Chapter Text
???:
You’re back again…
REI’s gaze is fixed forward on a giant screen when the voice speaks up. She flinches slightly but makes no other effort to acknowledge the voice that addressed her. A machine whirrs somewhere in the distance as a film is projected on the screen, illuminating the previously dark theater.
???:
Why do you keep coming back here?
Beside REI …the source of these questions is a small girl, perhaps ten or so years old. She is in the seat next to the former, her shoulder length purple hair bobbing as she takes turns looking at the movie and REI, her eyes and face somewhere between confusion and pity.
???:
What are you looking for?
REI places her hands in her lap as a response incensing the little girl.
???:
You don’t need to keep coming back here, there’s nothing you’ll gain by watching it over and over again.
REI bites her lip but keeps watching the screen.
???:
You and I both know nothing will come of reliving the past. Bad things happened, and it’s sad but you’re a different person now, you have people who care about you. People who would do anything to see your smile, and yet…
The girl glances back at the screen –and for a few moments watches along with REI. The movie playing now is her life –born in abject poverty and with tendencies she can’t control, she was then uprooted and told she was royalty. What should have been a charmed life was plagued by the constant sickening thought that buzzed around her head, like the ugliness within that acted as an itch that only festered and return the more it was scratched. –Was she ever truly wanted? The little girl closes her eyes and clenches her fist before climbing on the armrest and kneeling beside REI
???:
You’re not me anymore, you’re not alone. There’s no need to continuously torture yourself watching this for answers. No matter how many times you live through the past, it won’t change what happened!
REI covers her ears and shakes her head. The little girl grits her teeth, holding back her own sense of helplessness –this is a dance she’s had before and despite how futile her actions might be…
???:
They want to help us –help you! Please, don’t’ do this anymore, don’t come back here! You don’t need confirmation of what you felt before by reliving it! You can still stop this, you can still…
The little girl stops and glances at the screen, where REI has arrived on Bomber Star, glancing down at the business card BAGULAR had given her. The two only patrons of the theater are captured by themselves on film, reliving that sense of anxiety of being in a new place and that latent energy left behind when the “ugliness” crawls up their spine. Energy that needs to be expelled somehow, energy to burn. REI –the one in the film reaches down into her purse and rifles around until she wraps her hand around something….matches. She thumbs them for a time before wondering if she should go and….
???:
Are you lost?
REI –the one on the screen turns and before her is Dr. EIN. He smiles warmly and extends his hand in a friendly gesture.
EIN:
Bomber Star’s transit system can be confusing on first blush, but I’ve been around long enough to know the ins and outs. Tell me where you’re headed and I’ll see if I can’t point you in the right direction.
REI gulps and shyly hands him BAGULAR’s business card, realizing only now she had been in such a hurry to get away from her old life that she hadn’t remembered to contact him upon her departure. EIN glances at the card, frowning.
EIN:
Off to see Bags, huh? He’s actually out of town this week….maybe you should come back later?
REI:
Quietly.
I..I can’t. I haven’t anywhere else to go.
EIN pulls at his bottom lip a moment, thinking of what he should do.
EIN:
Bags is actually a friend of mine, so maybe I can contact him and let him know you’re here? If you don’t mind coming with me that is.
REI thinks of declining his request –so much attention from a stranger makes her nervous, but with no other leads she’s unsure of what else to do, so she nods.
REI:
I will. Thank you.
EIN nods and leads the way. On the other side of the silver screen, the two girls come back to themselves, the little girl shaking her head sadly and returning to her seat.
???:
You insist on looking for the bad in everything…but something good came of that didn’t it? You made friends, and fell in love. Isn’t that good enough reason to let this go, and leave me –this place alone?
REI:
But that’s just who I am.
The girl closes her eyes slowly, sadly, --this is something she’s heard before and doesn’t want to hear again.
REI:
I know…what you’re saying, but I can’t help my nature…I can’t help but wonder am I…really wanted? Could anyone want someone as broken as I am? Am I just projecting myself upon others?
On the screen is KURO’s debut in her movie –a friendly face as he approaches her not far from the base dorms.
KURO:
Hey there! You look like a new face around here, so let me introduce myself –I’m Kuro! Pleased to meet you!
REI:
In the present.
Constantly feeling completely alone…
Another scene from her point of view –so KURO’s face is visible but not her own. She’s eating lunch and he slides in across from her, still with the same smile from before.
KURO:
Hey again! Uh, mind if I take a seat with you?
REI:
In the present.
Despite being surrounded by the well-meaning intentions of people who genuinely care.
Another scene –this time KURO’s expression is one of pity as his gaze meets hers.
KURO:
Why were you crying?
REI in the present turns her head to the little girl --herself and wipes away a tear smiling weakly.
REI:
Is it possible to want to be right so much that it’s wrong?
The little girl’s lips quiver as the both return to watching the movie in progress where KURO walks away from her after the evaluation gone wrong.
KURO:
Just leave me alone. I’ve been patient, but maybe that was a mistake.
Opening theme: As long as I am me….
Is it because I am me, that I know powerlessness and loneliness?
If I were someone else, would I still have experienced misfortune?
Would shooting stars in the sky and the moon in the skies look different from another’s point of view?
The dreams and wishes I’ve embraced hard enough to break –would they still be as meaningful?
The little things; my height complex, stubbornness, and how I wear my heart on my sleeve,
Are all a part of me. Light at times, heavy at others, but never more than I can shoulder.
I know I face forward only because I don’t want others to see these tears of frustration,
And I run forward --I’m too stubborn and prideful to give up, because until the end I will be me.
Tripping and falling along the way only means I have a new starting point to begin.
The soil I kick up as I run is the only time I’ll stop and smell the flowers.
As long as I am me, even if others snicker under their breath, I won’t stop, and won’t be stopped.
Episode 24: Lucid Landmines.
SHIRO:
Awww yeah. Finally free!
He pumps his fists in the air and twirls while dancing a little jig.
SHIRO:
I thought I’d be wheelchair bound for the rest of my life!
He then simpers down and glances to his side.
SHIRO:
That being said…sorry you guys.
He is in the same hospital room as NITROS and KURO who have inexplicably been assigned together, along with the other members of the class including NITROS’s sister DYNA and excluding REI, VERMICULUS and KIIRO.
NITROS:
Nah, don’t worry about it Shiro –though it is a little weird you recovered so quickly….is it because of your elemental powers?
SHIRO pats the back of his head sheepishly.
SHIRO:
Yeah, they grant me a little bit better recovery time than most….when they feel like it.
CROW:
It depends on their mood? Sounds really inconvenient, if you ask me.
SHIRO:
You don’t know the half of it, man.
BELL:
I’m glad you’re okay Shiro, sir but you did fail the evaluation…
SHIRO:
Apparently only Crow, you, Kidd, Aqua, and Flamme managed to pass, Bellsie.
NITROS:
I wish I had been able to help you guys, sorry…
DYNA pokes him in the forehead repeatedly.
DYNA:
You. Need. To. Worry. About. Yourself.
NITROS:
Owowowowow! Okay, okay! Sorry!
DYNA:
Stop. Apologizing.
SHIRO:
Dyna, your class is up against Denta next right? Be careful, that guy has some tricks up his sleeve.
DYNA smirks.
DYNA:
Who the hell do you think I—er, we are? We’re not gonna get our asses handed to us like you did, mark my words.
FLAMME:
It is best to be a little concerned though –Kiiro and To—er, Vermiculus were pretty soundly beaten…
SHIRO:
How are they doing now anyway?
CROW:
They’re through the worst of it since Denta held back. I can already hear To—Vermiculus complaining about being a loser after that sound asswuppin though.
AQUA bows with a sigh.
AQUA:
Please accept this preemptive apology for my brother’s sake….
SHIRO:
So um, what happens if we don’t pass evaluations? I’ve been curious about that but admittedly scared to ask.
KIDD perks up.
KIDD:
There will be re-testing at a time to be established by the professor, though you’ll have to undergo strict remedial training to prove that you are indeed up to the task.
SHIRO:
Strict….remedial training….
BELL:
D—Don’t worry, Shiro, sir! I’ll assist you in any way I can!
SHIRO:
Thanks, but I’m mostly worried about what our asshole of a teacher is going to do to me about this issue that’s entirely his fault.
FLAMME:
That’s true, Regulus does seem a lot harsher on you than the rest of us.
CROW:
Arguably you could say he’s mostly disinterested in the rest of us.
DYNA:
Actually, on that note I haven’t seen our prof around lately either. We’ve either had subs or free periods instead. It’s a little weird since Ms. Mercil—er, Mercy is pretty good at being in class. I guess it’s no biggie since teachers can’t be present for evaluations anyway, but…
AQUA:
I suppose teachers have their own circumstances….
Everyone consents to this.
AQUA:
I should go check on my brother.
CROW:
And Kiiro’s bound to need some cheering up.
NITROS:
Dyna, you oughtta get ready for your evaluations. I’ll be fine here.
DYNA eyes him incredulously for a moment.
NITROS:
No, seriously! I’m fine okay?
DYNA:
All right, but if I find out you’re trying to do anything stupid, I’ll be the one to send you back here myself, understand?
NITROS:
Understood.
KIDD:
It’s the weekend so we don’t have classes, so why not celebrate passing and cheer on the chaps who’ll need it for their retest?
FLAMME:
That’s a good idea!
CROW:
If there’s one thing Kiiro likes more than money its food, so I’ll ask him to come along.
AQUA:
Sure! I’ll bring Toto along.
SHIRO:
You guys go on ahead.
BELL:
Sir?
SHIRO:
No need to worry about me Bellsie, I just have a thing to do before I meet up with you all.
DYNA:
So Bomberman really does a thing, huh?
SHIRO:
Seriously do you guys rehearse together to create stupid memes?
Everyone gets a laugh out of this and they file out leaving SHIRO, NITROS and KURO, the latter of which has remained silent this entire time, turned on his side away from everyone in his hospital bed.
SHIRO:
Bro, you’ve been real quiet since the evaluation –and while everyone else is nice enough to mind their business about it, I’m rude as all hell. What’s your deal?
NITROS:
Kuro, I know being a cadet is a big deal to you, but you can’t let one failure get you down like this.
KURO turns over, dejected.
KURO:
It’s not that. I don’t have a problem with taking a retest it’s just….Rei.
SHIRO:
Speaking of which she isn’t here. Is everything okay between you guys? It seemed like you were fine before the evaluation, but then you came back alone.
KURO sighs and rests a hand on his stomach.
KURO:
I’m not sure of anything between us anymore. I’ve always known she’s a little bit weird and flighty which I didn’t mind too much….but if I’m to be honest about something that’s bothered me for a long time…
SHIRO and NITROS trade glances and nod at KURO to continue.
KURO:
It’s not so much that she hides things –I’ve gotten used to that from you Shiro.
SHIRO glances away from him, whistling nervously.
KURO:
It’s more that she seems inexplicably fixated on shouldering her burdens herself, which I can respect but…I think there’s something wrong –something deep-seated within her….which is why I reached out in hopes she’d do the same. While she has in small ways, the elephant in the room remains...
SHIRO:
That’s always been like you, bro, but maybe you’re thinking too much? I can’t say I know the chick that well myself, but for sure she seems to really care about you so why would she hide things?
NITROS:
…I think I understand.
SHIRO and KURO turn to him.
NITROS:
Before the incident at the shore, I kept wondering about myself –am I good enough to be in this class? Should I even bother training if I’m always going to be mediocre? Stuff like that. Even now after you talked to me, and Dyna’s reassured me that I’m fine as I am…it always comes back to feeling like I want to be good enough for the people I care about, but always feeling just shy of meeting my own expectations. Even with you guys’ cheering me on it’s like a voice in my head scratching its nails down on a blackboard, telling me I’m not good enough.
SHIRO:
Nitros….
NITROS shifts in his bed his expression holding several emotions that all bubble away into genuine gratitude.
NITROS:
But I’m glad to have all of you keep trying for me. It makes it all worth it in the end –I know I’ll get there if I just keep trying, if I believe in you all.
KURO’s face softens, threatening his features to go limp with guilt.
KURO:
Maybe that’s what Rei is dealing with, and I said those things to her…
SHIRO shakes his head and grasps KURO’s shoulders, giving him a no-holds-barred grin.
SHIRO:
Bro, don’t be like that. You’re legitimately the best person I know –and that’s what she sees too. We’ll just find her and talk things out. It’ll be fine, trust me.
KURO’s eyes don’t smile back even though his face attempts it.
KURO:
Yeah. You’re right…but…
SHIRO:
Get some rest. We’ll talk about this later, okay?
KURO nods and lies back in bed, suddenly feeling very tired.
KURO:
Okay. See you later, bro.
SHIRO is almost out the door when he softly pops the frame twice with the back of his fist and grins.
SHIRO:
You bet man.
Outside the room, SHIRO crosses his arms and closes his eyes deep in thought –something MUJOE had said to him yesterday gives him pause. He –MUJOE, DENTA and the others were leaving to prepare for the evaluations taking place the next day when MUJOE had pulled him aside and commented on KURO.
MUJOE:
Kid, I like you so I’m gonna give you a good tip. People don’t act out of character for no reason. A lot of the time, after stuff goes down and we think about it there’s always one or two threads that if we had noticed them sooner, we mightta avoided a big deal.
SHIRO’s eyebrows rise at this, but he doesn’t speak as MUJOE turns and waves absently –following DENTA and his crew.
MUJOE:
I’d say you might want to look into your buddy’s behavior if it bothers you –since it’s clearly written on your face.
In the present, SHIRO opens his eyes and narrows them.
SHIRO:
Is something going on?
Meanwhile SHIRO’s uncle nervously fidgets as he stands in front of a doorway, a small gift-wrapped box under his arm, his manner of dress –a casual polo, tan slacks and a black bucket cap indicating a social visit of some sort. Before him is a townhouse painted a light blue color with shingles and window frames that match his pant color much to his closeted delight. He takes a deep breath after several moments, knocks and waits for a response. He is not at all prepared for what awaits him once the door opens, however…
BONGO:
Ah, it’s you, da bongo.
UNCLE:
…Bongo? Wh…
GANG zooms from out the opened door and hovers over BONGO’s head.
GANG:
Oh hey, buddy! Fancy seeing you here!
UNCLE:
Getting more confused.
Why the heck are you two here? I came here to see Mercy? This is her place right?
BONGO gives SHIRO’s uncle a once over before realization pulls his lips into a smug grin.
BONGO:
Ohhh, so you’re here for that, da bongo. I see.
SHIRO’s uncle’s face creases in denial as he tries to hide the gift behind his back.
UNCLE:
What the heck do you mean by “that”? She called me over, for pete’s sake!
GANG realizes what BONGO has and the two both side eye SHIRO’s uncle.
GANG:
That might be true, but what’s with your get-up?
UNCLE:
Can’t a guy look nice?!
BONGO:
Sure, but your intentions are as clear as day, da bongo.
UNCLE:
Blushing.
Just let me in, dammit!
BONGO:
Okay, but you’d better be prepared, da bongo.
UNCLE:
Confused.
Ready? Ready for what?
GANG:
To have your expectations fall flat on their face.
SHIRO’s uncle’s eye twitches at this as BONGO opens the door and gestures for him to come in. Upon entry he is surprised by how not surprised he is…(so far?) MERCY’s house is very “modern-chic” –white walls, with the furniture –black and tan couch, blue end table and single seater couch in adjacent corners at an angle –a low hanging lamp and glass table with marigolds in a vase in the center –a painting of a meadow on the wall above the black and tan couch, and on the celling a light fixture that wraps around itself provides a sense of soft lighting to the living room.
UNCLE:
I’m…not seeing what you two are talking about.
BONGO inclines his head to the basement nearby and heads down there.
GANG:
Follow us, and you’ll see.
SHIRO’s uncle makes a face, but does as he’s told. They reach the basement where BONGO opens the door into a room and flicks on the lights. True enough he’s surprised by just how much….stuff there is. Stacks of scholarly books, video games, and magazines are in stacks –neat, but numerous. There are some chairs, but they too are filled with books to a point that invalidates their primary occupation of being places for people to sit. In the center of the room MERCY sits with a laptop in her lap facing away from the trio until BONGO clears his throat. She then stretches and flops sprawled on her back, so that she can see them.
UNCLE:
M…Mercy?
MERCY:
That’s me.
UNCLE:
You sure?
MERCY sets the laptop aside and stands up –gone are her professional base attire replaced with grey sweatpants and a tank top. On her face are large pink rimmed coke-bottle glasses with thick lenses that obscure her eyes from view, and her hair is two messy pony tails. Add to this her clearly-sleep-deprived droopy eyes and she does almost look like a completely different person.
MERCY:
So I like to take it easy at home. Don’t you?
UNCLE:
Y—yes, but…
MERCY:
Moving on, you’re late and what’s that you have with you?
SHIRO’s uncle nearly drops the box under his arm upon its discovery.
UNCLE:
R—right. Um, it’s just something for you.
MERCY nods and inclines her head to a nearby chair.
MERCY:
Thanks. Just put it over there for now, okay?
UNCLE:
Crestfallen.
Okay….
He makes a poker face at BONGO and GANG who both eye him with unsuppressed maniacal glee. Once he has put the gift aside he approaches MERCY who has returned to the laptop, her expression grim.
UNCLE:
So what did you call me over for then?
MERCY responds without looking up.
MERCY:
I took a few pictures of a mysterious suit I saw while at the warehouse and sent the findings to a few friends I have for them to examine and I thought you’d want to be in on this.
His expression changes from disdain to one of interest.
UNCLE:
Yeah, sure. What’d you find out?
MERCY clicks a file on the laptop and the picture she took pops up.
MERCY:
Apparently this thing was created to amplify the “will” of the person wearing it. By connecting directly to the brain –
She clicks again and opens up a document that has a chart and a brief rundown.
MERCY:
It can act as a conduit between the cerebellum and the rest of the body cutting down activation time between thought and action making actions done with purpose and intent happen just as instantly as those done on a subconscious level.
SHIRO’s uncle’s eyebrows lift and he thumbs his chin.
BONGO:
You don’t get it, da bongo.
UNCLE:
Nope.
BONGO and GANG sigh.
GANG:
That never was your strong suit, was it?
UNCLE:
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Dumb it down for me, will ya?
BONGO:
You know how you have to actually concentrate to summon the will to create bombs right? Well someone has created this thing that skips that step making bomb creation instant and relatively easy, da bongo.
UNCLE:
….Okay now that I understand. This is equal parts awesome and terrifying.
MERCY:
Except that’s a bit off too –I mean being able to will up bombs without effort is nice and all, but the mind is always running. Can you imagine making bombs but being unable to stop?
UNCLE:
I’ve heard of viruses that manipulate one’s will and cause that to happen but that’s restricted to death matches, and is temporary.
MERCY turns to him and pushes up her glasses.
MERCY:
Exactly. So it wouldn’t make sense for a suit like this to exist since insta-bombs are just as harmful to the user as they would be to prospective opponents –as a pyromancer I know all too well how training to not set yourself or your loved ones on fire can take a toll on others in its rigidity. So I don’t believe the thought behind this thing’s production was for that.
UNCLE:
Then what is it for?
GANG floats between the three, opens its mouth and produces two thin mechanical arms that it uses to shrug.
GANG:
That’s what we were trying to figure out before you got here. We called you over since three heads are better than one, and you’re in on this investigation too so…
He eyes the image, narrowing his eyes and thinking intently.
UNCLE:
What if….rather than being for bombs it was meant to be used against them?
BONGO and MERCY trade looks.
BONGO:
Theoretically that is sound –having will always activated would work sort of like an anti-bomb force field, da bongo.
MERCY shakes her head.
MERCY:
But that’d require eraser techniques –not only that, techniques that require a degree of fidelity that’s unheard of. Though let’s operate under occam’s razor and assume an eraser like that exists –that would mean this suit was tailor made for their abilities.
UNCLE:
Sound logic, but that makes this simultaneously harder and easier to pin down. Did you at least find out who the manufacturer is?
BONGO shrugs.
BONGO:
Nope. Whomever made this –or ordered to have it made has done a good job of covering their tracks.
UNCLE:
Figures. If everything we’re talking about here is true, then this thing is a war crime waiting to happen.
MERCY pushes up her glasses again and frowns at the screen which SHIRO’s uncle notices.
UNCLE:
Did you notice something?
MERCY:
Aside from why this thing exists we should ask why it exists here. Someone in Diamond City asked to have it made specifically for some eraser….
BONGO:
True, da bongo….besides having the resources, why would they want it?
UNCLE:
….Hm.
As they ponder this, the suit in question is on the move on REI who strides out from a bunker completely clad. She regards the darkening sky –dusk is coming, with a level of contempt before a voice –BAGULAR’s buzzes in over the speakers in the helmet.
BAGULAR:
I assume the communication system is online?
REI:
Yes, I can hear you.
BAGULAR’s voice is laced with unbridled glee which sickens REI, but she suppresses her emotions with an impressive poker face.
BAGULAR:
This will be different than the tests you’re used to, meaning that you will be testing the suit’s functions –all of them. There’s no holding back or turning back Rei….do you understand?
REI:
Understood.
BAGULAR sits behind his desk, a blu tooth headset in his ear as he leans back in his chair clearly enthusiastic in regard to future events.
BAGULAR:
I won’t restrict your actions in any way Rei –you do know what that means…?
REI:
Yes I do. You needn’t worry –I am fully aware of what I am getting myself into.
BAGULAR:
Good. I’ll be monitoring the results from here –you just proceed as you see fit.
REI:
Understood.
BAGULAR:
Activate the suit’s full capabilities and show me what you’re made of.
REI reaches down to her calf where a small round button is located –hesitating slightly at first but remembering what has brought her here.
REI:
Thinking.
If I was alone to begin with…then I have nothing to lose.
She presses it –only noticing as she does that the little girl from the theater is in her peripheral vision weeping, though before she can think about the deeper meaning of this, something –a needle in the back of the suit pricks her in the back of her cranium and suddenly her vision is filled with cascading lights and blearing sound. The world around her seems to vanish, and her body fills with overflowing power. To her it feels like the ugliness that had always been within takes corporeal form and wraps around her body –an eldritch abomination with too many eyes, too many mouths and a long skeletal tail before sinking its teeth into her neck and dipping her in that need, that primal need to be in control. Before she knows it the boosters on the suit are activated and she’s on the move –no, on the prowl, heading toward the city capital from the bunker. It isn’t long before she happens on a crime in progress –two base cops have a neer-do-well bomber surrounded, but they’re not going down without a fight.
BOMBER:
Back off cops, or I’ll blow you to the space Pegasus itself!!
The police slowly approach, readying their will and resolve as they do. Just as all three toss their weapons –the signal fire of an inevitable confrontation, REI zooms in wordlessly and with an extension of her own will erases the bombs from existence. All three trade confused glances, wondering who this intruder in their midst is and more importantly, what did they just do? REI turns to the criminal who readies another bomb as fast as he can –which is still too slow. REI is upon him in an instant, cracking his arm and forcing the energy to painfully vanish.
BOMBER:
AAAUUGHHHHH!!!!
The police gasp as the bomber is brought to his knees.
POLICE:
You there! Stop that at once or we’ll be forced to…
REI is already upon them before they can finish this sentiment, before a bomb can be made, and without any mercy as she grabs the bomber’s face and crushes it using the suit’s power. The other officer readies a bomb and throws it, but with a flick of her neck, the bomb barely makes it inches away from his hand before disappearing in his hand painfully. The officer drops to his knees yelling in pain as REI resumes crushing the other’s head. Luckily his partner has the wherewithal to quickly pick up his walkie-talkie and request backup…
POLICE#2:
We need back-up immediately! We were in pursuit of a crime in progress but then a mysterious….
REI:
Now that’s rude, calling in others when a girl is giving you her attention…
She kicks away the walkie-talkie and steps on this bomber, his face sizzling from the booster as she does.
REI:
If you wanted some attention all you needed to do was ask, darling.
Although it’s hidden by the mask, REI’s expression is one of twisted, lovesick delight –the power is intoxicating –why had she never tried using it like this before? It feels so good….
???:
Whoa nelly, seems like I choose a bad time to illegally listen in on the police blotter, huh.
REI turns, but before she can react the helmet is snatched clean off by a blue blur which lands to her side with the two officers in tow.
REGULUS:
And here I thought I’d just play vigilante for a while to stave off my boredom when I find someone else is already acting the part…?
He freezes in place when he realizes who he’s talking to.
REGULUS:
…You’re that girl from my class?
REI looks up at him, her eyes narrowed in fury, her face a deep blush in pure excitement tinged ecstasy, her voice breathy surprising even herself.
REI:
I didn’t know you taught recess too, professor? How fortunate because I am in the mood to play…
REGULUS:
Thinking.
What the heck is going on here….? Why is she doing this?
To REI.
Sorry, but I don’t play with kids for ethical reasons.
REI bats her eyelashes.
REI:
Can’t you make an exception for me? Teacher, teacher?
She lunges at him, arm out stretched just to get bopped in the head by the helmet as REGULUS throws it.
REGULUS:
I know you’re a “randy little lass” but this is ridiculous. First and last warning kiddo, cool your jets or I’ll have to do it for you.
BAGULAR watches this exchange from his office –the main camera had been in the helmet, but an auxiliary one is on the suit itself.
BAGULAR:
A teacher at the base? How intriguing.
He grinds his teeth into a maniacal smile which is shared by REI.
BOTH:
You’ll be my first victim!
REI is upon REGULUS again, grappling with him through traded kicks and punches. REGULUS dodges the best he can, ducking and weaving under blows while looking for an opening, but REI is so erratic in her movements that he’s unable to grasp any leads. Not only that, but he suddenly feels weak again –like he did back during the robot attack and slips up just once, just for a second….
….which is all REI needs to grab him by the face and using the suit’s boosters force him into the side of a building with great force.
REI:
Laughing sweetly.
Ohhh too bad teacher, but it appears you are the one who doesn’t get a passing mark, hahaha!
The sound of wailing sirens approach –the officer’s backup is here. REI grins as they surround her, and ready their bombs.
REI:
Now this is what I call a party~
POLICE OFFICER:
Surrender and put your arms in the air or we’ll use force!
REI:
Force sounds good to meee~
She lunges at the officer who made the order, erases his bomb and knees him in the face. Several more bombs fly at her, and with relative ease she erases a few and avoids others, boosting towards the officers and defeating them by painfully erasing their bombs. REGULUS struggles to get to his feet, but loses strength and can only manage a knee as he watches helplessly, the reflection of a certain “goddess” in his visor.
REGULUS:
Thinking.
Should have read the fine print in that whole “one favor” thing….could it be coming back from the dead had some pretty nasty side effects?
REI is finished with the officers and regards REGULUS with an evil grin before putting on the helmet and jetting away toward town –for more mayhem.
REGULUS:
…This is going to sink my teaching career, I just know it.
News travels fast in Diamond City, and before long the report of a rogue teenage girl with the ability to erase things from existence with relative ease has become the leading story. Officers go in to stop the lass, and come back unconscious. To add a further element of disbelief this girl seems to be a base cadet….obviously adding another level of shock and intrigue to this already messy situation.
SHOUT rushes into Dr. EIN’s office out of breath.
SHOUT:
Professor! The news….!
EIN has his fingers steepled and his face downward as the reports of officers being soundly and painfully defeated by REI plays on his desktop.
SHOUT:
What are we going to do, professor…? If this keeps up they’re going to call out the big guns, and that means for certain that Rei will be…
EIN:
Quietly.
…I know Shout, I know….
He shakes his head sadly.
EIN:
Maybe Bagular was right that I couldn’t and shouldn’t have kept a lid on this but what else could I do?
SHOUT gazes downward and away from EIN, unable to answer his question. Meanwhile the students have gathered back at infirmary with KURO and NITROS unable to believe the news report they’re seeing.
REPORTER:
The reported toll of injured continues to rise as the rogue Bomber Base student continues her rampage through the capital, her objective and destination unclear. We were able to at least get her identity from a police cam, but other details are forthcoming.
Superimposed on the screen along with the footage is a picture of REI, shocking everyone.
KIIRO:
What tha hell is goin’ on here? Why’s Rei doin’ this?
AQUA:
I don’t understand it either….why would she attack people?
SHIRO:
She’s trash through-and-through, but to pull a stunt like this is…
SHIRO turns to KURO who has managed to get out of bed and stumbles toward the TV, his eyebrows raised upward and knotted in shock.
SHIRO:
B—bro, you shouldn’t be….
KURO:
Hoarse whisper.
I did this.
SHIRO:
K—Kuro, wait…
KURO:
I did this to her…she wanted help and I….I pushed her away….I did this.
NITROS:
Kuro, no…it’s not like that! You have to calm down!
KURO’s vision grows hazy and before he knows it the floor is rushing up at him….
Then darkness.
Ending Song: Passionate Orbit
Say, did you know, that heart beating in your chest…
Is a gift from the depths of this wide universe?
When we are born our guardian star breathes a silent prayer to the galaxy,
And in the break between dusk and morn, dyed silver-black hues it ends up in our hands.
As we experience our lives and are touched by the gentle but rusted hands of time,
Colors born from daily life drip from this gift from the galaxy yearning to be shared –to take orbit.
So when the time comes and your little universe yearns to orbit another’s –don’t be frightened.
Just clasp your hands together, and let those feelings bubble to the surface and become a star.
For each time two hearts intertwine and orbit one another,
A little more of the universe is filled with color.