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elliotthezubat · 4 years ago

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DEATH CITY DAYS 124

[[cont from part 123]]

Justin: *rubbing his arm* *he looks uneasy*

oriko: is everything alright?

Justin: "Just considering something from today's meeting..." *forces a smile*

oriko:....

Justin: "I can start dinner prep if you want? Or did you need something?" *He reaches for his glass--and accidentally knocks it over*

oriko: ah!

Justin: "Oh no..." *reaches down for the glass...his hand shakes...he falls on his knees*

oriko: justin! *runs over to him*

Justin: *pulls off his earbuds, throwing them away*

oriko: !!

Justin: *holding his head* "My faith is being tested..."

oriko:..............*hugs him*

Justin: "..." *starts tearing up*

oriko: im here.....

Justin: *slight wheeze* "...Ever since I saw that...clone or doppleganger or whatever it was..."

oriko:....*holding his hand* why dont i make dinner tonight? you should rest...

Justin: "O-Okay...Could you do me a favor? There's a recipe book from the Church..."

-elsewhere-

ruby: hey commander, do you ever smile?

Burns: "...The last time I did, a baby started crying."

ruby: can i see? pleeeeease?

Burns: "..." *sighs* "..." *super awkward smile*

ruby: o.o;;;;;;;;;; o____o;;;;;

dia: erm.....

Burns: "D-Don't cry, please."

dia: commander, did something happen?

Burns: "..."

{Burns, 8 years old: *reading his Bible*}

{child: if you keep frowning like that, your face is gonna get stuck like that. FOREEEVERRRRR! hehe!}

{Burns: -_- "Shut up--I'm trying to enlighten myself..."}

{child 2: you're so boring, leon. its like you were born an old man!}

{Burns: "Just because I'm serious about this and you aren't just means I'm mature."}

{child 2: whatever!}

Burns: "Serious people get things done. That's all."

ruby: =n= well that's no fun at all! all work and no play isnt any good for anyone.

Burns: "I can have fun! I do fun things..."

ruby: then let's all go to the park! it'll be awesome, right dia?

dia: um...well...

Burns: "Very well--I have finished all scheduled tasks before this evening."

ruby: yay! i'll go see if anyone else wants to join! *runs off*

dia: sir....i do apologize about her...

Burns: "What do you expect--she's a child, after all."

dia:...actually, she's a year older than pearl...

Burns: "Hard to tell. As well, at my age, everyone looks like a child..."

dia: myself included...

Burns: "...I suppose so."

dia:....well, we should be going, then.

Burns: "Hmph." *follows*

-elsewhere-

Saria: "Now measure out another cup of flour..."

lzumi: *doing so*

Saria: "Oh, Zarya, that recipe doesn't need lemon--"

Zarya: "It helps speed up the yeast."

izumi: really?

Zarya: "Yeah, Mom does it all the time..."

Saria: "...I don't think--"

Axel: "Oh, it smells so good, bully girl!" *holds up a high five for Zarya*

Zarya: "..." *ignores him*

zeke: i dont think calling her 'bully girl' helped much, bro.

Axel: "She did help beat the crap out of Izumi."

Duncan: "And me!"

izumi: i-it's fine, really.

stephanie: woow thats loootsa sugar!

Kanin: ._.;;; "This may be a mistake...Maybe less sugar on that one--"

stephanie: usually mommy keeps sugar in baggies in her panty drawer.

Asher: "...That's not sugar. At all. AT. ALL."

stephanie:...........so it's flour?

Asher: "...It's dr--"

Monica: "Shut up and let Zarya do her thing--she's a whiz at this shit."

Zarya: "..." =\\\=;

stephanie: ooh! cherries!

Duncan: "This is a trainwreck waiting to happen--not least of which because I see only two people who know how to cook."

Kanin: "I can cook."

Duncan: "Two people."

Kanin: -_-#

lei-lei: *CHOP* i can help! i used to help mom and dad with the restaurant all the time!

Saria: "O-Oh, you can...?" *looks back down at her plate...sighs*

lukas: could i try some?

Saria: "S-Sure!" *offers one to Lukas* "Let me know what you think!" *smiles*

lukas: *nom* !!! this is really good!

Saria: OwO "Th-Thank you, Lukas!"

lukas: o-of course. 7//7;

*a cough is heard in the doorway*

Kazue: "..." *shambles inside*

amelia: !!

Asher: "Yo. You're supposed to be resting."

Kazue: *holds up a sign*

Duncan: ("For crying out loud, they're still doing the sign thing...")

-izumi explains-

Kazue: "..." <Did you add the lemon juice?>

Zarya: *nods*

-elsewhere-

Kilik: *whistles* "Yeah, you did some damage to the house..."

Black Star: -_-# "I know, I know..."

tsubaki: *sigh* i just got off the phone with the insurance company...

Black Star: "Do they cover acts of God?"

-elsewhere-

-in a small town, a young woman places flowers by two graves-

woman: hi mom, hi dad....it's me again.......i've been fine......amanda and her friends have been hassling me as usual......im ok, really.....

*behind her is an old church...then it sounds like part of it falls down*

woman: !! *looks* ........(im probably imagining things....) well.....im going to head back home now.....i'll be back soon.....i miss you both so much.....*walking away*

*eyes follow her*

creature: *observing her*

Pumpkin: *pushes the Creature's head down* *watching the woman leave*

-elsewhere-

Tezca: *checking his map*

-in the distance seems to be an old temple-

Tezca: "Jeez, that's seen better days..." *walks up*

-a shadow seems to follow him-

Tezca: *singing softly to himself* "And they go bitty-bounce-bounce..."

-loooooom-

Tezca: o___o "My early warning system is tingling..." *looks around*

-HUG-

???: <LIL MAN! GOOD TO SEE YA! GRAHAHA!>

Tezca: *eyes bulging* "GAK! H-Hey, yourself!"

-a very tall woman with dark skin is hugging him-

???: <you got a bit taller than when i last saw ya! how've ya been?>

Tezca: *wheeze* <Oh, you know, doing the Death Scythe thing, going on a walk-about, looking for leads on an investigation-->

???: oho? <is that right?>

Tezca: *nods* <Yeah, we had some Kishin Worshippers pop up in Death City--real mess. I swear, that city is like a magnet for crap luck.>

-elsewhere-

Monica: -_-# "We don't need a freaking escort home..."

yolanda: i know, but there's not much we can do about it, im afraid.

Lorenzo: "Just be thankful they had us do it and not some weirdo." *nudges Monica's head*

Youta: .~.; "Y-You really shouldn't poke a student--"

Monica: *swings at Lorenzo*

yolanda: this is a frequent occurrence between them, trust us.

Lorenzo: *ducks--and slams Monica down onto the pavement*

Youta: D8> "This is normal?!"

Zarya: "Wait for it..."

Monica: *flips Lorenzo over, tossing him into a car*

Youta: Q~Q *hides behind Stephanie*

stephanie: i dont think the car is too happy.

Monica: "Ha! Getting slow in your old age, bro?!"

Lorenzo: *gets up--and pushes the car along the street at Monica--*

Monica: O_O "WAIT--"

*CRASH*

Endeavor: *steps out of a nearby cafe--* "..." *pulls out his phone* "Hello, auto insurance? Yeah. Again."

-elsewhere-

Cho: *escorting Lei-Lei, Hibiki, and others* "Hmm...Your grandmother was DWMA, right?"

hibiki: yes.

Cho: *nods* "She was a fierce fighter. Many of us wish we could be so polished and driven." *touches the facial burn marks*

hibiki: yeah....

Axel: "How did you get burned?"

zeke: *hushed* dude!

Cho: "No, it's fine. I was on a mission and was infected by a combination of spontaneous human combustion and venomous magic."

hibiki: yikes....

Cho: "I had to play dead for awhile in the hope of finding the co-conspirator, but she's fallen off the radar."

-elsewhere-

Spirit: *driving back Izumi, Asher...and Amelia, Kanin, and Duncan*

Duncan: *squished in the back-seat* >n<

amelia: thank you for driving us home, mr albarn…

Spirit: "You're welcome--can't have you all out on the streets without some additional supervision."

izumi:...

Asher: *looks out the window* "This kind of crap keeps happening around here..."

amelia: makes you wonder if this really is a safe place to live....

Kanin: "...Sometimes it's the only place you got."

izumi:.....why dont we listen to some music?

Spirit: "Good idea!" *turns on the radio--*

*loud heavy metal starts*

-elsewhere-

Giriko: *carrying Anna--and knocks on Justin's door* "Yo, priest!" *he's also holding a plastic bag*

oriko: yes?

Giriko: "Oh--hey there." *holds up a bag* "Got those ingredients."

oriko: ah, do come in. justin...isnt feeling that well, and he's resting right now.

Giriko: "Jeez--he sick or something?" *sets down the groceries, then sets down Anna*

oriko:....would you like some tea? something to eat, perhaps? ^^

Giriko: "You got any juice for Anna? I can start chopping up the vegetables..."

-elsewhere-

Yafeu: "DON'T OVER-EXERT YOURSELF--YOU'RE NOT DOING ANY ROOFTOP HOPPING FOR A BIT!"

Kazue: <Please stop yelling--my family will be here shortly.>

preston: oh~?

*the lights go out*

lukas: eh?

Saria: "EEP!"

*footsteps are heard, darting around*

lukas: saria!

Saria: "Right!" *transforms*

Yafeu: *transforms as well*

lukas: ... !!!

*a masked figure is in front of Lukas, swinging an arm whose sleeve hides their hand*

lukas: who are- !!! KYA!

???: <hey! whos pants are these?>

lukas: >////~////<;;

???: *tosses the ring from a kyoketsu-shoge at Preston's hand, landing it around Yafeu's barrel*

Saria: ._.; "Lukas! On your left!"

lukas: !!

???: *is attacking with...an umbrella?*

lukas: what's going on?!

Kazue: *claps their hands, and the lights come back on*

*the ninja-esque figures all have kabuki masks on*

lukas: !!! G-GIVE MY PANTS BACK! >///<;

???: *looks* "... ... ..." *small squeak, looks away*

'old man mask': oh? these are yours? sorry dude!

Saria: =\\\\=;

Yafeu: "WHO THE HECK ARE YOU JERKS?!"

Kazue: <Family...>

'onna mask': we're the Kotori Family Kabuki Troupe.

Saria: "Kabuki? Kazue, you're from a kabuki troupe! That's so cool!"

Kazue: =\\\\=;

Yafeu: *transforms back...and reaches for one of their masks*

young boy: ehehe. ^^;

-onna mask removes said mask-

girl: really kazue, you make us worry with these endeavours of yours...

Yafeu: *looks back and forth* "...Okay, I can see it."

'fox mask': .......

Kazue:

young boy: hey, big bro, is kazue in trouble?

Oni mask: *arms crossed* "Big time."

Kazue: "..." *throws a smoke bomb*

'fox mask': oh no you dont.

Kazue: *already reaching for the window*

Yafeu: *coughs*

-something grabs their leg-

Kazue: O_o "Uh--"

-'fox mask drags them back with....their own arm??-

Saria: "Oh! The fox is a whip?!"

Kazue: <LET GO, SADAKO!> >~<

Sadako: *GLARE* you know what father would do if you got yourself killed, dont you?

Kazue: "Wouldn't be my problem if I was dead already!"

Sadako: *GETS RIGHT IN THEIR FACE* He would cry. that's what.

Young lady: ara-ara, Sacchan. you're quite spirited, arent you? ^^

Kazue: "..." *frowns, looks away* "I never asked you to come here. Family is nothing but a nuisance--"

*SLAP*

Kazue: "?!!!"

Yafeu: *LOOKS PISSED...MORE THAN USUAL*

preston: !!!!

lukas: y-yafeu!

Kazue: "Who even told you that you could touch me--"

Yafeu: "DO YOU KNOW WHAT SOME PEOPLE WOULD GIVE FOR FAMILY, YOU LITTLE CRAP?!"

Saria: "..."

girl: please, lets calm down everyone.

Kazue: *grunts* <In case you haven't noticed, I'm injured, so it's not like I can travel back easily...>

young lady: we're not forcing you to come home, you know.

girl: right, we just want you to be safe.

Kazue: "I'm alive, aren't I?"

girl: well, yes.....

lukas: yafeu, are you alright?

Yafeu: *wipes his eyes* "I'M FINE!"

lukas:.....

preston:.....hmm...

Saria: "M-Maybe we should all take a deep breath and pause? Um, if your family came all this way, I'm sure they're tired and could use a rest and maybe something to eat?"

girl: well, we're staying at the white water inn, why dont you come with us?

preston: why that sounds just lovely, but i need to make a call first.

Saria: "Y-Yes, and we were supposed to get an escort first due to the Kishin Worshippers..."

*the door opens*

Akane: "Apologies--Clay got us lost again."

clay: =~=;

Akane: "...Did we come at a bad time?"

young lady: oh my~ such a handsome man.

-elsewhere-

tsugumi:......for some reason, im feeling jealous.

mio:....huh?

Anya: =u= "Well, given the luxury you are experiencing, I'm not surprised~"

mio: *sweatdrop* (these freaking rich people....)

ao: i see your ego is gaining weight like your calves.

Anya: (ʘ言ʘ╬) "HOW ABOUT I SHOVE MY FOOT UP YOUR BACKSIDE?!!!" *rolling up a sleeve*

tsugumi: come on now, dont fight!

-elsewhere-

Duncan: "The corner is fine..." *grabs his bag*

-elsewhere-

stephanie: hey moni, can i stay the night? mommy said she's going to be at a party tonight. ^^

Monica: "Just need to ask the 'rents first...Hey, could you distract them? If they saw Lorenzo and I like this, they'd drop a brick."

yolanda: i'll make sure to wear protective headgear.

Monica: -_-# "Just keep them occupied before Mama sees us, or she's going to--"

-LA CHANCLA'D-

Lorenzo: OwO; *tries to run--*

-LA CHANCLA'D x2-

Zarya: "Yikes."

Lorenzo: X___X

Monica: @~@

-elsewhere-

Blair: *riding an airborne pumpkin home* ^w^ *lands--only to be surrounded by more hooded figures* OwO; "Nya?"

guard: good afternoon, ma'am.

Blair: "Hi? Can I help you?" ._.;

guard: just checking on things here.

Blair: "Oooooooh, because of the nasty Kishin worshippers hanging about?"

guard: aye. *hands her a list* by the way, lady maaba recently updated the list of rogues to be on the look out for.

Blair: "Eh?" *looks over it* "Oh, no--this just keeps getting longer...I could check the club again."

-elsewhere-

Kid: *sips water* "..."

shiori: is kid better?

Kid: *weak smile* "A bit--thank you. How are you feeling, Shiori?"

shiori: *hug*

Kid: "..." *wipes his eyes, hugs her*

shiori: kid get better soon?

Kid: *nods* "I will--promise."

-elsewhere-

Tezca: "Then Enrique said, 'The only thing I don't swing on are vines, so you're on your own!' BWA HA HA HA HA!"

Quetzal: GRAHAHA! <oh man, still the same old jokester, eh, lil man?>

Tezca: <You know it!> *opens another bottle* <You should see his stand-up routine! Shame he didn't come--but he saw the hotel and just crashed.>

Quetzal: <his loss.>

Tezca: *looks at the treetops* <Things been quiet here, or you having problems?>

Quetzal: <eh, same old problems a god can have, y'know?>

Tezca:

Quetzal: <now and then, but nothing a good ol' snake eyed glare to scare 'em off. and of course theres those land developers....>

Tezca: <??? Still? You got a name of one of them?> *sips his beer*

-elsewhere-

Bellhop: *pushing a food service cart* =_= ("Damn Death Scythes get to live the high life...I hope this one at least tips...") *knocks on the door*

*the door opens...revealing Enrique in the jacuzzi*

Enrique: "GOH!"

Bellhop: O_o; <The Death Scythe is a monkey?!>

-elsewhere-

DWMA Engineer: *stretches* "Why'd the boss call us in? I want to get home--Frank's said he was making chicken mole tonight!"

worker 2: i'unno.

*footsteps are heard descending down the hanger's steps...*

worker 2: ??

???: "OKAY, YOU GRUNTS! JUST BECAUSE THE SUN IS SETTING DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T STOP WORKING! WE--"

*then he trips, as the giant H-beam he is carrying gets stuck in the stairs, knocking him down, each step, one after the next...*

Engineer 1: ._____.;

'H-Beam': -A-;

*and the tall boss lands on his face*

???: "..." *groans* "You could've told me I missed that step..."

Engineer 3: "Oh, God, he's delirious--he's talking to his hentai beam..."

Engineer 4: "Is that like his 'body pillow' or something?"

-the beam then transforms-

'beam': well maybe you should watch where you're going! >n<#

???: *grunts, sits up* "Why you got to be so mean? I'm the one running this outfit!"

Engineer 1: "D'aw, she's not a beam--she's a weapon! She's so tiny and cute like my niece!"

'beam': O__O## *throttling engineer 1* I'M A _GUY_ YOU BEEFBRAINED SACK OF DICKS!!

Gen: D8< "HEY! No punching them in the head--we need their brains!" *pulling 'Beam' loose*

Engineer 3: D8> "GET A MEDIC!"

'beam': *flailing and growling*

Engineer 1: Q~Q "Ow...Am I still pretty...?"

Gen: "Hakuno! Do I have to put you back in the smelting pit?!"

hakuno: 7n7 *grumble grumble*

Gen: *groans* "I guess the meeting will have to wait until morning for Sora to get to the infirmary--BUT I WANT YOU ALL HERE BRIGHT AND EARLY TOMORROW MORNING TO START DIGGING THE TUNNEL!"

Everyone: "..." ._.; (" 'Tunnel'?")

Sora (Engineer 1): >~< "I feel something leaking in my brain..."

-elsewhere-

*it's getting dark out...*

Hyde: *sneezes* *wipes his nose* "Ugh...Is it getting colder out?"

Ragnarok: "No, moron--it's summer."

ochako: maybe you're feeling sick?

Hyde: *sniffles* "How can _I_ get sick when I'm a va--va--va--...vivacious darling?" ^^;;;

ochako: .....*shrug*

Ragnarok: "..." *grabs a thermometer off the convenience store rack* "Bend over."

kyouko: dude!

-elsewhere-

Master: *wiping the counter* *spots a customer in the corner* "??? We're closing up..."

*someone is outside, staring in...*

miranda:....*reaches for the phone*

Customer: *seated, not looking up...looks nervous*

Master: "...Hey, you okay--" *reaches for the customer--*

*a brick is thrown through the window*

miranda: !! uncle!

Master: *grabs a tissue box from the table--and throws it out the window, beaning the person outside in the face*

Assailant: "ARG!" *falls back*

Master: "Miranda, call the pol--"

*SMASH*

miranda: !!!!

Customer: *breaks a chair over Master's head*

miranda: *grabs a broom and attacks the customer*

Customer: *twirls a butterfly knife before stabbing at Miranda*

miranda: *dodge*

Customer: *keeps attacking...their hand has three eyes on it...*

Person Outside: *rubs their face, a huge tissue box-mark on their face* "Bastard..." *grabs another brick, walks inside...*

miranda: shit!

Person Outside: "Hee hee...Language!" *aims the brick--*

*grab*

Person Outside: "???" *looks down*

Master: *has them by the ankle--and flings them into the wall*

miranda: *jabs the customer in the gut with the broom handle*

Customer: "UMPH!" *drops the knife*

-WHAM-

Master: *picks up the broken leg of the chair, aims at the Person Outside*

Customer: @~@

miranda: kishin worshippers, are you? well you can kish-my ass. *POW*

Customer: X____X

Person Outside: *dazed* "Lahngeege--"

Master: *bashes the Person with the chair leg upside the head*

-elsewhere-

Yafeu: *sulking, looking out the window*

dormmate: hey, you ok, man?

Yafeu: *suddenly shouting* "HUH? OH, JUST THINKING ABOUT A DUMB ARGUMENT TODAY!"

dormmate: oh, you want to talk about it?

Yafeu: "...ONE OF MY CLASSMATES' FAMILY CAME TO SEE THEM."

dormmate: ah.

Yafeu: "BUT THEY WERE ALL TICKED OFF ABOUT IT LIKE THEY DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO SEE THEM? CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?"

dormmate: well, maybe their relationship with their family isnt that good.

Yafeu: "IT DIDN'T SEEM BAD! THEY SEEMED WORRIED ABOUT THEM. IF THAT WAS ME, I WOULDN'T BE SO RUDE."

dormmate: hmm...

Yafeu: "I GUESS I GOT ANGRY AND TOOK IT OUT ON THEM..."

dormmate: how bad was it?

Yafeu: "I SLAPPED THEM."

dormmate: jeez.

Yafeu: "...DO I SEND THEM A FRUIT BASKET OR SOMETHING?"

-elsewhere-

Monica: *lying in bed...then tosses and turns with a grunt* "URG!" *tosses off the sheets*

-sounds like mom is cleaning up downstairs-

*the room has some rock posters, a guitar on its stand in the corner...*

Monica: *listens...* "Pst. Steph?"

stephanie: yeahsies?

Monica: "We're breaking out."

stephanie: oooh! sounds fun!

Monica: *opens the window* "Just be quiet heading down."

stephanie: ok.

*the fire escape is below...Monica carefully heads down the ladder...*

yolanda: zzzz....

Monica: "...Wake her ass up."

stephanie: *inhales*

Monica: "???"

stephanie: hey yola-

Zarya: *groans, holding the pillow over her head* <Too loud...>

yolanda: hnn? *rubs her eyes*

-footsteps coming up the stairs-

Monica: "Me? Never! Steph just woke us all up with her snoring!"

stephanie: but you said we were busting out?

Monica: *throws a pillow at her head*

mrz ramirez:......two weeks.

Monica: "SHIT!"

mrs ramirez: *opens the door*

-la chancla'd-

Monica: X___X *falls back*

Zarya: O_O;

-morning-

shinra: =~= what day is it?

maki: according to the calendar, July 8th.

shinra: it feels like it's been over a month already...*yaaawn*

Arthur: *has a long Merlin-style beard*

shinra:......im not even gonna ask.

-elsewhere-

Kid: *sits up in bed* "..."

stocking: *still sleeping*

Kid: "..." *strokes her cheek*

stocking: nnn... =///=

Kid: "H-Hey..."

stocking: mmm? *rubs her eyes* hey kiddo.

Kid: "..." *hug*

stocking: morning.

Kid: *shaking a bit*

stocking:...*holds him*

Kid: *nods* "Really..."

stocking:.....*holds him close to her chest*

Kid: *closes his eyes, relaxing a bit*

-elsewhere-

Akane: *looking around Deathbucks* "So the two just started attacking?"

Master: *head bandaged, ice on his head*

miranda: yeah. the one had this as a tattoo....*shows her drawing of the kishin emblem*

Akane: "I see...We've had similar reports from last night."

miranda:....

Akane: "It may be best to take the day off for repairs while we investigate--"

Master: "We don't close."

miranda: uncle...

Master: "We have customers waiting for us, and we can't let some punks intimidate regular people..."

Akane: "...We can find someone to take over the shop while you rest."

-elsewhere-

Tezca: *yawns...he's somehow on top of a palm tree*

quetzal: <hey lil man! sleep ok?>

Tezca: "..." *looks down* "..."

quetzal: <hang on a sec...> *she transforms into a snake like creature with wings and flies up to him*

Tezca: ^w^ "Hello." QwQ "Can you help me down?"

quetzal: <yep, hop on!>

Tezca: *carefully gets on* >~<

-elsewhere-

-at a certain community collage-

student: hey, did you see all those crows hanging around the church this morning? so creepy!

student 2: i bet amakusa had something to do with it, her parents are buried near there after all.

-the young woman sits at a desk-

student 3: well speak of the devil. literally!

woman: .....

*a professor walks in*

Professor: "Okay, okay, settle down--we got a minute before class starts."

woman:.....

*alarm goes off on the Professor's phone*

classmate: hey, misaki, dont let tiffany and her cronies get you down.

*the tree branches outside the window sway a bit...*

misaki: im fine, really...

Professor: "And we now begin. Amakusa, please collect homework in your row."

misaki: yes, sir.

girl: careful, sis, she might put a hex on you!

girl 2: lol! good one penny!

classmate:....

Professor: "Are you in high school or college? Focus on classwork, or I'll mark you as absent."

-elsewhere-

Kazue: =n=

Death the Kid: Asher: *looks behind Kazue* "...You know your family is still following you--"

Kazue: "I KNOW!" *smashes their sign against the wall*

sadako:...no we're not. im a tree.

Kazue: "YOU'RE NOT SCARLET JOHANSSON!"

Asher: "...I am finding this way too amusing."

lukas: -_-;

Saria: *has her sweater pulled up over her face* *groans*

lukas: hey, are you alright?

Saria: "...I made a mess in the kitchen. Again."

hibiki: want us to help?

Saria: "...Do you have a mop?" TT~TT

Zarya: *noms on a muffin*

Monica: *has a footprint on her face* -_-#

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: "Oh, Tolstoy--surprised to see you here."

leo: good morning, mr nakahara.

Chuuya: "Hey. I was just dropping off Sonia and Miyuri--" *turns--and they are gone* "..." D8

sonia: hello, uncle pushkin.

miyuri: *HUG* HIYA!! ^^

Pushkin: "UMPH! Aren't you getting stronger..." ^^; *trying to pry Miyuri loose* >~<

katya: i take it your dad's nearby? he still owes me a drink-off.

Pushkin: "Ha! He's so tiny the beer would go to his head immediately--"

Chuuya: OnO# *staaaaaaaare*

ayako: and makarov's even smaller than him!

katya: *GLAAAAAAAAAAAARE*

leo: please dont cause a fuss.

Motojiro: *spins by in a chair* "Hey, Chuuya! Good to see you--"

*the chair disappears down the hall--before a crash is heard*

leo: D8> motovya! are you alright?!

Motojiro: *rolls back into the room...like, literally rolling* "Just dandy!" *bounces up* "I fixed it!" *hands Katya a gun magazine*

katya: nice.

Motojiro: "Oh, hey, girls!" *holds up a hand to Miyuri* "High five?"

miyuri: *head tilt* *holds her own hand up* hi! ^^

leo: *sigh* <honestly, you should really be more careful, i worry...>

Motojiro: *taps his hand to hers* ^^;

*BOOM*

ayako: aw the fucking coffee machine blew up again!

Pushkin: "Language! We say 'the freaking coffee machine blew up again'..."

Motojiro: "Darn--I should have known we weren't ready for unstable molecules in the brew...Chuuya, I'm going to need a hand."

Chuuya: "What, for a coffee machine?"

*something slithers out of the kitchen*

Motojiro: "No, that." *picks up a broom*

-elsewhere-

Vampa: *looking through the newspaper* <It's getting so you can't even burglar in peace!> *slaps the paper* <Now we have...'Kee-shas'? ...The hell? I love her music! Why would she have a cult?!>

peppino: *squints*

Vampa: <It's like you need to speak another language to understand this...>

*BUMP*

Vampa: "???" *looks around--then down*

peppino: ??

Youta: >~< "Ow...S-Sorry!"

Cho: "..."

-elsewhere-

*...is that an airship floating over the suburbs?*

hermine: *shaking*

*it looks like a rope is lowering...*

Valentine: "Get behind me, Hermine. You too, kids..."

eugenie: big sis val? what's going on?

Valentine: "I don't know..."

*the person is descending down the rope--then falls on the last bit of it in front of Eugenie*

eugenie: ??

Lucien: *face-plants into the garden* "..." *muffled* <Owie...>

eugenie: !!!!!!! <UNCLE LUCI!!> *HUGS*

hermine: *sigh of relief*

Lucien: *sits up, a bunch of flowers stuck in his mouth* "PHOEEY!" *looks* <EUGENIE!> *hug*

Benedetto: *already has a stick* <Should I attack?>

hermine: <lucian, it's so good to see you, at first i thought you were-...>

Lucien: <What? ...Oh, no, no! Mr. Fitzgerald told me to bring the newest model over, and, well...Surprise?> ^^;;;

hermine:

edouard: <would you please keep it down! im trying to finish reading this chapter!>

Lucien: <Good--> *coughs* <Ugh, my tongue tastes like dirt now...> *spits*

Valentine: ^^; <Edouard, we have a guest...>

edouard: *looks up*

Lucien: ._.

edouard:....*small grunt of acknowledgement before his eyes return to the page*

Lucien: "Fair. I'm not sure we ever really met before...I was sent abroad when--"

Valentine: *pat pat* "He wouldn't care if you explained anyway."

-elsewhere-

*a VW van drives along a dusty road...behind the wheel is a rather hippie-ish looking woman...in the passenger seat is a woman whose style looks, for lack of a better description, Louisiana*

hippie: *humming along to the radio*

"Louisiana": =n= "Ugh, why the desert...I was fine with that little Great Isle bungalow..." *nudges the driver* "Come on, Sarah--why Death City? Why can't we stay near the water~?"

sarah: hnn? hey come on, kate, i was in the zone.

Kate: "Yeah, and then you get another 'vibe' and suddenly it's, 'Pack up, Kate--we're on the road again!" Pfft!" *pouts*

sarah: hey, this 'margaret' said she needs our help. she kinda reminds me of you, honestly.

Kate: >\\\\>; "Fine...Wait, reminds you of me because I'm precious and adorable, or because she's got money?"

sarah:.....*shrug*

Kate: "GAH! You're no help!"

*her seat then falls back, knocking Kate backwards*

Kate: "...I thought you fixed this seat."

sarah: .....im gonna need to pick up more duct tape, then.

Kate: *points up a finger* "You're getting me a new bathing suit! And finding us a pool!"

sarah: that's fair.

*they pass a sign: 'Now entering Death City Limits'*

-elsewhere-

Kamui: *sneezes* "Ugh..." *he looks really uncomfortable before shivering*

mt lady: you better not get me sick!

Kamui: "It's not my fault--I thought it was supposed to get warmer in summer, but I swear, I keep getting chills."

-elsewhere-

Rin: "What's up, Unagi?" *waves*

unagi: good morning, okumura-san. i was going to deliver some textbooks to your brother, but apperantly he's not in yet.

Rin: "??? Weird--he wasn't home this morning. I thought he left early..."

-elsewhere-

Patty: "And this is the fountain. And that's the art gallery. And that's where we tilt the painting to make Kid come running."

mrs noto: i....see... ^^;

Yumi: "I'm sorry, Mrs. Noto--I'm sure this can be overwhelming. But things are a lot more cozy than appearances suggest."

mrs noto: <it's fine, just a bit different than what im used to.>

Yumi: *nods* <If there is anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable, please let us know.>

*children can be heard playing behind the corner*

mrs noto: ??

Patty: "Hey, kiddos! Say hi to Takeru's mom!"

shiori: *looks up*

Yumi: *picks up Shiori* <This is my youngest, Shiori.>

shiori: bah!

mrs noto: <oh, she's precious!>

Yumi: <Thank you.> *smiles* <She's so smart and such a happy baby.> *bounces Shiori*

shiori: *giggles*

Patty: OwO; *does not understand the language...*

mrs noto: so how old is she?

Yumi: "Almost 2 and a half."

-elsewhere-

*a soccer ball flies towards Iris*

iris: *dodge* EEP!

-it lands in the net-

Vulcan: "Good try, Iris!"

iris: sorry, im not really good at this 'goalie' thing. ^^;

Relan: "You're still doing better than Arthur-- ??? Where did he--"

Arthur: *in a suit of armor at the other goalie net*

lisa: -_-;

Relan: "You're up, Shinra." *passes the ball*

shinra: hup!

Arthur: *standing still*

tamaki: *looking from the window*

Akitaru: "Looks like they're having fun out there."

tamaki: mm...

Akitaru: "Hey, you up for something to eat? I needed some help with the tacos."

tamaki:....maybe later....

Akitaru: "A'ight. Holler if you need anything."

tamaki:...ok.....

-elsewhere-

*Deathbucks looks a little busier...but all the employees look...super-serious?*

*a bunch of CIA agents are serving the drinks*

ox: wow, this is, um....

Harvar: "It's a bunch of cops."

DWMA CIA Agent 1: "Order up for...'Hugs and Kisses'?"

ox: ??

DWMA CIA Agent 2: "That says 'Qx,' Adrian."

Adrian: "What the hell is 'Qx'?"

ox: wait a sec- *raises hand* it's 'Ox' actually.

Agent 2: "...Like the big blue one?"

agent 3: paul bunyan has nothing to do with this. -_-;

Harvar: "Can we just have our orders already? Mine was the--"

Agent 3: "Hiver? Someone named Hiver?"

-elsewhere-

Kunikida: *walking down the stairs* "Don't dawdle--we can't be late for this appointment." *pulls out his car keys*

dazai: oooh, can i drive? owo

Kunikida: "I don't know--can you?" *rolls his eyes, opens the door* "Now hurry: I made sure to park here last night so we wouldn't be delayed--"

*there's Kunikida's van across the street...and there's Kunikida's van's bumper on the sidewalk in front of them...and Kunikida's van side mirror in the road...and there's bits of glass from Kunikida's van's window*

dazai: .....new paintjob?

Kunikida: D8 "WHAT THE FUCK?!!!"

*there's a VW Van that is parked in front of Kunikida's van...or, rather, rammed into it and stayed there parked*

dazai: !!!!! dear god......look at how cute this stick figure family looks!

Kunikida: *SCREAMS, before marching up to the VW Van* "When I trace their tags, I'm going to wring their neck-- ...This van has no tag." *looks it over--then spots two people sleeping in it* "HEY!" *slams his fist on the side of their van*

???: zzzzz....

???: *grunts* *sleep-talk* "No, Armand, it's not my bundle..." *snores*

Kunikida: "Dazai, pick this lock."

dazai: *cracks knuckles and finger waggles* you got a hairpin?

Kunikida: "..." *opens his journal, pulls one out*

dazai: thank you~ *click*

???: *yawns...opens her eyes and looks up at Dazai* "... ... ..." *nudges the other one* "Sarah, we got company. Cute company."

sarah: wuzzuh?

dazai: en chante, madame~<3

Kate: "Bonjour, mon brave homme. Vous avez des cheveux uniques - un nageur, peut-être~?"

Kunikida: "WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY VAN?!!"

sarah: too loud....*yaaaaawn*

Kunikida: "..." *grabs Sarah by the arms, starts shaking*

Kate: "...Say, you ever tried swimming as far as your arms can go, then get so tired you think you'd end up drowning?"

sarah: =~= hey, easy, my leg hurts.

Kunikida: "YOU BACK UP INTO MY VAN! HOW DID PARALLEL PARKING BREAK MY VAN LIKE THIS?!"

dazai: if i could drown with such a lovely lady, i wouldnt mind at all~<3

Kate: =\\\w\\\= "You charmer." *then she opens her eyes* OwO "LET'S DO IT RIGHT NOW! DROWN WITH ME!"

dazai: OwO erm...

sarah: um, kate, my leg?

Kate: "One sec, buddy--I'm making the score here."

Yosano: "What's all the commotion-- ...Kunikida, why are you shaking a woman with an injured leg?"

Kunikida: "... ... ..." *wicked grin*

sarah: wha?

Kunikida: "Doctor...This woman needs healing."

Yosano: "..." *pulls out a meat cleaver*

Kate: "--then we get pulled down by the undertow and become like Prospero, one with the sea, for all eternity, FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER."

dazai:.........(ohfuckwhatdoidoidreamedofthismomentbutnowthatitsactuallyhappeningimgettingcoldfeetHALP)

-later-

sarah: soooo...is this, like, gonna be covered by my insurance?

Kate: "That's what the university said. But they're kind of pissed you drove off--I didn't know you were teaching summer classes."

sarah: i kinda forgot.

-meanwhile...-

Student: -_-# "It's been 15 minutes, Katrina--let's leave."

Student 2: "How did Professor Ossoli get tenure?!"

student 3: i dunno, she's just weird like that.

Student 4: "I'M NEVER GOING TO PASS THIS SUMMER!" *headdesk*

-elsewhere-

Yosano: "Well, you're back in decent condition." *hands Sarah her bag--when some books fall out* "Ah, nuts--sorry." *picks one up* "??? 'The Dial'? You read Sarah Ossoli?"

sarah: oh yeah. that's me.

Yosano: "... ... ...YOU'RE _THE_ SARAH OSSOLI?!" O\\\\O "AUTOGRAPH THIS!"

sarah: ok. *does so*

Kate: "... ... ..." *holds out a hand* "That'll be 20 bucks."

Kunikida: "YOU WRECKED MY VAN!"

-elsewhere-

*a paper airplane hits Shiemi in the forehead*

shiemi: >,<

*seems to be a message on it*

shiemi: *looks*

Message: "Can we talk on the rooftop?" *it has an arrow pointing to the door*

shiemi: *looks around*

Amaimon: *STAAAAAARE*

shiemi: ._.;

Amaimon: *points up*

stocking: *aHEM*

Amaimon: "...HELLO, MRS DEATH-PHELES. I AM BEING NORMAL IN THE HALLWAY."

stocking: *GLARE*

Amaimon: "...Upstairs at lunch." *runs*

stocking: -~-; you ok, shiemi?

shiemi: y-yeah. thank you, ma'am.

Rin: "I don't trust that little crap--you want me to follow him?"

shiemi: i suppose if it would make you feel better. ^^;

Rin: "Definitely--better than letting him try to kidnap you again."

shiemi: ...say, have you seen yuki at all?

Rin: =n= "No--and it's ticking me off!"

shiemi: i just hope he's alright...

Rin: "Yeah...He doesn't even have his phone on--goes right to voicemail."

shiemi: you dont think...something terrible happened to him, do you?

Rin: "..." *raises his hand*

LK: shiemi: ??

Rin: "May I be excused?"

stocking: um, sure, just be back before class, ok?

Rin: "Thank you! Come on, Shiemi!"

-elsewhere-

Yukio: *staring down*

*he has blood samples in front of him*

{Todo: "We're not so different, are we?"}

Yukio: "I'm nothing like that...I'm not..." *clutches his eye, groaning in pain*

-knocks on the door-

Yukio: "?!!" *covers the vials with a tarp* "Y-Yes?"

voice: you ok in there?

Yukio: "Fine--just busy testing something."

-elsewhere-

*in Class A, at the teacher's desk, is what is obviously an Aizawa robot...*

Aizawa-Bot: O___O *buzz* "You all disappoint me. F's for everyone."

mina:....teach? are you....ok?

Aizawa-Bot: *buzz* "SHUT UP, PRESENT MIC."

Izuku: D8> "I CAN'T FAIL! PLEASE, RE-CONSIDER!"

Bakugo: "...Are you really this stupid?"

jirou: hey teach, what's 420 divided by 0?

Aizawa-Bot: *beeps* "ERROR. DOES NOT COMPUTE--DOES NOT--DO-DO-DO-DAMN IT, MINETA--"

*its head blows up*

jirou: heh, paradoxes, works every time.

Aizawa: *watching from the hallway* "...It was a valiant effort."

Mei: OwO; "Sorry about that...The next one will be super-better, promise!"

*an eyeball lands at Momo's desk*

momo: .___.;

ochako: *playing amazing grace on a kazoo*

Aizawa: *re-enters* "Well, so much for my 'snooze button.'" *brushes the remains of robo-him away* "Okay, pop quiz."

kaminari: *raises his hand*

Aizawa: "What?"

kaminari: when's camp?

Aizawa: "WE'RE GETTING THERE, JUST WAIT ALREADY."

mina: *raises hand* shouldnt we be on vacation? it's july after all.

Aizawa: "In light of the increased number of villain incidents globally, numerous Quirk-based Pro Hero schools have been using a year-long school structure. If you don't like it, go transfer to the exorcist or meister-weapon classes."

sero: dont they also have summer classes too?

Aizawa: "Yes, because there has also been a global increase in demon attacks, Kishin attacks, curses, economic downturn--...You're all just asking questions to take up the rest of class time to avoid this quiz, aren't you?"

-silence-

kaminari:...........how much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

ochako: *stiffling laughter*

Aizawa: "Kaminari and Uraraka, go stand in the hallway."

-elsewhere-

Rin: "Have you seen this glasses man?" *holds up his phone, with a photo of Yukio caught mid-bite eating his sandwich*

woman: um... ._.;

Rin: "His name is Yukio, and he tends to have a fan club of really persistent fangirls after him. Also, he likes reading and taking care of the sick and infirm. He kind of looks like me, only with glasses and more handsome. You seen him?"

woman: im just....waiting on my coffee. ^-^;

Rin: "Did you see him ordering coffee?"

-elsewhere-

Stein: "Okay, that'll be all for today. Miss Mjolnir is still out of town, but she left homework for you to finish. And don't forget my policy for next time when I say 'no talking in the back row.'"

*the back row is full of scalpels*

student: Q_Q;;;;;;

Axel: "...I miss Miss Marie already."

Saria: *reading through another recipe book*

-elsewhere-

janine: ah! you must be marie mjolnir, ay?

Marie: "I am, yes?"

janine: pleasure to meet ya, the name's Janine McBride. *extends hand*

Marie: "Likewise." *shakes her hand* "Is there somewhere to get something to eat and talk first about the mission?"

-elsewhere-

*alarms go off at a bank*

thief: COME ON FELLAZ, LEZ GO! LEZ GO GO!!

Guard: "Freeze!" *aims their gun*

thief: ok. *shoots an icicle at the gun*

Guard: "AH!" *drops the gun as it sparks in their hands*

Thief 2: *in the van* "MOVE YOUR ASSES!"

thief 3: *jumps onto the van* LET'S MOVE!

Thief 2: *hits the gas* "Did you get it all?"

thief: yeah, this is gonna keep us supplied for years, hehe.

Thief 2: "It better--you wasted all that cash on gacha already..."

thief: shut your ass, frank!

*up ahead, in the middle of the road, someone short stands there, just staring*

thief 3: dafuck?

Thief 2: "Meh, sucks to be them..." *honks the horn*

*the person in the middle of the road isn't moving...*

thief 3: good thing im wearing goggles, haha!

*the person holds up a hand and--it expands*

thief 3: eh? owo;

*CRAAAAAAAAAAASH*

Thief 2: *slams into the airbag, drooling* X_______X

thief: FUCK!

*the person walks quickly on short legs to the back of the van--then rips the back doors loose*

thief 3: oooowwww....bad time....to be on the truck...

Person: "Excuse me? I don't think this belongs to you." *tosses the door*

thief: ?!

Person: *steps in* "I'm making a citizen's arrest. Come along quietly, please, mister?" *holds out a hand*

thief: how about go fuck yourself?

Person: "..." *grabs Thief 1 by the nose, pulling them down to eye-level* "You know what? Now I'm angry..."

thief: ovo;;

Bank President: *catches up to the van* "There's their van, officer! Go get--"

*BANG BANG THUMP THUMP--*

*Thief goes flying out the back of the van, sliding along the asphalt*

thief: *SCREAMS IN PAIN* FUCK! FUCKING SHIT!!

Person: *exits with the bags of money--and dumps the bags on top of the Thief* "The others are in the van. Well, one is on the van. I think. They may be dead."

*loud footsteps are heard running up*

???: "THERE YOU WENT!"

thief 3: help....please?

???: "See? You left another thief up there!" *picks up Thief 3--and shoves them into his gut*

thief 3: *SCREAMS*

Person: *fast walks on tiny legs* "I'm sorry, Mr. Fat Gum. But the Bank President seemed super-worried about his money!"

-elsewhere-

atsushi: dazai, i think they left, you can come out of the trash bin now...

Dazai: "No, I'm fine. I live here now."

atsushi: dazai.....

Dazai: *pops up, a banana peel on his forehead* QwQ "Don't make me go."

kirako: ^^;

-elsewhere-

*a bird is chirping in a tree--before what looks like a tree branch clutches it, dragging it down*

Pumpkin: *stares at the bird*

-footsteps are heard-

Pumpkin: "!!!" *hides in the bushes*

misaki: *walking home*

Pumpkin: *staaaaaaaaaaare...still clutching the bird*

misaki: ....

{classmate: hey misaki! want to hang out after class?}

{misaki: um.. s-sorry, not today...}

{Classmate 2: "Got a job or something?"}

{classmate 3: yeah, a job putting curses on people maybe.}

{misaki:......}

misaki:........*sigh*

Pumpkin: "..." *pushes closer in the bushes--*

Bird: OnO# *BITE*

misaki: ?? *turns* h-hello?

Pumpkin: "Ow!"

misaki: !!! h-hello??

Bird: *flies loose--at Misaki's face*

Pumpkin: "?!" *falls back*

misaki: AH!! *falls back*

Pumpkin: "... ... ..." ("Coincidental...") *stares through the bushes*

misaki:....*gets up, brushing herself off*

Bird: *has flown away*

Pumpkin: ("Damn...Now I got to find something else for that beast to eat...") *stares at Misaki* "... ..."

misaki: ...i should probably head home now.....*continues walking*

Pumpkin: "..." *when her back is turned, reaches out...*

misaki: ......

Pumpkin: "..." *hesitates* ("What is wrong with me...")

-elsewhere-

Amaimon: *has set out a blanket, a picnic basket, various foods--and a bucket full of worms*

-the door opens-

shiemi: ....

stocking: hey.

Amaimon: "Oh. Hello, Mrs. Niece. I thought the veggie girl was coming alone?"

Rin: -_-#

stocking: we're here to make sure you dont try anything stupid.

Amaimon: "I never would--after all, I'm in your classes now, right?"

*something is slithering from the picnic basket, reaching for Stocking's shoe*

stocking: ?!?!? what's in the basket?

Rin: "Why do you have questions for her?"

Amaimon: "Because of those super-power plant attacks. Are you a fairy?"

shiemi: um...no?

nee: *pokes head out from her bag* nee?

Amaimon: *stares at Nee* "No, see, that thing? How are you keeping that thing around that long?"

shiemi: well, nee is my friend.

Amaimon: "I think you got some super-power mojo. Let me take a sample--stick out your tongue." *holds up a tongue depresser*

shiemi: ._.;;

Rin: "Permission to punch him?"

stocking: *gives amaimon a look*

Amaimon: "I'm serious. There's something different about her summoning than the others." *twirls a hand around* "Whole kind of aura off of her or something."

shiemi: well, i do work with plants a lot...maybe it's that??

Amaimon: "Or maybe you charm the plants." *holds up a potted plant* "Talk to Henrietta here."

shiemi: ok...hello, henrietta.

Henrietta: *doesn't say anything, because Henrietta is a plant*

Amaimon: "...Well, so much for that--I guess I got that wrong." *hands Henrietta to Stocking*

stocking: -_-;;

*The "dessert" is gnawing on Rin's head*

Rin: "...Shiemi, I'm glad he's not stalking you anymore, because otherwise, I would kill him."

shiemi: ._. um....rin?

Rin: "I KNOW." *tugging on "dessert"*

-elsewhere-

Axel: *stabbing into his meal--with a kunai-hand*

Asher: "..." *pushes their lunch tray away* "That's just gross."

zeke: you think that's bad? you should have seen when we first discovered our abilities.

Kanin: "??? What happened?"

Axel: "Well, we were playing in the vacant lot behind our family's garage, throwing rocks at each other..."

zeke: i think i may have thrown a liiiittle bit hard.

Axel: "No kidding! The rock hit me, and my arm starting hurting--but I looked down, and instead of an arm, it was this weird metal-knife thingie!"

{zeke: .....MOOOOOOOM!!! I THINK SOMETHING WENT SERIOUSLY BAD!}

{Axel: *has now turned completely into a kunai* .w.; "...DUDE! YOU COULD TOTALLY THROW ME!"}

{zeke: HOLY CRAP YOU'RE STILL ALIVE?!}

{Mom: *calls out, not looking away from repairing a motor* "Put some ice on it."}

Axel: "We threw each other into the trees for an hour before Dad found us."

zeke: he wasnt too amused.

lei-lei: wow!

Saria: "??? You weren't scared at all? I had a bad reaction to transforming..."

{*it sounds like someone fell down the stairs*}

{greg: ?? sweetie? is everything alright?}

{Saria: "Ow..." *tries to get up--and keeps falling down* "..." *looks down...* "... ... ..." *SCREAMS* "MY HANDS!"}

{*even her legs look transformed*}

{saria's dad: !!! *calling a doctor*}

{Saria: *rolls over, crying*}

{greg: easy, bugbear, *picks her up* you're going to be fine!}

{Saria: *sobbing wildly, swinging nothingness--before a leg re-forms...and ends up kicking Greg in the knee*}

{greg: -RK- >~< i-it's ok. *places her on the couch* ok, breathe, iiiin, and out...}

{Saria: *panting, trying to calm her breath--then the whips start glowing, and turn back into limbs* "Wh...What’s happening?"}

Saria: *looks down* "I-I didn't handle that well..."

lukas: ....

genny: i couldnt even imagine how scary that must have been.

Monica: "Ha! That's just some pansy-ass wimpy shit. 'Oh, no, my hand transformed!' You never saw nothing as bad as what I saw."

zarya:...

{Teacher: "I said 'Sit down'!" *slams Monica down into her chair* "You're not excused!"}

{Monica: "GRK!" *looks up, glaring*}

{classmate: criminy, ramirez...}

{classmate 2: someone should put a muzzle on her.}

{Monica: "Let go of me! I'm done sitting here!" *struggles to get up--before she swings at the teacher--*}

{Teacher: *dodges--and slaps Monica across the face*}

{classmate 3: yoooo holy fuck!}

{classmate 4: *starts filming*}

{Monica: "... ... ..." *tenses up, holding back tears--before she tackles the teacher, brings up an arm--and slams it down--*}

{Teacher: *dodges--as a blade just cuts the side of his face*}

{-several classmates are screaming-}

{Monica: *staring, as her entire arm is a machete* "... ... ..." *griiiiiiiins* "I got it...I finally got it!"}

{classmate 5: *passes out*}

{Teacher: *SCREAMS, crawls away*}

hibiki: good lord, ramirez...did you kill the guy?

Monica: "Did I say Mr. O'Hara died? No? Then he ain't dead--...unfortunately. But I got expelled and got to transfer to the DWMA."

izumi: i bet your mom wasnt very happy about that... ^^;

Monica: "... ... ...You always know what to say to get me to shut up, Albarn..." *nervously sips her tea...*

zarya:.....

preston: and you, miss zarya?

zarya:............*transforms her fist into a nailbat* they had it coming........

Axel: OwO;

Monica: "..." *slight shrug*

Stephanie: *pats Zarya's shoulders* "And look how good it turned out! We're all together here like one big dysfunctional class!"

yolanda: *sweatdrop* <-<;;;;

Asher: "...Huh."

{*there's a tonfa lying in Asher's bed...Asher should've been at school an hour ago*}

{-knock knock-}

{cassidy: asher, are you in there? this is the third time this week you've been late, you know.}

{Asher: *silent* "..."}

Asher: "I skipped school that day...and was 'missing.' Easier than explaining it to the parental unit."

-elsewhere-

cassidy: and as you could imagine, i was quite livid afterwards...

Spirit: "Ha! That takes me back...This one time I used my weapon ability to--" *stops, realizing who he's talking in front of* .w.;;;; "...I was a young stupid kid. Emphasis on 'stupid.'"

cassidy: ??

Spirit: "That was before I moved to Death City and started at the DWMA...Then met...him."

cassidy: him being....?

Stein: "May I borrow a cup of sugar?"

Spirit: *LOUD SHRIEK, falls back in his chair*

sachiko: how did you-

Stein: *holds up a spare key* "Thanks for letting me borrow one."

-elsewhere-

lukas: ...saria? are you feeling alright?

Saria: >~< "I-I can't get this recipe right. I've been racking my brain over it--" *head-desk*

lukas:.......are you sure that's the only thing bothering you?

Saria: "...You mean the weapon thing? Or...What?"

lukas: well....i-i dont know, but if you want to talk about anything, you can talk to me. we're partners, right?

Saria: "..." *wipes her eyes* "S-Sorry, I know. Thank you..." *forces a smile*

lukas: of course. now, for the recipe, it's important to determine the key ingredients.

Saria: "Right. Um...Souffle needs cheese...That's a lot of options, though."

-elsewhere-

Yafeu: *thumbing through mail* "???" *opens an envelope, pulling out photos*

preston: ??

Yafeu: "...HOLY MOLEY, JORGE GOT TALL!" *holds up a photo of some children in front of the orphanage*

preston: ah, i see.

Yafeu: "YEP! I HAVEN'T GONE BACK SINCE MR. TLIPOCA PICKED ME UP--TIME FLIES!"

-meanwhile-

Tezca: <Then he fired a shot--right at my head.>

quetzal: <yeowza!> *takes a sip of her yerba mate*

Tezca: <Yep. Of course, I wasn't in it--I used a spare for target practice with him.> *slices up a mango* <Ugh--this always makes my hands break out in hives...>

quetzal: <then why are you still eating it?>

Tezca: <Life is full of suffering to get to things you enjoy...> *nom* <...Thank goodness I wear a mask.>

quetzal: GYAHAHA! <you crack me up, lil man!>

Tezca: <That's one of my many talents--one reason they haven't fired my ass yet...If another Kishin Worshipper gets loose, I think I'll be--> *draws a finger across his neck, imitating slicing off his head*

-elsewhere-

Yukio: *holding a key...shakes a bit before he opens the door, revealing--*

Pheles Manor Maid: "???"

lilum: ....siiiir? you have a visitor.

Mephisto: "Oh, is the mail carrier? I have been waiting days for that delivery of the rare Asakusa variant and-- ..." *chuckles* "My, my, my, this is unexpected~"

Yukio: "...Sir Pheles. I would like a word. Alone."

-elsewhere-

Rin: *dialing* "...Damn it, he's still not answering." *hangs up*

shiemi:....

Rin: "...Shiemi, how about I walk you home--then I can call whenever he gets back to the church or the dorms..."

shiemi:....ok...

Rin: *walks with her* "...I know it's been a weird day, but you've known Yukio long enough--I'm sure he can take care of himself on this..."

shiemi: yeah......

Rin: "...Has he said anything about what he's working on? He keeps running off for lab work."

-elsewhere-

*Deathbucks looks pretty busy...despite the glass window being shattered*

Jacqueline: ._. "Oh, gosh, what happened?"

kim: probably some rude customer or something.

Master: "Welcome." *his arm is bandaged*

DWMA CIA Agent: *staring at Kim*

kim: ..... haha, wow golly, i just LOVE abiding by the law! dont you? ^^;;;;

Jacqueline: ^^; "Yes, indeed..." *awkward shift to a chair*

Harvar: *walks in* "??? What happened--"

CIA Agent: "FREEZE!" *body-slams Harvar*

ox: D8 DUDE! NOT COOL!

Master: -_-# *picks up the Agent by the collar*

Agent: "I HAVEN'T FINISHED INTERRO--"

Master: *throws the Agent out the door*

ox: um...... ._.;;;

Master: "...How about free fries?"

Harvar: @~@ "With ketchup...?"

ox: ok, what in sam hill is going on?!

Master: "We had an upset customer that the DWMA says is related to the Kishin."

kim: !!!

ox: s-seriously?

Jacqueline: "Are you okay? I mean, your arm is injured, but..."

Master: "Just stubbornly refuse to close for the day, so they sent the cops over to 'help.'"

kim: ....screw it, we'll help too.

Jacqueline: *nods*

Harvar: @~@ "Why..."

ox: we'll help too, but first i should get some ice for harvar and make sure he doesnt have a concussion.

Master: "The freezer in the back has some."

-elsewhere-

Amaimon: "Big bro, we're home. Rui came over for snacks."

*looks empty inside*

rui: ??

Amaimon: "Huh...They must be out or something..." *opens a cabinet* "This is where he hides his special cookies...Dig in."

*sounds like murmuring in another room--then a door slam*

rui: !!

Yukio: *storms out, covering his eyes*

Mephisto: "Don't be a stranger, Yu-Yu~"

rui: um....mr okumura?

Yukio: "???" *looks through his fingers* "Oh, Rui...Hello." *looks away from Amaimon* "I-I have an appointment..."

rui: ??

Amaimon: "Why were you visiting Big Bro, little guy?" *nom* "Workplace complaint?"

Yukio: "...Does Stocking know you two are here?"

rui: i dont think she does? why?

Yukio: "...Then you shouldn't be here--leave, before she finds out you came."

rui: um-

Amaimon: "Hey. I invited Rui--this is my home, too." *taps his staff on the ground* *staaaaaaaaares*

Yukio: "...I'll remember this in class." *turns to leave*

rui: oh jeez. .~.;;

Amaimon: "He probably just has low blood sugar." *offers a cookie to Rui*

-elsewhere-

Sansa: *tapping his fingers on the desk, staring at a map* "...I just got a bad feeling about that building, ever since the bar was shown in the city blueprints..."

takigi: hmm....

Tsukauchi: "Then there are the reports about that 'stapled' man." *shows a photo...his skin looks discolored*

officer: freaky.

Sansa: "But lately there has been little action in that building. We even tried thermo readings: if there is anything left in the building, it's likely roaches."

-elsewhere-

*the phone rings at Patchwork Labs*

valentine: hello? patchwork labs, nurse valentine speaking.

Spirit: "GET HIM OUT OF MY HOUSE RIGHT NOW."

Stein: *sitting at Spirit's dinner table*

valentine: -_-;

Spirit: "He's been here all afternoon, flipping through photo albums, taking our snacks--"

Asher: "...What the hell is our teacher doing here?"

Stein: *waves at the kids* "Yo."

izumi: hello dr stein.

Stein: "Hi. I was catching up with your father about the old days. He ever tell you how he got the nickname 'Puddles'?"

izumi: um.... ._.

Asher: "...Go on."

Spirit: "VAL, GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE AND GET HIM OUT."

-elsewhere-

Master: "I appreciate all your help--the customers responded well, especially in light of all the chaos the last day."

*Ox has a set of phone numbers on a notecard*

kim: no problem!

Harvar: *nods*

Jacqueline: "If you need anything, please call us--we're happy to help!"

Master: *nods*

-elsewhere-

Inka: *walking around--and spots Assault* "...Okay, Ritsu, what's his deal? He's been staring at the wall for an hour. Is he still stupid after the head injury?"

ritsu: *shrugs*

Assault: *staaaaaaaare*

{girl: *locked into a steel cage* LET ME OUT! PLEASE! I'LL DO BETTER! REALLY!!}

{Hood: *holds a stick to a fire nearby...walks up to the cage*}

{Boy: *doubled over, freaking out, looking more animal than human...*}

{girl: *sobbing* BROTHER! PLEASE! TELL THEM TO STOP!!}

{Boy: *pant..pant...* "..." *covers his head*}

{Hood: *shoves the stick into the cage--*}

{girl: please! i'll get stronger!! i will! just give me more time!!}

{*her clothes catch on fire*}

{girl: *SCREAMS*}

{Boy: *covers his ears, presses his head into the ground--and lets out an animalistic roar*}

{Hood: *to the others* "Let this be the example. And let us welcome our new brother...Assault."}

{girl: *sobbing* PLEASE DONT LET ME DIE!!}

{*the boy's screaming dies off...he stands...Assault stares blankly at the girl*}

{girl: *SCREAMING*}

Assault: "..." *gets up, walks past Inka--bumps into Ritsu* "...Sorry."

ritsu: it's fine.

Inka: -.- "Still trying to bump into pretty ladies, perv?"

Assault: "..." *keeps walking*

-elsewhere-

Tachihara: *sits at diner table* "Ugh, that could've gone better..." *his sleeve is ripped, he has a black eye* "Dad, can you order me some ice?"

hirotsu: already taken care of.

Waitress: "Okay, some ice, a cola, and some tea for the father and son. And you, ma'am?" *looks at Gin*

gin: raspberry iced tea and a steak.

Tachihara: "Oh, and chicken tenders and onion rings-- ...'Father and son'? Wha?"

hirotsu: thank you, ma'am. *sips his tea*

Waitress: ^^ "You're welcome, handsome. I'll be back with your orders." *leaves*

Tachihara: *thinking...thinking...light bulb!* "I DIDN'T MEAN ANYTHING BY THAT! That was a 'dad' slip!"

gin: sure tachihara, sure.

Tachihara: "SHUT UP, GIN!"

hirotsu: try not to slouch, its bad for your posture.

Tachihara: "Yes, sir." *sits up...then headdesks* "FUCK!"

hirotsu: language.

-elsewhere-

shinra:...huh, apperantly there's been sightings of some kind of creature hiding out near vulcan's place.

Akitaru: "Since he left, he's been trying to update security around the junkyard." *sets out a plate of cookies*

shinra: do you think we should investigate it?

Akitaru: "I would ask Vulcan--he's taking this personally. But he's also exhausting himself, so I think some gentle insistence will be key."

Vulcan: *loud bear snore*

lisa:.....i'll go with.

Akitaru: "You and Shinra will definitely provide muscle. I think you should bring someone else too, though."

shinra: how about viktor? or petra?

Akitaru: *imagine spot...*

{Viktor: *looking through mushrooms while someone jumps Shinra and Lisa from behind*}

{shinra + lisa: ack!}

{Petra: *yelling angrily while Shinra and Lisa cover their ears--and get attacked from behind*}

Akitaru: "...Take Petra."

-elsewhere-

*the sun is setting*

Harvar: *looks over at Ox* "You okay?"

ox: y-yeah...just a bit uneasy...

Harvar: "Was it about what happened at Deathbucks, or something else going on?"

ox: a bit of both i guess.

Harvar: "..." *sighs* "You think maybe you are moving on from Kim or..."

ox:...*sigh* i dont know...

Harvar: *looks at the phone numbers* "You got a lot of digits back there...Maybe you need to get your feet wet."

ox: i guess.

Shinoda: *jogs back into the house* "Hello--guess who just jogged around town? Oh, and I have the mail." *hands it to Setsuna*

setsuna: *looks*

*looks like mail for Mana, Mono, Shotaro, Emine, and Nea*

setsuna: mail call!

nea: oh goodie~!

Shotaro: *runs in on all fours like a dog*

Emine: *shoves Mono aside*

mono: ah! grr, you jerk!!

Shotaro: *rips open his envelope--and a kunai falls out* "???" *picks it up* *sniffs* "?!!"

*Nea's seems to be a box*

nea: oooh~

Shinoda: "Expecting something?"

*Mana also received a box*

mana: *looks*

*looks like a tacky Coney Island photo album with pics of Yoh in it--and a "I Heart LA" shirt*

mana: -_-;

*Mono has an envelope*

mono: *opens it*

*it's...military-style dog-tags?*

mono: !!

{???: "Yohei, Mono--you're on patrol."}

{mono: yes sir!}

{Yohei: "Sure you can see over the fences, squirt?" *hair tussle*}

{mono: >n< of course i can!}

{???: *smiles* "Yeah, yeah, get going, goofballs." *their dog-tags flash in the light* "I'll be back after the R&D meeting."}

Shotaro: "??? Mono? You there? Emine just asked you a question..."

mono: eh?

Emine: *aims a water cannon at Mono* "My new toy arrived in the mail."

mono: >n<##

Tool: *grabs it* "Nope." *tosses it into the backyard* "Take it outside..."

Yohei: *already looking at the dog tags* "..."

chie: .....

Yohei: "...Mono...These numbers..."

mono:.........

-meanwhile...-

Dr. Sasaki: *washing dishes at the cabin*

ManBearFix: *tied to a chair, a bowl of porridge in front of him* -n-

*and someone is outside, looking through the window at Mimeca...*

mimeca:...~?

*they seem to be bleeding...oil?*

mimeca: owo;

*they come to the door--and break through it*

mimeca: OxO;;

ManBearFix: "WHAT THE FUCK?!"

Dr. Sasaki: "..." *wipes her hands, approaches...*

???: *twitching* "Help..."

Dr. Sasaki: *spots robotic limbs on them* "...Bring them to the lab."

mimeca: .w.;;;

ManBearFix: "WHAT?! You're probably just going to rip 'em apart!"

Dr. Sasaki: "Better than a slow death..." *uses an extra arm to grab her med-kit from a shelf*

-elsewhere-

Viktor: *looking at the junkyard from afar with infrared binoculars*

shinra: -_-;

Petra: "...When you said you lived in a junkyard, I didn't realize it would be this level of 'junky.'"

lisa: let's just get this done with...

Viktor: *steps forward--*

*SWIIIIIIIING*

shinra: WOAH!

Petra: "?!!! DUCK!"

*a giant log swinging on ropes is coming towards them*

lisa: almost forgot about that one!

Viktor: "Forgot what--" *standing up with a mushroom--*

*CRACK*

Viktor: *goes flying*

shinra: *winces*

-CRASH-

???: WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?

Petra: "?! I thought the junkyard would be abandoned..."

Viktor: *stuck in the tree, George of the Jungle style*

???: criminy, cant a guy scavenge in peace?!

-it looks to be some sort of possum man?-

shinra: welp, seems we found what we were looking for.

Petra: "??? Huh? Shinra, did you have those talking animals from China follow you?"

shinra: i dont think so.

???: *notices lisa and petra* *ahem* ladies~ *wink*

lisa: -_-#

Petra: "..." *grabs a stick, rolls up a sleeve, aims...*

lisa: alright you sonic the hedgehog looking motherfucker, who the hell are you and why are you here?

???: yikes, hostile much?

Petra: "You better talk fast--you're on someone else's property, and stealing is a sin."

???: alright alright! jeez miss snooty-pants! the names argit, and im just looking for anything worth selling down in sewertown.

shinra: sewertown?

Viktor: *dazed* "Ugh, that place...I hate that shortcut..."

shinra: ??

Petra: "You're not from the Nether, are you?" *tenses up on the stick*

lisa: alright then, 'argit', what exactly do we do with you now?

argit: well i can think of a few things~ hehe~

lisa:..... *TENTACLE SLAP*

argit: YEOW!!

Petra: -_-# "Let's just tie him up and check for other traps."

argit: for the record, no, i dont go near that place. place gives me the willies...

shinra: well this was a waste of time.

argit: rude.

Petra: "Are there others, though? A perimeter search may be worth it."

argit: lady, if there were others here, i would have sniffed them out by now.

Petra: "Really? That nose actually good at sniffing things out? Too bad it didn't clue you in on your own stench, sewer dweller."

argit: HEY! i'll have you know that im not just a pretty face. im also something of a 'dealer' and 'info broker'.

Viktor: *snaps back to attention* O_O; ("AW, CRUD.")

argit: ?? oh, hey vik.

Viktor: OnO#

Petra: "..."

*everyone turns and stares at Viktor*

shinra: how do you know his name? we didnt tell you any of our names!

argit: like i said, im an info broker, i know stuff, shinji.

shinra: it's shinra.

argit: yeah whatever.

Petra: "Yes, real reliable information." *eyeroll*

argit: *to lisa* so sweetcheeks, you related to that octopus girl that was with that creepy bird man?

lisa: ..............

shinra: GIOVANNI?!

argit: yeah, that guy.

Petra: "...I say we torture him."

Viktor: "For information?"

Petra: "That too."

argit: OwO;; aw fuck.

-elsewhere-

"Zack": *hanging up Christmas lights in the old Mafia storehouse* "That look pretty enough?"

hachi: it looks dumb.

riko: it really brightens things up.

"Zack": *sticks out his tongue at Hachi* "I think they're neat!" *grabs one of the poles from the second floor and slides down* "How's the kitchen looking?"

Sheep: *dragging a pressure cooker*

girl: still in progress. *looking at a checklist*

boy: we got the pulley system set up!

*someone's approaching the back door...*

Sentry: *looking through binoculars outside* "!!! We got company..."

girl: !!! *her arms become katana blades*

*the door opens, revealing someone carrying...grocery bags?*

*they pull down a hoodie, revealing a dorky hat and...lifts in their shoes?*

Chuuya: "..."

girl: oh, its just dad. *her arms change back to normal*

Chuuya: -_-# "Stop calling me that."

Sentry: "Did you bring soda, Pops?"

"Zack": "Did you make sure to get gluten-free snacks?"

Chuuya: *hands a bag to Hachi*

boy: thanks for bringing that grammer-phone.

Chuuya: *pulls out a record* " 'Gramophone.' And you're welcome." *hands it over* "Keep the volume low--can't draw more attention here."

boy: oh cool, van halen!

Chuuya: *opens his bookbag, emptying some books and toys* "And I got the medicine."

riko: thanks. we've finished putting the blackout curtains over the windows...

Chuuya: "What about the power generators? They working?"

riko: yeah, tink's been working nonstop.

'tink': *flashes a peace sign*

Chuuya: "Um, right...That just leaves finishing the plumbing."

-elsewhere-

Tachihara: *scribbles something in a notepad, pockets it...* ("...What are you doing, man...") *passes a run-down playground*

boy: pass the ball over here, bro!

Bro: "Here it comes--" *kick*

boy: haha!

Tachihara: "...Hmph." *walks--and the ball hits him in the back of the head, knocking him face-first into the grass*

boy: oh shi- dang!

Bro: ._.; "That one was too hard...Sorry, mister!"

Tachihara: *lifts his head up, bruised* *GROWLS...*

boy: WAH! RUN!! *grabs the ball and makes a break for it*

Bro: *follows*

Tachihara: =n=# *brushes himself off...sits on a swing*

-elsewhere-

Gin: "Kuniko? Have a moment?"

kuniko: yeah? whats up?

Gin: "This may be awkward, but..."

kuniko: ??

Gin: "I...never had a sister growing up, so, um..."

kuniko: and?

Gin: "Umm...DOYOUWANTTOGOOUTFORAGIRLSDAY?" >\\\\<

kuniko: um...ok sure.

Gin: "GREAT! ...What do you like to do?"

kuniko: well, there's a comic and game store i like to hang out at.

Gin: "Oh, that sounds fun. I'd like that."

-elsewhere-

Dr. Sasaki: *speaking into a recorder* "The subject seems to be bionic...I see some damage to the ribcage. Even with self-repairing parameters in his programming, whatever did this to him must have been quite powerful."

*the "subject" is lying in Mimeca's bed*

mimeca: *staaaaaaare*

ManBearFix: *still tied to a chair, rocking himself down the hall, up the stairs--and falls on his bear face* "FUCKING CRAP-APPLES!"

Subject: *bolts up awake, reaches out--and grabs Sasaki by the neck, eyes red*

Sasaki: *CHOKED*

mimeca: D8

Subject: *panting...calms down, releasing his grip* "Wh-Where am I?"

Sasaki: *collapses to her knees, gasping for air*

ManBearFix: *drags himself by the teeth into the room* "Yo, Mimeca! Who's Optimus Prime there?"

mimeca: *goes over to him*

ManBearFix: *looks at Mimeca* "This son of a bitch hurt you?"

mimeca: *shakes head*

ManBearFix: "Good. The doc dead yet?"

Sasaki: *GLARES*

Sasaki: "I was rebooting the subject. He seems to be techno-organic. I was about to log into the prison database to ascertain his identity and see what international police records show--"

ManBearFix: "Oh. It's Luke."

mimeca: *nod nod*

Luke: "...Yes? I'm Luke. I only just learned that after having my memories wiped--"

Sasaki: "How do you know him?"

ManBearFix: "I smashed his ass with a giant robot! I even broke his motherfucking spine!"

mimeca: <w<;;

Luke: "..." *AIMS ALL THE WEAPONS AT MANBEARFIX'S SKULL*

ManBearFix: *covered in red laser dots* .w.;

mimeca: *stands in front of manbearfix, taking on mana's appearance*

Luke: "!!!"

{A series of flashbacks from the Robo Tournament and the I-Island Confrontation}

Sasaki: "...I'm lost."

Luke: "I-I know that feeling..."

ManBearFix: ^^;;;; *picks up Mimeca* "Let's chat--maybe you can tell us what Fear Factory is up to since you left..."

-elsewhere-

*past a bamboo forest is a facility...someone with a distinctive collar around their neck looks at the surroundings*

Scientist with the Collar: "..." *passes a hand over some bamboo*

*guards are patrolling*

"Collar": *gestures to one guard* "I'm just going to the waterfall. Or is that not allowed anymore?"

guard: ??

Guard 2: *shrugs* *speaking Mandarin* *imitates a head exploding*

guard: <right...>

Guard 2: *speaking English* "Go ahead. Be back by the time of your meeting with the Boss."

"Collar": *nods...* *walking away...*

{*Collar is choking on her own blood...*}

{*feathers fall...a toothy grin and mad eyes stare out through the darkness*}

{*a hand is offered to her...*}

Collar: *looking at the waterfall...and a village behind it* "..."

-children are playing with an older gentleman supervising-

Child 1: *waves it*

child 2: <oh cool! let me see!>

*inside are some photos of palm trees and beaches*

Child 1:

-elsewhere-

Kafka: *looking over files with a calculator*

Walter: *playing a game of checkers with the kids*

goethe: *staring up at the ceiling*

Hans: "??? What's wrong?"

goethe:....bored.

Hans: "Oh. S-Sorry. ... I could read to you, if...that would help?"

goethe:....i'd like that.

Hans: "..." *pulls his head to her lap, takes up her book* "'The Chrysanthemum Robe would be resplendent...'"

goethe: =w= *nod nod*

Hans: "'Or so the princess thought. Really, she has never seen the robe, only heard the sweet words of her tailor...'"

goethe: *closes his eyes and smiles, just listening to her speak*

Hans: "'She always wanted to be seen as beautiful, but she was failing to see her own beauty within...'" *strokes his head*

-elsewhere-

iris: *looking out the window*

{sakura: look what i found! *holds up a photo album*}

{Hibana: "Been exploring again, Sakura?"}

{sakura: mhm! and look! *opens the book*}

{rose: is that sumire? she looked so young!}

{Hibana: "HA! Her eyes are still the same!"}

{sumire: oh? ah yes, that takes me back. *smile*}

{rose: who's this next to you?}

{sumire: that's sister Plumeria.}

{Hibana: "???" *looks at Plumeria's face* "...Huh."}

{sumire: she...returned to the flames, a long time ago...}

{Hibana: "..." *frowns* *picks up her chemistry books* *looks down* "???"}

{iris: *staaare*}

{rose: ?? who is this?}

{sumire: this is sister iris. she'll be living with us from now on.}

{iris: ....*looks at the floor*}

{Hibana: "... ... ...OH MY GOSH SHE IS SO ADORBS!" *glomp*}

{iris: !!!! OAO }

{Hibana: "HELLO, NEW SISTER!"}

iris:....*small smile*

shinra: you arent asleep yet?

iris: !! oh!

maki: hey, you're ba- ._.

argit: -__-#

maki: what the fuck is that?

shinra: long story.

Viktor: "I got new chemistry books!" *they are covered in garbage*

Relan: "...I knew it--rat people do exist."

argit: i aint no fuckin rat!

Relan: "EEK!" *pulls back*

Akitaru: "What's all the yelling after curfew?"

maki: looks more like a possum mixed with a porcupine.

argit: you got any booze here?

Takehisa: "Depends on who is asking."

-lisa explains-

nozomi: well, i suppose that solves the mystery then.

argit: yeah yeah, woo-hoo. seriously, is there no fuckin alcohol?

Vulcan: "Checks out, what with the sewer pipeline nearby." *sets out a can in front of Argit--a can of root beer*

argit:.... -_-# what do i look like, a 5 year old?

lisa: you said you had info on giovanni, right? so start talking.

argit: hey, i dont just give out info for free, toots. y'gotta pay up. usually i take cash, but i can think of...hehe...other, payment methods~ *wink*

lisa:..........*PUNCH*

argit: X_< OW!

Vulcan: *takes back the root beer* "Well, you're not getting any of this, you perverted jackass!"

-morning-

Saria: *seated for breakfast, reading through books*

greg: morning, bugbear. ^^

Saria: *small grunt, still reading through the books* "..."

saria's dad: ??? you feeling ok?

Saria: "Hmm?" *looks up* "Oh! ...Sorry. Just trying to read..." *yawns* =-=

greg:....if there's anything bothering you, you can tell us.

Saria: "I-I know...Sorry. I didn't sleep well, and I'm worried about the cooking contest at school, and I can't find the right recipe..."

saria's dad: hey now, even if you dont win, whats important is that you at least tried and had fun, right?

Saria: "I-I worry I'm not trying hard enough..."

greg: oh, saria...*hug* whatever happens, your father and i love you, no matter what.

Saria: "..." *hug* TT~TT

-elsewhere-

shinra: *adjusting his tie*

Akitaru: "We're going to be short on people, and he is one of the few who isn't usually out in the field."

maki:....

Viktor: "Not to worry--if there's an emergency, I know how to call you." *holds up a 1980s cell phone*

-and so…-

Pan: *carrying the casket* "..."

foien:......

juria:......

Takeru: *seated in a wheelchair, his leg stump elevated*

Arthur: *looking serious*

asako: *weeping*

Huang: *pats her shoulder*

Ogun: *inhales* *announces* "Soldiers...Salute." *leads the salute*

gwen: *does so*

shinra: *salutes*

juria:....

Arthur: *salutes*

Takeru: *struggling to lift his arm*

Pan: *holding back tears as he and others carry the casket*

iris: *praying*

Hibana: *watching*

honda: cant believe shinmon didnt show up to at least pay respects. disgraceful.

Hibana: "Typical...I don't think he ever liked Arg recruiting the 7th."

gabriella: commander tennouji isnt here either...although given the current reputation of the 3rd...

Hibana: "...Can't really throw stones about that, either."

honda: in any case, i have a bad feeling about all of this.....

*the pallbearers set the casket down, ready to be lowered...*

shinra:.....*looks around*

*it looks like a lot of Shinra's former classmates are also present for the funeral...quite a gathering from people outside of Death City*

shinra: .....*spots burns and dia*

Burns: *watching the casket...approaches*

shinra: *looks away*

dia:....i see kotatsu isnt here....

Burns: "I'm not surprised."

shinra: *grips fist* (screw you, she's having a tough time enough as it is.......)

Burns: "It's already hard enough for members of the 4th to hold it together...It's time to let him pass."

*someone has set out the dirt to take to toss into the ground*

-elsewhere-

argit: *taps foot* uuuugh, booooring! hey vic, got anything to kill the time?

Viktor: "Want to see my new spores?"

argit: ...i meant something actually fun. what're ya even doing with these bozos anyway?

Viktor: "I was assigned here by Haijima Industries to monitor the 8th in hopes that they could acquire the supernatural power coursing through the feet of Shinra, at which point I could extend my research to the limits of human knowledge to undercover the truth behind SPH and thereby determine how to reverse the potential apocalypses approaching our world as planned by a group of white-cloaked weirdos that plan to turn the Earth into a second sun, killing us all in the glory of their imaginary god. ..." *holds out a bag* "Jelly bean?"

argit: .....sounds like a bunch of loonies.

Viktor: "No kidding." *pulls down a welder mask, grabs a torch*

argit: this is why i dont buy into that crap...you still work with that eyepatch guy?

Viktor: *slaps a hand over Argit's mouth*

argit: !?!?!

Viktor: "Ix-nay on the Oker-jay!"

argit: *muffled* <how come?>

Viktor: "No one here knows I know that guy!"

argit: <so? you and i are the only ones here!>

Viktor: "So the walls can have ears! And what if Tamaki heard?"

argit: who?

Viktor: "The girl in the bedroom?"

argit: oh.

Viktor: "Yeah--so button your...are these technically lips?"

argit: ..more of a snout, really.

Viktor: "Then button your snout." *lets go*

-elsewhere-

Haumea: *crosses out a photo of Arg*

ritsu: what's our next move?

Haumea: *holds up photos of Burns and Akitaru* "Tease out the next Pillar..."

-elsewhere-

Benedetto: *picks up a stick swings it* "En garde!"

edouard: >~<;;

Cervantes: "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" *runs up, leans down...and adjusts Bene's posture* "Like this. That is how to strike the enemy!"

Dumas: -_-# *sets out a children's book*

marquis: they seem to be having fun. ^^

Dumas: "I wish it was quieter..." *looking through the books* "How about this one?"

-elsewhere-

Axel: "--then I heard he threw up."

preston: heavens!

Asher: "Hmph. What'd he think would happen?"

Yafeu: "IT WAS FOR PRIDE! HE COULD HAVE WON THAT CONTEST!"

izumi: what's going on?

Asher: "Zeke started talking about worst 'go to the infirmary' stories."

izumi: oh jeez.

Yafeu: "YOU EVER SEE SOMEONE'S THUMB BEND THE WRONG WAY?"

izumi: ._.

-elsewhere-

Akitaru: *sits down...*

Death the Kid: ((Honda, pouring drinks for the commanders))

honda: *pours him a drink*

Akitaru: "Th-Thanks..."

Burns: *studying Akitaru*

Hibana: *holds out her glass* "Think Ko Paat can handle the commander job?"

honda: i think so. he sure knows how to keep his students in line, thats for sure.

Hibana: "...Was Arg in his right mind towards the end? I mean, the talk about seeing Hell and all..."

honda: hard to say....

Huang: "If the school is to continue to function, it will need support from the other brigades. Those present, anyway."

-in another room-

nozomi: h-hey ogun....how are you holding up?

Ogun: "...Just trying to keep it together, you know?"

nozomi: that's understandable.....i-if there's anything i can do to help at all....

Ogun: *nods* *forces a smile* "Th-Thanks...Glad to know there's someone to talk to."

shinra: we're here for you, man. *offers fist bump*

Ogun: "..." *bump*

Arthur: *spots someone*

iris:......!! i know! we should have a party!

shinra: a party?

iris: *nods*

shinra: good idea! we could watch movies, play games, eat snacks!

Ogun: "Heh...That could help..."

Arthur: *approaches Gwen*

gwen: ..........

Arthur: "Hey."

selim:.....hiiiiiiii.....*griiiiiiin*

gwen:.....*tearing up*

Arthur: *offers a tissue*

gwen: *hugs him* i dont want to do this anymore!! *sobbing*

Carin: *glaring at Selim* "Can you not wipe that stupid grin off your face..."

Arthur: "..." *hug, pat pat*

selim:.....*head tilt*

Carin: "The Commander is dead, and the Captain--er, new Commander--Feh, whatever. What a shitshow..."

gwen: so many people keep dying! morgan....the commander....im so scared! i dont want anyone else to die!!

Arthur: "..." *nods* "I know. It's a reality of life..."

juria: *leaning against a wall, away from everyone else*

Kishiri: *standing with Vivian* "Asako is really taking it hard."

vivian: hnnn~ i really wish i knew how to help! maybe trip to the hot springs?

tao: warm food always helps me feel better!

Kishiri: "Sound good...When my granny died, it was a family trip we took..."

vivian: awww, torry!

juria: tch- i dont get why everyone's being all weepy about this. the old fart was gonna kick the bucket sooner or later.

Kishiri: *frowns* "He was murdered--that's pretty tragic, though.”

juria: ....

*seems Pan is not here...*

tao: ?? where is your new commander, miss oni?

juria: how the fuck would i know?

Yumi: *walking through a hall...spots Pan alone in his office* "???"

pan: ....oh, mrs death. salutations...

Yumi: "Hello. I wanted to thank you for the eulogy you delivered today."

pan: of course...*sigh*

Yumi: "...I also wanted to say that you have Death City's full support. The 4th has been an important institution for up and coming firefighters."

pan: right....im glad the DWMA has helped us out as well.

Yumi: "If you need anything, you have our number...I am sorry for your loss. I know it can't be easy."

pan:...you know, a part of me has always wanted to be a commander...i just didnt think it would be like this.

Yumi: "..." *takes a seat* "He was commander for a long time. Since you joined the 4th?"

-elsewhere-

tamaki:.........*stomach gurgles* .....*sits up and exits her room, with the blanket around her*

Viktor: *talking in the kitchen* "--then the watermelon went--" *moves his hand like a rocket flying through the air* "--SPLAT!"

argit: ha!

Viktor: *opens the fridge* "Want another one?" *looks into the hall* "Oh, hey, Tamaki."

tamaki:...hungry....*goes to get some cereal*

Viktor: *pulls out the milk carton* " 'Kay. Argit and I are going to work on something in the backyard."

argit:....so is he like a hikky-somethin?

tamaki: *walks over to the table....but trips on the blanket and falls, hitting her head on the edge of the table and gashing herself a bit* ......*whimpers*

argit: HA!

Viktor: "??? Oh boy..." *helps her up*

tamaki:....*her forehead is bleeding*

Komori: *walks in* "..."

argit:.....how many people you got hiding here, vic?

Viktor: "Quite a bit--we got a lot of space here."

Komori: *writes* <Tamaki, your forehead is bleeding. Let's bandage you up.>

tamaki:...*whimpers and nods, weeping*

Komori: *stares at Argit* "..."

argit: jeez, what a fuckin crybaby.....the fuck you lookin at?

Komori: <An asshole.>

argit: D8<

Viktor: ^^; "Let's all take a deep breath and calm down..."

Komori: <Is that your nose, or did a truck run over your face?>

argit: you callin' me roadkill, bitch?!

Komori: <I'm calling you a bitch, bitch.>

argit: OH THAT DOES IT! *fires quills at her*

*SWOOSH*

*quills diverted--and pin Viktor by the shirt into the wall*

Komori: "..."

Viktor: Q_Q;

argit: ...well shit.

Komori: <Insult my patient again, and the damage will be so severe you'll be thankful I am your doctor.>

argit:...*crosses arms and pouts* *grumble grumble*

Komori: *nod* *guides Tamaki*

-elsewhere-

misaki: *walking through the graveyard* .....

*a crow has landed in a tree behind*

misaki:......*takes a seat*

Crow: "CAW!"

misaki:....why hello. *pulls something from her bag* would you like some bread? i was going to have this for lunch, but i probably dont need it.

Crow: "..." *flies down, lands at her feet* "..." *head tilt* *small caw*

misaki: *small smile* it must be nice to be a bird. you dont have to worry about things like fitting in or social status....you probably have plenty of friends with similar interests as you, so you probably never feel lonely......look at me, talking to animals about my problems. ^^;

Crow: *pecking at the bread*

*SNAP*

misaki:...!!

*it sounded like a twig being stepped on...*

misaki: h-hello?

Crow: "...CAW!" *flies at something behind the tree*

misaki: ah-

*CRACK*

Crow: *flies away...with a very long stick*

misaki: .....you probably have a family to go back to.....*sad smile* maybe they're right about me....im not meant to fit in with regular people....

Pumpkin: *behind the tree--missing an arm now* -_-### *holds his fingers in his other hand...and snaps them*

Crow: "ACK--"

*the arm swings back, knocking the Crow down*

misaki: ah!! *runs over*

Crow: *lands in the grass, dazed* @^@ "CAW?"

misaki: you poor thing. you arent hurt, are you?

Pumpkin: *the arm-stick is attracted back to his other hand, as he re-attaches it* "Damn winged monstrosities..."

Crow: *stands up, wobbling slightly...looks dazed*

misaki: *checking for any injuries*

*seems to be fine*

Crow: *flaps wings while on the ground*

misaki: *sigh*

Crow: "...CAW!" *flies at the tree again...*

Pumpkin: "Pain in the--?!!!"

Crow: "CAW!" *claws at Pumpkin's face*

misaki: ah! *runs over* wait!

Pumpkin: *knocked down* "AH!!" *swinging his arms*

misaki: !!! oh goodness!

Pumpkin: *freezes* ._.

Crow: *freezes* "..." *pecks once more at Pumpkin, before landing on Misaki's shoulder*

misaki: *reaches a hand out* are you alright?

Pumpkin: "..." *backs up*

misaki: i-it's alright, im not going to hurt you.

Pumpkin: "..." *silent, just staring*

misaki: *smiles* my name is misaki. what's yours?

Pumpkin: "What? Wait for what?"

misaki: i- uh..um.. w-well...

Pumpkin: "...Hmph." *he looks worse for wear after the crow attack*

misaki: i-if i said or did anything to upset you at all, im very sorry. im not...very good at talking to others.

Pumpkin: "...I've noticed."

misaki:....im sorry. i'll just go home now...

Pumpkin: "Wait!"

misaki: *looks back*

Pumpkin: "...Pumpkin."

misaki: ??

Pumpkin: "...Lord Pumpkin."

misaki: i see....it's nice to meet you, lord pumpkin. *smiles*

Pumpkin: "...You are by yourself."

misaki: ??

Pumpkin: "I've seen you...alone..."

misaki: oh....well, i dont have many friends. i mean, yes, i do talk to some people at school, but i dont feel particularly close to any of them...

Pumpkin: "You're here often. Because..."

misaki: ...my parents are buried here...

Pumpkin: "...I gathered as much...How..."

misaki:...they died in a car crash.

Pumpkin: "...I see."

misaki:.....

Pumpkin: "I'm...sorry."

misaki: i-it's fine. im used to it.

Pumpkin: "It's not..."

misaki: ??

Pumpkin: "...fair."

misaki:.....are you alone?

Pumpkin: "?! What?"

misaki: s-sorry! i-i mean- w-what i was trying to say was-

Pumpkin: "I-I'm--"

misaki: do you have a family?

Pumpkin: "...No longer."

misaki: ....oh...

Pumpkin: "..." *nods*

misaki:.....do you have anywhere to stay?

Pumpkin: "And you...?"

misaki: i live not too far from here. *points toward the woods* my family's home is that way....

Pumpkin: "...So, a neighbor of sort."

misaki: are you staying somewhere close by?

Pumpkin: "..." *nods*

-elsewhere-

*in the DWMA library*

Saria: >~< *carrying a tall stack of books*

*looks like someone else is also walking with books, coming from the other direction...*

genny: you sure you dont need extra help with that?

Saria: "No, no, I'm okay... *grunt* Just need one more book around the corner--"

*bump*

Saria: "EEK!"

*books go flying*

genny: YIPE!!

Poe: "EEP!" *his stack of books falls, one hitting him on the head*

genny: s-sorry!

Poe: "I-I'm sorry!"

Saria: "No, I am! I wasn't looking!" .~.; *gathering her books* "Sorry, Mr. Poe..."

Poe: *gathers his books* "Quite alright...I have to hurry and get these to the Occult Club." *runs off with his books...including one cookbook*

Saria: *picks up books, including one by Sterling Rodgers: 'Serving Others'*

genny: um...

Saria: "Huh...This wasn't on my list?" *flips through* "Oh! Look at this recipe!" *it looks like a cheesecake dish*

genny: *looks*

*the table of contents show quiche, muffins, an appendix of herbs*

genny: hmm.....

Saria: "..." *smiles* "I got a good feeling about this one!" *gathers the stack* "I can't wait to try it! Let's go!" *runs to the check-out desk*

-elsewhere-

Poe: "Hello! Sorry! I was late--all that paperwork for the rare volumes." *sets them down* "I think this is all of them. Let's see...'Bohme's Masonry,' 'Lesser Key of Solomon,' 'Mrs Kiel's Rustic Home Cooking'-- ... ... ..." ._. *flips through the last one* "...Jeepers. This _is_ spooky..."

rowena: *looks* ._. oh...oh dear....i think there might have been a slight error. ^^;

Poe: *flips through his notepad* "Let's see...Yes, this one was not on the list. Hmm...Which one is missing?"

alice:.....i am kind of hungry...

-elsewhere-

asako:.............

Goldie: "..." *hops onto the bed*

asako:....*hug*

Goldie: *nuzzle, sympathetic growl*

-elsewhere-

Meme: "It is so easy getting lost around here--it's like Death City, only more European."

mio: no kidding. even japan felt like a labyrinth to get through...

Meme: "Yeah! But we got through it, and we'll get through this!"

*ZOOM OUT, revealing they are lost in an alley*

Meme: "...Soon enough."

-elsewhere-

#death city days

0 notes

elliotthezubat · 4 years ago

Text

DEATH CITY DAYS 121

someone give these kids a fucking break

[[cont from part 120]]

Patty: "..." *looks down at the ground* "..."

liz: patti?

Patty: "Sis..." *looks up, tears in her eyes*

liz: !?

-elsewhere-

???: "You loose woman. You insult me."

tamaki: *groans*

???: "You have a lot of nerve to model yourself after me."

tamaki: what? hello?

*a giant cat's eye, on fire, looks down at her*

tamaki: GAH!! *panting* ......

*there's a cracked mirror from this underground mall, reflecting her image back at her*

tamaki:.........*winces* o-ow.....*weeps* i never....asked for this.....

*in front of her is a mannequin, knocked down, with a jacket on it*

tamaki:.....*takes the jacket and puts it on* t-takeru?

*outside...is a bloodbath...it looks like someone exploded in here*

tamaki: takeru? takeru?! take-

Takeru: *collapsed, back against the wall, bleeding out...his right arm is severed*

tamaki: !!! h-hold on! w-we'll stop the bleeding-

Takeru: "Tamaki...Stop. I can't move...I can't feel my leg...Is it gone?"

tamaki: *looks*

*it looks like his foot was taken off...*

tamaki:....w-we're getting you out of here-

Takeru: *laughs* "No...I'm too big to carry. You need to go on."

tamaki: dont be stupid! t-there's people still waiting for you!

Takeru: "...Tamaki...I'm glad you witnessed...You can tell the others what I did...Mom...Dad...Patty...Hajiki...Honda...Hito...I wish I could see them...and the farm..." *crying* "I'll have to be satisfied here...a potato in the dark..."

tamaki: you're not a potato, you're human, dammit!

Takeru: "..." *he's not moving...the jacket he has on looks lifeless...*

tamaki:...no....i cant....let someone else die.....i cant.......why cant i do anything?

*chittering*

tamaki:....

*a horde of Zom-fernals emerges...including a headless Hajiki*

tamaki:.......*flame tails, dead eyes* .....

Zom-fernal!Hajiki: *tongue slaps out as it lets out a roar, rushing at Tamaki*

-elsewhere-

Petra: "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust--"

*SHOT*

Petra: "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust--"

*BANG BANG*

Petra: >_<# "ASHESTOASHESDUSTTO--"

Takigi: *bang bang at every Infernal* "I'm up to 14."

Petra: "THIS ISN'T A COMPETITION, YOU JERK!"

Takehisa: *curves one bullet to take out 5 in a row* "...Ratomu."

soldier: what the hell are these things??

Takehisa: "If I hazarded a guess, these are the reanimated remains of fallen soldiers and explorers, controlled by that one Hood with the ability to resurrect the dead as multi-core Infernals. Only she didn't bother combining them again--how odd."

Takigi: "ODD?! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU FREAKS IN THE 8TH ENCOUNTER ON A DAILY BASIS?!"

zom-fernal: GUOOOOO!!!

Takigi: "!!!" *shoots at it*

Petra: *hides behind a pillar, clutching her book* "D-Damn..."

Takigi: "...Hinawa. Have you kept Maki safe?"

Takehisa: "..."

{Takehisa: "Maki, get in front and block the oncoming attack."}

{maki: got it!}

{*the fireballs come at Maki, looking like screaming skulls*}

{maki: HYAH!}

Takehisa: "Of course I have. I've positioned her as our human shield to cover us."

Takigi: "... ... ..."

*Takigi's brain imagines something completely different*

Takigi: "YOU'RE TREATING MY SISTER LIKE A PIECE OF MEAT?!!!"

Petra: "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, FOCUS ON US NOT DYING, YOU TWITS!"

zom-feral: *charges at them*

Petra: *screams, tries to crawl away--*

Takehisa: *fires at the Zom-fernal*

Takigi: "Shit!" *grabs Petra by the habit, shoving her behind the pillar*

Petra: "WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GRABBING!" *shoves him*

Takehisa: "Please, focus."

Petra: "I WAS JUST SAYING THAT TO YOU!"

Takigi: "It's your fault! How dare you talk about my sister in such prurient ways!"

Takehisa: "???"

-BWOOOOOM-

*a flame engulfs the entire station--and those still there--*

Takehisa: "?!!!"

petra: w-what the hell?

Takigi: *has dispersed the flame with just the swipe of his hand* *looks around...there are charred corpses everywhere*

petra: what- what did you-

Takigi: "I used my pyrokinetic ability. Duh. Shouldn't you be used to this kind of thing..." *staring at the remains*

petra: actually, im a newer recruit. the 8th needed more nuns, so i joined along with rita.

Takigi: "That's it? No better reason for throwing in with these weirdos?"

petra:.....

{young!petra: grandpa, could you show me the clock again?}

Takehisa: "Even with this shield, I can't see through the remaining flames--"

*a giant metal hand wraps around his neck, slamming him into a nearby pillar*

petra: captain!!

Takigi: *fires shots at the giant man*

???: FOOL! do you have any idea who i am?!

-WHACK-

petra: GRK-

*Takehisa is swung at Takigi and Petra, crashing into them*

Takehisa: *tries to get up, scurries away behind a pillar while firing*

Takigi: "Run!"

???: GRAHAHAHA! YOUR PUNY BULLETS WONT AFFECT ME, SURFACE TRASH!! FOR I AM THE INPENETRABLE, IMPERMEABLE, IIIIIIIIIIIIIRRRRROOOOOOOON!!!!

Takehisa: *firing more shots* "I thought only dumb knights like Arthur shout out their names..."

-elsewhere-

Arthur: *slices an Infernal apart--then sneezes--and his swing slices through another one*

-elsewhere-

iron: BWAHAHAHA! your shots are nothing more than a mere mosquito bite to me!

Takehisa: "Incredible--our bullets did no damage to their skin or armor."

Takigi: *shielding against Iron's flames* "Get behind me--I'm not done interrogating you about my sister."

petra: *holding her forehead* nghh...d-damn...

Takehisa: *gulps* *keeps firing at Iron*

iron: HEHEHE! THAT TICKLES! UROOOOOGH!!

-elsewhere-

*a corpse lies on the ground*

shinra: *panting* (come on shinra, get it together! now isnt the time to panic!) *peeks from behind an old snack booth* (are they still alive?)

*it doesn't look like anyone is moving...*

shinra: *tries to steady his breathing*

{Konro: *eyes closed in meditation...then he opens them* "Shinra, your breathing is a little shallow. Something on your mind?"}

{shinra: yeah, you could say that...}

{Konro: "That's fine--every thought you have is something you can't ignore. In the battlefield, you can't afford to ignore anything. But rather than push away these thoughts..."}

{shinra:.....}

{*an image comes to Shinra's mind, a feather, like the kind when fighting Sho--*}

{Konro: "Touch it, like a feather..."}

{shinra: !!}{Konro: "??? Something wrong?"}

{shinra: n-nothing...just thinking...}

{Konro: *smiles, nods* "Well, back to work?"}

{shinra: y-yeah...}

*something is near Shinra...*

shinra: !!!

*it's a centipede crawling on his shoulder*

???: "Found you."

shinra: YOU!!

*something slashes through the snack booth, tossing candy bars everywhere--a pincer, that moves to stab at Shinra*

shinra: GRK-

*the pincer keeps slashing at Shinra...it's dark in here*

shinra: SHOW YOURSELF, GIOVANNI!

*The good doctor steps out, lit by a broken ceiling lamp*

Giovanni: "It is good to see you again, Shinra Kusakabe."

shinra: you had your hand in this, didnt you?

Giovanni: " 'A hand'?" *laughs* "Shinra, I put my entire body into all that I do."

shinra: *CHARGES AT HIM*

Giovanni: *BLOCKS*

shinra: you piece of shit, we arent just going to sit back and let you turn this planet into a sun!

Giovanni: "Oh, I'm sure you won't--not when there's still your brother to retrieve."

shinra: *growls* WHERE'S SHO?!

2nd Company Soldier: "Kusakabe!" *runs towards Shinra* "Thank goodness I found--"

*STAB*

shinra: !!

*it's...a bug's leg that stabbed into the Soldier...and it's coming off of Giovanni!*

shinra: what...the hell even are you?

Giovanni: "I am the next step in evolution."

Soldier: *screaming*

soldier 2: what the hell is that?!

soldier 3: oh hell no, i did NOT sign up for this bullshit!

Soldier 4: *fires shots at Giovanni*

Giovanni: *leaps, crawling on the ceiling like a roach*

shinra: look out!

Giovanni: *stabs a pincer into Soldier 2's neck*

soldier 2: GKR- *collapses*

Giovanni: *sends his pincer at Soldier 3--*

-BLOCK-

shinra: *GLARE*

Giovanni: *laughs* "I see my new eyes can't keep up with your legs."

shinra:...everyone, get to safety!

Giovanni: "Worry about your own safety." *something slithers out of Giovanni's neckline*

shinra: ????!!!!

Giovanni: "How do you like my coremata? Found in numerous insects, it detects pheromones released by humans. It helps me predict human movements and even emotions."

Giovanni: "MARVELOUS, IS IT NOT?! THESE INSECTS, THAT ARE REALLY ALIENS FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION--"

shinra: im not here to hear about your scy-fy channel original feature lectures!

Giovanni: "Hmph." *strikes with more pincers*

-elsewhere-

Arthur: *stands atop a mound of Zom-Fernals* "As your monarch, I will protect you, my subjects!"

heckler: you alright?

Heckler's Assistant: Q_Q "We need to retreat!"

Arthur: "..." *STUNNED* "And now, as your king--I must abandon you." *runs away*

heckler: D8

Heckler's Assistant: "WHAT THE FUCK?!"

Zom-Fernal: *stares, confused as well* "WAH?"

heckler:...soldiers, im giving a new order; RUN FOR YOUR LIIIIIIFE!!!

Heckler's Assistant: "?!!! EEEK!" *picks up a shovel, slicing the Zom-Fernal's head off*

Zom-Fernal's Head: -_____- *lands in a soldier's hands*

-elsewhere-

Giovanni: "How disappointing--you fell into our trap. If you were my student, you would've seen this coming."

shinra: *kicking at him*

Giovanni: "You still can't even land one hit on me--" *strikes a pincer--*

*SLICE*

Giovanni: *screams, retracting his sliced pincer*

shinra: what?

Arthur: "Fear not, Demon--the King has returned."

shinra: how did you get here so fast?!

Arthur: "I cut ties with my subjects and abandoned them like so much dead weight."

shinra: SOME KING _YOU_ ARE!

Arthur: "They're probably fine."

-elsewhere-

Heckler's Assistant: "THAT MOTHERFUCKING LITTLE TWIRP!" *slamming a shovel against another Zom-Fernal*

-elsewhere-

Arthur: *looks* "...Wait, it's him again?"

shinra: he's a persistant son of a bitch, that's for sure

Giovanni: *chuckles* "Well, well...This just improved my situation."

-elsewhere-

Takehisa: *BANG BANG BANG*

iron: UROOOOOGH!!!

Takehisa: "Takigi, Petra, get back--"

-SLAM-

Takehisa: *groans, slammed by Iron into another pillar*

Takigi: "Unbelievable..." *tries to get in front of Iron*

iron: HUUUUOOOOOGH!!

Takigi: *swings his arm, dispersing Iron's latest blast*

Takehisa: *uses the distraction to fire more shots at Iron's shoulders*

iron: BWAHAHA! useless! useless useless useless useless!

Takehisa: "I'm surprised--they're bulletproof."

Takigi: "Really? What was your first clue? Either your aim is bad, or you're slow to figure that out. Or maybe it's your eyesight. After all, you couldn't see how unqualified Maki was for the job you recruited her for."

Takehisa: "..."

petra: !!! how dare-

-PRSSSSST-

iron: MARTENSITE!

Takehisa: "That's it--a 3rd-generation..."

petra: captain?

iron: FOOL! this suit isnt the _only_ thing made of iron!

Takigi: "Yeah, like that thick head of yours..."

iron: WHAAAAAT?!

Takigi: "I said you probably have nothing between your ears except scrap metal, you dumb, stupid neanderthal."

iron: YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT, LITTLE MAN! MARTENSITE!

Takigi: *ducks*

petra: i think his ability is heating up iron and then cooling it down, increasing the toughness.

Takigi: "Incredible--Hinawa, I do not understand how the 8th gets dragged into facing such freaks and monsters!"

Takehisa: "Fighting monsters is part of firefighting."

Takigi: "ON WHAT PLANET IS THAT 'NORMAL' FOR A FIREFIGHTER TO FACE THIS--THIS THING?!"

petra: this seems fairly average by death city standards.

Takigi: "NO ONE WAS ASKING YOU, SISTER!"

iron: TAKE THIS! UOOOOOOGH! *FLEXES*

Takigi: "?!!!" *tries to dodge*

Takehisa: "Maki knew what she was getting into when she joined the Fire Force." *BANG BANG BANG*

iron: FUTILE! MY BODY IS INVINCIBLEEEE!!! *flexes more*

petra:....i really didnt need to see this today. -_-;

Takigi: -______- "Hinawa...How dare you subject my sister to all of this. I don't know what she sees in you."

Takehisa: "??? What do you mean? She saw an organization committed to protecting the lives of others."

Takigi: "Bullshit! I know Maki, and she is not someone who gets her hands dirty in a fight! She's my sister, and she is a sweet, gentle girl who would never get involved in this kind of a mess!"

Takehisa: "..."

{Arthur: "SAVE ME FROM THIS OGRE!"}

{Viktor: "SHE JUST SMASHED A HOLE THROUGH THE WALL!"}

{maki: WHO ARE YOU CALLING A GORILLA OGRE CYCLOPS!?!?}

{Vulcan: *filming this* "Oh, shit--she's going to do the pile-driver..."}

{Takehisa: "... ... ..." *staring*}

{Takehisa!Vision Maki: *bishie sparkles--as she wrecks Arthur*}

{Arthur: *PAINFUL SCREAMS*}

Takehisa: "I assure you: there is _nothing_ gentle about your sister."

Takigi: "?!!! ARE YOU CALLING MY SISTER SOME ONE-EYE GORILLA CYCLOPS?!!!!!"

petra: they _are_ related....

Takehisa: "Uncanny."

Takigi: "Firefighters are supposed to save lives--but all the 8th does is rush into battle half-cocked! You just put people's lives at risk!"

Takehisa: *flinches*

petra: the 8th may have their odd quirks to them, but at least they arent whiny pretty boys with sister complexes!

Takigi: "?!!! H-How dare you! And I have a girlfriend!"

petra: somehow im inclined not to believe you.

Takigi: *swipes his hand, shielded off another flame* "With all due respect, Sister, you and the rest of these 8th Brigade Barbarians can go fuck yourself--and stay away from my family!"

petra: WHY DONT _YOU_ STOP BEING A CLOSEMINDED BRAT AND PULL YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS?!

Takigi: "Fuck you! You in the 8th just care about fighting, fighting, fighting--"

Takehisa: "That's not true at all."

Takigi: ??!!

Takehisa: "Yes, many of us are battle-hungry...We've had to see those close to us die. But there are those of us who have other goals. Look at Petra. She wants to put the dead to rest. We may have different reasons for being here, but we are united by the common cause to protect others. That is what the 8th is for. And you should know that."

Takigi: "...I know. I know you lie. You are animals. You resort to violence. Have you seen how the other brigades treat you misfits? If you didn't have Hibana covering your ass, if you didn't have those culturally backwards Asakusa savages with you, you'd be the laughingstock of this city. A bunch of misfits in some dilapidated cathedral because you--are--all--a--bunch--of--animals--"

iron: RGGGGGGGH ENOOOOUGH! YOU _DARE_ IGNORE ME?!?!

Takehisa: "?!! Move!" *pushes Takigi and Petra back*

iron: TAKE THIS! MARTENSITE ULTRA!!

Takigi: *shields from flames again* "Even your opponents are monotonous. I was right to take Maki away from this hellhole."

petra: well arguing among ourselves is getting us nowhere, we need a plan.

Takehisa: *studying Iron's body* "...Right. I'll keep shooting at it." *BANG BANG BANG*

Takigi: "That's a plan?!"

iron: FOOL! I AM INVINCIBLE!!

*SWIIIIIIIIISH...*

iron: *SCREAMS OUT*

Takehisa: "...Well. Your body may be--but not your joints. Obviously those would be weaker as you strengthen the rest of your body."

Takigi: "... ... ...OH, COME ON!"

iron: *ANGRISH*

Takehisa: "I suspected so earlier, so I focused my shots on your joints until they weakened. You are finished, you villain."

iron: THIS IS NOT OVER! YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE LAST OF IR-

petra: oh shove off. *walks away*

Takigi: "This was so stupid..."

iron: DONT YOU WALK AWAY FROM ME!! RRRRRGH! *SCREAM-CRYING*

Takehisa: "...You're a looney."

-elsewhere-

tamaki: *tail whipping zom-fernals* ashes to ashes........return to the great flame.....ratomu....

Zom-fernals: *one falls, and another rises...*

Takeru: *not moving...*

tamaki: ....*tail whip*

*footsteps*

tamaki:......*glances*

*More Purple Smoke goons, their heads covered with hoods, stand at the end of the tunnel...*

tamaki: oh....so there's more of you, huh?

Purple Smoke: "...Wait...Where is Orochi?"

tamaki: who?

Purple Smoke: "...No...No, no way. She would've defeated someone like you. Where is she?"

tamaki:....over there....a little over there too....she went out pretty badly...hehe... *looks at them with a broken smile, her eyes dull and lifeless*

Purple Smoke: "..." *shoots a scorpion flame tail at her*

tamaki: he....hehehehe....

*The tail stabs at Tamaki--but disperses upon contact*

Purple Smoke: "?! Flame-proof skin? Is it a shield?"

tamaki: .....

Purple Smoke: "Well, if fire won't avenge Orochi..."

tamaki: *lunges at him*

Purple Smoke: *throws off his cloak, scorpion tail aimed at her*

tamaki: *CLAWS AT HIM*

Sasori: *dodges, before delivering a fist towards her face*

tamaki: *she hardly even flinches*

Sasori: "?!" ("What the hell is wrong with her?") *strikes his scorpion tail to her back*

*someone flies by--his head colliding into Sasori's ribs*

Sasori: *coughs up blood--before he's knocked into the tunnel's wall*

Honda: "I AM HERE--"

tamaki: ??

*CLANG*

Honda: *his head is stuck in the tunnel's wall* "--TO HEAD-BUTT HOODED SCUM!"

Akitaru: "Tamaki!" *running up to them*

hito: juggernaut! *runs over to takeru*...he's passed out.

iris: *opening her medkit*

Vulcan: "Jeez, Tamaki...Impressed you're still standing."

tamaki: .........

Akitaru: "Good work, soldier--but you need to sit this one out and recuperate."

Vulcan: *takes out his own med-kit for her*

tamaki:.....i couldnt do a thing.....i did all i could....but i still failed.....

Honda: *has dislodged himself from the tunnel...his forehead still marked up* "Juggernaut...Sister Iris, how bad is it?"

iris: his leg and hand are gone, but he's still breathing...

Honda: "Oh dear..."

*suddenly, something shoots out of the tunnel--aiming for Hito's head*

hito: *dodges, half of her bangs getting sliced* shit!

*it's the scorpion's tail, swinging wildly before--*

Akitaru: *grabs the flame tail with gloved hands* "Jeez!"

Sasori: "WHAT DID YOU DO TO OROCHI?! SHE IS NOT SO WEAK TO FALL TO SOME SCRAWNY NAKED FREAK!"

Honda: "Hmph. Little boy, the Hoods are too weak before the power of a united Fire Force. Now go cry home to Mommy."

tamaki: why do _you_ care?

Sasori: "BECAUSE SHE BEAT ME, AND I WILL BEAT YOU!" *swings his tail--but Akitaru is not letting go* "You! Commander Obi! You are on our hit list, so I might as well end you now!"

Akitaru: -_-; "Lucky me..."

Honda: *steps up--*

Vulcan: *holds out an arm* "Hang on, sir."

Honda: "???"

Sasori: "What can some flame-less gorilla do against the power of the Hoods?!" *striking at Akitaru*

Akitaru: "I think I can handle some scrawny scorpion..."

Sasori: "ONLY THE KNIGHTS WILL LIGHT UP THE SHADOWS OF THE NETHER!"

*Sasori engulfs Akitaru in flames*

Akitaru: *completely on fire*

Honda: "!!!"

Vulcan: *checks his watch*

hito: !!!

Sasori: *cackling* "Now your body and soul will dissolve into the ashes, returned to the earth--"

Akitaru: "..." *marches forward, while on flames*

Sasori: "?!!! St-Stay back!" *shoots tail after tail at Akitaru--*

Akitaru: *dodges each one--before a giant flaming hand wraps its fingers around Sasori's neck*

Sasori: "GRK!"

hito: !!!

Akitaru: *loud gorilla roar--before he slams Sasori's head down on--no, _into_ the pavement*

Honda: O_O

Purple Hood 2: *has been standing back this entire time* "..." *drops their knife, and runs like hell* MOMMYYYYYYY!!!

Honda: "HEY, YOU--GET BACK HERE!" *leaps*

hito: h-how is he-

Vulcan: *stops his watch* "I see the new jacket worked, sir!"

hito: *sweatdrop* the 8th is really something else....

Akitaru: *pulls off the jacket, still on fire* *pants, wiping sweat* "Y-Yeah, it worked--but it's so hot under that! Can you install some cooler interior lining?" *spots Tamaki* "..." *takes the other jacket off under the still on-fire one, and drapes it over her*

tamaki:.....it's all my fault....hajiki died.....takeru's hurt.....i....i cant protect anyone.....

Akitaru: "Hey...You're alive, aren't you?"

tamaki: WHAT'S THE POINT IF PEOPLE DIE PROTECTING ME?! *she's shaking*

Akitaru: "..."

Honda: *calling into his radio* "All members of the 2nd and 8th--this is Honda. I am ordering an immediate retreat."

-elsewhere-

ritsu: ah, such sweet little babies, soon, the infernal parade to hell will be paying death city a little visit, fufufu~<3

-elsewhere-

rita: *following viktor, running*

Viktor: *panting* "Y-You know what? I used to _hate_ running! The kids at school always made fun of how I moved in PE! But you know what? IF IT MEANS I DON'T DIE, I DON'T GIVE A FUCK IF I RUN LIKE A CHICKEN!"

Zom-fernal: "RAWROOOOOOO"

rita: >~< *glances ahead* !! WASCH AOU!

Viktor: "HMMM? WATCH OUT FOR WHAT?!"

-WHAM-

Zom-fernal: "RAWWWWW--" *stops dead in their tracks...and turns around, walking as if in a trance*

Viktor: *groans*

tamaki: ........

Vulcan: "Oh, hey, Viktor. Welcome back."

rita: !!! *signing* <oh, thank goodness you're all alright!>

Viktor: *inhales* *gently pushes Tamaki aside* "...COMMANDER! OHANA IS DEAD! THE ENTIRE SQUAD IS DEAD! ONLY RITA AND I SURVIVED! OH GOD OH GOD--"

hito: *SLAP* GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!

Viktor: "... ... ...Hey, is that a heat sensor? Gimme!" *takes it from Vulcan* "Hmm...That's weird. It's almost like the Infernals--"

Akitaru: "We're calling them 'Zom-fernals.'"

hito:...(i wanted to call them 'hollow infernals...')

Viktor: "--are forming a pattern-- ... ... ...They are using the Zom-fernals to bring Death City down to the ground!"

Vulcan: "What?!"

-elsewhere-

shinra: HYAAAAAH!

Giovanni: "Incredible! Notice the dexterity my insectoid enhancements have provided me! This is exhilarating! Thank you so much, Kusakabe, for making this experiment such a lively experience--"

Arthur: *swings Excalibur at Giovanni's head*

Giovanni: *retracts his entire head into his coat*

shinra: SHUT UP AND JUST DROP DEAD YOU ABOMINATION OF NATURE!

Arthur: "I refuse to agree with the demon--but cease your prattling and depart to the hereafter, you inhuman miscreant."

shinra: what he said! minus the calling me a demon part.

Giovanni: "...Arthur Boyle."

Arthur: "???"

Giovanni: "Have you found your parents yet?"

Arthur: "!!!"

{Arthur: *tied to a chair*}

{Giovanni: "What does the 8th know?"}

{*a woman with flame tentacles lingers nearby...*}

shinra: ARTHUR!

Arthur: *his eyes are blank*

shinra: DAMMIT ARTHUR SNAP OUT OF IT!

Giovanni: *shoves Arthur into Shinra*

Arthur: *muttering* "Wrench...Octopus...Mom. Dad--"

Giovanni: *bends over*

shinra: *grabs arthur and ducks for cover*

*PFFFFFFFFFT*

shinra: *covers his face with his shirt collar* please tell me he didnt just do what i think he just did!

Giovanni: "If you mean I modified my renal glands to expel a 100-degree Celsius quinone spray like the Asian beetle? Yes. Yes, I did."

shinra: .... WHAT. the actual FUCK?!

Arthur: "Dr Pepper. Squirt. Mountain Dew..."

shinra: ARTHUR YOU ARE NOT HELPING RIGHT NOW! *SLAP*

Giovanni: "There is no cause for alarm. All will make sense once the Pillars are united."

Arthur: *stunned*

shinra: and what's _that_ supposed to mean?

Giovanni: "Come now--don't play dumb. You already know the Preacher infiltrated the Church so to turn the Earth into a new Sun."

shinra: .....*remembering iris crying* *RAPID KICK*

Giovanni: *head smashed into the pavement*

Arthur: *frozen in place*

Giovanni: *muffled* "Fufufu~" *lifts his head* "You humans...You are on a bullet train to self-destruction anyway--so why not add some fuel to the fire?"

shinra: do you ever stop talking?!

Giovanni: *releases more arms--that pin Shinra into the wall*

shinra: GRK-

Giovanni: "It matters not: soon you'll understand, just as Sho did..."

shinra: *eyes widen with anger*

-elsewhere-

tsugumi: hey maki! ^^ thought we'd come by and bring you lunch.

maki: thanks.....

Meme: "It is so easy to get lost in here!"

maki:....*looking at the '8' sigil* .....

Anya: "??? An infinity pin?"

maki: -_-; no, it's an 8.

Meme: "Oh...A going away present?"

maki:.....

*the 8 starts blinking*

tsugumi: ??

maki: !!! *gets up and starts heading to the door*

tsugumi: maki?

Sushimasa: *stepping to the door--*

maki: sushimasa! got a lighter?

Sushimasa: *stepping to the door--*

maki: sushimasa! got a lighter?

Sushimasa: D8 "WAIT--"

Meme: "..." *hides under the desk*

-cue the sprinklers-

Anya: "EEEK!"

maki: *runs out the door*

Hiraoka: *trying to get out of the water-path* "What the hell?!"

tsugumi: maki!

maki: my team needs me!

Danro: *steps out, eyes shining red, like a monster summoned out of their cave...and it's raining outside* "MAKI!"

mio: oh shit.

Danro: "WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"

maki: back to my team.

Danro: "WHAT?! YOU CAN'T! I FORBID IT!"

maki: they need my help!

Danro: "IT'S TOO DANGEROUS!"

maki: im not a child anymore, i can handle it!

Danro: "YOU'RE GOING TO DIE!"

tsugumi: JUST STOP THIS, BOTH OF YOU!

Danro: "...Tsugumi? What are you doing here?" *holds out his hand to block the water sprinklers from hitting her*

tsugumi: we've seen maki in action, and she's really strong and brave. and she's really happy with the 8th, so why cant you stop being so close-minded and try and understand maki's feelings?!

Danro: "Look what happened to her brother! Or her mother!"

tsugumi: and they're still alive, arent they?!

Danro: "And what happens when that one mission goes wrong?!"

tsugumi: i understand that you're scared, you're her father, but it's also a father's duty to support their children, right?

Danro: "Even when the child could get hurt?"

Anya: "You have to have faith in her to be smart enough to survive it!" *still soaking wet, hair covering her eyes*

Danro: "But...she's my baby girl..." T___T

tsugumi: yes, but she's an adult now, and you have to learn to see that.

Danro: "..."

{Danro: *looking under the couch* "Where's Maki..."}

{little maki: *giggles, hiding behind a curtain*}

{Danro: "Or maybe...under the rug?" *lifts up the rug*}

{little maki: hehehe}

{Danro: *looks* "Wait--when did the curtain grow feetsies?!" *runs over*}

{little maki: *squeal* >w< *laughter*}

{Danro: *picks her up* "THERE'S THE BIG GIRL!"}

Danro: *flooding tears* TT~TT

-elsewhere-

shinra: WHERE THE HELL IS MY BROTHER?!

Giovanni: "Shinra, how uncouth. Sho is so much more obedient...I'm glad Haumea has trained him well."

-RAPID KICK-

shinra: WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!?!

Giovanni: *knocked into a pillar* "H-How fast..."

-RAPID KICK x2-

shinra: TELL ME WHERE HE IS!!

Giovanni: "Ow--ow--Such speed...Well, if you won't come voluntarily--"

shinra: just shut the fuck up already!

Giovanni: "Fufufu~ 'Tell me where he is!' Then 'Just shut up!' The capriciousness of youth--so unfocused."

shinra: get out of my damn head!

Giovanni: "...What?"

shinra: quit using your stupid bugs to put thoughts in my head!

Giovanni: "... ... ...Ha. Ha ha. Ha ha ha. ... BWA HA HA HA HA!" *shaking with glee*

shinra: w-what's so funny?!

Giovanni: "I did it--I bloody did it! I formed an Adora Link through my insect-body modifications!"

shinra w-what's that supposed to mean?!

Giovanni: "The Adora Link--the ability to tap into the mind, body, and soul of someone with the Adora Burst!" *snatches at Shinra*

shinra: *jumps back* but, you dont have the adora burst!

Giovanni: "Fool! You can forge an Adora Link by having the Burst--OR BY SEEING ADORA YOURSELF, WITH YOUR OWN EYES!"

shinra: (does that mean that konro-)

Giovanni: "But nothing, not even that dumb expression on your stupid face, matters--soon, this world will be burned to the ground! Humans are the fuel to feed to our new sun! PRAISE THE PREACHER!"

shinra: im getting real sick and tired of your bullshit, birdbrain.

Giovanni: "HOW DARE YOU! I AM A BUG-MAN!"

shinra: in that case im the exterminator!

-elsewhere-

Takigi: "I told you it was this way! But nooooooooo, you didn't believe me at all!" *glares at Petra*

-footsteps can be heard-

rita: !!!

Petra: "Rita!" *runs up to her*

rita: *signing* <are you ok, petra?>

Petra:

rita: <im fine.>

Akitaru: "Hold up, Viktor--they want to blow up Death City?"

Vulcan: "Wait, didn't the Kishin already try that?"

Viktor: "I mean, kind of? Only this is with fire. Death City will form a fire-pit--a test-run, for blowing up the planet. They'll try to replicate these fire-pits everywhere around the world until they can crush the ground into the center of the earth." *pulls out a piece of chalk*

hito: you keep chalk in your pocket?

Viktor: "Doesn't everyone?"

hito: ...

Viktor: *draws onto the wall* "This map shows where the Zom-fernals are congregating. They are forming a conical shape, which will act as a drill to push the explosion further _up_, to maximize damage."

Petra: "...LIKE GURREN LAGANN?!!"

hito: ....*sweatdrop*

Akitaru: "How do we stop this?"

Viktor: "We'd need to re-direct the flames--but I don't know where to!"

Takigi: -^- "Fortunately for you half-wits, I have memorized the Nether's many paths."

Viktor: "Oh, that'll be really helpful! Now we just need a 2nd-generation!"

Takigi: "Then it's a good thing I'm here--"

Viktor: "Who doesn't have a broken arm that makes his motions almost completely useless."

Takigi: O_O#

Viktor: "And unfortunately Lieutenant Hinawa's abilities are more about precision than the kind of wide-range attacks we need--"

Takigi: "HA! Yes, he is indeed useless!"

Takehisa: O_O

*BEEP BEEP BEEP!*

Vulcan: "!!! Shit! The Zom-fernals' heat signatures are on the rise--they are getting ready to blow up the Nether!"

hito: !!!

Honda: "Then we must begin!"

Viktor: "Well, that's a shame, because the one person who could help us is Maki..." *looks at Takigi* "Oh, wait. I forgot. She's no longer here because she was transferred out of the 8th."

Takigi: "... ... ..." O_O;;;;;

Petra: *STAAAAAAAAAARE*

Akitaru: *STAAAAAAAAAAARE*

iris: congratulations, you've doomed us all.

Takigi: "NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO CAST ASPERSIONS, SISTER!" *grabs Takehisa* "Lieutenant Hinawa, you must save us!"

Takehisa: "No. I'm useless."

Takigi: “WHAT?! ARE YOU MAKING FUN OF ME?! I ALWAYS KNEW YOU BASTARDS IN THE 8TH WERE NOTHING MORE THAN A BUNCH OF HOLIER-THAN-THOU--”

iris: !!

Takigi: “--MUSCLE-BOUND, INCOMPETENT, UNLUCKY, ILL-TEMPERED JACKASSES!”

*there is dead silence*

Akitaru: "...Detective."

Takigi: "?!!" *turns around slowly*

tamaki:.....

iris: *GLARE*

Akitaru: *glaring*

Petra: *tapping a lead pipe into the palm of her hand*

Akitaru: "Our job is protect lives--which is what is saving you from being a greasy smear on the wall right now, you preening show-boating little twirp."

-buzz-

lisa: vul, the witch is en route.

Vulcan: "Lisa! We got the signal back--awesome! Thanks, babe!"

???: sorry im late!

-it's maki!-

Takigi: "Maki?! What the hell are you doing here?!"

maki: my duty, for your information.

Akitaru: "Glad to have you here! You know what to do?"

maki: yeah, i heard over the transmitter.

Akitaru: "No times for delays, then!"

maki: right!

Viktor: "Stand right there, Maki!"

maki: *gets into position*

Vulcan: "Heat rising...2 minutes and counting."

maki: *inhales*

Takigi: "Maki, this is foolish! Listen to me! Why are you doing this?!"

maki: im a firefighter, it's my responsibility to use this power to protect people.

Takigi: "No, you're not--you're just some pyrokinetic being used by a fighting squad! And...I can't let you get hurt!"

maki: i dont need anyone's permission but my superior officers, last i checked, that's not you.

Takigi: "No, I'm just your brother! Doesn't that mean anything?!"

maki:...this is about what happened to mom, isnt it?

Takigi: "Goddamn it, Maki--just think what could happen! You want to be like that?! Hospitalized?"

Viktor: "Um..."

maki: and how did you get those bandages, tripping down the stairs?

Takigi: "I had no intention of dealing with a suicide bomber--which is my point! I'm a detective, not some grunt on the frontlines!"

Viktor: "UUUUUUUM..."

maki: look, i know the risks, but if it means i can save everyone, then those are risks im willing to take.

Viktor: "Well...Maybe not _everyone_."

maki: what are you saying?

Heckler's Assistant: "Look, sir--they're up ahead! We're saved! Hi, everyone! I'm so glad we're not going to die--"

Viktor: “Even if Maki can redirect the explosions' flames, there's nowhere to vent them out of the Nether. We either send them up to destroy Death City or keep them here. So, the flames are going to be concentrated here, meaning we’re all going to die by being burnt to a crisp.”

Heckler's Assistant: QwQ;;;;;;;;

Viktor: "...So...Yeah. Sorry."

Everyone: "... ... ..." *LOUD PANICKED YELLING*

Viktor: "I mean, we may not _all_ die! Look at Tamaki! She'll probably survive, what with her high level of flame resistance! Isn't that good, Tamaki? Ha ha ha ha..." TwT

tamaki:......................

Heckler's Assistant: "WELL, WHAT THE FUCK DO WE DO NOW?!"

maki: leave it to me! vulcan, keep track of the heat signal and let me know when it arrives!

Vulcan: "On it! You got 55 seconds!"

maki: commander!

Akitaru: *nods* "You got this--do it! Iris, get the non-pyros to shelter!"

iris: right! this way!

Takehisa: "Um...Tamaki? You need to, you know, move."

tamaki:....

Viktor: *mumbling to himself* "Vent the flames...need the layout...Where do you send them..."

Takigi: "I already told you, I memorized the layout--so just send them down deeper!"

Viktor: "We're already pretty deep down, Detective, so how about you-- ... ... ...GEOTHERMAL CLIMATIZATION!"

maki: just tell me which way to send them!

Takigi: *sets a hand on Maki's shoulder*

maki: ??

Takigi: "Maki, focus on directing flames down, and I'll direct them through corridors."

maki: right.

Vulcan: "3 kilometers incoming!"

-elsewhere-

lisa: !!!??

Yuu: *grabs the table at the outdoor radio desk* "An earthquake?!"

tsugumi: w-whats going on?

lisa: maki, can you hear that?

maki: how could i not?!

Yuu: *looking at a digital map* "You got heat incoming! What's going on?!"

Viktor: "Maki! Redirect the fireball's wind trajectory first to protect structural integrity!"

maki: got it!

Danro: *standing still next to Yuu and Tsugumi* "..."

-BOOOOOM-

Danro: "!!! No!"

*underground, debris falls towards Tamaki*

tamaki: *looks*

Akitaru: "Tamaki! Move!"

maki: *cycling the flames*

Akitaru: *covers Tamaki, the debris knocking him*

maki: *spiralling the flames, before sending them into the floor cracks*

Takigi: "Down and to the left, then make a U-turn."

maki: got it!

Viktor: "Not through the floor! It'll crack beneath you!"

maki: i cant stop now, it's a fire fighter's duty to protect people, and this city!

Viktor: "..." *gets down on all fours, hands on the cold floor* "Earth? It's me, Viktor. I'm gonna need you to take just a bit more heat..."

Takigi: *gulps*

Viktor: "Maki! Send the flames into the ground itself!"

maki: HAAAAAA!!!!

-FWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM-

ritsu:....why isnt anything happening?

*something hot and bright is heading towards her...*

ritsu:....oh. well that's not good.

*FWOOOOOOOOM*

maki: *panting*

Danro: "What's happening? REPORT!"

iris: she- she did it!

Takigi: "..." *lets go*

maki: mission successful.

Akitaru: "Ha! The earthquakes stopped, too!" *his head is bleeding, as he brushes off dirt and debris*

-maki laughs and does a little victory dance-

tamaki:......

tsugumi: yeah maki! i knew you could do it!!

Danro: *standing tall...because his hands are slammed down onto the table for support*

tsugumi: yes! uncle danro and i heard the whole thing!

maki: wait, dad?!

Yuu: *staring, as Danro's hand has smashed his radio* D8

lisa: ._. so _that's_ where she gets it from....

Danro: "Maki...Are you and Takigi okay?"

maki: yeah, we're fine, a few scratches, but other than that, we're good.

Danro: "...This mission is over. Tell Obi and Honda to evacuate."

maki: commander-

Akitaru: "RAWR!" *friendly punch to Takehisa's shoulder*

Takehisa: "Ow."

Akitaru: "You have a good eye for recruits, Takehisa! Maki saved us!"

Takigi: "...Maki. What are you going to do?"

maki: rejoin my brigade, obviously.......awkward sibling hug?

Takigi: "..." *sighs* *pat pat*

maki: *pap pap*

Takigi: "...Your arms are thick."

maki: *pinches him*

Takigi: "OW!"

maki: that's payback for what you did at dinner, jerkbutt.

Takigi: "Hey, just stating facts! Maybe ease up on the weights!"

maki: *laughing*

Takehisa: "..."

iris: she did it, captain!

Takehisa: "Of course she did. She was made for this kind of work."

-elsewhere-

Giovanni: "How upsetting. I had thought everything would be on fire by now."

shinra: HYAAAAH!!! *charges*

Giovanni: *bug legs scurry him away* "Wait, you still want to fight?"

shinra: arthur!

Arthur: "..." *stands up, swaying as he moves*

Giovanni: "Aw, what's that little flame going to do--"

*all trace of Arthur's presence disappears as the lights in the Nether go out*

shinra: ?!

Giovanni: "Eh?"

*a streak of light goes down diagonally, slicing through Giovanni*

shinra: !!!

*the lights come back on, Arthur behind a bisected Giovanni*

shinra:...arthur? are....are you alright? *shaking slightly*

Arthur: "Die." *brings Excalibur down over and over again in the lifeless body of Giovanni*

shinra:...arthur...stop it. stop it! *PUNCH*

Arthur: "?!!!! ...Nirvana?" *looks around* "...No, no, this is Hell." *looks at Shinra* "...Hence the devil."

shinra: ......*he looks concerned*

???: *giggling*

shinra: ?!?!?

Giovanni: "I see...I was so fixated on Kusakabe that I underestimated you, Boyle."

Arthur: "..."

shinra: *looking around, trying to find the source of the voice*

Giovanni: "You suppressed your presence so my pheromones couldn't sense you at all! Mindless--truly nirvana! Fufufu...I won't make that mistake again."

*bugs explode out of Giovanni's "corpse"*

shinra: !!!! *jumps back*

Arthur: "?!" *swings Excalibur* "It's a plague!"

*bugs bite at Shinra*

shinra: shit!

*in the confusion, a head on bug legs scurries through a crevice in the floor*

Arthur: "I found him!"

shinra: *looks*

Arthur: *holds up the lower-half of Giovanni by the ankles*

shinra:.....damn....is he even human anymore?

Arthur: *looks in the pants* "... ... ...Nope."

???: *cackling*

shinra: !!!

Giovanni: *his voice echoing* "Today's experiment gave me what I want: proof that the link to Adora has been established. Thank you. I look forward to seeing you two again soon."

shinra:.....let's go...

-elsewhere-

iris: *praying*

Honda: "Security sweep is done--they vamoosed."

Akitaru: "Thanks..." *looking at body bags*

Petra: *praying*

rita: *praying*

hito:....so much death....damn those hoods...

Honda: *inhales* "How did the Hoods predict this?"

Akitaru: "That's what we need to figure out."

Honda: "If not for Oze, this would have been far worse."

maki: .....

tsugumi: maki! *waving*

maki: !!! tsugumi, hey-

tsugumi: *TACKLE HUG* you did it! you really did it!

maki: haha, yeah, we did, didnt we, bro?

Takigi: "..." *nods*

*footsteps are heard*

maki: *looks*

Danro: *towering*

maki:...dad, im going back to the 8th, and you wont change my mind this time.

Danro: "...I have no intention to."

maki: ??

Danro: "What you did today...saved this city."

maki:......

Danro: "I am so proud of you."

maki: *tearing up* dad....

Danro: TT~TT "Maki..."

maki: *HUGS*

Danro: "URK! Ha ha...Quite a grip." *pat*

tsugumi: .......*smiles*

Takigi: *rubs the back of his head* "Well, this got mushy. Did you bring Maki here, Squirt?"

tsugumi: she came here herself, i just brought uncle danro.

Takigi: "How did you convince him?"

tsugumi: i just talked to him, and we reached an understanding after a little while.

Takigi: "...When did you get so mature?"

tsugumi: a lot can change in a few years, i guess.

Takehisa: "General?"

Danro: *wiping his eyes* "Oh. Hinawa. I haven't seen you in some time."

Takehisa: "..."

maki: !! oh *salutes* captain....you wanted to talk to my dad about something?

Takehisa: "Yes--a transfer back into the 8th."

tsugumi: well?

Danro: "Really? You're asking this now?"

Takehisa: "Sorry, I don't read social cues very well--was I interrupting something?"

maki: ^^;

Danro: "..." *sighs* "If I say 'no,' what will happen?"

Takehisa: "I anticipate the soldier will keep lighting the fire sprinklers."

maki: <3<;;

Danro: "She is a fire-cracker, isn't she?"

Takehisa: "Yes, she is."

-elsewhere-

komori: *tending to takeru's injuries*

Takeru: *has an oxygen mask on but is not moving*

tamaki:......

Medic: "Lost arm, lost leg...Likely will have more amputations needed to remove dead skin and muscle."

tamaki:..........*trembling*

Honda: *steps up* "Cadet Kotatsu...Thank you for saving Noto's life."

tamaki:......takeru.....hajiki....they gave so much up to keep me alive.....i couldnt save them......why? why was i given these abilities when i cant even save one person?

Honda: "Because sometimes it takes more than one person to make a difference. And yet that one person, on the battlefield, can make all the difference--and it is about being ready for when that moment comes."

tamaki:.............

Honda: "And I'm happy we did not lose a good soldier like you."

tamaki: *whimpering*

-elsewhere-

maki: *hands takehisa the '8' sigil*

Takehisa: *pops it into a laptop*

Takigi: D8

maki: relax bro, oubi's explaining everything to dad right now.

Takigi: "This is just sneaky!"

Takehisa: "We are the investigative unit to oversee other Fire Force companies." *looks at Takigi* "In a way, we are detectives, too."

Takigi: "Don't flatter yourself, Hinawa!"

maki: we fight crime with fire, i'd totally watch that show!

Takigi: "Tch--like they could find someone to play you with big enough--"

tsugumi: *stomps on takigi's foot*

Takigi: "EEEEE! ...Eyes."

maki: whatever i guess.

Takehisa: "Anything that caught your attention?" *points to the contents of USB files*

-elsewhere-

ritsu: *sewing herself back up*

Haumea: -___-# "Let me understand this..._How many_ Purple ones went up in smoke?!"

purple smoke grunt: Q_Q;;; please have mercy, lady haumea!

ritsu:.....*take's the grunt by the head....and holds them to her chest* there there, you did the best you could, sweeties.

purple smoke grunt:.....this would be kind of hot if your guts werent falling out.

ritsu: oh! how embarrassing!

Haumea: "RITSU, FOCUS! This was supposed to bring this city down to its knees--and all it did was cause a mild earthquake! And where the fuck are Sasori and Orochi?!"

ritsu: orochi's....out of commission....and sasori's in the training room.

Haumea: -_____-### "Oh, I'll 'train' him alright--then you--" *points at the grunt*

-elsewhere-

kagu-tsuchi: sasori, please, calm down-

Sasori: *punching the wall* "Goddamn it, goddamn gorilla, goddamn it, Orochi..."

kagu-tsuchi: i realize you are upset, but getting angry wont fix it-

Sasori: *flings a barbell towards her head*

*CLANK*

Sasori: "!!!"

kagu-tsuchi: !!??

Charon: *standing up--the barbell having just knocked off his chest like a pebble* "..." *DEEP INHALE*

Sasori: *tries to run--*

Charon: *small step--*

Sasori: *gets flung off the floor and into the ceiling--before gravity takes effect*

kagu-tsuchi: charon! a-are you hurt??

Charon: *lets out a cough* "Still recovering." *holds his chest* "That shouldn't have felt like anything at all."

kagu-tsuchi:.....t-thank you.

Charon: "You're--" *coughs, falling to one knee*

kagu-tsuchi: ah! c-charon!

Charon: "I just need to lie down."

kagu-tsuchi:....*holding his hand*

Charon: "...Can you help me there?"

kagu-tsuchi: j-just tell me which way to turn.

-elsewhere-

Denki: "Then the ground went--SHHHHHHHK!"

jirou: yeah, that was crazy.

Mina: "I wasn't here when the Kishin thing happened--was it like that?!"

jirou: oh yeah, i totally forgot that was a thing.

Denki: "We even sure that's really a thing? What about that video 'The Kishin was an inside job'?"

jirou: kaminari, you cant just believe everything you see online. -_-;

Denki: "I'm not saying I believe it--just that it's good to be open minded."

Sero: "Uh huh. This is how people get tricked easily."

mineta: dudes! did you see this site 'realdeathcitynews'? apperantly mr eraserhead has a kid!

jirou: SHUT UP MINETA!

-elsewhere-

Mephisto: *sips tea* "Death, you really need better security in the basement."

lord death: i'll say.

Mephisto: "I can't stand those cretins--hard enough having a good curriculum, but Exorcists can't keep up with whatever those pyros are doing."

lord death: *sigh* how's felisia?

Mephisto: "...Actually, not well. She had a bad reaction."

lord death: what happened?

Mephisto: "A few hours ago, she felt something--like what she described like feeling pain in a phantom limb."

-elsewhere-

Kid: "She's already at the hospital..."

stocking: i think she brought patti with her too....

Kid: "For the best...God, this is a nightmare."

stocking:.....

Kid: "After what happened before down there..."

-elsewhere-

Dr. John: "We're tending to as many as we can, Huang--how are the pyro's?"

kayako: busy.

asako: we're doing everything we can to keep the press at bay.

Dr. John: "There's press outside. You know what to do."

blair: *salutes and gets to work*

Ann Terveau: "We demand to be let in!”

cameraman: is...is that a pumpkin, what?

Ann: "??? Get a close-up!"

-BWOOOOOM-

Ann: "EEEEK!"

Reporter: "GAH! It's in my mouth!"

Cameraperson: *covered in glitter* ._. "...Is it my bachelorette party? Again?"

-elsewhere-

Hibana: *kicks in a door*

Rino: -_- "It has a knob, you knob."

hanako: mama!

Hibana: *scoops up Hanako* "Hello, darling~" *kiss*

hanako: *laughs* ^w^

Hibana: *hug* "So happy you're safe. You want to see Aunt Iris tomorrow?"

hanako: can we?

Hibana: "Of course! Anything you want."

-elsewhere-

tsugumi: *helping maki pack* im glad you're returning to the 8th, maki.

maki: yeah, anyway.

Anya: *looks out the window*

Meme: "I know things aren't great right now--but I'm sure they're happy to have you back!"

maki:...thanks, for everything, tsugumi.

tsugumi: that's what family's for, right?

Anya: "..."

Meme: "..." *looks away*

mio: well...im glad you patched things up with your dad, at least.

maki: yeah...it feels like a huge weight's been lifted.

Takehisa: *sitting in the Matchbox outside* "..."

Kana: "..." *stare*

misery: *staaaaaaaare*

Takehisa: "..." >_> "...I am waiting for Maki to finish packing."

-elsewhere-

tamaki: *huddled up in bed* ........

Arthur: *outside her door* "..."

rita:.....<do you think she's ok?>

Arthur: *shakes his head*

rita:......*knocks*

Arthur: "?!"

-the door is unlocked-

Arthur: "..." *steps inside*

tamaki:......

Arthur: "...Hey."

tamaki:....*responsive mumble*

Arthur: "..." *sits on her bed*

tamaki:........

Arthur: "...I'm happy you aren't dead."

tamaki:.......i wish i was.....

Arthur: "...Don't."

tamaki:........

Arthur: "Tamaki, I can't...lose again...someone..."

tamaki:.....im sorry......*weeping* im sorry.....

nozomi: *knocks* tamaki?

Arthur: *looks*

tamaki:.....

nozomi:...*enters* tamaki? it's me, nozomi.

tamaki:.....nn....

nozomi:...*looks at Arthur* how is she?

Arthur: *shakes his head* "Can we stay here? I think she needs it..."

nozomi:...*nods* if you want to talk to us, we're here, ok tamaki?

tamaki:.......fine....

Arthur: "..." *sits across from her and Nozomi*

-elsewhere-

Mr. Noto: *holds his head*

mrs noto: *packing* <you'll take care of things while im away, right?>

Mr Noto: <I-I'll do my best...>

-elsewhere-

Danro: *walks into the mansion*

madoka oze: *HUG*

Danro: "UMPH! ..." *hug*

madoka oze: takigi told me everything.

Danro: "I figured as much--sorry, brass was all over me after Obi's stunt."

madoka oze: oh jeez.

Danro: "You know how it is...Wish you were there to put them in place."

madoka oze: yeah, i would have given them a good what for.

Danro: "..." *looks at photos on the mantle* "...Takigi has hated Hinawa ever since he was drummed out. And I haven't trusted the 8th since Maki joined."

madoka oze: and now?

Danro: "...They're craftier than I thought. And maybe having Maki there wouldn't be a bad thing."

madoka oze: well, the fruit doesnt fall far from the tree, i suppose.

Danro: "...Pretty tall tree."

madoka oze:.......

Danro: "...I wish I could've seen them down there. They have your skill set."

madoka oze: and a heart of gold like yours.

Danro: =\\\\\\\\= "Oh, you..."

-elsewhere-

maki: ......

Takehisa: "Maki."

maki: yeah?

Takehisa: "...It's been a long day. You hungry? I'm too tired to cook and..."

maki: it's getting kind of late.

Takehisa: "Take-out? Or drive-thru? Or..."

maki: ??

Takehisa: "I'd...like to get dinner. With you."

maki:..... owo eh? like...a formal dinner?

Takehisa: "Yes, that can work, too. I'll just need to get dressed--"

Akitaru: *around the corner, overhearing* O__O "..." *looks to others* "He is not going to dress badly for this!"

maki: it's kind of late, and you said you were tired, right? maybe tomorrow night works?

Takehisa: *nods* "That is more than acceptable. Meet at 5?"

maki: sure. sounds good.

Takehisa: *nods* "Excellent. I will see you then. Get some sleep."

maki: see you then........(wait.....DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?!?)

Takehisa: *walks around the corner--and is immediately pulled by multiple people into Akitaru's office*

karin: holy shit you actually did it, you absolute madman!

Akitaru: "I can't believe it--after all this time!"

Takehisa: "... ...What did I do exactly?"

karin: you asked maki out.

Takehisa: "... ... ...What."

iris: yeah, it's been kind of a 'will they or wont they' situation from day one.

Akitaru: "Even back when we first moved into the cathedral!"

Takehisa: "... ... ...I think I just realized something: I blacked out and have no memory." *looks at Karin* "Who are you?"

karin: *cheek tug* oh dont you pull that psuedo-amnesia trick on me, mister!

Akitaru: "He's just nervous for his big date!"

Takehisa: *screaming internally*

-elsewhere-

Tachihara: "So, what the hell was the earthquake about?"

gin: hell if i know.

Hirotsu: "Best not to think about it--for now, we're on patrol to see what occurred."

-elsewhere-

Poe: Q_Q "Herman warned about these things..."

Lucy: *pours a cup of tea* "I know, I know--but we're here."

Ghost: *stares at Atsushi*

atsushi: full house, huh?

Poe: *shaking slightly* "Actually, not so much this week--Wilson and William took a vacation to another haunted house in Friendship, Maine." *sips*

atsushi:...huh, i didnt think that ghosts _took_ vacations.

ghost girl: you learn something new everyday i guess.

Ghost: "Hey-Hey-Hey!" *pokes Atsushi* "Guess where a ghost goes on vacation?"

atsushi: poe just said-

Ghost: "MALI-BOO! LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!"

atsushi:...haha. ^^; but why are you all here?

ghost librarian: well, the barrier between the world of the living and world of the dead is particularly weak in this area.

Ghost 2: "I blame the shinigami."

hippie ghost: hey, sometimes stuff like this happens, and you gotta just go with the flow, fam.

Poe: =\\\\=

Ghost: "We're just glad he didn't knock this place down after Wes left!" *hug*

odasaku: i guess poe and lucy still dont see me, huh?

ghost woman: afraid not.

Karl: *paws at the air where Odasaku is*

librarian ghost: that's because you're projecting yourself into the living world rather than crossing the border, one foot in, one foot out as it were.

Ghost 2: "...What is it like on the other side?"

odasaku: well, it's kind of like a huge apartment building, sorta.

teenage ghost: i remember i woke up in a grassy field.

Ghost 2: "...Wait, so you have roommates?"

odasaku: 5 kids actually.

Ghost 2: ._.;

-elsewhere-

Shinra: ….

Relan: *pats his back* "You'll find him."

shinra:..y-yeah....

Relan: "Did you find out anything from Giovanni?"

shinra: ....

-shinra explains what happened-

Relan: *shivers* "Creepy. But he said Sho is still out there to entice you."

shinra: and the adora link.....

Relan: "Do you think he was lying about that? It's a little incredible."

shinra: i cant say...but there is that time i heard konro in my head....i wonder.....

Relan: "??? There's some link--er, connection between those events? Have you talked to him about it?"

shinra: i dont know. maybe tomorrow i'll see if i can head to asakusa and talk to him.

Relan: *nods* "The commander is also doing a debriefing tomorrow."

shinra: hmm....

Relan: *rubs his injured arm* "..."

-morning-

Patty: *asleep in the hospital hallway...her eyes are red*

liz: ......

Dr John: *sips coffee* "...Mrs. Thompson-Evans? Can I get you anything?"

liz: got any breakfast?

Dr John: *smiles* "The cafeteria is downstairs, Level 2. They're just setting up."

liz: thanks....could you keep an eye on patti for me?

Dr John: *nods*

-elsewhere-

Arthur: "..."

tamaki: ......

Arthur: "...I think we should eat something."

tamaki:.....im not hungry....

Arthur: "Neither am I--but we still need to."

tamaki:....im not feeling good....

Arthur: "...Water?"

tamaki:....nn....

Arthur: "...Okay. I'll get some water. I'll be right back, okay?"

tamaki:.......

Arthur: *walks to the kitchen* "..."

nozomi: how is she?

Arthur: *shakes his head* "She doesn't want to eat, doesn't seem to want even water. I figure, if I bring a glass at least..."

nozomi:....*hands him a granola bar* maybe she'll take this?

Arthur: "Hmm. Nutritious, compact, easy to chew...It is a good foodstuff. Thank you--I'll try."

-elsewhere-

Axel: "Man, man, I can _not_ with earthquakes!" -~-

Yafeu: *sips tea*

preston: i was actually using a massage chair so i didnt feel a thing.

Asher: "Lucky you--I was trying to sleep." *picks out cereal in the cafeteria line*

lei-lei: sorry im late guys, there was a huuuuge crowd outside the DWMA.

hibiki: media goons.

Kanin: "It's really bad...What is it all about?"

genny: something about 'hoods' from what i heard.

Asher: "... ... ..." *eats cereal quietly*

Saria: "Izumi, how were things at your mom's hospital?"

izumi: pretty busy. she's probably going to have a late shift tonight.

Saria: "Aw...I'm sorry."

Asher: "Is it because of the 'Hood' thing?"

izumi: ??

Asher: "Like, were people injured and sent to the hospital because of those...whatever they are?"

izumi: i-i think so? the official reports are blaming it on a cave in, though.

Monica: "Sounds like some classic cover-up bullshit from the military." *grabs a muffin off Zeke's plate*

Saria: ._____. ("Why are they sitting here now?")

zeke: D8

izumi: yeah, mom isnt too happy about it...

Kanin: ^^; "Isn't that a little conspiratorial, though?"

amelia: speaking of conspiracy, we still have that murder mystery to solve.

Yolanda: *to Monica* "I heard it was a giant Balachko--the three-headed beast of fire and ice."

zarya:.....?

Kanin: "Oh, right--our 'guest' has been rather...impatient."

*screams are heard from the boys' locker room*

hibiki: i actually found the chick's address, so we can look into that.

Duncan: "So we're doing this after school?"

genny: guess so.

-elsewhere-

shinra: commander?

Akitaru: "Hmm?" *looks up from his desk*

shinra: mind if i give my report?

Akitaru: "Sure..." *takes some forms off his desk, locking them in a drawer before he grabs a pen* "Go ahead."

-shinra explains what happened with giovanni-

Akitaru: *shudders* "What I learn about all of these missions? Bugs creep me out much more than before."

shinra: yeah....on a side note, could i request permission to visit asakusa?

Akitaru: "??? You think it has some link to Konro?"

shinra: it wouldnt hurt to ask, right?

Akitaru: "Good point. Well, I approve--head out!"

*there is some noise outside the office*

shinra: ??

*the door...falls down...not opened--it just falls down with a kick*

Hibana: "And here, sweetie, is where Shinra talks with his commanding officer. He usually speaks to Shinra in grunts."

hanako: wow!

iris: ^-^;;;

Akitaru: -_-### "Shinra, get going to Asakusa--"

shinra: right. ._.;

Hibana: "??? Asakusa? I had to head over there for a medicine drop."

hanako: can i play with hina and hika too?

Hibana: "Yes, you can--just don't repeat the words they say."

hanako: ok!

Akitaru: *pats Shinra on the shoulder* "Take one for the team, son."

shinra: TTwTT; will do, sir.

Hibana: "Come along, Shinra--we have a lot to discuss. Also, Commander? Fix your door--it's flimsy."

Akitaru: "... ... ...I think I'll go bother Takehisa for a bit."

-elsewhere-

tsugumi: so how did it go, maki?

naho: yeah, that was a pretty big award ceremony!

*she has set a giant plaque with Lord Death's symbol on it onto a table*

Maki: ^^; "I was really nervous, but Lord Death has always been polite when I've run into him."

tsugumi: yeah.

Naomi: "And you looked spiffy in the formal uniform. So, what are you up to after lunch--back to work?"

Maki: "...Well..."

naho: ??

Maki: "I have the afternoon off, so I was going to shop for a new outfit before dinner."

tsugumi: did uncle danro invite you to dinner again? well, you did patch things up-

Maki: "No. I mean, yes, we did--but it's not a family dinner. I'm going with the Lieutenant--"

naho: EHHHHH??!!

Naomi: O_O

Maki: .\\\\\. "Wh-What?"

naho: you mean mr hinawa asked you on a date!!??

tsugumi: gagantous!

Maki: "It-It's not that at all! I was tired, he said he didn't feel like making dinner, so he invited me out, then I said it was too late, so he said 'How about tomorrow?' and I said yes-- ... ... ... Oh, God, it is a date."

Naomi: "...Girls, we know what to do?"

naho: we are going shopping, duh! we got to help maki look her best for tonight! do you know where you're going to dinner?

Maki: "I only know it's something formal?" *holds her head* "Do I do my hair? This can't be a date, right? It's just a commanding officer being friendly--Oh, that sounds weird! This isn't like the books..." >~<

naho: naomin, call the doc! she's an expert on stuff like this, isnt she?

Naomi: "The most fashionable of them!" *dials Yosano*

yosano: yello?

Naomi: "Doctor? It's Naomi. We have a friend who needs help getting a new outfit for a date--"

Maki: "Is it a date? I don't even know..."

yosano: ....come to my place, ASAP.

Naomi: "On it!" *pulls out her wallet, removing her brother's credit card* "Waiter! Bill!"

-elsewhere-

Konro: *grabs a fishing pole and bucket* "See you all later!"

Tsukiyo: "Bye, Captain! Avoid the sea basses!"

Konro: *calls back, smiling* "It's a river, so not a problem!" *turns back...frowning*

???: .....

{Jonah: "Follow him--and eliminate him."}

{???: understood}

Konro: *reaches his shack...looks out the corner of his eye as he takes his pole and drops the lure into the water before sitting* "..."

-step step step-

Konro: "You're quite confident, to make your footsteps so easily heard."

???: .....*takes out blade* die.

Konro: *doesn't move...*

-elsewhere-

Hibana: "Stay on the walking path, sweetie!"

hanako: okaaaay.

shinra: *looking around* (looks like they're setting up for the summer festival season...)

Hibana: "You've been agitated since we left the cathedral--excited about something?"

shinra: hmm?

Hibana: "The gorilla had mentioned this was going to help you find your brother?"

shinra:....i think so...

Hibana: "Some friendly advice--don't expect the Asakusa people to just open up immediately. As a separatist group, they aren't exactly the most forthcoming when asking them questions."

shinra: funny you of all people should say that.

Hibana: "?! Okay, smart mouth--fair point. But I would hope I've changed for the better..." *punches his arm* "I have you and Iris to thank for that."

shinra: *rubs his arm* y-yeah.... (ow)

hanako: mommy, who's that?

Hibana: "?! Hanako, get back!"

???: *looks up* ??

Konro: *takes the opportunity--delivering a palm strike to the Assassin's jaw*

-CRUNCH-

???: *SCREAMS*

Konro: "Kah!" *moves to deliver another strike--then coughs up blood, falling to his knees*

shinra: mr konro! *runs over to him*

Hibana: *trips Shinra*

shinra: OOF-

Hibana: "Think like a scientist for a moment--let's watch and determine just why the Lieutenant ran off on his own and is with this Hood..."

Konro: *not moving*

assassin: damn you! *lunges*

*SLICE*

-SPLURT-

Konro: *looks up, as the Assassin's guts spill out* "That's called playing possum, jackass." *wipes his mouth--before grabbing the Assassin by the head and kneeing him in the face*

hanako:....mama...that person isnt moving anymore......

Hibana: "...No, they are not." *holds her close*

shinra:....*ahem*

Konro: *looks up* "??? Oh, Dr. Hibana, Shinra. I should've sensed you there earlier..."

hanako:......

Hibana: *frowns* "This isn't a medicine delivery, Lieutenant. You want to explain why the hell you're hanging out with some Hood?"

Konro: "...Yes, I do owe you an explanation. Just let me clean up this mess." *points at the Hood* "..." *just kicks some dirt on top of it, and sits down* "Have a seat!"

shinra:......

Hibana: "THAT'S NOT CLEANING UP!"

-later-

Konro: *sets out tea*

hanako: thank you mr konro....may i have sugar with it?

Konro: "Um...I don't usually bring some--sorry!"

hanako: oh...*frown*

Hibana: *pats her head*

Konro: "So, Shinra, you finally want to talk about Adora?"

shinra: *nods*

Konro: "I figured as much, after I heard about you meeting with Burns and Arg about these lovely emblems..." *taps the scar on his nose*

shinra: so then...you've seen it...adora?

Konro: "Yes...I saw myself in Hell."

shinra: ??

Konro: "It was during the Asakusa fire years ago, before the 7th was formed, when that Demon Infernal gave me the Ash Disease..." *heats up the fire under the tea kettle...*

{demon: *growls*}

{Benimaru: *knocked out on the ground*}

{Konro: *steps up to the Demon--*}

{demon: f...ool.....}

{Konro: "?! The hell you call me, you little shit?!" *assumes a battle stance*}

{demon: *grins and matches his stance*}

{Konro: "?!!" *swings his fist*}

{-PUNCH-}

{*both of their fists collide at the same spot*}

{Konro: "?! ..." *sweeps his leg--*}

{-KICK-}

Konro: "It was like a funhouse mirror--that demon matched every move--"

Hibana: "A doppelganger?"

shinra: like, a mimic?

Hibana: "A little more complicated than that. This is having someone who is just like you, only from elsewhere. It's said with a doppelganger, you and it can't exist in the same space--or one of you will die."

Konro: "Which means, this thing may have been from elsewhere--from Hell."

shinra:......

{demon: *cackling* foolish! foolish!}

{Konro: *panting* ("I guess...if I have to go out...I'll go out in flames!) *charges up his arm--which bursts into flames* "I don't care if I have to die--as long as Asakusa is safe. If you were really my double, you'd promise the same--but because you're just a mindless puppet, I know you won't, so I have to stop you!"}

{demon: kekeke...KEEEHAHAHAHAHAHA}

{Konro: *roars, as he swings his fist--*}

{-SLICE-}

{Konro: *screams, his face sliced by the Demon's horn*}

{demon: KEHAHAHAHAHA FOOLISH FOOLISH!}

{Konro: "I'm not even close to being done!" *slams his fist into the Demon* "CRIMSON MOON!"}

{The Moon: *giggling, as the sky turns red...*}

{demon: SKREEEEEEE}

{*KA-BOOM*}

{*Asakusa explodes, buildings shatter, the world looking as red as blood before a flash of light...*}

{Konro: *falls to his knees, panting...he sees his arms turning gray and black* "..." *holds back a sob...before he looks up to the Moon--* "?!!"}

{*it's a giant eyeball*}

{*the ground is littered with monstrous skeletons, black flames that have no warmth...*}

{Konro: "What...the hell?!"}

{???: "Yes, it is."}

shinra:......

Konro: "..."

Hibana: "Hmm...To go to Hell just to save your home...That's some strength."

Konro: "Nothing special, doctor--just a responsibility."

shinra:....*his hands are shaking*

Konro: "Shinra...It is an awful sight. If you're trying to find your brother, it...I..." *his eyes roll back into his head, before he collapses*

shinra: !!!

Hibana: "!!!" *tosses Shinra her phone* "Call Huang." *moves Konro, opening his eyes to check*

-elsewhere-

tamaki: *sitting in a corner table* .....*poking her breakfast with her fork* .......

Arthur: "..." *brings his tray over to her*

tamaki:.....*glances at him, then back down at her food*

Arthur: "..." *pokes at his own meal*

Akitaru: "..." *sighs* "Arthur. Tamaki."

tamaki: *looks up at him*

Arthur: "Sir?"

Akitaru: "This can't go on like this--it's been a day since the mission, and I can't have my soldiers suffering like this. I'm taking you off of active duty."

tamaki:......

Arthur: "You cannot have the Knight King--"

nozomi: you arent being fired, it's just a little vacation.

Akitaru: *holds up a brochure*

tamaki: ....?

*"Enjoy the wonderful Asakusa summer festival!"*

nozomi: it sounds fun, doesnt it?

Arthur: "...They will have sword fights?"

nozomi: at the very least, a change in scenery will be good for you.

Akitaru: "So pack up--you'll be heading over."

-elsewhere-

Yoh: *wearing an ankle bracelet, standing on a Los Angeles street corner* ._.; "..." <How did I get myself into this mess...>

{Yoh: "I keep telling you, I didn't take any delivery!"}

{cop: dont play dumb with us, punk!}

{Yoh: "??? You can't hold me here indefinitely! I know my rights!"}

{???: easy there...}

{cop: miss katy!}

{Cop 2: *rests a hand on Cop 1's shoulder, playing 'good cop'* "My apologies for my colleague--you know how stressful this line of work can be...Officer Syth, what brings you here?"}

{katy: orders from the boss. *hands them a paper*}

{Cop 2: *looks over Cop 1's shoulder* "...?! What the H?"}

{Yoh: *also looks over their shoulders--having already broken the handcuffs that kept him tied to the table* "Yeah, what is this?"}

{katy: yeah, from the background check- .__. HEY!}

{Yoh: "..." *takes Katy's hands* "Hi, I'm Yoh Hinoki!" *smiles*}

{katy:... *sweatdrop* i was just about to say that.}

{Yoh: "Yes, but you haven't mentioned that I am of an acclaimed house of a superlative martial arts practice known as--"}

{cop: yeah yeah yeah, big whoop.}

{Yoh: -_-; "So, Officer Syth, this says I have to help with an investigation?"}

{katy: yes.}

{cop: wait, so we're just letting this random kid off the street help with a police investigation??}

{Yoh: "Will I get an award?!" *has already removed Katy's handcuffs and slapped them onto Cop 1*}

{katy:....how about we release you from prison?}

{Yoh: "That works, too! Then I can go see my sister in Death City?"}

{katy: very well.}

Yoh: *talks into incom on his collar* "I don't see anyone..."

-elsewhere, in a walk-in clinic in Los Angeles-

Physician: "I know learning you have a Quirk can be intimidating..." *gets down to eye level to the child* "But it can also be a wonderful opportunity."

child: *shaking*

mother: b-but how is this possible? neither my husband or i even _have_ quirks! so how does my child-

Physician: "Ah, that's the problem of this century--even in families with no history of Quirks, we're seeing them develop. Let's review the x-ray to see the toe joints..." *looks for the x-ray* "???" *calls out to a clerk* "Could I get the x-ray?" ^^;

clerk: coming right up, doc.

Physician: "From what I remember, your child has two joints in the pinky toes, right?"

mother: y-yes.

Physician: "Then this is quite a conundrum--having two joints is supposed to mean no Quirk. I did hear from a colleague about one boy who got his Quirk later in life, but that's the exception that proves the rule I guess..." *looks at the child with concern* "Hey...Do you know other kids at school with Quirks?"

child: w-well timmy can teleport, a-and sumire's able to make flowers.

Physician: "Do they like their Quirks?"

child: i-i think so. t-they're pretty popular now.

Physician: *nods* "That tends to happen. And I think I can understand why you're scared--this is a big responsibility for a growing young adult." *leans down into the potted plant on the windowsill, taking out a bit of the dirt* "But if you put in the work and practice..." *reshapes the dirt in her fingers into a tiny superhero statue with a cape* "You can do something to help people."

child: .....

Physician: *checks her watch* "Darn...I have to go. But I'd like to do a follow up in 2 weeks. Please schedule with the front desk, okay?"

mother: o-of course doctor....

Physician: "Dr. Smith. But call me Summer."

-elsewhere-

*in a warehouse, people are packing bullets and syringes...*

Distributor: *speaking Chinese* <We got it. Thanks. Tell us when the next subject arrives...Okay...Okay, bye.> *hangs up*

???: <so? how'd it go?>

Distributor: <The clinic found another one--she'll be bringing them over in two weeks.>

-elsewhere-

Konro: *groans...wakes up* "...???"

kirei: you're awake.

Konro: "...!!! That assassin--" *moves to get up*

priestess: dead.

Konro: "G-Good..." *holds his head* "I need to see the Commander..." *can barely stand*

priestess: you need to rest. young kusakabe already went to fetch him.

-meanwhile-

shinra: commander shinmon? it's me shinra-

*a sword passes through the curtains, aimed at his throat*

Benimaru: *sips sake* "I'm happy to see you. What brings you here?"

shinra: QxQ;;;;;

Hibana: "I told you it would be better to wait for him to exit...We dragged back your lieutenant from the river."

{Hibana: "Lift with the knees!"}

{shinra: why arent _you_ helping out? i've seen how strong you are! >3< }

{Hibana: "Aw, thank you! But I'm helping you get stronger. The opportunity to lift a big strong man will add some muscle to those bones~"}

{Konro: X_X }

Benimaru: "And now he's injured. Why didn't you help him? How do I know you two didn't knock him over the head?"

shinra: do you really think we'd do that sort of thing? -_-;

Benimaru: "Didn't she work with a witch to make fire ants?"

Hibana: -_-# "One time--ONE TIME!"

Benimaru: "Also, your movements are still slow and sloppy, Kusakabe."

shinra: o-o;

Benimaru: "So, if you have a few minutes, let's spar." *gets up*

-elsewhere-

Huang: "I'll be out. Hibana called for a favor."

asako: oh?

Huang: "She said something about a patient with a similar case to that Kusakabe kid..." *slight shudder*

asako: commander?

Huang: *steadies herself* "N-Nothing." *grabs her medical bag* "I should be back this evening."

-elsewhere-

Asher: "So where is this place?"

hibiki: well...ever heard of 'gravure models'? -_-;

Asher: "???"

Duncan: "..." .\\\\\\.;

amelia: so that's what she's doing now?

Axel: "Do they know we're showing up?"

hibiki: *shrug*

Asher: "...No, seriously, what the hell is 'gravel modeling'?"

hibiki:....*whispers*

Asher: "... ... ..." *frowns* "I preferred what I thought it was."

hibiki: this is the place.

*looks like the building is up ahead...*

Security Guard: *sitting on a chair, reading the newspaper*

hibiki: *ahem*

Security Guard: *doesn't even look up* "Yeah, how can I help you?"

hibiki: yeah, my cousin forgot their lunch. *holds up a bag*

Security Guard: *still not looking up* " 'Kay. Which office number?"

-elsewhere-

Spirit: "Welcome home! I just got a call from the caterer and-- ... You look like this would be a better discussion after you get some sleep."

sachiko: *slumps face first onto the couch and groans into the pillow*

Spirit: "..." *tucks her in with a blanket*

sachiko: i could hibernate for a century.

Spirit: "Let's try for 10 hours." *smooths her hair*

sachiko: =w=

Spirit: "One smooch before bedtime~?"

sachiko: *holding his hand*

Spirit: *gentle rub before he kisses her hand*

-elsewhere-

Asher: *looking at the door* "This the office?"

hibiki: yep. *knocks*

???: "Just a moment!" *the knob shakes a bit before the door opens*

hibiki: ._.;

Asher: -_-

Duncan: O\\\\O

Receptionist: *smiles* "How can I help you?" *she's in a tank top and short shorts*

hibiki: is marylin in?

Receptionist: "Sure thing, sweetie!" *screams to the back* "MARYLIN! YOU GOT VISITORS!" *turns back, quieter again* "Who is asking for her?"

amelia: we're investigating a murder.

Receptionist: "... ... ..." ^^; *leans forward to Amelia* "You look a little young to be a police officer, kiddo!" ^^;;;;

amelia: we're not police officers, we're DWMA students.

Receptionist: "I see--and what are you studying--" *looks at Hibiki* "...Say, you ever consider modeling?"

hibiki: -_-; i'll pass.

Receptionist: "Worth a try~" *hands a business card*

*there is a crash heard in the back*

hibiki: ??

Receptionist: "??? Marylin?" *walks to the back*

Asher: "..." *follows, gesturing to the others*

-the others follow-

Receptionist: "?!!!"

Duncan: "EEP!" *hides behind Amelia*

Asher: "Enough of this..." *transforms their arm, smashing into the door*

*Inside, a ghost is chasing Marylin around the room*

marylin: STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME! MARGE! CALL A FUCKING EXORCIST!! >~<

Jonas: "Don't you recognize me, Marylin! It's me, Jonas--" *arms stretched out to hug her*

marylin: *SCREAMING and throwing things at him*

*the items just pass through him*

Asher: "...We really should've told him to stay at the school."

Jonas: "Oh, it's you kids! Talk her down!" *dodging, even as the items just pass through him anyway*

amelia: miss marylin, did you kill mr atkinson?

Marylin: "Kill who?! What the fuck are you talking about?!!"

Jonas: Q_Q "You don't even remember me?!"

Marylin: "WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS THING?!"

amelia: jonas atkinson. his ghost, anyway.

Marylin: "... ... ...Oh, now I remember." *smirks at the ghost* "You dumped me. Well, how you missing this~?" *poses*

Jonas: Q\\\\Q

Asher: "Oh, she totally murdered him."

Marylin: "I DID NOT!"

amelia: do you know who did?

Marylin: *shrugs* "I heard he had a heart attack--"

Duncan: *reading a report* "It was an acetaminophen overdose, laced into his sports drink. Wouldn't be hard for you to get that drug--it's over-the-counter."

Marylin: "...Do I look like I know what acey-ta-minnow-whatever is?"

Duncan: "Then how do you explain the hair sample we found in his locker?"

Marylin: "... ... ..." .\\\\. "Well..."

{Marylin: *sneaks into the boys' locker room* >_> <_< "..." *shoves a letter into his locker, runs...*}

Asher: "??? What letter? None was found..."

marge: damn, that has to be some old ass hair.

Duncan: >_>; "I may have been lying there..."

Marylin: -\\\\\-# "Jerk-off...But yes, I left a letter begging him to take me back, so why would I do that then kill him? If anything, whoever you want stole my letter to make me look like the killer!"

Jonas: QwQ "You wanted to get back with me--"

Marylin: "MARGE, EXORCIST! NOW!"

hibiki: well damn, that leaves us back at square one.

Receptionist: "Marylin, don't you think you could find it in your heart to give them more information? I mean, you did sneak into the boys' locker room--didn't you see anything odd?"

Marylin: "??? No? I just shoved the letter into his locker...But I did smell something weird."

amelia: like what?

Marylin: *shrugged* "I thought it was just gym socks, but then I started smelling it when I... *ahem* started going to industry parties..." >_>; "It's called 'sour diesel.'"

-elsewhere-

Lucy: *sets down meals* "Here you go, Aya!"

aya: thanks! *eating the spagetti*

Lucy: "And given the day and time, Kunikida has his usual--"

Kunikida: "Chicken salad sandwich." *takes it* "Thank you, Lucy."

Lucy: "You're welcome." *walks back to the kitchen*

Kunikida: "Aya, how are classes?"

aya: out for the summer.

Kunikida: "I see...Then that means you'll have plenty of free time for tutoring."

-elsewhere-

Denki: "Then I can go *FWASH* and send an electric discharge to blind my opponents! I just need someone to make the shades that block out all light!"

jirou: why not bring this up with the support department? i could use some new equipment myself, actually.

Denki: "Great idea!"

Mina: "??? But if you have shades that block out all light, how would you see?"

Denki: "...See?"

eijiro: hey bakugou, maybe you could get something to help protect your hearing?

*there are fast footsteps that sound like they are running up to them*

Bakugo: "...Wow, you actually had a good idea. Congrats."

eijiro: ^w^

*then a SCREECH is heard, as someone comes to a stop in the hall*

Mei: "DID SOMEONE SAY SUPPORT DEPARTMENT?!!!"

jirou: how did she-

Mei: *up in Jirou's face* "EXCELLENT HEARING!"

jirou: ._.;

Mei: *pulls out measuring tape, wrapping it around Eijiro* "You're not ticklish, are you? Shoe size? Inseam? Waist? Height?"

???: hatsume-senpai, please wait up!

Mei: >w> "Whoopsie--sorry, I left you behind! LET'S TRY THE ROCKET SHOES ON YOU TO KEEP UP!"

student: .___.; erm...

Mina: "??? Oh, is this a newbie?"

student: ^^; nice to meet you all, my name's Suzuki. Shikarou Suzuki. *he bows*

Denki: *leans back* "Hey, careful with the horns!"

Bakugo: "Antlers, doofus."

suzuki: sorry about that, they're still growing. ^^;

Mei: "I was showing Shi-Suz around when I heard you saying 'SUPPORT DEPARTMENT,' and my alarm went off. See?" *holds up a blinking emergency button labeled 'Support Department Emergency'* "Shi-Suz, watch and learn how to take measurements, as they are very important in the support group. Pikachu, please hold Angry Bomberman still."

Bakugo: "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!"

Denki: "Eijiro, hold his legs." *grabs Bakugo by the arms*

suzuki: oh! *taking notes*

Mina: *stares at Suzuki's head* OwO "...Horn Siblings..."

suzuki: eh?

Mina: *points to her horns*

Bakugo: "STOP THAT! THAT--HA HA HA HA--"

suzuki: oh! i see. a-actually mine are antlers. ^^;

Mei: "I see--ticklish. Hmm...Need to adjust your measurements on the biceps."

Mina: "Have you met your teachers?"

suzuki: i have. mr power-loader's been very helpful, and miss aranya's really smart.

Mina: "Aranya, the costume designer? She has such pretty costumes!"

Mei: "Lift him up."

Bakugo: "PUT ME DOWN, OR YOU'RE DEAD!"

-elsewhere-

*Mana's phone chirps with a text message*

mana: ?? *looks*

Text Message: [hey, sis--guess where i am] *it's a photo of Yoh--in handcuffs with Los Angeles police officers Katy and Mandy*

mana: D8 [WTF??]

Yoh: [oh the officers are saying i'm blowing my cover. aren't they cute tho?]

mana: [WHY ARE YOU IN LA]

Yoh: [i was on my way to death city then suspected of transporting illegal substances] *attaches a pic in front of a West Hollywood drag shop*

mana: [WAT]

Yoh: [weird right? anyway i'm helping the police then can keep traveling]

-elsewhere-

Anya: *looking at a map* "..." *sighs*

tsugumi: what's up?

Anya: "N-Nothing! Just reviewing some little looked at places, probably not of interest to you since you are probably busy with whatever Maki had contacted you about..."

tsugumi: ??

Anya: >\\\>; "Nothing." *rolls up the map* "Maybe I'm just homesick."

tsugumi: maybe we could visit your home country?

Anya: *grabs her hands* (╯✧ ∇ ✧)╯ "You mean it?!"

tsugumi: OvO sure?

Anya: "!!!" *lets go* "I mean, it's not big deal if you refuse." >_>;

tsugumi: ^^; no, i think it's a great idea.

Anya: "..." *inner squee* "I will begin packing!" *pulls out four suitcases* "This should be enough for daily wear."

-elsewhere-

Hyde: *staring at a history book in the library...and crying*

jackie: can i help you?

Hyde: "?!! J-Just reading up on European history! That's all! Ha ha ha..." QwQ;

jackie: ?? ok?

Hyde: *ahem* "Do you have more information on the pre-founding origins of Yngling?"

-elsewhere-

Justin: *asleep on the couch* "Zzz..." *looks like he's been busy cleaning*

oriko:...*puts a blanket over him*

Justin: *small groan* "Ma..."

oriko:.....

Justin: *small shudder before he calms...*

-elsewhere-

Mori: *looks at the skyline from his office*

kouyou: you called?

Mori: "Please, sit."

kouyou: *takes a seat*

Mori: *sits at the head of the table...there are four other than the two occupied* "It has been some time since Ace's demise."

kouyou: indeed. *looks over to chuuya*

Chuuya: *frowns*

Mori: *gestures to another seat* "And I am still saving one for our departed Dazai..." *smirks*

Chuuya: "..."

Mori: "With our other two executives not present, we can't very well replace them. But I had someone in mind to take Ace's seat."

miura: *adjusting her glasses*

*the doors open*

kouyou: *looks*

*Hirotsu enters*

elise: hiroshi?

Hirotsu: "..." *approaches, but does not sit* "Hello, everyone."

Chuuya: "..."

{Hirotsu: "While Mori is incapacitated, I will carry the burden of the Port Mafia on my back and keep the unity strong."}

{gin: ....}

{higuchi: i couldnt think of a better person for the job, sir.}

{Tachihara: "Think you got the stamina for this kind of thing, old timer?"}

{Hirotsu: "It's not a matter of 'can' or 'can't'--some things are about responsibility."}

Hirotsu: "I am humbled by this invitation, sir..." *takes a seat*

kouyou: congratulations.

Chuuya: "Your presence is appreciated."

Hirotsu: "..." *nods* "Well, then, I'm ready to begin."

-elsewhere-

NOS4A2: *checking the Internet* "Hmm...Destro?"

tomura: oh him? he's the one who founded the 'meta liberation army'.

NOS4A2: "...I'm processing this information. Checking for real name..."

-name; Chikara Yotsubashi-

NOS: "Yes...Yotsubashi. I remember meeting."

tomura: oh really? how long were you in that box, exactly?

NOS: "That's a loaded question--especially considering temporary moments for diagnostics...Is disco still a thing? If not, before that, about 30 years."

tomura: ah.

TWICE: yeah! disco fever! GET WITH THE TIMES, GRAMPS!

NOS: "...I suppose I have some catching up to do. This will take some time..." *plugs the ethernet into his head...then removes it after 3 seconds* "Jeez, that took forever. ...What are Pogs?"

-elsewhere-

Agate: *looking at paintings in a museum* "...This is nice, Doctor."

remina: ugh, i told you, you can call me remina if you want! >3<

Agate: "S-Sorry. Remina. ... *sighs* I feel restless. It has been some time since my last fight--and repairs. I feel much better--when can I compete again?"

remina: i'll have to check with schedules.

Agate: -3- "I can check them--I am practically your PDA. You have a lecture tomorrow morning, lunch with the lab director about funding, spin class in the afternoon--"

-elsewhere-

Child: *gasps* "Why didn't you tell us you got your Quirk?!" *walking along the Venice Beach Boardwalk near Los Angeles*

boy: *bites his lip*

girl: were you scared we wouldnt like you anymore?

boy:...*nod*

Child: "..." *soft arm punch*

boy: !

Child: "That's what you get for thinking we wouldn't like you anymore, silly!"

*some bodybuilders are doing tricks and poses on the Boardwalk*

girl: some grown ups may think it's weird, but what do _they_ know! you're still the same timmy, right?

timmy:.... Q~Q t-thanks....

Child: "Hee hee! Hey, Dad gave me some money for ice cream--want some?"

*someone is following them...*

girl: .....hey! whoever's following us, you better stop or i'll scream for the police!

???: "D'aw, isn't that cute, sis? She's going to scream for the police!"

???: what is she, like? 5?

girl: im 6 and a half!

???: "6 and a half! LULZ! But seriously, nah, gurl, we're not here for you." *picks the girl up by the collar*

*meanwhile, someone in a hoodie and swimwear bottoms is walking along the beach*

girl: *SCREAMS*

timmy: s-stop it!

???: "Sis, take the brat..." *tosses the girl over the boardwalk*

Hoodie: "!!!" *suddenly, sand accumulates along their legs...*

girl: EEK!

*a pair of giant rocky hands catches the girl, a tattered hoodie floating away, revealing a rock giant*

Rock Giant: *looks up at ??? and ???*

???: what the F?!

???: "...Sis, grab the brat!" *pushes the other boy over the ledge*

*pushes the other child

Child: "GAK!"

timmy: no, stop it! *shaking*

???: *grabs timmy by the arm*

Child: *grabs onto the plank, holding on, screaming*

Rock Giant: *puts the girl on their shoulder* "Hang on, please."

girl: dont let omar fall!

Omar: "I'M NOT GOING TO FALL! I'M--"

*Omar falls*

Omar: Q____Q

Rock Giant: "!!!" *dives at Omar*

???: *takes Timmy by the other arm* "Ready, sis?"

???: you got it!

timmy: *SCREAMING*

*The siblings' legs charge up with glowing energy before...*

Rock Giant: *catches Omar, looks at the siblings--*

???: *smirks* "TTFN!" *salutes before--*

???: *tosses their sibling and Timmy into the air*

girl: NO!

???: *leaps up--and seems to ricochet off of Timmy before Timmy and ??? are pulled towards them*

timmy: *crying*

Rock Giant: *sets down Omar and the girl* "Call the cops." *running through up the beach to the street*

-elsewhere-

Distributor: <The info was good: the kid's been captured. Thank the good doctor for that.>

-elsewhere-

-in the DWMA, a radio signal is picked up-

???: hullo? anyone read me? over?

Auntie: "???" *picks up the radio* "This is the DWMA. Over."

???: ah, so the old thing still works, that's good to know, over.

Auntie: "Who is this?"

???: this is Janine McBride, from australia, over.

Auntie: "Down under, eh? That's a long way to be calling Death City..."

janine: well, i managed to find my dad's old radio, and i wanted to see if it still worked. lo and behold, it does! over.

Auntie: "I see. This is a line for emergencies to reach the DWMA, though. Over."

janine: i see. well, if it means anything, there have been magical creature poachings in the area. over.

Auntie: *taking notes* "That's pretty big. Coordinates? Over."

-elsewhere-

Asher: "Well, that was a bust."

hibiki: now what?

Axel: "Maybe that 'bitter octane' thingie can lead to something?"

zeke: yeah.

Duncan: "It was called 'sour diesel.'" *searches online for it* "... ... ..." *turns phone off* "Well, I have to clean that off my phone."

Asher: "Pft. Child."

hibiki: ....you ok?

Duncan: "Fine! Just...fine. ...FBI doesn't track those online searches, right?"

hibiki: i was talking to asher.

Duncan: T___T

Asher: "...Fine. Why?"

hibiki:...just checking.

-elsewhere-

stocking: haaa....holy hot damn that was good.

Kid: *wipes his mouth* "I hope so..." *slowly kisses up her stomach before cuddling with her*

stocking: *shivers and hugs him* mmm~<3 you sure know how to please me~ 7w7

Kid: *strokes hair away from her face* "I aim to please~" *kisses her softly* "I'm so glad you had time today..."

stocking: yeah. we should have a weekend away, all to ourselves. *walks her fingers up his chest and boops his nose* boop~

Kid: "Tee hee..." *nose nuzzle* "I would like that so much. We would have a lot to do while we're away..."

-elsewhere-

Magaki: "Any plans for the Occult Club over the summer? I heard those NOT students were investigating the ghost's murder..."

rowena: i was hoping to visit the winchester mystery house! *shiny eyes*

alice: that does seem to be an interesting topic.

Magaki: "What makes the house a 'mystery'?

rowena: it was built by sarah winchester, widow of the owner of the winchester rifles. mrs winchester was convinced that the ghosts of all who had died from a winchester rifle were haunting her, so the house was built upon constantly with fake doors, staircases, and various other oddities in an attempt to confuse the spirits, and construction continued until mrs winchester died in 1922!

Magaki: "...Didn't I see a documentary on this? I think it was called 'Saw'?" [Narrator / Present Mic: "MAGAKI DOES NOT REALIZE 'SAW' IS A WORK OF FICTION!"]

alice: ....

Poe: "Rowena? I have a surprise for you..." *holds out an envelope*

rowena: ??

*inside the envelope are plane tickets and a B&B reservation*

rowena: *SHINY EYES AND GASP*

Poe: "Enjoy."

rowena: *hug* oh thank you, edgar!

Poe: *smiles* "I hope it is to your liking!"

-elsewhere-

Meme: "Yngling?!"

tsugumi: yep!

mio: holy cow!

Anya: =_=; *standing with a set of luggage* ("...Why did I think it was just Tsugumi that would be going with me...")

Meme: "Do they let tourists in? What kind of passport will we need? What language do they speak?"

ao: hoho, this should be interesting.

Anya: *forced smile* "Quite..." *ahem* "First of all, you have to be on your best behavior. That means no ugly tourist behavior. Yngling is a respectable city-state with proud traditions--"

mio: could we get, like, diplomatic immunity?

Anya: "Wait, what? What are you planning to do that would require diplomatic imm--"

Meme: "The castle has funny guards with goofy hats, don't they? Can we be arrested for poking the goofy-hat guards?"

Anya: "No poking the guards!"

-elsewhere-

*the phone at the Mjolnir residence rings*

marie: yes?

Auntie: "Hello, Miss Marie--got a second?"

marie: yes? what is it?

Auntie: "I got a call on the secured radio line from someone about magical creature poaching in Australia..."

marie: oh goodness!

Auntie: "Think you can pop on over?"

marie: i'll be over as soon as possible.

Auntie: "Need any backup? Or a babysitter?"

-elsewhere-

shinra: so...hows things?

Benimaru: "Fine. What, is the 8th interested in my personal affairs now, watchdog?"

shinra: OwO;;; t-that's not what im trying to imply! i mean, we are allies, right? good to keep in touch, yeah? ^^;;;;

Benimaru: "..." *stops in his tracks* "Do you think people trust your group? After what happened in the Nether?"

shinra: eh?

Benimaru: "Don't you find it odd that your teammates in the 8th escaped unscathed, while members of the 2nd were killed or hospitalized?"

shinra: ....i wouldnt say completely unscathed...

Benimaru: "...Sorry. Just saying how I fear outsiders will see what happened. Your division has been in the center of a lot of controversies. How do you earn back trust you may have lost?"

shinra: .........

???: "Here, the door slides like this--"

*FWAP*

shinra: *looks*

Arthur: "S-Sorry..."

shinra: it's goo- ARTHUR?!

Arthur: "Devilman?"

Benimaru: "Hipster samurai and black cat?"

shinra: when did you get here?!

tamaki:..............................

Arthur: "The commander assigned us here for R&R&T: rest, relaxation, and training."

shinra: *looks at tamaki*.....i see...

tamaki: *her eyes are dull* ......

Benimaru: "..." *looks around* "...Get inside. All of you." *shoves Shinra and Arthur*

shinra: h-hey!

Arthur: "?! Sir Shinmon, why are you--"

Benimaru: *shoves them into the tea room--then spots Tamaki* "...Over here. Walk. Move."

tamaki: *staring up at a beam* .....................

Benimaru: "..." *pulls her over* "Okay, you three stooges--I taught you, and you come back here with your tails between your legs--or whatever the equivalent is for Kusakabe."

shinra: hey!

Benimaru: *death glare* "Why didn't you succeed in the Nether? What was missing that stopped you from taking down the Hoods?!"

shinra:.....

-shinra explains what happened-

Arthur: "...Shinra exaggerates. I was totally winning--"

*SLAAAAAAAAAP*

shinra: oxo

Arthur: @~@

Benimaru: "I see my training was a waste if you couldn't dodge." *shifts his hand at Shinra--*

shinra: *DODGE*

Benimaru: "..." *pulls back his hand* "Better." *looks at Tamaki* "...I notice you didn't have much to share."

tamaki: *still staring up at the beam*................

Benimaru: "..." *looks up at the beam* "...Nah, not sturdy enough for your weight."

shinra: .....

Benimaru: "...Kotatsu. What do you want?"

tamaki:.....*shaking*

Arthur: "..." *holds her hand*

shinra: she's been like this since the nether....

Benimaru: "You know what we do in these situations in Asakusa?"

shinra: ....

Benimaru: "We keep busy. Be ready at 7 AM tomorrow. Wear comfortable shoes."

shinra:......alright...

Arthur: "..."

-elsewhere-

Akitaru: *in front of the 'schedule' board, moving index cards around--and moving ones labeled 'Shinra,' 'Arthur,' and 'Tamaki' to a new 'Vacation' column...the index cards even have little doodles of the three on them* *sighs* "Okay--Relan is still recovering but can take over Shinra's patrol if I had 2 more to go with him...Dang, this is harder than I thought..."

karin: what's up?

Akitaru: "Hey, Doc--could I get some advice? We're stretched thin, and I'm trying to figure out who can substitute for the three in Asakusa and our convalescing soldier."

karin: hmmm, we got lisa and yu, right?

Akitaru: *moves their cards to a column* "Right. Lisa's firepower is incredible. How is Yu handling the new equipment?"

karin: i think he has a handle on things now.

Akitaru: "I'll pair them with Relan. The Lieutenant and Maki still got their shift--assuming dinner isn't a fiasco."

-elsewhere-

Asher: *sips on a milkshake* "...Thanks."

hibiki: no prob.

Asher: "Haven't been here before...It's nice." *looks out the window at the street...looks like traffic has picked up*

hibiki: ...so...how's stuff with you?

Asher: "..." *shrugs* "Not great? Better to not go back for a few hours."

hibiki:......how bad is it?

Asher: "..." *looks away* "It'll be fine. Just wait until everyone is asleep. Then I won't have to talk to her."

hibiki:......

Asher: "Better than..." *gestures to their eye* "It's fine. Just...fine. She'll probably be drunk and asleep anyway."

hibiki:.......do you really think it's ok to keep living like this?

Asher: "...Better than the alternative." *rubs their wrist*

hibiki: ........

*something drips onto the table*

Asher: *wipes their eyes with the back of a hand*

-elsewhere-

#death city days

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