#special shout out to all of you that have stuck around through every rebirth of hyperfixations

[glitterghost]

I'm glad you are here with me, here at the end (and beginning) of all things.

[ivy-loves-chocolate]

Note: this was a commission I got from a supporter on ko-fi. I hope that you’ll read it with the same enjoyment I had while writing it. If you want to commission or support me check the pinned post or the hyperlink, you’ll find all the details there. If you have questions, my DM is open 🤗. Also, your comments are always welcomed.

Promt: Wesker forgets about the reader’s birthday.

Pairing: Wesker x F!Reader

Word count: 2K

Type: fluff.

Wesker placed the samples with care on the table, starting his day as usual. He’s been spending his last few years, stuck in the lab researching all over again in order to achieve the wanted results. Since Uroborus is a high importance plan, he’s very meticulous about his schedule, respecting every minute precisely. Not a minute early, not a minute late. The only thing that he tries to put outside his schedule is you because he doesn’t like limiting the time he spends with his sweetheart. He cares so much about you that over the years he sees you as his equal, so he plans to inject you with the progenitor virus, a weaker strand because he can’t risk killing you. Because of this, he wants to do it on a special day, but the many opportunities that arrived didn’t fit in his schedule. The greatest gift he ever received was the power he got after breaking the confines of humanity, so he wants you to experience the same joy. Wesker kept thinking about it but he would get distracted by his work, so his present would always be in the planning stage. He doesn’t want to do it suddenly, he wants to introduce the idea slowly to you because he respects your boundaries.

Once you earned his respect, Wesker can be a very carrying partner, human even. He knows every little detail about his sweetheart, from her birthday to what she last ate. It can seem creepy when you put it like this, but this is nothing more than a lover who deeply cares about his partner and seeks to make her happy. Wesker is not the greatest at showing it though because of his work life. He has little to no time to show his affection. He still shows you that he is there for you, but not as much as he wants, making him more frustrated. Sometimes when he comes home from work he is so tired he barely sees you, let alone talk with you. He either collapses on the couch or bed and falls asleep as you talk with him because he is just too exhausted to carry the conversation. This doesn’t sit right with him because he gives all of his attention and energy to his work and doesn’t have any left for the only person that matters to him, making him wonder if it’s all worth it.

The relationship didn’t have a great start, since you expected Albert to be with you at least 8 hours a day but you’re lucky if you catch him once a week. He’s not the type to express himself and constantly expects others to read his mind, so you two would end up fighting. You have mistaken the lack of presence as rudeness and indifference, basing your reasoning on all the rumors you heard until you realized they were all stupid. Wesker proved to be the contrary, talking so nicely to you and not belittling you at all even if you piss him off. The amount of respect this man offered you even from the beginning is astonishing. He was so transparent with you and with all he does and he had so much patience until you understood. He was just a working man with probably burnout syndrome, so you took the responsibility to take care of him.

His phone buzzed since he started his work. Calls, messages, idiots without brains, as he calls them, needed help doing their job. When he had enough he picked up his phone and started to scroll down through notifications. Some of these people make him curse like a sailor, especially the one who texted him the most. As useful as Excella is in helping with his projects, as annoying she can be. Hundreds of messages and calls, some related to work some not. A particular question caught his attention.

“Do you think y/n would like this?” A picture of a purse was attached. Excella can’t stand you for obvious reasons, but out of respect for Albert, she tries to be friends with you. Still, why would Excella buy something for you out of the blue?

“Is something special today?” He thought.

The horrifying grimace when the realization hit cannot be described. Today is indeed a special day, your birthday. To be honest, he doesn’t care about birthdays. He despises them because they are a reminder of our mortality, but he knows how much you care about such occasions. Every year you got him something even if he insisted not to buy anything for him. Seeing you care and how much you enjoy receiving gifts he changed his mindset. Usually, he would give you something common, just as others would, but then he began to put more effort until there wasn’t anything material in this world to give. That’s how the progenitor virus gift arises in his head. However, he’s been so caught up with his research on Uroborus that he completely forgot to make the preparations. You don’t feel the days pass when you’re stuck in a lab all the time. He puts the phone aside, grabs his coat, and rushes out of the building ignoring the people that are trying to talk with him. If not the virus, he will have to find something common.

He’s not a fan of last minutes gifts but he has no choice. The guilt crushed him further as he remember he hasn’t talked with you all day. The ride to the jewels store felt like ages, even if it was relatively close. Luck was on his side since he found the store open.

None of the jewelry in front of him caught his attention because it wasn’t something he hopes of giving you. He already buried you in gold. You have the finest, unique, and expensive jewels in the world. He wouldn’t have been injected you in a lab of course. He wanted a special place for your rebirth. All of his ideas were put on paper, but probably got lost in the pile of reports. All he wanted was to see you smile on the most important day of your life, perhaps looking at him with the same eyes as his. He wanted to make you feel as you were the center of his universe, his queen, but he failed miserably. Maybe if he had gotten any outstanding results today he wouldn’t be so upset, but it was just another ordinary day. The lady tried talking with him but he was lost in his thoughts. Knowing it’s late and that you’re waiting for him, he bought a pearl necklace and left in hurry. On his way home he tried thinking of what to say, what excuse would be the best but he concluded that all of them were outdated.

Before opening the door, he hid the small package in the inner pocket of his coat. That lady was in hurry to close the store and didn't want to wrap the necklace if gift wrap. Wesker will remember that.

“I’m home!” He shouted once he entered. He may screw up, but he is not a man who runs away from conflict or a man who doesn’t own his mistakes.

“I thought you’d spend the night in your lab.” She said while giving him a peck on his cheek. “You need a vacation dear, you’ll be worn out before your time”

You were so carrying with him, so kind, but he couldn’t enjoy it. He didn’t deserve your kindness.

“There is something I need to tell you.”

“About?” You were starting to get worried. He left in hurry this morning and you didn’t hear anything from him all day. Excella told you briefly about him, but she talked more about the purse she bought for you which was more for her taste, not yours. Judging by his face you realized he had something on his mind, but you would never think it was because he forgot about your birthday. You expected him to talk about an outbreak rather than your forgotten birthday. To your surprise, he started apologizing.

“I was so caught up in my work I-“ he considers apologies a waste of time since we could do better things with our mortality and limited time, but for a reason, humans care about these.

“It’s alright my love.” You caress his face as a reassuring sign. “I understand.” You’re not upset at him. He genuinely cares about you and you can’t judge him, not after all the good things he has done for you. And besides, you know he doesn’t fully mean it, but you appreciate that he still does it for the sake of your feelings.

You began to caress his cheeks, to place small kisses all over his face. You see him rarely so you make sure to show him how much you love him as well. You hug him and he instantly hugged you back. After a while, you broke the hug and lead him to the couch so you can talk about each other’s day. He’s thankful you both moved on.

Eventually, you two got more comfortable. You let all your weight fall over his body as his strong arms were wrapped around your torso. His big hands were caressing your back while you found your peace in that small, almost suffocating, clasp. You almost fell asleep when a gentle squeeze woke you.

“I almost forgot.” He said, almost whispering, before handing you your gift. “It’s not what I had planned, but I hope you’ll find it enjoyable.”

Hazily, you took the small box Albert handled to you. It was a normal, jewelry box with the logo of the store on it. Inside there was a beautiful, shiny pearl necklace. Your delicate fingers touched the pearls with care, feeling their gritty texture and small bumps here and there. It weighs heavy in your hands. You fell in love instantly with the accessory. Seeing how happy you are, Albert offered to put it at your neck. Its elegance enhanced your natural beauty. It looks like it was made solely for you, like an extension of your body.

“I bet it was a lot.” You said with a somehow sorrow in your voice. You don’t want Albert to spend heavy money on you, because it’s his presence that you enjoy and value the most.

“Don’t worry about it, I like spending money on you.” And it was true, he loves dressing you in the most expensive clothing to flatter your body. You’re a goddess to him. Not to mention it strokes his ego to know that he’s able to provide such beautiful things to you. “At least this is what I can do.”

“And it’s perfect this way.” You can see him relax a little.

“I’ll make it up to you, I just need some time.” Time, mortality, death. Once again he was reminded of his plan that was supposed to fix humanity's greatest flaw, and his expression suddenly changed. That didn’t get past Y/N’s attention.

“Albert sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, some problems I need to solve.”

“Are they urgent?”

“Yes, very.”

“I’m sure they can wait until tomorrow.”

He scanned your body carefully. You weren’t getting any younger. Time left its mark on you. Not in an unpleasant way, but still noticeable.

“There something I need to tell you.” He said while sitting on the edge of the bed, watching you how you admire your new necklace. In the lights of the vanity mirror the pearls shine brighter, being more appealing than before making it impossible to take your eyes off them.

“What is it?” You said while gazing at your own reflection.

He choose his words carefully, but no matter how he put them, it could scare you. It’s not the time or the place. He doesn’t want to ruin your happiness. His actual surprise might not sit well with you, but it’s not your choice after all. If he considers it the best option for you he will do it regardless of your opinion. Still, this day came out better than he expected.

“Maybe tomorrow.”

Tags: @xx-sectumsempra-xx @residentzero2028 @heisentitties (dm if you wanna be in the tag list)

[kurahieiritrjio]

Snippets for a Shingeki no Kyojin Story?

No idea whether or not this will go anywhere, Don’t even know if the story snippets I have so far are worth trying to turn into a real story. Would be interested in learning whether the idea is interesting or not.

Rebirth of The Green Queen: by kurahieiritrJIO

Synopsis: Marley's genocide kicks into motion, taking a heavy toll inside Paradis' three walls. All seems lost until a group of nations enraged with Marley's warmongering intervenes. Said new forces are led by supernatural powered beings called Celestial Kings. Can Eren survive the furious Celestial Kings plan for resurrecting Terrestria by uniting 9 titan spirits within his body?

NOTES: Nature Gods aka Celestial Kings = 10 nature kings total

Terrestria the Green Queen: Ymir Fritz is the only person ever attached to the complete “Green Queen.” Terrestria's spirit was shattered into 9 pieces while saving the planet from extinction. Her shards became the Titans who were enslaved by humanity. Powers include fertility of plants and healing when she is complete.

(Quetzi) Thunderbird the Lord of Storms. partnered to Major Scythes, who has no recalled birth name so took the name of her first power manifestation which was twin lightning scythes. Major Scythes was a slave who accidentally learned of being Thunderbird’s newest reincarnation human the most traumatic way imaginable. Major Scythes is a borderline serial killer because of her first memories of being a 7 year old whore of a pirate captain that specialized in human trafficking. Scythes is obsessed with defending the weak and downtrodden, and is most dangerous when children are threatened.

She's under the Coronal's command

Seiryū the Azure Dragon, Lord of Waters.  Partnered to Colonel

Suzaku the Phoenix-Lord of Wisdom  partnered to

Byakko the White Tiger-Lord of Winds,  partnered to

Genbu the Turtle-Lord of Earth,  partnered to

Huma the Firebird-Lord of Fire,  partnered to

Erytheo the Orthrus -two headed wolf (with multiple tails)- Lord of Death?,  partnered to

Memnos the Griffin-Lord of Beasts,  partnered to

Bellerophon the Chimera-Lord of Gravity?  partnered to

(may need to add Time and Space to the roster through one of the Kings, unless all of them have the talent?)

Historia had no illusions about how she would be received as she charged down the hallways of the military headquarters, her royal crown skewed from a previous tussle with the military police. Her hastily grabbed crown and scepter were useless if nobody lived to obey the new government at any rate. Although, the scepter did make a great bludgeon at need.

Part of Historia understood that the police were doing their job, and only wanted to seal her into an underground chamber to keep her alive for the population's peace of mind. However, the rest of her being screamed that her people were dying, and nobody would survive if she failed to reach her destination. Slamming into a brick wall because she was running too fast to make the turn, Historia grunted and flung herself toward the dark wooden doors that proclaimed her flight was nearing an end. Far as Historia was concerned, she was in a do or die situation. Puppet queen or not, she had to do something for the people she once protected as a member of the Survey Corp. She alone had the knowledge needed of their nation's hidden ultimate weapon, and how to wield it if they were to survive.

“Is it true that titans are still falling from the sky inside all our walls, Premier Zachary?” Historia shrieked while dodging the military policemen hot on her heels as she flung herself through the doors.

“Your Majesty, why aren't you inside the underground shelter?” Zachary snapped as he and Pyxis looked up from their perusal of a map littered with red, green, and tan pins.

“Stand down, Soldiers.” Pyxis barked at the cluster of panting military police who chased Historia inside.

“Are all three Walls under attack by titans that fell from the sky, Zachary?” Historia requested a second time, slamming her small hands onto the table top while glaring at the older man.

“War doesn't concern you, Majesty. Leave it to me and my Commanders to eliminate the enemy. You need to get into shelter. We cannot afford to lose our government's figure head.” Zachary rumbled in dismissal.

“If the population dies, my survival is meaningless, Primier! Not only that, but I know the secrets to the hidden weapon we have to stop this slaughter! My family created the Wall titans for this specific emergency!” Desperate to be heard by the military leader, Historia shouted at the pair.

Zachary's arm froze before he completed the silent order to remove her from the room. “How are they a weapon, Majesty?”

Dragging a deep breath into strained lungs, History spoke fast. “I know how to free the wall titans, and use them to destroy Marley's titans. Father made sure I knew all I needed to know when he was trying to persuade me to eat Eren because he has the Control titan. If I can get to Eren Jeager, we can save our people. So long as I'm with him, he'll be able to use the Royal family's command power to direct our titans into combat to save everyone.”

Pyxis hummed as he popped open his flask and took a deep swig. “It's worth a shot, Primier. Jeager and Arlelt are most likely exhausted from fighting titans since yesterday morning. I've heard that they were among the first fighters to engage when the first ones were dropped inside Wall Rose. They can't get to any of the gates to help anyone else at this rate. We're losing too many soldiers and taking heavy population losses. The Underground City is in an uproar with people fleeing the surface. Like I told you, all of our wall cannons are being blown to hell by soldiers inside those stick looking air machines every time we man them. The tops of the walls have already been compromised in several places. It's only a matter of time before the titans inside the walls are free to roam. The enemy is no doubt trying to take Jeager and Arlelt into custody as we speak, Dhalis.”

Zachery heaved a sigh, hand stroking through his beard. “If only I'd had sense enough, I would have put that boy to death so there wasn't anyone for the enemy to try and capture.”

A growl of frustration slipped out of Historia's throat before she could tamp it down. “Wrong! You would have handed the Attack Titan back to Marley on a platter! Each titan is bound to a specific bloodline, Primier. Obviously they controlled it before the Jeager family came into possession of it through eating the previous carrier. The only titan we'd still control would be the royal controller, and it's almost useless outside of ordering the Wall Titans to wake up and fight. Keeping Eren alive insured we gained control over four titans total. He's the only reason we have a fighting chance.”

Pyxis cleared his throat. “One of the titans isn't really under our control since she is a prisoner underground, Your Majesty.”

“Doesn't matter! Annie's not able to fight against us so long as she's trapped in that crystal. She sure isn't fighting against us while she's locked deep underground either.” Historia pointed out.

“Does anyone even know where Jeager is at this point?” Zachery tossed at the group.

Nile Dawk shook his head. “Last known location for his group was near Trost district. Arlelt was last seen heading toward Utopia district since it had the second largest group of titans dropped inside the walls I the first wave as far as anyone knows. He was racing to their aide in his titan form.”

Historia threw her crown onto the table. “Let me find Eren. Get me the fastest horse you've got, along with fighting gear, and I'll find Eren myself. I know we can turn things around if I can get to him in time, Primier. He'll be with Squad Captain Levi knowing him. Captain Levi never lets Eren out of his sight for long. I'll have our nation's best body guards with those two accompanying me.”

Pyxis chuckled, “Following the carnage straight to the boy is probably as good a plan as any in this situation. Get Christa Lenz some omni-directional gear and harness, Dawk. She's been an inactive member of the Survey Corps who's going back to active duty. I'm sure we can trust in her abilities.”

With a fast growing smile stretching her lips, Historia snapped to attention, hands flashing into the familiar salute of an active service member. She accepted the unspoken order in the Commander's voice as their eyes met. Historia Reiss did not exist once she stepped onto the battle field. Only the nobody girl who joined the most dangerous division of the military could succeed in reaching her comrades in their hour of need. A queen captured would be a huge liability to everyone, but Christa Lenz was easy to overlook.

Zachery sighed as his chin dipped to his chest, posture sagging. “Do it, Dawk. It's our only remaining option, even if it may be a long shot.”

~~oo0oo~~

Looking around Trost's remaining buildings, which were swarming with too many Titans for the remnants of a military force to take out, Levi knew there was nowhere they could go. After the number of air ships Levi had managed to count flew away in the distance, he understood that all three walls and the communities within were under siege. Farming communities were the most vulnerable as they had no military presence. Farmers had zero possibility of surviving this meaningless slaughter. Bile churned in Levi's guts as he fought to control his emotions, and focus on the here and now of the insane battle he and Eren were stuck fighting. Not even this important gate community was easy to secure for survivors with the air superiority involved.

Part of Levi wondered how Eren's father could fail to chronicle whatever the new flying machines were that Levi had noticed.  They were proving so deadly to the wall garrison soldiers that Levi found himself livid at having no warning that such things existed. Grisha mentioned the balloons, but not the flying stick canister looking machines. While Levi was gritting his teeth, he saw the last wall cannons get blown apart by weapons that were tied to the strange new flying machines. Like the big balloon shaped air ships, the previously undisclosed machines were buzzing so far above their positions that it felt as Marley was determined to mock them, especially Arlert's new role as the Collosal shifter in his own right.  

Levi had no idea what the weapons were, much less how they worked because he could not see them well enough to pick out any details despite being on Trost's clock tower. Even his keen eyes were unable to see more than the long triads of boards attached to what looked like a long, tapering cylinder in the center. The stick machines made massive noise as they flew past to continue tearing down the walls of Trost District. As if the balloons had not already dropped a lethal enough load of titans among the citizenry! With each attack, the walls crumbled more, and Levi could see a couple massive titan heads beginning to show in the distance. The protective walls were getting chipped off of the wall titans.

Lovely. The already shitty mess would get far smellier once the wall titans were liberated.

It was certain that the stick machines had the job of protecting the oblong balloons that kept dumping packages that exploded into titans as they fell from drastic heights. Unless they found a way to stop the smaller, crazier looking flying machines, the wall titans could replace every monster the military managed to kill. If only Eren was fresh enough to hurl boulders at the damned machines like Marley's Beast Titan! Then again, Levi had no idea if Eren was even capable of accuracy in throwing things, or how far he could reach.

Any survivors left were trapped like rats inside of any buildings containing underground basements, or the stone warehouses that the titans could not easily enter. Not that hiding would save lives long. Once they ran out of food and water, the population that managed to escape today would still die. It simply meant a lingering death since nobody had any means of escape. If anyone left the few basements in the area, they would end up torn apart by titan jaws since the monsters were congregating in those places.

Despite Jeager's determination, he was not immortal, nor indestructible. Exhaustion was getting deadly for both of them, and Levi knew they had to retreat if they were to have any chance of a comeback. Suicidal Bastard truly was a better fitting nickname than Humanity's Hope for the reckless little shit's actions of late. It was not so bad when Eren had started getting low on gas and shifted the first time. But the fool had pushed himself into fighting long enough for several titan transformations to crumble around himself at this point.

Unlike Eren, Levi had no qualms in admitting he had also surpassed his body's limitations. Their only hope to keep fighting in the future was to find shelter, eat, and recuperate. They had no other options if their strength was to return, alongside better reasoning skills. The teen did not have the capacity to understand his own limits. Stupid level stubborn, because he was all heart, was the only thing Eren still retained. Exasperating as the teen was proving, Levi could not find it within himself to fault the kid's need to save citizens.

Furthermore, Levi needed more gas if they were to have any chance of wading through another fight. Not like Jeager was able to dredge up more strength to transform any longer once Levi got his hands on his subordinate's neck. Another transformation was not plausible from where Levi stood. He shook his head over the latest, pathetic bait that Eren Jeager's determination had created. Eren's latest titan was so unstable that it steamed with every move. The seven to eight meter form trembled as the shifter swayed, a hand latching onto a damaged building to keep upright. The titan was so wobbly that Eren had trouble keeping it's feet firmly on the ground despite how it was dragging it's feet. Levi knew he had to chop his charge out of the crumbling titan body, and beat a quick retreat.

The argument Eren was sure to give was going to try what was left of Levi's flagging patience no less. Reality and Eren Jeager's stubborn obsessive fighting spirit were not going to see eye to eye any time soon. So Levi had to ram the facts down Eren's unwilling throat. Facts like how Eren's latest titan transformation was abysmal, scarce able to move due to how incomplete it's musculature looked. Therefore, Levi was stuck fighting off much livelier, and complete titans to keep Eren from being eaten with the titan body Levi dubbed Bait.

Using Eren's shifted body as an anchor, Levi swung upward using the energy gained from a short free fall off of the town's clock tower to reach the fool's shoulder. With no effort Levi landed on the shoulder of Eren's steaming titan form. “You sane still, Jeager?”

A lurch affected the Titan body as Eren fought to stay on his feet because of Levi's landing on the shell's shoulder. Steam expelling from the titan's mouth. The foul smelling fog was accompanied by an unsettling thready whine as Eren moved his head at a deeper angle to make eye contact. Or maybe Eren simply could not keep the thing's head held up any longer. Either answer was plausible and equally viable.

Of course the titan that Levi landed upon chose that moment to drop onto its knees. Experience told Levi that Eren was falling into a mindless beast space within his head. Eren still sort of recognized him, which was a source of relief for Levi because it kept Bait from trying to bite him. Desperate times had taught Levi to take any small favors the universe was willing to bestow.

Determined as Eren was to keep fighting, Levi knew he had far exceeded his abilities. Reckless and ferocious as Eren was when angered, the tiny titan body he made this time was all the proof Levi needed to drag his subordinate out of the pitiful wreckage. Considering how the Survey Corps 'Suicidal Bastard' kept going rabid on and off, rampaging to continue fighting, Eren had to be removed before this newest titan body destroyed him. Or worse, fused him into a mindless human eating glutton that wouldn't last fifteen minutes around the other titans in the area.

“Don't start bitching, Jeager. Get out here, or I'm cutting you out. Your choice.”

As an additional headache, Levi was certain he would end up dead beside the despair driven crazy now controlling the younger son of a bitch. Premier Zachery's long standing orders demanded that Levi be Eren's keeper, and executioner if needed so Levi had to keep his word. Fortunately, Levi had yet to see Eren attack any citizens, at least not on purpose. In Levi's opinion, Eren throwing titan heads around while dismantling the enemy was not an attack against humanity. Any humans unfortunate enough to be in the area most likely would have died without Eren fighting for all he was worth at any rate.

It was not as if Levi blamed Eren for having rage fits over the last day and a half. It was proof that Eren was more human than most citizens at his core. The growing body count of puked up human balls was sickening. Part of Levi wished they both had the stamina to continue with these reckless charges Eren started so long ago. Looking toward the ground while staying abreast of Eren's various titan forms was a nightmare at this point. Countless corpses of women, children, and men already disgorged was not something any decent human could stomach. It was senseless death that should not be happening.

“We can't afford for the enemy to eat you, Dumb shit!” Levi snapped when Eren tried to lift his titan's arm to offer resistance, or stand back up, and failed. “I'm taking you out. We're going to regroup.”

The broken sound that erupted from the titan shifter's throat was heart wrenching. Levi understood that Eren was mentally shredding himself the second he heard the sound. Eren was assuming he was a failure. Not that the crazy son of a bitch had failed; Levi knew beyond doubt the fool was anything but a failure after witnessing how many titans Eren had killed. If anything Eren had taken out more titans over the last day and night, plus into a new day than Levi probably had during his whole Survey Corps career. Which was saying something considering that Levi had the highest undisputed kill rate of the Survey Corps history.

Snorting in disgust, Levi focused his strength into his arms. With a fast whirling motion, he sliced through the gooey feeling titan skin, yanking a barely conscious Eren out of the decaying miniaturized body. Much to his irritation, Levi had to use on of his blades to shave off titan muscles from Eren's waist and legs because the shifter was too enmeshed with the body to be pulled free. The blade boxes and canisters refused to budge from the quagmire of titan goop that should have been muscles when Levi yanked Eren higher out of the gaping wound as the husk toppled. The gas and cabke feeds attached to Eren's back looked partially melted at a glance. Another complication that was enough to give Levi all new reasons to curse their situation. Hacking at the mess that clung to his blades like sticky taffy, Levi was forced to slice off the boxes with canisters so he could keep them both alive. Infuriating as it was to abandon the gear, Levi knew he had no way to get Eren flight worthy even if the gas canisters themselves appeared to be okay. Levi had to get Eren to a more secure site because the kid was so exhausted that he little more than an appetizer at the moment.

To stop rising despair, Levi shifted his thoughts to Eren's recent achievements. Anything to keep himself focused away from fast festering emotions of helpless rage. It was no longer Levi's honor to hold the highest kill rating being the first thing he focused on to curb his anger at Eren's last Titan form's charges having taken them so far from their team mates. The honor now belonged to Eren 'Humanity's Hope' Jeager. He could not deny how proud he was each time Eren charged into battle, and succeeded in smashing through multiple mindless titans with a vengeful roar. Countless times it really was Eren's reckless charges that gave civilians a second chance at escaping titan jaws. The boy had no idea how many of his own teammates his titan form had saved during this pitched war for survival.

The combat skills Eren used while in different titan bodies through the long battle had brought many titans down for good. Some toppled because of losing their heads, or Eren knocked them down and unleashing his feet, crushing necks so hard the titans heads popped off, and their napes were destroyed. Made Levi's job easier when Eren was in control of his rage. Yet the grueling fight supplied terrifying mishaps that leeched the leftovers of Levi's stamina in order to fulfill his duty of keeping Eren alive.

How many titans should Levi consider team kills due to Eren getting surrounded after charging away from their squad? When was the last time they had seen their squad mates for that matter? Time and space were reduced to a blur of Levi unleashing his blades in a deadly, whirling ballet that pushed his body to the limits with too little rest now. Either way, Levi had lost count of how many kills they had both earned. Between transforming into different sized titans, and then fighting as a regular soldier without a break to recover his stamina, Eren had gone far beyond expectations Levi held even for his own self. Perhaps the only person in the whole military who was more driven than Levi at the moment was Eren Jaeger.

The sight of a couple abnormals headed toward them at full speed sent a shiver of dread down Levi's spine. The abnormals charge having yanked his thoughts back to the present.

Levi yanked Eren's limp frame against his body. “Hold on tight, Brat.”

Feeling Eren's arms convulsively lock over his shoulder in an awkward parody of a hug, Levi launched off Bait's corpse. Cables shooting into a nearby building, Levi gritted his teeth over how unbalanced and slow their ascent was because of Eren's added weight. Worst of all, Eren's grip on his body was loosening enough for Levi to hiss, “Don't you dare pass out yet, Jeager.”

“Sorry, Sir.” Eren murmured, tightening his hold as best he could without altering their flight trajectory. They both knew that any jerky movements would end up wrecking Levi's center of balance.

With a tsk of frustration, Levi managed to land on a nearby roof without colliding with anything. Eren slid into a heap on the sloped tiles. If not for Levi grabbing him by his uniform's chest straps, the teen would have slid off the building the moment Eren's legs touched the shingles.

In dire situations like this, Levi was half tempted to murder Eren himself because of the constant stupid stunts that may yet lead to them both getting killed. Eren's exhaustion lessened his control over each titan form he forced himself to take. Driven by desperation to protect his people, Eren's reckless bravado became astounding for sheer craziness of the gambles taken. So far Levi had managed to save the suicidal idiot from his own reckless behavior, even as Eren's titan bodies had saved him numerous times. Yet Levi knew he was too tired to keep pulling off insane maneuvers. Top it off with his gear sporting low gas canisters, and Levi knew that finding a place to hide was the only viable option left. He had to get Eren to safety even if it meant knocking Eren out and strapping the kid to his own harness as dead weight.

The steam pouring out of Eren's latest titan was screening them from the abnormal titans eyes, but the reprieve would not last long. Yanking Eren up against a chimney, Levi pushed his tired mind to find a viable solution to compensate for Eren's full collapse. Leaving Eren behind was not an option, and yet the teen was looking downright skeletal from pushing his body beyond it's endurance inside the monster's form. It was not as if Eren could stay conscious and hold onto Levi's harness for an all out retreat using Levi's omni directional gear.

The non stop performance of brute strength brought out by Eren's obvious rage still felt downright miraculous to Levi. However, the squad captain knew the dumb shit was on the brink of a mental breakdown which had nothing to do with how small the last titan was compared to the normal. After forcing himself to keep fighting within his shifted body for close to three hours this round, Eren desperately needed food. It seemed Eren's body was forcing him into a well earned sleep no matter how bad things were getting.

Snorting in disgust, Levi saw nowhere within the immediate vicinity safe enough to allow Eren to recover his strength for another round of fighting. The Military Supply Depot was one of the few places in Trost made of stone. It was also the only place where Levi could refill his gas canisters and find Eren new omni-directional gear. At least they had the small blessing that Titans were downright stupid. It might be possible to use the homes for cover to reach the depot once Levi's gas supply was exhausted. So long as he could avoid detection, the titans would not smash the wooden homes to bits so they could devour any occupants lingering inside. Titans only seemed to breach windows whenever they saw the occupants movements, and that was the real problem with getting to the Depot with Eren on his back.

Furious and exhausted, Levi forced himself to calm. He reminded himself that Eren had expended incredible energy in fashioning a crystal wall to help the Survey Corps constrain a couple fair sized groups of titans so everyone in their group could kill them. The crystal walls may have been shoddy, but it also granted civilians time to hide as best they could. For all the good that the short lived crystal wall was when the gate rose and the panicked civilians rushed into more titans on the other side. They had managed to get many into a couple of the larger stone heavy Trost warehouse buildings, but far too many ended as titan snacks.

Everything the Survey Corps were fighting to achieve felt futile. Levi had lost count of the big balloon machines that kept dropping titans within the walls. The vile air machines mentioned in Grisha Jeager's journals could get high enough above the walls to evade Armin, Eren, and all the garrison cannons. The damned things were untouchable, and it infuriated Levi far more than Eren's ongoing suicidal charges almost getting them both murdered. At least Levi could understand Eren's hot headed fits happened because the teen was strained to the breaking point due to the obscene pressure placed upon his inexperienced shoulders by the government and masses alike.

Most of his time in the Survey Corps had ended with Eren being a major target, so always under lock and key for his own safety. The polar opposite of Eren's dream of fighting to save others. Having to be protected made it impossible for Eren to avenge his parents, or himself at first. Training with the titan body had allowed Eren to become a well honed weapon in his own right, as he had proven since this invasion began. Still, Marley was determined to capture and feed Eren to their prepared puppet of choice, and Levi was not going to allow that to happen.

Levi could respect Eren's motivation to fight. With things so out of control, Levi had chosen to stick close, but also let the boy throw his fits of fury because they were justified. So far none of the other shifters had arrived, and that meant Eren remained safe enough to vent his rage.

Another point of contention, Jeagar's gear needed to be replaced. Which meant Levi's best option might end with him killing the abnormals to steal the canisters from Eren's damaged gear to snatch up whatever gas remained in those tanks once the carcass stopped steaming too much to get near it. Not a pleasant prospect, and probably as suicidal a move as any of Eren's earlier titan transformed rampage.

“Great, your insanity is starting to infect me, Jeager.” Levi muttered at his charge.

Glancing down at the unconscious teen, Levi pondered what to do with Eren while his hand stayed tangled in Eren's leather chest harness. Leather straps that were thick enough to withstand the full weight of a soldier in flight and braking the hardest of free falls. An idea took form as Levi dropped to his knees beside Eren and yanked his boot off to get the closest leg strap free. The leg strap was long enough that it could be hooked into Eren's chest strap, and looped through his own harness. It was the only way to get them both out of danger.

Far as Levi could determine, he still had about a quarter tank of gas in each side. It was not a lot, but it should get them a lot closer to the resupply depot before they had to chance running on the ground, or roof tops. A thing Eren was incapable of doing at all, but if the tanks in Eren's gear were intact, it was possible to hook his own lines to the canisters. Levi knew Eren had at least two thirds full canisters which would get them a lot farther without making them both into titan bait.

A deep rolling grumble shook the surrounding windows of damaged buildings. Looking up as he finished freeing the first of Eren's leg straps from his belt, Levi saw hard boiling clouds racing into sight. As if things were not deadly enough, now a severe storm was about to unleash its wrath upon everyone still alive.

Lightning was coursing through the upper atmosphere in strange colored arrays. Never had Levi seen multicolored lightning during his decade within the Survey Corps, but he had only been above ground less than half his life. It was possible that the others were familiar with such lightning shows. Weather and titans was the 'Crazy Four Eyes' forte, not his. Levi wished Hanii was nearby to tell him what it meant. It was not as if Levi was any expert on weather above ground outside of how deadly things got when rain and fog rolled into the area. Scratch that thought. A glance at the twitching idiot Levi was trying to rescue was enough crazy to handle at the moment. Two of them together right now would end in Levi murdering them both. All Levi could do was hope things could not really get any worse than they already were considering the impossible situation. It was even possible that the rain might help some of the population evade their giant killers. Unless odd colored lightning meant some kind of monster storm that nobody could expect to survive was about to break what was left of their nation?

“Focus, Levi. Got to get this idiot out of here.”

Levi yanked Eren's second strap off of his limp foot. Lining it up to tie their bodies together even before getting the belt's notch free. The steam was dissipating faster, and that meant Levi was running out of time. The sound of boots pounding across a roof had Levi jerking his head toward the sound. A trio of soldiers were racing toward him and Eren. They were familiar but Levi had difficulty putting names to his own squad members after so many hours of unrelenting battle. It bothered Levi that he was getting so numb with fatigue that he could not recall his own squad's names.

“Captain Levi, Christa knows how to push the titans out of here.” Mikasa was shouting as the group closed on his position.

A soft grunt was all the response Levi gave as his fingers fumbled with the second strap he had to get off Eren's waist. No matter what the plan was, if Eren got eaten, making any kind of comeback was lost. With that fierce thought swimming through his mind, Levi continued with his appointed task of hooking Eren's leg straps through his upper chest harness and tightening everything down to make a sling that Levi could tie over his shoulders and anchor with his own waist belt.

More long duration thunder rolled over the town, booming pressure so heavy that the roof shingles rattled and writhed beneath Levi's knees. His team skidded to a stop next to him as Levi worked at a frantic pace to complete the harness to transport Eren to the Military Tower.

Mikasa and Kirschtein were babbling too fast for Levi to keep up with their argument. Furthermore, Levi was too hard pressed for time to listen to Mikasa's latest Eren centric panic attack. Cousin or not, Mikasa needed to get her head back into the game immediately. They did not have the time nor luxury for her mother hen moments right now.  

“How much gas do you three have left?” Levi barked loud enough to gain the attention of the rag tag group.

“I got refilled less than an hour ago. So I'm good, Captain.” Kirschtein responded.

“Explain what happened to Eren, Captain.” Mikasa snarled in softer toned retaliation.

“How much gas do you have, Ackerman?” Levi countered as a fresh wave of anger pumped much needed adrenaline through his system to somewhat peel off a few layers of fogginess from his mind.

As Levi glared his subordinate down, the air began palpably humming, with a swelling, high pitched whine underscored by a constant growling drone.

Mikasa finally buckled, “I've got half tanks. Christa is down to quarter tanks since she lost her horse and had to use her gear to get here.”

Jean dropped to his haunches beside Levi. “Captain, I'll take Jeager since I know I have enough gas, but I really think we better get moving.”

Levi felt his right eyebrow twitch over Kirschtein's comment. The man was a decent soldier, but he was not good enough to compensate for limp dead weight in the air. The younger man did not have the reflexes required to piggy back Eren. The only one who had any shot of getting Jeager out of there using omnidirectional gear was Levi himself.

“Strap him to my harness. If we can get Eren's canisters out of his latest titan, we can change out my canisters, Kirschtein. Eren didn't use them long before he was forced to transform so they probably have the most gas. I can compensate for the extra weight, and stay aloft because I've done it before. We can make it by swapping out Eren's canisters. But, I'll need you three to run interference until we reach the supply depot. Extra limp weight makes maneuvering difficult.”

“I'll get them, Captain.” Mikasa volunteered as she pulled her blades free and stepped toward the remains of Eren's titan. A titan corpse that the abnormals were chewing on.

Glancing up to the sky again, Levi wondered if lightning strikes could cause the eerie sound which was grating on his nerves. He knew it was not cannon fire because the sound was too consistent, and unlike anything he had encountered over his thirty two years. Perhaps his headache started his ears ringing. It was possible that Levi was tired enough for white noise to overwhelm his senses. His focus was bordering shot beyond recovery, so it would be Levi's luck to not notice a banshee rivaling screech from some titan charging them. Worst of all, with his vision blurring, it was also possible that Levi would not notice the enemy before they flew down the bitch's throat.

“How many times has Eren transformed, Captain?” Mikasa bellowed at him as she peered at the pitiful remains of the last transformation.

Levi recalled nicknaming the tiny titan Bait. It was a pitiful excuse for a titan. The pitiful creature had exposed ribs in a couple places, plus the leg and arm muscles were so malformed as to make it wobbly. Bait still served to lure a number of titans closer. Levi had killed all the titans that charged, so Bait had proven itself useful despite moving at a snail's pace. Before that was Suicidal Bastard, and earlier still was Stubborn idiot. The first transformation was classic Eren.

“Bait's the fourth one today.” Levi croaked once he recalled the varied titan editions.

Uhm, Sir? With all due respect . . .”

“Don't even finish, Kirschtein!” Levi uttered on a guttural note, dragging Eren with him as Levi caved to the desire to strike the back pedaling man.

“No, Sir! Wouldn't dream of it, Sir.” At least Jean was quick to lift his hands in surrender while hopping back several paces.

A hysterical female shriek beside his ear had Levi jerking away from the source. The sharp combination of movements almost sent Levi careening off the roof with Eren in tow. 'What else has gone bug fucked wrong?'

A hand smaller than his own was making frantic gestures toward Wall Maria territory. “What kind of machine is Marley throwing at us now, Captain Levi?”

Blinking to clear his vision, Levi followed the shuddering hand's direction with sluggish eyes. A large, dark colored monstrosity was moving over Wall Rose. The only comparison Levi could make about the machine's shape was that it looked somewhat like a slice of fruit pie with fruit slices slipping out of both sides. It was an ugly looking fruit pie slice with multiple fires blasting out of it's base no less.

Shaking his head, Levi rubbed his eyes, and the machine continued toward them at an astonishing speed. It was well above Wall Maria, so they had no chance of damaging the newest weapon to arrive. “Fuck if I know what they're called, Reiss. Balloons and flying sticks gets the point across.”

An awful honking shriek ruptured the air filling Levi's ears, followed by a throat clearing. “This is Airship Chimera's Nest. I am Ambassador Thadius Grineldsham of the One Hundred Nations Alliance. If anyone has survived this atrocity, please make us aware of your presence so we can rescue you. I repeat, we are here to rescue any survivors. Please, if you still live, give us a sign so we can send emergency sleds to collect you.”

“Do they think we're that stupid?” Jean snarled over Levi's shoulder. “The shape is different, but nobody has ever heard of any Alliance. It's got to be a Marley trap.”

Historia grabbed onto Eren, and closed her eyes. Their foreheads smacked together while the small woman held onto Eren as if her life depended on it. Heaving a sigh, Levi fought the desire to jerk the woman from his charge. Relief slid through Levi's veins as Historia's head reared back and looked up at the air ship.

“I found several mentions of the Alliance from memories trapped in the titan spirits that Eren contains. I can't get to very many memories because he's unconscious. One memory I found shows the Alliance forged a treaty that insured Marley and Paradis would have no contact with each other. Both nations would remain low technology adherants because of the constant warring that was happening over a century ago.”

“You're sure about that?” Jean asked as he shoved his hand into a saddlebag tied to his chest straps.

“Yes. The Alliance must have learned that Marley broke the no contact clause, and came to investigate. Father's library has a couple of books that talk about several member nations. Most of the information describes them as being a technologically superior group of nations ruled by families identified as Celestial Kings. Several Kingdoms have a supernatural creature for their national emblem. So Chimera must be the emblem of one of the Alliance Kingdom to designate which nation came to investigate.”

“A little late to start offering help if you ask me.” Jean growled while filling the flare gun. “So do we alert them to our location, or what?”

~~oo0oo~~

“Just stop already Mikasa! You can't save me no matter how hard you try!” Eren's furious voice rang through the trees, drawing Levi's attention.

“You're my family, and I won't stand by and do nothing while you get hurt, kidnapped, or killed!” Mikasa snapped in return.

Changing direction, Levi headed toward the duo who were yet again arguing. It was getting tiresome to hear. Considering how often Mikasa tried to take over Eren's life due to her overprotective nature, Levi had no doubts that the latest mishap caused by the woman's interference was fueling Eren's current tantrum. If not for Mikasa jumping into the battle between Eren's titan and Reiner's, Alert's plan would have been a success. Instead, Mikasa's reckless assault botched any hope of taking his titan powers this round.

Not that Levi was pleased with Alert's idea, but the young man's idea did make a strange kind of sense.

“I'm not a little kid, Mikasa! My time's running out as a shifter. I'm going to die either way. You can't prevent it from happening either. Armin's the one who was able to put the memories from his new titan into words, and figure out how to end this war for good. He figured out that we have to put the original Ymir back together which I felt but didn't understand. I've already got more than one titan inside me, so I'm the best choice. Our only hope is if I can put the original titan pieces back together before I die.” Eren's voice cracked and shifted in register halfway through.

[fanfic-screenplays]

Batman Rebirth Part 1

FADE IN:

INT: BOXING GYM - RING

The Gym is old school, untouched by modern technology. A boxing match is in full swing. The place is packed to the rafters. Camera drones flying around, broadcasting the fight.

BEGIN TITLES

TERRY MCGINNIS has the appearance of a high school jock, and the athletic ability to match. TERRY gives the vibe of a bad kid attempting to reform.

TERRY'S stripped down to HIS waist, sweating. Fighting a heavily augmented OPPONENT - half their body replaced by cyber augmentations.

TERRY ducks and lands a punch on the OPPONENT's face, STAGGERING them back into the ropes.

INT: BOXING GYM - TERRY'S CORNER

Switch over to TERRY's corner. There is MAXINE GIBSON, SHE's exceptionally intelligent and computer smart, similar age to TERRY, SHE'S sat on the edge of the ring. HER back to the fight.

MAX's is completely ignoring the fight, watching the whole thing on her phone - switching through feeds, watching the donations slowly decrease, CONCERN edged across HER face...

DANA TAN is also in TERRY's corner. Leaning against the ropes, watching TERRY, willing him to win.

DANA is Terry's girlfriend. SHE has that girl next door look and is extremely well kept - bit posh. DANA is clearly keeping TERRY on the straight and narrow.

                DANA:        GO ON TERRY!

INT: BOXING GYM - RING

THEY fight one round. TERRY has the upper hand, ducking and diving. TERRY hits back, knocking OPPONENT back. TERRY lands punch after punch...

...OPPONENT grabs TERRY, THEY grapple...

A buzzer RINGS out, cutting across the noise of the crowd.

                ANNOUNCER:        Back to the corners!

INT: BOXING GYM - TERRY'S CORNER

TERRY moves into HIS corner, leaning against the ropes, TERRY is relaxed, almost cocky. TERRY knows HE's winning.

DANA ducks under the ropes, leaning close, wiping the sweat from TERRY's brow.

                DANA:        That guy petrifies me. Promise me        you're going to be careful.

TERRY does not answer, just grabs DANA and kisses HER - the crowd WHOOPS!

TERRY stands, starts to stretch - ready to go.

MAXINE turns looking around, looking for TERRY...

                MAXINE:        Terry!

TERRY turns, looking over at MAXINE - confused.

                TERRY:        What?!

                MAXINE        We're not making any more money on        this Terry!

TERRY looks back at HER, completely missing the point.

MAXINE sighs - frustrated, SHE flips the screen. Showing TERRY the screen. Pointing at The donations RAPIDLY dropping down.

                MAXINE:        See!

                TERRY:        What do you want me to do about        that? I'm doing my best here!

                MAXINE:        Finish this... Quickly!

INT: BOXING GYM - RING

The buzzer RINGS. Round 4 starts. TERRY charges out of the corner - Ready to win.

                DANA:            (O.S)        You can do this!

TERRY and OPPONENT circle around each other - looking for weaknesses. JABBING away at each other...

...OPPONENT CHARGES at TERRY, trying to grab HIM. TERRY DIVES under HIM...

...TERRY turns, throwing one last punch. Knocking his OPPONENT to the floor. The crowd ERUPTS, supporting TERRY.

A camera drone drops out of the sky. Floating around the fight.

                CAMERA DRONE:        10!

The crowd falls silent.

                CAMERA DRONE:        9!

No movement from the opponent...

                CAMERA DRONE:        8!

TERRY lightly kicks his OPPONENT, no movement.

                CAMERA DRONE:        7!...6!...5!...4!...3!...2!...1!

The crowd ERUPTS again! TERRY raises his hands in victory.

PARTY MONTAGE - CLUB - LATER

A quick sequence where TERRY, HIS friends and wannabes celebrate the victory.

- It's packed with partygoers. Everyone's dancing around. LOUD future-pop MUSIC playing, drowning out all conversation.

- TERRY and DANA mingle through the large crowd. LOUD MUSIC BOOMING. THEY stop every so often for conversations.

- DANA kisses TERRY on the cheek and weaves through the crowd to the bar.

- DANA chats to her girlfriends at the bar. LOUD MUSIC drowning out the conversation.

- DANA and TERRY dance in the middle of the dance floor. PEOPLE thronging around them. THEY dance, getting physically closer and closer together...

END OF OPENING TITLES

                                         FADE TO BLACK.

INT: TERRY'S ROOM

It's a small room, almost a cubicle. It has a single bed and no personal items except an old-school advert for a boxing gym. A screen is playing the latest news from Daily Gotham, on mute.

The audio activates...

ON SCREEN:

The NEWSREADER is an CG construct, appearing human, but ever so slightly artificial.

                NEWSREADER:        And now, we would like to bring        your attention to our special for        tonight, streaming across all        devices and platforms.

ON TERRY:

TERRY stirs and slowly wakes. GROANING as the hangover kicks in...

ON SCREEN:

                NEWSREADER:        It has been twenty years since the        Gotham legend known as the Batman        disappeared from our streets, on        the same night that tragically took        Commissioner Gordon from this great        city...

ON TERRY:

TERRY GROANS, sitting up in bed, the bed sheets falling - revealing the peak physical condition TERRY's in. HE stares blankly at the screen, too hungover to take it in.

ON SCREEN:

                NEWSREADER:        There are some who believe this        Batman, was nothing more than an        urban legend, started by the        police...

ON TERRY:

TERRY sighs...

                TERRY:            (Muttering to himself)        We need him more than ever...

TERRY pulls himself out bed - showing off his grey jogging pants. TERRY stretches. Making HIS way out the room.

INT: MCGINNIS APARTMENT -DAY

The apartment is rather worn out and does not seem to have any style or personality to it, just filled with generic furniture. The screen is on, showing the same newsreader.

WARREN MCGINNIS, TERRY's down and almost out father, is in the kitchenette, getting ready for work. WARREN is packing items into a rucksack.

ON SCREEN:

                NEWSREADER:        As an attempt to seize the        initiative against Gotham's        sprawling underworld... We will be        discussing all these and more        tonight at 8pm here on the Daily        Gotham.

ON WARREN:

WARREN looks up as TERRY enters from his room.

                WARREN:        Son, How was the fight last night?

TERRY blanks WARREN and enters the bathroom, closing the door. We hear the HISS and CLANK of the pipes as the shower turns on.

WARREN slings the rucksack onto his shoulder and starts to move towards the door to leave for work.

                WARREN:            (Shouting over his             shoulder)        Don't use all the water! Charges        have gone up again!

The shower CLANKS off. The flat goes quiet. In the distance, the CONSTANT ROAR of the street traffic 35 floors below.

The bathroom door opens. TERRY steps out, TERRY only has a towel around his waist, HE'S soaking wet, water dripping onto the floor.

                TERRY:        Why do you keep letting them        increase the price? It's been three        times this month.

WARREN turns around, looking at TERRY, disappointed to be having this same conversation. The third time this month.

                WARREN:        Terry, I've told you this before.        Powers gave us this place as part        of the job. We really can't afford        to live anywhere else!

                TERRY:        Great, stuck in this hole...

TERRY turns, storming out. SLAMMING HIS bedroom door behind HIM.

WARREN's left standing in the middle of the apartment.

                WARREN:        Terry...

INT: TERRY'S ROOM

TERRY is in the middle of the room, throwing on some clothes.

The front door of the apartment SLAMS shut.

                TERRY:        Maybe you and Mum should have        stayed together...

TERRY slides on his iconic brown jacket. TERRY pauses to look over at the newsreader.

ON SCREEN:

                NEWSREADER:        Finally, Billionaire industrialist        and former star of the tabloids,        Bruce Wayne has announced that he        will be donating an additional one        million dollars to the Gotham City        police department in order for it        to combat the ever-rising crime        rate.

ON TERRY:

                TERRY:        Off.

EXT: POWER TOWER - STREET - DAY

It's a street in Lower Gotham - grimy buildings covered in neon advertising, scratty COMMUTERS rushing around. Rising above all this, in GLEAMING GLASS is Power Tower.

An self-driving pod - emblazoned with the Wayne-Tech logo, pulls out of traffic, coasting to an halt outside Power Tower.

The doors SLIDE open. WARREN steps out, slinging his bag onto his back. WARREN runs, diving around people - HE's running late.

WARREN runs into Power Tower.