a clone. And that might not even be possible and he's trying to bait me!
"Because if I kill or capture you, I won't be able to send a message." I say, returning a friendly smile.
"Muscular can do that." He points out.
"Kitsu, in case you weren't aware you don't have authority here." Miss Militia says as she walks towards Katsuki, translucent green rifle in hand. "Katsuki Bakugo, on the authority of-"
"Bitch I was talking!" Katsuki yells as he turns to her. Green static around him as he throws a down hook into the ground. Causing a shockwave of gravel to burst out and throw MM back.
Aunt Sarah takes this as an opportunity to blast him with shots of light. To absolutely no effect as they hit and dissipate.
"Piss off ya old bat." Katsuki rolls his head to the side. "I'm being nice. Now beat it!"
"Old bat- I'm thirty eight!" Aunt Sarah glares.
The blasts didn't destroy him. So either it's a power that reduced their effect, he's real, or some clones are more durable.
'Time to test a theory.' I think to myself as I enhance my speed and run up to him.
Enhancing my perspective as I jump and reach for his neck. The only exposed bit of skin on him.
Small green sparks fly in slow motion. Arcing out across his form as I grab his throat, using my biokinesis to get a look at what's going on inside.
And find nothing.
He's got DNA, but it's all nonsense. Like mold. No organs, no bones, no brain, nothing. Just a mess of gelatinous meat.
'So it was a power that reduced the effect of the blasts.' I think to myself. 'That or Aunt Sarah is getting old. But does that effect powers?'
"Do you recall what happened to the last group that threatened my family?" I ask as I plant my feet on his gut, raising a clawed hand back as I keep ahold of his throat.
"Heh, go for it." He spreads his arms out in an invitation. "Though, I feel I should say that I never threatened your family."
"Just last night!" I growl and turn my eyes red again.
"Was to get to you." He points a finger at me. "Had your family been there or not, not my concern."
"Why should I believe you?" I growl.
"Because, I respect the unwritten rules." He says with a smile. "I didn't attack you in the buffet, I didn't attack your hideout, I didn't attack your home. Why would I do so now?"
He did reveal he knew about my hideout. New Wave isn't hidden by any means. Even if our house isn't registered, Ben proved how easy it is to find us if you try hard enough.
"Okay, assuming that's true and you didn't just make that up." I bring my clawed hand down and behead him. Jumping back as he dissolves into goop.
I look around the site as Miss Militia pulls herself out of the gravel. And Assault is being tended to by Aunt Sarah.
"Fight me seriously!" Muscular roars as he comes down from a jump.
I activate immovable as he starts wailing on me again. Just, fueling me with his stupidity.
"I need a bath." I sigh, before reaching out and grabbing Muscular's wrist.
And snap it.
"Ahhhh! You brat!"
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-The Rig, Monday, October 4th, 6pm-
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"This is kind of funny." I smirk as I put my hand on Vicky's shoulder and start fixing her immune system.
I say fixing, but it's already been fixed. There is literally nothing wrong with it. It's like a brand new immune system!
"You can say that when you've been stuck in a white padded room for two weeks." She huffs.
That's the problem. Bonesaw's virus killed off everything it came into contact with. And it went after the microbes first, killing off colonies of helpful bacteria that Vicky's body was using. I can't recreate those. They were specific to her, and too numerous to accurately memorize. I doubt even Amy could recreate Vicky's biosphere perfectly.
So, I'm doing the second best thing. Making her immune system wickedly powerful on its own. Like that one guy from the hospital who was caught in the Case 53 cloud. He was basically growing spines made of kidney stones out of his back. Because his immune system was so effective, it was filtering everything. Even the air around him.
"Oh it's not that bad you big baby." I roll my eyes.
"I don't want to hear that from someone half my size." She pokes my chest. "I have no privacy here, and anytime I get news of what's going on I had to bite my tongue! You owe me."
"I saved your life." I shoot back as I finish up and pull back from her and cross my arms. "I think I repaid whatever you think I owe."
"Oh yeah?" She crosses her arms under her chest, pushing her chest up to appear bigger.
"Yeah." I puff my chest out to, lesser effect.
"I heard you're about to be like, mega grounded." Vicky says with a sly smirk.
"What about it?" I ask, squinting my eyes at the obnoxiously conspiratorial teen.
She leans in and speaks softly. Likely to not let what she's about to say be overheard.
"What would happen if say, Mom found out about what you did to Ashley?" She asks with a smirk.
That was Missy's bully.
"How do you? I have no idea what you're talking about." I quickly save myself before I accidentally confirm her suspicions.
"Keets, please." She scoffs and tosses her hair back. "Not a week after you find out Missy's going to the same school as us, and her bully gets suspended after being ruined socially? And then hearing just all that happened? There is literally only one person I know who's that petty."
"I'm not petty." I turn away from her.
Yes I am. I absolutely am.
"Keets, you made me flow early when I was wearing white." She says.
My eyes widen again as I consider how she could possibly know that.
"Before you ask, I keep track of my cycle." She says with a bite in her voice. "I just didn't think anything of it until after it happened."
"Fine." I concede defeat. "What do you want?"
She smirks and crosses her arms.
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"What?" I ask again.
She frowns and pushes her chest up.
I furrow my brows as I realize what she's talking about.
"Seriously?" I ask in a flat tone. "Didn't I already adjust that a bit ago?"
"Always room for improvement." She smirks. "You'll understand in a year or two."
"You held onto the fact I forced your period, and bullied Ashley, for how long?" I ask as I look to her, wholly unimpressed. "All so you could blackmail me into giving you a boobjob?"
"I never said I wasn't petty." She scoffs.
…
"You know what, that's fair." I sigh and reach out for her shoulder.
"Great!" She grins. "So if you can make them firmer, add some muscle under them to make them perkier that'd be great!"
"I hope you understand I hate this." I say dryly as I get to work. "You're basically my sister, and technically my biological cousin."
"Then it shouldn't be weird unless you make it weird." She smirks. "Ya little weirdo."
I activate a nerve in her back.
"Ah!"
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-Dallon House, Monday, October 4th, 7:12pm-
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"No leaving the house unless it's for school, PR events, or emergencies." Mom lists off as I lay my head on the table. "Look at me when I'm talking to you young lady!"
I lift my head up.
"No inviting anyone over, no friends, no fellow Wards, no heroes, no villains-"
"That was one time!" I defend myself.
"No, villains." She says sternly before continuing. "No scheduling PR events without my permission, you'll call me right before you get to school and right after you leave. No ordering plants or exotic materials online, no visits to Parian unless it's needed for refitting your normal clothes. Not your special outfits. You'll be helping your father with all of the household chores. From dishes, laundry, to mowing the lawn."
"This is inhumane!" I decry as I kick my dangling feet under the chair.
"This is being grounded." Mom says firmly. "You're lucky I'm letting you keep your computer and phone. If it wasn't for the fact you use it to network and earn cash I would've pawned it."
"This isn't fair!" I yell. "I only ran away to protect you all!"
"One, lower your tone little lady." Mom points at me. "Two, that only works in movies. You had every opportunity to call, text, leave a note. Anything to let me know you were okay." She then holds out a hand and starts counting on her fingers. "Instead you, leave without saying anything, block me and everyone else on your socials, refuse to answer any calls, then go behind Sarah and I's back and get the recruits to take on the nine!"
"They agreed to it." I mutter softly.
"Kitsu!" I flinch as Mom raises her voice. "Ben is ten, Pinky is roughly fourteen, Jenny and Gully sixteen. They were in no way ready to take on the god damned Slaughterhouse Nine! It's a miracle none of them died. No wait, Gully did die. You just brought her back."
I don't say anything to that one… because I don't have anything that would help me in this case. Not like I can be all, it was a calculated risk.
"Nothing else?" Mom asks as she crosses her arms.
I shake my head dejectedly as I stare at the table. Before I do think of something.
"What about the Teeth?" I look up and ask.
"The heroes will deal with it." She says, before quickly adding. "And no, you don't get to jump between being a hero and being retired just because you feel like it. That's not how it works."
"You seem to do it." I mutter to myself.
"What was that?" Mom says with a bit of bite in her tone.
"Nothing!" I sit up straight.
Mom stares me down for a bit. Her brows furrowing, before she closes her eyes and sighs.
"Go to your room." She pinches the bridge of her nose.
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Mark "Flashbang" Dallon POV
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I walk out of the living room and into the hallway, just in time to have the local fox skitter past me. Running up the stairs without even saying hi.
I open my mouth to say something. Before I flinch at the sound of a door slamming.
"Slam that door again and you'll lose it!" Carol calls out from the kitchen.
Deciding to get the full details, I head for the kitchen. I know Kitsu's grounded for what happened, taking off and essentially becoming a runaway. But that's it.
Walking into the kitchen, I spot Carol sat at the table with her head in her hands. Stressed from the two weeks of worry she went through. No doubt shaving years off of her life.
I lean on the entry way of the door and knock on the frame. Gaining her attention, her ever present glare snapping to me before softening.
"You alright?" I ask.
"Yeah I, I just have a lot going on." She says. "How's Amy?"
"She's watching TV in the living room." I nod my head in the direction. "She's eating a bag of popcorn while watching an old rom com. Don't tell her I told you."
Vicky is currently at Dean's house. Being confined to a sterilized cell for two weeks has left her with little desire to remain in place.
And yes, I know what she's doing over there. I'm not dumb. But I trust her to be safe about it.
Or at least go to Amy if she isn't.
… Actually, should probably have a talk about that.
"Mark, can you get the pinot noir?" Carol asks as she massages her forehead.
"Sure thing." I say, pushing off the wall and heading for the fridge. "So, how did Kitsu take the grounding?"
"About as well as Vicky took her grounding when she was twelve." Carol sighs.
"Oof." I wince slightly as I open the fridge and grab the bottle tucked away in the back. "Well, at least there aren't any holes in the wall."
"That's just because her strength isn't natural, it's activated." Carol says while I pour her a glass. "I had to guilt her with how she involved the recruits."
"That seems a little-" I start to say.
"Mark." She cuts me off with a glare. "She ran, away."
"Well, what kid hasn't taken off from time to time." I shrug. "Remember what I told you I did when I was nine?"
"Mark this isn't about some kid leaving the yard because his dad went in the house to grab another beer." Carol takes the glass of wine from me and downs it. "This, is about her probationary agreement. She has to stay out of trouble while under our supervision for one year. If at any point the PRT called it in, or hell, if the school reported her absence. If at any point she was declared a runaway then she'd be declared a fugitive, arrested and sent through the system. And there is nothing I'd be able to do for her."
'Shit.' I think to myself.
That is serious. And I had honestly forgotten about the probation thing Carol had Kitsu sign.
"So, did you tell her that?" I ask.
Carol stares at her empty glass for a bit. Sighing as she sets it down.
"No." She groans. "I, I didn't want her to feel like I was threatening her or, lording that over her."
I nod in agreement, understanding her meaning. Not that I think Kitsu would take such a thing seriously. She has no disillusionment over how powerful she is, and knows she can get away with almost anything. Hell, she has gotten away with several things. Including theft, murder, pretty sure she's tortured someone at some point.
The only thing that keeps her in line is, ironically, I think it's the idea that we'd be upset with her. As nice as it is that we're held so highly in her mind. It's, concerning how unconcerned she is with most things.
Theft? The thief wanted it more. Vandalism? Depends on the kind. Assault? Modern entertainment.
"Do you want me to talk to her?" I ask. Seeing how tired and stressed she is.
"If you would?" Carol says tiredly. "I just, I'm not good at the softer side of parenting."
"And I barely have experience parenting." I say as I lean down for a quick kiss. Something she gives me readily. "And I do fine." I say with a smile as I pull away.
"Wipe that smirk off your face and get." She slaps my ass with a frown.
"So feisty." I chuckle as I walk around the table and head upstairs.
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-5 minutes ago, Kitsu's room-
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Kitsu POV
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"Mmmmrrrrrmmmm!" I scream into my pillow, kicking my feet on my bed hard enough to kick my shoes off.
This, SUCKS!
I was only doing what I've always done. Just, larger scale this time. So what if I was gone a few weeks? I'm literally immortal!
I do feel bad about giving Vicky an autoimmune disorder. Though not that bad. Because on some level, it's kinda funny that she was allergic to Dean.
And herself but It's funnier if you focus on the first bit.
I gave her a touch up as an apology so we're good.
Tink tink tink
Flicking my ear to the window, I notice the breathing and heartbeat of someone on the other side of the glass.
Getting up, I prepare to enhance my perception and explode their head. Half expecting it to be someone from the Teeth.
Opening the curtain. I see the hooded face of my girlfriend standing on a warped windowsill. Waving with a smile. She breathes on the window and writes on the glass.
(Let me in?)
I giggle at the silliness and nod. Stretching up and unlatching the window lock, I open the window.
"Missy!" I exclaim in a hushed whisper and reach my arms out to catch her. "What are you doing here?"
"Ugh, mom's being a pain." She scoffs as she rolls her eyes and takes her hood off. "Got into another fight with my dad, uncle Justin came over, it wasn't pretty."
"Well, you can always visit me." I beam up at her. "But you need to be quiet, I'm grounded."
"Oh, I can leave if you." She starts to pull away.
"Nyo." I pull her back in for a tighter hug. "You stay."
"You're so clingy." She giggles as she hugs me back as I rub my face into her chest.
"Ah!" I squeak in surprise as she grabs my butt and lifts me up with a grunt.
My face burns as she sets me on the edge of my bed with a huff. Grinning at me and giggling.
"Wh-what was-" I start to say before she leans forward for a kiss.
"Remember? You owe me." She grins with a blush. "And, well, we haven't really seen each other in two weeks. I miss my little snuggle bug-"
My ears perk up as I hear heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. Heavier than Mom's.
Vicky never uses the stairs, always flying. And Amy, the beanstalk that she is, has slow but light steps.
"Crap!" I hiss and jump up, causing Missy to stumble back in surprise.
"What- mrrmmph!" I cover Missy's mouth with my hands as I push her back towards my closet.
"No time!" I hiss and push her into my closet and close the door. Just in time for Dad to knock.
"Kitsu, I'd like to talk to you." He says through the door.
Running over, I face plant on my bed. Just like I was before.
"Mmmrrrmm!" I shout into my pillow.
"I'm going to assume that's a yes." He says and waits two seconds before opening the door. "Hey kiddo."
"Mrm." I huff out, muffled by my pillow.
"Sounds about right." He says as he walks in, closing the door behind him.
I feel a bead of nervous sweat form on my forehead. My heart thudding as I realize all it takes is Missy sneezing and I'm in even more trouble.
I feel the weight on my bed shift as he sits near me. Putting a hand on the back of my head, prompting me to shift my head and move his hand to the top of my head.
"Heard what happened." He says.
"Myeh." I mutter as he rubs my head.
"Hmph." He chuckles before adding under his breath. "I've heard that before. I just, wanted to make sure you're feeling alright. Make sure, you know we aren't mad at you."
"Is this the classic you're just disappointed talk?" I ask, causing him to stop scratching my head.
Curious, I push up on my hands and look back to him.
"Is, is that not what this is?" I ask.
"Did you, hear us downstairs?" He asks, concern written all over his face.
I heard them talking. But didn't pay attention to any of it. First because I was busy venting into my pillow, then Missy showed up.
"Not really." I say. "Why?"
"Don't worry about it then." He says evasively. "Just, we want you to know that running off and… taking care of things on your own like you did. You can't do that."
"Why not?" I ask, genuinely not understanding why outside of precedence. "It's what I've been doing for years."
"Yeah, well you didn't have us for those years." He points out.
"Half of you were the reason." I counter.
He sighs and stands up. Shaking his head slightly as he heads for the door.
"I mean, you never had people who love and care for you like we do." He says as he opens the door. Looking back to me, he smirks. "I'm sure Vista can explain it better than me." He nods at my closet.
"Hm!" Missy squeaks from inside.
"Um, I don't-" I try to think of something plausible. Prepared to enhance my perception to think faster.
"Your window is open, I heard you close your closet and I heard two set of footsteps on the way up." He says with grin and a wink. "Don't worry, I won't tell your mother."
He closes the door, leaving me with a mix of embarrassment from, many things. As Missy slowly peers out from behind my closet door. Face almost as red as mine.
"So, um." She says softly. "I uh, think I should go."
"Probably." I nod.
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-Medhall General Hospital, Tuesday, October 5th, 5:12pm-
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Taylor Hebert POV
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"So, on the bright side it looks like you'll be able to make up school credits with some after school classes." I tell Emma.
…
"Oh! Maddie got a boyfriend!" I tell her excitedly. "You'll never guess who it is. It's Mason, that solitary guy? Big, buff, shaved head?"
…
"Remember how we talked about whether or not he was doing roids?" I bring up the conversation from a while back where we thought he was getting too buff too fast. "Well according to Maddie, there's no way he is. Not with he's, yeah." I blush thinking about the cat girl's, description of the jock. "You'll have to ask her yourself. And you'll have a lot to talk about, because they've been together for at least a month."
She'd actually been keeping it a secret. For, whatever reason.
…
"I hope you wake up soon Em." I sigh.
Panacea hasn't been to the hospital in days. And she only takes on critical patients anymore. Besides, I hear she can't heal brains.
But, if she could just stop by! Maybe I could just, commandeer some of her power? Figure out what's wrong. Point the doctors in the right direction.
"Taylor?" I look over to the door and see Emma's older sister, Anne.
"Oh, hey Anne." I wave.
She looks horrible. Bags under her eyes from sleepless nights, hair barely brushed. The stress of everything getting to her. She's staying at me and my dad's place. My dad extending an invitation to her so she has a place to stay while things work themselves out. Her dad and mom had a killer life insurance policy, so she says she's fine financially. Just has more on her plate with handling the finances, keeping Emma in the hospital, and still going to school. On top of, well, losing her parents and house. She also has to plan the funeral.
Dad offered to help but, I don't think she trusts him all too much. Which is fair, she just lost her parents and came into a lot of money and also has a comatose sister to look after. Plus, it's not like she knows my dad all too well. In her position, I doubt I'd even take the offer of housing.
"Still here?" She asks with a strained smile.
"Yeah, I…" I look from her to Emma. "I, I can go if you want."
"No, no. It's fine." She says with a placating smile as she walks into the room.
"Honestly I should get some fresh air and head home." I say as I get up and grab my bag.
"Alright, um, your dad is here if you need a ride." She says, making me pause.
"What's he doing here?" I ask with a raised brow.
"Oh, um, he caught me on the way out of the door and offered a ride." She explains. "He's uh, I think he feels a little, well guilt isn't the word. I guess it's pity? Yeah, something like that."
That's, a bit weird. But then again, dad's changed a lot since the docks got back up and running. So, I really don't know what he's like anymore.
"Alright well, I'd rather not." I say as I walk past her. "Got my bus pass and all, rather put it to use."
I don't stick around to hear what she says. Instead choosing to just leave, not wanting to share in the misery as it were. I just… I'd rather not.
Leaving the hospital, I step outside to the crisp October air. Taking a deep breath, feeling the chill air course through my nose. I turn towards the bus stop, taking a seat on the green metal bench. Before wincing and standing up immediately as I look down.
"Damnit." I curse under my breath as I see the wet surface, slick from the rain we've been getting.
And no doubt on my pants now.
"Pfft, been there." I hear and look over to see a frizzy brown haired man in a white button up shirt, tucked into his jeans. Smoking a cigarette. "Haven't sat on a public bench in more than a decade, still remember it."
"Um." I look around suspiciously. Not really trusting people who just, talk to people they've never met before.
"Just making idle chatter, hon." He gives me a disarming smile, before taking a huff. "Just waiting on the bus."
"Um, sure." I say, but stand at the other end of the stop nonetheless.
"Damn, city's gotten that bad?" He asks, letting out a puff of smoke. "If it makes you feel better, I'm not really in a position to do anything. Even if I wanted to."
He lifts the side of his shirt, and shows off a freshly bandaged stab wound. Or gunshot wound. I don't know, it's bandaged.
"Um, that looks fresh." I comment, now a bit worried for him.
"Not even a full day." He says and tucks his shirt back in.
"Shouldn't you, not be out here?" I ask nervously. "I mean." I look to the hospital.
"No insurance." He says and flicks his cigarette butt, landing it perfectly in the cigarette tray on the trashcan.
"Ah." I nod in understanding.
He's ditching before they can give him the bill. It's, not the worst thing I've seen. Besides, not really my business.
"Not worried they'll find you?" I ask, referring to collection agencies.
"They will." He shrugs with an easy smile. "But, let's just say I'm pretty good at dodging lawyers."
The way he smiles makes me think there's an inside joke. One I don't care to understand.
"Welp, this is my ride." He says as the number 8 bus comes up. "Later kid."
That's the bus that runs to the east. Stopping off at the suburbs.
He gets onto the bus. The doors closing behind the weird man, and a minute later the bus takes off with a hiss.
I'll never understand how some people can just talk to strangers.
Beeerrrn!
I flinch as I hear the alarms in the hospital go off.
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-Ferry Station South, Wednesday, October 6th, 7am-
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Jenny POV
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"In other news, yesterday at about six o'clock Medhall General Hospital was attacked!" The man says.
"Again?" The woman asks.
"Yes, though it's nothing like the last attack." The man turns from the woman and faces the camera. "No this time it was the Undersiders of all groups that attacked the hospital."
"The group of teen super thieves?" The woman asks again. "What could they want from a hospital of all places?"
"Drugs?" Pinky offers.
"They said it wasn't like the last attack." Gully answers.
"Shush shush." I wave my hand.
Turns out knowing about what's going on is a major prop when patrolling and just doing hero stuffs. So the news is part of our daily thing.
Except for Ben and Fire. Ben still lives with his parents and Fire…
Well there's a reason none of us are going upstairs. And it involves Crystal.
"A person." The man says with a shocked look. "One, Reiko Yanagi."
"Who?" The woman asks.
"A runaway from several months back." The man says. "She's been labeled as missing and presumed deceased. And not only that, another girl by the name of Taylor Hebert was captured, daughter of the dockworkers association's spokesman, Daniel Hebert."
"Holy crud!" I say as I lean forward.
"Isn't that the girl who's dad, employs everyone at the ferry?" Pinky asks.
"It is." Gully says seriously.
"Wow, do we have word on the ground?" The woman asks.
"Yes, her father, Haruto Yanagi is on the scene right now." He says, and the video transfers to a disheveled looking Asian man.
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-Yesterday, Undersiders Hideout, 8pm-
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Lisa "Tattletale" Wilbourne POV
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Laying Reiko down on the couch, we prepare for the final plan we have. Or at least, before we start asking our new backer for help.
"And you're sure this will wake her up?" Alec asks.
Alec is-
Stop it.
"Yes, or at least, if it doesn't then she's brain dead." I shrug.
We couldn't leave her in the hospital. Legally, her father still has custody. And, well, he's the reason she triggered. So we couldn't allow him to get his grubby hands, or any other parts, on her.
"Well, that's comforting." DJ rolls his eyes.
DJ is using humor to deflect his stress. DJ fears Regent, DJ believes Regent might master him-
Interesting. But not important right now.
"Hey." Brian puts a hand on Alec's shoulder. "This will work."
Brian has hope, Brian is cautiously optimistic.
"Alright." Alec takes a breath, and stares down at Reiko.
Alec is connecting, Alec is struggling due to nerves. DJ is uncertain and nervous. DJ is prepared to flee to avoid Regent. Brian is nervous.
I look to DJ and notice he has his hand on his IPod. Ready to blast some rock and bolt out of here.
Reiko shoots up on the couch. Eyes wide and unfocused.
"Okay, now stand her up and move her to the kitchen, and let go." I tell him.
Alec doesn't say anything as he follows Reiko to the kitchen.
Alec is concerned. Alec is prepared to catch Reiko should she fall. Alec is-
Don't care! What's the odds of this working?
Extreme stimuli may stimulate the amygdala and force consciousness.
Odds?
Moderate.
Good enough I suppose.
Better than the plan of kidnapping Kitsu or Panacea. Inviting the wrath of the local nuke? No thanks! One run in with her was more than enough for my LIFE.
She gave me constant arousal disorder because I tried to withhold info. I kidnap her or her adopted sister? She might turn me into a guy. Or fuck, she might turn me into a furry!
…
No contradiction?
More data needed.
That's what I thought.
"Okay, here goes nothing." Alec takes a breath.
Nothing happens for a few seconds. Not even my power hints at anything for a bit. Before Reiko turns towards Alec and tackles him onto the floor.
"I knew you'd come for me!" She cries out.
"Thank god." Brian sighs under his breath.
"I need a drink." DJ sighs and starts to head towards his room.
Brian is relieved, DJ is relieved, DJ has anxiety. DJ does not intend to drink. DJ intends to doom scroll on his phone. Reiko is relieved. Reiko believed Alec would save her. Reiko wanted Alec to save her. Reiko's affection and codependence on Alec is reinforced and has worsened.
'Of course it has.' I roll my eyes and suppress a groan.
"Alright, now." Brian raises his voice, gaining our attention.
Reiko looks up, notices us, and jumps up. Keeping her eyes to the floor as she pretends she isn't blushing.
Reiko is-
Don't care moving on!
Alec gets up and dusts his shirt off. Turning to us with a bored, apathetic expression. Though, I do spy a slight blush forming.
Alec is-
Again don't care right now! I have eyes.
Lisa is projecting annoyance-
Stop.
This is why most people with powers, don't like having powers.
"What are we going to do about the other girl?" Brian asks.
'Oh, right.' I think to myself. 'I, kind of forgot about her.'
We only took her as a way to get the cops to back off a bit. We weren't going to actually do anything.
Lisa is tired. Lisa needs a nap.
…
I hate that you're right.
"First things first, we gotta figure out who she is." I say as I give the three a winning smile.
"I say we just knock her out and drop her off in a random alley." Regent shrugs. "Out of sight, out of mind."
"That's if she's a nobody." I raise a finger in objection. "If she's someone, then we can't just let her go. One, depending on connections she might have we could easily be discovered. Two, if she's someone wealthy."
"You wanna ransom her." Brian says.
"Bingo! And that's why you're the leader." I snap my fingers and point to him. "I'm a genius and you recognize it."
So long as we avoid New Wave and Vista. We'll have no issues in this city.
And the best part? New boss is way chiller. Smarter too.
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-Meanwhile, Pelham House-
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Neil "Manpower" Pelham POV
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'I'm, I'm ruined.' I realize as I stare at the mountain of court orders.
Lawsuits, court orders, charges on terrorism!
"Dad?" I look up to see my son. My boy, the one I sacrificed thousands for. "You alright?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm just." I say as I look back to the fifty letters. "I've got a lot on my plate."
I sort through them further. Sorting them into hate mail, lawsuits, and court orders.
"Dad." Eric says again, though this time, much more subdued. "I-is it true? Did you-"
"No I didn't." I cut him off and go back to the papers. "But if I did, I'd do it again if it meant saving you."
I continue to sort. Thinking about how I'm possibly going to get through this.
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Bonus
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-Dallon house, Vicky's room-
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Kitsu POV
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We're all doing each other's makeup. Well, it's mostly me and Vicky. Amy's just kinda, here. Laying on Vicky's bed as she scrolls through her phone.
"Yeah, orange just isn't your color." Vicky says as she puts the cap back on the eyeshadow stick.
She's right, it might make my eyes pop, but with my strawberry blonde hair. It makes my face look flat.
"Darn." I sigh as I lean forward and rest my head on the vanity. "Guess we stick with the coppers and berries."
"What's the difference?" Amy asks as she looks up from her phone.
"Coppers are more earthy and metallic." Vicky says. "They add depth and make her eyes pop without blending into her hair and making her face flat. Berries make her just pop in general. But they're meant to draw attention so not everyone can pull it off."
"I pull off raspberry rather well if I do say so myself." I wiggle my ears proudly.
"Again, what's the difference?" Amy asks.
"You know what?" Vicky says as she steps away from the vanity. "Ames, it's about time you learn how to be an actual girl."
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?!" Amy asks with a wide eyed, fearful look. As well as a heavy blush.
"You're going to sit your skinny butt in this stool and we're teaching you makeup." Vicky says as she pulls the girl off the bed.
"Oh we are so doing this!" I hop up excitedly. Bouncing on my heels in anticipation.
"We are so not!" Amy struggles against the brute.
"Oh don't be like that!" Vicky grins as she sits Amy down. "Keets! Hand me the green."
"I think purple would be better." I say and hand her the purple.
"We want her hot, not slutty." Vicky puts it back on the vanity.
"I think she can pull it off." I defend, grabbing the eyeshadow and handing it back to her.
"Next you'll be saying she needs green lipstick." Vicky accuses.
"I take offense to that!" I scoff. "Pale skin, freckles, brown hair and eyes? She needs a red with a blue base."
"She! Is right here and doesn't need anything!" Amy announces, looking for all the world ready to overheat and melt under our attention.
"You need all the things." I lean forward and glomp a hug unto her and squeeze. Before noticing something, or rather two somethings as the top of her loose tee shirt doesn't pull back with the hug. "Hold up, what's this?"
I pull the back of her tee shirt, exposing the size of her chest. Which is a bit bigger than last I recall seeing. Which admittedly was several months ago.
"Holy crap Ames!" Vicky grins like a fox. "When'd you go up two cups!"
"I think it's all the chips and not staying at the hospital for weeks at a time." I tease the newly revealed curvier girl.
"None of your business!" She slaps my hand away and covers her chest.
"As your sister, wingman, best friend and advisor on all things you should care about." Vicky says as she puts her hands on Amy's shoulders and looks her in the eye through the mirror. "I feel like this is a development I should've been made aware of. I have, so much more I can work with now!"
"W-what is that supposed to mean?" Amy stutters.
Vicky just grins.
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-1 hour later-
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"Oh this is going all over PHO." I say as I take pictures.
"I hate both of you." Amy mutters with a massive blush.
She's in a set of Vicky's clothes. A sky blue tee shirt, light blue skinny jeans. And her makeup now makes her eyes look soft and sleepy, as opposed to tired and stressed.
She's actually a mid C cup now. And her hips don't lie! Not the hourglass model that Vicky is, she's welcome for that, but she went from cute girl next door. To the girl next door with a bit of clean up.
"Too late!" I say as I post the pics to my account with a tag line.
(PanPan's new look! Plz rate! And guys, back off. Girls, share your numbers. ;))
I attach her PHO handle to the pic.
"Oh my god!" She whines into her hands.
"My god is right!" Vicky says as she saddles up next to Amy and shows her, her phone. "Look at this! Dayum!, New Girl on the block look!, or this one. I'd break my own legs to get an appointment!"
Amy is quiet for a bit. Before her phone on the vanity starts buzzing. Gaining our attention as she goes over to check it.
Running up behind her, I jump up on the stool to look over her shoulder and see-
Whoa!
Amy is scrolling through her DMs. Five girls sent her their number and a pic of themselves. And let me tell you, boy. Amy is pulling.
She clicks on, of course, the blonde. A blonde haired girl with brown eyes, blowing a kiss at the camera.
"Do uh." Amy looks up with shifty eyes. "Have, any more fashion advice?"
"You're such a hopeless lesbian." I grin mischievously at the introvert. Before she retaliates.
Bap!
"Ah!" I cover my head.
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A/N
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Vicky out here taking full advantage of having biokinetics in the family.
Be honest, you'd do it too.
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The Undersiders waited for a time when Panacea and Kitsu wouldn't be at the hospital. For, obvious reasons. Also, remember that there were three people in the shipping containers. Reiko was the third.
Kitsu put her back together, but was far less concerned with waking her up.
Amy and Mark, Kitsu was just waiting for the doctors to confirm she didn't mess anything up before fixing whatever was keeping them asleep. Not wanting them to wake up in agony should they have something wrong.
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Amy out here, taking the first steps into getting over Vicky. With Vicky's help.
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Ask questions!
For Kitsu!
For NEWB!
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Don't forget to comment!
Fuel me my NOOBIANS!
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Find me in my channel, newb's-grotto, on the discord.
Link to the discord: discord .gg/DarkWolfShiro