Chapter 7: Tears and Adaptation
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Knightmare Lord: I kinda wanna see Mako get a little more love going forward
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-Honnouji Academy-
A week had gone by since the revelation of Satsuki and Ryuko being biological siblings, and it was time for the former to enact her next scheme.
"Satsuki…" Alex said as the student council president finished her speech regarding the Battle Royale Election. "HAVE YOU FLIPPED YOUR FUCKING WIG?!" The conduit questioned, his arms flailing in incredulous exasperation.
"I know exactly what it sounds like, and quite frankly, it's what I plan on." Satsuki told him. "I know anarchy will reign all across Honnouji, and this will allow the strongest to be revealed as a result." She explained. "Knowing Ryuko, she will come out on top along with Delsin." She added knowingly, like she foresaw it.
"That's if she decides to participate." Alex pointed out. "You forget, ever since you two figured out that you're sisters, she's become far less adversarial as of late. What's to say that she won't sit this one out?" He questioned.
"What makes you think people won't get ambitious and take Ryuko's Kamui for themselves?" The Student Council President countered, implying that those types of people would be liable to make Ryuko get involved regardless.
"... Point taken." Alex conceded. "But if she doesn't, and this whole fiasco is absolutely necessary, then I'd like to participate in the sudden death runoff." He stated.
"The hell for?" Sanageyama questioned, his surprised look being mirrored by the other elite four.
"To allow Venom the chance to evolve, obviously." The conduit replied.
This caused the four to look at Satsuki, whose face had a visible look of indecision on her face, as if her brain were quite literally weighing her options on a scale.
Should she allow this to happen? It seemed plausible, beneficial even, but… She shuddered at the thought of her lover or her adopted son getting hurt in the process. Different species and new relationships or not—she loved Alex and Venom, deeply so—and the quandary of this decision furrowed her brow to a near fault line of worry and internal conflict.
"I… I don't know…" She uttered, her mind being pulled in two different directions on the matter. "You are powerful, Alex. Venom as well but…" She muttered as she and the others retreated to the inside of their chambers. "The thought of you possibly getting hurt on a whim—." She tried to say, only for Alex to stop her, a finger to her lips as he shushed her.
"It'll take way more than a few run of the mill grunts to hurt me. Not even the clubs have enough strength to match up to me and Venom. We'll be fine." He assured her.
Satsuki, for her part, was quite surprised by the sudden boldness of the Nephew of Cole MacGrath, as evidenced by her eyes going as wide as saucers before he took his finger from her lips.
The Elite Four, meanwhile, reacted to this in a few… Different ways, let's say.
Gamagori was torn between interfering in an obvious relationship squabble and standing aside.
Sanageyama looked like he was about to start laughing.
Nonon was on the verge of cackling and teasing Satsuki.
And Inumuta was trying his damndest to not watch by focusing on his data pad.
"... I still worry for you." Satsuki sighed.
"And it's good that you do." Alex told her, pulling her into a comforting hug. "Now, I'll see you in seven days." He smiled, kissing her.
Satsuki, again, found herself caught completely caught off guard by her lover's actions—her blue eyes widening yet again as he kissed her for at least twenty seconds—before she slowly started to melt into the kiss, the student council president moaning as she made out with him.
Again, the Elite four had varied reactions to this as well.
Gamagori, for his part, immediately followed Inumuta's roll and averted his gaze from the scene, not wanting to seem like some sort of pervert, especially around Satsuki.
Sanageyama, meanwhile, wasn't able to see what was happening per say but he could hear the moaning and smell the hormones, which gave him a mental picture—which then made him curse the clarity of his Shingantsu yet again.
Nonon, on the other hand, was now as pink as her hair and was now steaming—causing her to grab a fan and trying to cool herself down while covering her eyes—but couldn't resist the urge to peak.
And Inumuta… He immediately packed up his things and waltzed out the room, deciding that not being there was the best course of action.
When Satsuki felt done kissing Alex, she pulled back and looked him in the eyes.
"Be careful." She told him gently.
"I will. You have my word." The boy nodded before walking away, Venom quickly hugging Satsuki with his tendrils.
"Bye mommy…" The young symbiote whimpered, clearly not wanting to go, but knew that he had to.
Satsuki had visibly bitten her tongue and locked her jaw in order not to run after the symbiote she called her son—waving goodbye was all she could do to say a temporary goodbye without breaking her composure. She couldn't stand that feeling.
This was going to be a long seven days…
(Later)
Honnouji Academy was, simply put, a complete warzone.
Students were attacking each other left and right, clobbering one another into the ground. There was a massive amount of property damage all over the place and one to three star members were dropping one after another.
The only ones abstaining from it all were the no-stars, who contently minded their own businesses.
And all the while, the Elite four was just waltzing on through it like it was a walk in the park.
"Remind me again, why is she doing this again?" Sanageyama sighed. "She's tearing down the system she made." He added.
"She always takes things to the extreme. I don't know what else to tell you." Inumuta shrugged.
"Tear it down and build it back up again. That's Lady Satsuki in a nutshell." Nonon smiled. "What evs, at least it gives us some downtime." She shrugged.
"Still though, think she'll be okay? She seemed really upset about Alex and Venom leaving." The Sports Chairman questioned. "She's good at hiding her feelings but I could practically hear her internal screaming for them not to go." He added.
"I noticed it, too. It seemed akin to a wife wishing against all odds that her husband and child would stay with her on their way to work or school." Gamagori nodded as he casually swatted aside a one-star. "It's amazing how much love can change a person…" He mused.
"Look at you getting all philosophical." The non athletic cultural chair woman grinned.
"That said, I think I'll take a few days off." The Disciplinary Committee chairman hummed as he tossed a car key into his hand. "I'll see you all next week, eight thirty sharp." He nodded before walking off.
"... Was that a car key?" Sanageyama wondered, hearing the clink of the metal it was made of.
"Good ears. Lady Satsuki said that she needed a chauffeur so he told her he'd do it." Nonon nodded. "Alex said he got in the car with him exactly once and said, and I quote "never again"." She added.
"What could be so bad about Gamagori's driving?" The Sports Club Chair wondered.
"I have some information on that… The less I say, the better." Inumuta told him in reply.
"Well, I'm off, see you boys in seven days." The pink haired short stack smiled as she trotted away. "I seriously doubt we'd suck so bad that we didn't make it to the sudden death runoff." She hummed jauntily.
This was the prompt the boys needed to also head home.
What was left unsaid was that she doubted Alex and Venom would be weak enough to be unable to make the cut. That was one thing that need not be said for obvious reasons.
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile in the school building, Ryuko, Mikisugi, Mako and Delsin were watching the school descend into complete and utter anarchy, and it was complete carnage.
"She really let this happen." Delsin commented as he watched the madness unfold before looking at Satsuki's high-rise, which was now protected by a life fiber barrier.
"Sitting in her bubble, as per usual, I see." Ryuko mused.
"You don't seem as angry as I thought you'd be." Mikisugi noted.
"That's because Ryuko found out that Satsuki's her big sister!" Mako exclaimed.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that little tidbit." The teacher mused, adjusting his glasses. "That begs the question, why aren't you with her right now, then?" He asked.
"Part of it is because I'm not the type to sit behind a shield and wait for the chaos to pass." Ryuko explained with a shrug.
"You really aren't." The absorption Conduit acknowledged.
"Well if what I've been hearing is right, Satsuki's apparently a nervous wreck right now." Mikisugi stated, causing the trio to look at him.
"Bullshit." Delsin countered.
"What's got her panties in a wad?" Ryuko questioned, though behind the curt comment she couldn't help but feel worried. If something had Satsuki of all people on edge it must be bad.
"Apparently Alex and Venom are going to be fighting in all this." The spy told them.
"Seriously? The hell for?" Delsin questioned.
"Haven't the foggiest idea, but for whatever reason they're out of the palace right now running a muck and Satsuki is worried sick about them." Mikisugi shrugged. "At least, so I've heard." He amended.
"Wow. I've never heard of Lady Satsuki stressed out like that." Mako remarked.
"Can't believe I'm actually feeling bad for her." Delsin mused.
"Yeah…" Ryuko nodded, looking up at the high rise, her gaze softening as she imagined her sister in a state of emotional turmoil. 'Maybe I should go see her…' She thought to herself.
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile, Satsuki let out a tense, shaky and pained sigh as she sat down in her chair, the inside of her cheek and side of the tongue throbbing in pain due to how hard she bit down on both in order to keep her emotions in check.
But now that she was alone—her entire visage decompressed, allowing her body to start shivering and shaking out of sheer anxiety and worry for her beloved and her surrogate child, her hand just barely able to conceal her turmoil from prying eyes.
Luckily though, Saroi, ever the reliable and dutiful caretaker—was quick to come to his mistress's aid with the one thing he knew would calm her nerves: her favorite tea.
"Here. You need this greatly." Saroi told her.
"Th-Thank you, Saroi." Satsuki sighed shakily as she accepted the tea. Sipping the steaming tea from the cup she winced due to the pain in her mouth, but as Saroi hoped, she did start to relax.
"Try not to worry so much, miss. The boys may be young but Alex is a spry lad and Venom is quite capable despite how young he is. Together they should be perfectly fine." The butler told the girl, hoping to ease her fears through reminding her of just how capable the boys were.
"... Yes. You're right." The girl sighed. "I should put more faith in their abilities and not worry so much." She mused.
"What you're feeling is completely natural, miss. Think nothing of it." Her butler replied. "But may I offer a bit more advice?" He asked.
"Please do, Saroi. You've always been so helpful to me over the years." The student council president nodded, sipping her tea as she looked at him.
"Perhaps you could invite Miss Ryuko to an afternoon tea or to spend the night? You two haven't spoken since the day you realized that you were sisters—surely a bit of quality time would do you both some good?" Saroi offered, a good natured expression on his usually neutral face.
"That would be nice…" Satsuki sighed, finding comfort in the thought. "Perhaps I can make time after the week is over." She mused thoughtfully.
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile, in the war torn areas of the academy and surrounding towns, students were still tearing each other apart, but through it all a single black and red figure was decimating them with both unnatural efficiency, brutality and speed.
And no, it wasn't Ryuko.
"I'VE BECOME SO NUMB, I CAN'T FEEL YOU THERE/SO TIRED/SO MUCH MORE AWARE/OF BECOMING THIS—ALL I WANT TO DO/IS BE MORE LIKE ME AND LESS LIKE YOU!" The sound of Numb by Linkin Park blared as the life fibers and bodies flew everywhere.
Alex hummed as he sprinted through the masses, his running leaving small craters in his wake along with a red streak.
He then called upon his electric shield to turn the bullets of the airsoft clubs guns into energy before using his railgun move to gun them down one by one, right as the automotive club started driving towards him in all directions.
Acting fast, the boy called on his fire and superheated the ground, causing it to bubble and pop the tires—causing the cars to flip and once they reached midair…
"CRITICAL MASS!" He boomed as he and Venom sent tendrils everywhere from their three star form's Agent Venom inspired torso—destroying everything in 360 degrees around him, before landing in a superhero pose.
Then they looked at all the defenseless Goku uniforms.
"Snack time!" The host and symbiote grinned as a scene of gore, carnage and screaming echoed through the streets for miles.
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile at the Mankanshoku home, the family seemed all seemed rather Zen in the face of the utter bonkers barbarity that was occurring right out their door—the smell of green tea and calming atmosphere contrasting with the smell of blood, sweat, and packed humanity of the rat race that the rest of the town had become.
"You guys seem pretty laid back." Delsin commented.
"Yeah, it's kinda weird, given what's going on." Ryuko nodded, finding their behavior rather odd.
"Well with all that went down a couple weeks ago we learned that instant gratification isn't all it's cracked up to be." The Mankanshoku patriarch replied.
"Yeah, that's obvious." The Conduit remarked.
"Patience is a virtue! Besides, I figure that if I let everyone get tired out from all the fighting, I'll have easier pickins! Pocket pickins, that is!" Matarou beamed.
"Matarou!" His mother scolded, causing him to yelp and shrink back comically.
"Well I'm gonna head out, can I use your scooter?" Ryuko asked as she got up.
"I did get it for you." The back alley doctor nodded in reply.
"Thanks." The girl smiled as she went to leave.
"Hey wait up! I'll come too!" Mako beamed as she followed.
"You gonna go too?" The Mankanshoku man asked Delsin.
"And get caught up in that rat race? Fuck no!" The conduit retorted.
(Later)
Ryuko now stood in front of the burned down ruins of her old mansion with Mako. She felt a slew of emotions from when she was last here. So many bad memories came with it all, too…
"What is this place?" Mako wondered, looking around.
"It used to be my—my adopted dad's mansion. But it burned down when he was killed." The punk girl replied. "We never really got along, him and me. He sent me off the boarding school and by the time I was in my third year I was a straight up punk." She admitted. "I used to hate the old man but… I don't know. Him dying caused me to realize how stupid it was." She sighed.
"You never know what you have until it's gone." Senketsu chimed in.
"Huh?" She questioned.
"It's something Alex said. Apparently it's like Empire City's motto." The Kamui explained.
"... Yeah. I'd say that fits." Ryuko sighed. It hit home hard with her, making her realize that she had wasted her time hating the man she called her dad until he was gone forever.
She felt like a complete bitch, thinking back on it now.
"I was gonna see if there was anything else here, but I don't really see the point." The girl sighed. "Come on, let's go. I wanna get to Honnouji before any of the one star yahoos come out." She said.
"Wait, why do you wanna go there?" Mako questioned as they hopped onto the scooter.
"Because I need to talk with Satsuki." The scissor using girl replied. "It's time I learned a thing and actually get to know my family." She added as they drove off again.
(Elsewhere)
The sound of ripping fabric and slurping could be heard as Alex sat atop a pile of nude one star and two star students while Venom slurped up the life fibers of their uniforms like they were bowls of authentic Ramen, humming at the sustenance with ravenous glee.
"Enjoying yourself, little buddy?" The nephew of Empire City's Saint questioned, stroking his symbiote's three star uniform dormant mode's lapels, causing Venom to purr in delight.
"Yes I am, dad." The young symbiote replied happily.
"That's what I like to hear." Alex chuckled in reply.
However, as they hopped down from the pile, something happened.
Alex and Venom suddenly gasped as the symbiote unexpectedly reached critical mass and they were encased in a bulging, visceral, and almost heart-like cocoon of life fiber evolved symbiote flesh, tendrils keeping them in place while the vaguely humanoid shape stayed stationary—almost like a mummy in a sarcophagus.
And all the while…
*BUM BUM* *BUM BUM* *BUM BUM* *BUM BUM*
The sound of a heartbeat showed that something was very much alive in there.
(Elsewhere)
Back with Ryuko and Mako, they were riding the scooter back to the Academy, but the fuel take was lower than they thought. The punk girl noticed that the fuel gauge was apparently broken, much to her chagrin.
Now she and Mako basically had to walk when a car zipped by them.
"Hey! Watch it, you jackass!" Ryuko barked… And was surprised when the car came back, revealing it to be Gamagori in a pink car.
"Whoa! Gamagori?!" Mako exclaimed.
"Matoi? Mankanshoku? What're you two doing all the way out here?" The Disciplinary Committee Chair questioned.
"We were on our way back from a visit to my old home when my scooter stopped working. Busted fuel gauge, apparently. Didn't realize the gas was nearly gone." Ryuko replied.
"Do you need a ride home, then?" The man questioned.
"Why're you asking?" The punk countered.
"I'm the disciplinary chair, and you're a student. When I see a student in need of help, it's my duty to offer that help." Gamagori replied.
"Well in that case, could you give us a lift to campus?" She asked.
"Campus instead of home? May I ask why?" The stern blonde questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Let's just say it's a family matter and leave it at that." Ryuko replied, right as Mako—ever the ball of lightning and enthusiasm—hopped right into the limo.
"Wow, these seats are bouncy! Is this car new? It must be new!" The energetic girl rambled.
"Mankanshoku, stop that!" Gamagori tried to order before sighing. "Just get in. I'll get you to campus." He told Ryuko.
"Thanks." The girl sighed, getting in as well.
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile, as the sky began to darken and the moon shone above, the beating of the heart inside the cocoon slowly came to a complete stop as a deep red, almost menacing glow began to rise from the core of the mummy-like figure at the center.
"In all of the history of the samsara, no one has ever been able to subjugate this Deva…" A voice echoed as the howling of dogs, croaking of frogs, squawking of birds and calls of all animals rang through the town. "Eight Grip sword. Divergent Sealer Divine General… Mahoraga." Uttered the voice as sharp black like teeth burst from an opening maw while four tendrils slithered from the cocoon.
Then tendrils sprouted from it as a humanoid form gradually became clear. Bursting from the cocoon, a hulking behemoth was revealed, its clawed feet digging into the concrete, taloned hands gashing the walls of buildings as if it were gelatin, and the unsettling symbiote grin made it seem almost demonic with a twisted version of the eight wheel of bhuddist mythology on its head.
The figure surveyed its surroundings, its eyeless face and four face tendrils making it seem like some kind of Lovecraftian horror from the depths of the abyss.
And when it raised its right hand, the All-Black sword mounted on its wrist was all those who were unlucky to see it needed to know as it glinted in the moonlight.
The abyss was smiling back.
(Elsewhere)
Back with Ryuko, Mako and Gamagori, the Discipline Committee Chair stopped the car when he swore he felt a massive disturbance in the air. He wasn't the only one; Ryuko felt it, too.
Even Senketsu felt it.
"What was that?" The blonde uttered as he glanced in the direction he felt it come from.
"I don't know, but it just chilled me to the fucking bone and I don't like it." The punk girl commented, her body tense as her blood ran cold.
"It was Venom." The Kamui said, his voice quivering with terror while he was quaking in sheer fear. "He's evolved." He added.
"What? Are you serious?" Ryuko questioned as she glanced at her Kamui.
"What?" Gamagori interjected, unable to hear Senketsu's voice.
"Senketsu says that Venom just evolved. He's scared of that." The punk girl told him.
"Wait, it's that serious?!" The Discipline Chair gasped in shock.
"Yeah. Senketsu's only been scared a few times and typically that means whatever's scaring him is bad news with a capital B." Ryuko nodded.
"Yeah! One time he was scared because of Junketsu and look at how that turned out!" Maki chimed in.
"Then we should probably get moving before we get caught up in a possible power test." Gamgori stated before he started driving again.
However, life was rarely ever that simple…
Seconds later a group of cars drove up beside them.
"I hate people who don't obey the rules of the road. This is a no passing zone!" The man barked, Ryuko and Mako, meanwhile, noticed the guns the drivers had.
This caused them to look at each other.
"DRIVE BY!" They yelled in unison as they ducked away in order to avoid the burst of bullets that followed.
(Elsewhere)
With Satsuki, she was trying to relax in her office when she felt a powerful disturbance in the air. The moment she felt it, she shot to her feet with a shocked look on her face—her tea cup and pot nearly falling to the ground as she accidentally bumped into the tray in her haste.
"Is that… Is that what I think it is?!" She gasped.
Junketsu, meanwhile, was going crazy—it was squirming, writhing and trying to burst out of its container—its eyes widened to over twice their original size.
Not out of a hunger for blood like usual, no, it was out of fear—sheer, unadulterated, primal fear. And it was not afraid to admit it.
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile, at Nudist Beach HQ, Tsumugu was getting some training done when he felt Cure start acting up.
"Whoa, Cure. What's wrong?" Tsumugu questioned, trying to get his symbiote and surrogate daughter to calm herself.
"It's Venom– He's evolved!" She exclaimed fearfully.
"Evolved?!" The man gasped in surprise and alarm. Immediately he dialed a number on his phone. "Mikisugi, did you–?" He questioned.
"Feel that? Yeah. Venom's achieved his perfected form, Delsin just told me that even Riot was shocked." The teacher nodded. "I hate to admit it, but shit has officially hit the fan." He added.
"I figured as much. Cure is unnerved by it, which is a gentle way of saying she's scared out of her wits." Tsumugu nodded. "What do we do?" He questioned.
"Honestly? I have no fucking clue." The man replied.
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile the Mankanshoku family were continuing to have tea and dinner with Delsin when they too felt the presence of the Perfected Venom.
"What the heck is that?!" Matorou exclaimed as he looked around frantically.
"Venom… He's achieved his perfect form." Riot muttered, his tone measured but Delsin could tell that he was shook.
"How significant is it?" The Conduit asked his partner.
"My best estimates? Right now he's on par with Knul at half his power. At least." The symbiote leader replied.
"... Okay, that's definitely scary." Delsin muttered, trying to quell the feeling of nervousness he got from Riot's reply, before grabbing his phone.
Mikisugi was not going to believe this…
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile, Hauka Inumuta was busy uploading data into his computer from the fights he'd had so far, when he too felt the presence—but beyond that—his sensors were getting it and having hell trying to quantify it.
"What… Is this?!" He gasped in shock as he tried to get a visual on the source via drone.
Threat Level: Cosmic. Origin: Unknown. Warning! Warning!
"Ooooh dear…" The Information Chair gulped nervously. "This is not good." He muttered.
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile, Jukuzere was enjoying her time listening to classical music in her pajamas, jauntily conducting the music with her finger while she smiled in content—when the same presence from before suddenly interfered with her radio.
"What the?" She muttered, right before the full feeling of the presence set in. "HOLY—!" She exclaimed, leaping onto her bed before she buried herself in her stuffed animals—quivering with fear like a leaf in a hurricane.
She had no earthly idea of what that presence was, but it scared her.
Little did she know that it wasn't earthly at all.
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile, Sanageyama was having a ball as he kicked ass everywhere he went.
It was his favorite pastime so he certainly wasn't complaining, but all that fighting worked up an appetite, so he decided to get a burger from a nearby spot to quiet his growling stomach—specifically a garlic double cheeseburger.
Right as he got his burger, the presence of Venom hit his senses, causing him to snap his head in the direction it was coming from.
"Is that… Venom?!" He gasped in shock, his burger thankfully not discarded on the ground. "Wait…" He muttered as his Shingantsu slowly allowed him to hone in on the presence of Venom by sensing him—and what he sensed nearly caused him to drop his food.
It was Venom's perfected form, only unlike Gamagori, Ryuko, Mikisugi, Tsumugu, Mako, Inumuta, Nonon, Delsin, Cure, Riot or even Satsuki—Uzu could see what they were feeling through his senses.
And what he was sensing—was smiling right back at him, with a mix of horror that made the Old Ones and every horror monster he knew of seem cute and cuddly by comparison.
He was so horrified he dropped his burger on the table, luckily for him and his precious food.
(Elsewhere)
Back with Alex and Venom, the two took a moment to gather themselves after the initial release of their form before they slowly returned to normal and took stock of their new status.
"… That was unsettling." Alex muttered.
"I don't think I like evolving…" The symbiote muttered.
"Yeah, that was actually a bit overwhelming." The Conduit nodded in agreement. "Still, now that we've done what we wanted to do, we can just wait out the time that's left until the Sudden Death fight." He added.
"Can we see mommy?" Venom questioned hopefully.
"Yeah… I could go for some time with her right now, actually." Alex nodded as he took off for his lover's tower.
(Elsewhere)
Ryuko and Mako groaned as Gamagori drove them to campus as requested after the near drive-by done by the Automotive Airsoft Club, which allowed them to see Shackle and Scourge Regalia up close for the first time since the Beast incident.
Needless to say they kinda wished they hadn't.
'Somehow, that's about as unnerving as seeing Venom in action…' Ryuko thought with a shiver.
"You mentioned that the reason you needed to get to campus was a family matter." Gamagori chimed in after a bit. "Would I be right in assuming that it has something to do with Lady Satsuki?" He questioned.
"You'd be right on the money there." Ryuko admitted with a nod.
"And why would that be? You've been distant and detached ever since you were presented with the truth. Why change your mind at this juncture?" The disciplinary committee leader questioned as they began to reach the school, but by his tone it was clear that he was being inquisitive, not judgmental.
"Because…" The punk girl trailed off, sighing. "Because I didn't know what to do. I spent my life thinking I had no other family members, so to find out that I have a sister of my own and that my dad wasn't really my dad after all? It through my equilibrium off a lot, so I needed time to think about what to do next." She explained.
Gamagori hummed as he seemed to take this information in, not really offering anything in response, at least at first.
"Hm… Yes, I can see how that sort of thing would require extensive thinking." He acknowledged. "I'm not much of a thinker myself. That's more Inumuta's way of life. But I do know a thing or two about resolve and the things that can test it." He nodded, his eyes reflecting in the rear view mirror as a way of maintaining indirect eye contact. "Allow me to offer you this advice, student to student. Don't let your feelings about the circumstances of your father's rearing of you dampen your resolve. If he didn't care about you, I don't think he would've saved you from the wreckage he found you in." He offered. "Use his final act of defiance to give you the resolve you need to wipe your own tears, and reclaim what was taken from you." He added. "That's my advice." He concluded.
"... Thanks." Ryuko nodded, taking that advice in. It sounded rather encouraging, all things considered.
It was then that the car reached Honnouji, allowing the two girls to get out.
"Lady Satsuki's quarters are just upwards. Tell Saroi that you're here to see her, he'll let you in." The man told them.
"Sure. Thanks, Gamagori." Ryuko nodded. "You may be a loudmouth, but you're alright." She added with a smile.
"You'd be surprised at the hidden sides of people once you get to know them, Ryuko. Remember that." The Disciplinary Chair nodded before he drove away, allowing Ryuko to start walking to Satsuki's quarters, Mako following suit.
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile in Satsuki's quarters, Saroi was busy pouring the student council president another glass of tea after her sudden jolt of fear.
It was then that they heard a knock at the door.
"I'll get that." The elderly butler said as he went to the door and opened it. "Miss Ryuko! Miss Mankanshoku! What a pleasant surprise!" The man exclaimed, genuinely not expecting to see the two girls at the other side of the door due to being on the lookout for Alex.
"I came to see Satsuki. I decided to take some time to think before deciding to bring some stuff up with her." Ryuko stated.
"Of course. Please, do come in." Saroi nodded as he invited them in.
"Whoa! This place is so fancy!" Mako exclaimed as she plopped down on a couch across from the coffee table.
Satsuki, for her part, was shaking in a manner that was as if she were experiencing a PTSD flashback or if she were about to faint, nearly dropping and spilling her tea as she refused to look at Ryuko until she regained her composure.
She would not allow her little sister to see her like this.
Taking a long sip of her tea, the student council president finally let out a calming sigh before setting her cup and saucer down—and then turning her chair to face the two girls.
"Ryuko… You came." She nodded, it was not much of a greeting as she knew, especially to her sister—but it was all she could think to say.
"Yeah… After a lot of thinking." Ryuko nodded. "I'm not sure if this is the best time, but… Were you there when my father was killed?" She questioned, deliberately avoiding accusing Satsuki of being the culprit in favor of evidence.
"No." Satsuki stated, direct and firm. "But… I do know who was." She sighed after a moment's hesitation before looking at the younger girl, her eyes seemingly begging, pleading for Ryuko to listen. "But if I tell you it is. You have to promise me that you won't pursue her." She told the punk girl.
"Ooh, she sounds like real business." Mako shivered.
"Why should I promise anything? I said I'm gonna take down who killed my dad and I will." Ryuko retorted.
"Ryuko." Satsuki said, taking the girl's hands into her own shaking ones, her body and bottom lip quivering as her composure started to crack. "Please." She uttered, her voice almost a sob. "I already thought I lost you once." She whispered, looking up at her younger sibling as her eyes glistened with tears she was trying to force back. "Don't make me lose you a second time." She begged.
Ryuko was genuinely shocked to see Satsuki begging like this. Not only did it feel… Wrong to see her like this, it also told her that whoever her father's killer was, she was a massive concern.
"Listen to her, Ryuko. That isn't a face that holds lies." Senketsu insisted.
Ryuko was silent for a moment, but she slowly nodded.
"Okay." She nodded, taking Satsuki's hand in hers. "I promise I won't do anything stupid or crazy." She told the older girl. "And when I make a promise, I make it a point to keep that promise." She added.
"Thank you… Thank you." Satsuki sighed, wiping her tears. "Your father's killer was someone who works for our… I suppose "mother" would be the incorrect term, all things considered. She is considered her personal tailor, but that's a fancy way of calling her an assassin." She began.
"Well if she has you of all people shaken, then I definitely need to be careful." Ryuko stated.
"Her name is Nui Harime. And have to promise to avoid a full confrontation with her at all costs." The student council president said. "Do you understand, Ryuko?" She questioned.
"I understand." The punk girl nodded. "I promise." She added, before she decided through caution to the wind and threw her arms around her older sister, hugging her tightly.
After feeling more anxiety, desperation and fear than she was ready for, Satsuki was all too eager to hug back just as tightly. If one looked at the scene, they would think that the Student Council President was scared out of her mind for Ryuko's safety.
And they would be very much correct.
(Elsewhere)
Alex groaned as his body ached all over from the exertion he and Venom went through just mere hours ago.
"Chocolate… I want potato croquettes and chocolate. I'm hungry…" Venom groaned in near starvation.
"I'll… try and… get… some…" Alex groaned, his body not wanting to move.
Thankfully, they were finally able to arrive at the high rise, where Saroi answered the door for them.
"Mr. Alex!" The butler exclaimed as he saw how disheveled the boy and symbiote were by this point.
"Got any chocolate for Venom…?" Alex groaned as he nearly collapsed, only for Saroi to catch him.
"Come, let's get you to bed." The butler said as he helped the young man get to a bed so he could rest.
It didn't take long for Satsuki to rush into the room, dressed in her nightgown after having spent most of the early night with Ryuko and Mako.
Her eyes were wide and wild with worry, terrified that something might have happened to the two of them, especially given the premonition she felt before.
"Alex!" She gasped as she ran to her lover's side and immediately embraced him. "Oh thank goodness you're alright!" She gasped, hugging him tightly.
"We didn't get hurt… But Venom evolving did leave us drained… And aching." The American told his lover as he leaned on her shoulder.
"Mommy…" Venom whined, his viscous features showing his displeasure. "So hungry…" He whispered.
"Let's get you some food." Satsuki nodded. "Saroi, I'll take Alex to bed. If you would, please get Venom some chocolate and bring it to my room, that would be a big help for him." She told her trusty butler.
"Of course, miss." Saroi nodded as he went to do so while Satsuki helped undress Alex and allowed Venom to relax its previous uniform state and melt into Alex's skin, allowing himself to rest.
"My darling boys, I've been so worried about you both." The girl murmured, hugging the two closely as tight as she could while she laid in bed with them.
"Sorry to make you worry, sweetheart." Alex sighed as he relaxed on the soft surface of the bed. "Like I said, Venom evolved, and it took a lot out of both of us." He added.
"I know, I believe all of us felt it." Satsuki nodded as Saroi arrived with the chocolate and a bowl of rice and pork for Alex. "Venom, I think you have more than deserved a reward." She smiled. "You've made me so proud, my little darling." She cooed as the Symbiote started eating, caressing his goopy form.
"Thank you, mommy." The young symbiote cooed happily.
"I'm just glad we're finally home." Alex nodded, enjoying his own meal.
"As am I, my dear Alexander." The student council president sighed as she kissed him, a sense of relief, euphoria and pent up anxiety rushing back to her before completely melting away into one feeling: love. Love for her fiancé and surrogate son, just like the love she shared with Ryuko.
And she was going to spend the rest of these seven days to show all three of them just how much she loved them.
ThermalsniperN7: Sorry about the wait. We had other stories at the forefront of our list.
Dragon Emperor0: Not to mention we took several days off so we're a bit behind as of now. Luckily though, I'm sure we'll get around to them in our own time.
ThermalsniperN7: Yeah, we have a bit of work to do. Anyway, if anyone draws parallels between Venom's new look and Jujutsu Kaisen, that's intentional. This is a sign that Venom and Alex just became the biggest power duo on Earth.
Dragon Emperor0: Yeah. I've run the numbers and as of now? Ragyo and Nui are fucking screwed. They're going to be torn limb from limb.
ThermalsniperN7: Imagine if Nui thought Venom was a fancy Goku Uniform and tried to kill him. Ha! That'll be a hilarious final mistake. But yeah, things are gonna be shaken up big time when the fighting portion comes. Anyway, see you guys next time.