Disclaimer: I do not own any of the material appearing in this story. The OC's belong to their respective owners
The Day After RWBY and Co Left for Paldea
Pacifica was at the McGarden Library, wandering around to see what book would stick out to her. She did consider asking the Ultimate Historian if he had any recommendations, but something about asking Korekiyo creeped her out. The fact that he's a Pit Viper faunus doesn't really help matters… or at least, that's what that Gajeel guy told her.
She wanted to stay at the Mystery Zone and cool herself off to beat the summer's heat, but decided to tag along with Ford as she had nothing better to do to cure her boredom.
While she was skimming through the shelves, she started to reminisce about the day she was introduced to the Warriors of Hope and was warmly welcomed into the group despite being unofficial.
BGM: Have a Nice Talk (Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story plus Bowser Jr's Journey)
"I have to say, I like how you're rockin' the new look." Wendy complimented the twins.
"Yeah dudes! You look amazing!" Soos agreed.
"What they said. I never thought you'd rock something so cool." Pacifica said.
"And Mabel? Those stud piercings are tight!" Wendy added.
Mabel giggled. "Thanks~!"
"So, what's with this whole "working for the government" thing?" Pacifica asked. "I never thought I'd see you two in that kind of environment."
"Well, we hit it off with Nagisa and the others when we met them and well, it kinda snowballed into working with the Future Foundation if you can believe it." Dipper said.
"Yeah, we're all agents now!" Mabel said. "…At such a young age, I don't know if that's legal in America, but it's pretty cool here!"
"Admittedly, working with the Future Foundation can be a bit of a handful… especially with… some certain people." Dipper said.
"No no no, I'm telling you! Sailor Moon is prettier than whatever kind of manga gal you're drooling over." Dipper said.
"Ha! That's what they want you to think but Sailor Moon is baby's first waifu. She is lower tier compared to the modern hotties!" Hifumi said.
"What's hot about them?! They barely have any clothes on!"
"Oh, my young Dipper, soon you will be a cultured man! Here, try some Highschool DXD!"
"Ack! No thank you!"
"But on the bright side, our monthly pay grade makes up for the shenanigans that goes on, plus it also allows us to hang out with our new friends more." Dipper said.
"Mhm!" Mabel smiled.
"How much is your pay grade?" Soos wondered.
"We make at least fifty seven hundred coins a month depending on our work performance." Mabel said.
"That's almost as equal about how much the average FBI agent makes in a month." Dipper said.
"Nuh-uh. Surely they gotta make more than that." Wendy said as she pulled out her phone and looked it up herself. "...Sheesh! That's good to know."
The following day, the same day when Flandre got inaugurated into the Warriors of Hope…
"Aaaand here's our office." Dipper said as Mabel had texted everyone in advance so that they wouldn't be shocked, opening the door and letting the trio, plus Stan and Ford, into the office where the Warriors of Hope were chilling.
"Hey hey! This is a pretty fancy office you have here." Soos said as the trio wasted no time with getting along with the teens while Stan and Ford looked around the office with intrigue.
"Oh wow…" Wendy said, looking at Kokoro. "I've heard about some folks having animal features on their bodies, but… I never thought they'd look so cute on you!"
"Yeah dude. Those ears look cute on you!"
"O-Oh! Thank you…" Kokoro blushed.
"I am so glad I'm not the old me… I'd be degrading you in seconds." Pacifica said before smiling. "I must say the ears look natural on you."
Kokoro smiled warmly as Pacifica rubbed her chin in thought. Knowing my folks, they'd probably get along with that deadbeat Schnee I've heard about. Jacques, was it?
End BGM
Back in the present…
Pacifica smiled and proceeded to grab the first book that she could pull off from the shelf. As she pulled out a few books, she pulled out another book titled "The Theories & Practices of Alchemy" by Nikoopa Flamel.
"Oh?" Pacifica wondered as she curiously looked at it, before deciding to put away the other books and returned to the table Ford was sitting at, who was more focused on the anomalies that were going on in Gensokyo.
"Sorry for the wait." She said, sitting across from him.
Ford chuckled. "No, don't be. I'm honestly surprised that you took some time for yourself to pick out a book that catches your interest. So, uh… what did you get?"
Pacifica showed the cover to him as he took a look at it. "The Theories & Practices of Alchemy by Nikoopa Flamel…" He read as he looked intrigued. "A book about… alchemy? Huh, I didn't know you were into these kinds of things, Pacifica."
Pacifica looked sheepish. "Honestly, I took this book because it was the first one I could grab off the shelf."
Ford let out a chuckle at the nature of her answer. "Go ahead and read it, I'm sure you might learn something interesting about the Mushroom Kingdom's counterpart of Nicholas Flamel."
Pacifica nodded as she started to read in her own mind.
BGM: Magical Mystery (Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix)
"Nikoopa Flamel, a renowned Magikoopa alchemist and scribe from the Mushroom Kingdom who was believed to have created the Philosopher's Stone, a mythical alchemical substance said to grant the user immortality."
Pacifica turned the page.
"Alchemy is defined as the ancient practice of transformation, creation, and transmutation. At its core, it seeks to purify, mature, and perfect certain materials. Alchemists strive to turn base metals into noble ones, such as gold, and to create the elixir of life, which grants immortality. Central to the alchemical practice is the pursuit of the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary substance of immense power."
Pacifica's eyes sparked with wonder and curiosity as she read on. The illustrations and symbols in the book were intricate and mysterious, filled with cryptic meanings that hinted at hidden truths.
She continued.
"The roots of alchemy can be traced back to ancient civilizations outside of the Mushroom Kingdom, including the Koopa Kingdom, the Beanbean Kingdom, Sarasaland, and the Pi'illo Kingdom. It combines elements of science, philosophy, and mysticism, creating a unique discipline that bridges the physical and spiritual worlds."
Her mind raced with thoughts of ancient alchemists laboring in their dimly lit laboratories, their work shrouded in secrecy. The idea of transforming one substance into another and seeking perfection and immortality seemed daunting and exhilarating.
Overall, the more she read, the more drawn and fascinated she became regarding the subject of alchemy.
End BGM
Beep beep! Beep beep! Beep beep!
Ford's watch snapped her back into the world of reality.
"Oh, that time already?" Ford wondered. "Come on, Pacifica. It's time to head back. Return that book where you found it, if you will."
"Actually, I want to take it with me." Pacifica said. "Something about alchemy is… speaking to me and I want to learn all I can from it. I also want to see if Nikoopa Flamel has any other of his writings here."
Ford looked at her in surprise before chuckling. "You've only been here for a few days yet you managed to find something productive. Proud of you, kiddo." He said, scruffling up her hair as she let out a giggle.
Back at the gift shop of the Mystery Zone…
Pacifica and Ford walked into the gift shop where Soos and Wendy were currently working. "Hmm?" Soos turned his head while staking the racks with ? T-Shirts. "Oh, welcome back, dudes!"
"Hey, guys." Pacifica waved.
Wendy looked up from her phone as she noticed the books Pacifica was carrying. "Whoa, what are those?"
"Something just… caught my attention at the library and I wanted to give it a try." Pacifica responded as Soos decided to take a peek.
"Oh dude! Alchemy? Oh man, where do I begin? Alchemy is such a creative way of entertainment and-"
As Soos drabbled on, Wendy couldn't help but give Pacifica a teasing smirk.
"Alchemy, eh? I wonder if Dipper's intellectual curiosity and love for stranger things is rubbing off on you~?"
"N-no! He didn't!" Pacifica responded in embarrassment as she glanced to the side. "W-well… m-maybe a little…" That intellectual dork and his love for weirdness… She blushed. …Ooh… why am I even thinking about him more than often all of a sudden…?
Wendy chuckled. "Anyway, have fun with whatever you're planning to do next with these alchemy books… Blueblooded Alchemist."
Pacifica blinked in surprise. "Whoa, starting with titles already? I haven't even started yet!"
"Hey, you know that every alchemist needs a cool-sounding title." She gave her a wink. "And "Blueblooded Alchemist" happens to fit perfectly for good rich folks like you."
"Fair point." Pacifica chuckled in agreement. The Blueblooded Alchemist, huh…? She mused. I kinda honestly like the sound of that.
Later that night…
Pacifica was in her room on the residential floor of the building, reading the book she had borrowed earlier from the library.
Each page of Nikoopa Flamel's studies revealed new mysteries and ancient knowledge that seemed almost magical. The concept of transforming ordinary metals into gold, transmuting raw materials into different objects, and the possibility of achieving eternal life through the Philosopher's Stone, captivated her imagination.
Pacifica could feel her heart beating faster as she delved deeper into the book. The dimming light from her bedside lamp danced across the pages, creating an almost mystical atmosphere that drew her further into the world of alchemy. She leaned closer, her eyes scanning every word with intense focus.
The room around her seemed to fade away as she lost herself in the stories and theories of alchemists from centuries past. The allure of hidden knowledge and the promise of untold power and wisdom filled her mind. With each passage, her fascination grew, igniting a burning desire to learn more and perhaps, one day, uncover the secrets of alchemy herself.
To be honest, she wasn't expecting herself to become interested in the idea of practicing alchemy. But now, she found herself engrossed in the subject, drawn to the mystery and transformation it represented.
If her parents saw what she was doing now, she knew that they would immediately force her to return the books she borrowed from the library, or worse… burn them as they would surely denounce alchemy as some sort of "evil witchcraft" and "unbefitting of a Northwest"... ironically despite the fact how one of her ancestors sorta used to be an alchemist.
But, no.
Since the Northwest Manor party and the end of Weirdmaggedon, her parents no longer had any control over her. For years, they had emotionally abused her, trained her like a pet, trying to mold her into something she was not all for the sake of the family's name and reputation. As a result, she had little to no freedom as much as she had been conditioned to lack the will to make decisions for herself, solely to please her stupid, overbearing parents.
…But then came along the Pines twins.
When she first met Mabel at that party in the Mystery Shack, things slowly but surely started to change for her from there.
She remembered all too well how she initially presented herself as a stereotypical shallow and condescending rich girl at that party, constantly laughing at and looking down on kids she considered beneath her, like Mabel and her friends, for no good reason. While her parents played a big part in shaping her previous attitude, she still grimaced at her own choice to act that way. She even hated how she won the party crown from Mabel (...who would've definitely won fair and square) through intimidation and bribery.
However, her façade began to crack during that mini-golf competition with Mabel, which made her remember the immense pressure imposed upon her by her stupid parents' high expectations. The memory was somewhat horrifying, as she recalled how a bunch of colorful sentient golf balls nearly killed her and Mabel, though they managed to escape safely. Despite the danger, she begrudgingly admitted that she had some fun and appreciated the free sticker Mabel gave her as an apology gift. On the car ride back home, Pacifica was exposed to customs that were foreign to her, such as sharing and eating in the car, which began to broaden her perspective on how the common folk lived.
The pivotal moment in her development occurred when a vengeful lumberjack ghost crashed the party at Northwest Manor that fateful night. Influenced by Dipper, Pacifica began to actively defy her family's corrupt legacy by disobeying her father's orders and allowing the common folk into the party to peacefully put an end to the ghost's cursed rampage.
Looking back, she couldn't help but remember how this act was somewhat inspired by the truth Dipper revealed to her on Pioneer Day about Nathaniel Northwest, her ancestor and the supposed founder of Gravity Falls, being a fraud of a waste-shoveling idiot who only became rich and powerful by sheer luck and a government cover-up conspiracy.
Long story short, Pacifica was happy that both Dipper and Mabel came into her life and influenced her to change for the better when they first visited Gravity Falls for their summer vacation. Their friendship and the truths they revealed helped her see beyond her family's expectations and encouraged her to forge her own path.
Essentially, jumping into the chance to join Wendy and Soos to go to the Mushroom Kingdom gave her the opportunity to truly be herself and make her own decisions in life without fear. She was determined not to waste this chance or take it for granted, especially after everything the Pines twins had taught her throughout their summer vacation in Gravity Falls.
She knew the path she had just chosen for herself would be filled with new challenges and unexpected surprises, but it would be worth the effort so long as she was willing to dedicate her mind and heart to it.
Now that the family drama's out of the way…
As time passed, she pored over Nikoopa Flamel's ancient tomes, continuously practicing and refining her knowledge and techniques. Her room steadily became cluttered with books, notes, and various alchemical instruments.
"She's really into this…" Ford said in surprise, having decided to visit for a spell from his time in Gensokyo as the others watched on in awe.
"Heh, I wonder if Dipper really did manage to rub off on her…" Wendy joked.
Pacifica stood in the middle of her room, her heart pounding with anticipation. The table lamp on her desk cast dancing shadows on the walls, creating an almost mystical atmosphere. She had spent the following days studying Nikoopa Flamel's tomes, absorbing every current piece of knowledge she could.
Now, she was ready to try out her first basic alchemical experiment: converting water into ice.
On the hard wooden floor of her bedroom lay a shallow bowl filled with clear water. She had meticulously drawn a transmutation circle around it based on one of Flamel's books, the intricate symbols and lines carefully inscribed with chalk.
Pacifica took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She also set up her Scroll that she had bought at Coconut Mall the other day on a tripod, adjusting the device's camera to make it face her before pressing the record button on the camera app.
To be honest, she only got herself a Scroll because her old phone was being bombarded with text messages from her parents.
"Where are you?!"
"Are you okay?!"
"WHERE ARE YOU?!"
"Are you eating vegetables like a proper lady?"
"Are you dead?! Please tell me you're not dead. Call us if you aren't!"
"We've looked all over Gravity Falls for you. No one knows where you are!"
"We contacted the FBI, but they say they don't know what we're talking about."
"We contacted the President of the United States, but he'd rather be golfing than finding our baby girl!"
"We contacted the other world leaders! They'd rather do anything else than finding you! What gives?!"
"WHERE. ARE. YOU?"
"Did you get kidnapped? Tell the kidnapper that we'll pay him a thousand bucks to bring you home safely! Five thousand if he didn't touch a single hair on your body."
"We love you! We hope you are safe!"
"You're not with that icky boy, Dipper, are you?!"
"I know you didn't go on a plane to the United Arab Emirates like you always wanted to. Did you go to Egypt instead?"
"AUUUUUUGH!" Pacifica screamed in agony. "I can't take it anymore!"
Later…
"You wanted to do some sight seeing?" Wendy asked as she parked the golf cart at Thwomp Ruins.
"Nope!" Pacifica marched off near a Thwomp as she looked at her never ending texts that she was still getting. She slid the phone underneath the Thwomp as it sensed something had gotten under it, proceeding to slam into the phone.
"UUUUNGH!"
The Thwomp rose up as the phone was shattered in pieces.
"Good riddance." Pacifica huffed and walked back. "Finally… peace and quiet."
"Man, where was that when I needed some peace and quiet from Robbie?"
"You mean having that thing crush your phone, right?"
"Sure, let's roll with that."
She had since changed her number and only let her friends into her contacts. In fact, she had texted Dipper about it.
"You threw your phone under a Thwomp?!"
"I couldn't take it anymore, Dipper. They were driving me crazy."
"Fair enough."
Pacifica smiled happily. "I'm free."
Back in the present…
Now that they're finally out of the way…
"Alright… let's do this." She murmured to herself before facing her Scroll. "This is Pacifica Northwest and this is the first test of my first Basic Alchemy Experiment: Converting water into ice."
She then clapped her hands together before placing them on the edge of the transmutation circle, feeling a faint hum of energy resonate through her fingertips. Closing her eyes, she concentrated, visualizing the process in her mind.
"Here goes nothing." She whispered, focusing her intent and channeling her energy into the circle.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, she felt a surge of energy flowing through her, converging into the circle. The chalk lines began to glow faintly, and she opened her eyes, watching in awe as the water started to shimmer and ripple.
But the process was proving to be more challenging than she anticipated. The energy flow was erratic, fluctuating wildly as she struggled to maintain her focus. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, and her hands trembled with the effort.
"Come on…" She urged herself, trying to keep her thoughts steady.
The water began to cool, and tiny crystals of ice formed on the surface. Pacifica's heart leaped with excitement… but the moment was fleeting. Suddenly, the energy around her surged uncontrollably and she then felt a sharp pain in her head, which broke her concentration. The glow of the transmutation circle faded abruptly, the ice crystals melting back into water.
"Argh, NO!" She gasped in frustration. She pulled her hands away, breathing heavily.
She stared at the bowl of water, feeling disappointment and eventually… determination. Her first attempt had failed, but she had seen a glimpse of success. She knew that the road to mastering alchemy would be a long and difficult path, and this setback merely fueled her resolve to improve one step at a time.
Pacifica took a deep breath, calming herself. She wiped the sweat from her brow and studied the transmutation circle, searching for any mistakes she might have made.
"Alright…" She said to herself, her voice steadier now. "... Let's try this again. The second test of my first Basic Alchemy Experiment."
The initial failure to transmute water into ice had only strengthened her resolve, teaching her the value of patience and persistence.
She kept this up all night until she got it right.
One afternoon, after a long day of study, Pacifica took a walk through Toad Park, enjoying the fresh air and once more reflecting on her journey, from how she evolved from a spoiled and stuck-up brat because of her parents into a loyal and selfless friend because of her friends. She recognized that alchemy required harmony with oneself as much as transforming the physical world.
When it comes to learning alchemy, it's not all about the mind, but also the body. Pacifica realized that maintaining physical health was essential for mental focus and stamina in her alchemical pursuits. She incorporated daily exercises and a healthy diet into her routine, finding that her concentration and endurance improved.
Returning home refreshed, she sat down at her desk in her bedroom as she picked up yet another of Nikoopa Flamel's ancient tomes. As compared to the others, this particular tome seemed even older and more mysterious. She opened it with a mix of excitement and trepidation, her fingers trembling slightly as she turned the pages. As she leafed through the book, a particular section caught her eye: "The Law of Equivalent Exchange".
She read quietly to herself, her mind steady and intrigued.
BGM: It Began With a Letter (Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD ReMix)
"The Law of Equivalent Exchange is a fundamental principle in the practice of alchemy. It dictates that in order to obtain or create something, an alchemist must sacrifice something of equal value."
Pacifica paused, contemplating the profound implications of such a law. She continued reading, her interest piqued.
"This principle underscores the balance that governs all alchemical transformations. It is not merely a guideline, but an immutable rule that ensures that the fabric of the universe remains in harmony."
As she turned the page, she found Flamel's handwritten notes in the margins, his script urgent and precise.
"The Law of Equivalent Exchange is the cornerstone of alchemy. It serves as a constant reminder of the costs associated with our craft. One cannot create something from nothing, nor can one take without giving in return. This law ensures that every action has a reaction, every gain has a loss."
Pacifica felt a deep respect for this principle. It resonated with a sense of fairness and balance that was both comforting and daunting. She continued reading Flamel's notes, eager to understand more.
"Many novice alchemists fail to grasp the true weight of this law. They see it as a mere obstacle to overcome, rather than a fundamental truth of our world. However, those who ignore its significance often find themselves facing dire consequences. The price of ignorance or arrogance in alchemy is steep."
Flamel's words struck a chord with Pacifica. She realized the meticulous care and caution required in the practice of alchemy. The legendary alchemist's wisdom and experience were evident in every stroke of his pen.
"Understand this; The Law of Equivalent Exchange is not just about physical matter. It applies to energy, effort, and even emotions. To create joy, one must often endure sorrow. To gain knowledge, one must sacrifice time and comfort. The balance of the universe demands it."
Pacifica's mind swirled with thoughts of the countless applications of this principle. It was a humbling realization that every action she took, every spell she cast, would demand something in return. The weight of this truth settled over her, blending her fascination with a sense of solemn responsibility.
The Law of Equivalent Exchange was not just a rule; it was a way of life, a guiding principle that she should honor and respect.
Later, she skimmed through the book once more as she stumbled upon something more eye-catching: "Human Transmutation".
"Human Transmutation is the alchemical process of attempting to create or alter human life through alchemical means. This type of bio-alchemy is highly controversial and dangerous practice seeks to manipulate the essence of life itself, often resulting in catastrophic consequences."
Pacifica's breath caught in her throat. The very idea of manipulating life was both thrilling and terrifying. She continued reading.
"While the allure of Human Transmutation lies in its promise to bring back the dead or to create life from nothing, the inherent risks cannot be overstated. The process requires a deep understanding of the human soul and body, as well as immense alchemical power, often leading to disastrous results."
Her eyes widened as she reached a passage filled with Flamel's personal notes, written in bold, emphatic script.
"I, Nikoopa Flamel, must strongly discourage any attempt at Human Transmutation. My extensive research and experiments have led me to conclude that this practice of bio-alchemy is not only unethical but also perilous beyond measure. The repercussions of tampering with the fabric of life are severe and irreversible. Many have lost their lives, their sanity, or worse, in the pursuit of this forbidden knowledge. The balance of nature must not be disrupted, for it carries consequences that no alchemist, regardless of their skill or intention, can control."
Pacifica could only feel a shiver run down her spine as she absorbed Flamel's dire warnings. She sensed the gravity of his words, the weight of his experience and regret pressing down on her. The thought of what could go wrong—of the lives lost or distorted—was chilling.
She continued reading the annotations scattered throughout the chapter, each one more urgent and impassioned than the last.
"To those who might be tempted by the lure of Human Transmutation, I implore you to heed my warnings. The pursuit of such power is a path paved with sorrow and destruction. Seek knowledge and wisdom, but do not attempt to play God. The sanctity of life is sacred, and must remain untouched by our imperfect hands."
With a deep breath, she closed the book gently and placed it back on her desk as headed off to bed for a power nap, her fascination tempered by a newfound respect for the boundaries that even the greatest alchemists dared not cross along with her heart and mind filled with reverence for the delicate balance of alchemy.
Nikoopa Flamel's words had imparted a profound lesson, one that she would carry with her on her alchemical journey.
End BGM
Another day, another time for alchemy experiments…
Pacifica's room was bathed in the soft glow of the afternoon sun filtering through the windows, casting warm light over the cluttered room. She decided to improve her alchemical skills and set up her workspace for her second experiment. A modest pile of mud, damp and unformed sitting on the floor in front of her. Today, she would attempt to shape and harden it into terracotta.
Taking a deep breath, Pacifica reviewed her notes one last time. She had spent hours studying the properties of clay and the process of firing it to create terracotta. This time, after a few hiccups along the way, she was prepared to retry the experiment.
Not to mention that Wendy, Soos, Stan, and Ford (...who briefly returned to the Mushroom Kingdom from Gensokyo to get something, with Patchouli, Koakuma, and Nitori in company) were also present in the room as she invited them to come watch her perform alchemy.
"Alright… is everything ready?" Pacifica asked after drawing a new transmutation circle with chalk.
Wendy set up Pacifica's scroll on a tripod before opening the camera app. "Hold on, gimme a sec…" She pressed the record button. "...Aaand now we're rolling!"
Pacifica psyched herself up. "Okay, let's do this!" She faced her Scroll. "This is Pacifica Northwest again and this is the seventh test of my Second Basic Alchemy Experiment: Turning mud into terracotta."
"Soooo, quick question. Could you possibly learn turning rocks into gold as part of your alchemical studies?" Stan asked. "It'll help "fund" the Mystery Zone's budget."
"No." She said bluntly. "There are a few good reasons as to why that's not possible. One: Gaining access to an unlimited supply of gold by transmuting rocks and other metals into gold would surely break the economy. Two: I don't want to risk pulling a King Midas since I've read about how one alchemist gained the ability to transmute anything he literally touched into gold… but couldn't control it as it deprived him of his ability to eat or drink, which obviously caused him to slowly die from hunger and thirst as a result. And THREE, you're seeing alchemy as a "quick to get rich" scheme. I'm not budging."
"Darn it! She saw right through me." Stan grumbled.
"We all saw through it, Stanley…" Patchouli deadpanned with everyone else nodding in agreement.
"Mmmph…" Stan folded his arms.
Pacifica looked over the transmutation circle, seeing that each line and symbol were precise around the pile of mud. Satisfied, she clapped her hands again and placed them on the edge of the circle, feeling a familiar hum of energy begin to stir.
"Focus." She reminded herself, closing her eyes to center her thoughts.
Pacifica channeled her energy into the circle, visualizing the transformation in her mind: the mud drying and hardening, taking on the rich, warm hue of terracotta. She imagined the molecules rearranging, the water evaporating, and the clay particles binding together in a solid, cohesive form. The Law of Equivalent Exchange echoed in her thoughts: to transform the mud into terracotta, she had to sacrifice the mud's moisture and infuse it with the fire's essence.
The transmutation circle began to glow softly, responding to her intent. She opened her eyes, watching intently as the mud started to shift and change. The surface dried quickly, cracks forming as the water was drawn out. She concentrated harder, willing the process to continue smoothly.
As the minutes passed, the mud began to take shape, forming a simple, sturdy block of terracotta. The transformation took time, but was gradual, requiring Pacifica to maintain her focus and control the energy flow precisely. Her hands trembled slightly with the effort, but she pressed on, determined to see the process through.
"Almost there…" She murmured, her eyes never leaving the forming terracotta.
"Whoa, she's really doing it!" Stan said amazed after being skeptical about it.
"You can do it, Pacifica. Just keep going." Wendy encouraged.
Finally, with one last surge of energy, the transformation was complete. The transmutation circle's glow faded, leaving behind a solid, reddish-brown block of terracotta where the pile of mud had once been. Pacifica released her breath, which she hadn't realized she was holding, and stepped back to admire her work together with the others.
She reached out tentatively, touching the terracotta block. It was warm and firm, the surface smooth and even. A triumphant smile spread across her face. Unlike her previous six failed attempts, this one had finally been a success. She had shaped the mud and hardened it into terracotta, just as she had envisioned.
Soos ran his finger across the block to check it out for himself. "Whoa, dude! You've actually done it! It does feel like hard terracotta instead of soft and wet mud!"
Patchouli picked up the block to curiously examine it. "Fascinating… by evaporating the water and shaping the solid particles together, I can guess that you turned the mud into clay first to make that terracotta."
Wendy chuckled as she ended the recording. "Who knew that alchemy could be so cool?"
Pacifica felt a surge of pride and excitement both at the results and the praise she was receiving. The journey of an alchemist was indeed challenging, but moments like this made it all worthwhile. She knew she still had much to learn, but each success, no matter how small, brought her closer to mastering the ancient art of alchemy.
The next day…
BGM: Beneath the Mask (Persona 5)
Pacifica sat in a booth in Sojiro's, treating the day as a day off from her studies, enjoying a cup of coffee while sporting a new look from Ivory Boutique earlier in the morning consisting of a cerulean off-the-shoulder, long-sleeve shirt with lace trim on the sleeves and hem that exposes her midriff, a black cropped sleeveless undershirt, a pair of fitting black acid wash denim jeans with a white leather belt with two compass pouches and a golden buckle around her waist, a pair of black no-show socks, and a pair of black and white platform converses.
She was also wearing a pair of medium-sized silver geometric drop-shaped earrings featuring the Deathly Hallows symbol carved out inside the center, a silver pocket watch necklace with a Celtic knot pattern engraved on the cover, and the silver opal bracelet given to her by Mabel on her left wrist.
She also changed the colors of her eyeshadow from purple to cerulean and styled her hair into a loose twisted crown braid with the tips dyed a light shade of cerulean for an ombré effect.
She could just imagine the looks on her parent's faces if they saw her in this rebellious get up.
"Pacifica! You're… you're… you're dressed up like those common folk could afford!" Her mother screamed in her head.
"I will not allow our child to wear such rebellion!" Her father screamed.
"Where did we go wrong?!"
"YOU'RE TEARING THIS FAMILY APART!" Her father sobbed.
Pacifica let out a mischievous giggle. "Good~" She said as she stared at her bracelet for a moment fondly reminiscing about her first hangout with the Warriors of Hope before they departed for Paldea. Although she wasn't yet an official member of the group, her new friends still chose to welcome her with open arms. She also quickly became part of Kotoko's inner circle, forming close bonds with the other fellow female members.
Pacifica smiled as she ate some LeBlanc curry that she had ordered alongside the house special coffee.
"Who knew that coffee and curry would go well together?"
She had also brought one of Flamel's books just in case she felt like doing some light reading.
However, before she could resume eating or getting lost in her thoughts…
"A book about alchemy? Wasn't expecting to see one here."
"Gyah!" Pacifica jumped as she looked up from her plate to see none other than Plague Knight curiously examining the book.
"Hmm?" He looked down at Pacifica as he was still holding the book. "Oh, apologies for the scare, kiddo. If I may ask, is this book yours?"
"Ummm…" Pacifica was unsure how to react, given that Plague Knight's appearance had also spooked her.
"Relax. I'm a friendly."
Pacifica looked over at Sojiro, still wary. "Mr. Sakura, are you okay with–"
"Don't worry about him too much, kiddo. He may not look like it much, but I trust you that he won't harm a fly around here."
"It's true. He's pretty amazing. Heck, he might have taught Futaba a few tricks in her wintry arsenal. He's pretty cool." Akira added.
Pacifica relaxed. "Oh, okay." She turned back to Plague Knight. "To answer your question, yes. That is my book. Though it's not really mine since I borrowed it from the library in Vale."
"Ah, I see…" He nodded in understanding and then looked at the empty seat in the booth Pacifica was sitting at. "So do you mind if I…?"
"Sure, go ahead."
Once Plague Knight sat down, the two of them began to chat and exchange stories such as Plague Knight shared a bit about himself and Pacifica's upbringing and Dipper and Mabel changing her for the better.
And then…
"I initially decided to study alchemy out of boredom… but it unexpectedly turned into a passionate hobby for me after discovering the fascinating things brought upon by alchemy according to Flamel's studies."
Plague Knight chuckled, amused yet impressed by the girl's intellect and childlike wonder over the subject. "You really have gone down deep into that rabbit hole lately, haven't you?"
Pacifica smiled sheepishly. "Guilty as charged. Besides, you won't believe that I also discovered a lot of cool things created by alchemy… Like stew for example! Whoever invented it, it was a really genius idea for them to pour milk into vegetable soup and make it taste good somehow."
Plague Knight raised an eyebrow in skeptical amusement. "So that's what you think makes a genius?"
Pacifica chuckled. "Hey, if the idea of mixing vegetable soup and milk together to make a delicious dish is genius, then it can be considered something worthy of a leap of imagination."
"Hmm, I guess so. Now that I think about it, that is the kind every alchemist needs to make too."
Pacifica nodded in agreement. "Yeah." Oh, man… I've been starting to sound like Dipper a lot lately… She shook her head in amusement. ...That intellectual dork… He really is rubbing off on me… She snapped out of her train of thought and extended her hand for a handshake. "Pacifica Northwest, please to meet you."
Plague Knight accepted the handshake. "Call me Plague Knight."
Pacifica raised an eyebrow. "Plague Knight? Is that like your real name or…?"
Plague Knight said nothing, causing Pacifica to sweatdrop.
"...I'll take that as a yes." She cleared her throat. "So, um… Plague Knight, what brings you here?"
"Oh, just dropping by for a cup of coffee. I need sustenance to inspire my alchemical experiments."
"I remember you told me earlier you're an alchemist too. That's incredible!"
"An occupation I take great pride in."
Pacifica smiled before a shy expression formed on her face. "So, uh…" She shyly tapped her index fingers together at what she wanted to ask Plague Knight. "Can you, um… like…"
"What is it, kiddo? Spit it out."
Oh man, this is it… I just need to ask him to be my teacher. I've been trying to seek out a real alchemist who can teach me more about alchemy and help expand my repertoire. It's best if I learned from someone alive and experienced rather than relying on Flamel's books.
Aaaagh, how do I say this without sounding spoiled or demanding and relapsing into my old self?!
"I… well… do you want to… um… ya know… the thing is, well… could you…?"
"...Teach you more about alchemy?"
Pacifica nodded meekly while blushing. "Y-yeah…"
Plague Knight raised an eyebrow. "Then why didn't you just say so?"
"I was going to, but…" She decided to hide the truth, much to her dismay. "...for a knight dressed like a plague doctor, you don't look much like an alchemist. That's why I hesitated." She said a bit flustered. "N-No offense."
"Hey, kiddo. I may look like a plague doctor, but never judge a book by its cover. That said, I do love to dabble with alchemy since it's classified as a branch of magic and also pseudo-science."
"I see…"
"Plus, you can't hide it from me. I can tell you're worried about coming off like a spoiled brat if you asked me to be your mentor. You could've at least told me that too."
"Oh…" She cleared her throat to change the subject. "Ahem. So, uh… what kind of things can you make?"
"Me? Potions, elixirs, explosives… you name it. The possibilities are endless if you have the right ingredients and knowledge."
"I've read a bit about those kinds of alchemy in one of Flamel's books, but I never thought I'd meet someone who practices it."
"There's a lot more to it than just using transmutation circles or mixing potions. Alchemy requires a deep understanding of the elements and their properties."
"Speaking of… I know it might be too big of a risk according to Flamel, but there's a chance I might consider the idea of trying out Human Trans–"
Pause BGM
"Up!" Plague Knight interrupted, his expression darkening underneath his mask the moment Human Transmutation was mentioned. "Pacifica… I highly recommend that you listen to Flamel's warnings and forget about trying to practice Human Transmutation."
Pacifica flinched at his tone. "H-huh…? Wh-why…?"
Plague Knight took a deep breath to calm himself down. "Before we begin… you are familiar with the Law of Equivalent Exchange, right?"
Pacifica nodded. "Yeah, I came across it in one of the alchemy books I've read. As I recall, the principle states that you can't gain anything without giving up something of equal value. Basically, you must lose something of equal worth to obtain what you desire."
"I see you've studied well." He folded his arms. "Anyway, long story short, the last thing I want to see is you losing an arm or a leg if you try to learn that kind of alchemy. Or worse… losing most of your vital organs or your whole body."
Pacifica looked at him shocked. "H-huh?!" Why did that last part sound oddly specific…?
Plague Knight frowned in anger and disgust. "Trust me, kiddo... Human Transmutation isn't just taboo for us alchemists—it's utterly inhumane. No matter the universe, every Nicholas Flamel in existence has a good reason for declaring that type of alchemy as forbidden."
"You really don't mince your words, do you?"
"The truth is always quicker, kid. There's no other way I could soften to you the harsh realities of alchemy." He said in a stern yet empathetic tone.
Pacifica sighed, feeling a bit discouraged. "That oughta do it…"
"Don't take it like that, kiddo. Consider this as your first formal lesson with me."
Pacifica nodded. "Yes sir." She gasped, her eyes widening in realization of what Plague Knight just said. "First formal lesson? Wait, so that means–"
Plague Knight smiled. "Starting today, I will be your teacher."
Resume BGM
Pacifica was overjoyed, smiling from ear to ear. "Oh, sweet! This is going to be great! I can't wait to learn more from the best!"
Plague Knight chuckled at the girl's energy and enthusiasm as he cleared his throat. "So, what parts of alchemy were you able to cover so far?"
Pacifica pondered for a bit. "Well… I've been able to master the basics of alchemy so far. You know, changing water into ice… turning mud into terracotta bricks… transforming dirt into small crystals… and even repairing broken objects like toys or coffee mugs. I'm also trying to figure out how to perform alchemy without constantly needing potions or transmutation circles all the time."
"I see…"
He brought out a broken teacup and slid it across the table to her. "Here, show me. Fix this teacup. I want to witness your abilities firsthand."
Pacifica nodded as she took the teacup. "Alright…" She looked around. "But, uh... I just need something first I can use to draw a transmutation circle for this."
Plague Knight conjured up a piece of chalk using his own alchemy and tossed it to her. "Here."
Pacifica looked at him in surprise. Did he just make some chalk appear out of thin air without using a transmutation circle…?! She caught it. "Thanks." She then prepared to draw a transmutation circle on the table… but remembered where she was currently. "Actually, uh… let's take this outside instead. Because I don't want to cause a disturbance here."
The duo walked outside where Pacifica drew a transmutation circle on the ground. Once she was finished, she placed the broken teacup in the middle of the transmutation circle before psyching herself up.
Plague Knight looked at the transmutation circle that Pacifica drew, impressed by her handiwork. "Hmm… Not a bad transmutation circle, kiddo. The only question now is whether or not you can successfully perform object repair transmutation."
The Phantom Thieves decided to walk out and watch as they were there for lunch as even Sage was there, wanting to hang out with Futaba.
At the same time, Ralph and his friends walked over to grab a bite to eat where they noticed what was going on. As they got closer, Sage sensed them approach as she turned her head and saw the four, and immediately laid eyes on Vanellope.
"Ooooh!" Vanellope said as she looked at Sage. "I don't know why, but you look like you're made out of data."
Sage floated over to her. "I am, and I sense that you are made out of data too. I'm amazed that there is another girl made entirely out of data."
"Girl, you don't know the half of it!"
Ralph chuckled as Vanellope and Sage immediately hit it off and were chatting amongst themselves, happy that she made a new friend. "Heh, kids…"
"You can do this… just like the practice sessions." Pacifica muttered to herself.
A faint blue light began to emanate from the circle, growing brighter as Pacifica channeled her focus. The pieces of the broken teacup started to vibrate and shift, gradually coming together. Within moments, the teacup was whole again, not a single crack visible.
Pacifica smiled, slightly out of breath. "There, it's done."
Plague Knight examined the teacup, nodding in approval. "Impressive. Your technique is solid, and the execution was flawless. You've certainly got potential, kiddo."
Pacifica blushed slightly from the praise. "Thanks, Plague. It means a lot coming from you."
"I am not familiar with alchemy, yet this seems genuinely intriguing." Sage said.
"Right? She's a natural!" Vanellope agreed.
"I dunno, it feels like something Felix would fix on his own." Ralph said. "Still, that's impressive."
"While it may be true that Felix can fix anything with his hammer… alchemy is a whole different ball game." Makoto said. "This is genuinely a work of art… ah, no offense, Felix."
"Oh, nothing to it. This seems rather fascinating."
"Well, now I know who to come to in case one of my drink cups break~" Haru hummed.
"The amount of artistry in the alchemy is incredible!" Yusuke said.
"Goodness, it always never fails to fascinate me." Futaba said.
"Now, let's see if you can handle something a bit more challenging." Plague Knight pulled out a small, intricate mechanical bird from his coat, its wings broken and gears exposed. "Fix this. It requires not just repairing the structure, but ensuring the mechanisms inside function correctly."
Pacifica took the mechanical bird, studying it carefully.
She drew another transmutation circle on the ground, more complex than the previous one, incorporating smaller symbols and intricate lines.
Okay, if I align the gears correctly and channel the energy through the right paths… this should work.
She placed the bird in the center and began the transmutation process. The blue light shone brighter than before, and the bird started to reassemble. The gears clicked into place, the wings reattached, and the bird gave a faint chirp.
"I did it!" Pacifica grinned widely.
"Well done. That was not an easy task, and you handled it with skill. You're a quick learner."
"Thanks. I guess I kinda have a habit of picking up on things quickly with just enough time and patience."
"Holy shit, she just brought an effin' robot bird back from the grave!" Ryuji exclaimed.
"Well, now I know who to go to in case my weapons need fixing." Calhoun chuckled as the robot bird flew up and landed gently in Haru's hand as she softly cooed and gently poked it while Ann gently scratched it underneath the beak.
"Fascinating…" Akechi breathed.
"Now that I know what you are capable of, I know what I have to do." Plague Knight said.
"Oh?"
Plague Knight looked at her sternly. "Oh Seven Hundred, tomorrow at Toad Park. Don't be late." Plague said before he turned around to leave.
"Oh… Seven… hundred…?" Pacifica tilted her head in confusion, unfamiliar with military time.
"Seven AM." Calhoun clarified for her, smiling a bit. "I recommend that you get some early shut-eye later tonight, young cadet."
"Wait… seven o'clock in the morning?! I think that's a bit too early for me!"
"Just be glad he's willing to train you, Ms. Northwest." Akechi said, which only caused the blonde-haired girl to groan.
"So much for sleeping in tomorrow..."
End BGM
The next morning… 6:35 AM
BGM: 6 AM (Animal Crossing: New Horizons)
The sun's rays were slowly starting to glaze over the town, reflecting off the dewdrops within the grass there. A bunch of establishments started to open up as the shopkeepers were busy getting ready for the day ahead of them.
At McGoomba's, being one of the few restaurants open twenty four seven, a grumpy Pacifica who was not much of a morning person indicated by the slight baggage over her eyes, was sitting by herself in a booth, having ordered Boarblin Sausage & Cucco Egg McMuffin with a couple of hashbrowns on the side and a cup of iced coffee for breakfast.
As she silently ate her breakfast, she recalled how she had a hard time at first ordering something in a fast food restaurant like McGoomba's. Of course, being from a privileged and wealthy background, she was used to eating gourmet food served by her family's servants back in the Northwest Mansion before her father was forced to sell it after Weirdmageddon ended in an attempt to save his wealth when he tried to invest in "weirdness bonds" after he attempted to "ally" with Bill Cipher (betraying humanity in the process) in a pathetic attempt to save his own skin.
She also had to keep her love for deep-fried food a secret from her parents as they wouldn't like seeing her eat anything less than a hundred bucks or dine out in "filthy places only lowly commoners would go to".
Luckily for her, she was soon able to get the hang of knowing her way around a fast food restaurant with Dipper, Mabel, and Wendy's help in a span of three days as they had more familiarity and experience with this kind of thing. Needless to say, she even got the chance to freely enjoy the mundane wonders of fast food restaurants and other commoner dining establishments, and set aside her usual appetite for fancy rich people's food for a change.
As she sipped her iced coffee, she heard a ping from her Scroll where she checked that it was a message from Plague Knight.
"Our meeting time will be moved to 7:30 AM instead. I accidentally overslept."
Oh thank goodness… Pacifica thought, causing her to relax a bit as she was just given some extra time to herself to finish and enjoy her breakfast in peace.
End BGM
Later, at Toad Park…
Pacifica sat on a bench in Toad Park as she waited for her mentor to arrive, now feeling more energized and awake after finishing a hearty breakfast at a leisurely pace earlier.
"Good morning." Plague Knight approached her.
"Morning."
"Now then, let us go through our training regiment that I had cooked up last night."
"Right!"
BGM: Again (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Phase #1: Fundamentals of Alchemy
"First, we will review the alchemical principles, such as touching up on the Law of Equivalent Exchange, for you see, in order to gain something, something of equal value must be lost. And we will also reintroduce you to the design and basic use of transmutation circles. Furthermore-"
Wait, why are we going back to basics? I already know this stuff. Pacifica wondered with a raised eyebrow. Ah, whatever… I'm not gonna argue.
"Now then, let's begin."
Thankfully, Pacifica was able to breeze through it with little problem no thanks to the amount of self-taught studies she had with herself before meeting Plague Knight.
"And, as always, you are required to clap your hands together for alchemy as it's the best way to channel and focus your alchemical energy whenever you are about to perform alchemy." He reminded.
"Right."
"Now, let's go over the Periodic Table-"
"I have an app on my Scroll regarding the Periodic Table. Thought it could help me out during my self-taught studies."
"Oh?"
"Mhm! Take a look at this. It records your best scores."
"My word… what do you need me for then?" Plague teased as he looked into the app. "Such a simple app and yet it delves into understanding the elemental composition and chemical properties of various gases, solids, and liquids. A brain exercise that can challenge anyone's intellect. Simply genius!"
"What is one of the two major isotope elements found in atomic bombs?"
"That's easy… It's plutonium and uranium." Pacifica chuckled. "Thank God I watched that Oppenheimer movie…"
"Is palladium classified as a Transition metal or a Post-Transition nonmetal?"
"Palladium is a Transition metal."
"Is mercury a metal, a nonmetal, or a metalloid?"
"Oh, trick question… it's, um… a metal?" She smiled once she got it right. "Oh, yeah~!"
"Hmm, it seems to be missing an element."
"Oh?"
"Indeed. According to the science community, some big wig decided to publish their findings about this strange new element called Zuteregeon and is now widely accepted across the board… yet at the same time it is controversial as well."
"Oh… I've never heard of it."
"Neither have I. It's put the scientific community in a conundrum and they can't decide whether it is legitimate or not. I say we ignore the Zuteregeon for now."
"Agreed."
"Besides, it feels to me that this new so-called element was made up by some person just to feel validated. What a crock."
"Now, let's try out something a bit tricky for you. How about creating something from scratch? Do you have any materials on you?"
Pacifica thought for a moment, then reached into one of her compass pouches, pulling out a small bag of various materials she had collected the day before. "I know it's not enough, but will these do?"
"Hmm…" Plague carefully examined the available materials she had before nodding. "These will suffice."
"Okay, good. So, uh… What should I try to make?"
"Let's start with something simple but useful—a healing salve. It's a basic alchemical concoction, but it requires precise measurements and a steady hand."
He began to guide her through the process, explaining each step in detail. Pacifica followed his instructions carefully, mixing the ingredients and using her alchemical skills to bind them together. After a few minutes, she held up a small jar of glowing green salve.
"Is this it?"
Plague Knight nodded. "Yes. You've done well, Pacifica. This salve can heal minor wounds and burns. It's a vital skill for any alchemist."
Pacifica beamed with pride. "I can't believe I did it! Thanks for teaching me this." She looked at the small jar of healing salve. "I think I'm gonna keep this just in case."
"You've earned it, kiddo. Remember, alchemy is as much about understanding and respecting the materials as it is about the transformation. Never forget the principles you've learned today."
Pacifica nodded earnestly. "I won't. I promise."
"Good. Now, let's head to Sojiro's. I think we both deserve a lunch break from all this."
Pacifica laughed and nodded, following Plague Knight to Sojiro's cafe for their lunch break. As they sat down in a booth, she felt a new sense of confidence and excitement for the future. She knew that with Plague Knight's guidance, her journey into the world of alchemy was only just beginning.
Phase 2: Practical Alchemical Applications
"Now, alchemy can also be used for combative purposes such as creating barriers and shields using nearby materials such as earth walls and stone barricades… and that is just with the defensive techniques. Offensively, you can create spikes from the ground or launch projectiles made of hardened materials."
"Ooooh!"
"Indeed… which is why I called my good friend Shovel Knight to assist in this one." He said as Shovel Knight walked over.
"I brought a few friends along if that's all right." Shovel Knight said as the Elric Brothers walked over.
"Oh! I've heard about you two. You're with the Neo Galactic Federation, aren't you?" Pacifica asked.
"Yup. We're making sure no intergalactic threat poses any harm to Remnant or any other world." Ed said proudly.
"Or Mustang just simply redirects it over to Popstar and lets Kirby handle it." Alphonse mentioned. "Basically, Mustang and Hawkeye just want to make sure Samus is comfortable as possible and doesn't overdo it and get herself killed by her impulses."
"Ah, I see." Pacifica nodded. "Pacifica Northwest."
"Edward Elric!"
"Alphonse Elric."
Pacifica turned over to Al. "Ah, so you must be the older brother."
Alphonse sheepishly chuckled, pointing his thumb toward Edward. "Actually, he is."
"Hehe." Edward stood proudly.
Pacifica pointed to him. "Him…?" She sweatdropped. "But he's so short."
MAJOR EMOTIONAL DAMAGE
"Sh-short…?" Edward whimpered.
"Uh oh…" Shovel Knight and Alphonse grimaced.
"SHORT?!" He angrily yelled as Shovel Knight and Al quickly restrained him while Pacifica flinched. "I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT I'M AT LEAST TALLER THAN YOU, YA PINT-SIZED MIDGET!"
"By one head. You have no room to talk." Plague Knight said.
Note to self: Don't call him short or anything similar to that word... Pacifica sweatdropped while backing away slightly.
"WHY I OUGHTA-...!" Edward growled as he pried himself away and folded his arms, looking away in a huff. "I will have you know that I am in my early twenties, thank you very much!"
"Ah, so Ridley wasn't the culprit for giving your height the short end of the stick? It was the universe that decided to make you short." Plague Knight said.
"Well, when you put it that way– HEY, WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO IMPLY?!"
"Oh never you mind. Now, let's get you to not use transmutation circles as much." Plague Knight said, teaching her how to control her mind and energy without relying the use of drawing a circle to help her out. Pacifica slowly guided her way through the exercises to make her focus on internalizing the flow of alchemical energy within her own body and learning to project it outward.
Furthermore, she also learned how to visualize the transmutation process in her mind, which is effective for creating the equivalent of a transmutation circle mentally along with learning how to combine different elements seamlessly without the need for circles, a skill that requires precise control and deep knowledge of elemental properties.
"This advanced level of alchemy requires intense focus and a clear understanding of the alchemical process you intend to perform."
"Right."
"Shovel Knight. If you will."
Shovel Knight nodded, digging into the ground and throwing dirt at Pacifica as it was hard to concentrate at first, but Pacifica slowly eased into it and slowly but surely was able to create barriers without a transmutation circle, while also fighting back, which slowly turned into a friendly spar between her and Shovel Knight.
"You got this!" Alphonse called out while Edward curiously checked Pacifica's notes.
"...Human transmutation?" Edward wondered as he looked further into her notes about how the Law of Equivalent Exchange would require such an inhumane skill. "...Pffft! Who would be dumb enough to do that nonsense?" He mocked as he put it to the side.
Plague Knight let out a chuckle. "The rate she's going, she might be able to practice large scale transmutations relying only on her internalized skills for quicker, smaller actions."
Later…
"Don't just stand there! Use your alchemy to make me bigger!" Ed requested as Plague Knight did so… only problem was, Edward actually shrunk. "Hey, why'd you grow taller…? And why does my voice sound so high-pitched for some reason…?"
"Oh, dear. It seems as if this backfired on you. You got shorter."
"WHAT?!"
"Don't worry, you'll grow back... in a few hours."
"I DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR A FEW HOURS!" Edward yelled, angrily flailing about.
"Oooh, he's a lot squirrelier in that form…" Alphonse mused.
"Shut up, Al!"
Pacifica giggled, gently scooping up the bite sized Edward with both her hands. "Now, now, guys... Let's not make any more fun of him."
"Thank you!" Edward said as he stood proudly on her palms.
"It's not his fault he's toy-sized."
"TOY-SIZED?!" Edward shrieked as he sulked at Pacifica's thumb.
Pacifica winced before giving the mini Ed an apologetic look. "Oops... that just slipped out. Sorry…"
"Seems like you guys are having fun." A voice said as they saw Ford approaching along with Patchouli, Koakuma and Nitori.
"Mind if we help out?" Patchouli asked.
"Ooooh! Did they make a Mini Edward toy? He's so cute!" Nitori said as Edward sulked harder.
"That's… the original Edward." Pacifica said.
"Oh… accidentally ate a Mini Mushroom?"
"More like a transmutation backfire to make him taller."
"Oooooh…"
"I'll fix him. Just give me a sec." Patchouli said, conjuring up magic and chanting some words as Edward grew back to his normal height after Pacifica put him down.
"Ah, I'm tall again! In fact, I think I've gotten taller!"
"Still the same height." Plague Knight said.
"WHAT?!" Edward yelled.
"Hmm, it would seem as if my magic has a height limit…" Patchouli said as Edward curled up into a ball and sulked miserably.
"Just end my suffering…" He whimpered.
"There there." Pacifica patted him on the back.
Phase 3: Advanced Alchemy Techniques
"There are more complex transmutations arrays for specific purposes, such as healing, stealth or… hmhmhmhm~"
"Or… what?"
"Large scale destruction if you're that kind of person."
Pacifica sweatdropped. "Oh…" Oh boy…
"Plus there are techniques for using alchemy to alter the environment silently, which helps aid in infiltration and evasion, and of course, there's my speciality, explosive alchemy!"
He conjured up a suitcase and pulled out everything that he had.
"Now, before we make the bomb, you gotta know how to make the bomb in question." Plague Knight said. "I've personally named each one, so let's start with the cases. First is Bounce, the bomb will bounce before exploding. Lob arcs into the air before crashing down-"
"Can you throw it straight?"
"That's the neat thing about this case: You can't."
Pacifica blinked in confusion. "Uuuuhhh… okay…?"
"Float, which makes your bomb float up and away as you throw it. Orbit, it spins around you and can pierce through walls! Drop, which drops bounding bombs at your feet-"
"WHAT?!"
"Whirl, which acts like a boomerang!"
"A buh-buh-buh… a bomb boomerang…?!"
"How does that even work?" Ed whispered to Al.
"Alchemy's weird…" Al whispered back.
"Now for the powders. Black powder creates a powerful explosion, I recommend you do three at a time-"
"Why? Can't I do more than three?"
"Of course you can! The problem is, if you do more, you'll act like a terrorist and be subject on several no fly lists!"
Like you aren't acting like a terrorist already?! Pacifica sweatdropped.
"This Tracer Powder produces wall climbing flames, I recommend two as the maximum. Cascade Powder, it produces waves of fire in all directions… I recommend using one at a time. Component Powder where you can keep throwing in bombs to make an even bigger bomb… I only allow myself to make three. I tried four and it was… uh… catastrophic to say the least. Anywho, the Cluster Powder that rapidly forms several explosions, I recommend one. Sparkler case pulses damaging sparks… I recommend two."
"Quick question… what's with the recommendations? Did you try to do more than what you are recommending?"
"Let's just say that I took a trip to America in a different world and they didn't appreciate my… unorthodox methods of fireworks. Hmph… they celebrate Fourth of July yet what I do is unethical? Lousy hypocrites…"
Pacifica sweatdropped. I don't even want to know…
"Anyway, let's go over the fuses! There's the standard that blows up the bomb after a few seconds, there's the long fuse that takes longer to blow up, there's the Quick Fuse that explodes almost immediately when you throw it. Sentry hovers in place before they seek out the targets, the Remote fuse which lets you set and then detonate and then impact, which explodes on contact."
"Fascinating…" Patchouli mused.
"Oh man, they all sound so cool!" Nitori said.
"Very experimental, I like it." Ford agreed.
"It's his charm." Shovel Knight said as Edward and Al hugged each other in fright.
"I think I understand why he's on several no fly lists!" Edward whimpered.
"So, shall we experiment with this alchemy?"
"S-Sure…" Pacifica nodded. Oh geez, what did I get myself into?
Several (controlled) explosions later…
"The Blueblooded Alchemist?" Plague Knight asked with intrigue during the experimentation.
Pacifica nodded a bit sheepishly. "Yeah… Honestly, Wendy came up with it at first as a joke. But now that I think about it more, it kinda felt right for me. I feel like it's a fitting mix between my rich background and the path I chose for myself."
Plague Knight smiled beneath his mask. "Fitting. A title carries weight. It defines how others see you, but more importantly, how you see yourself. So embrace it. Live up to it."
"Oh, I will." She winked. "I want to make a name for myself as an alchemist, not just as a Northwest."
"So, if you were an alchemist, what would you be called?" Alphonse asked his brother.
"Hmm…" Ed folded his arm as he looked at his metal arm and leg. "Ah… the Cybernetic Alchemist? No… the Cyborg Alchemist? Nah, that's crap."
"Fullmetal?" Al suggested.
"Fullmetal Alchemist? …Nah, doesn't really sound like me."
"Awww, I think it's fitting."
Later…
"Y'know, this is honestly pretty cool." Pacifica giggled while chatting with the Elric brothers, having bonded with the boys even after Pacifica called Edward short. "I kinda always wanted to have brothers." Well… not unless they don't grow up to be horrible like my stupid parents…
"If I recall correctly… I take it you're an only child, Paz?" Alphonse asked.
Pacifica sighed sadly. "Yeah… unfortunately."
Edward grinned. "Well, looks like you got your wish, sort of." He chuckled. "Honestly, even Al and I have sometimes wondered what it would be like to have a younger sibling in our family."
"Whoa, really?" Pacifica asked, surprised.
Alphonse nodded with a smile. "Yup."
Pacifica smiled back at the brothers. "Ed, Al… I'm already starting to love you guys so much, you know that?"
Edward gently patted her on the head. "Oh, we already know. You don't need to tell us more than twice, Paz."
From a short distance away, both Plague Knight and Shovel Knight watched on, the former can't help but feel happy for Pacifica along with his apprentice's holistic growth and the new bonds she formed.
"The kid's got a lot of stuff. Eh, old friend?" Plague Knight asked quietly.
Shovel Knight nodded while smiling. "Indeed. The bonds she's forming will surely make her grow strong not just as an alchemist, but as a person."
Back with the trio…
"Ya know… we oughta introduce you to Winry one day. Knowing her, she'll totally love ya." Ed said.
"Oh? I look forward to that!"
End BGM
The next evening…
Having decided to take a break from her training with Plague Knight and self taught studies, Pacifica stayed in her air-conditioned room, wanting to stay indoors from the hot summer weather of June.
The Elric brothers were also there as they decided to hang around with their surrogate younger sister with Nitori, who wanted to hang around with Ford while also wanting to get to know Pacifica better as even Winry tagged along with the boys as they wanted to introduce her to Pacifica. Naturally, both girls took a shine with each other and hit it off.
As for Nitori, she was decked out in a new outfit, consisting of a white cropped t-shirt with a Water-type symbol graphic underneath a light blue cropped denim jacket, a grey pleated miniskirt, a pair of black ankle socks, and a pair of white shell-toe sneakers with navy and sky blue three-stripes and accents. She was also wearing her signature cap and large green backpack with black straps held together by a golden key, two of which she chose to retain, and a white smartwatch on her left wrist.
"Human transmutation…?" Winry wondered as she looked into it while they were organizing her room while Pacifica was sitting on a gamer chair in front of her gaming PC playing Overwatch 2 with McCree as her character. "...Oh goodness, this is horrifying!"
"Tell me about it." Al nodded.
"...Ed, this would seem like something you'd do if you were starting out as an alchemist."
"What?! What makes you think I'd do something so stupid?!"
"You're impulsive." Winry deadpanned.
"But I wouldn't impulsively bring someone back from the dead with alchemy! I'd try to find a 1-Up Mushroom, thank you very much!"
"But what if you didn't?"
"Then I'd let that person rest in peace! Sheesh!" Edward folded his arms in annoyance. "Me doing human transmutation… hmph, I'm not an idiot."
"Oh, give him a break, Winry." Pacifica said as she overheard through the headset.
"Thank you, Paz!"
"Not his fault that he's so easy to tease~" Pacifica giggled.
"Augh!" Edward groaned.
Winry giggled. "Cheer up, Ed. Even I know you wouldn't do that."
"Then why even bring it up?!"
"Because I know that would be the first thing you'd do if you were an alchemist and Ridley attacked our home."
"Oh yeah? Name one person who I'd try to bring back!"
"How about your mother?"
"She'd…! Mmmph… aaaagh…" Edward sighed in defeat. "Yeah, you're probably right…"
"I think I'd help out too…" Alphonse said.
"Anyway, how's progress going on SAPR?" Edward asked.
"The progress… isn't substantial." Winry lamented. "We're making strides to do all we can to bring SAPR back to life, but… it's like something is blocking us from fixing her. Even Eggman's at his wit's end with this."
"Not only that, but Pietro, Penny and Nagisa have all been feeling down ever since the latter two came back from Mobius. GLaDOS, Cave, Eve and WALL-E are trying their best to keep everyone happy… and last I've heard, Dr. Crygor and his granddaughter are working their butts off to figure out what the heck is going on with SAPR." Nitori said. "I never thought this would be so taxing, yet… here we are."
"Penny keeps going into cyberspace to see if there's something inside SAPR's core that's blocking us, but… she's not seeing anything that would be blocking her sister." Winry added. "Heck, she even had us take a look but we saw nothing. It's bad enough that even Sage is perplexed."
"Sheesh… whatever's blocking SAPR needs to take a hike. This shouldn't be taking that long." Edward said.
"Hmm… could it be one last middle finger from The End?" Alphonse wondered.
"That's what everyone's conclusion is, and we're trying our best to get rid of it." Nitori said.
"Yo, four eyes, is that the best you can do?" Pacifica taunted.
"Oh, big talk from the cowboy!" Futaba said. "Just because you nailed me means nothing! I've got some energy left!"
"Oh look, target practice~" A third voice said as both McCree and Echo went down as Kiriko ran off.
"Hey! Nanami, you're asking for it!"
"Then try to keep up, slowpokes!"
Before they knew it, the match ended with the Play of the Game being none other than Chiaki.
"Oh big shock." Pacifica rolled her eyes playfully.
"Yeah, that's about right…"
"Oh wow, you're definitely slipping, Futaba!" Chiaki teased.
First Place: UltimateGamer
Second Place: PLATINUMPAZ
Third Place: Oracle
Fourth Place: ILuvFortnite
Fifth Place: FireKotickIntoTheSun
"Oh come on, I'm just not in my A game yet!"
"Thanks for the match, ladies." Pacifica said as she logged off, then turned around and stretched as she went to help out reorganize her room.
Knock knock knock!
"It's open!"
Soos opened the door as he entered her room while carrying a medium-sized package on hand. "Hey, Pacifica."
"Hey there, Soos. How are ya?"
"Oh, me? I'm doing fine, dude. Just trying to stay cool from this June summer weather like you and everyone else." He chuckled. "I'm glad that Mr. Pines installed air conditioning units here in the Mystery Zone, unlike the Mystery Shack." He then noticed the gaming PC was still on. "Ah, no alchemy today?"
"Yeah. Another day off for me. Even rich folks like me could use some downtime, ya know?"
"Oh, definitely." He looked down at one of the notes on the floor that hadn't been picked up yet while everyone was organizing. "Still, I think you should organize your room every once in a while. Even busy and hardworking alchemists need to keep their rooms neat and orderly, y'know?"
"Yeah, I know…" She sheepishly admitted, then looked at the package. "By the way, what's that?"
"Oh, this? Some dude dressed like a plague doctor dropped by earlier and left a package. He told me that it's for you."
"Plague doctor?" She let out a surprised gasp before letting out a surprised smile, recognizing who the "dude dressed like a plague doctor" was. "Thanks, Soos. Uh, can you please leave that package on the floor? I'll take it from here."
"No problem, dude." He put the package down before he turned to leave. "Anyway, see you later."
Pacifica waved as Soos closed the door behind him. "Yeah, see you later." She then turned to the package, and without a moment's hesitation, she retrieved the package, laying it down on her bed and opening it as she saw a piece of white fabric sticking out. Curious, she pulled it out and unfolded it, revealing a white, long-sleeved hooded cloak. The cloak's tail came down to her upper calves, with a cerulean underside and a matching cerulean-colored Alchemist class emblem emblazoned on the back.
"Wow!" Nitori said. "That will definitely look good on you."
Pacifica noticed an adhesive note that was also attached to the package cover with text appearing to be written in black marker ink.
"To my favorite apprentice. Use it well."
There was also a winking face sticker on it as well.
"You just had to go the extra mile for me, didn't you?" The blonde-haired girl chuckled in gratitude, appreciating her mentor's thoughtful gift. Before putting on the cloak, she noticed something else inside the package.
Upon further inspection, the interior of the package also revealed a kit that contains the exact set of materials Plague Knight uses for his Bombs, namely the Cases, Powders, and Fuses. Dread washed over the Elric brothers while Pacifica was glad to see these as she mentally thanked her mentor for teaching her and giving her an opportunity to expand on her repertoire.
However, the Bomb set kit wasn't the only additional gear item included as what stood out from the rest was a detailed and ornate medieval-style iron gauntlet meant for the right hand. The gauntlet was mechanical and intricately designed, with sharp, claw-like fingers. It featured a combination of metallic components and engraved patterns that gave it an ancient and mystical appearance. The central part of the gauntlet had a triangular, shield-like structure with some kind of runes or inscriptions etched into it.
"Whoa…" Pacifica breathed out in awe.
"That's a nice-looking gauntlet! Looks like Plague went all out making this for you." Alphonse said.
Turning the gauntlet over, she was surprised to see some special kind of transmutation circle engraved into the palm with the four elemental alchemy symbols of earth, fire, air, and water included in it.
However, as grateful as she was for this additional gift, there was one tiny problem…
"This gauntlet is a bit too big for me…" She muttered, noticing how it hung loosely over her hand after she wore it, barely accommodating any movement.
Edward sweatdropped. "Yeah… I think Plague should've taken measurements of your arm before he even made that thing…"
However, the gauntlet began to shift, mechanically adjusting and folding itself down until it fit perfectly on her right hand.
"Whoa!" The two mechanics exclaimed in surprise as the Elric brothers jawdropped in disbelief, all the while Pacifica looked on in awe.
"I… guess you spoke too soon…" Alphonse said.
"That's more like it." Pacifica smiled before taking one last look at herself in the mirror. "Hard to believe this is me now…" She mused, snapping a mirror selfie in her new get-up with her Scroll. "Now let's send this the gang in Dustcord…"
She sent the image in their group chat, "The Warriors of Hope's Den".
"I've been a bit busy lately~ Let's just say I've gotten into alchemy while you were gone."
"Oh wow! That's amazing!" - Kokoro was the first to reply.
"Shoot, not bad!" - Kotoko
"Stylin! I like it!" - Masaru
"Looking pretty good." - Jataro
"Amazing." - Nagisa
"Wow! I want a lab coat like that…" - Flandre
"Ooooh, lookin' stylish!" - Mabel
"Daaaang, nice gauntlet." - Silver
"Your parents will definitely disapprove of this. I'm saying that as a good thing! Lol!" - Dipper
Pacifica giggled and responded back to Dipper.
"That's the idea~!"
"Anyway, looking good!"
"Thank you! I've worked hard."
"That being the case, have you finally figured out what's your ideal RPG class?" Nagisa asked.
"Yes. I have, Nagi. Call me… the Alchemist."
Pacifica looked at herself in the mirror once more, a proud and confident smile on her face. "I am Pacifica Northwest, the Blueblooded Alchemist."
Meanwhile, in Vale…
At Castor's Steak and Pasta, Enid sat at a table together Eirin, Kaguya (...who managed to secure a reservation for them via phone a couple of days before), Mokou, Mikan, Yasuke, and Ling, the seven having lunch together and talking about different stuff… along with two empty spots.
"You know, Ling… once you've finished your medical training as a nurse, you could always work with me as my aide. I've seen lots of potential within you."
"Really? Oh, that's wonderful! I'll think about it." Ling smiled.
"So, um… if you don't mind me asking, Enid. How do you and Yasuke know each other?"
"Oh, I was great friends with his family and I got to know him quite well. I'm one of the few who he has no issue being cordial with~" Enid smiled.
"Of course, that doesn't stop me from snarking at the ol' bat every once in a while." Yasuke chuckled.
"The feeling's mutual, egghead." Enid snarked back as both of them chuckled.
They definitely sound like best friends… Mikan giggled.
"Ya know, I gotta say… I'm surprised my new solo album became a recent hit. I kinda struggled with it." Ling admitted. "...And yet, I got it done faster than Chelsea." She giggled.
"So, if you don't mind… could you sign my copy of the CD album?" Eirin asked as she sheepishly scratched her cheek. "You… happen to be my favorite of Sea5ons, including Tewi and Reisen."
"Speaking of those two… are they running late?" Mokou asked Kaguya and Eirin.
"Come to think of it, it's not like them to be late for anything." Kaguya mused. "I wonder if-"
"I FINALLY FOUND YOU, YA BUTT-SPANKING JERK!"
"Just in time." Eirin said sarcastically.
BGM: Funny Goings-on (Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam)
Tewi's voice had rung out all over the restaurant as every patron turned their attention to the youkai rabbit storming in with an exasperated Reisen trailing behind her, trying to keep up.
"Tewi, please…" Reisen groaned, tugging at her arm in a futile attempt to calm her down. "Don't cause a scene here."
But Tewi was having none of it. She marched right up to Enid and company's table, her fists clenched and her face set in a defiant scowl. Enid, who had been midway through a bite of her bacon and mushroom truffle alfredo pasta, looked up with a casual, unbothered expression.
"Oh, hey there, Ms. Inaba." Enid said nonchalantly as if she was greeting an old friend, also raising an eyebrow at the youkai rabbit's dramatic entrance.
Tewi, still fuming from the other day's humiliation, pointing accusingly at her. "You think you can just do that to me and get away with it?! You're not as tough as you think, Doc!" She yelled as she went into a full blown tirade that made everyone else either annoyed, feel some second hand embarrassment, or both at the same time as they hoped the scene wouldn't escalate further.
Enid, however, didn't even flinch. She simply stared at Tewi with a deadpan expression, letting the youkai rabbit's words bounce off her like raindrops on an umbrella.
"Tewi, please drop it." Reisen pleaded, tugging gently on Tewi's sleeve. "This isn't the place or time to do this."
Seeing that Tewi was drawing too much attention from the other patrons, Enid sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Why don't you two sit down and join us?" She offered, keeping her voice even. "Lunch is on Ms. Houraisan."
Ling nodded enthusiastically, hoping that the offer would defuse the situation. "Yeah, totally! You guys must be hungry, right? Ms. Houraisan's treat."
"I'll gladly take that offer!" Reisen said. "We haven't eaten lunch yet and, well, I've been meaning to try out this fancy five star restaurant in Vale for weeks."
A less convinced Tewi slammed her hands down on the table, glaring at Enid with renewed fury. "Give me a good reason why I should listen to you!" She demanded, her voice wavering between anger and the stubbornness of a child who didn't want to admit she was outmatched. "One way or another, I'll get back at you for-"
Enid narrowed her eyes, a bone-chilling smirk curling at the corners of her lips. "Do you… want to be punished again, Ms. Inaba?" She asked, her voice calm yet laced with an unmistakable edge as she raised her hand threateningly. "Because I can gladly arrange that for you."
"Grk…!" Tewi flinched as she instinctively clutched her butt. "I, erm... n-no thanks…" She stammered, the memory of Enid's discipline still fresh... and painful.
Enid lowered her hand, satisfied. "Nice to see that you can still be reasonable." She remarked, her tone cool and composed, but carrying an underlying hint of authority that made it clear she wasn't joking. "Anyway, come take a seat with us. You and Reisen have arrived just in time."
Tewi scowled in mock anger, her cheeks puffed in a sulky pout. "I hate you, Doc…" She grumbled as she and Reisen sat down on a couple of empty seats, though the begrudging respect in her voice betrayed her usual defiance. Despite her words, Tewi knew better than to push her luck with Enid again… at least for the time being.
With the commotion subsided, everyone in the restaurant went back to doing their own business as if nothing happened.
"Hmm…" Kaguya stood up. "Attention, everyone! I would like to apologize on my colleague's behalf for her uncouth behavior. So as compensation for what just happened, I would also like to offer to treat each table, under your consent, to a fine bottle of red wine with my compliments!"
"Really? That's so generous of you!" A surprised patron said.
Another random patron nodded. "Man, you really are an upstanding woman! I may personally not care if you're from Gensokyo, but thanks a lot!"
"You sure you can afford that?" Mokou whispered as Kaguya sat down.
"I've a lot of money in my bank account. It's fine~"
"Ah, right… good point."
Nearby, Mrs. Elman, Emile and the other staff felt a surge of relief and gratitude, thankful that someone stepped in to defuse the situation before it could escalate further. The staff wasted no time with the wine, impressed by Kaguya's graceful professionalism and diplomatic approach.
Reisen leaned over, pointing at the variety of pasta and steak dishes available on a provided menu, trying to distract Tewi from her sulking. "This one's really good, Tewi. Maybe we ought to try out their signature Beef Wellington, I think you'll like it."
The youkai rabbit huffed, still grumpy, but couldn't resist the fancy and enticing descriptions on the menu. "Fine. But only because I'm hungry." She grumbled, stealing an indignant glance at Enid to ensure she wasn't about to get another lecture.
As a waitress came over and took their orders, the tension slowly faded. Tewi, though still embarrassed, couldn't stay angry forever, especially with delicious food on the way.
"Hey, um… Ling Amaryllis of Sea5ons, right?" Reisen asked.
Ling smiled. "That's me. What about it?"
Reisen chuckled. "Oh, nothing much. I'm just a fan of yours. By the way, I also love your new solo mini-album!"
"Really? Aww, thanks~!"
"Ya know…" Mokou folded her arms. "I'm wondering when Chelsea is gonna release her solo album next? Everyone else released theirs."
"I'm sure she's working on it. She probably just hit a snag." Kaguya reassured. "She's probably finishing up."
"Hopefully." Mokou nodded. "Agh, I suppose I can wait for my favorite one to release hers for a little while longer."
"Indeed~" Kaguya giggled as they resumed eating, with Eirin noticing Tewi slowly leaning against Enid's arm, a soft smile on her face, causing the nurse to giggle.
"She secretly likes her~"
Shout out to DarkRebellion for this Gaiden idea!
Ibuki: Blueblooded Alchemist! Ibuki likes it~!
Deadpool: Very catchy!
By the way, I just recently opened up a BlueSky account (It's basically better Twitter), so feel free to follow me if you feel like doing so! The handle is NanTheFFWriter!