[hr][hr][i][h1]The aftermath...[/h1][/i][hr]


After the fall of the Family, a large chunk of Prince Ed-Field remained evacuated due to the dust and debris caused by the fall of the Founding Family's "Oasis" headquarters. News of the Family and their actions reached a worldwide level. People were horrified by the kidnapping, human experimentation, and brainwashing. Now, it's a global effort to relocate the "Secretaries" that were men and women kidnapped from places all over the world. Along with the authority of the world hunting down what's left of the Founding Family. This was not a problem.


[hr][hr][i][h1][color=skyblue]Wendy Emily Lucker[/color], [color=lightseagreen]Rowan Campbell[/color], "Kai" Anaru, Jessica Rosefey, & Kumiko Fujimoto.[/h1][sub](collaboration between [@Mr Allen J], [@Zombiedude101]])[/sub][/i][hr]
[hr][b][code]Faircrest Woods, Roseview_[/code][/b]


It was a hard few days after the fall of the Family... power in the city was turned back on, as everyone tried to piece everything back together after the destruction of the Founding Family.

Wendy and her friends were no different. Even though the world may never know about her struggle to destroy the Founding Family, she still lost something that she'd never get back. Wendy had to break the news to father... he damn near broke down on the phone. And he was ready to pull Wendy out of the Academy Program - even though she had to complete it as part of her DOVE punishment - but Wendy had to reassure him that everything was fine. Even though it [i]really[/i] wasn't. She fought to the death too many times to count.

Now, they had to break the news to Jessica and Kai - who managed to slip out of RAVEN's grasp on the account of it being a complete and utter mess at the moment. They all met in the middle of the Faircrest Woods... where the nearest person is miles away. Where they can talk to each other in peace. Jessica was leaned up against the side of the RV, with her arms crossed, and her head tilted downwards... as Wendy explained everything to her.

"I just can't believe it... I mean, Diana was one of my closest friends at the Academy," Jessica looked towards Kai. "[i]Our[/i] friend. I mean, she was an asshole when we first met...."

"She's like that." Wendy said.

"...But, the three of us? We were inseparable," Jessica said. "Now that she's gone... Hell, I don't know what to do anymore."

"I doubt any of us do, anymore," Wendy said. 

"Wish I could have done more."

"I believe we share the same sentiment. But, we have done all we can," Kai said, slowly. "All we can do now is remember... remember Diana, and everything she meant to us."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Well, in that case..." Jessica put back on her trademark chipper smile as she put her hands on her hips. "How about the two of ya'll join us on our cross-country road trip?" She tipped her hat.

"Oh, us?" Wendy said. "I can't really leave the Academy without DOVE permission - and I'm here because of a deal..."

Rowan awkwardly scratched the back of his head and nodded. "Uh, yeah, I dunno what they'd say about it for me, either."

"Eh, who cares if you break a little deal after everything that happened?" Jessica said.

"C'mon, Wen," Kumiko added on. "You been though hell, just enjoy a little bit of fun."

She shrugged. "And besides, I [i]doubt[/i] DOVE is going to give a shit about tiny things like this until they get back on their feet - if you're fast enough, they won't even notice that you're gone."

Wendy nodded her head as she looked at Rowan. "I'll only go if you go, so what's it going to be?"

The scrawny teen seemed to hesitate for just a moment, before deciding on what he wanted. "Yeah, screw this place. I'm in."

"Cool!" Jessica loudly slapped her hands on her hips. "Now we can have ourselves a good time!"

She looked off in the distance... she could see Prince Ed-Field from here. "I'm honestly in a rush to get out of this city."

"Yeah, let's get ready." Wendy said as she turned towards Rowan. She leaned in and whispered in his ear, "Hey, can we have a talk in private?"

"Uh, sure." He nodded with a look of uncertainty on his face.

"Then come on." Wendy grabbed onto Rowan's hand, and pulled Rowan into the bushes.


[hr][hr][i][h1]Maximilian Cornell, Dana Alcott, Deborah Javuant, Shannon Balore, [color=red]Meifeng Zhao[/color],[color=darkslateblue]Reed[/color] & [color=gray]Quentin[/color] [color=darkslateblue]Tay[/color][color=gray]lor[/color], & [color=cornflowerblue]Shizuka Takashiro[/color].[/h1][sub](collaboration between [@Mr Allen J], [@Zombiedude101] and [@tsukune])[/sub][/i][hr]
[hr][b][code]RAVEN/DOVE West Coast Joint Headquarters, White Coast_[/code][/b]


It was an insult what happened here.

An insult to everything that Maximilian built up.

An insult to RAVEN.

Maximilian stood in the destroyed lobby-room of RAVEN headquarters. The bodies were cleaned up, but it'd be months before RAVEN is able to repair the entire base. Not to mention the loss of life... and the loss of respect that the world had for RAVEN. The former, to Maximilian, was irreplaceable, while the latter could be regained. For now, Maximilian sighed as she crossed his arms.

He heard the creaking of Dana Alcott's wheelchair slide up alongside him. "Hello, Maximilian." Dana said with a smile. "Can you help me get to the meeting room? The elevators are out of operation."

Maximilian smiled as he got behind Dana, and pushed her by the handlebars. He pushed her throughout the base, all the way to the destroyed meeting room. Well, it wasn't as busted up as the rest of the base, because there were no present meetings going on at the time of the attack. Only damage the room really sustained were the bullet holes, and rubble from distant explosions - and that was cleaned up. Fortunately, the table had sustained minimal damage.

Maximilian liked that table.

At the table, many members of RAVEN and DOVE were gathered, including Meifeng Zhao, Deborah Javuant, Alice Barrett and both Quentin and Reed Taylor. Even Shizuka, who was supposed to be still on suspension from his post, was called back to show his face (after all, he played a huge part in dragging the Family down to hell, to where they [i]truly belonged[/i]). Maximilian sighed as he pulled a chair out for himself - Echo quickly appeared and pulled out a space for Dana, and she slid up. Before the Phantasm version of Maximilian disappeared.

He loudly cleared his throat.

"Hello, RAVEN, we have much to discuss today," Maximilian said as he sat down. "Yes, it was a great victory for RAVEN here in Baybridge seeing the Founding Family destroyed... but, at the same time, we have undergone some heavy losses, so I think that's what I think we should address first.

"We have lost many RAVENS, and DOVES, including high-level leaders," Maximilian said. "...And given the losses we've sustained here today, I doubt there's going to be suitable replacements."

"So what's your plan?" Reed spoke up to raise his question, "I know my word isn't much, but.. I don't think anyone can just replace people with agents from outside Baybridge. DOVE needs people that know this city."

Maximilian looked over towards Deborah, before he spoke,

"I've been talking to Deborah lately, and we have came to a unanimous decision to hand out promotions to the agents here," Maximilian said. "You are correct in that we [i]need[/i] agents that know the city, but there's only so much we can do. So, I am offering promotions to elevated positions in both DOVE and RAVEN. You don't have to take them."

"So, that's how it works now?" Meifeng rolled her eyes as she spoke underneath her breath. "Sorry, Maxxi... but I'm happy where I am. So, I'll be passing on this offer."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Meifeng," Maximilian said.

"Yeah... I just think now's not the right time to be accepting promotions..."

"Anyone else?"

Alice shook her head. Meifeng was right, at least to Alice's mind, they'd lost too many good people for Alice to simply step into a position she did not deserve. 

It took a few moments before Quentin spoke his piece. "Max, neither of them are gonna say it, so I will. Shizuka's stuck his neck out for us on countless occasions, even after the folks in their ivory towers decided to throw him under a bus and he's the kind of agent we need if we're going to keep fighting these people. If anything, he's [i]earned[/i] a place among our best. And that god-damned suspension better be stricken from the record."

Shizuka gave a nod to Quentin to show his gratitude to the agent for speaking up for him.

"I was against the suspension from the beginning... but it worked out in the end," Maximilian sighed.

"I actually don't mind the promos," Shizuka shrugged at Maximilian as he finally opened his mouth to say something. "I'd be lying if I say I don't care about ranks and positions, because I'm painfully aware how little I can do to help without the necessary clearance." Besides, he had to stop relying on Holly too much for intel. It would make his job much smoother if he had a high enough rank similar to the likes of Meifeng and the Taylors, to get the essential things done faster than waiting for the chain of commands to finally reach him.

"I'll gladly give you a promotion," Maximilian said. "And wipe this suspension."

The veteran RAVEN took a moment to breathe, giving the twin a look for just a moment before shifting focus towards his own brother.

"Call me full of shit because we're family, but Reed here is a good field agent, probably better than me. He's reliable and dedicated to what he does and he's got the history to prove it, hell he wasn't even thirty when they made him an investigator at VPD. After what happened at HQ, it was him that kept things smooth between us and the BPD, him who chased up whatever lead he could. If that doesn't merit some recognition, I don't know what will."

"I was thinking that Agent Taylor here gets a higher position under me," Deborah chimed in. "Like you said, he's reliable, and held DOVE together when me and Shannon were incapacitated... So, here's the four-one-one."

Deborah took in a deep breath. "In the attack of Headquarters, the regional Director, Vincent Goldman, was killed."

She smiled.

"...Would you like to be the Director of the Baybridge branch of DOVE, Reed?"

"I..." The DOVE Investigator had found himself [i]floored[/i] by such an offer.

"You should just take it." Shizuka's face broke out into a grin at him. "If there's anyone in DOVE who deserves the job, it's [i]you[/i]."

"Yeah," Meifeng said. "Think about it, you'll be the new face of DOVE... just what we need right now."

"I'll... It's just that I'm a kind of hands-on guy. There are people working here who've been around since the NEST days, far more senior than me, are you sure? I honestly appreciate and thank you for the offer, but I don't know if I'd be cut out for the job yet. I don't want to put that weight on the people who'd be working under me." Reed wasn't yet convinced of his worthiness for the role, but nonetheless didn't want to disappoint.

"If I took this offer, would it be possible if I could be taken under a trial basis? Just to give everyone peace of mind."

"Of course," Deborah agreed. "Quite frankly, I don't think anything will go wrong... I just know this stuff."

"In that case... I'd count myself a grateful man," Reed remarked, reaching forward over the table to shake Javaunt's hand, "Thank you, everyone."

Everyone clapped, as Deborah took Reed's hand, and smiled.

"...Welcome aboard, Director."

She said with a wide smile.

As Reed found himself enveloped by applause, he felt an elbow firmly nudging at his ribs. "Just remember which one of us is the oldest, huh?" Quentin cracked a smile, a genuine one at that - in truth he was proud of what his brother had become and he knew that the old man would've been even more so.

Deborah was sitting, watching the scene unfold, before she heard the voice of Jade West in her earpiece,

"Ms. Javuant, we have a problem." Jade spoke in a hurried tone.

"...I'm starting to hate that phrase." Deborah said.

"Agent Keagan was resting in the infirmary... and now she's gone," Jade said. "The window has been blown open by her power... I don't know where she went."

"Affirmative."

Deborah understood that Cindy was feeling the harsh effects of her mind control. Deborah sighed, she would have to break the news to the others.

"I have something to report about Cindy..." Deborah said, as she stood up. "Agent Keagan has fled from the hospital wing."

"What?!" Meifeng said, as she hopped to her feet. "Where did she go!?"

"If we don't stop her now, we'll lose her." Reed practically launched himself from his seat, "Javaunt, have they said where she was last seen? We might have a chance to head her off."

Shizuka didn't seem too surprised at the news, but he couldn't help muttering "[i]that dumbass[/i]" under his breath.

"According to agent West; she was last seen in the infirmary..." Deborah said.

"...Guys, hate to say this..." Meifeng said as she stood up, putting her hands on the table. "...But, I think we should give Cindy her space."

The air went silent.

"...She had a [i]lot[/i] dumped on her at once, and she's still coming to terms with things... so, maybe it's for the best that we leave Cindy alone."

She sighed, before she raised her head.

"She'll come back on her own."

"She's not wrong, you know." Quentin broke the silence, fully aware of what kind of hell she must've been going through. "Give her time, is all I'll say."

"I hate to say this, too, but..." Meifeng said. "...We have more important things to worry about."


[hr][hr][i][h1]The Foundation Woman, & The Black Hound...[/h1][sub](by [@Mr Allen J])[/sub][/i][hr][hider=Kill la Kill OST - Blumenkranz][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM4SZ6AzfMY[/youtube][/hider]
[hr][b][code]???[/code][/b]


After the fall of the Family, many things need to get done. Starting with the rise of a new generation...

Deep within the most desolate parts of the world was a secret facility. One hidden underground, underneath the nose of the world. The same place that the Hound and the Foundation Woman called - in the most sick and broad term - home. The large metal doors opened, revealing the two - the Hound without his famous helmet - as they walked into the dark and desolate chambers that were full of pods. Inside these pods were the "replacement" to the Intimidation & Undertaker Units. Project ZODIAC... a project so important that only the Blessed Three knew about it.

Now that they were dead, Tabitha and Abel practically own the base.

The two walked to the central control station where most of the wires lead to. A massive computer that the Foundation Woman used for many of her projects.

"Now, Abel... the day we both [i]dreamed[/i] of is here," Tabitha said, sitting down at the computer,  "Are you ready for the next step?"

Abel grabbed onto the helmet that was hanging off his belt... then crushed it in between his hands.

"For so long... I played the role of my master's loyal hound," Abel started off, his voice sounding demonic even after tearing off his helmet. "But now... I am no longer following masters who are fools... I am deciding a directive for myself."

As Tabitha kept typing away, the pods opened, and people began falling out of them.

"I am now taking claim on something new a... [i]Sovereign,[/i]" Abel said, as he let the pieces of his former helmet crumble to bits. "Yes... that is who I am. I may still be a heartless killing machine in the eyes of the world - but to myself? I am no longer the Hound of the Family.... I am the [i]Sovereign[/i] of ZODIAC...."

The men and women that were released from the pod looked up, as she stood on their own two feet.

"And now, I will lead ZODIAC to greatness... inducing great change in the world," Sovereign said. "Not guided by arrogance, or a pretentious view of how the world should be...but instead, honor."

Tabitha grinned.

"...May our conscience be as clear as our actions."

"...I'll be keeping my codename, however." Tabitha playfully remarked.


[hr][hr][i][h1][color=red]Meifeng Zhao[/color], [color=aqua]Jennifer Caspin[/color], [color=darkslateblue]Reed[/color] & [color=gray]Quentin[/color] [color=darkslateblue]Tay[/color][color=gray]lor[/color], [color=salmon]Haruka[/color] & [color=cornflowerblue]Shizuka[/color] [color=salmon]Taka[/color][color=cornflowerblue]shiro[/color], Maximilian Cornell, Dana Alcott, Jiao-Long, & The rest of the Liu Family.[/h1][sub](collaboration between [@Mr Allen J], [@Zombiedude101] and [@tsukune])[/sub][/i][hr][hider=Rob Dougan - Frescobaldi's Toccata][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7jrNXan3n8[/youtube][/hider]
[hr][b][code]Greenflower Garden, Silver Hills_[/code][/b]


Close family and friends were gathered in the venue, after following a hearse through the city. Jiao-Long offered to pay for everything out of grief and despair for his lost sister. It was a short time before they reached Lihua's burial. It was a private event, in which not many people knew about.

Everyone was gathered around Lihua's grave, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave. Meifeng couldn't be bothered paying attention to the people saying good things about her... it all just felt so empty. The scene was gloomy as it looked, Meifeng was just quietly standing there as she held Lijuan's hand tightly. She wore a dress, the most modest one she could find. Both of them were. Meifeng hated this. She hated this so much. [i]Why did she have to die?[/i] Meifeng thought to herself as she had to try to suppress her tears. 

[i]This felt like Verthaven all over again.[/i] When everyone was standing in the field to bury Trevor, Sonya, Cass... and Jen. Meifeng turned her head to her friend, wearing a modest black dress (not the best dress, but the best funeral clothes she could gather on such short notice)... she remembered her casket being empty.

Lihua was... not the best person in the world, Meifeng would admit that. She, at her worst, was a monster to her core - and took glee in hurting people all because of the power that came with it. Afterwards, she was an arrogant something that still cared far too much about her own status, and far too [i]little[/i] about everyone else, and what she had to do to get there. But, in the end, Lihua did care about her daughters - Lijuan and herself. She had mellowed out over the years, and became the best person she could ever be.

In the end, she was still a troubled soul. One that was responsible for things that was inhuman.

But, that was okay. Meifeng knew Lihua was ultimately her mother, no matter what she did. Just like she told her in Verthaven, right before the battle that changed everything...

[i]"...If I die, I want[/i] you [i]to hold my deepest and darkest secrets above all else, and judge them."[/i]

Meifeng sighed.

[i]I never judged you for a moment... I loved you for your good, and your bad.[/i]

That was something no one here understood... and would never know. Meifeng was trusted with Lihua's greatest secrets. She gazed at everyone here... starting with the distraught Lijuan, who was crying the whole time. Just hiding it. Lijuan was as strong as Lihua and Meifeng, she just didn't realize her potential yet. Meifeng pulled her closer for an embrace as she patted Lijuan's back. She looked to the side, to confirm Jennifer's position not too far away. Jen looked as mellow as everyone else here - which was strange because she and Lihua never quite got close. Personally, Jennifer was just there for Meifeng.

Meifeng took a across from herself to see Jiao-Long with his face in his hands. This was hard for Jiao-Long, too. Since he felt personally responsible for Lihua's death... which is funny, given that the two of them only recently got along [i]after[/i] seeing past each other's differences. Probably because Jiao-Long noted the similarities between them. The Liu Sisters stood by his side, each facing the ground with her hands together. It was hard having their precious "auntie" die as well.

At another side stood both the Taylors, both wearing formal attire for the occasion. Reed had stood forward to say a few words of his own, of his respect and admiration for Lihua, but the truth was that he'd never known her as well as Quentin had. The elder brother himself had been silent, for the most part, his gaze occasionally flickering between Meifeng and Lijuan. The two of them had the utmost respect from Meifeng... being close and personal friends of the Zhao family. She couldn't help but grow much fonder of the two just with their presence.

She looked off to the side, and saw the tall, well-built, frame of Maximilian Cornell between some headstones. He kept his hands together, as Dana stood at his side. Maximilian was also a close friend of Lihua... but, Meifeng had to drop the truth about whom Lijuan's father is to him. Meifeng was pressing Lihua to do it for [i]years[/i] now, and Lihua kept declining it out of shame. Well, now Meifeng would have a long talk with Maximilian after all of this.

The Takashiro twins, though, were an odd addition to the rest who were present; in particular Shizuka, who pretty much despised Lihua ever since they first met. Even if their relationship improved slightly much [i]much[/i] later on, the said person was no longer around to testify how they were slowly coming to terms with each other. There was also another matter, of how much he knew about the Zhaos' - and the Lius' - secrets more than any other outsiders should. He was far too deep in their family's business to keep his distance from them anymore.

Haruka's presence made a little more sense - he was a former student under Lihua's guidance when they were both in the Academy - but that didn't stop him from sticking out among the people gathered here. The twins might not show their emotions on their impassive faces, but Haruka was grieving for the death of his former mentor on the inside. He clutched onto Shizuka's sleeve as he tried hard to keep his sadness under control, which the silver-haired counterpart returned with a reassuring pat on his trembling hand.

Worst of all; [i]Cindy wasn't here.[/i]

It was finally time... the body was lowered into the ground, and as it slowly disappeared, Lijuan asked, "...[i]W-why are they putting Mommy in the ground?[/i]"

At that point, Meifeng couldn't help but let the tears trickle down her cheeks.

[hr]

After the funeral, Meifeng stayed there for awhile with Lijuan. Even after everyone else has left.

They were probably off living their lives... but Meifeng felt stuck. Without Lihua... she had no guidance. Not to mention the only parent she had left.

"...[i]Meifeng,[/i]" The voice of her uncle came from behind with his hands behind his back. Hunched over slightly, and a rather pained look on his face with his wife at his side. "[i]May we have a word?[/i]"

"[i]Yes, Uncle,[/i]" Meifeng replied.

"[i]I still feel very responsible for the death of Qiaolian...[/i]" Jiao-Long said, "[i]If I had just blown the whistle on the Family like I thought I should have...[/i]"

"[i]And you would have put a target on your wife, your daughters, and your son,[/i]" Meifeng said, shaking her head.

"[i]I am aware... but, there's one thing I can do to help, Meifeng,[/i]" Jiao-Long said, before he bowed his head. "Let me take Lijuan under my wing."

Meifeng's eyes went wide, as she was taken aback by the request.

"[i]Please... it is the best I could do for sister. I have talked about it with Chunhua, and my daughters, and they all agreed with my idea.[/i]"

"[i]I don't know... Uncle,[/i]" Meifeng said. "[i]The Liu Estate was destroyed... and... I don't think Lijuan wants to be far away from her sister...[/i]"

"[i]That's no problem,[/i]" Jiao-Long said. "[i]I promise I'll find a new home in Baybridge... she'll never be far away from her sister, but I know you are a busy woman, and dealing with grief yourself. So, please, let me take Lijuan into my care.[/i]"

Meifeng hesitated for a moment as she considered it, before she finally broke down and said.

"[i]...Yes, Uncle.[/i]"

"[i]Thank you, Meifeng.[/i]" Jiao-Long widely smiled. "[i]You will not regret this decision.[/i]"

Meifeng nodded her head as she got on her knee... getting on eye-level with Lijuan, and put her hands on her shoulders.

"Hey, Li," Meifeng said to her. "You're going to go stay with Uncle for awhile, is that okay?"

"...W-will I see you?" Lijuan weakly asked.

"Yeah, of course," Meifeng answered, smiling. "...I'm here to stay."

Lijuan nodded her head as she walked over to Jiao-Long, who took her hand.

"Goodbye, Meifeng." Jiao-Long said, as he walked off.

"...Bye, Big Sis."

Meifeng let out a sigh as she turned around... going back towards Lihua's grave. She got down on her knees, putting her hands against them... staring at her tombstone.

[quote][i]LIHUA ZHAO.

1972-2022.[/i][/quote]

"Heh... you know, your favorite time of the year was just around the corner," Meifeng couldn't help but morbidly say. "...You know... when it snows and all... y-yeah... you loved the snow."

Eventually, she heard a familiar voice from behind. "Want to talk? You could use a drink." Quentin asked.

"Y-yeah..." Meifeng said, as she stood up. "I've been sitting here for too long."


[hr][hr][i][h1][color=skyblue]Wendy Emily Lucker[/color], & [color=lightseagreen]Rowan Campbell[/color][/h1][sub](collaboration between [@Mr Allen J], & [@Zombiedude101]])[/sub][/i][hr][hider=Chase & Status - End Credits][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpWaRDMgnPM[/youtube][/hider]
[hr][b][code]Faircrest Woods, Roseview_[/code][/b]


Wendy dragged Rowan over to the clearing far away from the others. The second they were in the middle of the clearing, Wendy let go of Rowan, and took a few steps away from him.

Before she faced Rowan.

She held her book tightly with both arms, keeping it clutched against her chest. She smiled at him.

"I have to say... it was a hard month..."  Wendy started off, awkwardly shifting her feet. "We tried our best, and in the end, everything I did was in vain... everything [i]we[/i] did was in vain. Diana died anyway... I lost her for good. And while we never saw eye to eye sometimes, she was the person responsible for making me into everything I am today. She gave me confidence, she showed me that the other people in the world are worth it..."

Wendy turned off as a cool November breeze came by and blew her dress around.

"...And she wasn't wrong. You're worth it."

She smiled widely as she looked off in the distance.

"Even though Diana is gone... I will not give up. I'll live every moment of my life in memory of her,"  Wendy put her hand up, and she turned the palm of her hand into paper. The paper flew up into the air. "In a way... I'll [i]always[/i] carry a piece of her with me wherever I go. Some people say that your superpower represents your soul... I thought they were silly, but with what we know, are they really that wrong?"

She asked, before she continued.

"...I can't just break down because she died, and everything I did was pointless. Nor can I let hatred consume me. The Family is gone, and they're never coming back... and..."

Wendy laughed, much to Rowan's clear surprise.

"...[i]If they do, we'll be there to kick their ass.[/i]"

A tear fell down from Wendy's eye.

"For everything you've done..." Wendy started off. ".... [i]Thank you.[/i]"

In all his years, Rowan had never felt as much appreciation as he did right now. "Well... you're the first, maybe the [i]only[/i] friend I've had in years, y'know? And I'm sorry about Diana, if I'd tried harder I could've stopped her, I know it. Could've done a lot of things..."

From there, whatever had come to mind in that moment started pouring out of him. "After they stuck me in the academy, I didn't know anyone and they didn't know me. Most judged me or ignored me."

For a moment, the scrawny teen's expression seemed to crinkle and darken.

"But you didn't. And since we met, you helped me with my power so what happened before won't happen again. I can do so much more, but I wouldn't have been able to without your help. So really, I think it should be me thanking you, I guess.. ah, shit, I'm not good at talking about this stuff." He felt awkward right now, if how he spoke to her was anything to go by.

Wendy didn't reply, she only embraced Rowan in a hug, surprising him even more than she had be. Both hands wrapped around him tightly.

"...You're perfect at it."

Wendy released Rowan with a chipper smile on her face.

"You know... before we go get ready to go, I have something to show you..." Wendy said, awkwardly shifting her feet. "But you [i]have[/i] to trust me."

"...Okay?" He said, curious as to what she meant.

"C'mon, it'll be fun." Wendy said as she grabbed Rowan's wrist, and pulled him off back towards the Academy so she could recover her moped.

[hr][hider=Breton - Wood & Plastic][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIkiRp2TSj8[/youtube][/hider][hr][b][code]Regal Square, Prince Ed-Field_[/code][/b]

Prince Ed-Field (specifically Regal Square) had been closed off because the building collapsing left a ton of rubble all over the place. Along with looking for survivors, and other work... but, that wasn't important. Wendy could finally do something she always wanted to do without someone yelling at her. Well, someone was [i]probably[/i] going to yell at her, but it was worth it. For this one time.

The one thing she always wanted to do.

It was a challenge getting prepared... gathering a lot of paper, sneaking it into Prince Ed-Field, getting on top of this skyscraper, and finally... convincing Rowan to come along.

Wendy threw open the doors to the rooftop, and a storm of paper came following from behind her. She quickly made it take the shape of a giant paper airplane - large enough for both of them to get on. She did just that as she smiled, as she looked back at Rowan..

"This is something I've always wanted to do, Rowan!" Wendy excitedly said. "Now that Prince Ed-Field is empty... we can finally do it"

She put her hand out for Rowan.

"...Will you try it with me?"

The scrawny teen clutched her palm without a moment's hesitation.

"How far do you think this thing can go?"

"I bet it'll take us back to Roseview."

Wendy held his hand tightly as the two of them stepped on the giant paper airplane. She took Rowan's actions as wholeheartedly receiving the green light.

"What about Brookacres?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Brookacres is right around the corner... we'll get there in no time," Wendy said.

"Uh... can we make a stop? I've got something I need to do, before I leave town."

"Yeah, sure... but, we'll go wherever the winds take us!"

Without a second warning, both Rowan and Wendy went weightless as the paper airplane flew off the roof. It took a sharp nose-dive towards the ground, and they were utterly assaulted with rough and unforgiving winds. Right before they hit the ground, Wendy turned the paper airplane upwards, and they started flying alongside the buildings.

[i]It's just as cool as it is in the movies...[/i] Wendy thought to herself as her hair flowed wildly in the wind. They flew off towards the lake that Baybridge is built around, getting to Brookacres should've been easy. 


[hr][hr][i][h1]Biyu Liu.[/h1][sub](by [@Mr Allen J])[/sub][/i][hr]
[hr][b][code]???[/code][/b]


Biyu stepped into a dark room...

Ah, today was a good day. That whore of her daughter was dead... and she recovered what she wanted for [i]years[/i] now.

You see, Biyu's allegiance was never with Polaris, or the Blessed Three... both organizations were full of fools. Especially the former. The organization that she built up with her own two hands fall from grace... there was no saving them. They would die like dogs, just like the Family... but, that was none of her concern. It was time to build up something else, one free from fools. Like many others were doing - but, Biyu had one goal before she starts.

She raised a finger into the air, and created a light that illuminated the room. Revealing a group of other people with dragon masks on.

She may have become an outlier, a [i]criminal,[/i] but she has the means to make that better.

"[i]Do you have it?[/i]" One of them asked.

Biyu revealed the various books that she had underneath her arm.

"[i]Of course, of couse... that whore Julia took her eyes off it in the midst of the fall of her precious empire.[/i]"

Biyu snickered as she revealed Shane O'Sullivan's notes.

"[i]Shane was a genius in every sense of the word... he had knowledge that would change[/i] everything," Biyu started off. "[i]Too bad he was an idiotic man that focused far too much on his lineage, and genes, to make good use of it.[/i]"

Biyu laughed some more as she opened it up, and skimmed a finger through it.

"[i]He couldn't even empart the useful knowledge onto his daughter before he died like a dog. What a useless man...[/i]" Biyu said, "[i]But, nonetheless... we will make good use out of this.[/i]"

Biyu closed the book, and put it underneath her arm.

"[i]Come now, we have much work to do...[/i]"


[hr][hr][i][h1][color=red]Meifeng Zhao[/color]& [color=gray]Quentin Taylor[/color][/h1][sub](collaboration between [@Mr Allen J] and [@Zombiedude101])[/sub][/i][hr]
[hr][b][code]Lower-South Royer-Town, Prince Ed-Field_[/code][/b]


"You know... you never asked where that money came from, back in Verthaven." Quentin said, nursing a glass in his hand.

"After all that bullshit," Meifeng said, as she took a sip of her Cinnamon Whiskey... she needed something raw. "I couldn't care less... and I still don't. Money's money." She shrugged.

The two were sitting in the apartment that Meifeng shared with Cindy, and Jennifer... well, Meifeng had an idea that the former wasn't going to be around for awhile, so just Jen. Jennifer went somewhere with Haruka, so it was her apartment for the rest of the day. She was probably going to end up finding a whole new place with Jen.

"Maybe so. But... I feel I owe it to you to explain."

Meifeng listened closely... she might learn something new about Quentin.

"Before this, before we met, back in Verthaven all those years ago. I made a profit from buying and [i]selling[/i] powers to people. Not the obvious psychotics, but that doesn't change what I did."

Hearing that... Meifeng wondered if any of the people Quentin sold powers to would ever come back to bite RAVEN (or the world at large for that matter) in the ass. She narrowed her eyes at Quentin for a moment as she opened her mouth slightly as if she was about to speak... then closed it as she held her tongue.

"The night the Hands... when they got me, I'd thought I was on my way to meet a business contact. Your mom, she had her suspicions, but... I think by the time she figured it out, she realised I would've been wasted outside of NEST. Funny how things end up, isn't it?" He remarked, a little bitterly.

"Yeah..." Meifeng answered.

"All these years, I had this thought creeping up on the back of my head after each time we were dealing with the next rouge meta, 'did I sell to this one?' And I've wanted to undo the damage I've done."

Meifeng was silent, because she already went over those thoughts.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. And for what it's worth, I'm sorry about your Mom."

She sighed as she said, "... It's okay, Quent." Meifeng started off. "It's best that we stop worrying about the past."

"Look, I know this doesn't make it any easier, but..  I know what it's like to lose the only parent you've known. I was older than your sister when my Mom... when she passed, but I was still a kid, y'know? Lijuan, she'll come back from it - it just takes time. If you look at Reed, how he turned out thanks to Cass? She'll be okay, you've still got a good Uncle who cares about you. And if that isn't enough, you know me - I'll help wherever I can." He planted a palm on Mei's shoulder for just a second. "As far as I'm concerned, you're family, too."

Meifeng looked up at Quentin the very moment he said that she was his family, too. "I... I feel the same way... I've felt the same way for ages now."

"Good to know." Quentin offered her a warm smile, then slung his arm around her shoulder in an odd sort of fraternal embrace, before reaching back over to gulp down more of his own drink.

"Either way... Lijuan is going to be staying with Uncle for now... I feel a bit bad for giving her up like that, but I think it's for the best that she lives in comfort with him, instead of struggling with me..." Meifeng said as she took another sip of her whiskey.

"As I've said, that little brother of mine didn't turn out so bad. No offense, but your Uncle has the means to provide everything she'll need - a home, an education, and she has you. Don't sweat it, just... take things one day at a time."

"I'll still see her whenever possible... even though the Liu estate was destroyed... they're not leaving Baybridge."

"This was a nice talk, Quent." Meifeng said, as she drunk more of her whiskey. "The night's almost here... and I have a lot more drinking to do. I just need a break from... all of this."

"But... I'm not leaving Baybridge anymore, I promise you that," Meifeng voiced. "Even if I get another offer or whatever."

"You're thinking of settling down?" Quentin asked, a wry look upon his face. "I'd caution you not to go soft on me, but honestly? Don't wait until it's too late, you're still young."

"Settling down?" Meifeng asked, giving Quentin an equally wry look. "I was... thinking about it. I gotta continue the Zhao family... but, I'll never settle down."

Meifeng chuckled.

"Just gonna continue the adventure... with a friend."

"Any ideas in mind?" Quentin asked, before remarking, "Isn't Shizu, is it? I mean I know you Asians like to stick together, but I thought the Chinese and Japanese didn't mix?"

Meifeng narrowed her eyes.

"No offense to Shizuka... but, the two of us just don't mix," Meifeng said, scratching the back of her neck. "...I just need to find someone who works with me."

That solicited a chuckle from her drinking companion. "Just screwing with you. Anyway, whoever it turns out to be, you'll figure things out. But don't make the mistake of leaving things until you're my age."

"Yeah... I have a lot of thinkin' to do." Meifeng said as she put the bottle down.


[hr][hr][i][h1][color=salmon]Haruka Takashiro[/color], and...[/h1][sub](by [@tsukune])[/sub][/i][hr][hider=Drakengard 3 OST - Nethernox ~Sacred Journey / Deep Darkness~][youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g29yRC-6Vuk[/youtube][/hider][hr]
[b][code]Lower-South Royer Town, Prince Ed-Field_[/code][/b]

It wasn't the first time Haruka had to leave a place he could call home behind, setting out on another journey and going back to the nomadic lifestyle he was so used to throughout his childhood days.

Only that this time, it wasn't with Shizuka.

Tying up the loose ends with his family before leaving for this big trip wasn't as complicated as he had expected. His twin wasn't around, probably busy with his promotions and sorting out the aftermath - the responsibility that came with more authoritative power - but with Holly at his side to keep his lazy twin in line, he didn't need to worry about his brother too much. He also heard that Ryu might be staying in Baybridge for a bit longer, joking about how Shizuka still owed him a certain favor. Most would assume that the Japanese agent was referring to the Family's case; Haruka didn't know the details either, but he could guess there was more to that story.

He was already used to Shizuka being oddly secretive and, well, just eccentric as ever.

Luckily for Haruka, Akemi wasn't back from Japan yet, which saved him from another earful of well-intended but annoying lecture from the equally worrisome aunt. Still, he left her a note just in case, and he felt sorry for his brother being the next available substitute to receive the nagging (in his mind, he could already imagine what she might say).

Adjusting the strap of the backpack on his shoulder, he walked towards the building where he would pick Jennifer up. Maybe he was doing all this on impulse, but he didn't regret making this decision. Everyone had their own problems; Meifeng and the passing of her mother, and there was Cindy trying to come to terms of the things she had done while under the Family's mind control. Both of them had so much on their mind now, so much burden to bear... It was best to leave those two alone to sort out their own inner turmoils. Given Jennifer's personality, that was what she would most likely do... and repeat the same cycle of self-seclusion (and destruction).

Which was why he was going to be there for her. It was better off for him to go with her to make a difference for himself and others than constantly hiding in the shadow of Shizuka, being the Achilles heel of his more successful twin. Maybe he had been giving himself too little credit for what he was really capable of.

Someone else was also aware of whatever he had been hiding... and it was also the last person he wanted to deal with.

"[i]Leaving so soon, hmm?[/i]"

Haruka immediately whipped around at the familiar voice. "[i]...Why are you here?[/i]" he hissed with narrowed eyes.

Stepping out of the shadow, Xing Huo revealed herself from around the alley bend. Her wardrobe was as classy as ever - she was completely decked out in branded clothes and accessories, bringing a whole new meaning to Haruka's understanding of vanity. In fact, she could easily put any supermodels to utter shame, and shove all those designer clothing companies under her ass while still looking drop-dead gorgeous.

The Fire Spirit of Polaris returned the hostility with her usual sickening sweetness. "[i]For the well-being of my precious children, of course![/i]"

"[i]I don't have time to play games with you,[/i] Miss."

"[i]Now, now,[/i]" Xing Huo chuckled at the tense young man before her. "[i]I'm well aware that it's going to take some time for you to feel the warmth and love from me, but I'm a patient mother, especially for my favorite twin boys.[/i]"

Moving closer to Haruka, she dropped her smile - and her voice low enough for only the Japanese before her to hear. "[i]I hope you still remember the little[/i] warning [i]I gave you before we parted ways.[/i]"

"[i]'The world of old will perish, and the order of new shall rise; a blessing is a curse in disguise.' There's no way I'd forget a cryptic poem like that.[/i]" Now that the lady had to remind him about it, he decided to take the opportunity to get more out of her. "[i]I've been meaning to ask you about it...[/i]"

"[i]Good.[/i]" Xing Huo seemed satisfied with his response. "[i]I'm happy to know you've got that ingrained into your head... and always keep what I've told you in mind.[/i] Always."

That only made Haruka even more confused, so much so that the irritation on his face shifted to pure curiosity. "[i]What are you trying to tell me?[/i]"

"[i]This isn't the end - not yet. It's only the[/i] beginning," Xing Huo smirk widened. "[i]Do not drop your guard, not even for one millisecond. You're an intelligent person, and I'm sure you're aware of the signs. Only a fool is going to believe that everything is going to be fine and dandy with such a retarded ending.[/i]" She paused to let out a dramatic sigh. "[i]Well, I shouldn't have expected too much from such a[/i] lame [i]cast, so I'm counting on you to put up a better show than this disappointing nonsense.[/i]"

Haruka continued to lock his gaze with Xing Huo's dark eyes. He had his reservations - something just didn't feel right about the way things had come to end like this - but it was nothing more than an intangible suspicion, a strange feeling he couldn't explain or comprehend. It seemed like he wasn't going to get anything more concrete out of someone who simply couldn't stop talking in weird riddles to him, so he decided to change his tactic. "[i]But... why[/i] me[i]?[/i]"

"[i]As far as anyone else is concerned, you're a pathetic, worthless 'Mr. Nice Guy' who don't even have the guts to kill an ant,[/i]" she snickered at him. "[i]None of those snotty idiots would bother to pay any attention to you. To them, you're too easy to be a target worth wasting their time and effort on... which is what make you my ideal choice for the upcoming play. You're the perfect shadow in your brother's light.[/i]"

"[i]I'm not your...[/i] pawn," Haruka glowered at her, stopping himself just in time before he broke his usual demeanor.

"[i]I don't care how long you want to keep up your prissy image,[/i]" Xing Huo sneered at him. "[i]You can't keep that monster inside you caged up much longer. There's only so much mere human beings like all of us can keep something like that bottled inside ourselves before all hell breaks loose.[/i]" She giggled at his raised eyebrow. "[i]You think you can keep that little secret of yours hidden forever, to let that Zhao bitch take it down to her grave? Well, not like she'd bother to remember such[/i] trivial [i]things, anyway.[/i]"

That made the young man not only narrowing his eyes at her, but anyone who looked into them would feel the strong killing intent burning in those dark eyes.

"[i]Yes, I do know about the...[/i] incident [i]at the Academy,[/i]" Xing Huo seemed pleased to get her revenge for the time this cute boy had owned her back at the cafe a couple of weeks before. "[i]That woman might think she got you covered, but as the saying goes: 'Paper can never keep the fire wrapped up forever.' Ah, you might want to remember that line, too.[/i]"

Leaving Haruka to seethe at her, the Chinese woman straightened up and turned away, giving him a cheery wave before disappearing into the shadows once more.


[hr][hr][h1][i][color=springgreen]Cindy Gabrielle Keagan[/color].[/i][/h1][hr]
[b][code]Leaving Baybridge Fast_[/code][/b]


It was a bullshit move for Cindy to pull... but, she honestly needed it.

Cindy sat on a train that was leaving Baybridge rather quickly, staring out the window as the train went around the mountain pass. She sighed... The guys were going to hate her for this, but she just couldn't return to DOVE like everything was hunky-dory... especially after what had happened. Even if it was a well-kept secret, Cindy [i]did[/i] kill all those people that she used to call friends (even brutally murdering a friend of hers).

There was also something she needed to see... someone she hasn't talked to in a little while.

She looked at her train trickets, and shook her head.

[i]Damn, it's a pain in the ass getting to the Verthaven memorial...[/i]


[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Ju8X0Sc.png[/img][hr][hr]


[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VKaRBWi-gY[/youtube][/center]




[hr][hr][i][h1]...[/h1][sub](by [@Mr Allen J])[/sub][/i][hr]
[hr][b][code]???[/code][/b]


A woman was brushing her hair, sitting in the middle of a dressing room of some expensive place. Most likely a theater of sorts. She was the only person in the room.

Brushing her brown hair nonstop.

Until the phone rang next to her, and she answered it.

"...[i]Tango. Walk. Spoken. Anonymous. Ice-cream Parlor... Problem.[/i]"

The woman's eyes went dead for a few moments as she stopped completely. Almost like she had shut down. Before she came back to life... and smiled as she heard the man speak their [i]special[/i] code.

"...I was wondering when you would contact me," The woman said as she kept brushing her hair. "I was getting lonely."

"Apologies my mistress... but, I had things to do," The man said. "Such as getting away from those troublesome RAVENs."

"Did the girls go into the hands of DOVE? Are they currently 'curing' all the Secretaries and whatnot?"

"Yes, madam..."

"Good, that means we have all the cover we need..." The woman laughed.

"How are you adjusting to your new body?" The man asked.

"Not as good my last... but, I'll make due," The woman answered. "What I'm hoping for is that stupid girl doesn't remember this particular request of mine..."

"It was ages ago," The man answered. "And the Blessed Three had her power applied to many different people... it'll probably all became a blur at some point."

"I guess you are correct..."

"What are your orders, Mistress?" the man asked.

"Lay low... we don't have any reason to do anything so quickly and expose ourselves all over again." The woman started off. "Long as Jennifer is alive... everything will go great."

"They still think the only thing we did to her body was [i]revive[/i] it. Ha." The man laughed.

"Affirmative, [i]Charles,[/i] and l doubt that she'll die anytime soon."

"So, I'll let you get used to your new body..." Charles said.

"...[i]Mistress Julia[/i]."


[hr][hr][i][h1][color=skyblue]Wendy Emily Lucker[/color], [color=lightseagreen]Rowan Campbell[/color], & Kumiko Fujimoto[/h1][sub](collaboration between [@Mr Allen J], [@Zombiedude101]])[/sub][/i][hr]
[hr][b][code]Faircrest Woods, Roseview_[/code][/b]


"Hey guys..." Wendy said. She had spent the last while looking through Ezekiel's notes, and the man [i]was[/i] a genius... but there was something in the book that she had to talk about. So, she gathered both Kumiko, and Rowan, and took them to the Faircrest Woods outside of the Academy. It was the place she thought of going.

"I found something in the book... this book..." Wendy said, as she held Ezekiel's notes up for them to see.

"What'd you find? The Ramblings of a Madman II?" Kumiko teased.

"Well, first..." Wendy said as she used her paper manipulation to pull a few pages of the book out. She shifted through the pages, as she held it in front of her face. "...These are detailed instructions on how to create another Machine. Supposedly to go to his apprentice, but..."

The paper was telekinetically shredded into a powder, before it was thrown into the wind, carried away.

"...We can't let this information get out."

"Good choice... but is that all?" Kumiko asked.

"No... there's a line in his notes that stand out," Wendy traced her finger over the notes, reciting Ezekiel's notes, "[i]The concept of the Machine was born from many factors... first and foremost, the fact that every Metahuman is a low-yield reality warper. Subconsciously able to alter reality on a person, or impersonal level. The Metahuman energy is seemingly an innate connection to what composes the world... reality itself.[/i]"

That made Kumiko raise an eyebrow.

"[i]For the sake of everyone, everywhere... the Family has been suppressing this information for decades now, along with one simple fact that, if spread, could cause some major detriments... Every man, woman, and child...[/i]"

Wendy paused for a moment.

"[i]...Has the potential to become a Metahuman, as everyone on Earth has the Metahuman energy inside them.[/i]"